The Best Summer Beach Reads Worth a Spot in Your Vacation Bag

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: vacation season. And we have compiled the best summer beach reads that are red hot and brand new in 2025.

The definition of what exactly constitutes a beach read varies a bit. Some may say that a spicy or even smutty summer-themed romance novel fits the bill, or any tale that takes place in the hottest months of the year. If you’re like me, you exclusively pack twisty and jaw-dropping thrillers for a vacation, the more demented and ridiculous the better.

To me, a beach read is less about the subject matter and more about the ease of reading and the pleasure of the plot. In my opinion, poolside isn’t the time to dissect a thought-provoking yet dense nonfiction or untangle the myriad meanings of a critically acclaimed piece of literary fiction. It’s the time for engaging storylines, sexy smut, familiar and cozy tropes, and words that go down as smoothly as your second frozen margarita.

Luckily, our Glamour editors and bookstagrammers we trust have spent the past few months tearing through all the hottest (pun intended) and best summer beach reads that are new this season. Here are our summer 2025 favorites, all of which are worthy of taking up space in your beach bag.