It’s Almost Beach Season: Here’s What I’m Reading

Beach weather will be here before we know it (I’m optimistic!) and to me there’s nothing like sitting in the sun and losing yourself in a great book. Here are some books I’ve recently read and enjoyed.

Baby Grand Trilogy by Dina Santorelli: This trilogy, Baby Grand, Baby Bailino, and Baby Carter, has it all-kidnapping, murder, love, family ties, loyalty, and betrayal. The first book starts in Albany, New York with the governor’s daughter being kidnapped from her crib followed by a newly divorced woman being kidnapped from the streets of Manhattan. What’s the connection? Will the police locate them before it’s too late? I loved all of these books and was so sad when the third one was over.  

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner: Connected by a beautiful scarf, two women survive tragedy 100 years apart. In September 1911 Clara sees friends and the one she loves perish in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. September 2011, Taryn loses her husband in the 9/11 World Trade Center attack. This book follows a period in each of their lives and brings their stories together through the scarf. This was a beautiful, emotional story with the promise of hope and a better tomorrow.

Playing Nice by JP Delaney: What would you do if your doorbell rang one day and you were told you child is not your child, that two babies were switched at birth. As if that’s not shocking enough, this story deals with mental illness, abuse, lies, addiction, the law and what parents are willing to do to protect their child. This psychological thriller definitely had me on the edge of my seat. At times I was so nervous I had to put it down, but only for a few minutes as I couldn’t wait to read what happened next.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave: Hannah is so in love with her new husband and suddenly he suddenly disappears. She then receives a note from him that says Protect her. Is she to protect her stepdaughter, Bailey? If so, protect her from what or who? Where is her husband? Together Hannah and Bailey seek to find the truth and discover things are not as they seem. I was riveted and as I always do when I love an author, I read their other books. Next up London is the Best City in America.

Hello Sunshine by Laura Dave: Sunshine is celebrating her birthday and her incredible life. She’s a celebrity chef, has bestselling cookbooks, and is so in love with her wonderful husband, who is just as in love with her. And then her world falls apart. She’s hacked and some things come out that change her life forever. Sunshine is forced to return to her childhood home, the one place she tried so hard to forget. This is a great beach read, but also will make one think about life and how much social media can truly influence our lives.

We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza: Childhood friends come to a crossroad in their friendship as, for the first time in their relationship, race becomes a factor. Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, their friendship remained tight despite the different paths they took. Jen got married young and after years of trying, is pregnant. Riley became a television journalist and is headed to become the first Black female anchor at the top rated news channel in their hometown. When Jen’s police officer husband is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager Riley is called upon to cover the story. This story of friendship during trying times is very well written and so timely. 

The Push by Ashley Audrain: This psychological thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. Imagine a mother thinking her pre-school age child may be a killer. I mean, can you even imagine?? Blythe is trying to be the perfect mother, but she just can’t bond with her baby. She wonders if there’s something wrong with her daughter Violet, but her husband insists that isn’t the case and it’s Blythe who doesn’t love Violet. Years pass and Blythe can not shake these feelings and believes Violet has caused certain “accidents”. Is it Violet? Or is Blythe seeing things from her past? 

With Love From The Inside by Angela Pisel: This is the story of a very different, and very difficult, mother daughter relationship. Grace, the mother, has been on death row for killing her infant son. Her daughter, Sophie, is happily married, but has hidden the truth about her mother from everyone, including her loving husband. Knowing her time is nearing an end, Grace wants to make peace with her daughter. Sophie stumbles upon some evidence about her brother’s death. Is she willing to possibly sacrifice her happiness for the chance to help her estranged mother? I was so moved by this story and felt for both Grace and Sophie.

Last Summer At The Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland: For over 60 years the Golden Hotel was the “hot hotel” when the Catskills was the hot vacation spot. But times change and as the children and grandchildren are deciding what to do with the failing hotel, secrets emerge about each of the family members. I enjoyed reading this at times funny, at times moving story as it brought back childhood memories of my family going to the Catskills when I was a kid!

Have you read any of these? What are your thoughts? What’s on your TBR list? I’m planning on spending a lot of time at the beach this summer so please share your favorite books. Happy Reading!