15 YA Books Perfect for Summer

Looking for a summer read? The one that makes you think of days on the beach, travel to foreign countries, or life-changing road trips? Below are 15 YA books that give that perfect summer feeling!

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

Bailey Rydell’s crush is a fellow classic film buff who goes by the name of Alex online. Then Bailey moves across the country to Alex’s California hometown. But Bailey is an evader. Hesitant to tell Alex that she could be living down the street, Bailey determines to try to find Alex herself first. But then Porter happens. Porter is annoying. But also incredibly handsome. And maybe a little funny. Soon Bailey finds herself falling and she wonders if this is fair to Alex. What she doesn’t know is that Porter and Alex are the same person.

Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield

All Tilla wants is her father to love her, but every year he returns to his true love–Jamaica. Then her mother tells Tilla she will be spending the summer on the island. And Tilla begins to unravel the secrets of her family’s past.

One True Loves by Elise Bryant

Lenore is heading to NYU in the fall, but without having declared a major. Her family insists she needs to have it all figured out, but sometimes Lenore thinks that isn’t possible. Then she meets the charming Alex Lee while on a Mediterranean cruise. And Alex is the type with a ten-year plan. Could it be the one thing Lenore can predict is love?

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

Emma Saylor’s mother died when she was ten. Now, she is going to spend the summer with her mother’s family at North Lake. What she did not know is that North Lake is divided into two worlds–the lower-class world where her mother grew up and the upper-class resort where her dad spent his summers. But fortunately a boy named Roo is there to help her put the pieces of her family together.

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Moon believes she is destined to fade into the background as the camerawoman for her twin sister, a social media star. Then she takes a job as the merch girl on a summer tour bus full of influencers. She initially hates her bunkmate Santiago, but soon begins to question if this might be the summer when everything for her changes.

A Love Hate Thing by Whitney D. Grandison

Nandy lives in the wealthy coastal town of Pacific Hills where she has spent years crafting her perfect image. Then she learns that her parents are taking in a teen boy who was shot on the streets of Lindenwood. And Nandy has a feeling that her perfect image is about to be smashed. But anger and resentment just might turn into love.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Isabel, known as Belly, experiences first love and heartbreak during one summer as two boys vie for her attention.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Every summer, Cady and her cousins go to their grandfather’s private island to spend the summer. Then one year, Cady is found lying on the beach, a hit to her head. And she can’t remember anything.

This Might Get Awkward by Kara McDowell

Seventeen-year-old Gemma has social anxiety, and can’t even speak to her crush Beau. Then the popular kids at school somehow end up having a party on her solitary beach–and Beau asks her to pretend they are close. After Beau falls out of a boat and becomes unconscious, though, everyone assumes that Gemma is Beau’s girlfriend. Soon, Gemma is too deep into the lie to find a way out.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Dimple has put school behind her after graduation, but she is excited about attending a summer program for web developers.  Little does she know that her parents are still planning to find her the perfect Indian husband: Rishi Patel is attending the same camp.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

Lila had her plans for after graduation all figured out–until her family sends her to spend three months in England with family. At first, nothing about England seems satisfactory, until Lila meets Orion Maxwell, a teashop clerk. Orion appoints himself as Lila’s personal tour guide, and soon Lila is falling in love with more than England.

Beauty and the Besharam by Lillie Vale

After her nemesis Ian Juan witnesses Kavya’s ugly breakup with her boyfriend, she plans to spend the summer after junior year working part time playing princess roles for children’s parties. Unfortunately, not only is she cast as Ariel instead of her beloved Belle, but Ian is going to be her Prince Eric for the summer! Tired of the two fighting, their friends design a series of competitions for Ian and Kavya. But soon, rivalry starts to turn to attraction.

The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Wathers

Meredith Fox goes to Martha’s Vineyard every year for the summer. But this will be the first year since the death of her sister. Fortunately, her cousins is having a huge wedding and the family will be playing the ultimate game of Assassin. Meredith’s target for distraction? A very cute groomsman.

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Before Lina’s mother dies, she insists that Lina go to live with her old friend Howard in Italy.  Somehow she forgot to tell Lina what her grandmother does–that Howard is really her father.  Lina doesn’t want to live with a man she barely knows.  And she certainly doesn’t want to stay in Italy, even if it is beautiful.  But then she receives her mother’s old journal and she’s suddenly experiencing Florence for the first time along with her mom.  As Lina continues to read, however, things don’t seem to be adding up.  Why did her mom leave Italy?  And who is Howard, anyway?

Sunkissed by Kasie West

Avery is not having the best summer. Her best friend betrayed her, and her parents have dragged her and her sister off to camp. But then she notices the mysterious and charming Brookes–who happens to be off-limits.

What YA books would you recommend for summer?