Once you’ve found that perfect spot on the beach, the mind quickly moves to the next essential ingredient: a good book. There’s something about the sound of the waves, sun on your skin, and the absence of to-do lists that makes the beach a perfect place to unwind with a great read.
Whether you're on holiday or just enjoying a sunny day trip, the beach offers a rare kind of freedom and the perfect excuse to get lost in a story.
Here at SeaKisses, we’re avid readers and book chat is part of our daily conversations; what we've just finished, what’s next on the list and which stories have swept us away.
So, we thought we’d ask: do you feel the same way?
We’re starting a little beach book club of sorts, kicking things off with two recent reads we think are perfect for your next sandy escape. We’d love to hear your thoughts, and even more, we’d love your recommendations! Pop your favourites in the comments—we’re always looking for our next great beach read.
BOOK 1: The Artist by Lucy Steeds:
Set in the aftermath of the First World War, this beautifully written novel takes us to an isolated farmhouse in the heat-soaked countryside of southern France. Here lives the reclusive, renowned artist Edouard Tartouffe and his quiet, enigmatic niece, Ettie. Their secluded world is disrupted by the arrival of Joseph, a young, wide-eyed journalist hoping to write a profile on the elusive painter.
As the story unfolds, the complex relationships within the household begin to reveal themselves. You’re drawn into the inner lives of Ettie and Joseph, both of whom are navigating love, longing and identity in their own quiet ways.
While at heart it’s a tender coming-of-age love story, this book is also rich with descriptions of summer in Provence with lush descriptions of food, art, and the shimmer of heat rising from the fields.
It’s no surprise it has been shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction as the writing is lyrical and deeply evocative. The perfect companion for a beach in the South of France… or, as we found, just as magical on the coast of Cornwall. A true gem of a read.
Book 2: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Set over 25 years in Chicago, this deeply moving novel traces the lives and loves of four sisters in a close-knit American Catholic family. As someone who’s never had a sister, I’m always drawn to books that explore those bonds—and this one didn’t disappoint.
What begins as a portrait of a seemingly perfect family is slowly unravelled by a series of complex events that shift everything they thought they knew. The story sensitively explores themes of mental health, love, loyalty, and the tangled emotional threads that connect—and sometimes separate—us.
Over the span of a quarter-century, we watch these women grow, change, and wrestle with life’s hardest questions. It’s a powerful reflection on how family shapes us and how we each find our own way through grief, joy, and everything in between.
So there you have it—two books we absolutely loved and think would make the perfect companions for your next beach escape. We’d love to hear what you think and even more, we’d love your recommendations! What should we be adding to our summer reading list?