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Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
11 of the best summer reads to pack in your suitcase or staycation at home
From thrillers and romances, to autobiographies and historical fiction, we've rounded up 11 of the best new books to read this summer - wherever you're spending it You might have packed your sun cream, bikini and hat for your summer holiday – but no holiday is complete without a stack of good books. Whether you're jetting off to a picturesque beach, an intriguing city or simply enjoying a staycation at home, there's a wealth of novels to help you unwind. Summer 2025 is the season for page-turners that will have you sitting up into the small hours of the morning to read just one more chapter. We've pulled together our list of our top recommended reads to pack in your luggage or curl up on the sofa with. The Woman In Suite 11 by Ruth Ware A decade later, this gripping sequel to the New York Times bestselling author's The Woman In Cabin 10 – adapted into a Netflix series featuring Keira Knightley – is set on the stunning shores of Lake Geneva where a terrified woman is confined in a suite owned by the hotel's billionaire proprietor. It sees the return of journalist Lo Blacklock, now married with children, who is invited to the grand opening of the exclusive Swiss hotel, only to find herself being asked for help by the wife of the billionaire, who alleges she is being held captive in her marriage. Somewhere Only We Know by Cathy Bramley The bestselling author of The Lemon Tree Café presents a woman mourning the loss of her daughter, but when she discovers her late child's travel journal, she embarks on the gap year journey the 23 year old had dreamed of undertaking. Memories of a romantic summer in Bali soon resurface, along with an old flame. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry The TikTok sensation and bestselling romantic novelist, whose books have sold over 10.5 million copies worldwide, presents readers with this fantastic beach read. It follows journalist Alice Scott as she tracks down former heiress and party girl Margaret Ives on a remote US island, eager to write the reclusive star's memoir. However, when a rival journalist arrives, things heat up both professionally and personally. Great Big Beautiful Life is out now. A Particularly Nasty Case by Adam Kay For those planning a late summer getaway who enjoyed former junior doctor Adam Kay's hilarious and heartbreaking memoir This Is Going To Hurt, his debut novel is a must-read. Described as 'hilarious, macabre and heartrending in equal measure', it kicks off when a hospital consultant dies of a heart attack and a fellow doctor suspects foul play. But when another doctor dies under similar circumstances, an investigation begins. My Other Heart by Emma Nanami Strenner Female friendships are at the core of this coming-of-age story that spans continents and generations, penned by a journalist who has spent much of her life living in southeast Asia, Australia and the US. Starting in 1998, the story follows Mimi Traung who tragically loses her toddler at Philadelphia Airport and is hastily sent back to Vietnam, seemingly losing her daughter forever. Fast forward 17 years, she returns in search of her child. Simultaneously, two best mates, both part Asian but from vastly different backgrounds, embark on a journey to discover their roots. Eventually, these three women's paths cross, forcing them to confront their true identities. My Other Heart is out on July 17. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. The Compound by Aisling Rawle For those who view reality shows with a healthy dose of scepticism, this debut novel from an Irish ex-bookseller is a must-read. It offers a literary take on Love Island and Big Brother, focusing on Lily who finds herself in the titular compound surrounded by other stunning girls, all awaiting a group of men who have crossed a desert to escape a war-ravaged world. Initially, it appears to be a typical shallow setting until the producers start demanding contestants undertake disturbing challenges, leading to horrifying outcomes. While dark humour is plentiful, the underlying message of this literary gem highlights the perils of materialism and the extremes some will go to for fame. The Compound is out now. The Treasures by Harriet Evans The first in The Sevenstones Trilogy – a fresh family saga spanning 50 years and three generations, penned by the bestselling author of The Beloved Girls – is set in 1965. It tracks Alice and Tom as they mature in New York and Notting Hill respectively, their lives eventually intertwined by a misplaced treasure, an overlooked letter and a life-altering phone call. Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the Vietnam War and counterculture movement, Sevenstones – a house brimming with history and secrets – remains a steadfast presence. The Treasures is out now. Whistle by Linwood Barclay Bestselling thriller writer Linwood Barclay ventures into horror for the first time with this narrative about successful children's author Annie. Following the sudden death of her husband and a scandal sparked by one of her books, she relocates with her young son Charlie to a small town in upstate New York. However, when Charlie discovers a forgotten train set in a locked shed at their new home, things take a chilling turn. Annie starts hearing a train at night despite no railway line for miles, and begins sketching a menacing new character who has no place in her children's books. Whistle is out now. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie For those who might have overlooked this release in spring, grab a copy of this distinguished author's first novel in 12 years, focusing on the complex female experience shaped by race, wealth and shame. It delves into the lives of four African women residing on both sides of the Atlantic, under vastly different circumstances, yet somehow interconnected. One is an affluent travel writer in search of love, while her best friend, a lawyer, is acutely conscious of her ticking biological clock. The narrative also includes a housekeeper and a high-flyer trying to figure out her life's desires. Dream Count is out now. You Are Here by David Nicholls Freshly available in paperback for those without an e-reader or room for a bulky book, this love story carries all the signature wit, heartbreak and optimism of Nicholls' work, from One Day to Us and Starter For Ten, all of which were adapted for screen. The plot throws two solitary individuals together on a coast-to-coast walk, often amidst driving rain and damp anoraks, courtesy of a mutual friend. Gradually, through their personal struggles – he's a geography teacher grieving his failed marriage, she's a divorced copy editor – they discover friendship, solace and hope in each other. You Are Here is out now. Men In Love by Irvine Welsh For those who prefer more hard-hitting narratives, this follow-up to Trainspotting sees the return of Renton, Spud, Sick Boy and Begbie as they abandon their heroin habits in search of happiness on the dance floor during the twilight of the Thatcher era. Their path to salvation leads them through Edinburgh, London, Amsterdam and Paris – culminating at Sick Boy's wedding day. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Summer reads: Hamilton Public Library's 10 most requested books
Summer is the best time to sit under the sun and enjoy reading a book of choice. Hamilton Public Library has plenty of options, but some books are in more high-demand than others. While a self-help book tops the list, readers are largely vying for mystery, thriller and romance novels. Here is a list of the most sought-after books this summer. Want to read one of the books listed? The library has express copies, which cannot be put on hold, available for browsing and borrowing in-branch. Check the status of a book at or peruse the library's list of hidden gems . This Mel Robbins self-help book will be flying off the shelves for some time, with a whopping 436 holds on the 76 copies available across the city's public libraries as of July 10. The New York Times bestselling author also hosts and gives advice on 'The Mel Robbins Podcast.' Her new 336-page book is a 'step-by-step guide to stop letting other people's opinions, drama and judgement impact your life,' according to an excerpt from Robbins' website . Despite being released in December 2024, the book tops Amazon's most sold and read charts and the New York Times' Best Sellers list for Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous . Robbins' daughter, Sawyer Robbins, co-authored the book. 'One Golden Summer' by Carley Fortune. The Toronto award-winning journalist, editor and author Carley Fortune's 'One Golden Summer' makes runner-up. Released in May 2025, the library's 70 copies are under 299 holds. The 400-page romance novel follows a photographer named Alice who ends up back at a cottage town with her injured grandma for the summer. There, she begins to fall for a man from her teenage years. 'The Women' by Kristin Hannah. Kristin Hannah's 'The Women' follows a woman who joins the army nurse corps in the Vietnam War in 1965. The novel reflects on friendships and patriotism. The 480-page book has 281 holds on 81 copies at local libraries. It was released in February 2024. Hannah is also the author of 'The Nightingale' and 'The Four Winds.' 'Great Big Beautiful Life' by Emily Henry. Emily Henry's 'Great Big Beautiful Life' is about two writers who compete to tell the 'larger-than-life' story of a woman claiming to be Margaret Ives, an heiress, former tabloid princess and daughter of a scandalous family. Henry also authored 'Book Lovers,' 'People We Meet on Vacation,' and 'Beach Read.' The 432-page book was released in April 2025. There are 277 holds on 73 Hamilton Public Library copies. The chilling novel 'Don't Let Him In' is an Amazon suspense read bestseller that follows three women plunged into lies and secrets after an unexpected death. The book's author, Lisa Jewell, is a British creator of other books, including the 'Ralph's Party' series and 'Thirtynothing.' The 368-page book was published in June 2025 and has 272 holds on 50 copies from Hamilton libraries. Taylor Jenkins Reid's 'Atmosphere: A Love Story' is a novel about love and life set in a 1980s space shuttle program. The 352-page book was released in June 2025. It has 257 holds on 55 copies from Hamilton Public Library. Reid has also authored 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' and 'Daisy Jones and The Six.' 'Broken Country' by Clare Leslie Hall. The romance-thriller 'Broken Country' is about a woman living on a sheep farm with her husband when her first love returns with his son. Novelist and journalist Clare Leslie Hall authored the 320-page novel, which was released in March 2025. It has 238 holds on 48 copies from local libraries. Fredrik Backman's 'My Friends' is about friendship, grief and the power of art. The book follows the main character, Louisa, who is on a mission to find the three figures in a painting. Backman also authored 'A Man Called Ove.' The 448-page novel 'My Friends' was published in May 2025. Forty-eight copies are under 223 holds at Hamilton Public Library. 'Nightshade' by Michael Connelly. Michael Connelly's 'Nightshade' is the first in a series. The novel is about a Los Angeles County sheriff who responds to a body found at the bottom of a harbour and uncovers hidden truths. The book, released in May 2025, tops Amazon's most gifted in police procedurals list. The 352-page book has 203 holds on 50 Hamilton Public Library copies. Freida McFadden's 'The Tenant' is a mystery thriller about revenge, privilege and secrets. The book is about a Manhattan-based marketing VP whose life goes downhill after being fired and renting out a space to cover bills. The 368-page read was released in May 2025. McFadden is an American physician specializing in brain injury who also authored 'The Housemaid,' 'The Coworker' and 'Never Lie.' Hamilton Public Library's 50 copies are under 189 holds. Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@ .
Hamilton Spectator
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
The 8 top beach reads of the summer, from Emily Henry's latest to a Toronto foodie romance
Sunscreen, hand-held fan and refreshing beverage of your choice? Check, check and check. Permission to leave the world behind, albeit briefly? Granted. A sizzling summer read that feels like the literary equivalent of sinking into cool water on scorching hot day? Awaiting you — almost certainly on bended knee, and with a naughty twinkle in its eye — in the roundup below. With happy endings and high-velocity page-turning guaranteed, these are our eight best summer beach reads for 2025. Emily Henry Berkley, 544 pages, $41 If you're looking for the ultimate blend of heart and humour, look no further than the genius behind 'Beach Read,' the No. 1 bestseller that kicked off a new golden age of the genre when it was published in 2020. 'Great Big Beautiful Life,' by Emily Henry, Berkley, $41. This time, Emily Henry whisks us to coastal South Carolina, where a reporter has stumbled onto the scoop of the century: After decades out of the public eye, an infamous heiress is looking for someone to write her memoir — and it's going to be juicy. (Cross the tragedy of the Kennedys with the wallets of the Vanderbilts and spritz in some Evelyn Hugo-era Hollywood intrigue.) There's a small problem. The reclusive heiress is auditioning someone else at the same time, giving them both a month to prove who's the right fit to tell her story. Naturally, said rival is irritating and attractive in equal measure, with a rumpled charm that would be irresistible if he didn't stand between our heroine and her big break. You'll love this if you liked: 'People You Meet on Vacation,' 'Funny Story' and anything else by Henry, the thinking woman's romance writer. Spice level: Low. A few steamy moments, but this one's all about the banter and the slow burn. Tropes: Grumpy man, sunshine woman; the one-bed trope, but instead of a single place to sleep, they're stuck on a tiny island and can't help bumping into each other. Jessica Stanley Doubleday Canada, 336 pages, $26 Sometimes you can suspend your disbelief and believe that fairy tales really come true. Other times, you need a book that's clear-eyed about the limitations of human relationships while still managing to tell a joyful story that affirms our faith in love, even the imperfect sort. 'Consider Yourself Kissed,' by Jessica Stanley, Doubleday Canada, $26. If you're not in the headspace for a gloriously fantastical tale of happily ever after, may we introduce you to Jessica Stanley's charming, wise debut novel? Set across the years of a long-term relationship, it tells the story of an Australian woman who moves to London to escape a predatory boss and quickly falls in love with a Mark Darcy-esque Englishman. With wit and gorgeous prose, Stanley takes us through the stages of their relationship — and all the life that happens along the way, including grief, growing apart, even a trial separation — to tell a story that is somehow all the more romantic for feeling so realistic. You'll love this if you liked: Helen Fielding's ' Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy' and its pitch-perfect mix of light and shade. Spice level: Low. A pinch of cayenne, but honestly, you're more likely to cry than anything else. Tropes: Bookish-but-also-hot British man. Cecilia Edward Saga Press, 320 pages, $25.99 Finding love in 2025 is baffling enough when you aren't a late medieval witch who accidentally brewed a true love potion that catapulted you forward several centuries and directly into the path of a cute-and-kind man who looks as though he's about to trap your feline familiar (who journeyed with you) for nefarious purposes, but turns out to be a vet who provides charity medical care for stray cats. 'An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating,' by Cecilia Edward, Saga Press, $25.99. Delightfully daffy — but with a deeper message about how real love often comes when you're not trying to cast a spell in order to manipulate the world into thinking you're something you're not — this is a bewitching beach read that gets bonus points for a heroine who is closer to 40, not the standard 28 (which is the new 23). You'll love this if you liked: 'Practical Magic' by Alice Hoffman . Spice level: Mild. It's G-rated enough that you can listen to the audiobook on a drive with your ultra-conservative Aunt Pearl Clutcher. Tropes: Time travel, like 'Outlander,' but much, much breezier in tone and with way fewer burning of witches. Brittney Arena Random House Canada, 448 pages, $38 Once upon a time, Vasalie was King Illian's favourite dancer, his 'Jewel' whom he showered with gifts and shared late nights, long conversations and more than one yearning glance with. Then, she was framed for a murder she did not commit and thrown into a cell, the king not lifting a finger to save her. 'A Dance of Lies,' by Brittney Arena, Random House Canada, $38. Two years later, Vasalie — broken by captivity and isolation; barely able to walk, let alone dance — is summoned and given a choice: She can spy for the king at a gathering of rulers, or she can die. Despite the damage done to her physically and mentally, Vasalie seizes her chance — and finds herself caught up in a dark game of revenge, courtly intrigue and mysterious prophecies. And the most dangerous part of all? The feelings she develops for someone we won't name because it's a spoiler, sorry. Not only is this a particularly beautifully written romantasy, it's got a lovely backstory: Brittney Arena lives with several chronic illnesses and wrote this book as a 'declaration that our limitations do not define our worth or limit our ability to live wonderfully romantic and impactful lives.' Bring on book two … You'll love this if you liked: 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas . Spice level: Medium. Green chili with the seeds scraped out, as in just a few hot-and-heavy kisses, but not nearly the sort of action you'd see in, say, 'Fourth Wing.' Tropes: Forbidden romance with a splash of enemies-to-lovers. Meghan Quinn Bloom, 432 pages, $28.99 This book has a wonderfully silly premise: Newly divorced Scottie works at a golf putter manufacturer where everyone is married and obsessed with their spouses. To fit in, she pretends to have a husband. 'Till Summer Do Us Part,' Meghan Quinn, Bloom, $28.99. As lies tend to do, this snowballs into her recruiting her best friend's brother — who has nothing better to do now that he's sold his app for zillions — to join her for an eight-day couples camp run by her boss's therapist husband. Cue the forced-proximity tingles, amplified by the fact that Wilder Wells is not only up for anything, but he's also perceptive, kind and has a lip piercing that makes Scottie (frustratingly, thrillingly) weak at the knees. As with all Meghan Quinn books, it's very funny, with just the right amount of heart to ground it from absurdity. You'll love this if you liked: 'It Happened One Summer' by Tessa Bailey . Spice level: Scotch bonnet. Tropes: Fake dating, although in this case it's pretending to be a long-term married couple with a host of fabricated issues. Its amplified by some classic forced proximity in their camp cabin and kitted out with various erotic accoutrements prescribed by their therapist to help save their relationship. Amy Rosen ECW Press, 280 pages, $24.95 If you want a book that feels like diving into a buffet stacked with everything you love, immediately pull up a chair to the glorious smorgasbord served up by Amy Rosen, one of Canada's most talented food writers, making her romance debut. 'Off Menu,' by Amy Rosen, ECW Press, $24.95. Our heroine is Ruthie, a professionally adrift 20-something who inherits a nice chunk of change when her beloved grandmother (and noted dispenser of life advice, like 'Never buy green bananas, and never wear banana yellow') dies in a Jet Ski accident. It's enough money for her to quit her job and follow her bliss — that would be food — all the way to a year studying at Toronto's French cooking academy. On her first day, she's partnered with Jeff, a dreamy musician who irritatingly has a girlfriend who has the temerity to be both pretty and nice. The fallout from this — and all the hijinks in between — are told to us by Ruthie, chatting away Bridget Jones-style in her diary. The real love story here, of course, is the food. Whether Rosen is shouting out fictional Toronto spots — pistachio sandwich cookies from Cafe Forno, tofu with garlic sauce from Legendary Asian — or writing about dishes Ruthie prepares so vividly the smells practically waft from the pages, this is a book filled with good eating. Come for the giggles and mishaps (accidentally icing a carrot cake with cocaine!), stay for a lemon meringue pie made with tea biscuits and condensed milk that sounds so easy and delicious you actually wrote down the recipe to try this weekend. You'll love this if you liked: 'Julie & Julia' by Julie Powell. Spice level: Habanero, but only in small, infrequent doses. Tropes: Unrequited love. Noreen Nanja Random House Canada, 368 pages, $26 If you've already gobbled up (even reread) this year's Carley Fortune (very good, maybe even her best yet), we've got just the Canadian debut to fill that emotional-romance-on-a-cottage-country-lake-shaped hole in your heart. 'The Summers Between Us,' by Noreen Nanja, Random House Canada, $26. 'The Summers Between Us' is the story of first love's second chance after a 15-year separation, told as a nuanced exploration of the cross-cultural differences that can sometimes make people go their separate ways. In this case, that means Lia — the high-achieving daughter of immigrant parents — dutifully dating someone her mother approves of, while secretly pining for the boy that she fell for during long, heady teenage summers at her cottage. She never thought she'd return there, but life has other plans — and that boy from Pike Bay turned into a rather dreamy man. You'll love this if you liked: 'Every Summer After' by Carley Fortune. Spice level: More sweet and yearning than spicy and steamy. Tropes: Your classic 'we fell in love as teenagers, but fate forced us apart and now here we are as adults who never quite got over that cataclysmic first love.' 'Only Between Us,' by Ellie K. Wilde, Simon & Schuster, $25.99. Ellie K. Wilde Simon & Schuster, 416 pages, $25.99 We couldn't compile this list without a sports romance. First draft pick on our roster? Canadian phenom Ellie K. Wilde's latest instalment in her series set in the small town of Oakwood Bay. This time, our heroine is a former WAG desperately trying to save her family's business and smart enough to realize that fake-dating one of the hottest football players of the century could be her ticket to turning things around. This scheme has something in it for our hero too, as he's trying to make a comeback and could use a bit of good publicity. We really aren't spoiling anything when we say things get complicated — feelings develop between two people who pretend to be married while being secretly attracted to each other (what a plot twist) — and, also not a shocker if you've read her other work, pretty hot. You'll love this if you liked: Tessa Bailey's 'Fangirl Down.' Spice level: What they refer to on romance subreddits as 'explicit door open' — meaning trés, trés chaud. Tropes: Fake dating.
Hamilton Spectator
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Emily Henry and Meghan Quinn lead our list of the 8 best beach reads
Sunscreen, hand-held fan and refreshing beverage of your choice? Check, check and check. Permission to leave the world behind, albeit briefly? Granted. A sizzling summer read that feels like the literary equivalent of sinking into cool water on scorching hot day? Awaiting you — almost certainly on bended knee, and with a naughty twinkle in its eye — in the roundup below. With happy endings and high-velocity page-turning guaranteed, these are our eight best summer beach reads for 2025. Emily Henry Berkley, 544 pages, $41 If you're looking for the ultimate blend of heart and humour, look no further than the genius behind 'Beach Read,' the No. 1 bestseller that kicked off a new golden age of the genre when it was published in 2020. 'Great Big Beautiful Life,' by Emily Henry, Berkley, $41. This time, Emily Henry whisks us to coastal South Carolina, where a reporter has stumbled onto the scoop of the century: After decades out of the public eye, an infamous heiress is looking for someone to write her memoir — and it's going to be juicy. (Cross the tragedy of the Kennedys with the wallets of the Vanderbilts and spritz in some Evelyn Hugo-era Hollywood intrigue.) There's a small problem. The reclusive heiress is auditioning someone else at the same time, giving them both a month to prove who's the right fit to tell her story. Naturally, said rival is irritating and attractive in equal measure, with a rumpled charm that would be irresistible if he didn't stand between our heroine and her big break. You'll love this if you liked: 'People You Meet on Vacation,' 'Funny Story' and anything else by Henry, the thinking woman's romance writer. Spice level: Low. A few steamy moments, but this one's all about the banter and the slow burn. Tropes: Grumpy man, sunshine woman; the one-bed trope, but instead of a single place to sleep, they're stuck on a tiny island and can't help bumping into each other. Jessica Stanley Doubleday Canada, 336 pages, $26 Sometimes you can suspend your disbelief and believe that fairy tales really come true. Other times, you need a book that's clear-eyed about the limitations of human relationships while still managing to tell a joyful story that affirms our faith in love, even the imperfect sort. 'Consider Yourself Kissed,' by Jessica Stanley, Doubleday Canada, $26. If you're not in the headspace for a gloriously fantastical tale of happily ever after, may we introduce you to Jessica Stanley's charming, wise debut novel? Set across the years of a long-term relationship, it tells the story of an Australian woman who moves to London to escape a predatory boss and quickly falls in love with a Mark Darcy-esque Englishman. With wit and gorgeous prose, Stanley takes us through the stages of their relationship — and all the life that happens along the way, including grief, growing apart, even a trial separation — to tell a story that is somehow all the more romantic for feeling so realistic. You'll love this if you liked: Helen Fielding's ' Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy' and its pitch-perfect mix of light and shade. Spice level: Low. A pinch of cayenne, but honestly, you're more likely to cry than anything else. Tropes: Bookish-but-also-hot British man. Cecilia Edward Saga Press, 320 pages, $25.99 Finding love in 2025 is baffling enough when you aren't a late medieval witch who accidentally brewed a true love potion that catapulted you forward several centuries and directly into the path of a cute-and-kind man who looks as though he's about to trap your feline familiar (who journeyed with you) for nefarious purposes, but turns out to be a vet who provides charity medical care for stray cats. 'An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating,' by Cecilia Edward, Saga Press, $25.99. Delightfully daffy — but with a deeper message about how real love often comes when you're not trying to cast a spell in order to manipulate the world into thinking you're something you're not — this is a bewitching beach read that gets bonus points for a heroine who is closer to 40, not the standard 28 (which is the new 23). You'll love this if you liked: 'Practical Magic' by Alice Hoffman . Spice level: Mild. It's G-rated enough that you can listen to the audiobook on a drive with your ultra-conservative Aunt Pearl Clutcher. Tropes: Time travel, like 'Outlander,' but much, much breezier in tone and with way fewer burning of witches. Brittney Arena Random House Canada, 448 pages, $38 Once upon a time, Vasalie was King Illian's favourite dancer, his 'Jewel' whom he showered with gifts and shared late nights, long conversations and more than one yearning glance with. Then, she was framed for a murder she did not commit and thrown into a cell, the king not lifting a finger to save her. 'A Dance of Lies,' by Brittney Arena, Random House Canada, $38. Two years later, Vasalie — broken by captivity and isolation; barely able to walk, let alone dance — is summoned and given a choice: She can spy for the king at a gathering of rulers, or she can die. Despite the damage done to her physically and mentally, Vasalie seizes her chance — and finds herself caught up in a dark game of revenge, courtly intrigue and mysterious prophecies. And the most dangerous part of all? The feelings she develops for someone we won't name because it's a spoiler, sorry. Not only is this a particularly beautifully written romantasy, it's got a lovely backstory: Brittney Arena lives with several chronic illnesses and wrote this book as a 'declaration that our limitations do not define our worth or limit our ability to live wonderfully romantic and impactful lives.' Bring on book two … You'll love this if you liked: 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas . Spice level: Medium. Green chili with the seeds scraped out, as in just a few hot-and-heavy kisses, but not nearly the sort of action you'd see in, say, 'Fourth Wing.' Tropes: Forbidden romance with a splash of enemies-to-lovers. Meghan Quinn Bloom, 432 pages, $28.99 This book has a wonderfully silly premise: Newly divorced Scottie works at a golf putter manufacturer where everyone is married and obsessed with their spouses. To fit in, she pretends to have a husband. 'Till Summer Do Us Part,' Meghan Quinn, Bloom, $28.99. As lies tend to do, this snowballs into her recruiting her best friend's brother — who has nothing better to do now that he's sold his app for zillions — to join her for an eight-day couples camp run by her boss's therapist husband. Cue the forced-proximity tingles, amplified by the fact that Wilder Wells is not only up for anything, but he's also perceptive, kind and has a lip piercing that makes Scottie (frustratingly, thrillingly) weak at the knees. As with all Meghan Quinn books, it's very funny, with just the right amount of heart to ground it from absurdity. You'll love this if you liked: 'It Happened One Summer' by Tessa Bailey . Spice level: Scotch bonnet. Tropes: Fake dating, although in this case it's pretending to be a long-term married couple with a host of fabricated issues. Its amplified by some classic forced proximity in their camp cabin and kitted out with various erotic accoutrements prescribed by their therapist to help save their relationship. Amy Rosen ECW Press, 280 pages, $24.95 If you want a book that feels like diving into a buffet stacked with everything you love, immediately pull up a chair to the glorious smorgasbord served up by Amy Rosen, one of Canada's most talented food writers, making her romance debut. 'Off Menu,' by Amy Rosen, ECW Press, $24.95. Our heroine is Ruthie, a professionally adrift 20-something who inherits a nice chunk of change when her beloved grandmother (and noted dispenser of life advice, like 'Never buy green bananas, and never wear banana yellow') dies in a Jet Ski accident. It's enough money for her to quit her job and follow her bliss — that would be food — all the way to a year studying at Toronto's French cooking academy. On her first day, she's partnered with Jeff, a dreamy musician who irritatingly has a girlfriend who has the temerity to be both pretty and nice. The fallout from this — and all the hijinks in between — are told to us by Ruthie, chatting away Bridget Jones-style in her diary. The real love story here, of course, is the food. Whether Rosen is shouting out fictional Toronto spots — pistachio sandwich cookies from Cafe Forno, tofu with garlic sauce from Legendary Asian — or writing about dishes Ruthie prepares so vividly the smells practically waft from the pages, this is a book filled with good eating. Come for the giggles and mishaps (accidentally icing a carrot cake with cocaine!), stay for a lemon meringue pie made with tea biscuits and condensed milk that sounds so easy and delicious you actually wrote down the recipe to try this weekend. You'll love this if you liked: 'Julie & Julia' by Julie Powell. Spice level: Habanero, but only in small, infrequent doses. Tropes: Unrequited love. Noreen Nanja Random House Canada, 368 pages, $26 If you've already gobbled up (even reread) this year's Carley Fortune (very good, maybe even her best yet), we've got just the Canadian debut to fill that emotional-romance-on-a-cottage-country-lake-shaped hole in your heart. 'The Summers Between Us,' by Noreen Nanja, Random House Canada, $26. 'The Summers Between Us' is the story of first love's second chance after a 15-year separation, told as a nuanced exploration of the cross-cultural differences that can sometimes make people go their separate ways. In this case, that means Lia — the high-achieving daughter of immigrant parents — dutifully dating someone her mother approves of, while secretly pining for the boy that she fell for during long, heady teenage summers at her cottage. She never thought she'd return there, but life has other plans — and that boy from Pike Bay turned into a rather dreamy man. You'll love this if you liked: 'Every Summer After' by Carley Fortune. Spice level: More sweet and yearning than spicy and steamy. Tropes: Your classic 'we fell in love as teenagers, but fate forced us apart and now here we are as adults who never quite got over that cataclysmic first love.' 'Only Between Us,' by Ellie K. Wilde, Simon & Schuster, $25.99. Ellie K. Wilde Simon & Schuster, 416 pages, $25.99 We couldn't compile this list without a sports romance. First draft pick on our roster? Canadian phenom Ellie K. Wilde's latest instalment in her series set in the small town of Oakwood Bay. This time, our heroine is a former WAG desperately trying to save her family's business and smart enough to realize that fake-dating one of the hottest football players of the century could be her ticket to turning things around. This scheme has something in it for our hero too, as he's trying to make a comeback and could use a bit of good publicity. We really aren't spoiling anything when we say things get complicated — feelings develop between two people who pretend to be married while being secretly attracted to each other (what a plot twist) — and, also not a shocker if you've read her other work, pretty hot. You'll love this if you liked: Tessa Bailey's 'Fangirl Down.' Spice level: What they refer to on romance subreddits as 'explicit door open' — meaning trés, trés chaud. Tropes: Fake dating.
Los Angeles Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The week's bestselling books, July 13
1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Ballantine Books: $30) A story of friendship, love and adversity during the 1980s Space Shuttle program. 2. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (Penguin Press: $30) An unlikely pair develops a life-altering bond. 3. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Berkley: $29) Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of an heiress. 4. James by Percival Everett (Doubleday: $28) An action-packed reimagining of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.' 5. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (Tor Books: $30) A vampiric tale follows three women across the centuries. 6. The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb (S&S/Marysue Rucci Books: $30) A young father grapples with tragedy and the search for redemption. 7. So Far Gone by Jess Walter (Harper: $30) A reclusive journalist is forced back into the world to rescue his kidnapped grandchildren. 8. My Friends by Fredrik Backman (Atria Books: $30) The bond between a group of teens 25 years earlier has a powerful effect on a budding artist. 9. My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende (Ballantine Books: $30) A young writer in the late 1800s travels to South America to uncover the truth about her father. 10. Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell (Atria Books: $30) Three women are connected by one man who seems too good to be true. … 1. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (Hay House: $30) How to stop wasting energy on things you can't control. 2. Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster: $30) A study of the political, economic and cultural barriers to progress in the U.S. and how to work toward a politics of abundance. 3. Wealthy and Well-Known by Rory Vaden and AJ Vaden (Mission Driven Press: $27) How to master the art of personal branding. 4. Lessons From Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Reynolds (Grand Central Publishing: $13) A guide to channeling feline wisdom in the face of authoritarian nonsense. 5. Mark Twain by Ron Chernow (Penguin Press: $45) The Pulitzer-winning biographer explores the life of the celebrated American writer. 6. Notes to John by Joan Didion (Knopf: $32) Diary entries from the famed writer's journal. 7. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green (Crash Course Books: $28) The deeply human story of the fight against the world's deadliest infectious disease. 8. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Knopf: $28) Reckoning with what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values. 9. The Creative Act by Rick Rubin (Penguin: $32) The music producer on how to be a creative person. 10. Actress of a Certain Age by Jeff Hiller (Simon & Schuster: $29) A collection of autobiographical essays from the comedian and actor. … 1. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (Ecco: $20) 2. All Fours by Miranda July (Riverhead Books: $19) 3. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Ballantine: $20) 4. Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar (Vintage: $18) 5. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster: $19) 6. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (Scribner: $20) 7. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Vintage: $19) 8. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (Transit Books: $17) 9. Funny Story by Emily Henry (Berkley: $19) 10. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster: $19) … 1. All About Love by bell hooks (Morrow: $17) 2. The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne (Penguin: $21) 3. On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder (Crown: $12) 4. The Wager by David Grann (Vintage: $21) 5. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (One World: $20) 6. Just Kids by Patti Smith (Ecco: $19) 7. The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (Vintage: $18) 8. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (TarcherPerigee: $20) 9. All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley (Simon & Schuster: $18) 10. The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger (Harper Perennial: $20)
