Paperbacks to read before the summer ends

A high-octane thriller perfect for squeezing in before the summer fades, To Die For is David Baldacci at his most gripping. Travis Devine returns – this time as a bodyguard protecting a young girl whose parents’ suspicious deaths lead straight into the jaws of danger. But with a killer closing in and betrayal lurking close, Devine may not survive long enough to uncover the truth. Packed with deadly secrets, explosive twists, and a pace that barely lets you breathe, this is the kind of paperback you’ll race through in one sun-soaked weekend.

If your summer reading needs a dash of charm, mystery, and a talking cat, The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case is the perfect paperback to pick up before the season slips away. Former detective Lulu Lewis and her feline confidant Conrad (yes, he talks – and no, she’s not imagining it) uncover a chilling link between a Manchester crime spree and long-forgotten murders. Brimming with wit and clever twists, this cosy crime book is ideal for readers who like their mysteries intriguing but heartwarming.

If you're after one last feel-good escape before summer slips away, The Spellshop is the paperback to reach for. Full of magic, mischief, and the soft glow of new beginnings, Sarah Beth Durst’s cosy fantasy follows introverted librarian Kiela and her sentient spider plant as they flee revolution and open a secret spellshop on a sleepy island. With sweet romance, lush world-building, and just enough danger to keep you turning the pages, this is a warm, whimsical tale perfect for curling up with on a lazy August afternoon.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the perfect paperback to devour before the summer ends. In this first installement of Carissa Broadbent's Crowns of Nyaxia universe, a human girl raised by a vampire king enters a brutal tournament where trust can kill – and love might destroy her. With Hunger Games-level stakes, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and a heroine who refuses to break, this is the kind of paperback that turns a lazy summer day into an all-night binge.

Escape with The Lost Lover, a sweeping, romantic tale that whisks you from the wild cliffs of St Kilda to the dazzling streets of 1930s Paris. Karen Swan will transport you through heartbreak, ambition, and long-buried secrets as Flora MacQueen navigates love lost and a life transformed. With its windswept beauty, emotional depth, and irresistible blend of history and glamour, this is the kind of paperback made for when you want a story as rich and wistful as the season’s end.

For one last hit of sun-soaked escapism, Ride With Me is the steamy, high-speed paperback to reach for. Sparks fly in Vegas when F1 driver Thomas and recently jilted Stella wake up married – and decide to stay that way. What starts as a scandal-saving fix quickly swerves into something deeper, with a sizzling slow burn that’ll keep your heart racing. Packed with chemistry and a dash of chaos, Simone Soltani’s romance is pure end-of-summer fun. Perfect for readers who want their final August fling to come with champagne, adrenaline, and a whole lot of heat.

If you’re looking for a powerful, emotionally charged paperback to round out your summer reading, The Women is unmissable. Kristin Hannah delivers an unforgettable story of love, loss, and courage through the eyes of Frankie McGrath, a young nurse who trades California’s calm for the chaos of 1960s Vietnam. As she faces the horrors of war and the alienation of returning home, Frankie’s strength, and the fierce bonds between women, shine through. Deeply moving, this bestseller is perfect for those days when you want a novel that truly stays with you.

Make the most of the summer’s final stretch with The Map of Bones, a richly woven historical epic that spans centuries and continents. Kate Mosse brings the Joubert women’s stories to a powerful close, from seventeenth-century Southern Africa to a legacy that still haunts nearly 200 years later. Brimming with danger, resilience, and the strength of generations, this is a book that deserves a spot in your end-of-summer stack.

Percival Everett’s sharp, moving reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn finally gives Jim – now James – his own voice and story. As he escapes slavery and treks the Mississippi with Huck, Everett weaves humour, heartbreak, and biting political insight into every page. Winner of multiple major prizes, James is both a gripping adventure and a searing reckoning with American history. If you’re after a novel that’s as thought-provoking as it is beautifully written, don’t let the summer end without reading this extraordinary book.

If you’re after an emotionally rich novel to savour, Long Island is the paperback to pick up. Colm Tóibín returns to the world of Brooklyn with a quietly powerful story of love, memory, and second chances. When a knock at Eilis Fiorello’s door shatters the life she’s built in America, she’s drawn back to Ireland – and to the questions she thought were long buried. With its tender exploration of the past’s pull and the fragility of choice, this is a late-summer read to get lost in and linger over.

If you're already craving crunchy leaves and candlelit evenings, Rewitched is the perfect paperback to bridge the seasons. Set in a charming London bookshop with a secret magical twist, Lucy Jane Wood’s cosy fantasy follows burned-out witch Belladonna Blackthorn as she rediscovers her spark. With found family, gentle romance, and an autumnal vibe that practically smells like pumpkin spice, this is a heartwarming, magical read to curl up with as the nights begin to draw in. Summer’s not over – but autumn is calling.

If you’re ready to trade sun-drenched stories for something a little darker before summer ends, The Burial Plot is your perfect transition read. Set in 1839 London, this gothic thriller oozes with creeping dread, crumbling mansions, and secrets that fester just beneath the surface. As runaway Bonnie navigates the eerie halls of a grand house by the Thames, danger looms – and not just from the past she’s trying to escape. With its haunting atmosphere and twisting suspense, Elizabeth Macneal’s latest is ideal for readers already yearning for autumn chills and candlelit nights. Let the shadows in – just a little early.