When it comes to packing for our summer holidays, we've got to make sure we've got all the SPF, more pairs of pants than we can count and a rotation of linen trousers, light-weight dresses and colourful bikinis. However, nothing, and I mean nothing, is more important than deciding on what holiday reads to takeaway with you.
Whether you've got seven days around the pool, a quick weekend away to a sun-filled city or popping to the UK coast for some much needed R&R, the book, or in our case books, you take away with you are crucial.
It's the ideal time to catchup on the bestsellers of the year, or reading a classic page turning thriller or a swoon worthy romance. And if you're unsure on the best books to pack in your suitcase that will keep you glued to the page while also offering escapism then we've done the hard work for you and compiled our list of the best summer reads for 2026.
The best summer books for 2026
Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer
If you're looking for the ultimate dose of escapism, it doesn't get better than Villa Coco. From Pulitzer Prize winner author Andrew Sean Greer, his new novel follows an unnamed narrator who heads to Italy from America following his graduation. There he's expecting to work for a baronessa as an archivist, but she has more unusual jobs in store for him. It's a richly formed novel full of eccentric characters, heart and soul, and will definitely make you wish you were in the Italian countryside.
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe
This book has caused many a conversation in the Cosmo office, and if you haven't seen it all over your social media in the last week then let this be your sign to read London Falling. Written by journalist Radden Keefe, the book does a deep dive investigation into the death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler who died by suicide in 2019. His parents have spent the last few years convinced there is more to his sudden passing, and Radden Keefe expertly weaves in Zac's passing with a story of London's dark underworld. It's a riveting but moving page-turner that will open your eyes to the capital.
American Fantasy by Emma Straub
Calling all boy band fans, this is the novel for your sun lounger! Annie, still reeling from her divorce and worried about losing her job to a woman much younger than her, is attending a reunion cruise for her childhood favourite boy band. Cue women in their 50s dancing away at foam parties and throwing themselves at the aging boy band. It's a moment of exploration for Annie, which intensifies when she meets band member Keith who is going through his own crisis.
Dark Heart by Silvia Avallone
I raced through this novel, it's full of heart, intrigue and lessons in forgiveness. Set in a tiny mountain town in Italy, Emilia attempts to start life over in her aunt's old mountain house, her only neighbour is brooding local teacher Bruno, who has his own demons he's trying to bury. What happens when they get brought together? Slight spoiler: a great novel that you will devour on the plane.
Fever Dream by Elsie Silver
Cowboy romance is having a moment, and if you're looking to dive into the genre, Elsie Silver's novels are a great gateway. Professional bull rider (yes that's a thing) Emmett Bush is not looking to fall in love and just wants to save his family's farm from bankruptcy. So when he signs up for reality show Romance Ranch, it's purely a money grab - that is until Julia Silva walks onto his ranch.
Can't wait to get your hands on it? We're giving away two copies of Fever Dream on Club Cosmo, and you can enter the giveaway here.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Speaking of stories set on a farm, Yesteryear is the trad-wife inspired novel that has got everyone talking on TikTok. Natalie is a trad-wife influencer whose life looks picture perfect online, but the reality behind the scenes is far from it. What will happen when she gets sent back in time to the very life she's selling her followers?
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
Carley Fortune is always on our summer reading lists, and after bingewatching the adaptation of her novel Every Summer After on Prime Video, we're in the mood for her next book. Our Perfect Storm is a friends to lovers romance about Frankie and George. On the morning of Frankie's wedding her fiancé dumps her and rather than letting her wallow, George suggests the pair go on her planned honeymoon together. Cue excellent escapist romance.
People in Love by Claire Daverely
Michael People in Love by Claire Daverley
Is it possible to have a mature, heartfelt and tender love triangle? The answer is yes when it comes to People in Love. Nora and Robin have just got engaged following a decade together, after swearing they wouldn't. However, when Nora's childhood best friend Bren shows up unannounced on the evening of her engagement party, after travelling without her for 10 years, will the wedding still go ahead?
Intrigued? You can win a copy of People in Love on Club Cosmo, sign up here.
All In by Claire Powell
A family holiday full of tension, drama and secrets set at a boujie all-inclusive resort? We're so in. Jo and Dave have been struggling with a lot (the loss of Dave's mum, IVF troubles), so they jump at the chance to go on a long weekend in the sun when Dave's brother offers to take them away. But as well all know, there's always one or two hiccups on a family holiday and sometimes more tensions rise to the surface whilst in the sun. It's giving big White Lotus vibes and we can't wait to read while at an all-inclusive...
Pool House by Mary H.K. Choi
A drama set in Los Angeles is always rife for holiday reading, and Pool House is about an out of work actress Moon and her daughter Stevie who are forced to move into the pool house of their home in order to rent out their house to pay the bills. There's already tension between the pair, and once you add in Moon's former TV son and Stevie's crush Adam to the mix, you're left with a sticky, uncomfortable and page turning triangle, full of simmering summer tension.
I Want You To Be Happy by Jem Calder
This has been all over our feeds in the last few weeks and with its intriguing plot and eye-catching cover, it's clear to see why. I Want You to Be Happy is about an age gap relationship between Chuck, who is in his mid 30s and trying to on from a recent mistake in his past, and Joey who is in her twenties and dreams of becoming a poet, while working as a barista.
Lovers XXX by Allie Rowbottom
It's 1982 Los Angeles and best friends Winnie and Jude have a steady rise in the adult entertainment industry from working in strip club, to modelling for Penthouse and Hustler before progressing to hardcore porn. However, their friendship ends suddenly when Jude goes missing following a dramatic act of portrayal. 30 years later Winnie is determined to find out what really happened to her friends.
Tenderness by Rowan Beaird
A wedding novel is my favourite kind of holiday read, and Tenderness will have you gripped for many hours by the pool. Set in the 1970s and across one weekend, as Shay and Andrew tie the knot. However, Shay as just escape a cult in New York, and her brother William and her former flame Joel have reasons to believe the cult is not letting her go. But cult-aside it's also full of the classic tropes of addictive wedding novels - wealth inequality, family drama and lovers secrets - I couldn't put it down.
Nine Lives by Catherine Steadman
On a sun-lounger we need two things - a steady stream of cocktails, and a page turning thriller. Nine Lives sees newly divorced Frankie move into a glamorous new neighbourhood, but when her cat returns with the words 'Help Me' scratched into his collar, Frankie soon starst to realise her neighbours aren't quite what they seem.
Released on 23 June
Take What You Can by Naima Coster
We know you shouldn't buy a book for the cover, but how good would this look on your towel at the beach? Val and Milly meet as students while studying aboard in France and instantly bonded, now more than 10 years later their lives look wildly different and full of success. When Milly suggests Val moves to New York so they can both raise their own daughters together, Val jumps at the chance. But friendship is a tricky thing and a rift that occurred back in France all those years ago, threatens to rise up.
Released on 6 August
The Divorce by Freida McFadden
She's back! Every holiday usually includes a McFadden novel and The Divorce is her latest page-turner. Naomi is living the dream life - happy husband, gorgeous home - however, one day her husband tosses her out, divorces her and begins dating a glamorous young woman. Naomi is intrigued at first by her ex's new partner, but what starts as pure curiosity, soon delves into a deeper darker obsession. And as she digs deeper she realises her own life might soon be in danger.
The Missed Connection by Tia Williams
Tia Williams excels at romance writing as evident by her first novel Seven Days in June, and this summer she's returning with a funny and heartfelt romance, sure to have you wishing your holiday could go on longer. Sasha Cruz is a high flying casting agent, and when she gets seated next to a handsome stranger on a flight to Paris for work, she falls hard. However, the pair never exchange details and Sasha emails her colleague for help to find the mystery man...except she ends up emailing the entire company! A world-wide man hunt ensues, will she find that missed connection again?
Available on Kindle now and in hardback from 4 August
