by BEB Bookette Anne Greenwood Brown
I’m not much of a beach person. I pretty much burn at the mere mention of the sun.
But I do like the smell of coconut-scented sunscreen, and I do enjoy a good “beach read” so I partake of both, just on a shady front porch.
Looking back on past summers, I’ve sunk into many an adirondack chair with familiar titles such as Sparks’s Notebook and Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. There was the summer I devoured my daughter’s Twilight books, and most recently Emily Giffin’s Love the One You’re With. All in all, a diverse group of genres: Romance, Suspense, Paranormal, Women’s Fiction. The pages of two of those books are warped by tears, and the series are food stained because I couldn’t tear myself away from the action to eat dinner at the table.
At closer look, however, my most memorable beach reads do have one thing in common: They all have an intoxicating, suck-you-in factor that allows one to read at break-neck speed, sometimes in a single sitting. Which brings me to another book that fits that category and, therefore, qualifies as a “good beach read.” 
It is, Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single by Heather McElhatton. It has Evanovich’s slap-stick comedy, Meyer’s drool-worthy Alpha male, and Giffin’s snarky wit, all in a Notebook-tidy length. But the ending . . . ah, the ending . . . let’s just say you’ll need a margarita and some Noxema to cool you down because the ending will leave you as raw as a Fourth-of-July sunburn.
Get the book here.
We’d love to hear what’s in your beach bag this summer! Remember, one commenter this week will win a copy of SWEET MISFORTUNE on Friday.
Anne,
I, too, am fair-skinned and even spent three days in and out of the sun by the pool this summer so my freckles had a chance to come out and play. I imagine some people wonder who the mother vampire is who can’t seem to tan.
Speaking of vamps, I started Meg Cabot’s INSATIABLE while I lounged. Those who love a fast read, thanks to her short sentences, and 3-page chapters, will enjoy her take on bit lit. I’ll post a review soon.
LOVED JENNIFER JOHNSON IS SICK OF BEING SINGLE. It was a BEB Top Pick last year. Giffin is always a nice beach read, too. I loved her newest book HEART OF THE MATTER more than LTOYW, but I think she’s always worth the read for sure.
xo
Love a good summer book! And this one is a great read for the season, and I so agree about the ending! I’ve got a 3-foot stack of books that I’m hoping to at least make a huge dent in this summer – thanks for some other great read ideas.
You had me at “drool-worthy Alpha male”! I’ll definitely be checking this one out.
I’m reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.Wanted to see what all the hype was about. Realize I tend to crave Thrillers at the start of summer. (I have no idea why. Seriously.)
I am definitely getting this book. I have eyed it on my last 2 visits to the bookstore. I will have a pitcher full of Margaritas by my side as I read this one
I haven’t read “Jennifer Johnson Is Sick Of Being Single” but I can’t wait. I’ve heard so many great reviews.
Living in Kansas I only see the beach on TV and in movies and say to myself, “I want to go to there.” That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a steamy summer read. I just enjoy it from the comfy lounge chair on my deck.
Personally, I’m very excited for the July release of “Fly Away Home” by one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Weiner.
I’m not much of a beach girl either! But when I do travel there – or anywhere – I tend to like a little brain candy. Something I don’t have to think too hard about!
Currently, I’m re-reading all of my Harry Potter books in anticipation of the movie. And yes, I’m that much of a geek.
I’ve seen this book on the shelves before and even the freaky doll on front didn’t stop me from wanting to dive into it. I hopefully will do that this summer. As for other fun reads in the heat, I am thinking about sinking my teeth into the Sookie Stackhouse series (HBO’s True Blood) by Charlaine Harris. I am drawn to vampire books like a mosquito to my Grannie’s bug zapper!
Sick of Being Single is now on my wish list. And yes, I’m of the pale white variety too. I burn then peel. So I do as you do, I read out on my deck, the lower one, in the shade.
Great post Anne! Though I am more of a thriller kind of girl, we will definitely look into this one for our Book End Babes bookclub gals. Look forward to all your wonderful posts.
Carmen–you got a friend in geekdom. I’m a huge HP fan.
Andrea–I can relate to the vampire thing, too. Not sure what that’s about. It was a very unexpected thing for me to get into.
All–I’m dying to know people’s reactions to the ending of this book. Let me know!!!
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Heather – I’ve got “Girl with a Dragon Tattoo” in my stack for the summer, too! I keep worrying that I won’t like it and I really want to.
Dani – I officially love you now that you wrote “I want to go to there” – LOL
Anne – I’m w/you regarding the ending!
Big stack of books piled next to my bed for summer reading. Haven’t read “Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single,” but would love to. Especially considering my best friend in high school and college was a sweet girl named Jennifer Johnson!