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Six Summer-Themed YA Books from Different Genres That Are Actually Fun to Read

Art & Literature

June 14, 2024

The perfect summer looks different for everyone. If you think about it, is there even a "perfect" summer? A nostalgic teen movie, a sweet rom-com, a comforting small-town show, or a vacation slasher summer.

There are so many types of summers represented within media, especially films. Summer is a truly different experience for every one of us. Studying, going to the beach, sleeping, hanging out with friends or family, and countless other things people look forward to doing during the summer because now there's sudden free time off school and work.

But for me, thousands of others, and maybe even you, the summer isn't complete without an imaginary world to escape and daydream about, wishing to have the perfect summer. Music, films, TV shows, Pinterest boards, books, videos, and the list goes on. I love all of those, but reading is at the top of my list for fully immersing myself in the summer mood, so here's a list of summer books I've read within the past two years, some back in 2022, some recently.

I compiled this list with books from murder mystery summer camps to European summer adventures - if you enjoy reading, I hope you'll find something that suits your tastes, whether you're currently experiencing a warm summer's day or a chilly winter break.

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The Counselors by Jessica Goodman (Mystery)

This book in three words: Secrets, scandal, betrayal

Camp Alpine Lake has it all - as a prestigious camp where the rich send their kids, the camp is what brings life to the small town the camp is located in, Roxwood. Goldie is as excited as ever to return to camp with her two friends, Imogen and Ava. Despite her background as a town girl rather than a rich one, her parents work at the camp every year, giving her the benefit of attending the camp for free.

This year, however, will be different. It's the last summer before the three of them are supposed to leave for college, and they're working as lifeguards and counselors at the camp. But Goldie has a secret. One that will ruin lives and reputations forever and threaten the bond of relationships and friendships. However, Goldie isn't the only one hiding away murderous lies. A teen, dead is found in the lake at night. The person who was seen around? Her best friend, Ava. The lines between lies, truth, betrayal, and trust blur as secrets unravel and memories are uncovered.

I read this book a while ago, in October of 2022, nearly two years ago. I rated it four stars solid on GoodReads, but I hadn't realized how much I had forgotten about the plot! I love thrillers, but it's been a while since I've been in my thriller-reading mood. Summer thrillers feel different to me than any other ones, so I'll probably reread this soon instead of finishing my to-be-read list of hundreds of books waiting to be read.

Free Cottage Near Bank Of Lake Stock Photo

Image credit: Martin Edholm from Pexels

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Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch (Adventure/Romance)

This book in three words: Charming, heartfelt, adventurous

Following her mother's death, Lina takes a trip to picturesque Tuscany to fulfill her mother's wish for Lina to spend her summer in Italy. Despite the beautiful landscapes and dreamy countryside, Lina isn't in the ideal mood, considering her mother's death and absent father. Before passing, her mother had arranged for her to stay with one of her friends, Howard, an old friend from college.

Lina can't help but feel out of place in Tuscany, at Howard's place, and the summer situation. After all, despite the gorgeous area, Howard lives right by a graveyard. Struggling to understand, the summer that was supposed to be her mother's last wish turns into a journey of adventure, self-discovery, and mystery after she is given her mother's old journal. As she works her way through the journal, her perspective turns upside down with the realization that she never knew much about her mother's life before, taking her on a wild trip through the streets of Italy. New friends are made, secrets unraveled, a European summer, and the oh-so-endearing Ren!

I loved the setting and feeling of reading this book, and it would've been four stars; however, something happened in the book (no spoilers!), which is often overlooked, romanticized, and excused in books. Lina and Ren were cute, but that slightly ruined it for me. The plot was cute and light, and it's a great summer read if you want something to make your summer a little brighter.

You can also watch the movie adaptation on Netflix.

Image credit: Engjell Gjepali from Unsplash

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Romance)

This book in three words: Angsty, coming-of-age, beachy

When summer arrives, nothing else matters to Belly. Even when it's not summer, she's always thinking of it. Summer is the only part of her life that she believes matters.

Everything good has happened, well, in summer. Ever since she can remember, she's spent her summers at Cousin's Beach, staying with her mom's best friend and her two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. This summer, however, changes everything. New relationships and friendships are formed, feelings are sparked, and bonds grow stronger. Most importantly, it's summer. Memories are made, some good and some not. But in the end, it's summer at Cousin' Beach where Belly finds herself most at home and where adventures can truly find themselves to come.

This book was for me, not it. I didn't particularly enjoy it and felt weirded out or bored for much of it. But just because I didn't like this doesn't mean it's not for you! Read the full synopsis on GoodReads because if you're a summer person who loves easy reads, this may just be the book for you.

You can also watch the adaptation of the TV show, which can be found on Amazon Prime.

Image credit: Todd DeSantis from Unsplash

The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L Walther (Contemporary/Romance)

This book in three words: Self-discovery, fun, picturesque

Meredith's second home is Martha's Vineyard, but this year will be different. The first summer without her sister, her boyfriend breaks up with her, and her cousin is getting married. The buzz, excitement, and nerves of the wedding events can be overwhelming, but the whole family will be there to top it all off.

However, a family's summer tradition takes place within the days of the wedding celebrations: An ultimate game of Assassin. A slight problem? She allies with a groomsman for whom she's determined not to develop feelings. Can she reconnect with the real world after she got dumped and after the death of her sister? A perfect, exciting summer in Martha's Vineyard might just reveal that.

I'm currently reading this book, and I'm loving it! Assassin is a game I've always wanted to play, so a summer read set on the beautiful Martha's Vineyard with an island-wide game lasting a few weeks sounds perfect. It's already getting me in the mood for summer!

Image credit: Audrey Odom from Unsplash

Sunkissed by Kasie West (Contemporary/Romance)

This book in three words: Soul-searching, uplifting, heartwarming

After her best friend betrays her, Avery has the next best thing to her music playlists: a getaway in a perfect summer family camp with her parents and over-the-top sister, passionate about her nonexistent "social media career." However, things don't start well the second she enters this camp. She starts wrong with one of the moody camp counselors, Brooks. In an attempt to convince him that she's not the bratty, spoilt girl he made her out to be, she discovers the community behind the counselors, making new friends. Soon, she realizes that the camp may not be as boring as she thought, and she goes on an adventure of self-discovery to find her place in this world and whether you need to have it all figured out with a tinge of love.

I wish I had kept this book for the summer because although I love the books taking place at the beach or city, I'll always love summer camp/lake reads a little more. If you want a little change of scenery from the typical beachy reads, give this a go.

Image credit: Brooklyn Morgan from Unsplash

The Lake by Natasha Preston (Thriller)

This book in three words: Chilling, gripping, twisty

Camp Pine Lake was once a summer tradition for both Kayla and Esme. Things may have changed, but they've both found their way back to camp - but this time, as counselors in training. They've always loved the young campers, swimming in the lake, the guys, everything, the way it once was.

A pact was made between them. No one shall ever find out what happened when they were campers. They've moved on. According to everyone else, they were never involved. Everyone, except not really everyone. A note. A note that isn't supposed to exist because no one is supposed to be able to have written it. Because no one was supposed to know. THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS. And it seems that while they might try to forget, someone else isn't. And soon enough, everyone might find out.

This book gave me the most unsettling feeling. If you're looking for something other than cozy reads, then definitely read this one. I honestly don't remember the writing style being the best quality, but it gave me goosebumps in nearly every chapter.

I thought I would finish this book relived, but no, that ending was one of the worst, shocking endings I've had to read. Read this if you love bad cliffhangers in books that may never be continued. It's a standalone, and I would've been fine with that, but the ending alone made me want to read a part two of sorts.

Free Foggy Lake Stock Photo

Image credit: Taylor Hunt from Pexels

Whether you read these in the comfort of your home, at the poolside, soaking up the sun by the beach, or on a long road trip, I hope you're inspired and motivated to feel the glow, mystery, and adventure of these reads. Let yourself feel the glow and breeze from these summery adventures or chills if you're reading a thriller. Either way, here's to a summer filled with adventure, mystery, romance, and imagination. Even if they only last within these pages, books will always be a home for you to escape to.

Chiara Moreno
1,000+ pageviews

Writer since Apr, 2024 · 6 published articles

Chiara's interests in writing include true crime, fashion, astronomy, psychology, and literature. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, reading, and writing. One day she hopes to travel the world, own her own company, talk about books online, as well as to help victims of global crisis.

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