As the weather heats up, we start craving it: a good book that’s a great summer read. Or two. Or better yet, a whole pile of books just waiting to be cracked open and devoured. There is seriously nothing better than lying in a hammock—or on a beach or on your deck or on a flight or just about anywhere you’re hanging out in summer—and reading books that aren’t too heavy but that make you flip those pages fast.
So yeah. If you are vacationing or if you are at your office wishing you were vacationing, no matter. Here they are—the hottest of books of early Summer 2017, right at your fingertips.
The Best Reads for the Summer of 2017
Perfect Summer Reads: Best Read When on a Beach Or Pining to Be on a Beach
The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable
This is THE book of Summer 2017. Be transported back to Nantucket to the wonderful Cliff House during World War II via a faded guest book. Bess’s grandmother always said it was a house of women, and by the very last day of the very last summer at Cliff House, Bess will understand the truth of her grandmother’s words in ways she never contemplated. The characters, story and feelings from this book are all summer perfection.
Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice Monroe
It doesn’t mean summer until you read a book by Mary Alice Monroe. Her books are mac ‘n cheese reads: totally comfort reading. Be swept into a wonderful story set on a beach with exceptional characters and a touch of ecotourism. June doesn’t get any better than a day with this book.
The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner
Long buried secrets bring three generations of women to Provincetown and coastal New England. The beauty of this book is that it is so real. This is not a fairy tale but a page-turner that explores the ramifications of love, truth, and family put to the test. Blurbed by Adriana Trigiani. Need we say more?
Seriously Good Fiction: Best Read on a Long Flight to a Bucket List Destination or a Boring Business Trip
The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn
Gotta love a novel where you laugh out loud, repeatedly. The Arrangement is simply a brilliant novel. On one level, it is funny and light. On another level, Dunn delves into real people’s lives and truly shows what they are feeling. Dare you to read it and not love chicken.
The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green
Jane Green’s books are reliably perfect reads. This book is one of her best as it is poignant, funny, sharp and serious all at the same time. You will relate to at least one of the characters or to the sibling interactions. A perfect description of what happens when daughters must deal with their somewhat estranged mother’s illness. Block off a chunk of time to devour this one.
The Widow of Wall Street by Randy Susan Meyers
Randy Susan Meyers is simply the best at portraying a marriage and the interplay of husband and wife. In her newest book, we meet Phoebe and Jake who marry young and go from “penthouse to prison.” Jake, a Madoff type character, has created a Ponzi scheme that Phoebe knows nothing about. How will Phoebe know define or redefine her life?
Early Summer Suspense: Best Read When You Want to Feel Some Adrenaline Without Moving
Beach Lawyer by Avery Duff
This one is a legal thriller you can read in one long sitting. It’s a debut novel and a page-turner full of twists and turns that you will love. Greed, manipulation and the law intertwine with clever writing.
The Good Widow by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
This book takes you to Hawaii but no Mai Tais with little umbrellas with this read. This book is fast-paced domestic suspense at its finest. It follows a challenging marriage through dramatic twists and turns. So GOOD!
One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline
This fast-paced thriller is one that every parent of teens should read. Set in a suburban high school, the book hooks you fast. It might even be the author’s best work to date.
Fantastic Historical Fiction: Best Read While Floating in a Pool or Eating a Sandwich at Your Desk
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
This book is historical fiction at its finest. It is a World War II story set in Italy that will absorb you from page 1. In just 2 months, this book has over 3400 5 star reviews on Amazon. Wow. And, isn’t the cover magnificent?
Before the Rain Falls by Camille DiMaio
Enjoy this wonderful family saga featuring Della Lee returning to her home town after serving seventy years in prison for the murder of her sister, Eula. There are some amazing family secrets and history in this meticulously researched novel.
The Saturday Evening Girls Club by Jane Healey
Get ready to read a book that feels exactly as if you are reading an Adriana Trigiani novel. It’s an interesting, suck-you-right-in-to-another-world immigrant story, and it’s an absolute gem.
Andrea Peskind Katz is the founder of GreatThoughts.com and The Great Thoughts’ Great Readers Book Salon on Facebook.
