My Beach Read Discography

A shimmering list of books that smell like sea shells and summer air

Beach reads possess a unique charm that transports readers to sun-soaked shores and the soothing sounds of crashing waves. These books often feature lighthearted plots, engaging characters, and the allure of romance or adventure, making them the perfect companions for a day by the sea. As you immerse yourself in their pages, the worries of everyday life fade away, and you are swept into a world where the warmth of the sun and the salty breeze invigorate your spirit.

Whether it's the thrill of a summer fling, the discovery of hidden treasures, or the journey of self-discovery, beach reads encapsulate the essence of summer magic. They invite you to escape reality and relish in the simplicity and beauty of coastal life, reminding you of the joy and freedom that comes with the season.

Here is the top four books sitting in my beach bag; AKA my Beach Read Discography:

This Summer Will Be Different

by Carley Fortune

This book will grab you by the hand and pull you through the salt-soaked breeze of Prince Edward Island. We follow our main character Lucy as she sifts through the sands of the past to try and sort out her feeling for her best friends brother, Felix. All the while she must slowly peel back the layers of her best friend the week before her wedding in order to discover why she had begged her to come to the island beach house in the first place.

Can Lucy avoid her simmering hot chemistry with the completely off-limits Felix?

Can she pull the truth from her best friend without disrupting the balance they've always had?

And most importantly, can this summer be any different?

I found that Prince Edward Island's setting is a dazzling asset to the book, offering a vivid backdrop that amplifies the narrative's allure and depth. The picturesque landscapes, featuring rolling green hills, sandy shores, and vibrant wildflowers, establish an idyllic atmosphere that reflects Lucy's journey of self-discovery. The island's rich history and distinct culture lend authenticity to the story, while its serene beauty provides a sense of escape and inspiration. This captivating location not only enchants the reader's imagination but also significantly influences the characters' experiences and relationships throughout the tale.

Thirst For Salt

by Madelaine Lucas

This seductive debut novel dives into the world of our 24 year old main character as she goes on holiday with her mom in an isolated coastal town in Australia. It is a dreamy haze of beautiful prose and ocean descriptions that will leave you wondering if the intoxicating combination of salt water and love can ever be described again.

We follow our main character back in time to her 24th summer where she falls into a rich and hazy relationship with a local man nearly 18 years her senior.

She gets pulled under by the current of his life and must learn to navigate the heavy water in order to hold onto herself.

We see through this dripping narrative how lulling love can be and how hard it can be to find our way back to ourselves once it fades.

The Wedding People

by Alison Espach

The Wedding People drags us into the world of Phoebe, a recent divorcee with her cheek pressing against rock bottom. In a depressive state she books a few nights at a pricy resort hotel in Newport, Rhode Island with the plan to get away from her dreary professor job and relax at the beach...and also to end her own life.

What she wasn't expecting was to get thrown into the wedding events of the affluent and soon to be wed Lila. As a complete stranger, Phoebe must navigate this wedding through analyzing the dynamics of the wedding people...and maybe along the way find a reason to throw away her original plan.

Through the discovery of self-love, the richness of human relationships, and the clarity that comes with beach vacations, we find a moving story and a new meaning to the word empathy.

A Love Letter to Whiskey

by Kandi Steiner

Brecks (B) discovers love for the first time in a pair of bourbon colored eyes. His name: Jamie, but in her mind he will always be Whiskey. We follow their forever complicated and sometimes toxic relationship through their young adult years spent surfing and trying to steal small moment of each other's lives amidst the chaos.

Through the realization that friends don't look at each other like they tend to do, and the heartbreaking loss of a loved one we watch as B and Jamie reach for each other through the storms and push away just as fast.

A Love Letter to Whiskey shows a more jaded side to love and the things we believe we do and don't deserve in our lifetime.