It’s that time of year again, summer reading is almost here! If there’s anything we love more than reading books, it’s reading books on the beach, by the pool or on vacation. If you’re like us and can’t wait for the warm months and the best reading season of the year, dive into these 15 most anticipated books of summer 2020.

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Daphne will never forget the fight that ended her friendship with longtime friend Drue. Six years after the fight, Drue reappears in Daphne’s life requesting that she be a bridesmaid at her wedding. Knowing how this event could upset the progress she has made in her own life, she’ll have to decide whether or not she wants to get caught up in the seductive world of Drue Cavanaugh once again.

We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall

Vivi Holden believes she’s finally reaching her dreams when everything comes crashing down and she’s sent back to New York, a place she worked so hard to escape. Meanwhile, Maxine Roth is doing everything in her power to become a serious journalist but her efforts are thwarted when her boss gives her an assignment to cover the World’s Fair in 1939. Both unhappy with their prospective futures, the two women find each other and form a bond that will inspire them to continue fighting for their dreams.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

The Vignes twins were always close growing up but as they grew older and had the opportunity to escape their small town, they ran far away. Now, years later, one sister has returned to her hometown with her daughter while the other sister lives her life, trying her best to hide her past and pass as a white woman. Even though the sisters are far apart, their lives and the lives of their daughters will find a way to intertwine.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Augustus and January are two writers struggling with every author’s worst nightmare: writer’s block. In the hopes that they can get past their inability to write, both travel to neighboring beach houses and when they meet, they realize they may be just what each other needed. Over the course of the summer, the two will swap genres, try to write their next great book and find a connection they can’t ignore.

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi 

Vivek has always been a bit mysterious to his parents. A baby left on their doorstep, they do their best to raise him despite his rocky beginning. As he grows into an adult, Vivek finds himself drawing closer to the likes of the daughters of the Nigerwives – a group of women born elsewhere, married to Nigerian men – and his cousin Osita. As he grows closer to these women, they begin to learn more about his struggle and the impending violent act that will leave them questioning everything.

Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

All Danika Brown wants is a mindless friends-with-benefits relationship. Eyeing up security guard Zafir Ansari, she believes the two will one day get caught up in a casual fling. But when a video of the two goes viral and everyone begins to ship them as a couple, she’s suddenly thrown into the role of the fake love interest. Both armed with intentions of their own, it isn’t long until Danika and Zafir realize they may be destined to be together after all.

The Shadows by Alex North

Paul Adams always knew that there was something wrong with Charlie Crabtree and when he murders a friend of Paul’s and then disappears without a trace, their town is horrified. Twenty-five years later, Paul must return to the town to take care of his senile mother and is reminded of the terrifying act that was committed there decades ago. Now Paul must deal with his haunted past, a new copycat murder and the fact that someone is following him.

Act Like A Lady: Questionable Advice, Ridiculous Opinions and Humiliating Tales from Three Undignified Women by Keltie Knight, Becca Tobin and Jac Vanek

Keltie Knight, Becca Tobin and Jac Vanek are the three insanely relatable and lovable women behind The LadyGang. In their highly-anticipated summer release, these women get candid about their own experiences and give readers the honest truth about what it means to be a lady. If you’re looking for a book that will have you both laughing and shedding tears, you’ll love this new nonfiction title.

Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams

War correspondent and photographer Janey Everett is on a mission to find out more about the life of famed pilot Sam Mallory who fought in the Spanish Civil War and never returned. Traveling to Kauai in 1947, Janey meets Irene – a woman she’s convinced was once close with Sam. As she gets closer to the mysterious Irene, she begins to learn more about her life, success and the secrets she has been hiding for years.

Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan

Journalist and mother Elisabeth is doing her best to adjust to her new life since leaving New York City when she meets Sam, her new babysitter. With both women feeling adrift and uncertain of their futures, it’s not long before they’re relying on one another for support. But then Sam begins to connect with Elisabeth’s father-in-law and when a betrayal is committed, it forces the two to re-evaluate their relationship.

The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin

Questioning her decision to move to New York and break up with her longtime boyfriend, Cecily is confused about life. Then she meets Grant at a dive bar and everything changes. But as soon as their story begins, it ends as the tragic events of 9/11 take place and Grant is lost in the chaos of it all. In trying to track him down she’ll come face-to-face with difficult questions about their relationship. 

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

It’s 1935 and three women are all making their way to the Keys for different reasons. Local woman Helen Berner dreams of escaping the place that others believe is paradise. Mirta Perez has just agreed to an arranged marriage and is now on her honeymoon with the man as he gets involved in a questionable new business that will risk both of their lives. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Preston is excited as this trip is a way to help her troubled family. But then she visits the camps on the island filled with vets from the Great War and meets someone on a mission who will change her life forever.

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

What do three women who have gone viral on the internet have in common? They’ve all been catfished by the same man. With the whole world knowing they’ve been tricked, the three women make a pact to spend the next six months single. They plan to focus on themselves and support each other through the process. That is until Samiah meets her perfect man, who may be too good to be true, and her new friendships and future plans are threatened. 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

A reimagining of the classic gothic suspense novel, Noemí Taboada is lured to a mysterious mansion when she receives worrisome letters from her newlywed cousin that someone is trying to poison her. Bloody secrets hide behind the walls of the house and they invade Noemí’s dreams, luring her in so deep that she may not be able to find a way out. This mesmerizing novel will transport you to the hot Mexican countryside this summer. 

Stray: A Memoir by Stephanie Danler

After her smash hit novel Sweetbitter, author Stephanie Danler found herself coming up against familial issues and existential questions that she had to get to the bottom of. In her debut memoir, Danler opens up about her parents, their struggles and her own fate. Told with complete honesty and hope, this memoir by Stephanie Danler is one of the most anticipated books of summer 2020.

The Marriage Game by Sara Desai

In this enticing debut from Sara Desai, two unlikely lovers are put to the test as they’re forced to share an office space in San Francisco. Layla Patel is down on her luck when her father offers her the office space above his restaurant to start her new business. Little does Layla know, he’s also offered the space to CEO Sam Mehta. With both Layla and Sam stuck in their ways, they’ll have to put their differences aside to co-exist and maybe even find unexpected love along the way. 

What are your most anticipated books of summer 2020? Let us know in the comments below!

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