Top 5 romantic summer beach reads

Who doesn’t love getting stuck into a romantic summer read on the beach? If you are heading off to destination: sun lounger, somewhere hot (or even the garden), we’ve pulled together a sizzling collection of five of the best new books to hit the shelves this summer. So, fire up your kindle or look out at the airport bookshop and prepare for some pure escapism!

The Country Escape by Fiona Walker (Sphere, £7.99)
Eardisford is the ultimate country retreat and Kat Mason has inherited the estate’s beautiful lakeside sanctuary, Lake Farm, until she dies or marries. Sadly for her the new owners of the estate want her out… Then in rides charming and handsome Dougie Everett and while he loves the thrill of the chase does he risk losing his heart along the way? The author of 13 bestselling novels already, you really can’t go wrong when it comes to a summer read by Walker. The ideal holiday read, it is witty, fun and laugh out loud.

You’re The One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher (Penguin, £6.99)
The second novel by Fletcher after the huge success of her debut, Billy and Me last year, tells the story of three childhood friends: Maddy, Ben and Robert, who stick together through thick and thin. Maddy is about to marry Robert and Ben is standing next to him as Best Man but is he the one who she should be saying “I do” to? A truly touching story about finding love, this is the perfect book to curl up with in the sun.

The One Plus One by JoJo Moyes (Penguin, £7.99)
The latest funny, poignant and compelling novel from JoJo Moyes, sees a cast of misfits come together: Jess Thomas is a single mum who tries her best, cleaning houses to pay her bills but always taking risks; her video-game addicted stepson Nicky who is being beaten up by the local bully; her gifted daughter Tanzie who is brilliant with numbers but may never get the chance to shine; and finally, Ed Nicholl’s, a client of Jess’s who wants to help… A road trip from hell comedy ensues, along with an unexpected romance. If you take this on holiday, remember to apply plenty of SPF50 because you might not be able to put it down!

The Love Detective by Alexandra Potter (Hodder, £6.99)
Ruby Miller is a romantic novelist who makes happy-ever-afters happen. This is, until she discovers her fiancé is cheating on her and she loses faith in love. She hops on a plan to Goa and goes on a magical mystery tour across India. This book has charm, humour and bags of culture.

Written in the Stars by Ali Harris (Simon & Schuster, £7.99)
Have you ever wondered “what if?” Taken another job, gone on a date with a different guy or moved to a different city? Would a different path made a difference? As Bea Bishop approaches her wedding day, she can’t help wondering the same thing. Her life quickly flashes in two; where one path sees her run back down the aisle and the other towards her husband-to-be. Which will lead to her happily ever after? Heart-warming, creative and compelling, we didn’t want it to end!