Summer Book Club Reads

2025 Beach Reads, Recent Book Reviews, Author Q&A, and More

It’s almost time for summer reading season! Each year, I put together a handy list of 10 new summer reads that all promise to help jumpstart great discussions at your book club meetings this summer.

From the latest by Annabel Monaghan to a retelling of The Great Gatsby, there are a ton of great options to read over the next couple months. Check out the full list here.

And if you’re looking for more reads from 2025, check out my list here that covers books mainly published earlier this year.

Which new summer read are you most excited to read?

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Recent Book Reviews

I’m pretty happy with my reading list so far for spring! Let’s take a closer at some of my recent reads:

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez is an impactful and heartfelt read about two people, who despite all odds, do everything they can to stay together. Despite the cutesy cover, this is a heavy read at times. But it’s also quite hopeful too. Check out my full review here. And my book club questions here.

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a fantastic summer story. Grab a drink by the pool, and enjoy this entertaining novel about friendship, family and more. Full of colorful and entertaining characters, it showcases how important a community is, and that it’s never too late to reshape one’s own destiny. Check out my full review here. And book club questions here. FYI: this book publishes May 27.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler is a novella about a mother dealing with all kinds of emotions and memories as her daughter prepares to get married. This is my first-ever Anne Tyler story, and I liked the snapshot into a rather ordinary American life, and all the messiness that comes with it. Check out my full review here. And book club questions here.

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner was my least favorite of this group. It follows the journey of two sisters in a band, their fallout and eventual reunion. I felt this tried to pack too much into one story, and there were some odd plot points that were never fully explored. But I did like the focus on the 2000 era pop music. Check out my full review here. And book club questions here.

What was your favorite book you’ve read recently?

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Author Q&A

HelenKay Dimon is the author of The Usual Family Mayhem, which is available now.

She is a former divorce lawyer with a dual writing personality. Her books have been featured in numerous venues, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Cosmopolitan.

Revenge is a dish best served cold—especially when it comes in the form of one of Grandma’s “special” pies. Get the best of family hijinks, girl power, and hilariously justifiable crime in The Usual Family Mayhem.

Let’s get to know HelenKay as she talks favorite novels, where she finds her story inspirations, more about The Usual Family Mayhem and more!

Check out the full Q&A here.

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Up Next

I’m currently reading Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry, and I like it! I know some have been mixed on this one, and it does feel like it’s trying to blend genres (romance, historical fiction, contemporary). But so far I’m enjoying it.

And then I plan to read James by Percival Everett, a book I’ve been wanting to read for months! This novel has been everywhere, and I’m looking forward to it.

What are you planning to read next? Have a wonderful rest of your week!