My Favourite Summer Reads!
This summer, I decided that I wanted to reduce the amount of screen time I was having, disconnect from the world a bit more, and actually use my brain rather than mindlessly watching TV after work everyday, so I thought… well, why not start reading? This all started from me picking up a copy of Carley Fortune’s newest book, Meet Me at the Lake, which I had originally planned on bringing on my flight to Europe; however, there just wasn’t enough room in either of my bags, so I left it at home.
When we got back to Canada, I came to this realization that I just wanted to disconnect more, and since the book was sitting right there, I started with this easy summer read, and instantly got hooked on enjoying a good book after work! So, all of this to say… let’s talk about a few books that I’ve read, and have on my roster to read this summer.
The Five-Star Weekend
Elin Hilderbrand
Starting off strong, with what I think may be my favourite book that I’ve read so far this summer is The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand. Set on the beautiful island of Nantucket (I say this as I’ve actually been here before, and it’s just as stunning as everyone thinks it is!), following a recently widowed woman who decides to invite four of her closest friends from different phases of her life to her home in Nantucket for a “five-star weekend”. The story is beautifully written, bouncing back-and-forth between the current time, and the past friendships she had with each woman, and features a plot-twist I most definitely didn’t see coming. Out of 10, I’d give this book a 9.5!
People We Meet on Vacation
Emily Henry
Up next is actually the book I am currently reading – People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. I just started this book a couple of days ago at the time I’m writing this, and I’m addicted to it, finding it really hard to put the book down at night. I’m already 120-or-so pages into this read, and I’ve been loving the story so far! Following two best friends, Poppy & Alex, who used to travel the world together, and couldn’t be more opposite, but had a falling out & are finding themselves on another trip together after two years of not speaking. I imagine that I’ll be finishing this book by the weekend, and I’ll be sure to update my rating on my Instagram, so follow me there if you want to hear more!
Update (August 7, 2023): I finished this book a last week and I thoroughly enjoyed this one, especially in comparison to Beach Read. I'd rather this one 8/10!
Every Summer After
Carley Fortune
Next up is Every Summer After by Carley Fortune. After I had initially read Meet Me at the Lake, I thought there was no way I could like her first book more than that one, but boy was I wrong! This story follows Percy, who is now back in Barry’s Bay, where she hasn’t been since she made a terrible mistake many summers ago, for the funeral of her first love, Sam’s, mother. She finds herself reunited with Sam, but struggles to bring herself to tell him the truth about the errors of her past. The book has probably one of the biggest plot twists at the end, and I can truthfully say I wasn’t expecting what happened (though, maybe that was a me thing!). I’d rate this book a 8.5/10!
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Jenny Han
Is it really summer if you don’t read The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han? (The answer is obviously no). After falling in love with the show on Prime, I knew I had to actually read the book – though, I cheated a bit and listened to the audiobook. What can I say? I’m a busy girl! This book screams summer to me in all sorts of ways, but especially because Cousins deeply reminds me of Cape Cod, where I grew up going to every summer, and turns out the Cape was actually partially an inspiration for Cousins! Overall, you can’t go wrong with this book, or the entire trilogy for a summer read – 8/10.
Our Place on the Island
Erika Montgomery
Up first on my haven’t-read-it-but-it’s-on-my-shelf-to-read books is Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery. I came across this book from watching Brooke Miccio’s stories on Instagram, and I already know I’m going to love this one based on the fact that she said it reminds her of Elin Hilderbrand’s books. The story follows a family celebrating a wedding on Martha’s Vineyard, and so far that’s all I know about it! I’ll be sure to update this blog when I’ve read it with my final rating.
Update (August 7, 2023): I read this book in four days because I just couldn’t put down! This one is definitely up there with The Five-Star Weekend for me, and easily tied with it for my favourite book this summer. Not only is the story so captivating, but it’s a refreshing summer story that isn’t your typical smutty-summer read. 9.5/10!
Beach Read
Emily Henry
Next up is Beach Read by Emily Henry, and I’ll start by saying though I did end up enjoying this book, I found it incredibly difficult to get into for the first half of the book. Lately, I’ve been reading about a book a week, and this one took me two weeks to get through. The beginning feels very slow and not overly exciting, but then about half way through, it picks up and I found it hard to put down from there. Overall, I’d rate it 6.5/10.
The Hotel Nantucket
Elin Hilderbrand
Another yet-to-read is the The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand. Since I thoroughly enjoyed reading through The Five-Star Weekend, I wholeheartedly expect to love this book as well. Everyone has said it’s a great, easy summer read, and once again, it’s set on Nantucket (duh), so given my past love of her books & love of the setting, I’m sure this will be another hit on my list. I’ll update the blog when I finish this one as well with my final overall rating!
Meet Me at the Lake
Carley Fortune
Last, but certainly not least, the book that started my summer read obsession, Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune. One thing that I’m obsessed with is that Carley is Canadian, and all of her books (so far) are based in Canada as well, specifically, Toronto and the Toronto area. This story follows Fern, a young woman who’s spent her entire life running away from her small hometown, a Muskoka, lakeside resort that her mother owns, but has now fallen into her possession. Along the way, she’s reunited with Will, a man she had fallen in love with, but abandoned her. The story is captivating in so many ways, and the timelines jump back and forth between past & present, always leaving you want to read just one more chapter. Overall, I’d rate this book 8/10!
I hope this blog has been insightful and maybe even helped you pick out your next summertime read. Let me know in the comments below what your favourite beach-read is!
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