“Staying married, she’d decided, was a choice; one that had less to do with love and more with forbearance.”
If you loved The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner, you probably find yourself on the hunt for similar novels that blend family drama, secrets and emotional storytelling. Weiner is renowned for writing heartfelt, multi-generational fiction that explores love, second chances and the complexities of family relationships – making her books the perfect mix of drama and warmth. Whether you’re lured by women’s fiction about family secrets, contemporary fiction with complicated relationships or beach reads with emotional depth, we’ve got you covered at What We Reading. In this list, we’re curating our favourite books like The Summer Place that deliver unforgettable characters, past mistakes coming to light and families learning to heal. So, if you’re looking for books like Jennifer Weiner’s novels, keep reading!
The Summer Place Summary
In The Summer Place, Jennifer Weiner delivers a heartwarming, multi-generational novel about love, family secrets and the passage of time. When twenty-two-year-old Ruby announces her whirlwind engagement, her stepmother, Sarah, is caught off guard. The wedding is slated to take place at the family’s beloved Cape Cod summer home – a place brimming with memories and long-buried secrets.
As the wedding approaches, Sarah wrestles with her disintegrating marriage, while her mother, Ronnie, struggles to say goodbye to a house that has been with the family for generations. Elsewhere, unexpected reunions and revelations for each family member to confront past regrets and hidden truths. With wit and emotional depth, Wiener’s novel explores how love evolves over time, the weight of past choices and the unbreakable ties of family.
That Summer – Jennifer Weiner
Kicking off our list of books like The Summer Place is another one of the best Jennifer Weiner novels, That Summer. The story follows Daisy Shoemaker, a successful woman with a seemingly perfect life – except for a growing sense of dissatisfaction and mysterious emails meant for someone else.
The emails are intended for Diana Starling, a powerful and self-assured woman whose life appears to be everything Daisy’s isn’t. When the two finally connect, they form an unexpected friendship. Yet, as their bond grows, Daisy begins to suspect that Diana’s sudden arrival might not be a coincidence. As the painful truths of a summer long ago are gradually brought to light, Daisy is forced to confront the past and reconsider everything she thought she knew.
Malibu Rising – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising is a gripping family drama set in 1983, following the famous Riva siblings – Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit – who are all infamous for their glamorous lives and annual end-of-summer party in Malibu. As the night of their latest gathering unfolds, tensions rise, secrets are revealed, and, by morning, the party will have spiralled into chaos, engulfing Malibu in flames.
The story switches between the dramatic events of the party and flashbacks to the Rivas’ childhood, exploring how their father, the legendary musician Mick Riva, shaped their lives through abandonment and betrayal. With Taylor Jenkins Reid’s signature storytelling, Malibu Rising is a captivating novel similar to The Summer Place based on its multi-generational drama, emotional storytelling and exploration of family, fame and the bonds between siblings.
Check Out The Best Books Like Malibu Rising
The Beach House – Mary Alice Monroe
When Cara Rutledge, a career-focused woman in her late forties, is called home by her ailing mother, Lovie, she begrudgingly finds herself returning to the beloved beach house from her childhood. Lovie, a gentle and wise woman, is deeply connected to the coastal environment and the endangered sea turtles she helps to protect. As she faces a terminal illness, she hopes to reconnect with Cara and share her love for the Lowcountry way of life.
Over the course of one transformative summer, Cara is forced to confront painful memories, tend to old wounds and discover a new sense of purpose and love. A poignant novel like The Summer Place, Mary Alice Monroe’s The Beach House is a story about mother-daughter relationships, self-discovery, and the healing power of nature. It is a captivating read for any fans of family dramas and emotional summer stories.
The Forever Summer – Jamie Brenner
Like The Summer Place, The Forever Summer is a heartwarming novel about family secrets, self-discovery and the bonds that shape us. Marin Bishop has always done everything right – she has a prestigious law career and a seemingly accomplished life. But when a shocking revelation flips her entire world, she finds herself setting out on an unexpected journey to Cape Cod.
A DNA test reveals that Marin has a half-sister, Rachel, whom she never knew existed. Together, they travel to Provincetown to meet their long-lost grandmother and discover the truth about their family’s past. As they spend the summer by the sea, Marin is forced to confront buried secrets, redefine her sense of identity and open herself up to new possibilities. Filled with family drama, romance and stunning coastal scenery, The Forever Summer is a journey into second chances, sisterhood and embracing the unexpected.
The Second Home – Christina Clancy
Christina Clancy’s The Second Home is a poignant novel about family, secrets and the powerful connections that keep us tethered to the places we call home. The story orbits around the Gordon siblings – Ann, Poppy, and their adopted brother, Michael – who spent their childhood summers at their family’s beach house in Cape Cod. However, one fateful summer shatters their bond, leaving Michael estranged from the rest of the family.
Years on, after their parents pass away, Ann and Poppy return to the cape to decide the fate of their beloved house. While Ann wants to sell it and move on, Poppy dreams of keeping it. Michael, who has unexpectedly returned, has his own unresolved feelings about their past. As old wounds are reopened and secrets come to light, the siblings must each confront what really happened that summer and whether or not they are able to find a way back to one another.
The Summer Sail – Wendy Francis
The Summer Sail follows three longtime college friends – Abby, Caroline, and Lee – who set out on a luxurious cruise to Bermuda, hoping for a relaxing getaway filled with laughter, reminiscing and rekindling their bond. But as the ship sails, so too do the hidden tensions and secrets they’ve been keeping.
Abby, a devoted mother, is struggling with worries over her son’s future. Caroline is questioning her engagement and whether she is truly ready for marriage. Meanwhile, Lee, a single mother, is finally taking a chance on love again. As they navigate the highs and lows of the trip, old wounds resurface, new revelations are brought to light, and the women are forced to face the changes in their lives. With picturesque surroundings, relatable characters and the perfect mix of drama and warmth, The Summer Sail needs to be on your TBR pile if you loved The Summer Place.
The Bookshop By The Bay – Pamela Kelley
Another one of the best books like The Summer Place for readers who love stories about love, marriage and second chances comes from Pamela Kelley in The Bookshop by the Bay. After life-altering events, Hannah is a successful businesswoman who opts to leave her high-powered job and move to a small coastal town in Maine. There, she buys a cosy, struggling bookshop in hopes of finding a fresh start.
As Hannah settles into her new life, she becomes entwined in the lives of the town’s colourful characters, including the bookshop’s loyal patrons and its quirky staff. She forms a deep connection with a local widower, Jack, and his daughter, who help her learn that there is more to life than career success. As the bookshop starts to thrive, so too does Hannah’s sense of belonging, forcing her to confront her past and decide what truly matters in her life.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
