Why it’s perfect for the beach: It’s a romance born of spontaneous summer travel and deep emotional connection. Emily Henry delivers beach book gold.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Tagline: A friends-to-lovers summer romance novel that delivers wanderlust and heart.

If you're searching for the ultimate beach read, look no further than People We Meet on Vacation. This witty and emotional novel practically smells like sunscreen and sangria.

Poppy and Alex are polar opposites and best friends—he’s buttoned-up and practical, she’s chaotic and craving adventure. Every year, for a decade, they’ve taken one vacation together. Until two years ago, when something went wrong. Now, Poppy convinces Alex to take one final trip to see if they can fix what broke between them.

Set across a series of unforgettable summer getaways, this is a perfect vacation read that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even cry.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (KU)

Tagline: A tropical enemies-to-lovers rom-com and the ultimate romantic vacation read.

What happens when you’re stuck on a Hawaiian honeymoon… with your sworn enemy?

In The Unhoneymooners, Olive and Ethan end up on a free trip to paradise after food poisoning wipes out the wedding party. Forced to fake being newlyweds, they embark on a sun-soaked, hilarious, and chemistry-filled vacation that changes everything.

This tropical romance novel is full of laugh-out-loud banter, ridiculous misunderstandings, and sizzling tension. It’s the kind of beach read you finish in a day—and then immediately recommend to all your friends.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Between the palm trees and the enemies-to-lovers trope, it’s everything you want in a fun, flirty summer book.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: With sun-dappled lake scenes, slow-burning love, and a sharp sense of humor, it’s one of the best contemporary romance books to read by the water.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Tagline: A lakeside summer romance with emotional depth and irresistible chemistry.

Emily Henry strikes again with a deeper twist on contemporary romance.

Despite the title, Beach Read isn’t just about sandy shores—it’s about two writers stuck in side-by-side beach houses, each trying to finish their next book and mend a broken heart.

January, a romance novelist struggling to believe in love, and Gus, a literary fiction writer with a darker edge, strike a deal: she’ll try writing his genre, and he’ll attempt hers. What follows is a season of emotional vulnerability, clever dialogue, and unexpected intimacy.

This is more than a classic summer romance novel—it’s a story about grief, creativity, and second chances.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Tagline: A second-chance beach romance set in a dreamy coastal Maine getaway.

In Happy Place, Harriet and Wyn were the perfect couple—until they weren’t. When they’re both invited to one last week at their friend group’s beloved beach house, they decide to pretend they’re still together. Just for the trip.

When she's good she's good, Emily Henry queues up tension, longing, and emotional flashbacks as the couple navigates a web of old feelings in a setting soaked with nostalgia.

This novel blends the summer vibes of a seaside romance with emotional complexity and tender storytelling. It’s a beach read for grown-ups who’ve loved, lost, and still want to believe.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Set in a charming coastal town with sea breezes, wine nights, and old friends, this romance novel screams “vacation reading.”

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Between the ocean waves and explosive emotions, this book is a bold, cinematic summer read with high stakes and high heat.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Tagline: A glamorous, sun-soaked family drama perfect for readers craving more than just romance.

If you like your beach books with a little more drama and a lot of summer glamour, Malibu Rising is your perfect match.

Set in 1980s Malibu, this novel follows the Riva siblings—surfer royalty and children of a rock star—over the course of one wild summer night. Nina Riva is hosting her annual end-of-summer party, and by the end of the night, her world will literally go up in flames.

This is a sweeping, character-driven story about family, fame, and reinvention—complete with surfing scenes, coastal mansions, and complicated love lives.