Beach Reads Available Now
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
Georgie organizes children’s parties, much to the disappointment of her ambitious parents. She also hasn’t been on a date since, well…ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. To spice up her reputation and convince her parents she’s an adult, Georgie decides to pretend she’s having a steamy affair. And who better to help demolish that image than Travis, former pro baseball player turned house flipper?
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
In this reimagining of a Jane Austen Classic, Trisha is San Francisco’s most acclaimed neurosurgeon…but her immigrant family will never be satisfied until she’s married. Sparks fly when she comes into contact with DJ, an up-and-coming chef. But when he realizes Trisha is the only surgeon who can save his sister’s life, both are forced to reassess their first impressions of each other. As the two clash, their assumptions crumble like the spun sugar on one of DJ’s stunning desserts.
Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
On her first day of law school, Kailyn ran—quite literally—into the actor she crushed on as a teenager, ending with him sprawled on top of her. Mortified to discover the Daxton Hughes was also a student in her class, her embarrassment over their meet cute quickly turned into a friendship she never expected. Of course, she never saw his betrayal coming either. Eight years later, he shows up in her office asking for legal advice. The more time Kailyn spends with Dax, the more she realizes the chemistry they had all those years ago is as fresh as ever. But will they be able to forgive the mistakes of the past, or will one betrayal lead to another?
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal
This follow-up to the charming Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows is another life-affirming, witty family drama. In this story, three Punjabi sisters embark on a Sikh pilgrimage to scatter their mother’s ashes in India. The three have become estranged, and during the trip they bicker over longstanding resentments. Yet as they view the splendor of their homeland, the bond of sisterhood begins to strengthen…just as their mother would have wanted.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
Kristen is helping to plan her best friend’s wedding, a bittersweet task as she herself is facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children. When she meets best man Josh, sparks fly. He’s funny, sexy, and never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm. But Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he’d be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it’s harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length.
Technically, You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson
This novel, told entirely in texts, shares the unconventional tale of two teenage nerds who fall unexpectedly in love. Haley thinks she knows which Martin she’s been texting, but there are two in her grade. Martin doesn’t realize which one she thinks he is until it’s too late to come clean. A rich tapestry of friendships and sexual identities (Haley is demisexual; Martin is bi) weaves together into a case of mistaken identity that it at once timeless and perfect for Gen Z.
The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli
Raina has finally given into family pressure to allow her grandmother to play matchmaker…but that doesn’t mean she’s going to play by the rules. Her traditional grandmother brings with her the expectations of their tight-knit Indian immigrant community and provides a list of suitable bachelors. But Raina has her own plans…
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim
Natalie returns to San Francisco’s Chinatown upon the death of her grandmother. Having moved away, she’s startled to find the vibrant area of her childhood is fading. She’s surprised to learn she’s inherited her grandmother’s restaurant…and moreso when she receives a fortune instructing her to cook three recipes from her grandmother’s cookbook to aid her struggling neighbors before the restaurant will succeed. Combining elements of romantic comedy and fabulism, Natalie’s experiences change her outlook on the neighborhood…and herself.
The Perfect Date by Evelyn Lozada, with Holly Lorincz
Angel’s main priority is to get through nursing school so she can provide for her mother and her young son. When pro baseball player—and tabloid regular—Duke is caught skipping out on training, he’s sent back to the Bronx to get his head straight. Sparks fly when he encounters Angel, though she wants nothing to do with him. But her groundedness, and refusal to be star-struck by his fame, could be just what he needs to get himself back in the game.
Fumbled by Alexa Martin
Poppy became a single mother at 16, and has worked hard to build a life she loves as an adult. Sure, it may include a job at a nightclub, weekend soccer games, and more stretch marks than she anticipated, but it’s all hers, and nobody can take that away. But her memories of the girl she used to be come rushing back when she runs into former acquaintance T.K., now a pro football player. But with all the secrets they never told each other lying between them, they’ll need more than a dating playbook to help them navigate their relationship.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This queer romcom finds America’s first son staging a fake friendship that turns into more with a British prince. Alex, son of a female American president seeking reelection, is the closest thing to royalty on his side of the Atlantic. He’s ordered to fake a friendship with his longtime nemesis, Britain’s Prince Henry, to improve relations between the countries. But the friendship turns into a secret relationship that threatens to upend two nations.
How to Hack a Heartbreak by Kristin Rockaway
Mel works as an IT helper by day, and by night finds herself on a string of horrible dates with guys she’s found on apps. After one dick pic too many, Mel uses her coding skills to design a new kind of app: called JerkAlert, it’s a way for users to log harassers and abusers in online dating spaces. The app goes viral overnight, but nobody knows Mel is its creator…especially her longtime crush and almost-boyfriend.
Fame Adjacent by Sarah Skilton
Holly is the only member of a 1990s teen show who didn’t go on to achieve fame and fortune. When the show announces a 25th anniversary celebration and she isn’t invited, Holly decides to crash the party. Three problems for this impromptu road trip: she’s currently in rehab, she has no cash, and the only person who can get her across the country in time is a handsome, infuriatingly level-headed guy who doesn’t think she should confront her famous ex-friends.
Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith
Having just been dumped by his girlfriend, Hugo is still determined to take his last-hurrah-before-college train trip across the U.S. But with a ticket already booked under the name of his ex, he must find someone different to accompany him. His online post for someone with a matching name comes up with Mae, an aspiring filmmaker with big dreams. She’s convinced this is the perfect opportunity to expand her horizons. But going on a cross-country trip with a perfect stranger, especially one you’re surprised to find yourself attracted to, is more than they bargained for.
Virtually Yours by Sarvenaz Tash
NYU freshman Mariam hasn’t dated anyone in five months since her high school sweetheart broke up with her. She decides to finally move on, taking advantage of a coupon for Happily Ever After Virtual Reality (HEAVR). Posing as someone else, she gets matched with her ex as well as with her new IRL friend Jeremy…who doesn’t realize she’s also his HEAVR match.
Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
Annie watched romcoms religiously with her mother growing up, so now at 27 her dating life is limited by the expectations she’s formed from these movies. She refuses to settle for anything less than a Tom Hanks character—someone she imagines she’ll find in the perfect, meet cute romantic comedy way. But she comes to reassess her self-imposed rules when she meets a guy who may just be her perfect match. Will her romcom expectations get in the way of her finding true happiness?
Beach Reads Coming in July!
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory (July 16)
Maddie and Theo didn’t mean to have a one-night stand, but neither can stop thinking about the other after the fact. Thrown together at a mutual friend’s wedding, they find ways to sneak off together while also fulfilling responsibilities to the bridal party. When the big day is suddenly pushed up and they only have a few months left of secret rendezvouses, they much reckon with what this means for their relationship. Two people this different can’t possibly have a connection other than the purely physical, right?
The Marriage Clock by Zara Raheem (July 23)
Leila’s traditional Indian parents insist that she find a husband in their South Asian Muslim community through the traditional process of an arranged match. But Leila has grown up watching Bollywood films and craves a grand love story. She strikes a deal with her parents: if she can’t find her own husband in three months, she’ll agree to their match. And so begins a series of speed dates, blind dates, online dates and more… leaving Leila dreading the consequences if she’s not able to find her own “the one.”
Beach Reads Coming In August!
Love At First Like by Hannah Orenstein (August 6)
Eliza and Sophie co-own a Brooklyn jewelry shop. After learning of her ex’s engagement, Eliza accidentally posts a photo of herself wearing a diamond ring on that finger to her popular Instagram account. Suddenly, sales at their store skyrocket, they get media attention, and Eliza must find a way to pretend she’s actually engaged. Which means she needs to find someone to pose as her fake fiancé.
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai (August 6)
Rhiannon has revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she’s entirely career-focused (other than the occasional hookup). So she’s surprised to find herself preoccupied by the latest guy she swiped right on: former pro-football player Samson. He ghosts her after one magical night, resurfacing months later claiming to want another chance. Only thing is, he’s now working for Rhiannon’s business rival. If you’re looking for more sweet beach reads, check out our ultimate list of best beach books of 2019, 50 of the best books to read this summer, and of course get ready to accessorize your beach reads with 5 of the best beach floats for your beach reads!
