10 Captivating Books That Are Guaranteed to Extend Summer Joy!

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As summer slowly winds down, you might have a few more trips to the beach or lake on the horizon or maybe you’re planning to spend time by the pool or at home sipping ice-cold lemonade in the sunshine. No matter what your late-summer plans look like, there’s no better company than a good book that ignites and extends all those carefree summertime feelings. Here, we gathered up 10 of our favorite end of summer books that are the perfect way to wrap up the sunny season! From family sagas set in coastal California to emotional lakeside romances, enthralling coming-of-age tales and more, we have something for everyone.

Keep reading to discover all of our favorite end-of-summer reads!

‘Malibu Rising’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

From best-selling author Taylor Jenkins Reid comes another sweeping family saga. Every summer, the four grown children of Mick Riva, the legendary singer and infamous ladies’ man,  throw a huge party, but in the summer of 1983, oldest child, Nina, a famous surfer, is going through a public breakup, brothers Hud and Jay are dealing with their own relationship drama and Kit is about to deliver a surprise, turning the annual bash into a gathering that’s much more than anyone bargained for. 

What readers are saying: “This book has it all: celebrities, secrets and family drama, set in glamorous Malibu,” says Patty Bontekoe, Woman’s World Executive Editor. “I couldn’t put it down! I loved how the story flipped back in time between the 1980s and the 1950s, sharing the ill-fated love story of parents Mick and June through the years and the unbreakable bond these siblings shared.” 

‘The Forever Summer’ by Jamie Brenner

Filled with mystery, family drama and idyllic beach settings, this end-of-summer tale has it all. When a DNA test unveils a family that she never knew she had, Marin Bishop decides to spend the summer with her half-sister and grandmother on Cape Cod, where secrets unfold. 

What readers are saying: “I was looking for something a little different than my normal suspense/mystery/thriller, and this was a great find. The characters were so relatable, and you truly felt the emotion of the story as you read.” 

‘Every Summer After’ by Carley Fortune

Carley Fortune has risen to BookTok fame over the past few years thanks to her heart-fluttering, emotional romances — and it all started with Every Summer After. Fortune’s first novel follows Percy Fraser, who spends her lakeside summers next door to the Florek brothers. Over six summers, her love story with her best friend, Sam Florek, develops. But after she makes the biggest mistake of her life, she loses touch with him. When they are reunited years later, Percy finds her connection with Sam is still undeniable. Now, she must face her past mistakes and see if their love can survive. 

What readers are saying: “On rainy days, there are few things better than immersing myself in a swoony love story set in a small summer town,” says Julianne MacNeill, Woman’s World Assistant Digital Editor. “And this one stayed with me long after the last page. This story of young summer love will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling!” 

‘Summer Sisters’ by Judy Blume

A beautiful, nostalgic summertime story unfolds in Judy Blume’s iconic novel Summer Sisters. Vix Leonard’s world changes forever when she’s befriended by the dazzling Caitlin Somers, who introduces Vix to her family’s world of privilege, including vacations in Martha’s Vineyard. As the years pass by, their friendship fades — until Caitlin suddenly asks Vix to be her maid of honor for her upcoming nuptials, leading Vix on a hunt to discover just what happened during that fateful summer that led to their falling out. 

What readers are saying: “This is the first time I've read one of Judy Blume's books since I was much younger and I'm so happy I did. This book relates to every girl who grew up with a best friend. The relationship keeps changing as you get older, and sometimes it's really hard to understand. Blume's prose is remarkable and the style of writing just wants you to keep reading even after the book is finished.” 

‘Vacationland’ by Meg Mitchell Moore

In this irresistibly engrossing tale set in idyllic Maine, the story centers on Louisa and her three kids. Louisa has decided to escape Brooklyn and flee to her parents’ house in Maine for the summer. But she soon realizes her parents need her more than she thought. Across town, a woman named Kristie arrives — and she has a shocking connection to Louisa’s family. As the two cross paths, they reflect on what they want and what’s worth fighting for.

What readers are saying: “My last vacation feels like it was so long ago, and without another one planned, I was looking for a take-me-away read,” says Patty Bontekoe, Woman’s World Executive Editor.  “And this book’s coastal cover and title drew me right in!  “I fell in love with Louise and her family — and with Kristie. With just enough family drama, unearthed secrets, and the gorgeous descriptions of Maine in the summer, I truly felt like I had escaped…for a little while, at least!” 

‘The Seaside Cafe’ by Rochelle Alers

Stunning coastal settings and heartfelt moments…this novel penned by Rochelle Alers whisks readers away to the beaches of North Carolina. Following a betrayal, Kayana Johnson moves back to lovely Coates Island to help her brother run the Seaside Café. After Kayana meets two patrons, Leah and Cherie, who feel like kindred spirits, they start a book club. Soon, the trio unpacks the drama in their books and their lives. A tale of love, friendship and new starts.

What readers are saying: “I loved this book as the perfect summer read that leaves the reader feeling uplifted by the friendships, the books shared and the wonderful setting. I highly recommend reading this book.” 

‘The Summer’s End’ by Mary Alice Monroe

In the breathtaking end to Mary Alice Monroe’s Lowcountry Summer trilogy, half-sisters Dora, Carson and Harper head to their beloved house — Sea Breeze — with their grandma Marietta “Mamaw” Muir one last time before it’s sold. Harper only planned to stay for a weekend, but after the rift between her and her mother grows stronger, she stays longer. Now, Harper begins to wonder if the idyllic beach town — and its handsome new resident, Taylor McClellan — might be the key to finally determining the course of her life.

What readers are saying: “I have been eagerly anticipating a return to Sea Breeze. I love Mary Alice Monroe and always feel a connection and kinship with her characters. This trilogy has been my favorite since the Beach House series. Her writing and storytelling makes you feel like you are right there on Sullivan's Island and Sea Breeze.”

‘Mary Jane’ by Jessica Anya Blau

Described as Almost Famous meets Daisy Jones & The Six, this novel brings readers to 1970s Baltimore and centers on 14-year-old Mary Jane. Mary Jane enjoys cooking with her mom, singing in the church choir and is an all-around shy, wholesome girl. She’s thrilled when she gets a summer job as a nanny for a local doctor’s family. But she soon learns this family is much more wild and carefree than they seem — and they are also housing a rock star and his wife for the summer. What follows is an enthralling coming-of-age story that is sure to provide a freewheeling end-of-summer escape.

What readers are saying: “Simply put, this is the perfect beach read. From the minute I started reading to the moment I finished, I felt like the sun was shining on my shoulders.” 

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ by Jenny Han

Jenny Han perfectly encapsulates the feeling of young love in her fan-favorite The Summer I Turned Pretty — which is now also a hit TV series on Amazon Prime. Belly Conklin is prepping for another summer at the Fisher’s beach house — and she’s hoping this will be the summer she falls in love. After pining over the oldest Fisher brother, Conrad, for years, Belly has hopes his feelings will change. But when she arrives, everything is not what it seems: Conrad is acting strange, his brother, Jeremiah, is cuter than she remembered and family drama is slowly unearthed.

What readers are saying: “After I binge-watched the entire first season of this series and chose which brother I was rooting for, I knew I had to pick this up on my next trip to the bookstore and see whether I agreed with my decision,” says MacNeill. “There is something very special about the way Han writes these young characters, who are all on the verge of falling in love or getting their hearts broken.”

‘On Fire Island’ by Jane L. Rosen

Summer charm, Fire Island settings, a cute dog, poignant insights…this novel has it all. Julia wasn’t expecting her life to end at the hands of cancer. So she just can’t bring herself to cross over, and instead, decides to spend one last summer on Fire Island, where she can only observe her loved ones. What follows is an emotional, cathartic blend of love and needing to learn when to let go. 

What readers are saying: "A fantastic story! I could not put this book down. I enjoyed it so much I bought a copy for my daughter. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has lost a loved one. The characters are well rounded. I laughed out loud, and cried throughout the story. The ending was satisfying. (I was tempted while reading several different chapters, to cheat and skip to the final chapter to see how Julia Morse, aka MC, would conclude her 'one last summer.' I loved it."

For more summer reading recommendations, keep scrolling! 

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