Originally published on 7/19/25

The extra-long sunny days and relaxed pace of summer make this season an ideal time to delve into richer, more immersive novels. Enter historical fiction books. This expansive genre—which is arguably one of the most popular among avid readers—allows you to fully escape to different eras and experience life through the eyes of characters in the past. The best part? You don’t even need to leave your beach chair! If you’re looking for a summer-set historical fiction book packed with mystery, intrigue and romance we have you covered. Here, we gathered up 12 captivating options that will take you on unforgettable adventures in bygone eras. 

Want to step foot into gorgeous mansions in Newport, Rhode Island during the Gilded Age? Pick up Summers of Newport by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White. Does visiting the sandy shores of Nantucket in the summer of 1969 sound fun? Then dive into Elin Hilderbrand’s Summer of ‘69. For readers who enjoy beautifully executed dual-timeline novels, we recommend A Happier Life by Kristy Woodsen Harvey. This story transports readers to scenic Beaufort, North Carolina, to uncover long-buried family secrets.

Keep scrolling for the rest of our must-read historical fiction books—we guarantee these picks are the perfect beach day companions!

‘Our Last Vineyard Summer’ by Brooke Lea Foster

This dual-timeline novel, set in 1965 and 1978, is a must-read for fans of historical mysteries. Following the death of her father, Betsy receives a call from her mother saying she and her sisters must return to their home on Martha’s Vineyard right away so they can sell it. Upon her arrival, Betsy learns that she not only has to deal with her strained family relations but also with her former lover. 

What readers are saying: “Brooke Lea Foster’s Our Last Vineyard Summer is a quiet powerhouse of a novel—deeply atmospheric, emotionally resonant and steeped in the history and heartbreak of generational womanhood.”  

‘The Lost Summers of Newport’ by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White 

Old money? Check! Juicy secrets? Check! Newly unearthed drama? Check! If you’re looking for an alluring story spanning over a century from the Gilded Age to present day, Summers of Newport is a perfect beach day read. Andy Figuero is in Newport to produce a reality show about restoring historic homes. But as she takes on the task of documenting the crumbling Sprague Hall, while being banned from speaking to the elderly owner, past secrets begin to arise. Spanning three time periods—and the secrets hidden in each—the story of Sprague Hall and its inhabitants is interwoven into the lives of America’s royalty (the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts and others).

What readers are saying: “I just loved the Rhode Island settings! There are three timelines, 1899, 1957 and 2019. The stories from the 1899 and 1957 timelines were exceptionally written. They balanced each other well. This is a sweeping summertime story!”

‘Summer of ’69’ by Elin Hilderbrand

New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand is known for her heartwarming tales set in scenic places—and this one (like so many) transports readers to her beloved  Nantucket. The Levin family spends every summer at their grandmother’s beach home in Nantucket. But this year, the summer of 1969, life for all four of the Levin siblings is changing. Between struggles, secrets, civil rights protests and a war draft, their strength is put to the test.

What readers are saying: “If you were young during the Vietnam war, the space era, Chappaquiddick, etc., and lived in America, this book will practically give you chills because it’s as if Elin Hilderbrand was able to open the doors to your own past through the lives of her characters. A great read.” 

‘Malibu Rising’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid

From best-selling author Taylor Jenkins Reid comes another sweeping family saga. Every summer, the four grown children of Mick Riva, the legendary singer and infamous ladies’ man,  throw a huge party, but in the summer of 1983, oldest child, Nina, a famous surfer, is going through a public breakup, brothers Hud and Jay are dealing with their own relationship drama and Kit is about to deliver a surprise, turning the annual bash into a gathering that’s much more than anyone bargained for. 

What readers are saying: “This book has it all: celebrities, secrets and family drama, set in glamorous Malibu,” says Patty Bontekoe, Woman’s World Executive Editor. “I couldn’t put it down! I loved how the story flipped back in time between the 1980s and the 1950s, sharing the ill-fated love story of parents Mick and June through the years and the unbreakable bond these siblings shared.” 

‘The Last Train to Key West’ by Chanel Cleeton 

This dazzling, drama-filled tale set in 1935 follows three women to sunny Key West, Florida. Helen Berner is a Key West native, Mirta Perez is in town on her honeymoon after an arranged marriage and Elizabeth Preston is helping her family following the Cuban revolution. When a hurricane sweeps through, the women cross paths and dark secrets are revealed. Thrilling and thought-provoking!

What readers are saying: “I loved every moment of this book and found myself thinking and talking about it even after I was finished. The storms, both literal and figurative, developing in this story made for great background tension as Mirta, Elizabeth and Helen navigated the unknowns in their lives.” 

‘A Happier Life’ by Kristy Woodson Harvey 

Southern charm and one family’s unforgettable history meld in this story about Keaton Smith, who travels to sun-soaked Beaufort, North Carolina, for a fresh start and to help put her mother’s childhood home on the market. Soon, she uncovers secrets about the grandparents she never had the chance to meet. Rewind to 1976: Rebecca “Becks” Saint James is making a name for herself as the best hostess in North Carolina. Keaton and Becks are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane. A story of family ties, friendship and love.

What readers are saying: “This was a true summer book in all the best ways,” says Melissa D’Agnese, Woman’s World Senior Editor. “Romance, history, mystery…the story had a little bit of everything. And the gorgeous, descriptive scenes made me feel like I was right there in Beaufort, North Carolina!”

‘The Summer Before the War’ by Helen Simonson 

When Beatrice Nash, a young Latin teacher, arrives in the English village of Rye, the whole community is intrigued by her beauty and freethinking ways. Soon, prominent townswoman Agatha Kent befriends Beatrice, and when Beatrice meets Agatha’s nephew, Hugh, sparks fly. But with WWI looming, all of their lives are turned upside down as they prepare for a time that will test their families and their community. 

What readers are saying:  “As soon as I heard this novel was perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, I ran out to pick it up. This story was charming and beautifully illustrates how essential it is to keep friends, faith and hope close by during times of hardship.”

‘Park Avenue Summer’ by Renée Rosen

The enchanting glamour of 1965 Manhattan comes alive in this captivating novel, which follows Alice Weiss after she leaves her small Midwest town to chase her big-city dreams. When she lands a job working for the brazen Helen Gurley Brown, the first female editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, nothing could have prepared her for what was next. This Mad Men meets Devil Wears Prada read is as fun as it is fabulous.

What readers are saying: “This book perfectly marries fact and fiction. Miss Rosen’s engaging writing style gave me such a well-defined sense of place and time. I felt as though I was completely transported to 1960s NYC. I loved all the little attention to detail, the runs in the stockings, the jewelry, and the smoking, oh the smoking, so much smoking.” 

‘Wild Women and the Blues’ by Denny S. Bryce 

In this stirring novel, which brings the Chicago Jazz Age to sparkling life, two stories intertwine nearly a hundred years apart. In this tale, we meet  a Chicago-based film student in 2015 and a Chicago-based chorus girl in 1925 and see how their lives intertwine. A wonderfully researched novel about forgiveness, loss, and love.

What readers are saying: “I loved this book and the characters! The story lured me in and swept me away with the culture I knew so little about. I look forward to more from this wonderful author!” 

‘The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club’ by Martha Hall Kelly

This gripping dual-timeline tale follows Mari, who visits Martha’s Vineyard in 2016, searching for a reclusive artist, and the Smith sisters, who face the reality of war as the U.S. Army arrives on the Vineyard in 1942. A rich saga about the power of book clubs and long-held secrets.

What readers are saying: “Martha Hall Kelly has succeeded once again in writing an amazing book! She wove together an interesting story of a family on Martha’s Vineyard that includes suspense, love and a great ending. It’s one of those books you don’t want to miss reading.” 

‘A Map To Paradise’ by Susan Meissner

Readers are transported back to 1956 Malibu in this gorgeous, gripping saga. With her career stalled due to McCarthy’s Hollywood blacklist, starlet Melanie Cole relies on her reclusive neighbor, Elwood, as her only confidant. When Elwood disappears, Melanie and her housekeeper, Eva, see his sister-in-law, June, digging in his rose garden. After unexpected secrets are revealed, all three women form a pact and a friendship.

What readers are saying: “This is the perfect book for your beach bag! This story was a bit of a slow start for me, but after reading several chapters, I was totally hooked. I loved the mystery surrounding the neighbor Elwood and the riveting conclusion.”

‘A Hundred Summers’ by Beatriz Williams 

In 1938, socialite Lily Dane goes to an oceanfront New England town to spend the summer with family. But a scandal erupts when her ex-fiancé and former best friend show up married to each other—all while a deadly hurricane barrels up the coast. What follows is a battle of bravery and love. 

What readers are saying: “I’m always in search of the perfect guilty-pleasure novel to read poolside as my kids play, and this book was exactly that! I was so enthralled by the drama that we stayed at the pool much longer than I’d planned!”

Written with Melissa D’Agnese

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/books/historical-fiction-beach-reads-packed-with-mystery-and-romance