Summer is here and it’s time for some serious relaxation.

What better way to do that than to treat yourself to a lazy day on the beach or by a pool somewhere? Don’t forget to throw a great read into the beach bag, but if you want to seriously relax, leave the serious reads at home.

Instead, we’ve chosen five books below that will have you tearing through pages while you enjoy the fresh air[ One novel is set in a luxurious retreat, while another will whisk you off to Hawaii. One has two strangers sharing a flat and a bed, despite never having met (you’ll need to read it to find out how that works).

You can’t go wrong with these five reads. They’re all funny and smart, with some serious heat that will have you heading to the water to cool off.

This summer, take time out and leave the stress of 2021 behind with an entertaining, well-written story that you’ll only put down when you need to reapply your sunscreen.

The Long Weekend by Fiona Palmer

Can one weekend away change your life? Four perfect strangers attend a writing workshop in a luxury forest retreat and discover that it can. One of Australia's most beloved storytellers, Fiona Palmer delivers another great holiday read, perfect for the beach.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

A whole wedding party comes down with food poisoning, except for Olive and Ethan, the bridesmaid and best man. Now the all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii is up for grabs. Putting their dislike for each other aside, Olive and Ethan head for paradise together. Find a piece of paradise for yourself and discover what happens to these two Unhoneymooners.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Ferociously smart and funny, a fake relationship between young hotshot professor Adam Carlsen and Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith, throws all her carefully calculated theories on love into chaos. Get ready to laugh out loud at this one.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Debut author Sally Thorne has burst on the scene with this hilarious and sexy workplace comedy that is perfect beach reading fun. Is there a pencil-thin line between hate and love? There is for Lucy Hutton, who is waging a war at work with Joshua Templeman. Find out what happens while you enjoy the sun.

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

Tiffy and Leon have never met, even though they share a flat and a bed. How is this possible? Take this delightful, warm-hearted read to the beach and find out. Beth O’Leary’s fabulous debut novel sold over a million copies. Start reading this and you’ll very quickly understand why.