Now, I could give you a varied list of books to read this summer, however I’d be lying if I didn’t say most of these recommendations are part of the romance genre. I mean what did you expect, honestly! Most readers are hopeless romantics after all. Especially during the summer. We are all hoping for our summer fling but just in case it doesn’t happen for you in reality you can live vicariously through these wonderful people. When I say you, I really mean me but how lucky are you that I thought I’d share my favourite methods of escapism with you.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Now, I know what you’re thinking. The title of this blog is called “Beach Reads” so why didn’t I pick "Beach Read” by Emily Henry. I mean it’s the obvious choice, no? Well...it’s a funny story. (See what I did there?) Anyway, I am not the one to recommend a book unless I’ve read it myself and gone through any emotional turmoil beforehand so I can warn you, therefore dear reader I would never suggest something that my soul has not experienced yet so I give you - Funny Story! Don’t worry this novel is a spectacular read and will keep you distracted long enough to get heat stroke. The book is set in a stunning small town where opposites attract and of course the main character is a children’s librarian. Two people forced together due to the misfortune of both of their ex-fiancés marrying each other, this book is funny (of course) and has a little bit of heat which I know England really doesn’t need more of right now but is really a classic taking fake photos of their fake summer adventures as a fake couple to show their exes how much they are thriving without them kind of trope! Imagine how tricky that would be explaining to people how you met...

Emma by Jane Austen

I don’t know about you but I love playing matchmaker and so does Miss Emma Woodhouse, except she never expected to meet her match one day. Unfortunately she gets a bit too obsessed which leads to some unfortunate consequences.This book is witty and full of characters that you never really know whether to love or hate but they never fail to give us a nice chuckle now and then. As much as I’d love a summer romance I don’t think Emma is the person I'd trust to choose someone for me that would be in my best interest, though. However, she is a strong willed woman who isn’t bothered in looking for a man herself and won’t shy away from a pretty picnic in the sun which I think we can all agree deep down sounds like the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

If you are a lover of ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ this
series of novels will definitely be up your street and give you
that rom-com book feel you’ve been looking for. Just the name should really convince you I mean it's got the word ‘summer’ in
it. However, I understand you really need to know what you’re
about to commit to before diving into any book, so without
further ado... This book is an encapsulation of what it means to love summer, especially summer holidays. It gives the perfect
teen romance vibes without having the dreaded high school atmosphere. Belly has grown up measuring her whole life in summers and as she grows up she begins to catch the
attention of the two brothers she has spent vacation with since forever. The main character, Belly, describes the season as
magic and makes you adore summer just as much as she does
but obviously every good love story comes with a little drama. It
is set between the months of August and June and currently
has a tv show adaptation out on Prime Video if you end up
wanting more. Also I would highly recommend listening to
Taylor Swift while you read this book and the other two in the series.

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

If you’ve been stalking the bookshelves in Waterstones like I have, you’ll know that a second installment of this novel has recently graced us with its presence. Now, as a film fanatic and avid reader this book screamed for me. The titles of each chapter quote famous rom-com lines and the main character Liz is the perfect combination for book and movie lovers. If you love easter eggs you’ll even notice that if the main character and one of the potential love interests were to marry her name would be Elizabeth Bennett (sound familiar?) It’s perfectly described as a rom-com about a rom-com so hopeless romantics this one's for you. The daydreamer Liz Bauxbaum has been wishing for her own happily-ever-after but doesn’t seem to realise that it might just be under her nose or as close as next door. Just like Emily Henry this author has other romance books that might also tickle your fancy so please do check those ones out as well but this is just my top pick :)

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

Ah William, we are all familiar with your game as we were
forced to study you at school but by some miracle my English
teacher persuaded me to fall in love with this particular work
of yours. Now before you scroll to the next one I must urge
you to entertain the idea with me for just one moment. ‘Much
Ado About Nothing’ is not a proper description of this play, in
fact, it’s Much Ado About Love. (I’m aware I underplayed in
the introduction how many of these recommendations would
be romantic but it’s the summer, there’s many songs to prove
my point!) This play is set under the Italian sun and follows
the tale of two quite different love stories. Some might argue
that the characters Bendick and Beatrice were the original
enemies to lovers and I can’t say I disagree with them. I
would love to fall in love with someone because my friends
decided to play cupid one day because they were tired of our
constant bickering. Again if you yearn for more a great stage version with David Tennant and Catherine Tate is just marvellously funny so please do indulge yourselves.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Sadly, Pride Month is now over but it doesn’t have to be for you. This novel is misleading due to its title as I promise you, this book is not only about her husbands. If you love a good Hollywood story then this will enthrall you. This book has twists and turns as well as making the reader feel like there is something Evelyn Hugo is not telling us when recalling her life to a reporter. Sometimes, I would genuinely forget that she is not a real-life scandalous movie star with the way she compels you with her emotional and legendary life story. Her tale starts in Los Angeles in the 1950s and explores her journey to fame and the forbidden love she finds along the way with another talented actress.

‘♪ Summer loving had me a blast, Summer loving happened so fast, I met a girl crazy for me ♪’

On another note this author has another book that definitely
fits the summer theme called ‘Malibu Rising’ - I haven’t read it but once you read this one you’ll see why I lean towards trusting that ‘Malibu Rising’ can’t be unreadable.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson

Hold your horses. Before you say anything like ‘but this is a
children’s book’ or ‘The Secret Garden, really?’ I want you to
just trust me. I mean you’ve got this far so my opinions can’t
be too off base from your preferences. Even if they are, you
have no choice but to like this book. I refuse to believe you
don’t. This is a classic for a reason. If you’re like me who grew
up searching every garden they entered after reading this
then thank you for not making me feel alone. This story is full
of mystery and the childlike wonder we all used to have. The
start may feel bleak and a little bit too gloomy for a children’s
book but the ending will always make you smile and realise
that not everything is what it seems. In my opinion, it is the
epitome of the phrase, no matter how dark things may seem,
everything will work out in the end. Now who wouldn’t want
some of that kind of inspiration and joy while sitting in a sauna
(really the underground in London but who can tell the
difference when you’re reading) Also, now we are acquainted I will let you know that the fact that the main character has the same name as me did not sway me at all...

by Mary Hazlitt

Assistant Graphic Designer & Researcher

Scribbled Recommends: Beach Reads