A Handbook for Trendy Summer Reading Selections

I’m reaching out with something a bit distinct from my Race Matters column: recommendations for summer reads! With over two decades of experience as a book editor, reading is not merely my profession; it’s my enthusiasm. This summer is overflowing with remarkable books, which is fantastic for bibliophiles but also poses a dilemma: how to choose what to read. If you’re seeking book suggestions for your beach outing, porch relaxation, or road journey, I’ve compiled a selection of eight that has something for everyone…

It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. If you’re already an admirer of Annabel’s books (Same Time Next Year, Nora Goes Off Script, Summer Romance), then you recognize that she crafts the most charming, relatable characters that you can’t help supporting. Her latest protagonist, Jane Jackson, is a former child star striving to move beyond her past as a “quirky” sitcom personality. She is determined to turn a rom-com script she adores into a feature film. To persuade her boss to greenlight the endeavor, she guarantees that her old acquaintance, mega pop star Jack Quinlan, will compose an original song for the flick. The catch? Jack isn’t genuinely a friend, more of someone who shattered Jane’s heart years ago. To find Jack, she’ll require the assistance of the last individual she wants to rely on, her colleague Dan. He just might aid with the heartbreak as well. This novel flows like a glass of chilled lemonade on a sweltering day — effortless, bubbly, and thoroughly gratifying.

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby. If you enjoy audiobooks, I strongly suggest experiencing this novel audibly – the narrator Adam Lazarre-White has such a smooth baritone, I’d listen to him recite a toaster manual. King of Ashes doesn’t exactly scream light beach read (there’s a gritty edge to Cosby’s narratives, plus a few corpses) but you will struggle to find stories about gangsters, crime, and peril with more vivid characters and a deeper emotional foundation. A notable aspect of Cosby’s work is his settings — evocative Southern backwaters where the language is vibrant, the humidity dense, and the insects noisy. Roman, our hero, returns to rural Virginia to face some high-stakes drama — a father in the hospital unable to manage the family’s crematorium, a sister haunted by their mother’s mysterious vanishing, and a brother entangled in the local criminal scene. The plot accelerates, but beyond the heart-racing twists, the novel serves as a powerful reminder of the lengths we will go to protect those we cherish.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m utterly amazed by Taylor’s versatility — she’s penned over a dozen novels that delve into various realms, from competitive tennis to Old Hollywood. All of which has established her as a “publishing powerhouse,” as Time magazine noted in a recent profile. Now she’s transporting readers to… space. Set in the 1980s, this novel portrays two women in NASA’s second class of female astronauts who must navigate the competitive, sexist, and exhilarating domain of space travel as true trailblazers in many regards. Hidden romance, new frontiers, and thrilling adventure? Checked. Checked. Checked. Think: Top Gun, Hidden Figures and For All Mankind vibes. One of my favorite reads of 2025.

The Names by Florence Knapp. Random tidbit about me: my parents intended to name me Stephanie throughout my mother’s entire pregnancy; then when I entered the world, they made a last-minute shift to Christine. Sometimes I ponder, would my life have unfolded differently had I been “Stephanie”? That is the premise of this novel. The Names consists of three different narratives – Sliding Doors style – that trace the life journey of Cora’s son, assuming he had three different names. Names are merely part of the legacy we give our offspring, and Cora grapples with all she’s imparting to her son – both the resilience and the trauma.

Grand Paloma Resort by Cleyvis Natera. There was bound to be a White Lotus comparison in this collection, and this is the one! This novel delves into class and tourism at a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, and the gripping plot is spot on. I’m enamored with stories about sisters, and in this case, devoted older sister, Laura, realizes her wayward sister, Elena, is in serious trouble, the kind that could jeopardize Laura’s dream promotion and the escape the orphaned sisters have always imagined. The examinations of family, wealth, and aspiration are as rich as the clientele at this five-star resort. Coming, August 12th.

Everyone Is Lying To You by Jo Piazza. You’d have to be living in a cave not to have heard about the tradwife phenomenon. Journalist Jo Piazza (who also happens to be my writing collaborator) now delivers the quintessential tradwife novel. It’s an exhilarating, fast-paced mystery — come for the unexpected plot twists, stay for the commentary on social media. The novel masterfully encapsulates all the feelings we experience while scrolling through our feeds at 3 a.m. Coming July 15th.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown could be seen as the older cousin of Jo’s book. For all our love/hate relationship with social media, this story transports us back to the dawn of the internet in Silicon Valley. Our protagonist, Jane, grows up in a rural Montana cabin with her devoted yet maniacal father, who frequently rants about the ills of civilization. Jane becomes disillusioned with her father’s worldview, sensing something is off about him and what he’s taught her about their history. Eventually, she builds up to make a breathtaking escape, though not before being caught in an incident that will have lifelong repercussions. Her journey takes her to San Francisco in the 1990s, just before the dot-com boom when the internet promised to be a great utopia. As soon as I completed the book, I penned Janelle a heartfelt personal note. I was completely captivated by the voice and found it impossible to put down.

And, naturally, I must include my own. All The Men I’ve Loved Again, my solo debut, was released last week and is highly suitable for beach reading. It’s a narrative about a woman, Cora, who falls in love with two men in her twenties and the same two men again as she approaches 40. An outrageous premise drawn from my own experiences. It’s an enjoyable, heartfelt, steamy coming-of-age tale, rich in nostalgia and featuring a ‘90s music playlist. I’ll send a signed bookplate to any Cup of Jo reader who requests one.

What books are at the peak of your list this summer? Authors also appreciate it when readers attend events. So, check out the tour information for these novels, put on a lovely summer dress, and go out and make a friend.

P.S. Five sultry books we cherish, three all-time favorite reads, and what’s the most beautiful piece of literature you’ve ever encountered?

(Photo by Dana Saparova/Stocksy.)