8 must-read books to escape into this summer
BY Maya Fernandes
24th Jul 2025
Summer is in full swing and there's no better moment to dive into the season’s most exciting reads from our talented course tutors and published alumni.
Whether you're soaking up the sun on the beach, relaxing in the garden or staying cool indoors, these fresh releases from Curtis Brown Creative students and tutors are perfect companions for every summer setting. From sweeping romances to gripping thrillers that’ll keep you turning pages long into the night, there’s a story here for every kind of reader.
Births, Deaths & Marriages by Laura Barnett
Laura Barnett’s latest novel traces the lives of six university friends as they approach their fortieth birthdays. Spanning two decades of shifting relationships and missed opportunities, the book reflects on how friendships evolve with time.
Laura is the tutor of our Plot & Story – The Deep Dive, Dialogue – The Deep Dive and Relationships in Fiction – The Deep Dive courses. She is also the tutor of our upcoming Autumn Novel-Writing Intensive.
Births, Deaths & Marriages is out now.
Never Tear Us Apart by Rowan Coleman
War correspondent Maia travels to Malta to reconnect with her estranged father and discovers a family history full of secrets. A spellbinding tale of love, strength and sacrifice.
Rowan is the tutor of our upcoming Writing Romantic & Commercial Fiction course.
Never Tear Us Apart is out now in paperback.
Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland
Song of the Huntress transforms the story of Herla and the Wild Hunt into a rich, feminist fantasy in this stunning tale of two great warriors, a war-torn land and an ancient magic that is slowly awakening.
Lucy is the tutor of our upcoming Writing Fantasy course.
Song of the Huntress is out now in paperback.
The Night Lagoon by Jo Morey
Set in the lush, mysterious jungles of Belize, this debut follows Laelia as she travels to celebrate her father's birthday. A gripping tale of trust and survival, the book explores the fragility of paradise and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love.
Jo was awarded a place on our Breakthrough Mentoring Programme for Disabled Writers in 2022.
The Night Lagoon is out now.
Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands
Feel the sticky heat of summer in this coming-of-age debut. Set in Fife during the summer of 1994, the novel follows 14-year-old Cora as she navigates the complexities of growing up.
Tom was awarded a free five-day novel-writing course place as part of our Breakthrough Writers’ Programme in 2021.
Only Here, Only Now is out now in paperback.
You Are Here by David Nicholls
From the bestselling author of One Day comes another charming, character-driven story to lose yourself in this summer. You Are Here follows two lonely souls on a rainy walking holiday across the north of England.
David is the tutor of our five-week Writing Fiction with David Nicholls course.
You can also catch David speaking as part of the Author Panels taking place on Saturday 4 October at our exciting New Writers' Day in central London. (Tickets are selling fast – sign up now to secure yours!)
You Are Here is out now in paperback.
Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie
Set during the Edinburgh Fringe, this sharp, darkly funny debut explores the tension between art and criticism. When a theatre critic’s cruel review meets an unexpected on-stage rebuttal, sparks fly.
Charlotte was a student on our online Writing Your Novel – Three Months course in 2023.
Bring the House Down is out now.
My Other Heart by Emma Strenner
When Mimi’s daughter vanishes at an airport in 1998, her life fractures. Seventeen years later, two teens grapple with identity, friendship and buried secrets. Their lives intertwine in this moving debut about the ties that shape us.
Emma was a student on our online Writing Your Novel – Six Months course in 2020.
We're delighted that Emma will be a speaker on our Debut Author Panel alongside two fellow former CBC students on Saturday 4 October at our New Writers' Day in central London. (Tickets are selling fast – sign up now to secure yours!)
My Other Heart is out now.
The books linked in this blog can be found on our Bookshop.org shop front. Curtis Brown Creative receive 10% whenever someone buys from our bookshop.org page.