Beach Reads
Summer has exploded into full swing on the island, and the weather couldn’t be more perfect for diving into a great book! This season’s hottest new releases from top authors are calling your name. Whether you’re lounging on the deck, chilling on the dock, or nestled in your favorite beach chair, these must-read titles will transport you to another world. Grab one now and get ready for an unforgettable reading adventure!
“Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand
Police chief Ed Kapenash is nearing retirement, while Blond Sharon is navigating a tough divorce. The arrival of the enigmatic Richardsons, who purchase a $22 million summer home, stirs up curiosity and speculation – how exactly did they amass their fortune? Ed, Sharon, and the entire community are caught up in the ensuing drama. The Richardsons host extravagant parties, flirt with numerous locals, flaunt their wealth with two luxurious yachts, and spark high expectations among everyone they encounter. When their home is mysteriously burned down and a key employee vanishes, the island is thrown into chaos. “Swan Song,” the final installment of Elin Hilderbrand’s acclaimed Nantucket series, weaves a captivating tale filled with glamorous events, sun-drenched drama, heartfelt moments, and wise insights. It brings back some of her most cherished characters and celebrates the enduring allure of the beautiful island of Nantucket.
“Only the Brave” by Danielle Steel
Sophia Alexander, daughter of a prominent Berlin surgeon, grows up quickly as she takes care of her ailing mother, younger sister Theresa, and their household, while also volunteering at her father’s hospital. Amid Hitler’s rise to power, only her mother voices fears openly. After her mother’s death, Sophia joins the resistance, attending dissident meetings and aiding her sister’s daring escape from Germany. Her father secretly treats persecuted individuals until his hospital is burned down, and he is arrested and sent to a concentration camp. Alone but determined, Sophia works with the Sisters of Mercy, helping Jewish children escape, all while under surveillance. Despite the rising political tensions and brutal oppression, Sophia risks everything to help those in need.
“The Housemaid Is Watching” by Freida McFadden
The third installment of “The Housemaid” trilogy, as with the others, is an account of a thriller told in the first-person, as in this summation: I used to clean other people’s homes, but now I can hardly believe this beautiful house is ours. With its charming kitchen, quiet cul-de-sac, and spacious yard for my kids, it feels like a dream come true. My husband and I worked hard for years to provide our children with a better life. Although I have some reservations about our new neighbor, Mrs. Lowell, her invitation to dinner seems like a good way to make new friends. When her maid answers the door, her hair tightly pinned back and wearing a spotless white apron, I’m reminded of my former life. But there’s something unsettling about her cold gaze. And she’s not the only odd thing around here. I’ve noticed a shadowy figure lurking nearby. My husband often leaves the house late at night. When I speak with a woman who lives across the street, her warning chills me: Be careful of your neighbors. Did I make a huge mistake moving my family here? I thought I had left my darkest secrets behind, but perhaps this seemingly serene suburban street is the most dangerous place of all.
“For the Love of Summer” by Susan Mallery
Erica, the owner of Seattle’s top salon, fears she’s losing her teen daughter, Summer, to her stepmom, Allison. Allison’s world crumbles when her husband Peter is arrested, leaving her pregnant and alone with a toddler. Desperate, Summer turns to Erica for help, forcing Erica and Allison to face each other. Despite their differences, Erica takes Allison in for Summer’s sake. As they spend time together, Allison sees Erica’s need for a friend. Can these two women, who married the same man, redefine family and move beyond their complicated past?
“The Breakaway” by Jennifer Weiner
At 33, Abby Stern is content with her life in Philadelphia, enjoying her friends, her bike, and the cycling club. Though her career and apartment remain stagnant, she’s mostly at peace with her plus-size body and engaged to her childhood sweetheart, Mark Medoff. However, doubts linger, especially memories of a thrilling night with Sebastian two years ago. When Abby is invited to lead a cycling trip from New York City to Niagara Falls, she eagerly accepts, seeking time away to reflect. To her surprise, Sebastian joins the trip, along with her body-shaming mother, Eileen. Over two weeks and 700 miles, friendships form, secrets emerge, and Abby reevaluates her beliefs about herself, her mother, and love.
“Summers at the Saint” by Mary Kay Andrews
Welcome to the St. Cecelia, a historic hotel on Georgia’s coast where traditions and scandals run deep. Known as “the Saint,” it separates locals into “Saints” and “Ain’ts,” depending on whether one’s family was rich enough to vacation there. Traci Eddings, once an outsider who worked at the hotel and married the boss’s son, is now its widowed owner. Determined to restore the hotel’s glory despite staff shortages and financial woes, she faces sabotage from her greedy brother-in-law. With the help of a new summer crew, including her estranged best friend’s daughter, Traci has one season to turn things around. Old secrets, including a past drowning, resurface, and a tragic death shakes her resolve. Traci must use all her wits and courage to right past wrongs, hold the guilty accountable, and possibly find new love.
