Kristy Woodson Harvey Recommends 4 Must-Read Books—From Juicy Mystery to Sweeping Historical Fiction!
The bestselling novelist tells Woman’s World what she's reading—and loving—right now!
Key Takeaways
- Bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey reveals her favorite reads from 2025 and beyond.
- Her picks span Woodstock-era romance, juicy suburban drama and an Italian family saga.
- Get the inside scoop on what's topping her TBR from Adriana Trigiani and more!
With more than a million books sold and dozens of bestselling novels under her belt, Kristy Woodson Harvey is often called the queen of the Southern beach read—and for very good reason. The North Carolina-based author is beloved for her Southern-set Peach Tree Bluff series and standalones such as A Happier Life and The Summer of Songbirds. She’s also the co-creator and co-host of the literary podcast Friends & Fiction alongside fellow bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel and Patti Callahan Henry. Harvey’s novels typically feature strong female characters, idyllic coastal Southern towns and complex family histories peppered with secrets and scandals. And while she enjoys writing both standalones and series, she tends to favor the latter.
“There’s something super gratifying about being able to come back to a series and get to really know a character so well,” Harvey told the audience during her Q&A at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville. “By this book, I know these people really well, but what’s fun about it is that they can still surprise you.” She was referring to her most recent release, Falling for Peach Tree Bluff, out now, which is the 5th installment in her long-running series set in a cozy coastal town in Georgia.
But when Harvey isn’t busy writing her own books, she’s reading other author’s books. Here, we had the chance to sit down with Harvey after her Q&A and we had to ask what she was reading—and loving—right now. Her picks span genres—from coming-of-age to thrilling mystery and dual-timeline historical fiction. Keep scrolling to discover all of her can’t-miss book recommendations!
‘Kissing the Sky’ by Lisa Patton—a 1960s coming-of-age novel
Fans of 1960s coming-of-age stories will adore Lisa Patton’s Kissing the Sky. Set in the summer of 1969, Suzannah is home from college and feeling restless. She passes the days by daydreaming at home while her freewheeling friends indulge in free love and rock’n’roll. But when her friend Livy invites Suzannah, who is a gifted singer, to join her for “three days of peace and music” in upstate New York, she throws caution to the wind and joins her. A vibrant story that transports you right to 1969 Woodstock complete with romance, adventure and fun.
What Harvey says about Kissing the Sky: “Since we’re in Nashville at the Southern Festival of Books, I’m going to start my recommendation list with a Nashville author. My friend Lisa Patton’s Kissing the Sky is this incredible Woodstock-set coming-of-age love story.”
What other readers are saying: “Kissing the Sky puts you right at the center of the beautiful, iconic disaster that was Woodstock…and even more complicated era of the Vietnam war-focused United States. This book tackles youthful rebellion, love, complicated family dynamics, a reckoning of faith, forgiveness, and the importance of having the freedom and opportunities to make way for self-discovery!”
‘Lake Club’ by Linda Patton—a juicy page-turner
This propulsive debut is brimming with small-town scandal and secrets! Danika Crawley seemingly has it all: beauty, wealth, a husband, and two perfect kids. Meanwhile, Augie Elling returns home to Aldon Lakes to lick her wounds after a post-grad scandal. The two women have almost nothing in common—except they’re both obsessed with Danika’s male nanny, Chat. The result? A tense, drama-filled read you won’t be able to put down.
What Harvey says about Lake Club: “Lina Patton’s debut novel is so juicy and delicious. If you love stories about rich people behaving badly, this is the perfect book for you.”
What other readers are saying: “I expected this to be a fluffy palate cleanser between more serious books—boy, was I wrong. This book has it all—a voyeuristic glimpse into the lives of wealthy suburbanites, romance, unsolved mysteries, and much more. The characters were well developed (although I would have enjoyed more background on characters such as Teuta and Leah). And I never would have guessed the insane plot twist. I did not see that one coming. It’s giving midwestern lake community White Lotus vibes.”
‘The View From Lake Como’ by Adriana Trigiani—a sweeping redemptive story
From the author of sweeping bestsellers like The Shoemaker’s Wife and Lucia, Lucia comes another enchanting story. In Adriana Trigiani’s 2025 bestseller, the main character is Jess Capodimonte Baratta, a talented draftswoman in the marble business run by her uncle. Currently, Jess is divorced and living at her parents’ house in Lake Como, New Jersey. But after secrets are unearthed, Jess flees to her ancestral home in Carrara, Italy. Can she rewrite her life story on her own terms?
What Harvey says about The View From Lake Como: “My third recommendation is going to take us to a different lake…The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani is about a big Italian family and it’s set in a really beautiful place. It’s such a page turner—you will not be able to put it down.”
What other readers are saying: “The ultimate in Italian family sagas. Full of drama, amore, and pasta. Adriana Trigiana is a masterful storyteller. I was rooting for Jess all the way through this novel. It has an alternating timeline so that we completely understand the family history and her choices present day. I enjoyed this story of a woman finding out who she is in the land of her ancestors. The narration by Mira Sorvino is perfection! She has all of the accents on point!”
‘Woman on Fire’ by Lisa Barr—a thrilling art heist
Lisa Barr’s 2022 release is a gripping story of art, ambition and long-buried secrets. When young journalist Jules Roth is tasked with finding Woman on Fire, a legendary painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years ago, she quickly discovers she’s not the only one searching. With a ruthless European art dealer hot on her trail and the painting’s dying owner desperate for its return, Jules enlists the help of a brilliant artist with ties to her rival. But with so much at stake, the race to recover the masterpiece may be more dangerous than she ever imagined.
What Harvey says about Woman on Fire: “Woman on Fire is a propulsive, fast-paced story about a journalist who finds herself caught up in an international art crime and it’s another one I just could not put down.”
What other readers are saying: “History. Stolen art. Family secrets. Psychopaths. European settings. This book has it all and then some. Compelling and rich, twisted and devious— I devoured it in a matter of days.”
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