The Real Chic Life

Lately I’ve felt like I could use a mood boost and I’ve been reaching for cozy fiction. I’ve been gravitating towards summer novels that remind me to slow down and enjoy this season. No matter what summer leisure activity you’re doing— lounging by the pool or ocean, heading out of town for a long weekend, or just imagining a little escape from everyday life, there’s nothing like the right book to boost your mood. If you love stories that are full of sunshine, second chances, sweet romance, and soul-healing joy, I’ve got some great recommendations for you. Here are 10 uplifting and mood-boosting novels that pair perfectly with the season.

1. Beach Read by Emily Henry

January writes romance. Augustus writes literary fiction. When both are stuck with writer’s block in neighboring beach houses, they decide to swap genres—and sparks fly. Beach Read is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and emotionally rich. This is a favorite that deserves a spot on every summer list.

2. As You Wish by Leesa Cross-Smith

Three friends—Lydia, Jenny, and Selene—take au pair jobs in Seoul, each chasing a different dream. A magical wish at a waterfall on Jeju Island turns their summer upside down: Lydia becomes suddenly irresistible, Jenny dives into a secret fling, and Selene makes progress in her search for her birth mother. But when love and reality collide, they’re forced to question what truly matters. It’s a sparkling, heartwarming novel about friendship and identity.

3. Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Fern and Will shared a magical 24 hours in Toronto, but life pulled them apart. Nearly a decade later, Fern finds herself running her family’s lakeside resort when Will reappears—complicated, familiar, and full of secrets. This is a story about timing, forgiveness, and second chances, all wrapped in nostalgic summer atmosphere.

4. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson 

This quiet, poetic novel follows a young girl and her eccentric grandmother spending the summer on a remote island in the Gulf of Finland. It’s a beautifully reflective book about nature, loss, and the intimacy of simple moments. It’s ideal for slow summer mornings with coffee and contemplation.

5. The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther

Meredith returns to Martha’s Vineyard for a family wedding just one year after losing her sister. A family tradition (an elaborate game) adds lightness and nostalgia, especially when she teams up with a charming groomsman. If you like sweet YA romance, this one is heartfelt and full of summer fun.

6. Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

Sam has the perfect life—until a visit to her family’s beach house reunites her with her first love, Wyatt. Set over one emotional summer on Long Island, this is a story about the paths we choose, the ones we leave behind, and what it means to come home to yourself.

7. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Set in 1983 Malibu, this novel centers on the Riva siblings—offspring of a famous singer—during one unforgettable summer party that changes everything. Surf, secrets, and sibling bonds collide in this fast-paced, glamorous, and surprisingly tender story of reinvention.

8. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

After her mother’s death, Katy travels solo to the Amalfi Coast—their planned trip for two. But when she arrives, she meets a woman who looks exactly like her mother… as a 30-year-old. With lush Italian settings and a magical twist, this is a story about grief, transformation, and rediscovering who you are.

9. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Mika Moon, a British-Indian witch who’s used to hiding her magic, finds unexpected family when she’s invited to teach three young witches at a whimsical countryside home. It’s warm, tender, and whimsical with coastal cottagecore vibes.

10. Funny Story by Emily Henry

When Daphne gets dumped by her fiancé, she ends up moving in with his new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend (yes, really). What starts as an awkward roommate situation turns into an unexpected friendship—and maybe something more. Set in a lakeside town in Michigan, Funny Story is witty, emotionally intelligent, and full of summer charm.

Whether you’re craving laughter, love, or a gentle escape, each of these books offers something warm, hopeful, and delightfully summery.

---

Have you read any of these or do you have another book recommendation? Let us know in the comments.

Xo,

Courtney