Summer’s One Must Read Book 2025 [Book Reviews] #Collaboration #MustReadBook #SummerReading #BookX #booksky #BookBlogger #booklist #readingrecommendations

Today’s post features recommendations from twenty bloggers (plus me) for one Must Read Book of the summer! I’m sure you’ll find something that matches your reading tastes from this international group of readers.

Find Your One Must Read Book of Summer 2025!

Are you pondering what book to choose for your vacation or staycation?

Are you in limbo trying to decide what ONE great book to read this summer?

Do you ever wish someone would just TELL you what book to read?

Are you looking for a list of trusted book review bloggers?

Do you spend more time thinking about which book to pack for your vacation than packing the clothes? (oh…just me?)

If you only have time to read ONE more book before summer’s end, what would you choose?

beach reads cartoon

This is the time of year when readers in my hemisphere are looking for “Beach Reads.” (If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, happy “winter reading!”) The term “Beach Read” is puzzling to me because I think any book you read at the beach or the pool is a beach or pool read (similar to a body at the beach is a beach body!). Furthermore, “beach read” means different things to different readers: some want easy reading/light/fluffy, some want escapist, some want romcom, some want thrillers/suspense/mystery, while others are looking for heavier or longer reads that they might have more time for in the summer. During the summer, I look for the same types of reads I look for all year long: something substantial, engaging, memorable, unputdownable, and thought-provoking. Although something light and fluffy is nice for a change of pace. What is your ideal beach or pool read?

***I have not read most of the following recommendations (except my own of course!), so I encourage you to read additional reviews (and check content warnings) to decide which book is to your exact taste.

Reviewers Recommend:

Some things bring joy to a blogger’s heart and this collaborative post is definitely at the top of the list! These are a few of the bookish folks I “hang out with” throughout the year. Make their day and visit their blogs (comment, like, follow)!

As Gina describes our project: “A worldwide summer reading multi-blogger extravaganza!”

I am thrilled to publish this post today! I asked several experienced and trustworthy reviewers from a variety of geographical locations what they would recommend as their ONE “Not-to-be-Missed” Summer 2025 Reading Recommendation. I love this list because it draws attention to books that might be flying under the radar.

Today, I’m exceptionally excited to introduce you to a few of my blogging friends who chose ONE recommendation for YOU (listed in alphabetical order by blogger’s first name). I want you to notice that these bloggers are an international group! One of the greatest joys of blogging is making book friends around the world and country (better than pen pals!). Please take a look at their recommendations, check out their blogs, and give them a follow! (One of the most tangible ways you can thank book review bloggers is by giving them a follow and commenting on their posts!)

I think it’s amazing and worth noting that there was not one duplicate among these many bloggers!

I hope you’ll appreciate the following (mostly) “recent releases” recommendations that include some diversity and a mix of genres that will appeal to a variety of tastes (from romcom to uplit to family drama to dystopian to a classic to speculative to thriller to historical fiction to humor to family saga to romance to fantasy to mystery to biographical histfic to epistolary to women’s fiction……).

We hope at least one matches YOUR reading taste!

i love books

***Titles are Amazon affiliate links and full review links have been included when available.


Carla Loves to Read (text) over a background of library shelves and displays
Work in Progress

In Carla’s Words:

I have read so many great books since the beginning of the year, that it was hard to choose just one to recommend. I decided on a rom-com that made me laugh a lot. One thing I really enjoy are multi-generational friendships, and Work in Progress is full of them. The setting in the UK is wonderful for a literary tour, and an infuriating, handsome, tour guide is the icing on the cake. If you enjoy a fun story, one that I’m sure will make you laugh and at times melt your heart, then you will want to pick up Work in Progress. 


Kitty Cat blog header
Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero

In Cat’s Words:

This is a fun story set during one summer in Brooklyn, New York as five strangers leading different lives find themselves coming together over their connection to one stray cat called Cat.  Nรบria helps to feed strays around the city including a black cat she calls Cat, and one day finds a note left for her by an unknown person.  Collin is a reclusive author who is struggling to pen another bestseller.  Omar is a mailman who isn’t sure whether he wants to be a mailman forever, but loves meeting with some of the people on his round.  Bong is a bodega owner who ‘s struggling to cope after his wife passed away.  And Lily has travelled to the city with a secret in her heart, looking for someone specific who lives there.  All five strangers end up connecting through their individual bonds with Cat, and there are some lovely moments, especially when they all come to care for Cat later in the story.  Chapters alternate between the five people, and Cat too and it’s just a perfect, uplifting,  feel-good summer read for anyone who loves tales of growing friendships and deeper connections.  And of course a must read for anyone who loves cats!


Davida blog header
The Names

In Davida’s Words:

The Names was a real surprise for me. Not only did the author make me cry (which invariably will bump any book from 4.5 to 5 stars from me), but the whole concept was different, unique, including the format. The story is told in three parallel timelines where she investigates how the life of Ivy’s son might have been different had he grown up with each of three different given names. As someone who changed my given name at the age of 17, I know I’m not the same person I was when I had the previous name. So… WOW! This is the type of debut novel that says to me that I’ve just found a brand new favorite writer. I truly hope that she writes more, because I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next! (content consideration: spousal abuse)


Deb's World blog header (white text over a partial sunflower)
Wild Dark Shore

In Deb’s Words:

Wild Dark Shore is a great read, and Iโ€™ve since read more by this Australian author. It was a bit of a dystopian tale of a family living on a remote island, and as a result of sea levels rising, the family and the research station have to relocate. A stranger washes up on the shore and all their lives change. Very enjoyable in a dark, futuristic, and stark way. Think 5* climate fiction!


Retirement Reflections blog header
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

In Donna’s Words:

Whatโ€™s it about in a word? Resilience.
Why Is this a Must-Read? Through his masterful storytelling and rich character development, Steinbeck takes readers on a powerful journey with a working-class family during the Great Depression. The novel skillfully highlights the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity. It showcases the power of community and solidarity in times of crisis.

Sadly, the themes of social justice, poverty, and inequality are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published in 1939. It is absorbing and gut-wrenching, with an ending that never leaves you.
Movie Bonus: Made in 1940 in black and white, this film remains brilliant, timely and haunting. More info here.

Adrift by Lisa Brideau

In Donna’s Words:

Adrift, a debut novel by Lisa Brideau, was chosen by a fellow book club member andโ€”despite being described as a mystery thriller, a genre thatโ€™s not usually my thingโ€”I couldnโ€™t put it down. While I wouldnโ€™t quite call it a thriller, readers definitely need to buckle up: this is a compelling ride that pulls you in from the start. Brideau offers deep-level characterization and makes you question how memory shapes identity, all while weaving in the personal, social, and geopolitical impacts of climate change past its tipping point. The romantic tension is present but never overpowers the story. I especially appreciated the loose, open-ended conclusion that invites thoughtful reflection. Iโ€™d recommend Adrift to anyone who enjoys character-driven fiction with a speculative edge and an important message seamlessly tucked inside.

Lisa Brideau is a climate policy specialist in Vancouver with degrees in aerospace engineering and urban planning. Adrift, her debut novel, blends speculative fiction and suspense in a thought-provoking climate tale. Itโ€™s a finalist for the Crime Writers of Canada Best First Novel Award and nominated for the 2024 Evergreen Award.


Emma blog graphic

Joining us from South Oxfordshire, England,
Emma at Damp Pebbles recommends a favorite thriller:

All the Colors of the Dark

In Emma’s words:

No one tells a story quite like Chris Whitaker. All the Colours of the Dark had quite a lot to live up to for me. I fell head over heels in love with Chris’s previous book, ‘We Begin at the End’ when I read it in 2020. Would All the Colours be as good? Of course it was! It’s a beautiful, breath-stealing novel of trauma, friendship, and hope. Breaking genre boundaries without a care in the world, this epic tale guides us through the lives of Joseph ‘Patch’ Macauley and Saint Brown. At the age of thirteen, Patch returns to Saint after being kidnapped and locked in a basement. But he’s not the same boy he was before. Patch is determined to find the mysterious Grace, a fellow captive who kept him going through the darkest, bleakest times. No matter what the cost, he WILL find her. A gorgeously rich, dark story full of emotion. This book will stay with me for ever more. Sublime storytelling and a true masterpiece!


Gina
A Tiny Piece of Blue

In Gina’s words:

Charlotte Whitneyโ€™s A Tiny Piece of Blue is the kind of story that sneaks into your heart and lingers. Set during the Great Depression, it follows Silstice, a young girl abandoned by her parents, as she struggles to survive. Her path is difficult, but not without light. With grit, a compassionate 4-H leader, and the rediscovery of a sisterly bond, Sillyโ€™s journey is as moving as it is unforgettable. Whitney brings 1930s rural Michigan to life with vivid detail and quiet grace. If you enjoy historical fiction with heart and depth, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.  

Content Considerations: If youโ€™re sensitive to stories involving children in peril, neglect, or historical trauma, consider this book thoughtfully. The content is not graphic, but emotionally stirring. The hopeful resolution offers balance and warmth.  


The Irresponsible Reader header

I See You’ve Called in Dead (Audiobook) by John Kenny
(read by Sean Patrick Hopkins) 

I See You've Called in Dead

In H.C.’s Words:

 A drunken error leaves this obituary writer suspended from work when he publishes his own (very premature and wildly exaggerated) obituary. This wise, funny, and thoughtful book tracks Bud as he visits the funerals of complete strangers and learns a little about living as well as death and grieving. It’s a book full of friendship, dumb jokes, and second chances.


Jo Linsdell Books & Blogging (black, gold, and teal text on white background)
Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L.V. Pederson (cover)

In Jo’s Words:

EVERYONE HAS SECRETS… SOME ARE JUST MORE DEADLY THAN OTHERS.

When Madison starts her first real job as an executive assistant at a Silicon Valley tech giant, she has hopes to start afresh and finally escape the trauma of her father’s death two decades ago. But when a young employee is found dead and her charismatic VP boss fills her with unease, the ghosts of her past come rushing back.

โ€œHave we met before?โ€ he asked, โ€œI never forget a face.โ€

Soon, Madison is consumed by the chilling thought that her boss could be the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks that killed her fatherโ€”now hiding in plain sight behind the faรงade of his Silicon Valley success. But how could that be possible? He died on the plane with her father twenty years ago.

Madisonโ€™s attempt to uncover the truth will thrust her into the heart of a terrifying conspiracyโ€”one that veteran FBI agent Niles is desperate to crack before itโ€™s too late. But nothing is what it seems, and none of them are prepared for the explosive surprise.

Tick-tick-tick…


Portobbello Book Blog header (white lettering and a golden sunset on the beach)
The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster

In Joanne’s Words:

Kate Foster’s third novel The Mourning Necklace, is my choice for a must-read book this summer. It’s about a real historical figure, Maggie Dickson, who survived her own hanging and who just might have a connection to my family. I absolutely loved this book! Kate Foster has a real talent for putting you immediately into the heart of her story and brings the sights, sounds and even the smells of 18th century Edinburgh, Fisherrow and Kelso vividly alive on the page. This is another fantastic historical novel from Kate Foster, giving a voice and a story to a woman who should be remembered by more than just a pub named after her in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.


BLC sharing my eclectic reading (surrounded by a "c" curve of seaweed
The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (cover)

In Jonetta’s words:

This is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories I can remember reading in a long time. Both things are true at the same time, which makes it remarkable. The writing is exquisite as Lillian, Jet, and Ryan share their life experiences against the backdrop of alcoholism. Itโ€™s tough to not resent the alcoholic and remember itโ€™s a disease, not a choice between loved ones and the bottle. Lillian puts the first strokes on the canvas of the Bright familyโ€™s life, with all the โ€œbrightโ€ times and dark ones, followed by Jet and Ryan. (content warnings apply)


Kendra
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister (cover

In Kendra’s Words:

Cam is just nine months into motherhood, and while she and her husband Luke love being parents, theyโ€™re still floundering in life with a new baby. Cam is sad to see her maternity leave end, but also eager to return to her job as a publishing agent. But on the morning of her first day back, she wakes to find her husband Luke MIA, a cryptic note the only sign that something is amiss. Later that day, the police arrive at her workplace to let her know that a hostage situation is underway. . . and that her husband is the gunman. What follows is the aftermath of this pivotal moment, as told through the stories of Cam and Niall, the hostage negotiator assigned to the situation. 

This book grabbed my attention from page one, and I raced through it, needing answers. In addition to delivering a great story, Gillian McAllister writes wonderfully about parenting and marriage in a way that I donโ€™t see coming from other writers in the thriller genre, enhancing a multilayered plot through a thoughtful exploration of grief, fractured relationship, and emotional healing. We are also given fun insights into the publishing business (something I donโ€™t know much about), as well as the life of an introverted book worm (something I know quite well). 

Highly recommended for fans of domestic thrillers with some depth, but heads up for huge triggers regarding infertility and child loss. 


Lisa's Bookshelf Fantasier Header (a graphic picture of an open book and butterflies emerging from the center
One Golden Summer

In Lisa’s Words:

Author Carley Fortune excels at evoking the glorious feeling of summer, and in her newest book, One Golden Summer, we’re treated to a sun-infused season at the lake. There’s a wonderful love story, but this book is so much more! There are family dynamics to explore, plus memories and dreams and a chance to choose a new path — all enhanced by sun, swimming, great food, laughter, and making the decision to live in the moment. I recommend all of this author’s books, and this newest one is fully deserving of 5 stars!


Hopewell's Public Library of Life blog header (pink text on white background surrounded by a blue patterned border)
The Eights by Joanna Miller

In Lisa’s Words:

The first women able to earn a degree (not just study) at Oxford grabbed my attention. That they came of age during World War I and were born in the Edwardian era was extra. That one has a mother who was a leading Suffragetteโ€“yes!


Lydia blog header
Bodega Botanica Tales by Maria Rodriguez Bross (cover)

In Lydia’s Words:

Bodega Botanica Tales made city life feel magical and whimsical. It floated somewhere between the fantasy and magical realism genres but did not shy away from some of the more unique sorts of people you can meet at bodegas and other corner stores. It reminded me of some of my more interesting, and sometimes slightly odd, experiences as a city dweller. Iโ€™d recommend it to anyone who likes reading about colourful characters and the unique aspects of living in an urban area. 

Content Warning: Bullying, theft, mental illness, and a character who is a developmentally delayed child.


Fictionophile blog header (lighthouse on a hill against a purplish sky plus text
Nesting

In Lynne’s Words:

A book that will make you laugh and then cry โ€“ sometimes in the same paragraph.

Ciara is a courageous woman with two young girls, aged two and four. One ordinary afternoon, while out in the garden with her girls, she tears the clothing from the washing line, throws them into garbage bags, and she and her girls run for her car. Ciara is escaping a marriage in which she is emotionally abused on a regular basis. Her controlling husband, Ryan, thinks he is a great husband as he never actually physically harms her.

What follows is โ€œNestingโ€. Ciara valiantly struggling to make a home for her two girls. Also, Ciara is newly pregnant, so finding a place to live is imperative. With no income, she is forced to navigate social services, care for her girls, and hopefullyโ€ฆ find a job. What made her such an admirable character is the fact that despite her plight, she never lets her desperation show with her children. She is stalwart and supportive to them at a time when she is falling apart inside. Every day they survive is a victory that the reader shares.

โ€œNestingโ€ is a novel that will remain in my mind for years to come. An outstanding and unforgettable debut, brilliantly written with empathy and understanding. Highly, highly, recommended!


Swirl and Thread blog header (a white pitches filled with purple and white lilacs, a tea cup, glasses resting on an open book)
Speak to me of Home by Jeanine Cummins

In Mairead’s Words:

Jeanine Cummins has written an epic novel as three generations intertwine in this remarkable family drama. The complexities of family relationships, racial discrimination, love and regret, all combine into a powerful and dynamic read.

Historically fascinating, Speak to Me of Home is littered with societal, geographical, cultural and political insights. Cummins tackles multiple themes highlighting displacement, assimilation and the forever struggle to belong. Mixed heritage, mixed culture, and the baggage that can be tacked onto generations for decades, are all portrayed with clarity and sensitivity.

Speak to Me of Home is an immersive and sweeping tale., a rich and evocative novel. With a complex cast of characters and an emotional depth, it weaves multiple personal stories into one glorious narrative. A definite recommendation from me and very VERY easy five stars!!


Secret Library Book Blog (white text over a background of an open book that has the center two pages folded into a heart shape...lilac colored petals are strewn around)
The Bookshop of Secrets by Kerry Barrett (cover)

In Nicki’s Words:

This was a fantastic audiobook, a real feel-good listen, that made me smile and laugh out loud, and it also left me with a book hangover! Highly recommended on audio, especially if you enjoy uplifting books set in WW2. 


Sandy's Book a Day blog header
A Beautiful Family

In Sandy’s Words:

Over the course of one sunbaked summer vacation, a family is pulled into a web of mysteries that the younger daughter sets out to solve. 

A Beautiful Family is one of those quiet books that surprises.

I was instantly entranced, Alixโ€™s summer holiday with her parents and sister bringing back memories of similar west coast beach holidays in New Zealand. Black sand, big waves, bbqs and other kids . . . But we never had a mystery to solve, or not one of such magnitude!

Jennifer Trevelyan has written a blinder of a debut novel. The writing is exquisitely atmospheric and captures the 1980s vibe perfectly โ€“ the music, the social mores, the expectations.

The characterisation is superb. I felt I knew this family, could have lived next door to them, want more of them . . .


Bloggin Bout Books (graphic pictures of a woman sitting on the floor beside a pile of books reading....two cacti at each of the bottom corners)
The Queens of Crime

In Susan’s Words:

Told from the perspective of the indomitable Dorothy L. Sayers, THE QUEENS OF CRIME is an intriguing historical mystery about a group of prominent female crime writers banding together to solve a real murder in order to prove themselves to their male colleagues while bringing a killer to justice. As the writers combine their skills to investigate the puzzling case of a young English nurse killed while on holiday in France, they experience the unique power of female friendship, finding support, encouragement, and camaraderie in their growing bond. When the murderer targets Sayers, threatening to expose her darkest secret, she and her friends must decide how far they are willing to go to accomplish their goal. Featuring real historical women, an interesting mystery, and strong girl power vibes, THE QUEENS OF CRIME is an enjoyable, quietly compelling novel that kept me engaged throughout.


love to read
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

In Carol’s Words:

Are you a letter writer?

The Correspondent is my #1 read of the year so far! It’s quiet, reflective, and compelling. In other words, it might take you a few pages to become fully engaged. Another reviewer compared the reading experience here to the process of assembling a puzzle. Because it’s epistolary, each letter is like finding another puzzle piece. After enough puzzle pieces, we can see a beautiful picture (in this case, a unique character) emerge. At the story’s end, we have a full picture of the main character and the complexities of her life. This story is an example of trusting the author to tenderly reveal multiple and thoughtful themes which I found relevant and relatable. You will want to write a letter as soon as you turn the last page! (content consideration: death of a child…in the past)

The audio is excellent (full cast narration).

In case epistolary isn’t your jam, I must mention my other favorite read of the year–a humorous and delightful beach read for anyone who has been a Mother of the Bride or Groom!

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (cover)

In Carol’s Words:

Beach bag and pool-side reading approved! Light-hearted, witty, and page-turning, Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding is an easy weekend read. Two very different women must learn to work together as Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom. For added fun, a wedding etiquette columnist contributes her opinions. Women who have planned a wedding or will plan one in the future will especially enjoy this one!



Thank you to each blogger who participated in this collaboration project and for your ONE GREAT recommendation!

Do you agree that this is a splendid international group?
Readers, I hope you have enjoyed my annual collaborative post! The choices represent a variety of tastes and reading experiences and are as unique as the bloggers themselves. We know that no two persons read the same book, and we hope you find one recommendation to match your reading taste!

Please share or pin this post so that others looking for ONE wonderful summer read can hear about these recommendations! Let us know in the comments if you choose ONE of these books for your summer read! Our greatest joy is hearing that you read one of our recommended books!

In The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, Mitch Albom says that “Everyone joins a band in this life.” In the noise of the World Wide Web, I have found my people (band)! Each of these bloggers has shown personal support, inspiration, and encouragement to me, and I urge you to click through to their blogs and kindly give them a follow!


QOTD:

Did you put one of these titles on your TBR?


ICYMI:

(for more reading ideas! #somanybookssolittletime)

My 2025 Summer Reading Guide
Best 6 Books in 6 Months
Beach Bag Approved

Summer Superlatives (collage of covers)
A recent graphic I put together for Instagram.

Let’s Get Social!

Thank you for visiting and reading today! All twenty bloggers who contributed to this collaborative post would be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along (see subscribe or follow option), promote, and/or share our blogs. Every comment or like warms our hearts and every share helps us grow.

Find me at:
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Reading Ladies Book Club on Facebook

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***Blog posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.

All books I review are purchased or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc).

Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website receives all credit for book covers and author photos.

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49 comments

  1. I just spent the last hour going through all the blogs and reviews that I hadn’t already read and added a few more books to my TBR. I look forward to your Summer Must Read post each year, as I always find some great books that weren’t on my radar. Thanks for putting this together and thanks for inviting me to take part, Carol.

  2. Some great recommendations here. The Grapes of Wrath is on my summer TBR list. I’ve just added the Bookshop of Secrets. Thanks!

  3. Thanks for including me in this once again, Carol! So many great books here! All the Colors of the Dark and The Bright Years are two of the best books I’ve read in years, and I really enjoyed Abigail and Alexa. A number of other titles here are also being added to my TBR, so fun to see what others are reading!

    • Iโ€™m amazed that there were no duplicate titles! Such a variety! Thanks for participating! Happy summer reading!

  4. Hi, Carol – This is such a fabulous collaboration. I am honoured to be included. And…my TBR List just grew substantially longer. ๐Ÿ˜€ I am off to Libby now to place my holds!

  5. Thanks so much Carol, I enjoy being a part of these annual collaborations and seeing some otehr great books I can add to my lists!! Happy summer reading to you and happy winter reading to us down here ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Wow, what a great list! I expected 5-6 books, and got “oh so many”! (I lost count.) I have The Correspondent, and All the Colors of the Dark, and Bright Years, on my TBR and I had forgotten about Jeannine Cummins’ new book, I want that, too!

    • Happy to hear you love our list! I wish I could read Correspondent again for the first timeโ€ฆ.and the audio is fabulous! Enjoy! I just finished the Cummins book and enjoyed it. Happy summer reading! Thanks for commenting!

  7. I have several of these books on my TBR list! Now I just have to get to them!

    Thanks for putting this together!

  8. So sorry I couldn’t join in this year Carol. I’ll try to do better next year. Seeing Chocolate Lady’s recommendation reminded me that I meant to reserve this book in the library…….but forgot

  9. […] If you had told me that one of the greatest joys of blogging is the supportive and friendly blogging community, I don’t know if I would have believed you. I was intimidated to push “publish” on those first few posts. I was terrified to comment on a stranger’s blog and to interact with strangers on my own site. It didn’t take long for me to set aside those apprehensions and fully embrace the connections! If I interact with you regularly, you know who you are, Dear Friends! Some of the lovely bloggers I interact with most frequently participated in my recent summer collaboration: “Summer’s One Must Read Book.” […]

  10. This is a great list and I look forward to coming back to it so I can decide which ones I want to read. In the meantime, I feel enriched from just reading about the suggested bools.

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