As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, there’s no better time to dive into a good book. This summer, why not explore some fantastic stories by Australian authors? Whether you’re lounging by the beach or relaxing at home, Aussie writers have created a range of compelling books that are perfect for the sunny season.
Looking for the best summer reads? Grab your sunscreen, a cold drink, and let these Aussie authors take you to the ultimate summer escape.
A Country Vet Christmas: Five New Stories From Beloved Australian Authors by Alissa Callen
Get into the festive spirit with this heartwarming collection of five brand-new stories from much-loved Australian authors. Each tale brings together the charm of country life, the magic of Christmas, and the healing touch of country vets.
In Snowy Mountains Mistletoe by Alissa Callen, Trent, a local vet who’s still healing after losing his fiancée, finds his world turned upside down by a city girl who hates Christmas. Can he help her find her holiday cheer – and maybe rediscover his own?
In The Countdown to Christmas by Penelope Janu, small-town vet Amber is forced to reconsider her feelings when big-city businessman Jasper agrees to help save the town’s medical centre, all while getting into the Christmas spirit.
Stella Quinn’s A Cattle Dog for Christmas introduces Elliot, a travelling vet who thinks he’s just passing through, and Sandy, a single mother who isn’t interested in romance. But a mischievous cattle dog might just change that.
In A Country Music Christmas by Lily Malone, Jolene, a country music star on the run from scandal, starts over as a vet in a quiet town. Can she find peace – and love – this Christmas?
Lastly, A Christmas to Remember by Pamela Cook tells the story of Darcy, a runaway vet who returns to her family’s farm to find more than she expected, including the intriguing wildlife refuge director Chad.
These stories capture the heart and warmth of rural Australia, making it the perfect read for the Christmas season! Read A Country Vet Christmas: Five New Stories From Beloved Australian Authors by Alissa Callen!
After Summer by Nick Earls
In After Summer, seventeen-year-old Alex Delaney is in a holding pattern, waiting for his university acceptance to come through. The long, lazy days of summer stretch ahead with little to look forward to, until he meets her. When a girl catches his eye while bodysurfing, everything shifts. With her graceful presence and captivating green eyes, she turns Alex’s summer upside down. As he gets to know her, Alex finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew about love, life, and his future.
Searching for the best beach reads that give you that summery feel and make you feel something? Read After Summer by Nick Earls.
As the River Rises by Fiona McArthur
In As the River Rises, Dr. Hannah Rogan, an outback Queensland GP, is seeking a fresh start after escaping an emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend. She finds refuge in the small town of Featherwood, which is rebuilding after devastating fires, and opens a medical practice to help the growing population.
Hannah’s first patient is the son of Jude, a quiet man from a mysterious, closed community upriver. Despite his troubled past, Jude is committed to helping others, but he has no intention of falling for the new doctor in town, until his son’s illness forces them to spend more time together.
Looking for a romance to add to your summer reads 2024? Take a look at As the River Rises by Fiona McArthur.
Back To Birdsville: An outback rural romance, from the bestselling author of As the River Rises by Fiona McArthur
Also by Fiona McArthur, check out Back to Birdsville. In this romance, we are taken to the heart of outback Queensland, to the small and remote town of Birdsville, where the population is just 110. Midwife and emergency nurse Phoebe McFadden fled her family’s troubles years ago, thinking she’d never return to Birdsville. But when her cousin Scarlet asks her to be a bridesmaid at her wedding, Phoebe knows it’s time to face her past.
As Phoebe reconnects with her roots, she finds herself repeatedly crossing paths with Atticus Bow, the town’s new cop.
Atticus is now a man she can’t help but be drawn to. Despite her growing feelings for him, Phoebe is determined not to get attached to the town or its people again. But as she becomes more entrenched in the town’s warmth and begins to uncover long-hidden secrets, Phoebe is forced to reckon with her past before Scarlet’s big day.
The Summer Bride (A Chance Sisters Romance) by Anne Gracie
In The Summer Bride, fiercely independent Daisy Chance has big dreams. Growing up in poverty, Daisy has developed a talent for fashion, and her ultimate goal is to become the finest dressmaker in London. She has no intention of being tied down by any man’s expectations.
Patrick Flynn, a dashing Irishman with wealth and ambition, enters high society in search of an aristocratic bride. But when he meets Daisy, her sharp wit, determination, and beauty quickly capture his attention. She may not fit the image of the perfect society lady, but she makes his heart race like no one else.
When Flynn proposes marriage, Daisy refuses. She’s determined to hold onto her independence and her dream of dressing society’s elite. While she might entertain the idea of becoming his secret mistress, marriage is another matter entirely. Flynn isn’t used to being told no. And once he sets his heart on something, nothing can stand in his way.
For a sunny historical romance, read The Summer Bride (A Chance Sisters Romance) by Anne Gracie.
The Summer of Secrets by Barbara Hannay
In The Summer of Secrets, Chloe Brown is a successful Sydney journalist whose life is turned upside down when her long-term boyfriend reveals he never wants children. Devastated by the revelation, Chloe makes a dramatic decision to escape her heartbreak and starts a new chapter in the small country town of Queensland’s far north, working for a local newspaper.
Hoping for a fresh start, Chloe envisions a quiet life in the idyllic town, and even considers single motherhood via IVF. However, she soon discovers that no place is free from complications. The news editor, Finn Latimer, is a gruff former foreign correspondent who has retreated to the town after a personal tragedy. The elegant newspaper owner, Emily, is quietly battling her own heartbreak after her husband’s desertion. To top it off, the whole town is in turmoil after the disappearance of their beloved young baker.
As the lives of the town’s residents become intertwined, Chloe learns that secrets and silence only breed pain, while honesty and openness offer the hope of healing, and love. Find out more in The Summer of Secrets by Barbara Hannay.
Read More Summer Books by Aussie Authors this Season!
With so many incredible Australian authors, there’s no better time to dive into these summer books to read this season! Whether you’re seeking a short story collection, a summer holiday romance, a heartfelt tale of small-town life, or a captivating summer romance, Aussie authors have something for everyone. Already finished your favourite books and added to your summer reading? Once you have finished the best summer reads, you can take a look at our other seasonal reading lists. Take a look at Autumn Books to Add to Your TBR 2024, Books to Read Winter 2024, or Books to Read in Spring 2024!