My Brat Summer Book Picks + Green Book Recs (14+)
Images via Goodreads
Brat Summer or clowning for Reputation (Taylor’s version)?. At least that’s what I and every other Swifties did for their brat summer. Reading brat summer themed books and waiting anticipatedly for Reputation (Taylor’s Version). So here are some of the books I read for my brat summer and some more green books I picked for the rec that have the same vibes as Brat Summer.
*Important – I don’t own all the pictures used in this post or on my edits, so I always mention the source and credits as all the rights go to respective owners. But I only claim the editing so please contact me if you have any problem. Thank you.
(All the images used in this post are from Goodreads.)
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Alaska Young, you would have loved Brat by Charlie XCS. I chose this one first because this is one of my favorite books and books to tv adaptation. The book and movie follows Miles Halter, a teenager who leaves his home in Florida to attend a boarding school in Alabama and his friends
Looking for Alaska is based on John Green’s best selling novel which follows Miles Halter (Pudge) and his friends as they attend Culver Creek Boarding School .Miles used to have a safe environment back at home. As he starts his high school journey things start changing as he meets “The gorgeous, clever, funny, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young.” This show also explores his friends and their life as they face challenges of teenage life, friendship, classes, pranks and more until a tragedy happens and they are left with questions.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People follows two teenagers Connell and Marianne navigating their life as they come from different backgrounds from the same small town in rural Ireland. Despite all the differences they grow close to each other and form a complex friendship and relationship.
But as time passes they fall apart as they become the right person at the wrong time taking the memories with them. And, deep down they both know, they see each other again and it will make them cry all over again when it comes to an end. Because it is all they hoped for but couldn’t recommend.
Just for the Summer (Part of Your World, #3) by Abby
The book of the summer 2024. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez is the 3rd book in the Part of Your World Series. The book introduces Justin and Emma. Justin is a charming engineer with an unusual problem: every woman he dates quickly finds their soulmate and marries. Emma, a traveling nurse, shares a similar unlucky-in-love experience.
After discovering each other’s predicament online, they devise a plan: a short-term relationship to break their respective “curses” and pave the way for their true loves. However, as their connection deepens amidst unexpected challenges, both Justin and Emma start questioning their original plan. The story explores themes of love, commitment, and personal growth as they navigate their complicated situation and the possibility of a genuine connection.
The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce
Georgia is thrown into wedding planning chaos when her best friend’s wedding venue burns down. To make matters worse, she must work closely with her ex-boyfriend, Eli, who broke her heart years ago.
As they navigate the stressful planning process together, old feelings resurface, and they are forced to confront their past. Georgia struggles with the fear of getting hurt again, while the rekindled connection with Eli offers a glimmer of hope for a second chance at love.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Daphne, recently dumped by her fiancé, finds herself in an unexpected living situation with Miles, her ex-fiancé’s new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend. Their initial awkwardness slowly transforms into a genuine friendship as they navigate their shared trauma and personal growth.
When a lie about their relationship status leads to a fake dating scenario, their connection deepens, and Daphne begins to question her initial assumptions about Miles. As they spend more time together, she discovers a kind, supportive, and adventurous side to him, making her reconsider her heart’s desires.
The story follows Daphne’s journey of self-discovery as she rebuilds her life and explores the possibility of love with Miles.
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
Ama, an aspiring wedding planner, lands her dream job planning a high-profile wedding. However, the situation becomes complicated when she discovers her ex-boyfriend, Elliott, is the florist for the event. They must navigate their past relationship while working closely together to create the perfect wedding.
As they rekindle their professional partnership, old feelings resurface, forcing them to confront their unresolved emotions and decide if a second chance at love is possible.
Hopeless (Chestnut Springs, #5) by Elsie Silver
The last and the final book in the series which follows Beau Eaton and Bailey Jensen. Beau has been quiet ever since he came back from the Military after something extreme happened to him. As much the town considers him the life saver, town prince and protective hero it’s eating him up internally. His family is worried about him too.
And on the other hand Bailey is determined to save enough money and leave this town and her abusive family after everything she went through all her life and still receiving as an outcast. The town people treat her disrespectfully. So in the meantime to fix their own things, they both strike up a deal to get engaged which will help them solve their problem temporarily. And what is supposed to be temporary soon becomes permanent as their secrets get stronger and the pretending game becomes reality.
Twisted Lies (Twisted, #4) by Ana Huang
Twisted Lies is the fourth and final book in the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.
There are 4 books in the series and it follows a group of girls who have been friends since college. Each of them have their own book and the last one is about Stella and Cristian.
The story centers on Christian Harper, a charming yet dangerous man, and Stella Alonso, a shy and introverted social media star. Despite their contrasting personalities, they are drawn to each other. Christian, driven by a mysterious obsession, manipulates circumstances to bring Stella closer. She, guarded and hesitant, is slowly drawn into his world. Their relationship is a complex interplay of desire, deception, and danger. As their connection deepens, secrets and lies threaten to destroy everything they’ve built.
Leather & Lark (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2) by Brynne Weaver
Lachlan Kane is trying to escape his violent past by running a leather studio. However, a botched job drags him back into the underworld. To gain his freedom, he must agree to a fake marriage with Lark Montague, a bright and bubbly singer-songwriter.
Despite their initial animosity, they must work together to hunt down a killer while navigating a dangerous world filled with secrets and threats. As their fake marriage becomes increasingly real, they must confront their growing attraction and the possibility of a future together.
The Finisher (Dark Verse, #4) by RuNyx
The Finisher is the 4th book in the Dark Verse Series. It’s about Alessandro ‘Alpha’ Villanova and Zephyr de la Vega. We meet Alpha at the end of the 3rd book, The Emperor. If you read the 3rd book you’ll piece things together and understand how they are connected. Same goes with zephyr by the end of this book (Both are equally one of the top plot twists of dark verse). Alpha and Zephyr were childhood friends as Zephyr promised Alpha’s mom to take care of him for the rest of his life but at 18, Alpha suddenly disappears.
After a decade Zephyr finds him but he doesn’t remember anything as his memories are totally wiped after something that happened 10 years ago but she refuses to lose him again and proposes to him with an undeniable offer of marriage. Seeing the beneficial side, Alpha agrees and Zephyr starts her mission to make him remember and fall in love all over again.
As their story progresses we meet the previous couples and find more truth about the syndicate. The finisher kind of ends in a semi cliffhanger giving alpha and zephyr a happy for now as mentioned in the authors note. But we’re definitely getting more in the final book as promised.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
The House Across the Lake is a suspenseful thriller by Riley Sager. The story follows Casey Fletcher, a troubled actress who retreats to her family’s lake house after a personal tragedy. Obsessed with her glamorous neighbors across the lake, Casey becomes entangled in a mystery when the wife vanishes.
The novel explores themes of voyeurism, grief, and the unreliability of perception. With its atmospheric setting and unexpected twists, the book has been compared to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window.”
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
None of This Is True is a psychological thriller by Lisa Jewell. The novel follows podcast host Alix Summer as she becomes entangled with the mysterious Josie Fair after a chance encounter. As Alix investigates Josie’s life for her podcast, she uncovers dangerous truths and finds herself in a perilous situation. The book explores themes of identity, truth, and the dark side of the media.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Verity is a psychological thriller by Colleen Hoover that deviates from her typical romance novels. The story follows a struggling writer, Lowen, who is hired to finish a successful author’s book series after the author is injured. Lowen discovers a shocking, unpublished autobiography revealing dark secrets about the author’s life. The novel explores themes of truth, deception, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction.
I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a candid memoir by Baek Se-hee that offers a raw look at mental health struggles. Structured as a series of therapy sessions, the book delves into the author’s experiences with depression and anxiety while providing insights into South Korean culture’s perspective on mental health. With a mix of humor and honesty, Baek Se-hee explores self-discovery and the therapeutic process, making it a relatable and impactful read.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
Dolly Alderton’s memoir is a humorous and heartfelt exploration of young adulthood. Through a mix of personal anecdotes, witty observations, and relatable struggles, she chronicles the journey of navigating love, friendship, career, and self-discovery. The book delves into the challenges and triumphs of growing up, highlighting the importance of female friendships and the often-messy process of figuring out life. It’s a relatable and entertaining read that offers both laughter and comfort to those navigating their own twenties.
