Spring break is a time to unwind, recharge and maybe even soak up some sun. But before you pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, don’t forget to toss in a good book!
Whether you’re craving a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance or a thought-provoking read, there’s a perfect book out there waiting to be discovered. Check out this selection of captivating stories across various genres, perfect for diving into during your spring break getaway.
“Stone Cold Fox” by Rachel Koller Croft
Bea, a master manipulator groomed by her mother, sets her sights on marrying into wealth. Her target, the clueless Collin, is easy prey, but his shrewd childhood friend Gale proves a tougher challenge. As Bea navigates the world of old money and dodges her shady past, the line between expert player and exposed fraud blurs, forcing her to confront what “winning” truly means.
“Built to Last” by Erin Hahn
Shelby Springfield has spent the last 10 years trying to overcome her past as a former child star. It’s also hard to forget her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs — the one who got away. But when their friend Lyle decides to stir the pot, getting the two back in the spotlight with a home renovation show, Cameron and Shelby can’t help but come on board. Sparks and sawdust fly as they film the pilot for “Homemade” and battle Lyle’s shenanigans at every turn. Erin Hahn’s sparkling rom-com debut, “Built to Last,” is a second-chance romance sure to have readers falling in love fast.
“Come and Get It” by Kiley Reid
It’s 2017 at the University of Arkansas. Millie Cousins, a senior resident assistant, wants to graduate, get a job and buy a house. So, when Agatha Paul, a visiting professor and writer, offers Millie an easy yet unusual opportunity, she jumps at the chance. But Millie’s starry-eyed hustle becomes jeopardized by odd new friends, vengeful dorm pranks and illicit intrigue. A fresh and intimate portrait of desire, consumption and reckless abandon, “Come and Get It” is a tension-filled story about money, indiscretion and bad behavior.
“Real Men Knit” by Kwana Jackson
Jesse Strong, known for loyalty to his family and a history of heartbreak, must decide the future of his family’s Harlem knitting store after his mother’s death. A childhood friend offers a helping hand, but can Jesse overcome his reputation to win her heart? Jesse is determined to prove to her that he can be the man for her — after all, real men knit.
“Hula” by Jasmin Iolani Hakes
Hi’i, descendant of a famed hula dynasty, seeks to heal her fractured family and revive their legacy through dance. But a hidden truth threatens their future, forcing the community to choose and Hi’i to confront her past. Part incantation, part rallying cry, “Hula” is a love letter to a stolen paradise and its people. Told in part by the tribal We, it connects Hawaii’s tortured history to its fractured present through the story of the Naupaka family.
“Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop” by Roselle Lim
Tired of seeing fortunes in teacups, fortune-teller-against-her-will Vanessa seeks a fresh start in Paris. With a matchmaking disaster looming and a death prediction hanging over her, she embarks on a self-discovery journey, navigating her quirky aunt’s tea stall, mending a broken love story and ultimately learning to embrace her unique gift.
“Girl, Serpent, Thorn” by Melissa Bashardoust
Cursed to be poisonous to the touch, Princess Soraya has lived a life of isolation. With her twin brother’s wedding looming, she grapples with a choice: seek the answer to her freedom from a mysterious demon or embrace a connection with a man who sees her true self. As her actions unfold, Soraya faces a profound identity crisis, blurring the lines between human, monster, princess and demon.
“The Other Black Girl” by Zakiya Dalila Harris
In a cutthroat New York publishing house, Nella, the lone Black editor, welcomes a new colleague, Hazel. But as Hazel thrives and Nella faces hostility, the line between ambition and manipulation blurs. Nella must fight to stay afloat in a company where power dynamics and racial tensions simmer just beneath the surface.
“The Great Reclamation” by Rachel Heng
Ah Boon, a gifted young man in colonial Singapore, discovers a magical ability to find hidden islands. As his nation faces war and transformation, he and his childhood friend Siok Mei grapple with love, loss and the sacrifices demanded by progress, all while their world literally shifts beneath their feet.
Ashlee Conour is the marketing specialist at Naperville Public Library.
