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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Books, Giveaways ·

30 Best Beach Books + Giveaway!


Happy Monday, friends!

Today, it’s double the fun!  First, I’m sharing my 30 BEST BEACH BOOKS should you need a light read for your home, poolside or the beach vacation too plus, I’m also hosting another GIVEAWAY.

Because May should be fun 🙂 .

First, all of the books below are fictitious, easy to read, and perfect for summer.  I tried to stay away from heavy topics.  These are lighter, cuter, sweeter and will be easy and fun to read this spring and summer.  Plus, I’ve added a few meatier ones and even some suspenseful books in for kicks.  I’ve put a * next to those.

Here you go, my 30 BEST BEACH BOOKS:

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams*
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth*
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey
The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
Swear on this Life by Renee Carlino
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen*
Island Girls by Nancy Thayer
Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand
The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams*
The Break Down by B.A. Paris*
Confessions of a Domestic Failure by Bunmi Laditan
The Beach Club by Elin Hilderbrand
Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn Dingman
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover*
One Night on the Island by Josie Silver
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult*
Summer Love by Nancy Thayer
Nora Goes Off Script by Anabel Monaghan
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon*
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Float Plan by Trish Doller
Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst
Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel

Whether you’re headed to the beach or not this year, you are certain to love this batch of books!

Speaking of which, it would be way more fun to read a book this summer if you had…

…a KINDLE PAPERWHITE?!

This is going to be just a quick little “Monday only” giveaway.  The contest goes until 5:00 PM CST tonight, and the winner will be announced tomorrow here on my blog!  Same rules as last time:

How do you enter to win?

I will randomly select one lucky winner and announce their name here on my blog tomorrow from the Rafflecopter below.

We’re going to go on the honor system again.  Enter your name one time in the Rafflecopter below if you’re committing to be a fun, active, happy part of this community in May.  That’s it.  Maybe that means you’re thoughtfully commenting on most posts or maybe that means you’re sharing an IG quote of mine, trying out a recipe, reading a new book and being a part of the discussion…whatever it means to you, I just think we are all in this together, so this time (we’ll see how it goes), I’m not going to ask you to jump through any hoops.  Simply add your one entry to the Rafflecopter for your name to be entered if you’re planning on being a thoughtful part of this community this month.  That’s it!

Easy as that!  I will randomly select a name tonight, and I will announce that here tomorrow morning.

Happy Monday, friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Comments

    • Norita says

      Thanks for the suggestions! I was just thinking this weekend I needed to review your books because I am in “summer, no pressure, no stress, no thinking (ha-ha) ready for summer” time! The first 5 or 6 that popped out at me as I read your list are ones I already read (anyone else have trouble remembering the titles after reading several?). So I’m going back to the top to review the list again.
      Thanks for the time and effort you put into your blog. It’s a smile in my day!

    • Robin Pruitt says

      I’m always looking for some great, easy summer reads! This is a fabulous list!

  2. Susan Jeffries says

    Thanks for this great list! I need some happy, light reads for this season! And fun giveaway! Love this Kindle color!

  4. Susan Angvall says

    Thank you! I’m headed to the beach next week and I constantly use you as a source for recommendations! Happy Monday!

  5. Kristen Thompson says

    Such a good list! So many of these I have read thanks to your monthly book reviews 😊

  9. Ashley D says

    I’ve read, Nora Goes Off Script and The Mother In Law! Both great reads! Thanks for sharing your list.

  10. Paula says

    Light, easy, cheesy beach reads are what I love for summer. I like the mental break too.

  11. Anu Talreja says

    Thanks for the list! I am really enjoying your content this year and love the positivity you share with us!

  12. Kelly M Sites says

    There is NOTHING better than summer reading. (well, fall reading is awesome, and so is winter reading by the fireplace.)

    I loved The Mermaid Chair for a summer read.

  14. Celeste says

    Can’t wait to read several on your list while at the beach this summer!

  15. Nancy Granger says

    Thanks for the list of Best Beach Books. I am a librarian and every summer I like to do a display of beach books. I’ll be sure to put these on our display.

  16. Katie Compton says

    I’ve read so many of these books thanks to your recommendations! I’m so happy to see Wish You Were Here on your list b/c I remember recommending that a while back and then it appeared on your monthly review!! I have no idea if it was MY recommendation that made you read it but I was still excited you loved it!

    Please give this one a try this summer! It was my top summer read last year. I think you’d love it! https://a.co/d/9Tla4oo

  17. Cassandra says

    Adding some of these to my library list for this summer!!! I have used your lists to pick my books for a few years now. Thanks for always sharing and for the generous giveaway! Have a wonderful week!

  18. Hilary says

    I have been eyeing a Kindle paperweight ever since I saw your glowing your reviews, my iPhone kindle app just isn’t the same. How sweet of you to giveaway! Going to reference this list for this summer ahead. Thanks!

  19. Kelli says

    This is a stellar list with a few new-to-me titles that I’m adding to my TBR!! And what a fun, perfectly timed giveaway! 🎉

  23. Grace says

    I will say that you turned me on to Francophile books along with a few Elin Hilderbrand novels. Happy Monday Shay and thanks for always keeping it fun.

  26. Tish says

    I love to get book recommendations!! I’ve read a lot of these from your book review posts but I’m adding a few more to my list! 🙂 With reading on a Kindle, do you ever miss holding a book and turning the pages? Or seeing the cover every time you pick it up? Wondering if hard to shift to a Kindle for you? It would sure save trips to the library!

  27. Beth Keller says

    Such a great book list with some of my favorites! Thanks for sharing and thanks for all the giveaway options— so fun! Happy May🎉😎🎉

  28. Tracy Marlow says

    I haven’t been able to focus on reading a book in so long. I miss it!

  29. Lynelle says

    Great list! I thought it was interesting that The Dinner List is on here – I LOVED that book but it felt really heavy to me- it must have been my state of mind that day. I love Rebecca Serle and found her because of you! 🙂

  30. Elise Schoeff says

    I’ve loved many of these books and will add a few more to my list! Thank you!

  31. Amber H says

    I would argue that Daisy Jones and the Six should be listened to, not read. The audio version is EXCELLENT! All of the characters are voiced by different actors (Benjamin Bratt! Judy Greer! Jennifer Beals!) It is so, so good.

    Also, I am recommending Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer’s Liz Danger Series. It’s a trilogy with a little romance, a little suspense, and some fun characters.

  32. Lindsey Stromberg says

    This is such a great giveaway, thank you! Recently left my Paperwhite on a plane and I’m still so sad!

  33. Denise says

    You are SO kind and bright – you cheer up everyday! Thank you for the great list. have a great May!

  34. Janae says

    This is so generous! And I’m excited for the summer book list!! Already adding them to my list!

  35. Marianne Dunaway says

    Love your Book Reviews! Just finished The Darling Girls and loved it.

  36. Amber LaRussa says

    Wow! Great list of books just in time for summer! and I would love to win the Paperwhite! Thanks Shay for the opportunity!

  37. Debbie Alsip says

    Love the idea of a Beach Reading list! I read Cancel the Wedding after you wrote about it years ago. I absolutely loved it. I think I ‘ll read it again this summer for fun. Right now I’m reading Darling Grils.

  39. Alyssa says

    Great list. I’d add anything written by Jenny Hale is a great, light summer read.

  40. Dana Siler says

    Thank you for this giveaway! You are very generous 😊
    Scanning across this list is some great reads that I’ve enjoyed and plan others I plan to read. Thanks again!

  41. Ruby Huling says

    We have a beach trip coming up in June with all my grands and this booklist is just in time!

  42. Leslie says

    Where are you in the picture with you reading your kindle in this post? Looks gorgeous.

  43. Melinda Bridge says

    There is nothing better than reading a book on a hot summer day. Thanks for the suggestions.

  44. Katie Hahn says

    Such a generous gift! Thanks for the book recs as my mom and I are doing a little trip together to Florida at the end of the month!

  45. Beverly says

    Love this new giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed as I love to read and this would be fabulous!!! Plan to try to read your whole list this summer as I re-charge from another year (this is my 34th) of teaching middle school.

  46. Tristan Upchurch says

    Thanks for this fun list of books…I am a teacher and ready to do some fun reading this summer!! Have a fun day!

  47. Penny says

    Thank you for the book recommendations! I always look forward to your monthly book reviews, and this list of beach books is great! Also, thanks for another giveaway!

  48. Amy Azza says

    I read all the time, it brings me so much joy, and I am going to “add to cart” a lot of these books right now!

  50. Linda Kinsman says

    What a fun book list and giveaway. It’s a great way to kickoff summer.

  52. Christi McAnally says

    Beach reads are some of my most favorite reads! Thanks for the list and the fun giveaway!

  53. Lynne Deshler says

    I always love your book reviews and lists. I think we have very similar tastes in books. Sometimes (or many times) I just need a light and entertaining book to read. Thanks for sharing!

  54. Charlie Myers says

    I made your taco meatballs on avocado mash this weekend, and they were a HIT! Thank you for such great recipes!

  57. Lori says

    Thanks for the great list! Mary Kay Andrew has a new book coming out tomorrow that is really good.

  59. Robin says

    So many of my favorites on this list , Shay! Thank you for sharing . I like to read lighter books in the summer , so the “beach reads” are my favorites . Right now I’m starting off the summer (bit early) with Nancy Thayer’s newest , The Summer We Started Over .

  61. Katherine says

    Perfect timing as we are heading to the gulf coast of Florida in less than a month from now! Thanks for sharing some new to me books!

  62. Michalina V Peterson says

    Three more weeks and this teacher is officially on summer vacation! Thank you for the reading recs, I’m excited to check some of them out!

  63. Kary Delgado says

    Cancel the Wedding is still one of my all time favorites because of your recommendation! I have read a lot of these already but excited to add a few more to my summer TBR!

  65. Nancy says

    Thanks for your beach book recommendations. I am a librarian and doing a beach reads display. These are some great suggestions on ones to display.

  66. Robin says

    Great recommendations, Shay! I’ve added some to my own reading list! Thanks!

  67. Robyn Beers says

    I love all of your book suggestions. I’m needing to update my Kindle – this would be a fun prize to win. Have a great week.

  68. Brenda says

    Recently I’ve been carving out time to sit down and read and this list is perfect to keep the momentum going!

  69. Rebecca says

    Love your book reviews. I retire on June 13 after teaching for 33 years. I can’t wait to read all the books on my list!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Congratulations!!!! What an accomplishment?! I cannot imagine how many lives you’ve touched. Sending you so much love! xx

  73. Julianna says

    Great timing! I just finished The Women by Kristin Hannah this morning which was AMAZING, but need to pivot to something lighter after that!

  74. Chrissy says

    Hi Shay!

    I’m being a thoughtful member of this community today by sharing something that I hope you’ll share with Erika, LOL! For some reason i can never comment on her blog posts, so I thought I’d go through you. She posted about how she didn’t love the show Palm Royale/didn’t understand the point of it, but when she posted that, there were still two episodes that hadn’t been released yet! I still wouldn’t say it’s a GREAT show, but perhaps she’s extra confused because there are still a few eps left, hahah!

    Would love if you’d pass it along 🙂

  75. Karlee says

    Thank you for the booklist! Here’s to some fun, happy, reading all summer long! And thank you Shay for the wonderful giveaway!

  76. Amber Vance says

    Such a great list of books! I’ve only read 11 on the list so I have plenty to add to my list. Thanks for always being so kind and generous!

  77. Jill says

    So exciting. I’m committing to read more this summer and this would be perfect.

    Thank you.

  80. Janet Teeter says

    Shay, I was wondering how (or if) you keep track of books you have read? Do you use an app, or just keep a running list? Thanks for all the fun recommendations. It is cold and rainy here in OR (47 degrees) but slated to be 85 by Saturday, so I’m ready to do some fun summer reading!

  81. Alana says

    I know your kids are older, but do you ever feel guilty to read on a kindle while they are awake? I’ve been so intrigued with the idea of a kindle and have debated splurging on one; however I don’t love for my 2.5 year old to see me on my phone all the time so I wonder if it would feel different with that?! Although I’m not sure how much he’d let me sit and read during the day anyway, hahaha.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      That’s so interesting, and a perspective I haven’t considered. I don’t think that’s been something I’ve thought about because my kids have been older since I’ve had a Kindle. I don’t remember exactly when I made the switch, but it had to have been when they were older and knew I was reading the book. They’ve never questioned it (like asked if it were an iPad, etc), so it must have been clear to them upfront. You can get kids books on Kindle, so maybe if you downloaded a kid book then your two year old could read one with you and understand better that it’s a book and not for games?

      • Alana says

        That is a great point- thank you! Definitely will consider doing that if I invest in one. I think it’s good for kids to see their parents reading a book. If they know the Kindle is for reading, it seems it would benefit still!

  82. Martina Ingemarsson says

    Perfect timing! Was just looking for summer books! You are so good at creating ”seasonal magic”, making me feel extra excited for each season as it comes… from scents, activities, fashion, beauty to food, books, spirituality and now, also health. Thank you!

  84. Bridget Brown says

    I love all these selections and have most of them on my ever-growing TBR list. I love that you called out the psychological thrillers with a * because I love love love those but also love the fun lighthearted reads! Your book posts and recipe posts are just the best. Thank you!

  85. Jennifer Vieau says

    Another fun giveaway! I am excited to try some of your book recommendations…reading on the deck with iced coffee on a summer afternoon is heaven!

  86. Jennifer says

    Thanks for the summer reading list. Can’t wait to make my reading list for the summer. Thank you!

  87. StephC says

    Bookmarking this to look at once I finish my current TBR pile =) Thanks for sharing!

  88. Leslie S says

    May is always so crazy for me – I LOVE what a delight it is to visit your page every day. It’s just one little thing that adds a smile to my day! Thank you for the list, I’m ready to laid my Kindle with summer reads.

  90. Paige says

    I can’t wait to read some of these this Summer poolside. Thank you for your generosity!!

  91. Faith says

    I have so many of your suggestions on my “to read” list. I hope to read a lot more now that I am off work for the summer. Not sure I can keep up with you!! I already have a kindle so I don’t want to enter – I love my kindle!!

  92. Amy says

    You always by the BEST book list. I look forward to your post EVERY DAY! But, dang, I hate that your giveaways end so early. I can’t look at my personal emails until later in the evening due to work and life. It is my “me time” when I finally sit down and look at emails. Your blog post is my favorite part of my day but always miss your giveaways due to the cut off time. Any way you can extend future giveaways a little longer. Thanks for the consideration. Again, love love love your post.

  93. Kelly Bonner says

    Love this list Shay! Saving it to my phone to work my way through this list.

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