Welcome to another TTT! Before I jump into this week’s list, I wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who sent me a birthday present last week! Thank you to Nicky @ Bibliophilian for Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore, Lisa M. for Rewitched, Emma @ wordsandpeace for The Twisted Throne, and R for Edenbrooke and Hail Marry! My birthday was yesterday (the 22nd) and these were such lovely surprises that I can’t wait to read! I’m always so touched by the kindness and generosity of bookish people, and I’m incredibly blessed with such sweet friends. Thank you again.
This week’s topic is Top Ten Books on My Summer 2026 To-Read List. Can you believe we’ve reached summer?? We’re almost halfway done with the year, and I’m amazed by how quickly this year is passing by. A few blinks and I’ll be decorating for Fall. What kinds of books do you enjoy reading during the summer months? For me, it’s mostly light and contemporary romances, oftentimes centered around travel as well as thrillers. I’ve got a mix of both in my line-up for the next few months.
The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren
An unforgettable novel in which one fateful accident erases a troubled marriage from memory—and love gets one extraordinary do-over.
Three years ago, Emery Finch did something completely out of character: She got married. To Luca—the impossibly charming landscaper she met on one blistering night in Vegas who made her laugh, made her dance, made her feel.
But now, Emery is consumed by her top-secret job, missing dinners, forgetting anniversaries, and promising herself Luca will understand once her cutting-edge research comes to light. Until the unthinkable happens: A tragic accident takes Luca from her.
Desperate not to lose him, Emery breaks every rule to bring him back. And Luca would probably thank her for it, if only he could remember her. Their first kiss, their Sunny Sundays at the beach, the life they built together…all of it is gone.
It may be a miracle of science, but for Emery it’s her one shot at a second chance. And this time, she won’t waste it—because true love is always worth reviving.
In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto
Nothing can rain on Quincy Monroe’s parade. She’s a woman-in-STEM with a PhD in atmospheric sciences, the host of a successful online weather show, and has one million followers on her meteorology Instagram.
Quincy has spent endless hours forging her path in this male-dominated field, becoming one of the best in the industry. And with a new job opportunity, nothing can derail her success. Except for the ill-timed arrival of Sebastian Dunn.
Sebastian is her best friend’s brother, her long-suffering academic and professional rival, and a flashy TV weatherman from New York City that everyone swoons over. Everyone but Quincy.
Over a scorching Florida summer and record-breaking hurricane season, Sebastian and Quincy are forced into close proximity. Setting aside their grudges to chase storms and stay alive is one thing, but can they weather the inevitable collision of their hearts?
The Great Outdoors by Kayla Olson
Sadie Whitlock has always been praised for being the most prepared person in the room, the one who’s thought of everything—and every backup plan—for any given situation. She knows exactly what she wants, exactly what she loves, and goes to great lengths to make sure her life runs perfectly as planned.
So, when her laidback boyfriend breaks up with her for being “too high-maintenance,” Sadie is eager to prove him wrong, and signs herself up for a weeks-long guided wilderness adventure in the High Sierras of camping, hiking, rappelling, and kayaking. It’s the most miserable, uncomfortable situation she can think of.
Sadie’s a five-star resort girl at heart, but she has a compelling—and suspiciously attractive—tour guide August Thorn. Thorn lives for adventure and always keeps a professional distance from the trekkers under his care…but there’s just something about Sadie, and for the first time, he finds himself wanting to get closer. As they explore the wilderness together, Sadie realizes the great outdoors might truly be great with the right person.
The Shippers by Katherine Center
After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. With the help of a little pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest ), and she decides to woo him during the cruise for some long-delayed closure. Only problem is, her sister’s a little busy being a bride at the moment—so JoJo ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, to be her wing man. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but then showed up, anyway. Cooper: who left town without a word four years earlier and moved to London. Cooper: who was, if she’s honest, the worst heartbreak of JoJo’s life. It’s bliss for her to see him again, and it’s agony, too—and the more they team up for Project Conquest, the more she obsesses over questions she can’t bring herself to ask.
Shipboard antics ensue in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance—as JoJo and Cooper fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, treat sunburns, get jealous, rescue each other over and over, and finally, at last, figure it all out in the most blissful, swoony, romantic way.
You Know Why by J.T. Ellison
It’s the holidays, and photographer Brooklyn Locke is bound for Italy with her husband, Trey, and their two children. But when Trey vanishes from the airport, missing their connecting flight, their impromptu vacation—and life as she knows it—begins to unravel.
Desperate to find her husband, Brooklyn accepts help from a stranger on the same flight, Eden Barrow. But Eden soon makes a shocking claim. She is the sister of Trey’s first wife, and ten years ago he was the main suspect in her murder.
Struggling to comprehend these accusations, fate delivers one more a violent accident that leaves Brooklyn fighting for her life. With nowhere else to turn, Brooklyn leans on Eden for support. But each kindness feels too rehearsed, feeding her doubts about Eden’s motives and Trey’s true past.
Brooklyn has her own dark history she’d rather forget and confronts an unsettling possibility. Her life is not what it seems, and the truth is a trap—laid by someone waiting for the perfect time to strike.
Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher
A treasure hunter and the bestselling adventure novelist who broke her heart after one successful expedition reunite for a summer to search for lost riches.
Treasure hunter Stella Moore dreams of having it all—wealth, love, and a flourishing career—but knows she’ll never be that lucky. Every summer she and her childhood friends travel to search for hidden treasure, but she can barely manage her bills, let alone a relationship. Then, a chance encounter with alluring novelist Huck Sullivan during an expedition in Iceland has Stella thinking maybe her fortune has changed.
After his last book bombed, Huck hasn’t written a word. Joining Stella and her crew on an adventure seems like the perfect distraction from his problems, and when the crew finally uncovers hidden treasure, he is certain that he’s found more than just inspiration for his next novel. Huck and Stella’s undeniable connection gives way to an unforgettable night on a black sand beach.
After Huck disappears without a goodbye, Stella vows to put the heartbreak behind her—but that’s easier said than done when, a year later, every bookstore has a life-size cutout of her ex-lover next to stacks of his latest record-breaking bestseller. Good thing it’s time for another summer treasure hunt. Stella throws herself into mapping the path to a shipwreck off Key West, but the last thing she expects is an extra crew member showing up in search of material for a sequel and a second chance.
Stella and Huck are prepared for storms, sharks, sea sickness, even a tentative truce. But facing the feelings they buried and confronting the devastating truth about why Huck left is the only way to find what their hearts have been searching for all along.
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.
Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. Both passionate, impulsive, and headstrong—they’ve always clashed . . . and come back together. Until now. It’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.
Then, at the start of the festivities, in walks George. For one glorious evening, surrounded by her loved ones, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note as an explanation.
Crushed and confused, Frankie returns to her family’s home to wallow. But George has a different idea and a plan for healing Frankie’s broken heart. He wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. For one week, to the lush rainforests and misty beaches of Tofino.
Frankie agrees, seeing the trip for what it really is: one last chance to repair their friendship. Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle. Even if it means falling apart for good.
Before I Disappear by Cate Quinn
From the acclaimed author of The Clinic and The Bridesmaid comes a new frantic thriller of a criminologist who wakes, dazed and confused, in a remote hotel— with no memory of how she got there.
If she can’t remember, her memories might not be the only thing that goes missing.
When criminologist April Anderson wakes in an unfamiliar hotel room with no memory of how she got there — or why she fled her comfortable life in New York— she’s told she’s under police protection, the only witness to a horrific crime.
With no memories and no answers to her repeated questions, April isn’t sure who to trust — the cop guarding her, or the fiancé secretly tracking her. As April sifts through the wreckage of her own memories, she uncovers a version of herself she doesn’t recognize, and secrets she’d rather forget.
As the trial date closes in, April realizes someone else wants her silent. Her missing memories aren’t just the key to the case, they might be keeping her alive. Will she remember the truth… or disappear forever?
First and Forever by Lynn Painter
A football star and a diehard fan entangled in a PR stunt—that only one side knows is fake—might be the right play in this new romantic comedy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lynn Painter.
Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyotes football. So when she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet’s villain, she is distraught—and disgruntled. All she did was shove Coyote Carl away when he made a move on her, but everyone else just saw a woman attacking their team’s beloved mascot. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn’t expect a co-guest to join her—especially not the Coyotes’ star tight end.
When MVP Connor Cunningham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of their PR nightmare, he thought that meant saying a few words on the team’s behalf. Instead, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. Duffy pelts him with fiery jabs but is also clearly diehard about the Coyotes—color him intrigued…and attracted.
The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. A strong push from the Coyotes’ PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, he’s surprised to discover being with Duffy is much easier than he thought, and somehow it doesn’t feel fake to him. Harboring this secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it’ll be the greatest fumble of his life.
More than Friends by Denise Hunter
There’s nothing like teaming up to investigate your mother’s shady new boyfriend to make you see your best friend in a whole new light . . .
Jenna Greene has been very clear with her She is not ready for marriage. Too bad he didn’t listen. Turns out a rejected proposal is a sure way to lose a boyfriend—and a job. Because, yes, he’d also been her boss. But it seems the firing has come at the perfect time. Back on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, Jenna’s widowed mother has returned from a cruise—with a new boyfriend in tow. Something isn’t right, and Jenna decides to return home to find out what’s going on.
Tyson Parker has a pretty great life on Chincoteague. He’s gainfully employed at his parents’ bed and breakfast—in the very home where he grew up with his three brothers, right across the street from his best friend, Jenna. He loves volunteering for the island’s illustrious fire company and being one of the saltwater cowboys who cares for Chincoteague’s wild ponies. If only he could’ve skipped the whole part where he’d married a two-timing woman. Still, he’s elated to have his best friend back when Jenna returns to the island, even if it is only temporary. And he’s happy to help her figure out what her mom’s suspicious new beau might be up to. But soon his feelings for Jenna begin to shift into. . . something different.
Jenna expected to enjoy visiting her mom, Tyson, and his whole family. She’d expected to feel closer to her deceased father on the island where the foal they’d named years ago now roams the wild salt marshes of Assateague like its ancestors have for hundreds of years. What she didn’t expect was for her feelings for her best friend to change. But she’s always sworn she’d never date a firefighter. Plus, Tyson is fresh off a betrayal. And also, there’s that teensy commitment problem she seems to have. Would she even have the courage to finally give her heart away? And should they really risk their beautiful friendship in the hopes they could someday be something more?
Have you read any of these? Or are you excited to read any?
What’s on the top of your TBR list this summer?
I can’t wait for you all to break my bookshelf with all your amazing to-read lists!
I’m going to be visiting all of you, but I don’t think I’ll have the time to leave a comment on all your posts.
Great list. I have First and Forever on my wish list. Hope you enjoy your books.
Thank you! I just got the First and Forever audiobook because I hear it’s a super fun listen! I’m hoping to get to it soon.
I am so excited for The Romance Revival! Counting down the days til its release!
I’m excited, too! I feel like it’s been a thousand years since we got a Christina Lauren romance, but I know that’s not true. LOL. But we only got a novella last year, so it’s kind of like forever!
I hate it when the Linky is malfunctioning. Here is my TOP TEN TUESDAY post:
https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2026/06/ttt-my-summer-reading-list-and-how-i.html
These look good. I like a mix of reads. This July I’m really busy with deadline books. I wanted to try and stay fairly clear, but failed 😂
Have a great week!
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2026/06/23/top-ten-tuesday-books-on-my-summer-2026-to-read-list/
I so wish I could stick to deadlines with books, but the moment I find out I have to read a book by a certain time it becomes the least appealing one on my list. LOL.
Haha. I can understand that. There are so many good books out there!
I’m generally not too bad. I pick books that I’m excited about so that helps
Have a great week! Stay cool!
Loos like you have some great summer-y reads ahead. And I recognize and am super excited about a couple on your list, too. :) My Summer TBR https://rissiwrites.com/2026/06/10-of-the-books-on-my-summer-2026-tbr.html
I hope I can get to them all! I’m going to go visit your list now!
The Shippers is an entertaining summer read! Enjoy! 🙌
I love books set on cruises, so I’m pretty excited about it!
I just watched the first episode of Every Year After, the adaption of Carley Fortunes Every Summer After, and immediately added her whole oeuvre to my wishlist :)
I hope you enjoy your summer reads
Why did I not know about this show? Immediately adding it to my watchlist right now!
Hope you enjoy all on your list!
Thank you!
I hope you get to all the books you’re looking forward to.
Here’s mine https://wp.me/p88ZiK-doZ
Thank you!
I’m not much of a romance reader, but the two thrillers you listed sound really good! Also, I really like your layout for this post.
Oh, thank you! So glad you like it!
What are some of your favorite genes?
My favorite genres are mysteries, science fiction, and nonfiction.
Oh nice! I’ve never really been a seasonal or themed reader. Just never seems to work for me at the time. Lately, I’ve been reading books by authors who I plan to see soon, so I was trying to get caught up with their books in some fashion which is what my list is geared towards!
I’m one of the unlucky ones who isn’t seeing a linky list at all today. :( Technology and I never seem to get along these days. Lol.
Here’s my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
How fun that you’ve got some author events coming up soon! I’ll come see your list now.
And I got the Linky working! It was an issue with the service I use, and they fixed it after I wrote to let them know what was going on.
So many books, so little time! Enjoy your summer TBR! Here’s my list: https://www.literacious.com/2026/06/23/top-ten-tuesday-books-on-my-sumer-2026-to-read-list/
Thank you! I know I will not get to all of them. lol. I wish I could read faster!
Happy Birthday! I hope it was a good one for you. Have a blessed week.
Thank you so much! You too!
I have The Shippers on hold at my library! I love Katherine Center’s books, and the blurb of the book sounded super fun, so I’m looking forward to it. I hope you have a great summer of reading!
Thank you! I hope your hold comes in soon. It does sound like a lot of fun. Doesn’t Katherine Center have some of the most colorful, fun covers? I love how summery they look!
Nice list, Jana. I’ve read and enjoyed The Shippers, More Than Friends and Our Perfect Summer. I have a couple of the others on my TBR shelf. I hope you enjoy all of these and get them read over the next three months. Happy Summer!
Thank you, Carla! I’m happy to know you enjoyed several of these books! Happy summer to you, too!
Happy Birthday! I had trouble with your linky earlier, but I managed to post my link in the end. It’s disappeared now just as I wanted to look out all the posts! :/
Thank you! So sorry about the linky trouble. I wrote to the inLinkz to see what was going on, and they applied a fix that seems to have worked! I’m not having any trouble now. Hopefully it’s working for you as well!
Happy belated birthday!
I couldn’t get the linky thing to work either so here is my link. I’ll swing by later to see if it is back up.
https://lisahoweler.com/2026/06/23/ten-mysteries-i-hope-to-read-this-summer/
Thank you!
So sorry for the trouble with the linky. inLinkz says they’ve fixed it, and I haven’t had any problems since. I added the link to your post!
Here’s my list https://www.spiritblog.net/summer-tbr-2/
I’ve added it to the linky, which is finally functioning again!
The first 4, as well as Heart Marks the Spot are on my TBR too. And I read and loved First and Forever! Glad you got the book I sent and happy belated birthday too!
Thank you for the birthday wishes, and for the book! I love how in sync our TBRs are right now! And I’m even more excited to read First and Forever now! I’ve got the audiobook and I’m looking forward to listening to it!
I’ve been enjoying destination thrillers lately, too. They’re engrossing and entertaining, perfect for summer! I hope you enjoy all these. Happy belated birthday!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
The linky does not seem to be working now, although it showed up when I first got to your site. Weird! Here’s my TTT: http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2026/06/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-on-my_01988766913.html
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thank you! And you’re so right, destination thrillers are perfect for this time of year. Do you have any recommendations for ones you’ve enjoyed?
Lately, I’ve been reading Lucy Clarke’s books. I also read WHAT WE DID TO SURVIVE by Megan Lally, which was a page turner, even if I didn’t love it.
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thank you for the recommendations! I have a few Lucy Clarke books I’d like to read, and I’m going to go look up Megan Lally’s!
Great list! I really enjoy J. T. Ellison’s books.
Thank you! I’ve never read a book by J.T. Ellison. Which one (or ones) of her books is your favorite?
I’ve enjoyed them all, but maybe Lie To Me was my favorite (and also my first)!
Ah, I have that on audio and had forgotten! I’ll bump it up my TBR!
I enjoy Denise Hunter’s books, I need to catch up on them! Like you, most of mine on my list are light, or suspense! Have a great week and happy belated birthday!
Thank you!
I’ve never read a book by Denise Hunter, but. this one really calls to me! I’ll have to look at some of her other books as well.
Jana, I have read quite a few of hers, she used to be one of my favorites. No reason she’s not now, except I haven’t read one in a bit, LOL!
Happy summer (or winter!) reading everyone! 📚😎⛱️
Hmm – thought my link had posted earlier but I can’t see it. Just in case, here it is again: https://portobellobookblog.com/2026/06/23/top-ten-tuesday-23rd-june-2026-books-with-summer-in-the-title-toptentuesday-amreading-bookrecommendations-tuesdaybookblog-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
I’m also having trouble opening some of the links so apologies for not commenting as much as usual.
I can see it now! It’s entry number 67. I’m so sorry the linky was malfunctioning so badly. I ended up writing to them to see what was going on, and they implemented a fix that seems to have worked! I’m not having any trouble now, so hopefully it’s working for you as well. :)
Happy summer reading to you, too!
The Shippers was really fun. Enjoy your summer reading.
Thank you! I’m glad to know The Shippers is good!
The linky thing was working this morning, but now I do not see them.
I hope you enjoy these books once you get to them!
My post:
https://thegentlechapter.blog/2026/06/23/top-ten-tuesday-summer-tbr/
Yeah, it was in and out all day long but the people at inLinkz told me they have fixed it now! Thank goodness! I can see your link in spot #60, so I’m glad it worked at least for a little while!
Linky is definitely temperamental this week! Love everyone’s lists, I went rogue and incorporated the midyear freakout tag questions into the top ten 😅
https://onereadingnurse.com/2026/06/22/the-2026-mid-year-freakout-book-tag-top-ten-tuesday-edition/
Linky was trying my last nerve. lol. The folks over there said they fixed it, thank goodness, so things are smooth sailing again! I love it when people go rogue! You’ve got me intrigued, so I’m coming over to have a look right now!
Happy belated birthday, I hope you had a wonderful day! :) I’m also kind of shocked June is almost over already lol. Heart Marks the Spot sounds fun and It kind of sounds perfect for summertime! I hope you enjoy all of your reads this season.
Thank you! It was a very nice birthday. :) And thanks for visiting my blog!
I’m looking forward to The Great Outdoors too! I really liked The Lodge and this premise sounds even better. Before I Disappear sounds great too, I’m adding it to my TBR now.
I need to read The Lodge as well! I’m glad to hear it’s good!
Happy summer reading! 😎
Thank you!
I am loving all the romance reads for the summer. <3
Me too! I love seeing romance on so many lists this week. It’s the perfect genre for summertime!
In Stormy Weather sounds like a fun read. I don’t read a lot of romance, but I like seeing storms in books. They can affect the plot in so many different ways.