The Quirky Spine

It’s almost here… summertime! ☀️🕶️⛱️
And honestly, what’s better than diving into some fresh cozy reads while soaking up the sun? Maybe you’ll discover a new favorite author—or an amateur sleuth who steals your heart.

Picking the perfect summer read can make or break that sweet, slow day you’ve been dreaming of.

So here’s my hopeless flirtation with bookish possibilities—titles that might just sneak onto my TBR and whisk me away on my next summer getaway.

The Books

Posted by Publication Date

The moment I saw this making waves on #BookTok, I knew it was destined for my TBR.

The cover? Peak 1980s Miami—bold colors, beachy vibes, and a design so on-the-nose, you’d have to be Gen Alpha not to clock the Golden Girls connection.

I’m expecting full-on nostalgia, razor-sharp wit, and an overwhelming urge to sip something fruity by the pool.

Reading about someone else doing all the work? Ideal summer escapism.

A new Maid novel? Yes, please. I read The Maid not long after it debuted and totally fell for Molly—awkward charm, moral compass, and all.

This time around, it’s less murderous mayhem, more high-stakes heist meets tender-hearted love story. A soft criminal caper with polish? I’m in.

Hoping for charming chaos, wholesome hijinks, and at least one scene that makes me grin like a dork.

The bold, punchy cover basically yelled at me to stop scrolling—and I listened.
It might not scream “summer,” but it definitely whispers, “fun beach read with bite.”

Also… is it just me, or does plucky teenage granddaughter totally give future-author Pam Beesly Halpert energy? I’m picturing quirky charm and accidental brilliance.

We’ve got a recently widowed mom. A daughter suspected of murdering her landlord. And a generational duo I suspect will be solving crimes—and stealing hearts—for books to come.

Sex? Check.
Death? Check.
Beach? Double check.
Florida? Buckle up.

It’s billed as hard-boiled noir, but there’s enough cozy DNA to make genre-blenders like me perk up: think amateur sleuth vibes, oddball locals, and crimes that come with a side of kitsch.

I’m hoping this first-in-series brings the heat and the twists.
But fair warning: adult film stars and literal sex on the beach may be involved. Reader discretion… strongly advised.

A week-long murder mystery party? That’s not a vacation, that’s a lifestyle.

It’s been described as heartwarming and charming, but let’s be honest—I’m here for the drama, the secrets, and maybe a suspicious scone or two.

We’re starting in the U.S., but apparently hopping the pond to England like it’s no big deal. I’m manifesting a little Downton Abbey elegance with a healthy side of Midsomer Murders body count.

The cover alone earns it a spot in my beach bag.
I mean—“beach” is in the title. It practically demands to be read in the sun, preferably with something cold and citrusy nearby.

We’ve got a risk-averse bookworm, literary quotes opening each chapter, and a novel inside the novel, covered in highlights and margin notes.
Honestly? It feels like someone broke into my soul and wrote this book about me.

I’m sensing White Lotus energy with a side of blue-swirled caftan realness. Let’s go.

White gloves. Crossed fingers. A 1960s setting dripping with secrets? Count me in.

We’re talking stalking, blackmail, and champagne-soaked scandals—all wrapped in a darkly funny take on mid-century manners and mayhem.

This one demands a vintage cocktail, oversized sunglasses, and a slow float across the pool. I’ll be channeling retro glam while the drama unfolds.

Bonus Book b/c Summer Just Got Longer

This feels like the perfect way to wrap up summer—bittersweet, twisty, and just a little unexpected.

A landlady who only rents to people she cares about? Okay, I’m getting soft-hearted found-family vibes… until an ex-con shows up and everything tilts sideways.

Now she’s confessing to a crime she clearly didn’t commit.
Which raises the real question: who’s protecting who—and why?

Your Move Bookworm

So, bibliobuddies, what’s on your summer TBR list?

NOTES

• Ratings from GR (GoodReads) and SG (Story Graph) Reviews checked on 5/26/2025
• Click on book covers to go to publisher’s book page