The wait for season 3 of everyone’s favorite summer escape/love triangle is almost here (July 16 has been pinned on all our calendars since March), but until our blissful return to Cousins Beach (and all the sun-soaked drama it promises) you might just need a few book recs to get you in the spirit. Treat these summer reads as your temporary ticket to paradise… that is, until the next season of TSITP comes out.
For the love triangle: Chloe and the Kaishao Boys
To call Belly’s love life messy would be an understatement. From summer flings without sparks to being caught between two brothers, she never quite knows what she wants until some drama is afoot… and tbh, we kinda live for it. If you’re a big fan of the romantic mayhem that ensues from love triangles and cute brothers, then this sweet and totally underrated romcom will be your new fave.
Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto follows Chloe, a Chinese-Filipina girl who is preparing to head off the USC in pursuit of animation. During the summer leading up to college, her aunt insists on throwing her a debutante-style 18th birthday party (anyone sensing a connection here?).
To make matters more complicated, her father sets her up on a string of kaishao (or arranged dates), in hopes of finding her a boyfriend to keep her close to home.
What starts as an awkward matchmaking nightmare becomes complicated when real, and conflicted, feelings emerge. Full of humor, heart and just the right amount of chaos, this read is the perfect blend of flustered romance and summer vibes (it’s set in the Philippines, after all).
For the summer nostalgia: Every Summer After
Undoubtedly, one of the best things about TSITP is the summer feeling that it brings. Sandy days, games on the boardwalk and beachside bonfires evoke the feelings of nostalgia and comfort that we crave in the warmer months. If you live for those mems (and for the summer joy at the heart of the show), this emotional and sweeping story is for you.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune tells the story of Persephone, whose lakeshore childhood summers have faded into the past, a faint whisper in her coveted and glamorous life in the city. She is content avoiding all remnants of her old life—until a sudden tragedy brings her back to Barry’s Bay, where her first love Sam Florek resides. Told over the course of six summers and a weekend, this novel isn’t just another summer read. It is an odyssey, weaving heartbreak, romance and nostalgia into one powerful summer story.
For the beach vibes: Beach Cute
We all heart a good beach, that’s part of what makes TSITP so magical. The show wouldn’t be the same without Cousins Beach, the place where romance blossoms and drama is abound. Those of us who love the series because of its picture perfect locale—and watch it partially for entertainment and partially to feel like we’re at the shore—will seriously love Beach Cute by Beth Reekles.
This novel tells the story of three strangers turned unexpected besties: Recently single Luna, budding artist Rory and caught-adrift Jodie who find each other at a seaside resort for a summer of romance and misadventures. A tumultuous vacation full of high emotions, complications and sun-soaked drama creates the perfect backdrop for a fun and fast-paced read that is sure to get you excited for the beach , whether it’s on your pages, screen or IRL.
For the yearly family getaway: Sunkissed
Part of what makes TSITP so universal to everyone is that it isn’t just about romance—it’s about family. Summer vacations with the fam are always filled with bickering, chaos and above-all…love. Beyond the flirting between Belly and the Fisher brothers, the relationship between her, Steven and her mom is one of the most adorbs in the show.
Sunkissed by Kasie West is a sharp and poignant reminder of the power of family and belonging, and how one summer vacation can change everything. When the music-loving Avery finds herself being dragged on a family summer camp vacation, she doesn’t expect much. That is, until she meets the mysterious, frustrating, and swoon-worthy Brooks. What follows is a summer of romance, self-discovery and above all, a re-connection with family, some of the people who matter most.
For the childhood-friends-to-lovers arc: One Last Summer
Easily one of the most iconic parts of TSITP is the lifelong connection btwn Belly and the Fishers. They’re not just summer flings, they are family and a part of her, just like summers in Cousins. The childhood friends-to-lovers arc is similar, and almost quintessential, in One Last Summer, Kate Spencer’s novel about a summer trip to a childhood camp.
Clara feels lost and tired of her imperfect life, so a trip back to the beloved sleepover camp of her youth with her besties feels like the perfect fix to an otherwise disastrous couple of years. Little does she know that at Pine Lakes Camp is her old camp nemesis, Mack, who is just as annoying as he is good-looking. What follows is a summer of campfire crackles and unexpected feelings blossoming by the lake. This novel is the perfect childhood summer friends(ish) turned romantic interests, just like in TSITP.
Looking for more summer reading recs? Check out our Insta @girlslifemag!
Check out these articles for more fabulous beach reads…
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☀️ 5 books to read if you can’t wait for summer
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