On the Bad on Paper podcast, 30-something reading enthusiasts and real-life besties Grace Atwood and Becca Freeman give you a weekly dose of books and banter, plus a monthly book club featuring a read they promise you won’t be able to put down. Since spring getaways are upon us, they were kind enough to put together a spring break reading list just for the CS readers. Take it away, ladies!
For us, Spring Break always means a lot of reading. Ideally poolside with a pina colada or something else tropical, frozen, and delicious. Luggage weight limits be damned, we both tend to pack at least four or five books for a week long vacation, and sometimes that’s not even enough! It’s preferable that we travel together so that we can share books.
Today we are excited to round up a few of our favorite juicy vacation reads. Whether it’s a keep-you-up-all-night thriller (Grace’s favorite) or a steamy romance novel (Becca’s go-to), we have you covered. We’ve personally vetted and read everything on this list and can stand by it wholeheartedly.
image by Hannah Haston
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
“We both loved this romance novel. We are huge fans of this author and liked that it was a little bit more realistic than a lot of romance novels out there. The title initially threw us for a loop BUT it’s not what you think – it’s actually about an unwanted proposal! (More on this one can be found in Episode 32 of Bad on Paper!)” -Grace
All These Beautiful Strangers by Elizabeth Klehfoth
“OK I’ve kind of had a thing about secret societies ever since I watched The Skulls in high school. A little bit Gossip Girl, a little bit Pretty Little Liars — this prep school thriller had me taking a sick day on a Wednesday to finish this book as fast as possible! It’s a page turner, you’ve been warned!” -Becca
Tell Me Lies by Carola Loverly
“Man, we wish this book was around when we were in our twenties – it would have saved us a lot of heartache! This is the very up and down story of beautiful Lucy and bad boy Stephen; following them through college and then the years after. If you’ve ever tried to convince yourself that the guy who doesn’t treat you so well will change, this book is an absolute must read!” -Grace
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
“A chic french divorcee embarks on a torrid, but surprisingly tender affair with the lead singer of a boy band after taking her tween daughter to see them perform. This may be the most addictive book I’ve ever read and definitely led to some very creepy Harry Styles-related Google searches. You will probably hate yourself a little for loving this book as much as you inevitably will.” -Becca
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
“This kept me up all night reading. I had to know what happened. It’s from the duo that brought us The Wife Between Us, so I knew it would be good. Jess is a broke makeup artist who agrees to be a subject in a psychological study. But somehow things go very wrong and she’s unable to tell what’s actually happening or if her mind is playing tricks on her. It’s a high-suspense thriller that kept me on my toes the entire time!” -Grace
Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
“Four southern debutantes end up in jail the night of their deb ball. The book alternates between the present and the year leading up to the ball slowly revealing how the girls became friends and, allegedly, partners in an actual crime. A lot of humor and heart, this YA book is a fun one. When you’re done, you can listen to our book club about this one on Episode 37 of the podcast.” -Becca
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
“This was one of the best romance books I’ve read. I loved the chemistry between the two characters and the buildup was fantastic. Nobody does sexual tension quite as well as Sally Thorne!” -Grace
You’d Be Mine by Erin Hann
“Did you love A Star Is Born? Do you want to experience it all over again, but with country music singing teenagers? Then this book is definitely for you. Annie Mathers, the teen daughter of country music royalty embarks on her first US tour with the teen star Clay Coolidge, and against her better judgement falls for him.” -Becca
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
“I couldn’t put this one down. This is the story of Macy and Elliot. Macy is in her late twenties and engaged to another man – when she runs into her childhood best friend/high school boyfriend, Elliot. They’d had a falling out and her entire world is shaken to the core. The book follows their story (in both present day and when they were young). I really loved it. Mostly because it made me remember what it was like to be in love. It’s very romantic and very sweet.” -Grace
A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood
“I fully believe this is the most underrated book of 2018, and I rave about it to everyone who will listen. Set in the 1920’s England, seventeen-year-old Lou has her whole world turned upside down when a pair of glamorous socialite siblings spend the summer in her sleepy seaside village.” -Becca
