Wouldn’t it be nice to hop on a plane and escape to paradise when the hustle and bustle of everyday life becomes too hectic? Sadly, that’s not possible for most of us. The next best thing? Reading a book set at a resort to transport you to paradise! These stories allow you to leave your worries behind while indulging in all your travel fantasies.
Keep scrolling to discover 10 of the best books set at resorts—from international romances to suspicious mysteries and intense family sagas. Happy reading!
The bestselling author duo known as Christina Lauren writes unputdownable romance, and their latest novel follows suit! This story follows artist Anna Green, who married Liam “West” Weston four years ago for access to housing while at UCLA—and she thought she signed divorce papers when they graduated. Three years later, West, now a professor at Stanford, is set to receive a large inheritance…but only if he’s been married for five years. So West invites Anna on a family trip to a fancy resort in Indonesia to act the part. Can they make it through without falling for each other?
What readers are saying: “I love any and everything that Christina Lauren writes and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one! I loved the tropical island setting and vibes and I only wish I was in a resort myself to enjoy that. This book was lighthearted and delightful with some heavier moments sprinkled in for sure.”
The Wedding People—one of 2024’s most popular books—follows Phoebe Stone, who shows up to the Cornwall Inn in a fancy dress and heels. Everyone thinks she’s one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Inn who isn’t there for the big event. Phoebe’s been dreaming of visiting for years with her husband—but that never happened and she’s here on her own. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail of her special weekend—except for Phoebe’s arrival. But soon the two women can’t stop confiding in each other—something neither of them expected.
What readers are saying: “This book has been everywhere lately and I was beginning to wonder if it was overhyped. Then I read it for myself and was instantly hooked! It was a truly fantastic read. There’s romance, but the main focus of the story is self-reflection and development. It has great commentary on mental health and relationships as well.”
Carley Fortune’s second novel follows Fern, as she realizes her life isn’t what she thought it would be at 32. Rather than living in the city, she’s running her mother’s Muskoka lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. To make matters worse, the place is a mess, her ex-boyfriend is the manager and she can’t stop thinking about Will Baxter—the boy who broke her heart at 22. When she needs a lifeline, she’s surprised to find help in none other than Will himself. But how can Fern trust him again and will she end up saving him like he saved her all those years ago?
What readers are saying: “Just like Every Summer After, I was immediately captivated by the first few pages. I read this novel in 2 days. I enjoyed the resort setting. This story is told in dual timelines but showcases the same characters. I like a love story when it’s not instant and characters grow.“
Irene Steele has been fairy-tale happy with Russ, her husband of 35 years, so she’s stunned when she gets a call saying he was killed in a plane crash on St. John…where he was apparently leading a double life. As she investigates the shocking circumstances of his death she finds herself caught up in the lies and deceit of the island.
What readers are saying: “This was a great read and I am already about to start the sequel. It was a story that you could believe and it certainly takes you to another place.”
Beloved author Mary Kay Andrews has penned 24 books filled with heartfelt charm—and her latest novel, Summers At The Saint, is a sweet summertime escape! The story follows Traci Eddings, owner of the St. Cecelia hotel (“the Saint”), as she navigates the lodge’s scandalous past and future. A fun, scenic tale that blends romance and mystery.
What readers are saying: “This book is great for Mary Kay Andrews fans as well as anyone who enjoys a little lighthearted mystery. The setting evokes feelings of the Don Cesar and beautiful Florida barrier islands. The characters are interesting and their friendships sweet. The mystery is interesting but not too gruesome.”
Single mom Rachel is stuck in a rut, but when she’s offered a job at a brewery hotel in Lake Erie, she and her daughter make the move. Once she arrives, she meets the owner, Mason—whose specialty is brewing beer, not running a hotel—and she realizes the hotel is nowhere near ready to open. Will Rachel end up building more than just a business with Mason?
What readers are saying: “I really, really enjoyed this and once I started it I didn’t want to put it down. The Suite Spot is a thoroughly charming, incredibly sweet, and deeply emotional gem of a romance.”
Set in picturesque Northern Wisconsin, this charming story centers on Maren Laughlin, who is feeling lost after leaving her boyfriend and her job as a park ranger. She’s returning to her hometown to accept her inheritance: an old waterfront bait shop. Josiah Cole is a single dad, a local resort owner—and her brother’s best friend. Sparks fly between them, but Maren wonders if she’s brave enough to take a chance on love again.
What readers are saying: “I loved other love stories from Hahn, and I have to say I love Maren’s just as much. This book had all the fantastic tropes: small-town romance, brother’s best friend and single dad. I was here for everything. Such an incredibly delightful book!”
The Golden Hotel was once the place to be in the Catskills. For 60 years the Goldman and Weingold families presided over the hotel. But the Catskills aren’t what they used to be and neither is the relationship between the Goldmans and the Weingolds. Now, the two families are faced with the choice to sell, and three generations grapple with the decision.
What readers are saying: “This book makes me want to go live an extravagant life in the country. I got Mrs. Maisel meets Dirty Dancing meets 21st century vibes and I absolutely loved it. The multiple POVs from both families made the story super interesting. The characters were dynamic, the story was light and this was the perfect book to escape into.”
Bestselling author Rachel Hawkins is known for her haunting and suspenseful page-turners, and this novel delivers more thrills. Childhood friends Emily and Chess head to Italy on a trip in hopes of reconnecting. They arrive at Villa Aestas, and soon Emily digs into the villa’s history and discovers a gruesome tale about rock star Noel Gordon, who stayed there in the summer of 1974. Dark secrets and danger lurk around every corner.
What readers are saying: “I love the set-up of this book. I’m a sucker for an alternating timeline with separate POVs. This was done so seamlessly. The inclusion of multimedia covering the happenings in the story was such a cool tidbit.”
The third in the Moose Springs Series, this laugh-out-loud saga unfolds as former Hollywood darling River Lane agrees to film a documentary in Alaska to save her tanking career. Soon, she meets wilderness guide Easton Lockett, who helps River and her crew scale Mount Veil. But just as Easton starts falling for River, bad weather strikes and it’ll take all of his skills to get them all home safely—and convince River to stay with him for good.
What readers are saying: “This book of the series is the most exciting! I love the banter and chemistry between Easton and River so much! I sped through this book and it felt like I was up there climbing the mountain with them. The descriptions were everything and the story is fantastic!”
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