PHL17 Beach Reads: What Counts + 5 Picks to Pack in Your Tote

If you’ve ever stood in front of your TBR pile thinking, “Okay… but what do I want to read with sandy hands and an iced coffee?” — you’re already in beach-read territory.

A beach read is the kind of book that pulls you in fast, keeps the pages turning, and makes it easy to read in delicious little bursts between swims, snacks, and reapplying SPF. It doesn’t have to be “light” in a shallow way — it just has to be fun, bingeable, and satisfying. Think: big feelings, sharp banter, swoony tension, and plots that make you say, “One more chapter,” even when the sun is setting.

At Romantasy Bookstore, we love a dragon-heavy epic as much as anyone… but summer is also the perfect time to mix in romance-forward reads that feel like a vacation for your brain.

What makes a book a true beach read?

·         Easy to slip into (you’re hooked quickly)

·         Fast-paced (chapters fly by)

·         Emotionally satisfying (you get the payoff)

·         Perfect for reading in short bursts (no complicated re-entry required)

·         A little escapist (because reality can wait until Monday)

5 featured beach reads we’re loving right now

1) Beach Read by Emily Henry

Emily is the OG of beach reads - the book is literally called beach read. This was on the NY Times bestseller list and for good reason.  It's about two writers with opposite styles (one “serious,” one romance) swap genres for the summer—and end up swapping more than writing tips. 

2) Wish You Weren't Here by Christy Schillig

We love this book so much we’re planning and entire “Night in Italy” with the author when the book is re-released . She’s a local author based in Medford who has a degree in Italian literature so naturally the book is set in Urbino, Italy - so what better place to escape to?_ and follows a type A law student whose boyfriend breaks up with her just before she leaves for a summer in Italy until she meets a local who challenges all of her expectations. 

 

3) Summertime Punchline by Betty Corrello

This is another local author who we adore.  This book is set at the Jersey shore so think boardwalks and beaches you love.  This book is so funny and follows a comedienne who kind of blows things up and then is forced to return home to create a new set when she runs into her ex-boyfriend who, let's just say, has changed in the last ten years since she’s seen him.  This book is so funny (think the HBO show Hacks) but it’s also really heart warming.  It’s a perfect beach read. A sharp, heartfelt rom-com with strong voice and humor—where the laughs are real, but so is the vulnerability. Great for readers who want comedy and a little emotional gut-punch (in the best way).

4) Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner

If you’re a fan of Below Deck you’ll love Love Overboard - it's a contemporary romance about a second chance romance between two exes, the chief stew and chef of a mega yacht, who are forced to work together on a mega yacht. Plus it takes place in the Med so great for when you want to escape New Jersey! 

5) Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn

We adore Meghan’s books and this one is no exception. Its a great contemporary romcom and has a strong female protagonist in Renley and all your favorite tropes - forced proximity, enemies to lovers.  When the characters work together to renovate a candy shop it’s definitely not sweet but it has a happy ending. 

Build your summer stack with us

Whether you’re headed to the shore, the pool, or just the closest available patch of sunlight, we’ve got a book that fits your vibe — sweet, spicy, funny, or full-on heart-melter.

Want a personalized beach-read pick? Tell us:

1.      Spice level (closed door to open the windows)

2.      Mood (funny, emotional, dramatic, cozy)

3.      Your favorite trope (enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, fake dating, etc.)

And we’ll match you with your next “just one more chapter.”