“Summer”-Titled Books I’ve Loved (and Why You Might Too)

There’s something special about books with “summer” in the title—they often carry a promise of escape, nostalgia, romance, or transformation. Whether set by the sea, in quiet towns, or during a season of change, these stories capture the heart of summer in all its forms. In this post, “Summer”-Titled Books I’ve Loved (and Why You Might Too), I’m sharing a few personal favourites that have left a lasting impression on me. If you’re looking to add a little warmth, whimsy, or reflection to your reading list, these titles are a perfect place to start. Click on the book’s cover to add it to your Goodreads shelf.

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Grieving the sudden loss of her beloved, enigmatic mother Miss Mabel—a private Southern seamstress who never spoke of her past—Sutton Douglas impulsively heads to a Michigan lakeside town in search of answers about her mother’s hidden history and her own identity. When she buys a collection of buttons at an estate sale from Bonnie Lyons, the town’s formidable matriarch, Sutton is drawn into the town’s rich history and begins to suspect Bonnie may be the grandmother she never knew. As their bond deepens, long-buried family secrets come to light, revealing the truth Miss Mabel kept hidden—and the unexpected role Sutton played in it all. My Review.

Liv and Finn met six summers ago on the Cornish coast, sharing a passionate connection and a life-altering tragedy that bound them together despite living worlds apart. With Finn in LA and Liv rooted in Cornwall, they made a pact to reunite each summer—if single, they’d spend it together. But this summer, everything changes when Liv meets Tom, a mysterious newcomer who offers her the chance at a different kind of happiness. As their bond deepens and secrets unfold, Liv faces a heartbreaking choice between the past she’s tied to and the future she never expected. My Review.

After a near-death experience, workaholic junior editor Kelsey Worthington decides to stop playing it safe and embrace life by saying “yes” to everything she normally avoids. While recovering in the hospital, she meets Georgina Tate—a successful, sharp-tongued businesswoman facing terminal illness and a lifetime of regrets. Inspired by Georgina’s story, Kelsey invites her on a spontaneous “Summer of Yes,” where the two embark on unexpected adventures, from city escapades to emotional reunions with Georgina’s estranged family. As they challenge each other to live more boldly, their journey becomes one of love, healing, and the courage to start over—at any age. My Review.

When Mallory Blessing’s son, Link, follows her final instructions and calls a mysterious number, he’s stunned to hear the voice of Jake McCloud—husband to presidential candidate Ursula DeGournsey. What could Jake possibly have meant to his mother? The story rewinds to the summer of 1993, when Mallory inherits a Nantucket cottage and meets Jake at her brother’s bachelor party. That weekend sparks a decades-long, once-a-year love affair that spans marriages, careers, and changing lives. Inspired by the film Same Time Next Year, 28 Summers is a poignant exploration of enduring love, impossible choices, and the profound impact of a hidden relationship that shapes not just two lives—but many. My Review.

Erica, the fierce owner of Seattle’s top salon, Twisted, is afraid she’s losing her teenage daughter, Summer, to her ex’s new wife, Allison. But when a shocking phone call from prison upends Allison’s life—leaving her pregnant, alone, and broke—Summer turns to the last person Allison ever wanted to ask for help: Erica. Despite their complicated history, Erica takes Allison in for the sake of their shared daughter. As the two women—so different yet bound by love for the same man—navigate their uneasy new dynamic, they begin to discover unexpected common ground, and the possibility of friendship, forgiveness, and a redefined version of family. My Review.

At the historic St. Cecelia hotel—lovingly called “the Saint” by locals—Traci Eddings, once an outsider and now its widowed owner, is fighting to save the crumbling coastal landmark from financial ruin, a staff shortage, and her scheming brother-in-law. With just one summer season to turn things around, she assembles an unlikely team of new hires, including the daughter of her estranged best friend. As secrets from the past resurface—including a mysterious long-ago drowning—and tragedy strikes again, Traci must summon all her strength to protect the Saint, uncover the truth, and maybe even open herself to a second chance at love. Summers at the Saint blends charm, drama, and resilience into a beach read full of heart and Southern flair. My Review.

Cecilia Lapthorne never planned to return to Dune Cottage, but on the night of her seventieth birthday, she escapes the celebration and finds herself back at the remote Cape Cod retreat filled with bittersweet memories—of love, loss, and secrets she’s never shared, especially with her daughter. Meanwhile, Lily, a struggling artist and med school dropout, has secretly taken refuge in the long-abandoned cottage, trying to rebuild her life. When the two women’s paths unexpectedly cross, an unlikely friendship begins to form. As summer unfolds and Cecilia’s grandson Todd—also Lily’s longtime crush—arrives, both women are forced to confront the past and consider what it means to start over. The Summer Swap is a heartfelt story of healing, second chances, and the transformative power of connection across generations. My Review.

Justin is convinced he’s cursed—every woman he dates finds her soulmate right after they break up—and when his story goes viral on Reddit, Emma, a traveling nurse with the same problem, slides into his DMs with a wild idea: they’ll date and break up to cancel out each other’s curse. Emma takes a summer assignment in Minnesota just for the chance, renting a charming cottage on Lake Minnetonka with her best friend. What’s supposed to be a short, strategic fling quickly becomes complicated when Emma’s difficult mother shows up and Justin unexpectedly becomes guardian to his three younger siblings. As real life intervenes and real feelings develop, they both begin to wonder—what if this “fake” relationship is actually the real thing? My Review.

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There you have it—“Summer”-Titled Books I’ve Loved (and Why You Might Too). Each of these stories brought a little extra sunshine into my life, whether through heartfelt characters, dreamy settings, or memorable moments of growth and change. I hope one or more of them finds its way onto your own reading list this season. And if you have a favourite “summer”-titled book that’s not on my list, I’d love to hear about it—let’s keep the summer reading vibes going!