Best Reads of Summer 2021
Summer is meant for relaxing. There's something about the warm weather and long days that makes reading the perfect summer activity. You can escape reality and live vicariously through the lives of the characters. Whether you're lying on a beach or curled up in bed, these ten books are must-haves to add to your bookshelf. Let's get reading.
1.) Unhoneymooners
By: Christina Lauren
This book is perfect for getting you out of a reading slump. When Olives sister's wedding takes a turn for the worse and leaves her with Ethan, her sworn enemy alone in Hawaii, a lot can happen. Unhoneymooners takes the enemies-to-lovers trope and spins it into a story full of laughs, angst, romance, and everything in between. You won't be able to put it down.
2.) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Evelyn Hugo, Hollywood Icon, is finally ready to tell the world her life story. When she chooses an unknown writer, Monique Grant, to write the exclusive peace, everyone is shocked. This story takes you through Evelyn's journey and shows you the harsh reality of fame and love. While Monique is trying to find out the truth about Evelyn, she will face her past and untangling her messy life. The betrayal, heartache, and gossip will leave you on the edge of your seat.
3.)The Hating Game
By: Salley Thorton
I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers, and this book did not disappoint. When Lucy Hutton has to face her nemesis, Josh Templeman, she won't let anything get in her way for a job promotion. The story is perfect for a light read, with hilarious one-liners and sexual tension. Sally Thornton brings you along for a journey on a thin line of love and hate.
4.) People We Meet on Vacation
By: Emily Henry
If you like RomComs, this book is for you. People we meet on Vacation take best friends to lovers to an extreme. Poppy and Alex are opposites, yet somehow they work. That is until they don't. Poppy thinks she has lost Alex forever, but in one final attempt to get him back, she does the only thing she knows how to do. Book a vacation: two ex-best friends, one bed, and a lot of history. I'm sure I don't need to say more.
5.) Well, This is Exhausting
By: Sophia Benoit
This book was hilarious and is defiantly a must-read for any female. It was an eye-opening memoir of essays that explores the ins and outs of being a woman and feminism. This book emphasized the importance of living for yourself and learning to accept yourself at all stages. Which is something I know I need to be reminded of occasionally.
6.) Malibu Rising
By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising is a mix of celebrity culture and family drama. Four famous siblings and one epic party in Malibu. Within 24 hours, the Rivas Family's lives will be changed forever. Malibu Rising is a fast-paced, beachy, drama-filled read perfect for your summer reading list.
7.) It Ends With Us
By: Colleen Hoover
Everyone has been talking about this book, so obviously, I had to see what the hype was all about. This book strays away from the other light-hearted reads on the list. This book is complex, raw, it’s honest. It Ends with Us shows the reality of human nature. It shows the reality of love and heartbreak. Once I picked this book up, I did not put it down. Packed with drama and painful truths, this book will open your eyes to the fact that sometimes the one who loves you the most is also the one who hurts you the most. If you are a woman, I could not recommend this book enough. It reminded me that love should not hurt and contains such an excellent massage.
8.) The Other Black Girl
By: Zakiya Dalila Harris
The Other Black Girl is the perfect mix of social commentary and a fast-paced thriller. It was witty, fearless, and poignant. It's a satire of the clueless racial politics within a prestigious literary house but will have you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns. This twisty thriller is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled to find their voice as a minority within the workplace.
9.) The Guncle
By: Steven Rowley
The Guncle is about a former gay sitcom star whose life is turned upside down when tasked with raising his niece and nephew. It shows that despite tragedy, life can have a funny way of working itself out. It's heartwarming, quirky, and is a moving tribute to love, family, and patience. The Guncle is the perfect book for a summer escape.
10.) One Last Stop
By: Casey Mcquiston
One Last Stop is a heart-thawing read that takes you on a rollercoaster of sexy, complicated, and funny emotions. McQuiston makes the uncertainty of adulthood seem exciting and is the perfect coming of age novel. This book takes you through the magic of New York while navigating love and its power to reach across time and space.