Summer is officially here but you don’t need to book a beach holiday to feel as if you’ve travelled somewhere exciting. With our fiction picks you can journey to the glittering island of Capri, stay at an exclusive retreat in the Costa Rican rainforest, immerse yourself in the French art world, find thrills in the Australian outback, go back in time to 18th century Edinburgh and discover imaginary worlds that will make you forget reality even exists. Spanning YA, fantasy, thrillers, romance, historical fiction and everything in-between, these books offer the ultimate summer escape.

YA

When the Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

17-year-old Dovie has the spine-tingling ability to hear the dead. When they sing to her, she uses her supernatural gift to reunite bodies with their grieving families. Together with her best friend, Lo, who’s tortured by the shadowy souls of hikers who’ve been murdered on the local hiking trails, the two teenagers must unearth the truth behind the deaths before anyone else is killed. But is the monstrous Ozarks Howler to blame? Or is there a darker truth much closer to home? Readers can count on Ginny Myers Sain to deliver a truly atmospheric tale and When the Bones Sing is as evocative as they come. Weaving together supernatural mystery with small town prejudices and a haunting mountain setting, this is a story that twists and turns, building layers of suspense as the secrets of Lucifer’s Creek slowly unravel. (Electric Monkey)

Mondays Are Murder by Ravena Guron

Having escaped her sleepy hometown after the devastating death of her friend, Kay is forced to return when her parents go on holiday without her and she must stay with her cousin. When she arrives, she finds an anonymous letter on her bed. It tells her that there will be a thrill on Tuesday, a wreckage on Wednesday, treachery on Thursday, a fire on Friday, sabotage on Saturday, a stabbing on Sunday – and her murder on Monday. As the days pass and the threats begin to play out, Kay must discover the identity of her tormentor before Monday rolls around. A tense, pacy and cleverly plotted YA mystery, Ravena Guron’s latest is perfect for fans of Pretty Little Liars and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. (Usborne)

Birdy Arbuthnot’s Year of ‘Yes’ by Joanna Nadin

Joanna Nadin’s companion novel to the delightful YA rom-com A Calamity of Mannerings transports readers to the 1960s as eighteen-year-old Margaret ‘Birdy’ Arbuthnot vows to turn her dull suburban existence into a life worth writing about. Resolving to say ‘yes’ to absolutely everything for the next twelve months, Birdy finds herself launched into the bright lights of Soho and the London orbit of the aristocratic yet unconventional Mannering family. Told in entertaining and brilliantly witty diary form, this is a gem of a novel that explores the glamour and tribulations of the early swinging sixties through the eyes of a spirited and genuinely loveable protagonist. (UCLan)

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

Last summer, Nan’s three best friends disappeared into Saltcedar Canyon. She’s spent the year since grieving their loss and avoiding questions about what happened. But on the anniversary of that fateful night, as Nan and the girls’ families gather at a memorial, they’re interrupted by the shocking return of one of the missing girls. Everyone is overjoyed, except Nan, who was certain they were all dead. Because she’s the one who killed them. Wilder Girls author Rory Power delivers more than just a killer premise with this propulsive YA thriller. Gripping from the very first page, it features damning secrets, seething resentments and a gloriously calculating protagonist who’ll keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. (Scholastic)

Fantasy

Death on the Caldera by Emily Paxman

Anxious to return home before their father dies, the three Linde siblings – Davina, Kellan and Morel – board a luxury express train back to the kingdom of Halgyr. But disaster strikes when the train engine explodes, stranding the siblings atop a caldera bubbling with volcanic magic. To make matters worse, someone is bumping off the surviving passengers. Could it be Davina, whose latent witch powers were triggered with the crash? Or is the killer one of the other shifty survivors? Billed as Murder on the Orient Express with witches, Death on the Caldera has the classic vibes of an Agatha Christie murder mystery with a unique witchy, ‘Volchemistry’ twist. It’s full of secrets, surprises and enough clever red herrings to make everyone a potential suspect. Here’s hoping the open end leads to a sequel. (Titan Books)

Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race

King Henry has been appointed by god to marry six queens. Those queens are all that stand between the kingdom of Elben and ruin. Or so the stories go. As each queen vies for Henry’s attention, Boleyn is determined to be the favourite, even if she must incite a war in order to win. Seymour acts as a spy and assassin in a court teeming with backstabbing courtiers and magic. But when she and Boleyn become allies, the balance of power begins to shift. Together they discover an ancient and rotting magic at the very heart of their kingdom. A magic that their king will do anything to protect. An alternate history rather than a retelling, Six Wild Crowns blends scheming court politics with dark magic and a dash of dragons. You’ll pick it up for the unique twist on the Tudor royals, but you’ll keep reading for the immersive world-building and brave women at the heart of the book. (Orbit)

This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara

The first instalment in Shalina Abeysekara’s Ancient Rome-inspired romantasy duology follows a young woman seeking retribution for her own attempted murder. Hellbent on vengeance, Sarai returns to the scene of the crime as a Petitor, a prosecutor who can detect lies, and is assigned to Tetrarch Kadra, the most wrathful of the judges. He also happens to be Sarai’s prime suspect for a string of deaths identical to the attack that almost claimed her life. Solving cases with Kadra by day and plotting his downfall by night, Sarai finds herself embroiled in a deadly conspiracy that’s so much bigger than she ever realised. Simmering with political intrigue, delicious slow-burn romance and the darkest of deceptions, this is a must-read fantasy debut with a cast of heart stealing characters. (Hodderscape)

Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland

In book one of Mai Corland’s dark adventure fantasy trilogy, the broken blades came together with a collective aim: to overthrow the King of Yusan. Now they’re back and they’re being manipulated by that same King to pull off a heist like no other. They must steal the Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord, a nearly impossible task with an equally impossible deadline. Having lied their way through the first book, trust isn’t a luxury this motley crew of characters can afford, but they do agree on one thing: the King can’t win. And they’ll need to work together once more to beat him at his own game. Four Ruined Realms explores the repercussions of everything that happened in book one, whilst setting the scene for the shock twists, found-family drama and unravelling of secrets that are still to come. If you’ve yet to discover this thrilling multi-POV fantasy series, you’re missing out. (Zaffre)

Thrillers

The Vipers by Katy Hays

Swapping the dark academia and sequestered art world scene of her previous book, The Cloisters, for dysfunctional drama in Italy, Katy Hays invites readers into the opulent world of a family at breaking point. Every year since her death thirty years ago, Sarah Lingate’s family have returned to Capri to maintain their innocence. Now Helen – sole heir to the family fortune – has had enough of the stranglehold her family has on her life. But as the investigation into her mother’s death is reopened and fresh truths about that night bubble to the surface, she begins to reassess who she can actually trust. Shifting between the perspectives of the family and their assistant, Lorna, The Vipers is a taut, slow-burn thriller with sinister White Lotus vibes. (Bantam)

The Outback by Sara Ochs

A group of friends embark on an exciting study abroad program. What should have been a month-long adventure filled with sunshine, whirlwind romances and all-night parties ends with betrayal, heartbreak and a missing girl. Ten years later, the girl’s remains are found and the group must return to Australia. All of them have secrets but only one of them knows what really happened the night Phoebe disappeared in the outback, and they’ll go to extreme lengths to keep the truth buried. Alternating between ‘then’ and ‘now’, this suspenseful psychological thriller will keep you turning the pages with its intriguing clues and gradual reveals. (Penguin)

Carnivore by K. Anis Ahmed

Kash arrives in New York from his homeland of Bangladesh and sets up a restaurant specialising in exotic meats and catering to the city’s elite. When business dries up and a loan shark wants his investment back, Kash has to think fast. In order to impress a secret dinner club hosted by billionaires, he must come up with an inventive new culinary delight. A timely kidnapping and the loss of a finger give Kash the inspiration he needs for a carnivorous delicacy he’s sure these wealthy men won’t have tasted before. Capitalising on the popularity of chaotic kitchen stories like The Bear and The Menu, Carnivore is full of dark humour and unexpected twists. Not everyone will have the stomach for the underlying ingredient at the heart of this novel but if you like your stories bold and satirical, this will be right up your street. (HarperCollins)

The Hideaway by Nikki Allen

An all-expenses-paid trip to an exclusive retreat in the lush Costa Rican rainforest sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But as the five strangers chosen for the trip soon discover, it’s far from paradise. With their wellness influencer host absent upon their arrival, the group head into the wilderness in search of a rejuvenating waterfall, only for calamity to strike. Plunged into a battle for survival amidst the dense canopy of the forest, they soon realise that they can’t trust their surroundings – and they certainly can’t trust each other. Fast-paced and imbued with a palpable sense of danger, The Hideaway is the kind of taut destination thriller you can read in just a few sittings. (Pan)

Romance

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Alice loves her career as a photographer, but when her nan has a fall she decides to take a break and revisit the place that changed her life: Barry’s Bay. Charlie was only nineteen when Alice unknowingly took his picture – a picture that also helped launch her career. Now they’re all grown up and as the long, hot summer stretches on, they start to see each other in a new light. With a title like One Golden Summer, you’d expect Carley Fortune’s latest to be the epitome of a holiday read. And the good news is that it delivers everything readers could ever want in one swoon-worthy, sun-drenched book. Beautifully described scenery and a heart-fluttering friends-to-lovers story make this one of 2025’s best romances. (Penguin)

Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine

Jemma has always loved books. Her favourite is a romance called Too Good to Be True and she’s collected all the editions. She even takes it out of the library – much to the annoyance of another mystery borrower who leaves a note scolding her for bending the cover. Clara can’t understand her twin sister’s obsession with a single book. She prefers TV, specifically the adaptation of Too Good to Be True, which stars the most gorgeous actor. As Clara’s infatuation with the small screen celeb grows and Jemma’s exchanging of notes with a stranger blossoms into a genuine connection, both sisters find themselves falling for men they’ve never actually met. A fun and heartwarming rom-com with relatable characters, flirty banter and sweet romance, Book Boyfriend is the easiest of reads. (Simon & Schuster)

The Spa Break by Hannah Doyle

A week-long, high-end spa break with her two best friends, Stella and Em, is just what Jess needs. Throw in an attractive stranger in the pool and she’s in heaven. That is until she discovers that said attractive stranger is Stella’s brother, which rather complicates things. Because Jess absolutely shouldn’t be lusting after her best friend’s little brother. As the week unfolds, Jess must decide if she’s brave enough to break her own rules and stand up for what makes her happy. Hannah Doyle’s The Spa Break is a fun and frivolous rom-com that has all the essential elements a light-hearted summer read needs: friendship, humour, gourmet food and a distractingly handsome love interest. (HQ)

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver

Newly divorced and seeking a job, former actress Kate Elliot is in desperate need of a change. Enter talent agent Charlie Francisco, whose publicity shy author doesn’t want anything to do with their summer book tour. He needs someone to play the part of the novelist and whilst it’s not quite the glamorous gig she was hoping for, Kate needs the money. Kate and Charlie are determined to play their parts but as the summer heats up, their lies get bigger and the charade begins to spiral. Heavier on the com than the rom, this is a joyful story about second chances, navigating grief and a woman rediscovering who she is and what she wants from life. (Penguin)

See Also

Joanna Nadin: Autistic All Along – Reassessing Characters in the Wake of an Autism Diagnosis

Historical

The Show Woman by Emma Cowing

Inspired by the author’s own family history, this evocative novel set in Edwardian Scotland follows four pioneering show women who defy the odds to set up a ladies’ circus. Lena, Violet, Rosie and Carmen are all outcasts but together they form an unbreakable bond as they forge their own path through a harsh and dangerous world. Cowing combines vivid historical detail and a heartfelt exploration of the social norms of the time with a courageous quartet of characters struggling with their own secrets and troubled pasts. There are darker themes to this novel but what prevails is the wonderful sense of sisterhood and female empowerment. (Hodder & Stoughton)

Madame Matisse by Sophie Haydock

In her previous book, The Flames, Sophie Haydock explored the lives and loves of Austrian painter Egon Schiele’s four muses. In Madame Matisse, the author tells the story of three women whose lives are destined to collide when they meet enigmatic French artist Henri Matisse. First there’s ambitious and loyal Amelie, who channels everything she has into her husband’s art. Then there’s Lydia, a young Russian refugee whose journey to the French Riviera leads to her employment with the Matisse family. Finally there’s Marguerite, Matisse’s eldest daughter, who must find her own way to make a mark when the life of her family implodes. Spanning across the years from 1897 to 1998, this is a riveting tale of art and ambition, love and betrayal, and the true-life tragedies that plagued the women in Matisse’s life. (Doubleday)

The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster

The year is 1724 and in a village tavern on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Maggie Dickson’s family drown their sorrows as they mourn her death. Despite protesting her innocence, Maggie was hanged that morning for the murder of her new-born child. But as her family pray for her soul, a figure appears at the door. Somehow Maggie has survived her execution and now she must prove her innocence before she is hanged again. Inspired by the real-life story of a fishwife who defied fate and subsequently became known as ‘Half-Hanged Maggie’, Kate Foster’s reimagining of Dickson’s life is a moving and expertly crafted story that blurs fact with fiction. Like the heroine at the heart of the story, it’s a book you won’t forget in a hurry. (Mantle)

The Best of the Rest

Kill Them With Kindness by Will Carver

You’d be forgiven for avoiding contagion novels following the real-life pandemic we all lived through. But you’ll want to make an exception with Will Carver’s satirical speculative thriller. When a deadly virus threatens the world, a Japanese scientist working in a Chinese research lab discovers a way to mutate the virus. Instead of making people sick, it will make them kind by increasing the host’s ability to feel and show compassion. But the repercussions of Dr Ikeda’s noble deed soon begin to spiral. Dark and disturbing are words that are frequently used to describe Carver’s novels and Kill Them With Kindness is no different. It’s the author’s black humour and thought-provoking observations on human nature and our society that make this high-concept novel take over your brain to the extent that you’ll be thinking about it for weeks after. (Orenda)

Sycorax by Nydia Hetherington

Nydia Hetherington’s feminist reimagining explores the awakening and origin story of the titular Sycorax, the mighty sorceress from Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Outcast by society and alone in the world, Sycorax must find a way to understand her true nature. But as her powers begin to grow, so too do the suspicions of the local townsfolk. With a great storm brewing on the horizon, Sycorax finds herself in increasing peril – but will her powers be her salvation or the ruin of everyone? Influenced by Hetherington’s own personal experience of chronic illness, this is a lyrically written and immersive novel that explores disability, prejudice, grief and self-discovery. (Quercus)

A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan

Set over one long, hot summer on the New Zealand coast, this suspenseful debut follows ten-year-old Alix who meets a boy whilst on holiday and is pulled into a mystery surrounding a little girl who went missing a few years earlier. As the two new friends play detective and search for clues about what happened, they stumble across dark secrets about the neighbourhood they’re staying in. The more they unravel, the more Alix wishes she hadn’t started, as her family find themselves at the centre of a police investigation. Trevelyan perfectly captures the nostalgic 80s summer atmosphere, as well as the awkwardness and curiosity of youth. If you enjoy simmering domestic dramas and slow-burn mysteries, this is the book for you. (Mantle)

River of Stars by Georgina Moore

Growing up on Walnut Tree Island, Jo and Oliver were everything to each other, defying a feud that fractured their families decades before. Life sent them in different directions but Oliver’s return to the island after years away doesn’t just open up old wounds for Jo, it threatens to change the entire island for everyone. River of Stars moves between the present day and the years leading up to it, starting in the 1960s when Jo’s grandmother Mary fell in love with a young musician and was subsequently left with a baby and a broken heart. Beautifully evocative and effortlessly written, Georgina Moore’s second novel transports readers into the centre of a close-knit Thames island community, where the bohemian location feels like a character in itself. (HQ)

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

Cate Kay is one of the most successful and famous authors of her generation. A literary sensation who needs no introduction, her novels led to a movie trilogy and an obsessive fandom. But nobody actually knows who Cate Kay actually is. The anonymous, unknown author has spent her whole life in the shadows, taking on different names and lives. Now she’s ready to tell her own story, but what will happen when everyone finally knows her secrets? Structured as a fictional memoir, Kate Fagan’s debut is a moving and bingeable multi-POV novel about identity, acceptance, fame and love. (Bloomsbury)