winter reads for those cold day blues

January in Michigan is a frozen hell. The temperature is below freezing, the snow is insane, and the sun rarely comes out. It even smells cold here. When it is freezing outside, I don't really want to read cold books. I want to read something warm and full of summer fun to transport me to a better place than this frozen tundra in which I am forced to inhabit.

So, to help get you out of those cold day blues, I have compiled a list of the best summer set books to beat those cold winter days.

1. The Kissing Booth, Beth Reekles

The Kissing Booth is set during Elle and Lee's junior year of high school in a warm summery town in California. This book gives you plenty of warm moments that will brighten your cold, cloudy days. From days at the pool, drives in the sun, and dancing on the pier, you will fall in love not only with these relatable characters, but with the warm setting as well. If this isn't enough of Elle and Lee for you, check out The Beach House and The Kissing Booth 2!

2. Along for the Ride, Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride follows Auden as she travels to sunny, warm Colby for the summer to visit her father and his new wife and baby. Auden doesn't have high expectations for this summer, but things turn around when her new stepmom asks Auden to help out at the small boutique she has on the pier. At the boutique, Auden makes new friends and gets the chance to be a teenager like she never did at home. Following Auden around Colby takes you to warm, sunny location full of friendship and love.

3. Love Your Life, Sophie Kinsella

This book starts out in sunny, warm Italy! Ava sets out for a writing retreat in costal Italy where she meets the mysterious "Dutch". Rules of the retreat dictate that the members conceal their real identities and personal information. This is to keep them focused on their writing. Aria (Ava) and Dutch have a whirlwind romance in Italy. But what will happen when the retreat ends and their real identities are revealed? Find out in this funny, warm, romantic-comedy by Sophie Kinsella.

4. No Judgements, Meg Cabot

What better way to leave your winter blues behind than a book that takes place in Key West, Florida? No Judgements is set on a small island in Key West where a young girl gets a job at a cafe after leaving her life behind. This book is about fresh starts, falling in love, and protecting furry animals. A hurricane is headed for Little Bridge Island, but not all the residents are fleeing. Bree and Drew set out to rescue all the animals left behind when their owners fled the hurricane. This novel will give you all kinds of warm, fuzzy feelings to brighten your day. If you fall in love with Little Bridge as I did, check out No Offense which is Cabot's return to Little Bridge, but with a new character.

5. True to Me, Kay Bratt

True to Me is set in Hawaii which makes it the perfect read for a break from winter. After Quinn's mother dies and informs her that who she thought was her father actually isn't, Quinn travels to Maui. Quinn's mother grew up in Maui and that seems like the perfect place for Quinn to re-connect with her and to learn about who she really is. What Quinn learns is different from anything she expected. She planned to stay for a few weeks, but ends up falling in love with Maui as readers will also do.

While this list is short and sweet, it gives you a great start to combating the winter blues coursing through you. A few other notable mentions are The Rest of the Story and Saint Anything both by Sarah Dessen. Though anything written by Dessen is a great winter read for summer settings.

Hope this gives you a start to warming up this winter.

Happy reading!

-Cath