12 Hot Reads for Your Summer Stack
Happy Fourth of July Eve, friends!
We’re solidly into summer now—sunshine, sand, and the glorious absence of structure reigning supreme. So many things can be true of this season at once, and if I’m honest, summer knocks me off my feet every year. In great ways and hard ones! Like a toddler pummeled by a big foamy wave, I’m always both super excited and totally overwhelmed.
I mean, I love summer in Southern California. I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth for these golden months! My kids are at ridiculously fun (and notably easier!) ages, and I’m beyond grateful for the flexible, creative writerly work of my dreams. But I’m also someone who thrives on structure: quiet mornings, time-blocked calendars, and the sanity-saving rhythm of a routine. Every June, just when it feels like I’ve finally found my flow, summer swoops in like, “GOTCHA!”
I share all this as a preamble to this bookish post, simply to say: Hello, friends! How’s it going for you?! Because it’s fun and sandy for me, but also (without fail) a massive adjustment. I decidedly don’t have it all figured out over here. Not even close! But that’s okay? (I think?) Every year, every season, every summer looks different for us. (For everyone?)
And yet, one constant I can always count on, in addition to the smells of sunscreen, chocolate chip cookies, and bonfire smoke, something that brings me joy in the chaos, comfort when life feels heavy, and inspiration when I’ve got more room for creative input than output—is reading.
Oh, books! You’re always there for me.
And while my reading life (like everything else) is a little all over the place right now, it’s also incredibly wonderful. I’ve been squeezing in pages whenever I can—usually in weird little windows of time—and loving every one of them, audio minutes included.
So whether you're a fellow mom embracing the madness, a Kindle-cuddler looking for emotional support reads at night, lucky enough to be lounging on a beach, or just hunting for the perfect airplane book, I’ve got you!
Below, you’ll find twelve books I have adored lately, broken down by category for easy browsing. From heart-fluttering romance and deeply felt fiction to twisty thrillers and high-concept lit, there’s something here for the gamut of readers!
I hope you find something wonderful in this list. And more than that, I hope you wake up each day this season with a genuine spark for finding the joy—even if it’s messy, unscheduled, and piled with beach-and-pool laundry!
Here we go!!!
Romantic Escapes
1. It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
OKAY, ANNABEL. This one’s going to stick with me. Somehow, she just keeps getting better. I’ve loved all her books to the moon, but this one tops her unstoppable rise, in my humble opinion. Jane and Dan (Dan and Jane!) completely stole my heart. When film exec Jane makes a desperate promise to secure a pop song from her childhood co-star–turned–mega-famous performer, she ends up back in Dan’s hometown… staying with his family. What she doesn’t expect? To fall not just for Dan, but for his whole perfectly imperfect crew. Annabel’s one-liners hit straight to the heart: funny, wise, and devastating in the best way. You’ll smile through tears and close the book with a hug in your chest. All the stars for this one!
2. Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
This buzzy release has stirred up lots of opinions. Some readers are obsessed; others not so much. But love it or hate it, this fuzzy-feels banger shot straight to #1 on the New York Times list—and I’m firmly claiming the love camp! The banter between Samantha and Javier felt sharp and fresh. If Gen Z vernacular and TikTok speak don’t scare you off (be warned), you’ll find this witty rom-com a total poolside treat. Goes down easy as a rocket popsicle on the Fourth of July! It’s got all the five-star insta-love charm you'd expect, with tender takes on heavier themes like animal abuse and dementia. I laughed, I swooned—I really adored this one.
3. Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
I’ve been dying to try Ashley Poston for a while now. When I spotted Sounds Like Love—her fun new release—paired with one of my favorite audiobook narrators (Patti Murin), I knew it was time. I went in blind, and honestly? When I first encountered the magical element, I wasn’t sure I could hang. Telepathy? In a romance? Get out of my head, bro! But then... I fell HARD. This one definitely requires a hefty suspension of disbelief. But once I decided to go with the tune, I couldn’t get enough of the song! It’s fresh, heartwarming, and totally lovable. The story centers on a hit songwriter and an angsty musician who begin hearing each other’s thoughts. Will their shared melody heal them, break them, or both? Plus, we get another deeply touching portrayal of a parent facing dementia. If you love Katherine Center, you’ll love this too—it gave me all the delectable KC vibes! Highly recommend the audiobook!
Fantastic Fiction
4. Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
The queen of the Nantucket beach read delivers a stunning finale to her signature island collection. Swan Song is the perfect capstone to this iconic body of work—and easily one of my favorites within, right up there with 28 Summers, The Five-Star Weekend, and The Perfect Couple. It has all the classic EH ingredients: local drama, lovable characters, swoon-worthy meals, and that incomparable Nantucket charm (which has recently become my entire personality, oops!). Don’t let this one slip by you!
5. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
If you ask me IRL what you should read this summer, I’ll say first: “Have you read Broken Country yet?!” I’ve already gushed about it all over Instagram… and won’t stop anytime soon! This one will definitely be a favorite of mine this year. It’s got the romantic ache of The Notebook, the lyricism of Where the Crawdads Sing, and the emotional weight of We Begin at the End (with some uncanny similarities to that last one)! My book club devoured it and shared in the best discussion. This story truly left pieces of my heart inside its pages. Universally loved, and for good reason.
Book Club Material
6. The Favorites by Layne Fargo
If you pick this one up, do yourself a favor: go straight for the multi-cast audiobook. It’s absolutely top-tier. This knockout read will catapult you back to your ’90s ice-skating obsession (Tonya Harding, Nancy Kerrigan, anyone?). When long-estranged lovers and former skating partners Katarina and Heath reunite for a documentary, decades of buried tension, betrayal, and ambition resurface in the juiciest way. It plays out like a Netflix documentary in your ears—full of drama, nostalgia, and razor-sharp edges. Five gold medals for this wildly creative take on obsession, performance, and the stories we spin.
7. Heartwood by Amity Gaige
This one’s still haunting me—in the best way. Heartwood is a gorgeously written piece of literary fiction about a young woman who vanishes while hiking the Appalachian Trail. What follows is a kaleidoscope of perspectives—including hers, through lyrical letters to her mother—as loved ones search for answers in the mystical, memory-soaked woods of Maine. It’s Wild meets last summer’s stunner God of the Woods in a mash-up I didn’t know I needed! Haunting, redemptive, and full of emotional punch, this was a Read with Jenna homerun for me!
8. The Names by Florence Knapp
Two Read with Jenna knockout picks in a row here! One of the most original, thought-provoking books I’ve read in ages, The Names is a marvel. After giving birth, a woman imagines herself split into three versions of motherhood—one for each name she considered for her son. Bear, Julian, Gordan: I won’t soon forget you. Each life plays out in full: wildly different, equally real, and emotionally gripping. The Names explores motherhood, partnership, selfhood, and the invisible ripple effects of our smallest choices. Smart, sharp, and deeply resonant—I still can’t stop thinking about it. Also I strongly suggest reading the hard copy over the audio due to the multiple storylines and deep character portraits.
9. The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick
This speculative gem features one of the most quietly devastating premises of the summer, if you ask me: What if you could sleep off your grief—literally? In a near-future world where people enter the “poppy fields” to escape emotional pain, The Poppy Fields explores the tension between numbing and healing, remembering and moving on. It’s dreamlike, dystopian, and deeply human. Perfect for fans of Goodbye for Now by Laurie Frankel or Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (add both of those to your library holds if you haven’t read ‘em)! Unforgettable in all the best ways.
Chills & Thrills
10. Count My Lies by Sophie Stava
Let’s get this out of the way: yes, comparisons to The Housemaid and The Last Mrs. Parrish are fair. But to say Count My Lies can’t stand on its own? Nope. This thriller slaps, as the kids say! Plus, I love the quote: “There are no original ideas, only original retellings.” And this hot take is twisty and fast-paced, anchored by a mesmerizing, don’t-mess-with-me heroine with secrets layered like boldly flavored lasagna. The plot kept me guessing and left me with a grin on my face. Totally unputdownable—and totally satisfying. Plus, it’s being adapted by Hulu in a series starring Lindsay Lohan. Need I say more?!
11. The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark
I inhaled this one. It’s absolutely fantastic—and set in Ojai? Say less! Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont reluctantly returns home to take on the one project she swore she’d never touch: her estranged father’s tell-all memoir. Vincent Taylor, a bestselling horror author in the Stephen King mold, is battling Lewy body dementia—and the ghosts of his past. As they begin unraveling the brutal, long-buried murders of his brother and sister, the tension builds scene by scene. Released June 3, The Ghostwriter is one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read this year. Dark, disturbing, and dangerously addictive. Read if you dare!
12. Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
I’ll read anything Lisa Jewell writes until the end of time. Her stories get under my skin in the best way—dark, complex, and bingeable. Her newest, Don’t Let Him In, might be one of my favorites yet. Think Dirty John meets The Last Mrs. Parrish, with Lisa Jewell’s trademark edge. I won’t spoil a thing, but it’s a propulsive, chilling domestic thriller about a dangerously magnetic man and the women drawn into his orbit—with devastating consequences. If you loved None of This Is True or Then She Was Gone, do not miss this one. Nobody does domestic creep like Queen Jewell!
And there you have it—twelve books I highly recommend adding to your summer stack. Whether you’re chasing sunshine, dodging deadlines, or just trying to carve out a few seconds for yourself, I hope one (or three!) of these stories finds its way into your pretty hands!
Have you read any of these yet? What’s at the top of your summer TBR? Drop your recs in the comments or DM me anytime!
Here’s to long days, late nights, and getting lost in the pages whenever we can!
Based in Orange County, California, Stephanie Mack is a longtime writer, wife to one, and mom of three little girls. She has been blogging at MOMentary Insanity® since 2014. Her work has also been featured on Scary Mommy, Faithit, Coffee + Crumbs, and more. She holds a Master of Professional Writing degree from USC. When We Blinked is her debut novel.
Hi, friends!
Subscribe to my newsletter for special updates, favorite finds, current reads, and more...
Let’s keep in touch!
FEATURED ON
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
Happy Fourth of July Eve, friends!
We’re solidly into summer now—sunshine, sand, and the glorious absence of structure reigning supreme. So many things can be true of this season at once, and if I’m honest, summer knocks me off my feet every year. In great ways and hard ones! Like a toddler pummeled by a big foamy wave, I’m always both excited and overwhelmed.