7 Contemporary Beach Reads to Pack This Summer

7 Contemporary Beach Reads to Pack This Summer

by Addison Ciuchta

A beach read lives outside genre.

With summer fully upon us, the annual discussion of what makes a beach read a beach read is back in full force. Some say beach reads are lighthearted romances to speed through by the surf. Others say a sucker punch of a thriller is the best for those sand-filled afternoons. I, however, think a beach read is any and all of the above. As long as it fits a few criteria.

A beach read must be absorbing. It must keep you hook you at the start and keep you engaged until the end. But should you get interrupted by a mid-afternoon ice cream break or a dip in the water, it should be easy to dive back into. It probably shouldn’t be too sad either, but that one’s up for debate.

This list is made up of dazzling romance, the spectacular adventure, and twisty-turny mysteries, all of which are easy to breeze through. And bonus points: they’re all indie books!

Here are 7 books perfect for your beach bag.

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(Book lists on Independent Book Review are chosen by very picky people. As affiliates, we earn a commission on books you purchase through our links.)

1. Empire of Shadows

After she is arrested at a women’s rights protest, Ellie Mallory is fired from her archivist job. Her archeological dreams crumbling before her, she finds a map that documents the route to an ancient, mythical city. She’s not the only one interested in what lay at the end of the x, a sleekly vicious villain named Jacobs hot on her heels as she spontaneously decides to sail to Honduras to investigate. There, she meets a local surveyor Adam Bates, a rough-around-the-edges rascal who agrees to help her navigate the dangerous route.

It’s a thrilling adventure full of dense brush, ancient history, and unexpected connection between Ellie and Adam who both, in their own way, fight against a society that tells them who they should be, lending a sincerity to the narrative even as gashes, gore, and gun fire erupt. Fair warning, it’s on the longer side, so don’t forget to reapply that sunscreen!

2. Make a Scene

Bakery-owner Retta Majors is thrown off kilter when, at a family gathering, her cousin announces she’s engaged to Retta’s ex-boyfriend. As her family congratulates the couple, Retta tries to keep her composure. Wanting to show everyone how fine she is with it all, Retta agrees to attend the wedding against her better judgement, making up a boyfriend who is supposed to come along with her.

After a few failed attempts, she finds her fake boyfriend in the boxing gym next to her bakery; one of the owners, Duncan Gilmore, is the perfect candidate. All she has to do is give up a coveted parking space and a recipe to get him to say yes.

As Retta and Duncan get to know each other so they can ace their act at the wedding, real chemistry blooms between them. Through descriptions of pastries you can practically taste, not-so-pretend dates, and background family drama, you’ll be smiling through it all.

Need gifts for your book-loving kid? Check out these gifts for kids who love to read.

3. Lucky Secrets

Amateur sleuth Sara Donovan is heading into finals before college graduation when two envelopes arrive, one with an invitation to take part in a mysterious competition and the other containing doctored blackmail photos that suggest Sara doesn’t have a choice in whether to agree.

With her best friend Zoe and her loyal sidekick sleuth dog Mauzzy, the trio report to a mansion where the competition will take place. Under strict non-disclosure agreements, vague threats from the unknown organizer, and the pressure of seven other contestants, Sara’s investigating skills are pushed to their limits as she tries not only to win but to unmask the person pulling the strings behind it all.

Sara’s sleuthing skills, her adorable sidekick Mauzzy, and riddles galore make this an excellent cozy mystery to read beach-side. But just because it’s lighthearted doesn’t mean the stakes aren’t high!

Blackmail, white collar crime, and violence raise the tension to keep you guessing.

4. Tap Dancing on Everest

Tap Dancing on Everest is part adventure, part inspiration—perfect for a sunny break from your daily life.

Mimi is still in medical school when she accepts the invitation to be a doctor that accompanies a team of climbers striking out a new path on Mt. Everest. But they have limited resources and no possibility for rescue.

Fighting her own self-doubt, the rough conditions, and the biting cold, Mimi recounts her experience with the climbers, reflecting on her childhood, her education, and her heritage as she does.

What makes this unique is the perspective, Mimi approaching the narrative of her trek from more of a layperson’s point-of-view rather than a technical take on the climb. It’s also full of vulnerability as she reflects on her upbringing as the child of Jewish immigrants, her insecurities in studying medicine, and her true dedication to help others.

5. His Third Victim

After the death of his partner in an ambush last year, Detective Inspector Matt Bridle is taking a break from investigative work, maybe forever, to heal his own injuries from the attack.

But after a young boy goes missing and five seemingly unconnected people turn up dead in Yorkshire with the same Chinese symbol on them, his boss needs him back. Now paired with a new sergeant, Lily, the pair must find out who the killer is before there are more bodies to be found.

With glimpses into the meticulous, chilling mind of the killer, you’ll be rooting for D.I. Brindle to put a stop to this before it’s too late. With leads that go nowhere, suspicious witnesses, and his own trauma, though, Brindle’s up against more than a simple open-and-shut case. A truly thrilling beach read!

6. Looks Good on Paper

Zuri Robinson likes paper. Okay, maybe she loves paper. It’s kind of her thing. Pen pal letters written on that fancy paper? There’s nothing better. One of the only things that keeps her pushing through her customer service job, fielding calls from disgruntled users of a not-so-respectable dating app, is knowing a package of wonderful stationary or a letter from her Italian pen pal, Alessandro, is waiting for her.

What she doesn’t know is that the person writing the letters is actually Nico, Alessandro’s brother. When Zuri jets off for Italy for a much-needed vacation, the secret can’t stay secret for long.

With beautiful descriptions to Italy (and Italian men), this is an adorable romance between Zuri and Nico, framed by the touching letters they sent each other. What’s stunning about this one is the way love can bloom amongst every day, mundane topics, the small details of each other’s lives where they find a deep connection in each other before they ever meet.

7. Murder in First Position: An On Pointe Mystery

Leah Siderova, a ballerina, is knocked from top billing and lead roles after a knee injury requires surgery. Her competitor, a younger ballerina named Arianna, is now in the spotlight, taking Leah’s place. Back in action, Leah’s determined to knock Arianna down a peg.

But when Leah finds Arianna stabbed to death, Leah’s shocked to find she’s prime suspect number one in the police’s eyes. Everyone knows ballet is cutthroat, and sure they may have had an altercation or two, but she’d never actually murder anyone. Now, as the company turns on her, Leah must solve the case and prove her innocence before bars keep her from dancing again.

With many a possible murderer, Leah has her work cut out for her. Juxtaposed between the seemingly soft and pretty world of ballet and the harsh light of a murder, Leah finds out quickly just how similar the two worlds are. Plus, author Lori Robbins’ knowledge of ballet shines through, showing a backstage look at what really goes on in a ballet company, flaws and all. This is a fun, cozy mystery, especially for those interested in dance.

And of course…those kids need books too!

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About the Author

Addison Ciuchta is a reader first, a writer second, and an everything else third. She spends her days hiding from the Arizona heat, spending time with her fluffy cat, enjoying any sweet or sour candy she can get her hands on, and making plans to travel anywhere and everywhere.

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