The Bookish Mindset

If you’ve got a holiday coming up (or maybe just a weekend) then you’re going to want something juicy to get stuck into by the pool (or beach or sofa!). Below are my suggestions for the books you won’t be able to put down this summer, perfect summer holiday reading. These are the books you’ll see everyone reading this summer. If you’re looking for something specific then drop me a comment.

Fundamentally – Nussaibah Younis. If you’re looking for funny, then just trust me and pick this up. An eclectic team attempt the deradicalisation of ISIS brides. Full of love, humanity and plenty of humour, I loved this one. My review is here.

Sunstruck – William Rayfeet Hunter. Messy families and relationships are centred in this novel and you’ll get absolutely sucked in. Don’t miss out! Find my review here.

Sweet Heat – Bolu Babalola.  I’m dubbing this as romance of the summer. Kiki and Malakai are back, but they’ve broken up since you last met them (first novel is here, but this one should read as a stand alone) and now have to spend time together at their best friends wedding.. What could go wrong?

Ordinary Love – Marie Rutkoski. Set to be a big hitter this year, Emily and Gen used to be in love and 20 years later they find each other again, involved in each others far from straightforward lives.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven – Juno Dawson. With the final instalment of this trilogy out in a few weeks, you’re going to want to get started on the first novel. Set in the UK where witches are stronger than wizards (of course) and with themes of friendship and feminism. One of

No Small Thing – Orlaine McDonald. Set between grand mother, mother and child and their disjointed relationship and more, this is not one to miss. It’s one of my favourite reads of last year!

All That We’ve Got – Jendella Benson. Over a summer, two women’s collide in ways they couldn’t imagine. I LOVED this one. Gritty and addictive.

Wish You Were Her – Elle McNicoll.  Set between bookshops and book festivals with autistic rep and enemies to lovers trope too. Works as a stand alone, the first is here.

And while thrillers aren’t for me, you absolutely should try Dorothy Koomson or Kia Abdullah if you love something tense and twisty!

Have you planned to pick any of these up? I’d love to know!

If you’re looking to read some more this summer, then I have another blog for you! Check out this one with my top tips for upping your reading.

If you like what you’ve read and would like to access more content, I’d love if you could take a look at my patreon and consider supporting my content on there too. You can also find more content on my Instagram here.

And don’t forget to check out my other blogs and reviews – you can find books with similar themes in the same folder link below, or click back onto blogs to see the whole offering.

Last updated 09/07/2025