A Summer Reading List with Bestselling Author Kaira Rouda
International bestselling author (and Laguna Beach local) Kaira Rouda knows a thing or two about good books. She has made her way onto USA Today’s Bestseller List multiple times and has won numerous awards for her domestic suspense novels (like her most recent thriller, The Favorite Daughter, a novel set in Orange County that tells the story of the perfect mother and how far she’ll go to keep her family together after the death of her daughter).
Kaira recently teamed up with Lisa Childers, founder of Laguna Beach Books, to put together a list of summer must-reads exclusively for Laguna Beach Living.
Pretty Things
by Janelle Brown
A grifter and an Insta celebrity reunite in a Lake Tahoe mansion for a chillingly good read. I had the honor of interviewing the LA-based author for the Laguna Beach Books series and she’s amazing.
The Sweeny Sisters
by Lian Dolan
Lian is from Pasadena and is hilarious, which comes through in shining colors in this heartfelt book about love, sisterhood, and surprises.
Big Summer
by Jennifer Weiner
Of course, you must pick up the latest by Jennifer Weiner. This beach read is fun and empowering -- a story of friendship and about making it through life’s ups and downs.
28 Summers
by Elin Hilderbrand
The queen of summer reading brings us a secret love affair that has lasted decades... until this summer when everything will change. It’s based on the classic film, Same Time Next Year.
Her Last Flight
by Beatriz Williams
The latest from the beloved author is a story of a lost pilot and a wartime photographer that will leave its mark long after you finish the last page.
The Wife Stalker
by Liv Constantine
From the bestselling author of the Last Mrs. Parrish, this novel tells the story of a woman fighting to hold onto the only family she’s ever loved. The authors are a sister writing team and are fabulous.
This is How I Lied
by Heather Gudenkauf
A great writer, and a wonderful person, Heather writes small town mysteries like no other. Her latest is a gripping whodunit!
He Started It
by Samantha Downing
From the bestselling author of My Lovely Wife, this novel is a crazy, dark family road trip. It’s a diabolical drive with chilling twists and I couldn’t put it down.
Stranger in the Lake
by Kimberly Belle
From the author of The Marriage Lie comes the story of Charlotte and Paul, set on a small lakeside town. Their perfect life begins to unravel after a young woman is found floating in the lake.
The Wife Who Knew Too Much
by Michele Campbell
A decadent summer thriller about the lives of those who will do anything for love and money, expertly told by my friend Michele Campbell, author of It’s Always the Husband.
Dear Sister
by Hannah Mary McKinnon
Beauty, wealth, and success. Victoria’s got it all… but all of it’s stolen from Eleanor, her half sister. With that sort of set up, you know it’s going to be great.
The Last Flight
by Julie Clark
This thrilling story of two desperate women who will do anything to escape their lives is both poignant and addictive. You'll race through the pages to the novel's chilling end. A summer must-read!