For sure! Even though air conditioning keeps me cool in the summer, it's not nearly as satisfying and refreshing as a dip in the pool :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!

"Dark summer" is more my (reading) style than light, fluffy summer. Occasionally, I crave a fun, frothy read, but my go-to genres are definitely more serious and dark.

Thanks for popping in, Diana!

Not at all. They're all pretty serious, even the middle-grade one.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cindy!

True. They're similar covers and the books have similar plots. It will be fun to compare and contrast them after I've read them both.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deanna!

Yes! Children and swimming pools definitely go together, especially in the summer. And that red bathing suit is very evocative for me. I guess because that's the color lifeguards where? It reminds me of childhood summers spent at the community pool.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

Thanks! It was a fun list to make.

Thanks for stopping in, Brenda!

Right? I don't mind a scary book as long as it's not TOO scary. I'm a bit of a wimp.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Louise!

I'm a big fan of Armstrong's mystery/thriller books, so I'm excited for HEMLOCK ISLAND. It would make a great Fall/Halloween read for sure.

I'm also a big fan of Holm's books, at least the realistic ones (plus THE LION OF MARS, which isn't so realistic). I have high hopes for PENNY FROM HEAVEN.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, RS!

Isn't it? It's very striking. I hope the story is as evocative as the cover.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deb!

Great minds think alike—but also differently! I love it :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carol!

I love a good storm novel! I don't know why. They just fascinate me. I've only been through one hurricane and even though it was only a very minor one, it was scary. Arizona does get some wild monsoon storms in the summers. As long as I'm not out driving in them, they're fun to watch :)

Thanks for stopping in, Kasey!

It was a fun list to make!

Thanks for popping by, Emma!

I love Kelley Armstrong's mysteries and thrillers. She knows just how to pull me in and keep me on the edge of my seat! It's hard to keep up with her, though, since she publishes so fast. I hope we both enjoy HEMLOCK ISLAND.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jessica!

I'll probably like MEET ME AT THE LAKE more if it's not as fluffy as it looks! Ha ha.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leah!

I do, too. I especially love how they can evoke different vibes and emotions depending on whether the water is bright or dark, calm or stormy, etc.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Suzanne!

Me too! Someone (another book blogger, I think) mentioned it recently and it sounded like just the kind of read I enjoy.

Thanks for popping in, Pages and Tea!

I agree! I hope they all sound as good as they look :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

Ugh. I'm so sorry you're dealing with that! There's been a mulch fire burning in my city for the last week or so so we've had a little taste of thick, smoky air here as well. Blech.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!

I agree. The author only wrote a couple of books and is now deceased.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Rebecca!

Same! I just finished binge-reading/listening to the original Rockton series. I'm going to read MURDER AT HAVEN'S ROCK soon and then it will be time for HEMLOCK ISLAND. I've read a lot of Armstrong this year. I just love her!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Tammy!

I'm glad I put you in the summer mood! It feels like it's always summer here in Arizona :)

Glad to hear you enjoyed MEET ME AT THE LAKE and A HUNDRED SUMMERS. UNDER A DARK SKY sounds really intriguing to me. I hope we both enjoy it!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Dedra!

For sure! Water and summer just goes together :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Vero!

Summer has never been my favorite season, even when I was a kid, but I was definitely feeling nostalgic for childhood summers when I was writing up this post. Interesting!

Thanks for popping in, Hena!

Ha! For real. It's actually been a little cooler than normal here in Arizona, but it's still in the 90s and I'm already dying. Cool reads are definitely needed here as well.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Ethan!

I love watery covers, but they do go well with summer especially.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cheryl!

Right? It's so intriguing and evocative!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leslie!

Same, even though I rarely actually visit the beach! I do love beach covers, though.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!

Apparently, MEET ME AT THE LAKE isn't as fluffy as it seems. It's still probably the lightest read on my list, though. LOL.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Rissi!

It's a popular book! I'm looking forward to reading it and seeing what I think.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lindsey!

Good to know! A lot of people have been raving about MEET ME AT THE LAKE. Hopefully, that means it's a good read with wide appeal and I'll enjoy it.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carol!