What YA' Reading: Romantic beach reads
Summer is just around the corner and I can almost feel the warm sun on my skin and sand in our toes. Whether it's a local lake, the blue waters of the coast or the palm trees of an island, nothing says, "HELLO SUMMER" like a beach. Here are some YA beach reads to get you in the right mindset for summer.
Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen is the undisputed queen of breezy beach reads. Her books evoke summer love, beach tans and coming of age stories. Dessen's stories are usually loosely connected in a way that makes you realize all of her characters exist in the same place and time. Change of Plans is her first book in quite a while and I'm pumped.
Finley is thrown into a last-minute trip with her distant mom to meet a bunch of family members she's never met. Add in the complications of her long-term boyfriend and someone new, and Finley's summer is bound to be yet another perfect beach read by Sarah Dessen.
“A sweet, nuanced, and reflective coming-of-age love story filled with moments of true beauty between family and friends.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
After losing her sister Claire, Meredith Fox checked out of life. Now, eighteen months later, she’s finally ready to rejoin it.
Cue a whirlwind summer week on Martha’s Vineyard complete with a big family wedding, nonstop relatives and the Fox family’s legendary game of assassin. Meredith is determined to play her heart out and win for Claire, who loved the game most of all.
But when a cute groomsman becomes her unexpected partner, Meredith’s focus starts to slip. Between near misses, secret alliances, and undeniable chemistry, she realizes this week could change everything. Because winning the game suddenly isn’t the only thing at stake.
"Swiftie fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty would love everything K. L. Walther writes. Her books are full of heart, charm... Regardless of which book you choose, you will be met with a story you can't put down." ― Buzzfeed
Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams
Audre Mercy-Moore has her life completely under control, on paper at least. She’s junior class president, debate captain and the unofficial therapist to half her school.
What she’s missing? Actual fun.
Bash Henry has the opposite problem. He’s the effortlessly cool new senior, known for his charm, his vibe and his ability to make anything an adventure.
When Audre’s summer falls apart — goodbye Malibu, hello cramped apartment and Goblin Baby chaos — she gets desperate. Desperate enough to hire Bash as her “fun consultant.”
His mission: help Audre complete five daring challenges for her future self-help bestseller.
Her mission: not fall for Bash.
But somewhere between the dares, the late nights and the undeniable spark, “strictly business” starts to feel like a very bad plan.
Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler
Lara’s been in love with Chase Harding for years. He’s perfect: charming, athletic, and yes—ridiculously hot. So when he starts flirting with her out of nowhere, it feels like a dream come true.
And it almost is.
Except Lara can’t stop thinking about Jasmine. About the unforgettable summer they shared. It was confusing, electric and maybe more than just friendship.
When Jasmine suddenly shows up at Lara's school right as Lara’s dream life starts falling into place, everything gets messy. Because if she finally has the boy, why does it feel like she’s losing the girl?
An interesting and relatable read, Cool For The Summer explores common high school romances complications, personality clashes and confusing crushes of all genders.
