Books Series Perfect for Summer Reading

I’m officially on summer break and man does it feel GOOD. Your girl has been in college for two years and every time summer comes around I cry in relief. Because it’s summer time, that means I get to start reading again! During the summer months, I get to indulge in all sorts of reading, but there’s a type of book that I greatly attribute to summer. You know the one I’m talking about, it involves a really hot and magical guy with an equally magical girl in a crazy world with lots of steamy kissing and a plot that’s not too hard on your exhausted brain. It’s the book that gets you through warm days at the beach, all while leaving you feeling unbearably single and strangely fulfilled at once.

       For your reading pleasure I’ve compiled a set of four book series you should read this summer that perfectly fit into that summer reading category. If you are in the market for new summer book boyfriends, look no further, I’ve got you covered boo. A little disclaimer, you don’t need to like these books, and I can fully appreciate that they are not masterpieces of literature. But they do make me happy, and they are a good break from the more complex and twisty YA novels I enjoy. Summer is a time to have fun and enjoy yourself, and for me, these books are part of that. Happy reading book faeries!

1. Hush, Hush saga by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush is about a Nora, a girl who’s school year (and entire life) gets up-ended when a smart ass and hot as hell new boy ends up as her biology partner. Not soon after, strange things start happening to her and those she loves. Her new partner Patch is the key to figuring it all out, but is it a good idea to trust the hot new stranger, or could it get her into ever more trouble?

            Hush, Hush is a four book series that I have read more than once over the past few years. It gives me everything I want in a book, because I will be honest that while some tropes like love triangles and generic looking girls drive me up a wall to no end, the hot bad boy trope is never going to get old for me. There’s just enough mystery and magic to balance out the romance, and Nora’a best friend is hands down the best part of some scenes. There’s fallen angels, romance, danger, and enough surprises that you won’t be able to put this book down. Hush, Hush is followed by the sequels Crescendo, Silence, and Finale.

2. Abandon trilogy by Meg Cabot

            Pierce’s world has been shattered. Her best friend committed suicide, Pierce has been dismissed from school due to an unexplained crime that happened in her presence, and she died a few years ago only to come back to life not quite the same. Her parents decided it would be best if she lives with her researcher mom on a small island where she attends a new school for troubled kids. Problem is, Pierce’s ghosts aren’t going to leave her alone, because when she died she went to the Underworld, and coming back to life displeased the one person she can’t shake. A very tall, dark, and handsome someone who holds the answers Pierce needs. As Pierce works to unravel the mysteries of the island and her own death, she finds that not all is what it seems, and death isn’t exactly what she thought. The trilogy consists of the books Abandon, Underworld, and Awaken.

            Okay so I’ve read this series every summer for about three years now and man do I enjoy it. Meg Cabot is famously known for “The Princess Diaries,” but I much prefer these books. They are an adaption of the myth of Persephone and Hades with modern twists and lots of mystery and romance. Not everything is laid out for you at once, and the story unravels in a unique way I have not seen before. John is 100% the brooding bad boy, and Pierce is an interesting heroine. I take these with me on vacation and they never fail to make me happy.

3. Darkness Before Dawn trilogy by J. A. London

            Dawn Montegomery’s parents were murdered, her brother is gone, and she is now the representative to the Old Family vampires. In a futuristic and dystopian Chicago vampires are both the enemy and the ally, and Dawn is caught up in the political intrigue of impending war. One night she sneaks out into the city after lights out and meets Victor, a young vampire who’s kindness and humanity surprise her. As tensions build and Dawn develops a relationship with Victor, new truths about vampires emerge, and the world Dawn is fighting so hard to protect crumbles.

            I’m iffy about vampire books. I’ve only enjoyed a handful of them, Twilight not being one of them, and I find vampires (mostly) tend to translate better on screen. This series however does a good job of making vampires terrifying creatures and not monsters there for sex. The mythology is interesting, the romance is sweet, and the story isn’t one I’ve read before. There’s mystery and action abounding, and all the teens are pretty bad ass by necessity, something I always enjoy. This series is perfect for staying up late on a warm summer evening while eating an unhealthy amount of potato chips. The trilogy consists of the books Darkness Before Dawn, Blood-Kissed Sky, and After Daybreak.

4. Embrace series by Jessica Shirvington

            Violet has a decent life. Her dad might be to damaged to really be a dad and her mom died in childbirth, but she’s got an awesome best friend Steph and an amazing (hot) training partner Lincoln. Life’s not the best, but it’s not the worst either. Her birthday night changes everything. Lincoln turns her down despite the fact he clearly feels something for her, and a mysterious gift leads her to her destiny. She’s part angel being called Grigori, and Lincoln is her predestined battle partner. While Violet fights against the lies and restraints placed on her, she grows close to an exiled angel Phoenix who’s power and appeal make her feel alive. While Grigori and Exiles clash in the streets Violet grapples with her choices, and finds out being a supernatural creature isn’t easy at all, especially when those she trusts most can’t stop lying.

            Fallen angels may or may not be a major thing in YA right now. The Mortal Instruments and Hush, Hush are by far my favorite angels books, but the Embrace series is decent. It packs a couple sexy angelic guys and an interesting plot. I would be lying if I didn’t say that Violet doesn’t annoy me at times, but that’s okay, you can't have everything. This book would go perfectly with a hammock in the shade and a glass of something sweet and cold. There are five books in the series, Embrace, Entice, Emblaze, Endless, and Empower.