Summer is officially here, which means there's plenty of time to read.
Whether you choose to check out these must-reads on the beach or by the pool, tons of authors are making their much-anticipated comebacks with new novels during the high season.
The old one The Bachelorette star Hannah Brownfor one, he continues his summer release schedule with Reasons to Like Youhis third novel. This one follows the story of Nikki Bennet and seems to draw a major storyline in her life – but more on that in a second.
Keep scrolling for a list of highly anticipated summer 2026 books:
'Rules of Summer' by Meghan Quinn
The spice queen is back with another summer romance. Summer rules is the story of the forced intimacy between Renley Gossage and Theo Williams who find themselves neighbors over the summer. (exit now)
'Payback' by Elizabeth Rose Quinn
Pay to Stay is a minimum security prison where the special incarceration period is Friday through Monday only. When seven inmates find their guard dead, they must solve his murder before their prison stay changes forever. (exit now)
'The Burning Side' by Sarah Damoff
Damoff's follow-up to The Blooming Years followed by April and Leo, whose house caught fire in the middle of the night. They flee to April's hometown with their two young children as they deal with the effects of trauma and a new life. (exit now)
'A Pair of Aces' by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Eunice Carter is Manhattan's first black female prosecutor and is determined to bring down the infamous gangster Lucky Luciano. Teaming up with mother Polly Adler, who has built her own high-end prostitution business, the women do whatever it takes to bring down the leader of one of New York's most notorious crime families. (from June 2)
'The Kennedys and the Windsors' by Caroline Hallemann
Journalist Hallemann tells the story of two iconic families and how they look at each other in meaningful ways. (from June 2)
'Reasons to Love You' by Hannah Brown
Former showgirl Nikki Bennet has finally found her time on a reality dating show Loved Byafter finding out that her boyfriend was in love with another woman. But when he comes home from a family vacation, his brother announces that he is engaged to “another woman” who is in a relationship with his ex-spouse. Teaming up with Cara's brother to end the marriage before it even begins may lead to his own love story. (as of June 23)
'Crash Into Me' by Robinne Lee
Author Lee is back with the highly anticipated follow-up to his 2017 novel An Idea About You. Prepare to have your heart ripped out by the second-chance romance that follows Cecilia Chen, who struggles as a mother in a troubled marriage, and Anouk Ferrand, whom she hasn't seen in 20 years. (from July 7)
'The Helpless' by Jessica Knoll
When they return to campus following the death of their beloved college professor, Faye finds herself drunk and kidnapped by an ex-boyfriend, Henry. The story takes place during the week of Faye's captivity as she encounters several demands from Henry – and the truth. (from July 7)
'Romance Revival' by Christina Lauren
Emery Finch has been married to Luca for three years. The two tied the knot after knowing each other for only one night. When a tragic accident takes Luca from him, Emery must make him remember their life together. (from July 14)
'With Friends Like You' by Amy Chozick
This psychological thriller follows Emily, a new mom in Manhattan, who sets out to find her college roommate Daisy, who has been missing for years. When Daisy reappears, many questions arise. (from July 21)
'The Tempest' by Victoria Aveyard
A superhero love story is everything we knew we needed. Follow Cat Rose as she does everything she can to save her kingdom while hunting down their greatest enemy: the only man she's ever loved. (as of September 8)
