Another month, another new list of great reads. As an avid reader, July was an excellent month in the literary world full of new releases that made reading by the pool and the beach that much more exciting. This month, you’ll find 19 books I’ve completed with detailed review notes for each.
The Amazon Books Editorial team also comments on a few, recommending even more titles below my July recap. RELATED : Best June books, ranked and reviewed Below, find some of the greatest titles of 2024 so far, ranging from Frieda McFadden to Christina Lauren. After completing this list, you’ll want to pick up nearly every one for your next books stock-up.
“Husbands and Lovers” by Beatriz Williams If you’re interested in historical fiction but want the feeling of flipping through a beach read, “Husbands and Lovers” by Beatriz Williams is at the top of my recommendations list. Two women who have been separated by decades and continents discover second chances at love after being reconnected by a family heirloom. Williams’ writing style is right up my alley, and it was a delightful read on warm days.
“Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand Sadly, “Swan Song” is the last of Elin Hilderbrand’s glorious Nantucket-set novels. She’s the Queen of Beach Reads for a reason, with this one being a favorite. “I absolutely love Elin Hilderbrand’s writing; in fact, I’ve read everything she’s written,” Sarah Gelman, editorial director at Amazon Books, told the New York Post.
“ ‘ Swan Song’ is just what the title proclaims —her last Nantucket summer novel before she retires. Those of us who have read her others will get special Easter eggs as Hilderbrand wraps up an era with a pitch-perfect goodbye.” While I’d recommend reading “ A Summer Affair ,” “ The Castaways ” and “ The Perfect Couple ” before this one to have a better idea of the characters mentioned in this novel, you don’t necessarily have to.
If you’re into a bit of mystery with a dreamy setting, this title is the ideal escape. “One Last Summer” by Kate Spencer Hailing from one of my favorite authors, “”One Last Summer” is Kate Spencer’s nostalgic new summer fiction read that’ll transport you the light, airy days of summer camp. As Clara Millen’s life is spiraling out of control, she decides to join her friends on their annual summer vacation to their childhood sleepover camp.
This enemies-to-lovers read kicks off when Clara runs into her former camp nemesis, Mack, who work together after hearing the owners are retiring and selling the property. The title gave off young-adult vibes in terms of the plot line, but it was delightful nonetheless. “The Next Mrs.
Parrish” by Liv Constantine OK, we need to talk about “The Next Mrs. Parrish” by Liv Constantine. Her debut “ The Last Mrs.
Parrish ” remains one of the best, jaw-dropping novels of all time (and that’s a tall order!) but this one followed in its footsteps. Unlike most sequels that have a slow start, this one fired up from the very beginning. Here, Daphne and Amber Parrish are thrust back into each other’s lives upon the reemergence of a years-forgotten threat, leading to a cat-and-mouse game that you simply have to read.
Engaging, entertaining and utterly enjoyable. RELATED : Shop all of Reese’s Book Club picks “You’re Safe Here” by Leslie Stephens “You’re Safe Here” by Leslie Stephens has to be the most unique novel I read this month. In short, three women are trapped in wellness pods in the sea during a violent storm.
This futuristic, somewhat sci-fi read kept me on my toes as so many of-age wellness fads (like 10-fruit smoothies and skincare routines) were alarmingly accurate in detail. For a thriller set in the year 2060, this action-packed read stands out from the rest. “Pink Whales” by Sara Shukla “Pink Whales” by Sara Shukla screams “beach read” based on the cover alone, but there’s more depth to the story.
In this character-first novel, a mom tries to keep up reappearances with the cool moms in her preppy New England town. Navigating the challenges of motherhood and modern-day, I felt like I was flipping through an easy-read memoir — in the best way. “Triple Sec” by T.
J. Alexander “Triple Sec” by T.J.
Alexander is the ideal vacation book, filled with drama, romance and a bit of spice. The story centers around a jaded bartender who’s wooed by an outwardly quirky couple at a high-end NYC cocktail bar. Just the description alone enticed me to read it, and it was truly full of humor and heart.
“This insightful polyamorous rom-com challenges what we think love can look like,” Abby Abell, senior editor at Amazon Books Editorial, said. “The story follows cynical bartender Mel as she unexpectedly falls for charming married couple Bebe and Kade, who have an open relationship. I loved Mel’s journey as she took risks she never expected.
This romance is witty, sexy, and refreshing.” “The Paradise Problem” by Christina Lauren I must say, “The Paradise Problem” is my favorite one yet by Christina Lauren. It goes beyond the cookie-cutter rom-coms of late, focusing in on starving artist Anna Green who reconnects with her former husband, who she realizes she’s still married to.
When wealthy Liam “West” Weston steps back into her life, they “rekindle” their relationship when they both need to play make-believe most. Truly unique, and it’s a page-turner, for sure. Not to mention, this title is one of Abell’s favorite summer romances.
“This is a smart, sexy escape with witty banter, sizzling chemistry and a side of Succession -style drama,” she highlighted. “Let this romance transport you to paradise, and maybe book that tropical vacation you’ve been putting off.” “Feels Like Summer” by Wendy Francis In the summertime months, I love reading novels by Wendy Francis.
Her latest, “Feels Like Summer” takes place during Memorial Day weekend when three sisters meet at a reunion that’s filled with secrets, intrigue, lovers and betrayals. It’s one of the easiest ones to finish at the beach in one sitting, too, and is extremely well-written and enjoyable. “When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion” by Julie Satow Ready for a nonfiction twist? If you’re a fashion lover (or, a lover of the retro lifestyle), “When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion” by Julie Satow should be next novel on your list.
I devoured every page as it was a glittering portrait of the golden age of American department stores, following the women who ran them. “Power women finally get their due in Julie Satow’s breezy, but brilliant, narrative: the perfect nonfiction to bring to the beach,” Lindsay Powers, senior editor at Amazon Books Editorial, said. “This fascinating history packed with style, panache and drama offers the inside scoop on one of the first spaces where women could exist freely, and be catered to, in a world that was too quick to write us off.
” In other words, it’s about so much more than ladies who lunch or shop. The possibility for boundary-breaking was thrilling too — take Dorothy Shaver, who rose up the ranks at Lord & Taylor, becoming the first woman to earn the equivalent of a $1 million salary. “You’ll be completely riveted by the power, intrigue, glitz and glamour chronicled in this page-turner,” Powers added.
“Made For You” by Jenna Satterthwaite “Made For You” by Jenna Satterthwaite centers on a synthetic woman who wins a reality dating show ( ahem, perfect for “The Bachelor” lovers! ), though becomes the prime suspect when her husband is killed. Yep, didn’t think you saw that one coming. With one of the most enchanting plot lines, it’s worth the thrilling read.
“The Love of My Afterlife” by Kirsty Greenwood This month’s GMA Book Club pick was “The Love of My Afterlife” by Kirsty Greenwood, another one-of-a-kind premise that you’ll want to dive right into. Here, a recently deceased woman meets “The One” in the afterlife waiting room and, as the title suggests, receives a second chance at life — but in death. Simply put, it’s a *heaven-sent* book.
“The Villain Edit” by Laurie Devore Another dating show, Bachelor-esuqe read, “The Villain Edit” by Laurie Devore is one I read in one sitting. This plot follows a cynical romance novelist who goes on a reality show to revive her fledging career. But, she becomes the villain.
Without giving too much away, the novel is perfect for fans of Liv Constantine and Frieda McFadden. “All This & More” by Peng Shepherd A long one, but a good one. “All This & More” by Peng Shepherd holds a why-didn’t-I-think-of-that storyline: what would you do if you can go back in time and live another life? Here, a woman wins the chance to rewrite her life, including every mistake she’s ever made.
She goes to great lengths to make everything right, and it’s like reading the inside scoop that makes you think and reflect about your own life. Extremely well-thought-out and captivating, to say the least. “The Unforgettable Loretta Darling” by Katherine Blake Old-fashioned murder meets glam with the “The Unforgettable Loretta Darling” by Katherine Blake, one of my favorite books of the month.
This book follows an aspiring makeup artist who gathers a band of women to get revenge on Hollywood’s evil men at the time. It was like watching a Wild Western, but with an alluring twist. “youthjuice” by E.
K. Sathue This novel has been on my much-anticipated reading list for months now, and I was thrilled to give it a read in July. E.
K. Sathue’s “youthjuice” is about a copywriter who realizes that the secret to longevity is beauty, but it’s detailed in an extremist point of view. This is the best It Girl satire that you simply have to read if you’re into content creation, the latest skincare craze and the beauty world.
Oh, and prepare to squirm. “When Sophia lands a dream job at a luxury NYC skincare company, she thinks she’s finally escaped her past,” Abell explained. “But something is off.
..from the miraculous moisturizer she’s trying out in secret for the CEO to the constantly rotating stable of beautiful interns.
If you’re looking for body horror that mocks the relentless beauty standards we can’t seem to escape, ‘ youthjuice ‘ is for you.” “Ladykiller” by Katherine Wood “Ladykiller” by Katherine Wood has everything I’m looking for in a book: a glorious setting, an air of mystery and captivating characters. Set in Greece with alternating points of view, it’s the definition of “rich people problems” that I swear makes every book good.
And, it’s another book I devoured in one sitting. “The Housemaid’s Secret” by Frieda McFadden After reading “ The Housemaid ” which is truly worth the hype, I knew I had to read the next rendition of Frieda McFadden’s enticing, maid-protagonist novels: “The Housemaid’s Secret.” Much to my surprise, there were parts of this book where I thought, “wow, this is better than the first!” as the main characters were beyond intriguing.
Her novels go quickly, but you never want them to end. “The Housemaid Is Watching” by Frieda McFadden The latest: “The Housemaid Is Watching” by Frieda McFadden. Similar in theory to the author’s other two, this one is where the maid is now in a home of her own but suddenly gets a weird suspicion from her neighbor, Mrs.
Lowell. Captivating is an understatement, and I strongly suggest picking up all three books for a marathon of intrigue. Other July Books to read, per the Amazon Books Editorial team Like her best-selling Long Bright River , Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods is both a missing person story and a genre-transcending family saga.
“Set in the woods of rural Pennsylvania, the Van Laar estate is a system of opposites: blue collar versus blue blood, the natural order versus the synthetic rules of man, dynastic privilege versus the handicap of class,” Vannessa Cronin, senior editor at Amazon Books Editorial, told The Post. “When 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar goes missing from the sleep camp on the grounds — her older brother also disappeared from the estate years before — the door to the Van Laar family’s gilded cage is forced open.” One of the marvels of this novel is Moore’s sure-footed control of her complex plot and her fully realized character portraits.
“‘The God of the Woods’ is both a triumph of engineering and a thing of beauty and will surely rank among the best of the year,” Cronin predicted. “‘Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder’ is simply one of the strongest debuts we’ve read in a long, long time,” Cronin shared. “Don’t let the ‘cozy’ packaging fool you: this novel deals with some heavy themes, mainly domestic violence, repressed trauma and even workplace bullying.
But it does so in service of an utterly endearing main character, and with a sure, sensitive hand when it comes to empathy, humor and hope.” TLDR: Lenny Marks is a teacher who lives alone, cycles everywhere, and has 36 copies of “The Hobbit” but few close friends. When a letter from the parole board — which Lenny stubbornly ignores — threatens to bring her painful past into her present, the walls she’s built up begin to crack little by little.
“As Mayne cleverly lets Lenny reveal a breadcrumb trail of clues that build to an understanding of just what she’s been through, readers will find themselves loving this quirky introvert and feeling very protective of her choices,” Cronin noted. Plus, it’s ideal for fans of “ The Maid “ or “ The Good Sister .” “‘Navola’ is the kind of book that draws you in from page one and promises an explosive finale — and it does not disappoint,” Ben Grange, editor at Amazon Books Editorial, shared.
“Paolo Bacigalupi sets up a vast political fantasy in the sprawling city-state of Navola (reminiscent of fifteenth-century Florence), which follows Davico, the young heir to a mercantile banking empire who is more interested in medicinal plants than the political machinations of the royal families.” According to Grange, the author takes his time while leading the reader to the city-state’s true conflict; be prepared to dive into the world-building before uncovering what is truly going on behind the scenes. “Light on fantasy elements, fans of both historical fiction and epic fantasy can easily find themselves lost in this expansive narrative, which at times can feel simultaneously like reading a familiar classic and living in a brand-new world,” he added.
“Told from the first-person perspective of Davico, you will find the narrative reading like it could be the reminisce of either an emperor or a beggar, and you’ll have to read to the end to find out which it is.” “This book is an ode to those of us who will always believe that magic is real and just within our reach,” Abby Abell, senior editor at Amazon Books Editorial, said. “Two high school boys, Jeremy and Rafe, disappear into the woods of West Virginia and mysteriously reappear six months later, healthier than when they vanished.
Rafe has no memory of where they were, and Jeremy refuses to tell him.” The story picks up 15 years later when Emilie approaches Jeremy to help her find her sister, who vanished in those same West Virginia woods. But Jeremy can only find her with Rafe’s help.
And so begins a hero’s journey, as Rafe, Jeremy, and Emilie venture into a magical realm, revealing secrets long buried, dangers at every turn, but most importantly, hope that what was lost can be found again. “This enchanting and buoyant novel is a love letter to magic in all its glorious forms, which left me feeling lighter, and excited by all the possibilities this mysterious world has to offer,” Abell added. If you enjoy narrative nonfiction, true crime, glamour and New York history, you’re going to love “A Gentleman and a Thief.
” Arthur Barry hobnobbed with the crème de la crème of New York society as if he were one of their own, clocking the magnificent jewels adorning women with lauded last names such as Vanderbilt, Rockefeller and Pulitzer. “He was a ‘second story’ man — a cat burglar — but one with finesse, style, impeccable manners, and an uncanny ability to elude police,” Seira Wilson, senior editor at Amazon Books Editorial, explained. “This is the story not only of his crimes, but also a devoted love story; a story of double crosses and prison breaks, and of a figure so likable that even his victims found him charming.
” “A Gentleman and a Thief” is absolutely captivating, full of marquee names in finance and industry (as well as Harry Houdini and the Prince of Wales), the decadence of the Jazz Age, daring heists and the rise and fall of a “smooth-talking rogue with an eye for diamonds and a heart of gold,” as Wilson noted. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance . We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products , and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis.
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