Summer is drawing to a close. What should you read to enjoy a last few summer feels before facing fall? Check out My Favorite End of Summer Reads 2021!

My Favorite Summer Reads of 2021!

The past two summers have been challenging. Lockdowns, virus variants, and mask-wearing took the place of carefree holidays in the sun. Here’s hoping that summer 2022 is much better!

But here we are at the end of summer 2021. There are a few short weeks left of summer, and I believe in trying to make summer lemonade out of a summer that’s been a bit of a lemon.

My criteria for My Favorite Summer Reads of 2021:

1. YA or adult books with a summery feel (beachy, romantic, and/or featuring a fun setting)
2. Books that are fun to read
3. Titles that are out an available NOW

That’s it. So……

What Are My Favorite End of Summer Reading Recommendations for 2021?

If you want romance with the chance to vicariously travel:

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XOXO by Axie Oh. This cute YA romance about a normal girl who falls for the member of a Kpop group doesn’t take place in summer. But it features both romance and travel (between Los Angeles and Seoul) and I guarantee it will put a smile on your face! You can read my review of XOXO here.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean. If you’re looking for a charming rom com with a secret princess plot line, travel, and a heartwarming story of family, second chances, look no further. This YA romance takes place in the Pacific Northwest and Japan. You can read my review of Tokyo Ever After here.

If you love escapist princess romance books in general, check out my list of YA Books Featuring Royal Romance!

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If you love family drama and want a book that makes you feel like you’re at the beach:

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Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This adult book has the escapist feel of a 1980s beach book (maybe because it’s set in the 80s). It’s a fun read filled with family drama and set on the beaches of Malibu! You can read my review of Malibu Rising here.

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller. I’m not always a fan of “book club books.” But this adult book about a middle-aged mom caught between the secrets of her past and her present featured a detailed and interesting family history and a richly described setting that worked for me. There’s not a lot of plot here, but I really enjoyed this one. If you’ve read it, come join my Spoiler Discussion for The Paper Palace.

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If you’ve had it with all things sad and serious and just want to smile:

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Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Okay this comic cozy mystery is COMPLETELY unrealistic and very silly. But Dial A for Aunties also made me laugh more than most books I’ve read recently. A young wedding planner who works with her meddling aunties suddenly has a dead body to contend with.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. This comic adult mystery, about a hot mess of a divorced mom who accidentally becomes a contract killer, is completely implausible but very amusing.

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If you want a seriously escapist book to transition you into fall 2021:

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In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead. In My Dreams I Hold a Knife features more drama than plot and a very toxic friend group. This adult book about a group of friends looking back on the murder of one of their own ten years ago is entertaining but short on depth. Check this one out if you don’t mind unlikeable characters!

How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao. A Pretty Little Liars meets I Know What We Did Last Summer homage set in Manhattan, this YA mystery accurately portrays the pressures of high school and the class issues at an elite school. However, it also features a soap-opera-worthy conclusion.

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Read any of these? Have thoughts or a recommendation of other end-of-summer books? Talk to me in comments!