Top 13 Christian Fiction Beach Reads for the Summer
Christian summer reads
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from purchases made through the affiliate links included in this post. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. See the Privacy Policy for more information.
Summer is my favorite season and one way to get in the mood for the beach is by curating an amazing TBR. And it’s officially time to start preparing your beach bag with all the best Christian fiction beach reads!
Kids are out of school and this is the time to start relaxing and taking that much-needed vacation. Nothing relaxes me more than reading fiction books while being baked like a potato in the sun.
If you are starting to make your list of summer books to read then keep scrolling! I will be sharing my favorite Christian beach books that are full of romance, mystery, and a little bit of suspense.
What are Christian beach reads?
Christian beach reads are books that are full of faith themes like hope and redemption, with major plot points of romance and usually some mystery.
Romance books are great to read in the summer because they are light-hearted and easy to get through. I personally don’t like reading very emotionally heavy books while on vacation. So romance beach reads make the most sense for me and many other readers!
Does Barnes and Noble have a Christian fiction section?
Yes! I love shopping at Barnes and Noble because they have a clearly defined Christian fiction section that makes it very easy to find the book you are looking for.
Plus, the chia tea lattes at the cafe always make any B&N outing a win for me.
What are Christian book clubs reading this summer?
One of my top picks for Christian book clubs is Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter. This book is perfect since it’s centered around a beach town PLUS it comes with book club discussion questions in the back.
Some of my favorite runner-ups are Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter and The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White.
No matter what book you choose, you will be able to discuss great faith-filled themes but also some light-hearted romance.
What books are similar to beach reads?
You may have heard of the popular book Beach Read by Emily Henry and be wondering are they’re any good Christian alternatives to be read.
Any of these books is a great alternative to enjoy while reading on the beach!
- Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley
- Ever Faithful by Karen Barnett
- Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter
- Once Upon a Summer by Toni Shiloh, Andrea Boyd, Teresa Tysinger, Jaycee Weaver
- In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh
- Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter
- The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White
- Beach Haven by T.I. Lowe
- Still Life by Dani Pettrey
- Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble
- Starfish Pier by Irene Hannon
- The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey
- Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren
Come join my new bookish community!
If you’re as passionate about reading as I am, why not take the next step and join my exclusive Facebook group, the Clean & Christian Readers Book Community?
It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into your literary journey, get personalized book recommendations, and share your favorite reads with a supportive community.
Best Christian fiction beach reads
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
1 | Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley
Christian Romantic Suspense
A security consultant named Kelsey Allen is hired to test the security of a museum after some artifacts go missing. However, her focus turns to murder and she learns that she may be in danger.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? The story is filled with romantic tension and suspense that is perfect to read while baking in the sun.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
2 | Ever Faithful by Karen Barnett
Christian Historical Romance, Mystery
Set in Yellowstone National Park during the Great Depression, the story follows Nate Webber, a man who joins the Civilian Conservation Corps to help his family, and Elsie Brookes, a ranger’s daughter who dreams of going to college. As they grow closer, a series of fires threaten their relationship and their future.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? If you are traveling to any National parks this summer, then this book will be perfect to take with you! The author also has other books based around different parks so make sure to check them out. It is a great Christian summer read.
Most of us ask God for an easy life. We even ask for it for our children. But sometimes it takes a little heat to break loose the seeds He’s planted deep inside us. Seeds we probably didn’t even know were there.
Karen Barnett, Ever Faithful
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
3 | Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter
Christian Contemporary Romance
Sophie Lawson reunites with her high school sweetheart Aiden Maddox at her sister’s wedding in Piper’s Cove. When a hurricane strands Aiden in town, Sophie agrees to put him up until the storm passes, leading to old feelings resurfacing. Meanwhile, Sophie has only a few days to open her dream bookshop. Will Aiden stick around and will he take a risk on love?
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? This book not only fits the joy of spring reading but also makes a great Christian fiction beach read! Set in Cape Cod, you will be swept away by the scenery and also with the sweetest romance.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
4 | Once Upon a Summer by Toni Shiloh, Andrea Boyd, Teresa Tysinger, Jaycee Weaver
Christian Romance, Fairy Tale Retellings
These short novels offer a fresh take on classic tales. It includes stories of a woman untangling her past, a woman finding love in France, a woman searching for her soulmate, and a couple rediscovering their love. These novels are perfect for a summer beach read.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoyed this book collection! Under 400 pages with 4 different stores, you will be swept away with these sweet romances.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
5 | In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh
Christian Contemporary Romance
Brielle Adebayo, a New York City schoolteacher discovers she is a princess in the African kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé and must assume the throne. She is further thrown into turmoil when she learns she must marry before taking the crown, and must navigate the challenges of love and leadership in a new country.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? If you love a good princess transformation then this Christian fiction beach read is for you! I loved reading about Brielle’s strong faith in God and the romance was so beautiful.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
6 | Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter
Christian Contemporary Romance
Maddy Monroe reunites with her estranged sisters at their family beach house in North Carolina after their grandmother goes missing. As they pack up family belongings, long-buried secrets come to light, and tensions rise between the sisters. Maddy also finds herself drawn to her grandmother’s neighbor, Connor Murphy, causing further turmoil. The sisters must learn to accept each other before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? The setting makes this an obvious choice to add to your Christian beach books list. Plus with themes of hope and forgiveness, it fits this season perfectly.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
7 | The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White
Christian Historical Romance
This story follows Lady Elizabeth Sinclair, who flees to the Isles of Scilly and becomes involved in the dangerous secrets left behind by the former occupant of her holiday cottage. Oliver Tremayne, a clergyman searching for his missing sister, joins forces with Libby to uncover the truth, leading them on a journey of discovery that includes ancient legends, pirate wrecks, and love.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? This historical fiction is not only a light-hearted romance but also involves treasure hunting! I love these types of stories and what better place to read them than on the beach?
He knows your name. Not Libby, not Elizabeth Sinclair. Your true name, the one at the heart of you that has never been spoken. He knows you, and He calls you by it. You, in all your uniqueness. You, in all that makes you different from others. You, in all that you have in common with them. He knows you, and He calls you by name. He knows how you fit into this world.
Roseanna M. White, The Nature of a Lady
Check out more Christian regency romance recommendations here!
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
8 | Beach Haven by T.I. Lowe
Christian Contemporary Romance
Opal Gilbert is a free-spirited woman who runs a vintage furniture shop in Sunset Cove. When ex-Marine Lincoln Cole arrives in town, Opal offers him a job, but he initially declines. However, after a hurricane damages Opal’s shop, Lincoln decides to help her repair it, and Opal’s well-meaning meddling begins to heal his wounds and capture his heart.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? Set on the Carolina Coast, this book is perfect to add to your Christian fiction beach reads TBR. The descriptive setting will have you feeling at home on the beach and smelling the salt in the air. Go pick up the whole series to have a summer of romance reading.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
9 | Still Life by Dani Pettrey
Christian Romantic Suspense
A crime scene photographer named Avery Tate’s life is upended when her best friend disappears. Avery and her boss Parker investigate the case and confront their feelings for each other as they come face-to-face with a dangerous criminal.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? I love reading romantic suspense novels and this series is one of my favorites! The theme of faith and redemption is strong between the two main characters as they get a second chance at romance. The plot line is full of so many twists and turns you won’t expect the ending.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
10 | Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble
Christian Romantic Suspense
Harper Taylor takes a DNA test and discovers she might have a half-sister, named Annabelle. While investigating, Harper and Annabelle, her potential sister, find out they have similar stories and backgrounds. At the same time, Harper feels attracted to Ridge, her business partner’s son. But as they try to work out their relationships, they need to face Harper’s past secrets to ensure their future together.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? If you love a good mystery novel, then this book is perfect for you! It has so MANY twists you will be shocked at the ending. The aspect of Harper being a marine biologist really cements this book on this Christian fiction beach reads list!
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
11 | Starfish Pier by Irene Hannon
Christian Contemporary Romance
Ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark runs fishing charters in Hope Harbor to decompress. When he meets first-grade teacher Holly Miller, they find themselves on opposite sides of an issue that disrupts their community, but as they search for common ground, they may discover a deeper connection and a future filled with promise.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? This whole series is so fun to read. The banter between the characters is amazing. The storyline is focused on hope and redemption with the sweetest romance you can read this summer.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
12 | The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey
Christian Romantic Suspense
Coast Guard Investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are investigating the death of an oil-rig worker. As they search for the truth, they must also navigate tensions aboard the rig, environmental activists, and an ancient curse. When a tropical storm hits, they become stranded and in even greater danger from the killer.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? Set in the middle of the ocean, you can’t get more beach read than this. The mix of mystery, suspense, and romance is perfectly balanced with a storyline that will suck you in from the beginning.
Between the storm howling outside and the darkness inside, things felt primed for danger.
Dani Pettrey, The Crushing Depths
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
13 | Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren
Christian Contemporary Romance
Billionaire Ian Shaw’s fortune has been liquidated, the woman he loves refuses to talk to him, and his niece is missing. Although he loves Sierra Rose, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.
The problem is that Sierra has found his niece, Esme, and promised to keep her location secret. A fundraising trip on Ian’s yacht turns into a nightmare, and he and Sierra end up on a strange, empty shore. They need a miracle to rescue them and their relationship.
🏖️ Why it’s a perfect Christian beach read? The characters had so much spiritual growth throughout the book. It had themes of hope and focus on how we all make choices during hard times in our lives. You will be crying one moment from the relatable characters and leaping with excitement the next. It’s the perfect blend of danger, suspense, and romance.
Did you find your favorite Christian fiction beach reads?
Reading during the summertime is a great way to pass the day away and deepen your faith in God. These stories have themes of hope, redemption, and forgiveness that we can all improve on in our walk with God. By reading books that are both entertaining and spiritually uplifting, you will be able to recharge your heart while enjoying the warm weather on the beach.
I encourage you to make it a goal this summer to pick up a new Christian fiction beach read!
You will be surprised at how inspired and lifted you feel after reading some good stories. If you need even more book recommendations check out this post by Crosswalk!
Happy reading!
