10 Books to Read in June

I can’t believe it’s already June, bringing with it the perfect weather for reading outside. Whether you’re heading to the beach, lounging by the pool, or just relaxing on the porch, here are ten new books to kick off your summer reading season.

 

1. When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams (6/23)

"A young widow returns to her late father’s New England estate, only to be drawn into the hunt for the rumored pirate treasure that consumed his life." 

 

 

2. The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (6/2)

"A scandalous affair. A power struggle for the throne. A sensational rivalry between an English queen and an American social climber. In this electrifying novel tells the story of the Abdication of Edward VIII—and the two women at the center of it all." 

 

 

3. Down with the Shipmans by Megan Mitchell Moore (6/2) 

 "A delicious summer read that explores the enduring power of family and sister connections, Down with the Shipmans is a humorous, heartfelt reminder that home is not a place, but the people who love you, no matter how imperfectly."

 

 

4. Land by Maggie O'Farrell (6/2)

"Bringing 1865 Ireland vividly to life, Maggie O’Farrell explores human resilience and a deep connection to the natural world with a sense of wonder. When a father and son set out to map a land still recovering from its turbulent past, they find strength, love and the promise of new beginnings."

 

 

 

5. The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (6/30)

"A heartbreaking, life-affirming new novel about a young woman searching for answers about her brother’s last days."

 

 

 

6. It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell (6/23)

"Lisa Jewell’s latest suspenseful ride through the suburbs of London follows a lost dog, a missing girl and the confounding mystery that links them."

 

 

 

7. The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (6/30)

"An ambitious young woman insinuates herself into a tight-knit social set, shaking up friendships and marriages in a small seaside town. A frothy novel of love, money, sex, and friendship."

  

 

 

8. Wasp's Nest by Kat Soddard (6/30)

"A modern retelling of The Philadelphia Story, Wasp’s Nest is a witty, gripping love triangle unfolding over the course of seven chaotic days at a Cape Cod wedding."

 

 

 

9. Whistler by Ann Patchett (6/2)

"Ann Patchett returns with a powerful novel about the choices we make and the ones that are made for us. After reuniting with a prominent figure from her past, Daphne confronts the impermanence of life and the beauty of connection."

 

 

 

10. Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer (6/8)

"Facing a career crisis, a young man moves to the Italian countryside to assist an eclectic elderly woman named Coco, who is living out her final years in a crumbling villa."

 

 

In the comments below, let me know which books you plan to read this month. 

Blog Tour: The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

 

It’s beach-read season, and there are so many fantastic new books coming out this summer that you’ll want to toss in your beach or pool bag. I especially love when a beach read is set in one of my favorite escapes, so when I saw Jenn McKinlay’s latest novel, The Summer Share, I knew I had to read it and be a part of Berkley's blog tour.

 

Set in the always-irresistible Outer Banks, the story follows Hannah and Simon, complete opposites who discover they’ve inherited the same beach house. Before they decide what to do with it, they agree to share it for one unforgettable summer. This charming rom-com is sure to be the perfect addition to your summer reading plans.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

About the Book: "When two misfits discover they’ve inherited the same beach house, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways, in this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading.

Free-spirited travel influencer Hannah Spencer has spent five years touring the country in her vintage van, alone save for her hulking Great Dane, Dude. Until an unexpected inheritance from her pops has Hannah thinking about putting down roots in Cape Split, North Carolina, where she’s the new owner of a worse-for-wear seaside beach house. Or, rather, fifty percent of one. Turns out Simon O’Malley inherited the other half from his gramps.

     As Simon and Hannah spend the summer tag-teaming repairs on the crumbling cottage, they discover it was once home to a timeless love story. As their own relationship shifts from enemies to friends to lovers, they begin to wonder if the house’s romantic past might be a good omen for their future together. But there’s one problem—Simon is set on selling the property at the end of the summer.

     For Hannah, the Split isn’t like anyplace she’s ever been, and Simon isn’t like any man she’s ever known—she doesn’t want to let this new life go. She just needs Simon to see their budding relationship and this newfound community in the same way, or their first summer share might also be their last.

 

You can purchase your own copy of The Summer Share at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Bookshop. To learn more about Jenn McKinlay, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

In the comments below, let me know if you are a fan of Jenn McKinlay and if you plan on reading The Summer Share this summer.  

 

Book Review: Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

 

Pages: 432

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: May 5, 2026

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Every Summer After, 

Meet Me at the Lake, One Golden Summer, 

and This Summer Will Be Different 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.

Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. Both passionate, impulsive, and headstrong—they’ve always clashed . . . and come back together. Until now. It’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.

Then, at the start of the festivities, in walks George. For one glorious evening, surrounded by her loved ones, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note as an explanation.

Crushed and confused, Frankie returns to her family’s home to wallow. But George has a different idea and a plan for healing Frankie’s broken heart. He wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. For one week, to the lush rainforests and misty beaches of Tofino.

Frankie agrees, seeing the trip for what it really is: one last chance to repair their friendship. Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle. Even if it means falling apart for good."

 

 

Frankie Gardiner and George St. James have been best friends ever since George moved into the creepy house next door to the Gardiners. George came to live with his eccentric grandmother, and once Frankie and George met, they have been inseparable ever since. As they grew up together, survived childhood, the awkward young adult years, and then even lived together platonically in their twenties, they shared all the ups and downs that come with life and never really crossed the line into something more. As the years go by and George pursues his dream as a journalist, their paths cross less and less due to the demands of life and careers that require travel. Frankie gets engaged to Nate, an older professor, but this irritates George as he doesn't think it's a good fit, and a big fight ensues. Things never were the same for them after this, but George has promised to be Frankie's best man, so when the time comes, he shows up for the wedding. However, the wedding doesn't go as planned. Out of the blue, Nate leaves Frankie and cancels the wedding after delivering a letter, which offers her little to no closure. Frankie is obviously gutted, and as time goes by, her friends convince her to take the honeymoon anyway to Torfino, in British Columbia, and take George along. Hopefully, this time together will not only repair their friendship but also her heart. Plus, who wants to waste an amazing vacation? The more time Frankie and George spend together connecting, the more time Frankie realizes that maybe there is something more there with them than just a strong friendship. Do they really want to cross the line? Carley Fortune's Our Perfect Storm is an emotional beach read with a gorgeous setting; fans of Fortune won't be disappointed.
 
I adored Frankie from the start of Our Perfect Storm; she is feisty, headstrong, and relatable. George is everything readers could want in a leading man and a best friend. I adored their friendship, and Fortune really develops it by taking readers back through the use of flashbacks to their childhood, teen years, and more. It really painted a picture of their friendship and how it evolved, so when the story came back to the present, their relationship was even more clear. I also really appreciated all the allusions and references to Little Women, as Frankie and George both love the classic story.
 
The transition from friends to a romantic relationship in Our Perfect Storm was executed beautifully, filled with intense emotions. I found myself questioning whether they would end up together and rooting for them all along, as their chemistry was evident from the beginning. Additionally, the stunning setting of Tofino on Vancouver Island made me want to book a trip there immediately. The coastal backdrop definitely contributed to the novel's summery feel, making Our Perfect Storm a perfect choice for a beach read.
 
So, in the comments below, let me know if you are a fan of Carley Fortune and if you'll be adding Our Perfect Storm to your summer TBR list.  

 

The Best Historical Beach Reads

 

There's something about historical beach reads that I love. Maybe it's how they immerse me in another time period during a beautiful summer or maybe it's the gorgeous homes on the coast that always seem to be present in these novels, but either way "historical" beach reads are my absolute favorite. So, grab a cold beverage and dive into one of these tales. These novels will definitely please historical fiction fans. All titles are linked to my review when possible.

 

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff - Who doesn't love a romantic historical read? This one is epic and I love that part of it takes place at the Jersey Shore.  Local friends will love this one!

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa Lafaye is set in the Florida Keys during the 1930s. The novel highlights the social history of the Keys, there's also romance, and the monster of a hurricane that hits the Keys in 1935.  

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter is not only a well written novel, it's also an amazing beach read because of the gorgeous setting of coastal Italy. 

The Summer I Met Jack by Michele Gable is an engaging historical beach read that is all about Jack Kennedy and his relationship with Alicia Corning Clark.

Summer of '69 by Elin HIlderbrand is historical beach read perfection set during the summer of 1969 and it is filled to the brim with family drama. 

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton is an edge of your seat historical tale about the hurricane of 1935. Cleeton brings to life the Keys very well and makes you care about her characters. 

Summer Darlings by Brooke Lea Foster takes place on Martha's Vineyard in the 1960s. This one had a Mad Men vibe, which I loved. 

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid is brilliant. It involves surf culture, various time periods, major beach vibes, and family drama amongst the Riva siblings. 

Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman (Not pictured) - This novel depicts Hawaii during WWII.  Ackerman brings to life Hawaii so very well; I felt like I was there!  

Of course you can't go wrong with any of Beatriz Williams's novels! These are my favorite of her historical beach reads: 

The Golden Hour which takes place on the beautiful island of Nassau during WWII makes for a tropical setting along with the spies, traitors, and did I mention the Duke and Duchess of Windsor?

A Hundred Summers is my favorite of her novels, which takes place at the oceanfront community of Seaview, Rhode Island. It's a complicated summer filled with family drama, secrets, and a hurricane.

Cocoa Beach is a suspenseful thriller that takes place during the Prohibition Era in Florida.

The Summer Wives is set on Winthrop Island and focuses on a high society during the summer of 1951. It's very atmospheric and a mystery and some plot twists.

Along the Infinite Sea is the third in the Schuyler Sisters series and I loved the various amazing settings of this novel including the Breakers at Palm Beach.

A Summer to Remember by Erika Montgomery involves Old Hollywood nostalgia as well as the gorgeous setting of Cape Cod.

Haven Point by Virginia Hume is about sweeping family saga that takes place at the family home on the coast of Maine.

Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman takes place during WWII on the beautiful island of Hawaii.

On Gin Lane by Brooke Lea Foster takes place during the 50s in the glittering world of the Hamptons and a new hotel that has come to the island.

Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedman is about two families reuniting at their beloved hotel in the Catskills.

The Lost Summers of Newport by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White is an immersive historical beach read that spans the Gilded Age to present day featuring the opulent setting of Newport.   

 

 

The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams takes readers to mid-century New England filled with summer love, secrets and Cold War intrigue.

Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison follows Hazel as she starts over in Laguna Beach after WWII.

The Codebreaker's Secret by Sara Ackerman follows a brillant female codebreaker, difficult Japaense naval codes, and a pilot on an important mission during WWII in Hawaii.

The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton is inspired by the real-life story of the SS Morro on a round trip voyage from New York to Havana. 

 

Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes is a sweeping saga that follows three generations of Hawaiian women.

California Golden by Melanie Benjamin has some major Gidget vibes and brings to life the surf culture of the 60s.

The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton takes place in Old World Florida. It's filled with atmosphere, romance, and even murder!

The Beautiful People by Michelle Gable takes place in the 60s and is complete with a stars studded crowd, such as Lilly Pulitzer and Slim Aarons.

 

Recent Additions:

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams is a fantastic novel and was one of my favorite books of 2024.

The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff is a beach read/romance that is reminiscent of The Notebook. Grab your tissues for this one! 

The Island Club by Nicola Harrison is an immersive historical beach read that takes place on Balboa Island in the 1950s.

The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom is an escapist beach read that takes place on a gorgeous island in Greek. The story has a present day storyline, but also flashes back to WWII. 

Our Last Vineyard Summer by Brooke Lea Foster is a nostalgic beach read about mothers and daughters and takes place on the Vineyard in the 60s and 70s.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club  by Martha Hall Kelly is heavy on the historical side of things specifically how Martha's Vineyard was impacted by WWII. 

 

Let me know which books catch your eye and if you'll be adding any of these to your summer TBR list.  

Book Review: Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey

 

Pages: 384

Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance

Pub. Date: May 5, 2026

Publisher: Gallery

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Slightly South of Simple, 

Feels Like Falling, Beach House Rules, A Happier Life,

Under the Southern Sky, The Wedding Veil, and

The Summer of Songbirds 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "After the worst day in her professional life, burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens runs to Cape Carolina, North Carolina, looking for a new life—and possibly new romance. On her first day at her “simpler” job, high school baseball coach Mason Thaysden discovers an abandoned baby, sending ripples through the entire tight-knit town of Cape Carolina.

Mason is still struggling to reconcile the scars of the injury that kept him out of the big leagues, stuck in his hometown, and searching for a way out. This newcomer and the child they’ve saved together might be just the motivation he needs to stay put. Sparks fly as Mason acquaints Daisy with Cape Carolina, introducing her to his friends and family, including his batty Aunt Tilley, who is looking for relief from long-buried family secrets and her own fresh start.

But as Daisy becomes increasingly attached to this abandoned child, and begins facing her own demons in the process, a startling discovery is made that threatens to rip the entire town of Cape Carolina apart, placing Daisy, Mason, and Tilley in the center of the storm. In a novel that proves that “Kristy Woodson Harvey is (the) go-to for elevated beach reads” (People), they will each learn that with love, understanding—and a community theater production of Hello, Dolly!—sometimes life conspires to bring us just exactly where we belong."

 

Daisy Stevens is burnt out; her life as a NICU nurse is exhausting, and after a rough time at work, she is hoping to start over at the coastal town of Cape Carolina in North Carolina. She is looking for a simpler way of life, but things start very complicated when, on her first day on the job, the local high school baseball coach, Mason Thaysden, brings in an abandoned baby he found in the dumpster. This kind of thing doesn't happen in sleepy Cape Carolina, so this sends shockwaves through the community. As Daisy spends more time with the abandoned baby, she not only starts to feel closer to the baby, but also to Mason as they spend more time together with his family and friends in the community. More secrets are about to unfold in Cape Carolina, and perhaps this isn't as simple as Daisy thought it was going to be. Kristy Woodson Harvey's Summer State of Mind is a family drama filled with small-town Southern charm and family secrets.
 
At first, I really enjoyed Daisy as she is starting her life over in a coastal community to escape the trauma that she left behind in the busy city. What better way to start over than in the town that once brought her solace? But things have been complicated since she arrived. Also, I enjoyed her budding romance with Mason, the baseball coach, and I loved the subplot of small-town baseball. This added to the "summery" feel of the novel; however, as the story progressed, I had so many issues with Daisy. I get that she is escaping trauma, but she brings all that baggage and more to Cape Carolina and becomes overly attached to her patient. I feel like she crossed some ethical lines in the story, and it really bothered me. Her over-attachment became really unhealthy, so unfortunately, this part of the story really rubbed me the wrong way. 
 
What did work in Summer State of Mind was the fantastic Southern setting, which you can always count on from Harvey. I also enjoyed Mason's family, including his quirky Aunt Tilley, who is also trying to escape her past and start over her life in her 50s. I do feel like she was written to be much older than she was, but other than that, I liked her subplot, including the entire Thaysden clan. 
 
I do feel like Summer State of Mind, compared to her other novels, lacked those extra special touches that make it a "summer" novel. It felt more like a family drama with a coastal setting. Summer State of Mind dealt with some heavier topics, so it wasn't as light a summer read as I was hoping. Nonetheless, I think Harvey's fans will enjoy returning to Cape Carolina and being drawn in by all the small-town antics. Not to mention the burning question of whose baby is it?
 
In the comments below, let me know if you are a fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey and if you plan to read Summer State of Mind this summer.