Whether your sights are set on sandy beaches or the simple luxury of air-conditioning, summer is all about going with the flow and seeing where the wind—or, in this case, your next listen—takes you. Transporting us to tropical beaches, eerie campgrounds, and every fictional hot spot in between, these are the books we cannot stop obsessing over this season. Tune in and set the backdrop for your summer with the ease of pressing play.
Another summer, another new novel from Emily Henry. For the fifth year in a row, Henry heats up beach season with a heartfelt romance set in a dreamy locale featuring an unlikely pair. Daphne’s fiancé dumps her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne decides to move in with Petra’s jilted ex, Miles, fake-dating each other to make the new couple jealous—but it quickly turns into something more. Henry’s knack for writing relatable characters while balancing romantic love with relationships between friends and siblings adds even more joy to this beautiful story. Julia Whelan delivers another flawless performance, bringing the unforgettable cast of Funny Story to life. I think this one might be Henry’s best yet! —Margaret H.
I’m not always a romance listener, but I’ll drop everything for a new Casey McQuiston. I’ve had access to this manuscript for a while, but summoned all my self-control to hold out for the audio just on a hunch that it would be something special. Okay, more like an evidence-based assumption predicated on the delightful listening experiences that were Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop. The wait paid off: Emma Galvin and Max Meyers (with bonus appearances by Casey!) are indeed as delightful as they come in this BFFs-to-lovers-to-strangers-to-hookup-rivals-to-maybe-lovers-again romp. I am unfortunately not jaunting off on a three-week European food and wine tour this summer, but this 14-hour listen should make my round trip between St. Louis and New Jersey feel a little more dreamy. —Sam D.
In the midst of these extreme temperatures, I’m more inclined this summer to get into something a bit more chilling than a hot and steamy romance. Bestselling horror writer Paul Tremblay is bringing in the chills like a cold front with his new listen, Horror Movie, which explores a long-standing movie-set phenomenon. Have you ever heard of a cursed movie set? Horror Movie explores a fictionalized version of this strange occurrence, following the only surviving cast member of a never-released ’90s horror flick. When leaked scenes from the movie garner a cult-like following, the project is renewed for a reboot, which unlocks all the haunting memories of what originally occurred on set. The phenomenon of a cursed movie set has been around for a long time in Hollywood, plaguing the cast and crews of major films like Poltergeist, The Exorcist, The Ring 2, and, breaking the mold a bit, The Little Rascals. As someone deeply intrigued by this terrifying curse, Horror Movie was the best spooky listen to really cool down my summer! —Nicole R.
You know the concept of frequency illusion? Like when you have a friend who gets a Subaru and then all of a sudden you see Subarus everywhere? That’s what’s been happening to me with All Fours. It seems like the world around me knew the moment I started listening to it. I think I’ve had four conversations now with complete strangers about it. I’ve seen a handful of people reading it on the subway. I was even stopped in traffic on my bike the other day and heard Miranda July’s narration coming out of the window from the car stopped next to me. And as someone who is often years late to getting to the “It book” of any given moment, it was easy to be right on time with this one because within the first five minutes I was fully charmed by how funny and smart July’s writing is. If you see me out in the wild, come talk to me about it. —Aaron S.
I rarely feel as though I’ve received the same memo as everyone else, which possibly explains why I missed my well-attended college reunion earlier this summer. Still, even if I forget to respond to an RSVP here and there, I always make sure to keep up with the hottest new voices in fiction, who have given me plenty of second chances this season to seize upon the college reunion spirit. Between But How Are You, Really? by the ever-brilliant Ella Dawson and The Memo by Rachel Dodes and Lauren Mechling—which offers a witty look at a world where metaphors hold concrete meaning (an obvious fact to everyone except protagonist Jenny Green)—I plan to spend my summer alongside the heartfelt company of characters who, just like me, are working to find their footing in the real world. —Haley H.
Set in stunning Bora Bora, Bridesmaid for Hire was the perfect listen to start off both summer and wedding season. After launching her own event-planning company, Maggie just wants to relax on her vacation. As she begins to settle by the pool, in walks Brody McFadden, her brother's best friend and her longtime rival, who is looking to impress his boss and land a huge project at work. When his boss's daughter is left without a bridesmaid, Maggie jumps into the role as both bridesmaid and fake girlfriend. What ensues is a fake-dating, enemies-to lovers story filled with swoon-worthy yet hilarious moments that, along with Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke’s steamy performances, left me grateful to have enjoyed this listen right by the cold pool, free of any dramatic bridesmaid duties. —Patty R.
Feeling salty about beachfront displays of affection? As am I, along with Phoebe Stone, the spiraling protagonist of Alison Espach’s latest novel, who, newly single and depressed, has hot summer plans to self-sabotage in style at an elegant Newport resort. However, upon her arrival, she unexpectedly befriends a cohort of, you guessed it, wedding people, on behalf of their controlling bride who would rather count Phoebe as an extra head for her caterers than have her potentially ruin the ceremony by being left unattended while erratically heartbroken. It doesn’t take long for the two women to bond over their underlying anxieties, and Helen Laser’s spot-on delivery of all the witty insights embedded in this novel certainly makes it easy to fall for this vibrant cast of characters. So, if you too are in need of a summer pick-me-up, take a page out of Phoebe’s book and vicariously masquerade as a posh and pearl-clad sophisticate while opening up to this cynical yet ultimately heartfelt listen. —H.H.
Carley Fortune writes a vacation romance like no other. In This Summer Will Be Different, she transports us to Prince Edward Island, the beautiful backdrop to a forbidden love story between Lucy and her best friend’s brother, Felix. AJ Bridel’s tender performance perfectly complements this heartfelt story. Alternating between present day and flashbacks to the summers the couple clandestinely spent together beneath the soaring red cliffs and golden sun of PEI, we become deeply invested not only in their sexy romance, but also the special relationship Lucy has with her friend Bridget. I listened to this story while on vacation and nearly devoured it in one sitting. I can’t recommend this one enough for your next trip to the beach, the pool, or even the grocery store, for a truly satisfying escape. —M.H.
I had a little getaway in June, and I pressed play on Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies. It was funny, propulsive, and simply everything I love in a vacay listen. Eleanor, a successful mystery author, is on a book tour in Italy with an entourage of people related to her books when their very own murder mystery starts to unfold. Performed by Elizabeth Evans, Eleanor talks to the listener directly throughout the story, leaving clues, cracking jokes, and asking if we’ve solved it yet (I hadn’t). The ensemble around Eleanor is great and fully realized, and the Italian setting was so perfect for my wanderlust-filled summertime soul. And bonus, the listen kicks off the start of a new series called the Vacation Mysteries, which has me craving both the next crime to solve and my next getaway. —Katie O.
What can be more fun than reading about an inappropriate teacher-student relationship while hanging out poolside? Actually, I listened to this thriller during the winter. Freida McFadden gets me every time as I continue to guess where the story is going and who’s going to live or who’s going to meet their fate. Schools are breeding grounds for drama, and I don’t mean the drama class. This audiobook took me back to my own school years in that I wondered what was up with a certain attractive teacher. He sure was good-looking enough. Did he or didn’t he? I also thought about mean girls, and will never forget the day when one was waiting for me after school. I killed her with kindness. Leslie Howard and Danny Montooth do a great job. It’s almost spooky how they become one character and minutes later they’re living in another persona evil and all. I didn’t see the end coming, and you won’t either. —Yvonne D.
The best horror stories surprise and subvert as they scare—and there’s only so much I can say about Chuck Tingle’s latest novel without giving the thrill of that experience away. I’ll say this: If you love campy stories that still have heart, have been in your glory in this age of whip-smart, socially conscious horror, or have ever yelled, “Just kiss already!” at a clearly queer-coded duo on your TV screen, this one is for you. I adored Tingle’s 2023 horror debut, Camp Damascus, but as a queer film & TV geek, Bury Your Gays, with its nods to pop culture and meta moments, spoke to my soul. Perfectly paced to induce that creeping dread we horror weirdos crave, it’s a little bit Jordan Peele, a little It Follows, a little X Files—and 100 percent Chuck. André Santana’s lively, earnest performance is reason enough to listen to this one, but there’s another special treat: cameos from Mara Wilson (Camp Damascus), Georgia Bird (many, many Tinglers), as well as a slew of SFF writers (Charlie Jane Anders, TJ Klune, Stephen Graham Jones, to name a few). —S.D.
Lev Grossman has thrown himself headfirst into the legend of King Arthur, and he’s come up with a retelling of the many-faceted story that feels both earnest and tongue-in-cheek. The rub is that the story starts after Arthur has died and Camelot is in shambles—what happens next? Collum, our impassioned, naïve hero, shows up a little too late to become a knight of the glorious Round Table. But fear not! There are plenty of adventures to be had for the despondent leftover knights. Replete with Grossman’s signature critical eye toward tropes and accepted truths, and juxtaposed with narrator Nicholas Guy Smith’s classical British storyteller vibe, The Bright Sword is the King Arthur legend for the questioning masses of today. —Melissa B.
Having grown up in New England, my childhood summers were speckled by the rare and sublime occasions when I would be so lucky—and also so startled—to see a larger-than-life moose grazing alongside the highway or a burly black bear sauntering through a strawberry field. Those moments imparted me with a lifelong love of nature that led me straight to Julia Phillips’s latest novel, which gorgeously captures the particular dichotomy between fear and awe that arises from a run-in with a massive and mysterious beast. A tale of two sisters torn apart by their differing interpretations of how the well-kept secrets of the forest might unfold, Bear offers a mesmerizing listen that is ripe with Grimm undertones and uproots expectations for modern fairy tales from start to finish. —H.H.
I have a confession: Swan Song is the first Elin Hilderbrand novel I’ve ever listened to. It certainly won’t be my last—but it is the author’s last (“for now,” she says in her author’s note). I thoroughly enjoyed this glittery, gossipy, and glamorous story with its delightful setting and intriguing cast of characters. The premise for Swan Song couldn’t be more fitting for Hilderbrand’s final novel. Nantucket’s police chief is just days away from sailing off into retirement when, on the same night, one of the island’s most luxurious homes burns down under suspicious circumstances and a young woman goes missing. The investigation moves forward in parallel with riveting stories of family, friendship, and love among the island’s swanky residents, and you won’t want to hit pause until the end (the final chapter is performed by the author herself). As Hilderbrand’s long-time narrator, Erin Bennett knows just how to transport you to the heart of Nantucket to bring these characters and storylines to life. I’m pretty sure this won’t be the last we hear from the “queen of beach reads,” but in the meantime, I’ll be happily digging into her backlist of summertime staples. —M.H.
I’ve been on a rom-com kick this year (every year?), but no matter what my listening mood, Christina Lauren is always an auto-download for me. This time, the best friend writing duo takes us to a private resort in Indonesia, where the setting serves as a luxurious backdrop to a fake-relationship plot, layered with complex family dynamics, corporate greed, and artistic ambitions. The love story is, of course, swoon-worthy, but I really appreciated our heroine Anna’s journey to trusting both her own voice and talents. Patti Murin and Jon Root perform their third CLo collaboration, giving voice to Anna and Liam in a dual POV, and I’m already hoping the whole gang reunites on a sequel featuring some of the other characters. I recently got to interview the authors, and their passion reinforced both my love of them and of the genre. There is something so special about HEAs and the authors that get us there. —K.O.
As a long-time Elena Armas fan, I have been waiting for The Fiancé Dilemma since I finished listening to the beautiful HEA from The Long Game, and found out there was more coming in the series. The story, which can be listened to as a standalone, follows Josie, who after four engagements has sworn off men, and Matthew, who is having one hell of a bad day. When a mix-up leaves the two announcing their fake engagement, both play along—agreeing that no matter what, they won’t end up married. As their chemistry becomes more undeniable, both Josie and Matthew begin to find that the promise won’t be so easy to keep. From the cameos from my Long Game favorites to the alluring performances by beloved narrators Brittany Pressley and Zachary Webber, I adored everything about this story, and will be recommending it for the entire summer, and beyond. —P.R.
I’ve been a huge fan of Liz Moore since her memorable novel Long Bright River wowed me in 2020. It also kept me up all night, speed-listening until I finished the last chapter. When I heard Moore was releasing a new novel, not only did I know that The God of the Woods would be an auto-download, I was also prepared for another sleepless night. And sleep I did not. This haunting and heartbreaking story centers on a 13-year-old camper who goes missing 14 years after her older brother vanished in the same Adirondack woods. Alternating between present day and flashback, Saskia Maarleveld’s narration is captivating, echoing the story’s eerie atmospheric tension and rich complex characters. Her ability to convey deep emotions and suspense enriches this thrilling journey through one family’s troubled legacy that builds to a dramatic final act. I would gladly forgo another night of sleep to go back and listen to this one from the beginning again. —M.H.
As if I needed an excuse to return to one of my favorite thrillers of all time, the 50th anniversary of Peter Benchley’s Jaws—the novel that inspired a summer blockbuster so big it literally altered the way audiences approached the ocean—is as good a reason as any to dive back in to this horror classic. Containing all the shark-infested suspense of Steven Spielberg’s iconic film with a bit more personal drama that unfolds between Amity residents, this story plunges into the fierce loyalties that surround beach towns and the tourist economies that keep them afloat, and offers an all-consuming listen perfect for indulging in summer nostalgia. —H.H.
Our patience has been rewarded, because they’re finally here: summer, and I Was a Teenage Slasher! The bloodlust is real for Stephen Graham Jones’s new novel, an extra personal work based on the horror legend’s West Texas upbringing and a love letter to outcasts and slasher films. Our antihero is 17-year-old Tolly Driver, who lives with a plot-pertinent peanut allergy in the podunk town of Lamesa, Texas, and is about to go on a murder spree that will see six of his classmates dead in the summer of 1989. (That’s no spoiler: Driver, typing out his memoir years in the future, says so at the outset.) The trick is how Graham Jones unspools the story, drawing you into Tolly’s voice and his world of hair metal, Dr. Pepper, bullies, unrequited love, tragedy, and a surprisingly sweet friendship you’ll root for. Texan native Michael Crouch is the PERFECT narrator for the story, which goes down like a gory yet heartbreaking coming-of-age—and don’t miss the blood-red cherry on top when the author reads his acknowledgments at the end. —Kat J.
