Guest Post: Laura Griffin shares the best books for your beach bag

Laura Griffin has an extensive backlist of books including romances, thrillers, and even, some romantic suspense. Her latest release is Liar's Point which is book 5 in her The Texas Murder Files series.

If you couldn't tell, she knows a thing or two about writing and thus, recommending books. That's why I was so excited when Berkley reached out and asked if she could share some of her favorite reads to add to your beach bag.

As someone who also loves a good beach read, there was no way I was going to say no. Plus once I saw her list, we had a few in common and some I know i'd add to my list. Who knows? Maybe I'll make my own list to kick off the summer.

Whether you're looking for a new read to pick up over Memorial Day Weekend, have a summer reading challenge, or just need a recommendation or two, Laura Griffin came through with some amazing books.

Laura Griffin shares her 2024 picks for beach bag reads!

Before getting into her post, I'd like to thank Laura Griffin for writing this post for us and sharing her recommendations. I'd also like to thank Berkley for setting this up so let's get into it.

Summer is almost here and it’s the perfect time to load up your beach tote with new releases! Check out this list of the season’s most-anticipated thrillers, rom-coms, and romantasy novels.  

Funny Story by Emily Henry 

Emily Henry is back! Rom-com author of the blockbuster books People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read, Henry returns to the scenic Great Lakes with a tale of friendship and heartache. Henry is known for her funny dialogue and poignant relationships. If you like witty opposites-attract stories that tug at your heartstrings, slip this one into your beach tote. 

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley 

The modern-day queen of the locked room mystery, Lucy Foley (The Guest List) returns with another dark and atmospheric thriller. Set at a posh English resort known as the Manor, The Midnight Feast introduces us to a cast of quirky characters. When a body turns up on the Manor grounds, everyone falls under suspicion. If you love an eerie, menacing whodunit, don’t miss Foley’s newest page-turner, which—as an added bonus—is being adapted for television. 

One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole 

New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Cole (When No One Is Watching) delivers a chilling new psychological thriller set on an isolated island in the Hudson River. When preservationist Kenetria Nash, who is battling dissociative identity disorder, takes a new job as a caretaker of a historic home, she has no idea that she is about to get pulled into a murder investigation—as the prime suspect. As she confronts external threats and the challenges within her own mind, she must find a way to prove her innocence. 

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan  

Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan takes us on a globe-trotting adventure from Hawaii to L.A. to England with an elite cast of characters in his new novel, Lies and Weddings. The son of a Hong Kong supermodel, Rufus Gresham goes up against his manipulative mother, who is set on replenishing the family fortune by getting her children to find obscenely wealthy mates. But the problem? Rufus is secretly in love with the humble girl next door. Known for his wit and over-the-top characters, Kwan takes readers on another journey through the glitzy, decadent playgrounds of the one-percenters. 

Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda 

Author of The Last Houseguest (a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick), Megan Miranda is known for her intricately drawn small-town settings, where secrets are deeply buried and no one is quite who they seem. In Daughter of Mine, Hazel Sharp is pulled back to her hometown of Mirror Lake following her father’s death. Confronted with people and secrets from the past, Hazel tries to unravel the mystery of her mother’s long-ago disappearance. 

Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon 

If you love romantic comedies, dogs, and enemies-to-lovers storylines, then don’t miss Pardon My Frenchie, by bestselling author Farrah Rochon. The story features doggie daycare owner Ashanti Wright, who must make nice with reluctant dog owner Thad Sims in order to save her fledgling business. Amid the escapades of French bulldogs and poodles, Ashanti and Thad forge an unlikely connection, and sparks start to fly. Rochon’s newest rom-com is book #1 in her new series and received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly. 

Sweet Nightmare by Tracy Wolff 

Tracy Wolff’s Crave series earned her legions of fans and lured new readers to the romantasy genre. Now Wolff is back with a new series set in the same story universe, complete with vampires, monsters, and dragons. The series kicks off with Sweet Nightmare, a dark and twisty paranormal romance that takes place at Calder Academy, a school for rogue paranormals. The fans who made Crave a #1 New York Times bestseller have a new series to obsess over. 

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren 

Writing duo Christina Lauren (The Unhoneymooners) is known for laugh-out-loud romantic comedies packed with all of our favorite tropes, and The Paradise Problem is no exception (Fake dating! Opposites attract! Only one bed!). The new novel features Anna Green and Liam Weston, who get hitched while in college in order to qualify for subsidized family housing. When the couple’s plan to divorce goes awry, chaos and sexytimes ensue. If you haven’t read Christina Lauren before, prepare to laugh until your sides hurt. 

Laura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty books and novellas. Her new romantic thriller, Liar’s Point, hits bookstores this summer. Laura lives in Austin, where she is working on her next book.  

As you can see, Laura Griffin shared a lot of books we've covered here on Culturess so it's awesome to see so much overlap. Any of the books I haven't read yet that she shared are definitely going in my cart as they sound amazing.

Liar's Point by Laura Griffin is out now where books are sold.

Which books will you be adding to your beach bag this year? Let us know!