Every year, here at Under the Covers, we like to get in the mood for the season by reading some books that embody the feel of summer for us. This year, we have a few recommendations for you that we thought would be perfect to read on a hot summer afternoon enjoying some sun and the perfect beverage to quench the thirst. We’ve paired up some drinks with those recommendations, and hope that they’ll make for a fun day of reading enjoyment for you!
TEST DRIVE by Marie Harte – This new series has everything you want in a summer read. Great humor, hotter than hell sex and plenty of delicious men all greased up and waiting for you to devour! Good news is, you don’t have to wait long for book two! ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE comes out in September.
Pair this with your favorite beer of choice! No frilly drinks here. Just something quick and convenient and that will help you cool off after Test Drive heats you up.
SEASIDE LOVERS by Melissa Foster – When it comes to summer reading of course Melissa Foster’s Seaside Summers series comes to mind. Set in Cape Cod, these books just scream vacation to me! Luckily, there are already six other books in the series so you’re set for summer reading!
The perfect pairing for this is no other than the Cape Codder! Yes, that’s a drink! Here’s how you make it.
2 ounces vodka
5 ounces cranberry juice
Wedge of lime
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine the vodka and cranberry juice over ice in a chilled highball glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Variations:
Bay Breeze: Use 4 ounces unsweetened pineapple juice and 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice.
Sea Breeze: Use 4 ounces fresh grapefruit juice and 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice.
Madras: Replace 2 1/2 ounces of the cranberry juice with 2 1/2 ounces of fresh orange juice, and garnish with a slice or orange.
SMOKE & MIRRORS by Charlie Cochet – If you’re looking for something that’s not Contemporary for this summer, I would highly suggest trying out the THIRDS series if you haven’t already. With plenty of action/suspense, funny wisecracking and epic sex scenes, this series is sure to get you all hot and bothered if you like M/M Romance.
Ahhhh nothing better than reading this one sitting on our porch with a Whiskey Lemonade.
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE LEMONADE
1 cup freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
3 – 4 cups Water
Lemon slices
½ cup of Honey
FOR THE WHISKEY LEMONADE
2 oz Whiskey
4 – 6 oz of fresh Lemonade
Few slices of Lemon
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE LEMONADE
Squeeze all the juice from your lemons to equal 1 cup and pour into a pitcher.
Pour in the water, the honey, the lemon slices and mix well. You’re done!
FOR THE WHISKEY LEMONADE
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Pour in the whiskey first and then fill with the fresh lemonade.
Throw in a few slices of lemon and give it a good stir.
You are going to love love this one!
DEATH AND RELAXATION by Devon Monk
When it comes to summer reading I get a craving for small towns! And just to spice up this list up a bit, I wanted to give you a non-romance book. This is book one in a new urban fantasy with a great set of characters and an original take on paranormals. It’s a lot of fun and the perfect companion on a summer afternoon.
As our heroine is such a coffee enthusiast, I was left craving heaps of coffee while reading this. So what better way to cool off than with a cold frappe!
INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons instant coffee
2 teaspoons sugar
Cold water
Ice cubes
2 tablespoons evaporated or regular milk
DIRECTIONS
1. Place the coffee, sugar, and 2 tablespoons cold water in a shaker, jar, blender, or drink mixer. Cover and shake well for 30 seconds, or, if using a blender, drink mixer, or handheld frother, mix for 15 seconds to produce a thick, light-brown foam.
2. Place a few ice cubes in a tall glass. Slowly pour the coffee foam into the glass. Fill the glass with water, adding milk if desired. Serve the frappe immediately with a thin, flexible straw and glass of cold water on the side.
Nothing better to read this summer than sexy farmers that might be a little sweaty from days working in the sun! 😉 And I have two series recommendations for you that fit that bill
The HUDSON VALLEY series by Alice Clayton – This series is all about fun and sexy and might just introduce you to your next book boyfriend. Both Leo and Oscar are to die for sexy and are not afraid to work with their hands. You can’t go wrong with them!
Since we have nuts and milk, there’s really no better pairing than a smoothie for this one! So how a blueberry banana shake?
Ingredients:
1 large frozen banana, chopped into chunks
1 tbsp chia seeds
1.25 cups Almond Milk
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
Directions:
Add Almond milk into blender followed by the rest of the ingredients. Blend until smooth. Add sweetener if preferred. Serves 1 (about 2 cups).
The TRUE NORTH series by Sarina Bowen – This one packs a bigger emotional punch than the other one but it’s still a fun setting and it’ll leave you in search of your local farms (both for food and hot men!) even though both books aren’t necessarily set in a farm. I do think I’ve found a completely new appeal for outdoor showers 😉
Best enjoyed with a glass of your favorite local Apple Cider or Apple pie!
HOLLYWOOD DIRT by Alessandra Torre – This isn’t a brand new release, but one I loved reading and it has a really cool setting that fits perfectly with this season. Southern small town, sexy celebrity hero, feisty local heroine, enemies to lovers appeal and a cute chicken! What more can you ask for?!
Oh that’s right, a cool glass of sweetened icea tea to sip on while reading it.
THE ANGEL’S SHARE by J.R. Ward – This book encompasses classic elegance but let’s not forget that this is J.R. Ward we’re talking about here. Of course there’s going to be a little twist. Expect lots of dirty secrets, lots of unexpected turns. THE ANGELS’ SHARE will no doubt put a little scandal into your summer!
How about enjoying this amazing series while sipping on a Cranberry Old-Fashioned?
Ingredients
1 orange wedge
1 sugar cube
Dash of bitters
Crushed ice
1/4 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons whole-berry cranberry sauce
Club soda
Garnish: orange twist and fresh cranberries
Preparation
Mash orange wedge, sugar cube, and bitters against bottom and sides of a 10-oz. old fashioned glass using a muddler or wooden spoon. Fill glass with crushed ice. Stir in bourbon, cranberry sauce, and a splash of club soda. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately.
DON’T LET GO by Jaci Burton – Looking for an escape? In need of something to get you away from your hectic lifestyle? DON’T LET GO is the perfect refresher for this summer! Sweet, sexy and heartwarming, this book has everything you’d want in a good old small-town romance. Plus, there’s a hero that’s to die for!
Enjoy this book while sipping on a blueberry lemon mint infused water. Wonderfully refreshing!
More ideas on infused waters here
There you have it. More books that you can possibly handle this summer!
Now let’s go make it a good one.
Which ones would you recommend to read this summer?
Summer recs from previous years: 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
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Ahhh, my taste buds just woke up when I started reading each book and beverage pairing. 🙂
I either have read it or have it on the pile for all, but two. Wow! Guess a similar idea of summer reading happened. And now there is another one on the pile after reading the blurb. 🙂
Thanks for all the recs!!!
I read the drink recommendations first to decide which book to read 😉
Test Drive adequate….so many others from which to choose!
alot of great reads, and even better drinks!!!! i loved the cape codder and the blueberry-banana shake!!!
I want to read #3, book 2 in #5 & #6, I’ve read Hollywood Dirt (5 star for me) and I want to start the #8 series.