After compiling my summer reading list back in May, I quickly decided to save those four reads for my summer vacation… at the end of this month. Putting faith in my own willpower and patience (which has proved very difficult) to wait and save the likes of “Marriage Vacation” (seriously, I’m dying to find out the contents of page 58!), “The Favorite Sister,” and “Crazy Rich Asians” (obviously before the film comes out ideally) for the moment my four-hour flight finally takes off and departs New York City.

Ugh, it felt like agony waiting (err, well, still does)… And then, I tried to reread some of my older reads on my bookshelf in the interim, but that can prove little fun, especially when you already know how the stories end. And so, I turned to a laundry list of reads from the library and my latest Amazon wish lists to tide me over, adding to my summer reading list as I attempt to save my original picks for vacation time.

“The Dirty Book Club” by Lisi Harrison

What Millennial girl doesn’t remember reading “The Clique” series growing up? I remember that the third book only in the series was on sale at my elementary school book fair, and my mom picked it up for me a few days before my class went. I devoured it in one sitting, and then insisted my mom take me right to the bookstore (RIP, Borders) to go back and get the two previous books and then the fourth one in the lineup. Well I was already four books of the series in and researching when the next one would be out, when my class finally went to the book fair, and literally every girl in my class heeded my suggestion and was ecstatic to get the Clique book #3 that was still on the shelf. Such a book trendsetter, even way back when… And then, I kept reading the entire series. Flash forward to last week at the library, when mid-browse, I came across “The Dirty Book Club” by none other than one of my favorite childhood authors! Flipped to the inside cover, and I was intrigued to open to page one and start reading this one.

In Harrison’s debut adult novel, four complete strangers together inherit a secret dirty book club that initially started in the 1960s when the original members (and lifelong besties) follow through on a long-held pact to move to Europe. As the group of unlikely friends bond over these scandalous bestsellers, each woman (book club members past and present) reveal intimate details of their own life as the book club, letters from original members, and their friendship “help each other find the courage to rewrite their own stories and risk it all for a happy ending,” Amazon summarizes. It may sound cheesy or like a copycat 50 Shades or something, but it’s truly like nothing I’ve ever read before with its wit and surprising plot points, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

“The Wedding Date” by Jasmine Guillory

After waiting weeks to scooch up the library’s hold list of 60-plus potential readers, I finally received this contemporary romance novel this weekend. And it lived up to the hype as an adorable modern happily-ever-after love story read.

What happens when protagonist Alexa meets handsome doctor Drew in a hotel elevator that gets stuck? Well, naturally, he invites her to be his wedding plus-one. What initially starts as a simple transaction so he won’t be the groomsman who RSVP’ed for two and then ends up alone soon becomes way more when feelings develop, of course. Adorable in all its romantic glory that makes it an enchanting and delightful summer read.

“When Life Gives You Lululemons” by Lauren Weisberger

Next up on my nightstand is the latest Devil Wears Prada novel, except it takes place years later with West Coast image consultant Emily (aka Emily Blunt’s character from the Meryl Streep-Anne Hathaway film).

Initially, I planned to put this book on hold at the library, but after seeing the newly released novel had almost 300 holds in front of me, I broke down and Amazon Prime’d a copy to my apartment, which actually arrived the same day a copy of “The Wedding Date” was available for me to pick up. With Guillory’s book finished, it’s now time to move on to what happens when Miranda Priestly’s former assistant turned image consultant Emily’s new opportunity takes her to the Connecticut suburbs for a comeback opportunity for a new client, a former supermodel. And yes, Miranda Priestly will be back, I’m told. And, I’m officially off to page one!

“Limelight” by Amy Poeppel

This book takes place when wife and mother of three Allison decides to pack up her roots and move her family cross-country to Manhattan for the first time. Trading their suburban Texas spacious home, easy-to-get-into schools for the kids and her teaching career for a comparatively small three-bedroom apartment, three school admissions to contend with, her husband’s new and busy law practice, no job prospect for her lined up, and taking care of three kids in the city, Allison worries if moving her family was the right call. When a chance encounter gives Allison the chance to become the personal assistant to a young Hollywood pop star in town to make his Broadway debut, she finds herself balancing motherhood with a glamorous new life, showing her a glimpse of a very different side of Manhattan.

With realistic expectations of Manhattan (haha, totally relatable), Poeppel’s novel brings laughs, witty dialogue and plot points into this delightfully charming read.

“Campaign Widows” by Aimee Agresti

Admittedly, I know nothing about the inner workings of politics, but somehow this novel stuck out to me.

When the newly engaged Cady moves to DC with her  boyfriend-turned-fiance, she’s thrust into the influential world of D.C’s elite wives, a club of significant others who’s spouses are away on the campaign trail. Told in several viewpoints of a “fabulous Georgetown doyenne,” a mommy blogger, a website editor, Cady the news producer, and a First Lady hopeful who isn’t sure she wants to gig, it seems this unlikely group of friends are just what’s needed for these five to survive the campaign and election season and get exactly what it is that they do want. Call me intrigued, and I was, until the very last page.

“My Oxford Year” by Julia Whelan

Honestly, this one struck me simply by the word “Oxford” and the image of the English city on the cover. What can I say, ever since I studied abroad in London (and visited Oxford), I’ve had severe wanderlust for the UK, which makes me a sucker for any book set in London and England.

This book takes place when American Ella has the chance to pursue a Rhodes Scholarship at the legendary Oxford University. As the Amazon summary reads, “With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.” She soon discovers that smart-mouthed local is the handsome English professor that teaches her first class at Oxford. Soon enough, a connection is developed between the two and with the expiration date of her Visa in sight, she soon is conflicted with “if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.” Cute, adorable, and based in England? Seems it was just what I look for in a summer read.

Keep on reading, my lovely followers! ✨