Mini Reviews: New Beach Reads

 

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson 

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: June 30, 2026

Publisher: Penguin

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Pineapple Street

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a fleece-wearing, litter-collecting, kayak enthusiast with long, floppy hair and the personality of a Border collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a kid: His ex-girlfriend, Bailey, a beautiful girl who attracts men like moths to a flame; Augusta, old money, horsey, and snobbish; and Fran, surrounded by brothers and sons, too fed up with boys to ever consider marrying one.

Together, the group runs wild through the marshes, beaches, and bars of Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, spending long afternoons sunbathing with their children, and playing games the way they always have. But when Bailey discovers that she is pregnant with Van’s baby, the delicate balance of the group’s friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next—in a potent mix of fury and heartbreak—exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather. Dazzlingly funny, sexy, and as juicy as it is astute, The Shampoo Effect is a story of late-night parties, early mornings with small children, the dawn of midlife, and a group of old friends finally growing up despite all their best efforts to the contrary.

 

Caroline Lash is relocating to the close-knit seaside community of Greenhead, MA, after winning the opportunity to serve as a residency writer. While there, she falls for Van, an environmentalist and super outdoorsy kind of guy, despite their differences, as she is a city girl through and through. The more she hangs out with Van, the more she is privy to his friend group, all their hangouts, whether at beaches or bars, and their secrets, too, as they are dysfunctional. Things are smooth sailing until Van realizes that his ex-girlfriend, Bailey, is pregnant with his baby. But he assures Caroline that he wants to be with her and will platonically support his lifelong friend and on-again-off-again girlfriend, Bailey. There's more drama amongst their friend group, and things get challenging between Van and Caroline, leaving her to question whether they have what it takes to make this work. The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson is pure beach read fun. If you love a dysfunctional friend group and lots of drama, look no further. 
 
Jackson alternates points of view from each friend in The Shampoo Effect, so readers get a behind-the-scenes look into the character's lives and their problems. Each character is dealing with issues, whether it be Bailey's pregnancy, Augusta's marriage issues, Fran's parenthood strife and issues with aging parents, and more. They have always tackled these issues together as friends, but the arrival of Caroline upends their close-knit group. It's always fun when an outsider comes into the circle and really shakes things up, and that is what happens in The Shampoo Effect. While a lot of it felt like rich people problems, that is exactly what I wanted on a hot summer weekend. 
 

 

 

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren 

Pages: 352

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: July 24, 2026 

Publisher: Gallery

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Love and Other Words,

The Paradise Problem, The Unhoneymooners

and Twice in a Blue Moon 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Three years ago, Emery Finch did something completely out of character: She got married. To Luca—the impossibly charming landscaper she met on one blistering night in Vegas who made her laugh, made her dance, made her feel.

But now, Emery is consumed by her top-secret job, missing dinners, forgetting anniversaries, and promising herself Luca will understand once her cutting-edge research comes to light. Until the unthinkable happens: A tragic accident takes Luca from her.

Desperate not to lose him, Emery breaks every rule to bring him back. And Luca would probably thank her for it, if only he could remember her. Their first kiss, their Sunny Sundays at the beach, the life they built together...all of it is gone.

It may be a miracle of science, but for Emery it’s her one shot at a second chance. And this time, she won’t waste it—because true love is always worth reviving.

 

 
Dr. Emery Martin is living a perfect life at first glance. She is married to her love, Luca; she is working a meaningful job with medical-grade lasers; and she is living in Southern California. Except her job isn't really with lasers, and she hasn't even told her husband. Emery works at a San Diego lab that is working on bringing animals back from the dead; it's top secret, so she can't even talk about it with Luca. Her obsession with work is taking its toll on their marriage, and Luca is starting to get frustrated. On the night of their anniversary dinner (which she forgot about!), Luca gets into an accident, and Emery witnesses it. She administers this drug (which hasn't been tried on humans yet) and saves Luca's life. But at what cost? He wakes up and has no recollection of her. Emery makes it a goal to appreciate him this time around and get him to remember the special love they shared. But things are never easy as that! Christina Lauren's The Romance Revival is a departure from their normal romance novels, as this involves a lot of STEM elements, some sci-fi, and even some aspects of a thriller.
 
One thing I always appreciate about Lauren's novels is the chemistry she creates between her characters. I really loved the romance between Emery and Luca in The Romance Revival. I enjoyed the way they met and their blossoming love. Luca is a fantastic male lead, and I know many of Lauren's fans will thoroughly enjoy him. While I didn’t mind the STEM details in the novel, there were times when they felt a bit over-the-top and unbelievable. This was especially true during the cat-and-mouse chase towards the end of the novel. I appreciate that Lauren tried something new here; while I enjoyed the adorable romance, I felt that other aspects of the novel fell short. Additionally, the cover led me to expect more beach read elements than were actually present. Am I right in thinking that? I still look forward to reading more of Lauren's romances in the future.

 

 

Have you read The Shampoo Effect or The Romance Revival? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

 

  

10 Books to Read in August

 

We’re in the thick of the dog days of summer, and there’s no better time to curl up with a good book. Whether you’re at the pool, the beach, or relaxing at home, a book is the perfect companion for a long, hot summer day. If you are longing for cooler temperatures, fall thrillers and cozy autumn romances are already hitting the shelves!

 

1. The Unknown by Riley Sager (8/4)

"In 1926, five women disappeared from a remote island in Vermont. Now, one hundred years later, it’s happening again."

 

 

2. The House of Boleyn by Tracy Borman (8/4)

"Acclaimed Tudor historian Tracy Borman weaves the dramatic history of the Boleyn family into a richly imagined novel of ambition, bloodlines, and the opulent and deadly court of Henry VIII."

 

 

3. The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen (8/4)

"The next thriller from #1 bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen combines a decades-old mystery with spine-tingling paranormal elements in this twisty novel of the seen and unseen."

 

 

4. The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson (8/4)

"For readers of Wild Dark Shore and The Time Traveler's Wife, a fierce, haunting story of one woman caught between her first love and a mysterious stranger who upends everything--and the two worlds that won't let her go."
 

 

5. One of the Family by Mark Edwards (8/4) 

"A novel best described as Succession set in the Scottish Highlands where a plot to murder the patriarch’s younger fiancée entangles an innocent outsider in a nest of deadly secrets."

 

 

6. The Matchmaker's Cottage by Kat Sloane (8/11)

"A cozy fall romance wrapped in small-town charm reunites the owner of a bed-and-breakfast with her childhood sweetheart for a celebrity matchmaking scheme which has them both seeing stars."

 

 

7. Something About September by Julia McKay (8/18)

"A fall-inspired second-chance romance about a woman who returns home after inheriting her grandmother’s diner, only to discover the contractor she must hire was her high school crush."

 

 

8. That Night by Gillian McAllister (8/18)

"An electrifying thriller about three siblings torn apart by the cover-up of a death while on a family vacation in Italy."

 

 

9. Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty (8/25)

"In this highly anticipated sequel, Liane Moriarty examines the complexities of modern women’s lives, shining light on family dynamics and long-hidden truths with wit and compassion. Whether you’ve read Big Little Lies or not, this is the perfect novel for longtime fans and new readers alike."
 

 

 

10. Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier (8/25)

"A serial killer recants his long-ago confession regarding a small-town high school girl—and her then-best friends are forced to confront what really happened that night and what's happening now."

 

Let me know in the comments which books catches your eye this month.  

Favorite Books of 2026 (so far!)

We are more than halfway through the year, so I thought I would share some of my favorite books...so far! There are a few backlist reads that I was completely absorbed in, so I thought I would include them, too. 

 

 

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney - This novel is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to this year and one of my favorite psychological thrillers/domestic thrillers. 

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger - This backlist gem I listened to on audio and it did not disappoint. Talk about a family drama! It's such a smart read that truly gets readers to think about the consequences of AI.

Kin by Tayari Jones - This memorable novel read like a modern classic to me and had excellent character development. The story follows Nicey and Annie and their strong friendship over the years. It also brings attention to Southern culture and the realities of the Jim Crow era.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan - This novel is a favorite beach read of the year for sure! Annabel Monaghan never disappoints and I adored this heartwarming romance set in Rhode Island.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune - I'll read anything that Fortune writes! Her latest beach read is an emotional romance and includes a gorgeous Canadian setting.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett - This audiobook was also one of the best of the year. If you love historical fiction, this shouldn't be missed.

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen - This one is a young adult novel that will surely resonate with teens. Dessen writes another coming-of-age story about a transformative summer that is heartwarming and memorable.

When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams - This book is written by another favorite author of mine, so I savored every detail. This novel combines elements of a beach read + historical fiction + a romance. A gem! And did I mention there's pirate treasure?

JFK: Public, Private, Secret by J. Randy Taraborrelli - This is a fantastic audiobook that dives into JFK's relationships with Jackie, his parents, his friends, etc, and how they shaped him as a person. 

 

Shop All Books Here:  

What books are on your best of 2026 list so far? Let me know in the comments below.  

 

 

Book Review: Love You More by Emily Giffin

 

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: July 7, 2026

Publisher: Ballantine

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Summer Pact,

Meant to Be, The Lies that Bind, First Comes Love, 

and Something Borrowed 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Billie has built the perfect life. Her practice as a doctor in New York City is thriving, and she’s finally found the right partner in Dean after years spent trying to move on from her high-school sweetheart, Mick. Their young love had been intense and true, but distance and ambition pulled them apart when she left Wisconsin for medical school.

Then one morning, just after accepting Dean’s romantic marriage proposal, Billie’s phone rings. It’s Mick—calling for the first time in nearly a decade. His news is urgent, and in a moment, everything changes.

As Billie boards a plane back to Wisconsin, the past comes rushing in—her friendships from home, the love she shared with Mick, and the choices that shaped them. What awaits her is a reckoning with what she’s lost, what she’s built, and what she still wants.

Gripping and deeply moving, Love You More is a story about the plot twists life throws at us—and how love, in all its forms, has the power to change everything."

 

 

Billie is an established doctor in New York City; she owns her own fertility clinic, and she is married to Dean, a successful surgeon. Things are going well for her, and she is newly engaged. A perfect life? Pretty close. But she receives a phone call from her ex-boyfriend back home in Wisconsin. Mick calls her with some upsetting and life-altering news, and she has to return to her hometown. Once there, she is reunited with her parents, her friends, and of course, Mick. Being in this close proximity to Mick brings back a lot of memories, and spending more time in Wisconsin adds to the nostalgia; New York City feels like a world away. Some big decisions and big changes are in store for Billie as she tackles the family friend emergency, and the more time she spends in Wisconsin, the more she is questioning what she wants. Emily Giffin's Love You More is being described as a Midwest Sweet Home Alabama, and that description fits it perfectly. Even though the novel tackles some depressing issues, the story kept me flipping the pages, and I wanted a happy ending for Billie. 
 
Giffin does a good job developing Billie in Love You More, as there are many flashbacks to high school and her close friend group, including her blossoming romance with Mick. It spans all of high school and college, so Giffin takes us through it all. She also develops the friendship between Erin and Billie, which also spans many years. Billie leaves both Mick and Erin behind, though, as she pursues her dreams of being a doctor. While she tries to make things work with Mick, the extended absences and all the studying, tests, etc, have her spread too thin. But the question in the back of her mind was always what would her life look like if she decided to stay or even pursue medicine closer to home? What about the path not taken?
 
While the flashbacks to high school and their romance were a bit rushed and felt like choppy narrative at times, I really enjoyed it. The summers they spent together, Mick's family orchard, and the descriptions of a Wisconsin summer were some of my favorite aspects of Love You More. Once Billie gets that phone call, things start to get serious and, in turn, a bit more melancholy.
 
My only issue with Love You More is the unrealistic turn of events after the phone call. I just don't see a successful doctor who owns a clinic in New York City upend her life as quickly as Billie did. I don't want to give too much away, but the whole thing felt rushed and really unrealistic; however, once I suspended my disbelief, I enjoyed the story a bit more.
 
While this isn't my favorite of Giffin's, I tend to enjoy some of her earlier works a bit more, I still thought Love You More was a solid beach read, especially for fans who like a story about the different paths we take in life and ultimately the question of what if? Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of Emily Giffin and if you plan on reading Love You More this summer.   

 

Book Review: Wasp's Nest by Kat Stoddard

 

Pages: 272

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: June 23, 2026

Publisher: Celadon

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Tess wants nothing more than for her upcoming society wedding to overshadow the failure of her first marriage. Her fiancé Warren, a steady soon-to-be state senator, is nothing like her first husband. Tess’s relationship with working-class artist Peter was a passionate crash-and-burn, and a chapter of her life that she's ready to forget.

Peter hasn’t seen Tess in five years, so he’s shocked to receive an invitation to her wedding. But he’s moved on too, and it wouldn’t hurt to prove it by showing up with a handsome younger man as his plus-one. Mitch, an aspiring writer, is intrigued by Peter and jumps at the chance to pry into the lives of his Waspy ex-in-laws. What he’s not bargained for is developing serious feelings for both Peter and Peter’s ex―Tess, the bride. But Peter and Tess have complex desires of their own, and Mitch is dangerously close to uncovering them.

Wasp's Nest is a fast-paced, humorous, and heartfelt exploration of the shape of our affections that proves real love triangles connect on all sides.

 

 

 

Tess Lowell is planning her second wedding on her family's gorgeous Cape Cod estate. Her society wedding will be quite an affair, especially since her future husband has senate plans. Except things aren't going quite as planned. Her mischievous brother, Sebastian, has invited her ex-husband, Peter, to the wedding. Tess divorced Peter years ago when he was dealing with his addiction issues and Peter hasn't heard from her since. Peter isn't as acceptable to her high-achieving family as he is merely an artist, but he wants to attend the wedding to get some closure. He decides to bring Mitch, an aspiring writer, whom he met at a dinner party; this should throw them all off! Mitch agrees to attend as he needs inspiration for his next writing project. What ensues over the next seven days on Cape Cod is anything but a simple family wedding. Kat Stoddard's debut, Wasp's Nest, is inspired by The Philadelphia Story and is a juicy, if somewhat, superficial beach read.
 
Much like The Philadelphia Story, Tess comes from a well-off family and her parents have high hopes for her second marriage. However, the sparks are still there between Tess and Peter and things get complicated when Mitch is thrown into the mix. This triangle (it's messy!), plus a wealthy Cape Cod wedding, is sure to keep readers flipping the pages as this is a juicy beach read. But that's where the sparkle ended for me. 
 
I am a huge fan of The Philadelphia Story, so I had high hopes for Wasp's Nest, but the characters weren't nearly as endearing as the original story, not to mention the lack of humor like the original tale. Wasp's Nest felt a little more serious at times. While I did appreciate the allusions to the original story, the new touches definitely modernize the story, as there is bisexuality, current politics, and more. Unfortunately, the Wasp's Nest characters were unlikable, and I didn't find myself caring what happened to them, which ultimately made the story never really take off.
 
I love the idea of a modern The Philadelphia Story, but unfortunately, Wasp's Nest didn't hit its mark or capture the magic of the original story, and it ended up being just an ok read. Have you read the debut novel, Wasp's Nest? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.