July Book Review: 9 Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List
There’s something about summer that makes me want to read more. Maybe it’s the slower evenings, vacations, time by the pool, or simply having a little extra time to get lost in a really good story.
This month, I’ve rounded up a collection of books that have been on my reading list and that would make great additions to your summer TBR. There are beach reads, historical fiction, family stories, romance, thrillers, and a classic that deserves a spot on everyone’s bookshelf.
Whether you’re looking for something light and fun or a story that will completely pull you in, there’s a little bit of everything in this month’s July Book Review.
📚 My July Reading List
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
If you’re looking for a fun, contemporary summer read, Dolly All the Time is a great place to start.
Annabel Monaghan has a knack for creating characters and situations that feel entertaining, relatable, and easy to get invested in. This is the kind of book that makes a perfect companion for a lazy summer afternoon.
It’s a great choice when you want something light enough to breeze through but still filled with plenty of heart. I gave this one 5 stars! It is my favorite rom-com of 2026!
Perfect for: A weekend getaway, poolside reading, or anyone who loves contemporary women’s fiction.
The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
Historical fiction fans will want to add The Lions of Fifth Avenue to their list.
Set against the fascinating backdrop of the New York Public Library, this novel combines history, mystery, and family secrets. Fiona Davis is especially good at bringing historic New York to life, making the setting feel like a character of its own.
If you love stories that move between different time periods while slowly revealing how the characters are connected, this is one to pick up. I gave this one 4 stars.
Perfect for: Historical fiction lovers and anyone who enjoys a little mystery mixed into their reading.
The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
This book is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for something atmospheric and emotional.
Patti Callahan Henry creates stories filled with family connections, secrets from the past, and beautiful settings. The Story She Left Behind has that wonderful quality of making you want to keep reading because you need to know what happened—and how everything connects. I gave this one 4 stars.
Perfect for: Readers who love family mysteries and stories about uncovering the past.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Need something fun?
The Unhoneymooners is exactly the kind of book that belongs in a summer reading stack. With its tropical setting, romance, humor, and plenty of entertaining complications, it’s an easy book to reach for when you want to escape into a story. This was a re-read for me. I loved it by my favorite from this author is “The Paradise Problem.” I gave this one 4 stars.
It’s light, funny, and wonderfully suited for vacation reading.
Perfect for: Beach vacations, pool days, romance fans, and anyone who wants a fun escape.
The Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
If you enjoy contemporary romance with plenty of drama and complicated relationships, The Good Girl Complex is worth adding to your TBR.
The beach-town setting gives it an especially summery feel, making it another great choice for vacation or weekend reading.
It’s the type of book that’s easy to pick up when you want to completely switch off and get absorbed in someone else’s story. This was an available audiobook when I didn’t have anything to read. I don’t know if I would have read it otherwise. I gave this book 3 stars.
Perfect for: Contemporary romance fans and readers who love a good beach setting.
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
If you’re in the mood for something darker, The Wife Between Us is the book to grab.
This psychological thriller is packed with twists and unreliable perspectives that make you question what you think you know about the characters.
It’s one of those books where it’s best to go in without knowing too much. The less you know, the more fun it is to uncover the story yourself. It was recommended by my bookclub friends. I went into it knowing nothing. I gave it 3 stars.
Perfect for: Thriller fans and readers who love unexpected twists.
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
Jane Austen fans, this one’s for you!
The Other Bennet Sister takes inspiration from the world of Pride and Prejudice and gives Mary Bennet a much bigger role. It’s a fascinating way to revisit a familiar literary world from a different perspective.
If you’ve ever wondered what life might have been like for the sister who wasn’t at the center of Austen’s original story, this is a fun book to explore. It is the perfect example of the power of words. When we are spoken to in kind, uplifting ways, we thrive. When the opposite happens, the results aren’t quite so positive. This was instantly added to my 5 star, best of 2026 list! I loved it!
Perfect for: Jane Austen fans, historical fiction lovers, and readers who enjoy retellings.
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
Kathryn Stockett, best known as the author of The Help, brings another historical story to the bookshelf with The Calamity Club.
If you’re a fan of Stockett’s writing, this is definitely one to keep on your radar. Her ability to create memorable characters and explore relationships makes her books particularly easy to get invested in. This is a book that you will want to go in blind. You will love the characters, the message and the whole thing. This was another add to my 5 star, best of 2026 lists. It is one that I’m recommending to everyone!
Perfect for: Historical fiction readers and fans of character-driven stories.
The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez is one of those authors whose books tend to be eagerly anticipated by romance readers, and The Night We Met is a perfect addition to a summer reading list.
Her stories often combine romance with humor, emotion, and characters who feel wonderfully human. If you like romance that makes you laugh but also gives you plenty of feelings, this is a great pick. This was not my favorite of her books but if you’re looking for a rom-com to read, this one will do. I gave this one 3 stars.
Perfect for: Romance readers who want humor, heart, and a little emotional depth.
📖 And One More Book…
The Book of Mormon
Not every book on my reading list is fiction.
The Book of Mormon is a book I return to for reflection, study, and inspiration. Whether you’re reading it from beginning to end or studying a few verses at a time, it can be a meaningful addition to a daily reading routine. A good friend invited me to read The Book of Mormon from cover to cover in the month of July. I’ve been doing it for several years now and am always grateful for the peace and spirit I feel from reading it in a quick time frame. This year I wanted my kids to feel the joy from finishing. We have been reading the book as a family for over 6 years now and haven’t ever finished it. So this summer we decided make it happen. We started from where we were currently reading and with 3 chapters a day, were able to finish it! It was the highlight of our summer! I gave it 5 stars.
Summer can be a great time to slow down and create space for this kind of reading—especially in the morning or during a quiet evening.
My Summer Reading Mood
Looking at this month’s stack, I apparently can’t choose just one genre!
I love having different kinds of books available depending on my mood. Sometimes I want a lighthearted romance like The Unhoneymooners. Other days, I want to get completely wrapped up in a mystery like The Wife Between Us. And then there are days when historical fiction is exactly what I’m craving.
That’s one of my favorite things about reading: there’s always a book for whatever mood you’re in.
So grab a book, find a comfortable chair, head outside, and enjoy a little summer reading time.
What’s On Your July TBR?
I’d love to know what you’re reading this summer! Are you reaching for romance, thrillers, historical fiction, or something completely different?
Tell me your favorite summer read in the comments—I’m always looking for my next book! 📚☀️
