Well Avon readers, it’s the best time of the year! The sun is shining; temperatures are soaring and we’re sure many of you are jetting off on holiday. So! Here are Avon’s Top Ten Summer Beach Reads for only 99p…
1.) The Forgotten Guide to Happiness – Sophie Jenkins
The Forgotten Guide to Happiness is a delightfully uplifting novel that will make you realise that happiness can be found where you least expect it. As 28-year-old Lara Green becomes housemates with 80-year-old Nancy, both of their lives change in ways they could have never imagined. A story of an unconventional friendship, love and memory, Sophie Jenkins’ feel-good novel will warm your heart.
2.) Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio – Phillipa Ashley
As part of the wonderful Little Cornish Isles series, Phillipa Ashley’s summer novel will whisk you away to the charming Isles of Scilly. Described as the ‘ultimate summer beach read’, find out whether Poppy’s summer on the Little Cornish Isles can mend not only the studio, but her heart too. With loveable characters, a beautiful setting and humour, you will struggle to put this book down!
3.) The Mum Who’d Had Enough – Fiona Gibson
The Mum Who’d Had Enough will resonate with parents everywhere. Follow the marriage of Sinead and Nate, whose very happy – but ordinary – lives face a sudden change. After Sinead disappears, leaving only a note which lists all the things Nate does wrong (or doesn’t do at all) Nate has to turn things around and try to bring his wife home. Yet as he works through Sinead’s list, he finds his life changing in unexpected ways, that makes him question whether he wants them to have a ‘normal’ life, after all. Fiona Gibson will make you laugh, cry and want to make the most of every moment.
4.) Coming Home to Ottercombe Bay – Bella Osborne
Well if you love gin cocktails and audacious pugs, this book is perfect for you! Set in the idyllic Devon town of Ottercombe Bay, Daisy’s plans to leave following the funeral of her Great Uncle Reg take a twist, as she finds out that he has left her a significant inheritance – an old building in a state of repair. This could offer exciting possibilities and the chance to turn it into something special, but only if she stays for twelve whole months. But as Daisy’s mother died in Ottercombe Bay when she was just a young girl, she may never be happy amongst the ghosts of her past. A wonderful, humorous and entertaining read that will have you packing your bags for Devon this summer!
5.) The Summer Theatre by the Sea – Tracy Corbett
The rom-com of the summer! Moving from her vibrant home in London after losing her job, Charlotte Saunders is begrudgingly forced to move to the quiet town of Penmullion, Cornwall, to move in with her estranged sister. But Lauren Saunders is struggling. A single mum of twins, her bills are climbing faster than she can pay them, and a loan from her friends places her in deeper debt. Find out if the Saunders sisters can turn their luck around with the help of their community drama club, a new-found friendship and sisterly love. An utterly enchanting read.
6.) Her Name Was Rose – Claire Allan
Now, no summer would be complete without a twisty psychological thriller to pack in your suitcase! As Emily watches a car crash into Rose, a young mother and wife, she finds herself unable to move on, and tries to fill the dead woman’s space. Follow Emily’s story as she discovers that nobody’s life is perfect, and not everything is as it seems. Claire Allan creates a raw, emotionally challenging and unsettling read full of sharp turns and heart wrenching twists.
7.) The Love Island – Kerry Fisher
Octavia Shelton’s desire to return to her romantic, thrilling and exotic life on the island she visited years ago becomes more prominent as her best friend’s marriage ends in divorce. Not that she doesn’t enjoy her ordinary life, with her safe, reliable husband Jonathon, school runs, packed lunches and dirty washing… but she doesn’t recognise herself. She begins to ponder on how different life could be on this island – can she re-discover the person she used to be? Reunite with the man she used to love? Kerry Fisher’s story of a whirlwind romance, wit and escapism is a must-read for Love Island fans. (#JANI forever!)
8.) One Summer in Italy – Sue Moorcroft
Sue Moorcroft will leave you pining for the peaceful Italian mountains. As Sofia’s father Aldo dies, she looks at life in a new light. She escapes to the Umbrian mountains and finds them to be full of family secrets, new friends and romance as her new life begins. Funny, charming and completely uplifting, this book is a necessity for your holiday packing.
9.) A Summer Scandal – Kat French
As Violet moves to Swallow Beach, she inherits a small Victorian pier with an empty arcade perched at the end of it. Violet falls in love with it immediately and when she meets gorgeous Calvin, she feels inspired to turn it into an adult-themed arcade full of artisan shops. Her business becomes a success, but as tensions between her and Calvin rise, life at Swallow Beach presents some difficulties. Can Violet find her own happy ending? Kat French’s novel has been characterised as sexy, scandalous and a summer sizzler. (This one’s a scorcher!)
10.) A Year at Meadowbrook Manor – Faith Bleasdale
When Harriet Singer’s dad dies suddenly, she returns home to her estranged siblings. There Harriet learns that she must live with her siblings for one year, caring for their dad’s animal sanctuary, or forfeit their inheritance. Living with her siblings will force Harriet to face her past, especially when her first love shows up. Faith Bleasdale’s book is a heart-warming family tale, and deserves its spot in our top 10!
And that’s our top 10 recommended summer beach reads. Happy reading!
*All prices accurate at the time of publication.
