Summer is just about here, and it’s time to turn up the heat on your reading list! Whether you’re lounging by the pool. Chilling at the beach. Or just soaking up the sun in your backyard, we’ve got you covered with our “Top 10 Must-Read Books for a Brash Summer.” These picks are guaranteed to keep you entertained, inspired, and maybe even a little bit braver. So, grab your favorite drink, slap on some sunscreen, and dive into these page-turners. They are perfect for a summer of self-discovery, adventure, and a dash of rebellion.
Must Read Numero Uno: “One Perfect Couple” by Ruth Ware
Start your summer with a twisty thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Ware’s masterful storytelling and gripping suspense make this a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.
Lyla is in a bit of a rut. Her post-doctoral research has fizzled out, she’s pretty sure they won’t extend her contract, and things with her boyfriend, Nico, an aspiring actor, aren’t going great. When the opportunity arises for Nico to join the cast of a new reality TV show, One Perfect Couple, she agrees to try out with him.
A whirlwind audition process later, Lyla finds herself whisked off to a tropical paradise with Nico, boating through the Indian Ocean towards Ever After Island, where the two of them will compete against four other couples—Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana—in order to win a cash prize.
But not long after they arrive on the deserted island, things start to go wrong. After the first challenge leaves everyone rattled and angry, an overnight storm takes matters from bad to worse. Cut off from the mainland by miles of ocean, deprived of their phones, and unable to contact the crew that brought them there, the group must band together for survival. As tensions run high and fresh water runs low, Lyla finds that this game show is all too real—and the stakes are life or death.
(Via Amazon)
Next up on the list, “Daughter of Mine” by Megan Miranda
Megan Miranda’s “Daughter of Mine” is a hauntingly beautiful tale of family, secrets, and the lengths we go to protect those we love. Set in a small coastal town, this novel explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, and the mysteries that bind them together. Perfect for those looking for a blend of emotional depth and suspense.
When Hazel Sharp, daughter of Mirror Lake’s longtime local detective, unexpectedly inherits her childhood home, she’s warily drawn back to the town—and people—she left behind almost a decade earlier. But Hazel’s not the only relic of the past to return: a drought has descended on the region, and as the water level in the lake drops, long-hidden secrets begin to emerge…including evidence that may help finally explain the mystery of her mother’s disappearance.
Riveting and suspenseful, Daughter of Mine is Megan Miranda’s best novel yet, filled with “delicious twists, dark secrets, and a deadly past” (Ashley Elston, New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins) that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.
(Via Amazon)
Of course, no list would be complete without one from Riley Sager, “Middle of the Night”
If you’re in the mood for a spine-chilling read, look no further than Riley Sager’s “Middle of the Night.” A group of friends reunite for a weekend getaway, finding themselves entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Sager’s knack for creating a tense, atmospheric thriller will have you turning pages long into the night.
The worst thing to ever happen on Hemlock Circle occurred in Ethan Marsh’s backyard. One July night, ten-year-old Ethan and his best friend and neighbor, Billy, fell asleep in a tent set up on a manicured lawn in a quiet, quaint New Jersey cul-de-sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up alone. During the night, someone had sliced the tent open with a knife and taken Billy. He was never seen again.
Thirty years later, Ethan has reluctantly returned to his childhood home. Plagued by bad dreams and insomnia, he begins to notice strange things happening in the middle of the night. Someone seems to be roaming the cul-de-sac at odd hours, and signs of Billy’s presence keep appearing in Ethan’s backyard. Is someone playing a cruel prank? Or has Billy, long thought to be dead, somehow returned to Hemlock Circle?
The mysterious occurrences prompt Ethan to investigate what really happened that night, a quest that reunites him with former friends and neighbors and leads him into the woods that surround Hemlock Circle. Woods where Billy claimed ghosts roamed and where a mysterious institute does clandestine research on a crumbling estate.
The closer Ethan gets to the truth, the more he realizes that no place—be it quiet forest or suburban street—is completely safe. And that the past has a way of haunting the present.
(Via Amazon)
Must Read Number 4 is “Think Twice” by Harlan Coben
I’m actually in the middle of reading this one now and I LOVE IT! Harlan Coben’s “Think Twice” is a pulse-pounding thriller that explores the dark side of human nature. This a perfect summer read.
Three years ago, sports agent Myron Bolitar gave an eulogy at the funeral of his client, renowned basketball coach Greg Downing. Myron and Greg had history: initially as deeply personal rivals, and later as unexpected business associates. Myron made peace and moved on – until now, when two federal agents walked into his office, demanding to know where Greg Downing is.
According to the agents, Greg is still alive—and has been placed at the scene of a double homicide, making him their main suspect. Shocked, Myron needs answers.
Myron and Win, longtime friends and colleagues, set out to find the truth, but the more they discover about Greg, the more dangerous their world becomes. Secrets, lies, and a murderous conspiracy that stretches back into the past churn at the heart of Harlan Coben’s blistering new novel.
(Via Amazon)
Next up is “The Stolen Hours” by Allen Eskins
In “The Stolen Hours,” Allen Eskins delivers a gripping legal thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Eskins’ compelling characters and intricate plot make this a standout addition to your summer reading list.
Lila Nash is on the verge of landing her dream job—working as a prosecutor under the Hennepin County Attorney—and has settled into a happy life with her boyfriend, Joe Talbert. But when a woman is pulled from the Mississippi River, barely alive, things in the office take a personal turn.
The police believe the woman’s assailant is local photographer Gavin Spenser, but the case quickly flounders as the evidence wears thin. It seems Gavin saw this investigation coming—and no one can imagine how carefully he has prepared.
The more determined Lila is to put Gavin behind bars, the more elusive justice becomes. Battling a vindictive new boss and haunted by the ghosts of her own unspeakable attack, which she’s kept a dark secret for eight long years, Lila knows the clock is ticking down. In a race against an evil mastermind, it will take everything Lila’s got to outsmart a killer—and to escape the dark hold of her own past.
(Via Amazon)
Next on the list is a real brain teaser: “Murdle Volume 1” by G.T. Karber
This collection of mind-bending puzzles and riddles will challenge your intellect and keep you entertained for hours. Perfect for those lazy summer afternoons when you want to give your brain a workout.
G. T. Karber, the creator of the popular online daily mystery game Murdle, presents the first collection of 100 original murder mystery logic puzzles―a perfect gift for armchair detectives and puzzlers to hone their minds and solve a series of crimes.
Who committed the ghastly deed?
What weapon was used to dispatch the victim?
Where did the calculated demise occur?
Join Deductive Logico and investigate murders most foul in Murdle: Volume 1. The first of their kind, these humorous mini-mystery puzzles challenge you to find whodunit, how, where, and why. Examine the clues, interview the witnesses, and use the power of deduction to complete the grid and catch the culprit. Together, you’ll uncover a buried secret beneath all of the murders and a message that can only be decrypted when you’ve solved them all.
Packed with illustrations, codes, and maps, and brimming with wit and intrigue, Murdle: Volume 1 is the must-have detective casebook for the secret sleuth in everyone.
(Via Amazon)
How about something new from the King? Enter, “You Like it Darker?” by Stephen King
No summer reading list would be complete without a spine-tingling offering from the master of horror himself, Stephen King. “If You Like it Darker” is a collection of short stories that delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Each tale is crafted with King’s signature blend of suspense, horror, and masterful storytelling, making it a must-read for fans of the macabre.
“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,” writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,” and in You Like It Darker, readers will feel that exhilaration too, again and again.
King’s ability to surprise, amaze, and bring us both terror and solace remains unsurpassed. Each of these stories holds its own thrills, joys, and mysteries; each feels iconic. You like it darker? You got it.
(Via Amazon)
Must Read Number 8 is a little “Act of Defiance” by Tom Clancy
For those who love the Jack Ryan series, Tom Clancy’s “Act of Defiance” delivers in spades. This thriller follows a team of elite operatives as they navigate a dangerous mission to thwart a global terrorist threat. Clancy’s meticulous attention to detail and relentless pacing make this a perfect choice for fans of military thrillers.
US intelligence is reporting turmoil in the Russian navy. Their deadliest submarine, the Belgorod, has unexpectedly launched, and taken along with it a long list of questions. Who authorized the departure? What mission is it on? And, most disturbing of all, what weapons do the giant doors on the sub’s bow hide?
It’s been four decades since a similar incident with the Soviet sub, Red October, ended happily. All thanks to a young CIA analyst named Jack Ryan.
Now, President Jack Ryan finds himself with fleets of ships, squadrons of jets, and teams of SEALs at his command. What he doesn’t have is insight into the plans of the Belgorod’s commander. It falls to a younger generation of Ryans to do the dangerous work that will reveal that information.
But there’s always a price to be paid. Will Jack Ryan have to choose between the safety of his country and the safety of his child?
(Via Amazon)
Let’s take a trip on down to South Carolina… Or maybe up north depending on where you live.
Our next must read on the list is “Tangled Vines” by John Glatt
This true crime masterpiece unravels the shocking story of a prestigious family torn apart by greed, betrayal, and murder. A gripping read that will leave you questioning the darker side of human nature.
Among the lush, tree-lined waterways of South Carolina low country, the Murdaugh name means power. A century-old, multimillion-dollar law practice has catapulted the family into incredible wealth and local celebrity―but it was an unimaginable tragedy that would thrust them into the national spotlight. On June 7th, 2021, prominent attorney Alex Murdaugh discovered the bodies of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on the grounds of their thousand-acre hunting lodge. The mystery deepened only months later when Alex himself was discovered shot in the head on a local roadside.
As authorities scrambled for clues and the community reeled from the loss and media attention, dark secrets about this Southern legal dynasty came to light. The Murdaughs, it turned out, were feared as much as they were loved. And they wouldn’t hesitate to wield their influence to protect one of their own; two years before he was killed, a highly intoxicated Paul Murdaugh was at the helm of a boat when it crashed and killed a teenage girl. His light treatment by police led to speculation that privilege had come into play. As bombshells of financial fraud were revealed and more suspicious deaths were linked to the Murdaughs, a new portrait of Alex Murdaugh emerged: a desperate man on the brink of ruin who would do anything, even plan his own death, to save his family’s reputation.
(Via Amazon)
And for those of you who need a good palate cleansing after all of those delicious thrillers.
Our next must read is “Only the Brave” by Danielle Steel
End your summer reading journey on an inspiring note with Danielle Steel’s “Only the Brave.” Steel’s heartfelt storytelling and richly drawn characters make this a perfect feel-good read for summer.
Sophia Alexander, the beautiful daughter of a famous surgeon in Berlin, has had to grow up faster than most young women. When her mother falls ill, Sophia must take charge of her younger sister, Theresa, and look after her father and the household, while also volunteering at his hospital after school. Meanwhile, Hitler’s rise to power and the violence in her very own town have Sophia concerned, but only her mother is willing to share her fears openly.
After tragedy strikes and her mother dies, Sophia becomes increasingly involved in the resistance, attending meetings of dissidents and helping however she can. Circumstances become increasingly dangerous and personal when Sophia assists her sister’s daring escape from Germany, as Theresa flees with her young husband and his family. Her father also begins to resist the regime, secretly healing those hiding from persecution, only to have his hospital burned to the ground. When he is arrested and sent to a concentration camp, Sophia is truly on her own, but more determined than ever to help.
While working as a nurse with the convent nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, Sophia continues her harrowing efforts to transport Jewish children to safety and finds herself under surveillance. As the political tensions rise and the brutal oppression continues, Sophia is undeterred, risking it all, even her own freedom, as she rises to the challenge of helping those in need—no matter the cost.
(Via Amazon)
No matter where you go or what you do-
Each of these titles promises to bring a unique blend of excitement, suspense, and inspiration to your summer reading list. Happy reading!
If you still need to grab your copy of any of these great titles, get it here on Amazon. Or get one for free when you sign up for a free trial from Audible.
Until next time, my bookish buddies, keep it brash, keep it bookish and keep true to beautiful-bookish you!
