Elise's Summer Picks

This is a must read Sarah Dessen book. In a summer that was supposed to be filled with SAT studying and a library job, Macy instead finds herself working at a catering crew, meeting an interesting boy named Wes, and dealing with the tragic death of her father. I love this book because it’s funny, and romantic, yet hopeful and complex. I have so many favorite “quotes” from this book because I love the message Macy (and the readers) learn along the way. I highly recommend one of my favorite Sarah Dessen books!

Sometimes all you need is a fluffy, short contemporary book that will make you smile. If you haven’t read any of Kasie West’s books, I definitely recommend this one! The story follows Kate who becomes a co-host for a podcast at school with her friend Alana. When an anonymous caller asks for crush advice, Kate has a feeling she knows who it is. But what happens when she starts to develop feelings for him…. And he may like Alana? This story was super sweet and easy to follow- perfect for a summer read!

If you’re a fan of “You’ve Got Mail” then you will love this! Bailey has been crushing on a fellow movie lover, Alex, online. But when Bailey ends up moving to the same California beach town as him, she decides to keep it a secret. When she gets a job at the local museum, and has to deal with the irritating Porter, things become even trickier as readers realize Porter is Alex! This book was fast paced, funny, romantic and instantly transported me to a summer beach town!

Who doesn’t love a good “hate to love” romance trope? “The Hating Game” follows Lucy and Joshua, executive assistants at a publishing company who share the same office but absolutely HATE each other. When they both are up for the same promotion, the tension between them increases. It was just so much fun to read about their back and forth banter. If you are in the mood for a fun New Adult romance, try this one out!

Morgan Matson is known for her summer contemporaries, and this one doesn't dissapoint. Emily's (much more adventourous and outgoing) best friend Sloane disappears, only leaving behing a to-do list for the summer. On this list include anything from "kiss a stranger" to "dance until dawn." Not only is the plot entertaining, but the characters, song playlists, and overall feeling of summer are so fun to read about! I related a lot to Emily's personality, and I loved following her on this journey. You will be in the mood for a true "rom-com esque" adventure after reading "Since You've Been Gone!"

This is a YA science fiction novel, so I was a little initimated to read it at first. However, after finishing the entire series, I can say that it's one of my absolute favorites! Each book takes a "sci-fi twist" on a fairy tale, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White. The world is incredibly immersive to read about, and I loved reading about how the fairy tales incoporated into the plot. However, my favorite aspect of this series are the characters! They are all unique (and hilarious) in their own way. I highly reccomend this book/series to anyone, no matter if you are a sci-fi fan or not!