10 Best YA Beach Reads
With Memorial Day right around the corner, beach season is officially on the horizon! It’s time to break out the sunscreen and pack your beach bag with the ultimate summer essential: a great book. There’s nothing like getting lost in a page-turner while your toes are in the sand and the sound of the surf is in your ears (or a Spotify playlist in your earbuds while you lounge by the pool). We’ve rounded up ten of our favorite YA beach reads to help you kick off summer the right way. So get comfy, put your sunglasses on, and dive into your next favorite book from The Reading Chamber:
#10 Love, Canter, Action by Katie Gilbert
A sun-soaked romance filled with fake dating, famous crushes, and just the right amount of horse girl energy—perfect for your next beach read.
Nora is desperate to escape her small-town life in Georgia and the strained household she shares with her estranged father. When the local horse ranch shuts down, she’s offered a spot in a prestigious equine program in Montana—if she can afford the trip. A chance job on a movie set introduces her to scandal-plagued teen heartthrob Alexander Mathias, and a staged argument between them goes viral, sparking rumors of a romance. As Nora agrees to fake-date Alec in exchange for help getting to Montana, real feelings start to surface, forcing her to confront what she truly wants—and who she might want it with.
#9 Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain
Moody, mysterious, and drenched in Southern summer heat, this psychic-fueled thriller is impossible to put down near the water.
Seventeen-year-old Grey spends the summer in La Cachette, Louisiana—a town full of psychics and secrets—still haunted by the disappearance of her best friend, Elora. As she searches for answers, Grey uncovers unsettling truths about her family, her friends, and the town’s eerie history. When a mysterious boy connected to Elora’s past appears, the line between the supernatural and reality begins to blur. With danger closing in and trust eroding, Grey must confront the chilling possibility that the town’s darkest secrets might cost her everything.
#8 What Happens After Midnight by K.L. Walther
A sweet, second-chance romance wrapped in end-of-senior-year mischief—this playful boarding school caper is pure beach day bliss.
Lily Hopper is two weeks away from graduating boarding school and feeling like she’s missed out on all the fun high school had to offer. When she’s invited to join the mysterious class prankster, the Jester, she jumps at the chance—only to discover it’s her ex-boyfriend, Taggart Swell. As they work together to pull off a daring prank targeting Lily’s prom date, old feelings resurface and new sparks fly. But with secrets lingering and the clock ticking toward graduation, Lily must decide whether to hold on to the past or take a chance on something new.
#7 The Last Best Kiss by Clare LaZebnik
This charming second-chance romance is packed with sweet moments and personal growth—perfect for a feel-good read by the water.
Anna Eliot has spent years regretting how she let other people’s opinions keep her from being with the one guy she truly liked—nerdy, sweet Finn Westbrook. Now it’s senior year, and Finn is back, transformed, confident, and clearly still hurt by how Anna once treated him. While he charms everyone around her, he keeps Anna at a distance, making her realize just how much she still cares. Determined to make things right, Anna must prove to Finn—and to herself—that their story deserves a second chance.
#6 Audre and Bash are Just Friends
This fun and lighthearted read offers humor, adventure, and a touch of romance, making it the perfect pick for a carefree beach day.
On the last day of school at Cheshire Prep, Audre Mercy-Moore's plans are derailed when her dad cancels her summer trip to Malibu, leaving her stuck in a cramped apartment with her family. With her dream of writing a self-help book for Stanford admissions at risk, she hires Bash Henry as her "fun consultant" to help her complete the five wild dares on her Experience Challenge. Bash's role is to provide inspiration for the book while earning money, and Audre hopes to stay focused on her goal without romantic distractions, which isn’t easy with their growing connection.
#5 Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
A captivating road trip filled with heart, romance, and self-discovery—this unforgettable journey is the perfect escape for your beach day.
Amy Curry dreads her summer after her mother moves across the country, leaving her with the task of driving their car from California to Connecticut. Struggling with the trauma of her father's death in a car accident, Amy isn't ready to drive. She’s joined by Roger, an old family friend who also has his own emotional baggage and needs to make the same cross-country trip. As they journey together, their friendship grows and they both begin to heal, learning how to navigate both the road and their feelings.
#4 Emerge by Tobie Easton
A thrilling mix of mermaid magic, romance, and intrigue set in sunny Malibu—perfect for an exciting and easy read by the water.
Lia Nautilus is a mermaid who has never known life in the ocean, living instead in a secret land-dwelling community among Malibu’s mansions after a curse stripped Mer of their immortality. The Seven Seas are in turmoil, and Lia must avoid close contact with humans to protect both her secret and those around her. However, when a new girl shows interest in Lia’s crush, she is faced with a choice: risk revealing her secret or let him fall for the wrong girl. To protect her heart and her community, Lia is willing to take dangerous risks.
#3 Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
A sweet, heartfelt summer romance set in a beach town—perfect for spending the day by the ocean.
Auden is spending her summer in the quiet beach town of Colby, trying to escape the aftermath of her parents' divorce and the chaos of her father's new life. But everything changes when she meets Eli—a brooding, mysterious boy with his own troubled past. As their unlikely friendship grows, Eli pushes Auden to step outside her comfort zone, while she helps him face the ghosts he's been running from. Together, they discover that sometimes, the best way to heal is by taking risks and embracing the unexpected.
#2 The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
Packed with family drama, playful romance, and emotional healing, this read is the ultimate escape for a sun-soaked day by the shore.
After the death of her sister Claire, Meredith Fox has isolated herself from the world, but this summer, she's ready to reconnect. The annual family vacation to Martha’s Vineyard offers the perfect opportunity to engage with her family again, especially with a big wedding and the traditional game of Assassin. While trying to honor Claire’s memory by winning the game, Meredith forms an unexpected alliance with a charming groomsman, which starts to distract her. As the week goes on, Meredith finds herself torn between winning the game for her sister and falling for someone new.
#1 The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
A nostalgic summer romance with a love triangle, family drama, and plenty of heart—this read is the ultimate companion for a day at the beach.
Every summer, Belly escapes to Cousins Beach, where she’s spent all her childhood summers, surrounded by her mother’s best friend, Susannah, and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has always been in love with Conrad, and this summer, she hopes things will finally change between them. While distractions from a new guy, Cam, and attention from Conrad’s brother, Jeremiah, complicate her feelings, Belly’s heart remains set on Conrad. As the summer unfolds, Belly wonders if this will be the season that changes everything.
