It’s officially summer! Bring on the sunshine, poolside sips, vacation adventures, and (last but certainly not least) summer reading. If you need some inspiration for your summer reading list, I’ve put together a list of some of the most-anticipated fiction books of summer 2023 – including general fiction, literary fiction, romance, and more.
(If you’re looking for mysteries and thrillers, check out my list of the most-anticipated thriller books of 2023!).
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Best Summer Reads of 2023
In this list, I’m including specific genres: general fiction, literary fiction, romance, and a bit of magical realism. (Check out my list of highly-anticipated fantasy, science fiction, and horror books of summer 2023 for more exciting new releases!).
Some of these are fiction books by popular bestselling authors like Alice Hoffman and Ann Patchett, and some are buzz-worthy debut novels with strong reviews on Goodreads. They’re all fabulous choices for your next summer read.
Also check out this list of fall 2023 fiction reads!
General Fiction, Historical Fiction & Romance Books
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
Genre: Contemporary/Literary Fiction
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Synopsis: A group of college friends makes a pact after graduation to reunite whenever any of them needs help dealing with the hard times of adulthood, and they stick to that pact. But now, when they’re in their 50s, one of the friends is ready to gather them together again and reveal a secret he’s been keeping.
Release date: May 30th, 2023
The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller
Genre: Literary Fiction/Dystopia
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Synopsis: While a devastating pandemic sweeps across the world, a marine biologist named Neffy – along with others – volunteer for a vaccine trial in the hopes of finding a cure. One of the volunteers is working on a new technology that allows people to relive memories, and Neffy can’t help but spend most of her time revisiting memories from her past – including the mistake that ended her career.
Release date: June 6th, 2023
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
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Synopsis: This summery read is about an engaged woman who runs into her first love – the one that broke her heart when they were teenagers – after fourteen years and begins to question everything about her life.
Release date: June 6th, 2023
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
Genre: Historical Fiction
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Synopsis: Inspired by a female doctor who lived in China during the 15th century, this story follows a woman who is trained as a physician for women’s illnesses during the time of the Ming Dynasty – when female doctors were rare – while dealing with societal pressures and an arranged marriage.
Release date: June 6th, 2023
A Perfect Vintage by Chelsea Fagan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
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Synopsis: Lea Mortimer has a thriving career renovating old estates in the French countryside into boutique hotels. But when she invites her recently-divorced best friend (and her friend’s college-aged daughter) to the stay at the beautiful chateau she’s currently working on, Lea’s carefully-controlled life begins to unravel when her project is threatened – and she falls for her boss’ much younger son.
Release date: June 6th, 2023
The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
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Synopsis: After the tragic death of her husband, a food blogger brings together a group of the five best friends she’s had at different points in her life for a relaxing weekend in Nantucket – but things don’t quite go to plan.
Release date: June 13th, 2023
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Genre: Romance/Contemporary Fiction
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Synopsis: An enemies-to-lovers romance about a theoretical physicist named Elsie who moonlights as a fake girlfriend for extra cash, and the experimental physicist who ruined Elsie’s mother’s career and who sits on the hiring board at MIT, where Elsie dreams of working.
Release date: June 13th, 2023
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
Genre: Contemporary/Literary Fiction
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Synopsis: This story follows the messy relationships that grow – over the course of a year – between a young woman, her male roommate, her married English professor, and the professor’s wife – and a secret that could change everything.
Release date: June 27th, 2023
Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer
Genre: General/Literary Fiction
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Synopsis: A coming-of-age story set in 1990s Florida, about a girl who’s trapped between feelings of loyalty to her poverty-stricken, dysfunctional family and the desire for a better life.
Release date: June 27th, 2023
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
Genre: Historical/Literary Fiction
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Synopsis: An estranged mother and daughter grapple with the loss of their beloved matriarch. When they inherit her dilapidated manor, they unearth surprising secrets about the matriarch’s life. This story follows three generations of Vietnamese American women, spanning decades and continents.
Release date: June 27th, 2023
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
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Synopsis: An artist suffering from sudden ‘face blindness’ – where she can’t recognize or remember faces – meets and becomes involved with two very different men in the midst of her condition.
Release date: July 11th, 2023
The Bookbinder by Pip Williams
Genre: Historical Fiction
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Synopsis: This story follows a young woman who works at a book bindery in England during World War I. She dreams of attending Oxford’s Somerville College, but war, illness, and love may reshape the trajectory of her life.
Release date: August 1st, 2023
With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson
Genre: Romance/Contemporary Fiction
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Synopsis: An enemies-to-lovers romance about polar opposites who are forced to work together to save the winter wonderland tourist destination (in Florida) where they work.
Release date: August 1st, 2023
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Genre: Literary Fiction/Romance
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Synopsis: At their family orchard in Michigan (during the year 2020), a mother tells her three daughters about her past romance with a famous actor – revealing truths that make them question everything they thought they knew about their mother and themselves.
Release date: August 1st, 2023
The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
Genre: Historical Fiction/Magical Realism
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Synopsis: Mia Jacob grew up in an isolated cult where reading was banned, but she secretly still discovered the magic of books. As a young woman, she forms a unique connection to The Scarlet Letter and it saves her life. She finds herself traveling back in time and falling in love with its author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. But playing with time can have unexpected consequences.
Release date: August 15th, 2023
Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue
Genre: Historical Fiction
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Synopsis: Written by the author of Room and The Wonder, this story is about two teenage girls who fall in love at a boarding school in England during the 19th century (based on a true story).
Release date: August 29th, 2023
There you have it: exciting fiction books of summer 2023. Let me know which summer reads you’re most excited for! Happy reading. 🙂
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