I am so excited to share this offer for three free months of Audible!!! Will and I have both been Audible subscribers since 2015 and have listened to hundreds of books in that time. The Audible membership gives you monthly credits for tons of new releases and bestsellers, plus unlimited listening for thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. I would happily sit at the beach and needlepoint while listening to an audiobook all day if I could… but I still appreciate listening to a good book even when I’m realistically spending more of my time making my way through the summer camp carpool lane. 🙂
Rounding up a few titles I’ve listened to on Audible if you need a good beach read this summer! You can browse them all on my Amazon storefront here and head here to start your free three-month Audible subscription.
MY FAVORITE AUDIOBOOKS
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
No list of Nantucket beach reads would be complete without renowned Nantucket author Elin Hilderbrand’s latest novel! This release is her 27th and final Nantucket novel, a mystery that follows a mysterious new-to-Nantucket couple and a possible murder that the local police detective sets out to solve as he nears his own retirement. I plan to make my way through all 27 of Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels over time and can’t wait to see where her illustrious career takes her next! Order Swan Song here.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
This was my first Ann Patchett novel and it definitely didn’t hurt that the narrator for the audiobook is Meryl Streep! The story weaves together Lara’s young love with a famous actor she met at a summer theater in northern Michigan and her now adult life with a husband and three daughters running a family orchard in the spring of 2020. One of my favorite novels I listened to last year — order Tom Lake here.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
I listened to my first Emily Henry book earlier this year and have since listened to two more recommended below. This clever romance follows college-rivals-turned-published-authors Augustus and January each attempting to write their next books living in neighboring beach cottages. I shed real tears as details came to light about January’s family life and was sad when this one came to an end! Order Beach Read here.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Another delightful beach read that follows Daphne, newly separated from her ex-fiancé Peter, who realized on his bachelor party that he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Now figuring out how to make it on her own in a small lakeside town in Michigan, Daphne finds herself moving in with Petra’s ex-boyfriend Miles until she can piece together a longer-term plan. Daphne and Miles’s shared woes become a foundation for a solid friendship, which turns into their own sweet love story. The plot is slightly predictable but the character development and clever dialogue make it an enjoyable listen for a summer trip. Order Funny Story here.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
My favorite Emily Henry listen so far. The plot follows previously engaged couple Harriet and Wyn determinedly faking continued romance so they can enjoy one last week with their best friends at the cottage they’ve spent summer vacations together for the last decade. The characters’ relationship with their happy place in Maine reminded me so much of my family’s soft spot for Nantucket and I loved the varied relationships among the entire group of friends. Order Happy Place here.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Switching gears completely into the mystery/thriller genre, I devoured this audiobook about suspected killer Lucy (who can’t remember anything about the night she supposedly murdered her best friend) and the true crime podcast host who’s determined to uncover the full story. I didn’t see the ending coming and I absolutely loved the format alternating between Lucy’s point and view and new podcast episodes interviewing various people close to the crime. The Audible narration is outstanding on this one — order Listen for the Lie here.
Wives Like Us by Plum Sykes
A truly delicious read from Vogue contributing editor Plum Sykes. Set in the wanderlust-inspiring English countryside, the story follows three wealthy housewives and a newly divorced American transplant navigating friendship, marriage, and complicated social dynamics. The vivid descriptions of their stunning homes and stylish wardrobes are perfect beach day fodder. Order Wives Like Us here.
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Truthfully I hadn’t listened to a ton of fiction before this past year and I think I was the last of my friends to dive into this 2022 novel about a screenwriter whose husband has just left her with two kids and a renewed desire to make it on her own. She turns the story of the downfall of her marriage into her best screenplay yet and rents out her 100-year-old home to be used as part of the movie setting. Only once the filming has wrapped, the star of the film won’t leave… and while you can probably guess where the story heads next, I loved the characters’ witty back-and-forth and found myself rooting for Nora to get the happy ending she deserved. Order Nora Goes Off Script here.
Recipe for Second Chances by Ali Rosen
A wedding in the Italian countryside sets the stage for a reunion between Stella and former love interest Samuel. Stella is determined to make it through the festivities as an exemplary bridesmaid and gather inspiration for her career as a recipe writer, but a series of unexpected events keep bringing her and Samuel together. Written by a former cookbook author, the story contains mouth-watering details that will have you dying to book a summer trip to Italy. Order Recipe for Second Chances here.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
I imagine most of you have probably read Glennon Doyle’s global bestseller by now, but listening to the author narrate her own story is the epitome of what makes Audible so great. Her powerful and deeply personal memoir will leave you empowered to stop putting so much weight in others’ expectations and finally seeking out and listening to your own inner knowing. I have listened to this twice now and found it equally moving both times. Order Untamed here.
FREE AUDIBLE SUBSCRIPTION FOR THREE MONTHS
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*This post is sponsored by Audible. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Darling!
