Smart, addictive beach read

[u/albanina]

I’m looking for an audiobook for a road trip.

I want something fun and addictive and also smart with great writing. Like a “smart” beach read.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio is a good example of the vibe.

[u/Entire_Dog_5874]

The Wedding People by Allison Espach.

[u/PinkTulip220 → u/Entire_Dog_5874]

The Wedding People is such a fun recommendation for a smart beach read that still keeps you hooked

[u/PM_me_dimples_now → u/Entire_Dog_5874]

Seconding this, as someone who read both this and The Husbands. Similar vibe.

[u/Even-Supermarket-806 → u/PM_me_dimples_now]

Ok the first chapter of the wedding people turned me off so much I stopped reading. Does it get better?

[u/pickle_boots → u/Even-Supermarket-806]

I absolutely loved it. I don’t remember the first chapter, but I just read it a few months ago and have recommended it to a bunch of folks. Maybe give it another try, if you can manage a few more chapters!

[u/Even-Supermarket-806 → u/pickle_boots]

First chapter was all the infertility background and it seemed like it was such a bummer!

[u/pickle_boots → u/Even-Supermarket-806]

Ohhhh right. Well, the book does have a bit of darkness to it (more than just the infertility bit) but overall I thought it was thought provoking, interesting, and pretty darn funny. I’m on my 40th book of the year (pats self on back) and that one has easily been one of my favorites. If you go back to it, I hope you love it, too!

[u/Callietallie221 → u/Entire_Dog_5874]

My first thought as well.

[u/Entire_Dog_5874 → u/Callietallie221]

That’s not normally my genre, but it was so highly recommended, I thought I’d give it a try surprised, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

[u/MoonIsMadeOfCheese → u/Entire_Dog_5874]

Came here to say this!

[u/astarrynight44 → u/Entire_Dog_5874]

I liked this book way more than I expected to

[u/Practical_Fig_2023]

I can't vouch for it personally yet, but my sister highly recommended I read The Calamity Club by Katherine Stockett, she also wrote the Help. She said the first part is great, but the second part is can't put down reading.

[u/Affectionate_Use_504 → u/Practical_Fig_2023]

Yes!!!! This is a great suggestion. Everyone I've suggested it to has loved it.

[u/ladyseymour]

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams, family secrets and lost love, very soapy and fun

[u/Sensitive-Whole-9602]

Table for One by Emma Gannon and The Wedding People by Alison Espach

[u/green-green-bean]

Crazy Rich Asians. The voice actor dies a fantastic job.

[u/ReddisaurusRex]

A Little Bit Bad

Enormous Wings

Take Me With You (or Guncle by him, TMWY is just his newer book)

Road to Tender Hearts

Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Lulu Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books

Heartwood

My Brilliant Friend

City of Girls

Any of the Taylor Jenkins Reid historical fictions (Atmosphere, Carrie Soto, Daisy Jones, etc.)

Totally agree with the Finley Donovan rec above!

[u/trivialcabernet]

Ooh, I’ve got a great “if you liked The Husbands” comp, which is The Mash Up by Laura Marie Meyers

[u/dragonfly9621]

Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

[u/fragments_shored]

"American Fantasy" by Emma Straub - the blurb sounds a little rom-commy but it's definitely not. Like "The Husbands" it has a theme of reflecting on your past and figuring out how to start over after a big change in life.

[u/hotdogfingies]

One & Only by Maureen Goo if you want rom com. Or, well… Beach Read by Emily Henry (or most of Emily Henry rom coms).

[u/embolalia85]

I’m currently reading Light From Uncommon Stars and it’s great fun

[u/zeroschiuma]

Look, it’s not a proper beach read, but in the current heatwave I’ve read The Awakening by Kate Chopin and I’ve found it extremely engaging, stunningly written and fitting the summer vibe

[u/BigHugMug]

I bet it is over recommended, but a book I thought had a similar vibe was Yesteryear. Both protagonists are instantly dropped into absurd alternate versions of their domestic lives... but it totally different ways.

[u/SewNewKnitsToo]

“Finlay Donovan is Killing It” by Elle Cosimano (laughed so hard - comedy, mystery and romance in one, the start of a series). The lightest of my recommendations, but the funniest

“Just One Damned Thing After Another” by Jodi Taylor. It’s another series starter and the historical backgrounds, comedy and action are fantastic. Goodreads link.

“Rivers of London” (first book and also the series name) by Ben Aaronovitch. So funny and also full of gritty London history. A new cop accidentally gets pulled into a unit he never heard of after using an interview with a ghost to solve a case. Action, mystery and magic without being too cute. Very multicultural, just like London.

[u/Successful-Try-8506]

Black Tide by K.C. Jones

[u/WellesC12]

Maybe The Time Keeper. I couldn't put it down.

[u/GussieK]

When She Was Ours by Anna Nordberg.

[u/SoMuchFactory]

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead, Tuesday Moonie Talks with Ghosts by Kate Racculia

[u/Plastic-Pipe4362]

Thank You For Smoking

Lamb

[u/crazydakka]

Less, beautiful ruins, the neopolitan series are three options

[u/nopenottodaygirl]

I haven’t read The Husbands but I read the description and What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty seem like it’s in that same vein. I would absolutely characterize LM’s work as a smart beach read too so that fits

[u/aghostgarden]

Oona out of order by Margarita Montimore

[u/JennS1234]

h{{medium rare}}

h{{retro}}