Beach Reads
Some of the most special books are ones that move us and touch our hearts. If you love feel-good books, check out these uplifting spring 2024 releases — including tales of family secrets, life-changing vacations, triumphant comebacks, and more.
“Expiration Dates” by Rebecca Serle
Are we in charge of our own fates? Daphne Bell isn’t so sure anymore. Every time she meets a new man, she gets a paper with his name, number, and the amount of time they will be together. The universe seems to have its own plan for her and now she is feeling a little unsettled. She has been receiving these notes for more than 20 years and the papers are always right. Three days with Martin, five weeks with Noah, three months with Hugo – but when will she get one that doesn’t have an ending date? When she goes on a blind date with Jake, she receives the paper, but this time it only has one thing written on it: Jake. There is no number and no expiration date. As their relationship grows, Daphne starts to question the validity of these papers. How can they be right when she knows things that would break Jake’s heart?
“The Marriage Sabbatical” by Lian Dolan
After spending more than two decades building careers and raising children, Jason and Nicole Elswick feel the need to break away from their routine. Jason has meticulously planned his ideal sabbatical—an extensive nine-month motorcycle journey through South America. However, Nicole doesn’t share his enthusiasm for this adventure. She yearns for the warmth of the Southwest and the vibrant artistic community of Santa Fe. Their dilemma takes an unexpected turn at a dinner party. Fueled by a little too much wine, their neighbors introduce them to the concept of the 500 Mile Rule — a guideline allowing each partner to indulge in personal pleasures and encounters while they’re physically apart. It seems like a plausible solution: nine months of pursuing individual aspirations, with a tacit understanding not to inquire about each other’s experiences, followed by a return to their shared life. As Jason embarks on his continent-crossing journey on his motorcycle and Nicole immerses herself in neglected artistic pursuits, they navigate the complexities of the 500 Mile Rule. Along the way, they confront temptations, unearth uncomfortable truths about themselves, and gain fresh insights into their relationship.
“The Other Side of Disappearing” by Kate Clayborn
When Jess Greene’s mother ran off with her boyfriend, Jess was left to raise her younger half-sister, Tegan, by herself. Only Jess knows that the man her mother left with is a notorious con man and the subject of a popular podcast. Jess never imagined that Tegan would find this out for herself, and now Tegan plans to run off and find their mother. To make it worse, she’s leaving with the podcast host and its handsome producer, Adam Hawkins. Fearing the worst, Jess makes the decision to go with them, hoping she can continue to protect Tegan just as she has done for decades. The group makes its way across the country, determined to solve the mystery of where the couple disappeared to, and why.
“Just for the Summer” by Abby Jimenez
Justin finds himself burdened with a peculiar curse that has now become viral thanks to a Reddit thread. According to the curse, every woman he dates miraculously finds their soulmate immediately after breaking up with him. When a woman reaches out to him with a similar affliction, they concoct a bizarre plan: to date each other, intentionally break up to thereby nullify their curses, hopefully paving the way for them to find true love elsewhere. Emma, unexpectedly assigned to work as a traveling nurse in Minnesota, finds herself intrigued by the proposition of dating Justin, especially since it means getting to stay in a charming cottage on a secluded island on Lake Minnetonka with her best friend. Initially intended as a fleeting summer romance, their plans take an unexpected turn when Emma’s tumultuous relationship with her mother resurfaces and Justin is thrust into the role of caretaker for his three siblings. Suddenly, they find themselves grappling with more than just a casual fling — they’re confronted with genuine emotions for each other. Could it be that this time, Fate has truly brought together the perfect match?
“Christa Comes Out of Her Shell” by Abbi Waxman
After enduring a difficult childhood, Christa Barnet has become adept at concealing herself, both metaphorically and literally. Immersed in her studies of sea snails amid the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, Christa’s quiet existence is disrupted when her once-prominent father, long-presumed dead in a plane crash, resurfaces, eager to reconcile. The sudden revelation thrusts Christa and her family into the glaring spotlight of public scrutiny, captivating the world with their real-life drama. As if grappling with her newfound notoriety wasn’t challenging enough, a reunion with a childhood friend reignites an unexpected and intense physical attraction between them, complicating matters further. Both are tempted to act on their desires, provided they can maintain discretion. However, as her father’s story starts to not add up, Christa grapples with the fear of losing herself, jeopardizing any chance of a potential relationship, and, most importantly, her cherished bond with her beloved sea snails.
“The Summer We Started Over” by Nancy Thayer
Eddie Grant enjoys her role as a personal assistant to renowned romance author Dinah Lavender, but the allure of glamour fades, leaving her craving something more meaningful. When her hardworking sister Barrett opens a gift shop on Nantucket, Eddie seizes the opportunity for a vacation, despite the island holding painful memories of their family’s past. Returning home means confronting unresolved issues: their mother’s departure following their brother’s death, their father’s eccentricities leading to a house filled with books, and Barrett’s lingering resentment. Amid it all, Eddie must navigate a complex past love and a buried family secret. Together, the resilient Grant sisters open a used-book store in their father’s barn, confronting their family’s history while managing his hoarding tendencies.
