When it comes to summer, the beach is either at the top of everyone’s list or at the bottom. Sand? It’s either relaxing between your toes or messy beyond belief. The ocean? You either look forward to a nice, cool swim or you realize that you’re scared of fish. It’s a lot to take in.
But whether you’re chilling in the ocean breeze or in an air-conditioned room, there’s nothing like getting whisked away to sunny beaches and summer adventures in a good read—all without having to move. Here are some books that take place on the beach to help you get into that summer mood, without trekking sand everywhere.
10 Books That Take Place on the Beach
1. The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy by Jenny Han
For years, Belly has spent her summer days under the sun at Cousins Beach with the Fischer boys, Conrad and Jeremiah, by her side. But everything changes one summer when Belly finds out that her long-time crush, Conrad, likes her back—the only problem is Jeremiah does too. Feel the beauty and ache of summer love as Belly has to choose between the two brothers.
2. I’ll Never Tell by Abigail Haas
For high school seniors Anna, her boyfriend, Tate, and her best friend, Elise, spring break in Aruba is a dream come true. But this paradise goes south very quickly when Elise is found murdered. Now, Anna finds herself stuck as the primary suspect in this murder trial, not knowing who to trust and who to turn to.
3. Burn for Burn Trilogy by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Kat, Lillia, and Mary are surrounded by the pristine beaches and oceans of Jar Island. But when the three girls are betrayed by past and present friends, they form an alliance and the island becomes the backdrop of their revenge plot. But controlling what they started is harder than they thought.
4. The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera
When Margot gets an invitation to the biggest beach party of the summer, she can’t resist—not when her school reputation is on the line. The only problem is she’s grounded for the summer and stuck working in her family’s struggling grocery store in the Bronx. But she’ll do anything she can to reach her goal.
5. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
Penny Talbot lives in Sparrow, a town surrounded by water—perfect for parties by the harbor. The only catch is that two centuries ago, three sisters were drowned in these same waters after being accused of witchery. Now every summer, the sisters resurface and lure boys to the harbor, pulling them under. When Bo Carter arrives in town, he doesn’t know the danger that lies ahead. But Penny sees what others cannot. She’ll be forced to choose between saving Bo or saving herself.
6. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
When some terrible, unexpected news comes their way, Taylor’s family decides to spend a final summer in their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains. There, Taylor is forced to confront the past with family, old friends, and past crushes. But this is her time to get some second chances—all against the summer’s ticking clock.
7. Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
When Bailey moves in with her dad in California, the town isn’t just the place for surfing and beaches—it’s also the hometown of Alex, the film geek Bailey is crushing on after chatting online. The only thing is she doesn’t tell him that she’s there. And when she meets Porter Roth, the hot but irritating security guard at her summer job, she’s forced to decide between idealistic fantasy with Alex or unstable reality with Porter.
8. Social Intercourse by Greg Howard
When Beck’s emotionally fragile dad starts dating the recently single (and supposedly lesbian) mom of former bully, Jaxon Parker, Beck is not having it. Jax isn’t happy about the situation either, holding out hope that his moms will reunite and restore the only stable home he’s ever known. Putting aside past differences, the boys plot to derail the budding romance between their parents at their conservative hometown’s first-ever Rainbow Prom. Hearts will be broken, new romance will bloom, but nothing will go down the way Beck and Jax have planned
9. Phoebe Will Destroy You by Blake Nelson
Nick is spending the summer with his uncle in the beach town of Seaside, Oregon, away from his stressful home life and his alcoholic mother. He hits it off with the locals, but one stands out in particular: Phoebe. It’s a summer of adventure and firsts—if only Nick can figure Phoebe out.
10. Boys of Summer by Jessica Brody
Winlock Harbor has been the place of epic summers for best friends Grayson, Mike, and Ian, and going into the last summer before college doesn’t seem to change that. But when they’re all confronted with some harsh realities, they find themselves embroiled in family and friend drama and with uncertain futures. And the one thing that seemed stable, their friendship, is put to the test.
