Summer Reading Recommendations: Highly Anticipated Summer Book Releases of 2026

Summer is officially here, which means there’s more time to read.

Whether you prefer checking out these must-read books at the beach or by the pool, tons of authors are making their highly anticipated return with new novels just in time for peak relaxation.

Former Bachelorette star Hannah Brown, for one, is continuing her summer release schedule with Reasons to be Loved By You, her third novel. This one follows the story of Nikki Bennet and appears to pull a major story line from her own life — but more on that in a second.

Keep scrolling for a list of the highly anticipated books of summer 2026:

‘Rules for the Summer’ by Meghan Quinn

The spice queen is back with another summer romance. Rules for the Summer is a story of forced proximity between Renley Gossage and Theo Williams who find themselves as neighbors for the summer. (out now)

‘Payback’ by Elizabeth Rose Quinn

Pay to Stay is the minimum security prison where the privileged serve time Friday to Monday only. When the seven inmates find their guard dead, they must solve his murder before their prison stay changes drastically. (out now)

‘The Burning Side’ by Sarah Damoff

Damoff’s followup to The Bright Years follows April and Leo, whose house burned down in the middle of the night. They escape to April’s hometown with their two young children as they deal with the aftermath of trauma and a new life. (out now)

‘A Pair of Aces’ by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Eunice Carter is Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor and has her sights set on bringing down notorious gangster Lucky Luciano. Working with madame Polly Adler, who has built up her high-class brothel business, the women do anything to convict the leader of one of New York’s most famous crime families. (out June 2)

‘The Kennedys and the Windsors’ by Caroline Hallemann

Journalist Hallemann chronicles the two iconic families and how they mirror each other in rather telling ways. (out June 2)

‘Reasons to be Loved by You’ by Hannah Brown

Former pageant girl Nikki Bennet has gotten over her time on reality dating show LovedBy, after finding out that her fiancé had been dating another woman. But when she gets home for a family vacation, her brother announces that he’s engaged to “the other woman” in her ex-fiancé’s relationship. Teaming up with Cara’s brother to end the marriage before it begins might just lead to a love story of her own. (out June 23)

‘Crash Into Me’ by Robinne Lee

Author Lee is back with the highly anticipated followup to her 2017 novel The Idea of You. Get ready to rip your heart out with a second-chance romance following Cecilia Chen, who is struggling as a mom in a complicated marriage, and Anouk Ferrand, whom she hasn’t seen for 20 years. (out July 7)

‘Helpless’ by Jessica Knoll

When returning to campus following the death of their beloved college professor, Faye finds herself drugged and kidnapped by an ex boyfriend, Henry. The story unfolds through a week of Faye’s captivity as she experiences several demands from Henry — and the truth. (out July 7)

‘The Romance Revival’ by Christina Lauren

Emery Finch has been married to Luca for three years. The two tied the knot after only knowing each other for one night. When a tragic accident takes Luca from her, Emery must make him remember their life together. (out July 14)

‘With Friends Like You’ by Amy Chozick

This psychological thriller follows Emily, a new mother in Manhattan, who begins fixating on finding her college roommate Daisy, who has been missing for years. When Daisy suddenly reappears, so many questions arise. (out July 21)

‘Tempest’ by Victoria Aveyard

A high-stakes pirate love story is everything we never knew we needed. Follow Cat Rose as she does everything in her power to save her empire while hunting their greatest enemy: the only man she’s ever loved. (out September 8)