OK so if you are anything like me - you are feeling a little overwhelmed with all the book recommendations out there and trying to figure out where to start. We narrowed down the list to some of the top books that are really hitting the beach and getting great reviews.
1. Sandwich - Catherine Newman
*trigger warning: postpartum depression, loss
Elin Hildebrand recommended this book in one of her instagram stories and it took me 3 bookstores to be able to track it down. Not shockingly, it was available in our hometown bookshop, Titcombs in Sandwich, where they were hosting the author just last week.
This book follows main character, Rocky, a 54-year-old woman “sandwiched” between caring for her new adult children and aging parents during their annual family vacation to Cape Cod. Each chapter details a day, following Rocky, her husband Nick, and her two children Jamie and Willa during their vacation week.
“Instant NY Times bestseller” - Sandwich is joy in book form. I laughed continuously, except for the parts that made me cry.” Google Book Review
2. Verity - Colleen Hoover
I was on a major Colleen Hoover kick - see item #5 - when multiple people kept recommending this book to me. I was eager to read it until a friend mentioned I may not want to read it at night. Eep!
”Verity” is a psychological thrilled by Colleen Hoover. The book is about Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who is hired to finish the books of bestselling author Verity Crawford. Verity is in a coma after a car accident and Ashleigh must complete a book for a series Verity started.”
”a thrilling departure from Hoover’s usual fare and delivers an unanticipated masterpiece with Verity” - Google Book Review
“Omg Verity is SOOOOOOOO GOOD. and f*cked up.” - my friend who shall remain anon
3. Broken French - Tasha Boyd
This ended up in my group chat with my girlfriends and all you really need is the chat to be able to help you decide if this is for you or not - read
”a widowed billionaire single dad romance - perf”
”I’m lol’ing at this in the blurb - if traveling scares you, or sexy times scare you then this book is not for you.”
4. The House Across the Lake - Riley Sager
Another one from the group chat with this to go on - I definitely added to cart -
“a twisty who done it plot. It was good. There was an element of spirits/someone being possessed that I didn’t love but otherwise enjoyed.”
5. It Ends with Us - Colleen Hoover
This was basically my gateway drug into Hoover books. I am going to be completely honest and let you know I only purchased it because Blake Lively is a GODDESS and is going to be the star in this movie when it comes out August 9. Use this as your motivation to grab it, read it and be one of the lucky ones that has the audacity to say “it was a good movie but I liked the book better.”
ALSO - dont make the same mistake I did and purchase “It Starts with us” at the airport before boarding a plane, handing the kids Buggy Bags and opening the book only to see that this book is in fact THE SEQUEL. Definitely buy that book too because you will want a follow up because it is so good.
6. Swan Song - Elin Hildebrand
I am finally diving into her books after MANY recommendations. Elin writes all her books BY HAND usually in a notepad on a beach somewhere - she shares her time between St. John in the BVI and Nantucket.
This is the conclusion or - “swan song” - to her Nantucket novels. Rich strangers move to the island and social mayhem - and a possible murder follow. Can Nantucket’s best locals save the day, and their way of life?