NextBookAfter Island Escapes, Secrets, Romance & Found Family

Books Like The Academy

Readers fell head over heels for The Academy's irresistible blend of sun-drenched Nantucket charm, juicy romantic tangles, and secrets that keep you turning pages late into the night. Hilderbrand delivers exactly what fans adore: that perfect escapist beach read filled with interpersonal drama, feel-good moments, and the kind of summer nostalgia that makes you want to pack your bags for the island. It's lighthearted yet emotionally satisfying—the ultimate page-turner for anyone craving a warm, wish-fulfilling getaway between the covers.

Books With More

Sun-Drenched Island Escapes

You loved how The Academy swept you away to Nantucket's sandy shores and summer ease—that delicious feeling of stepping into a world of ocean breezes and endless possibility. The books ahead will wrap you in that same luxurious island atmosphere, where every page feels like a mini-vacation filled with gorgeous settings and the promise of carefree days.

The Go-To Read
The Weekenders cover

The Weekenders

by Mary Kay Andrews

  • Belle Isle beaches serve peak summer vacation vibes & drama
  • Marriage crumbles amid sun-soaked secrets & family chaos—total escape
  • Beachside dinners + ocean breezes = that Nantucket nostalgia feels
  • Ensemble cast delivers relationship twists in paradise, pure summery bliss
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The Under-the-Radar Pick
Summer on the Bluffs cover

Summer on the Bluffs

by Sunny Hostin

  • Martha's Vineyard vibes = Nantucket energy w/ same beachy escapism
  • Three goddaughters + family secrets unraveling in beach house paradise
  • Romance & betrayal collide during one unforgettable luxe summer
  • Ocean breezes + drama = your next sun-soaked compulsive read
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The Wildcard Pick
The Rocks cover

The Rocks

by Peter Nichols

  • Mallorca's golden beaches give major Nantucket vacation vibes ☀️
  • Decades of family secrets unravel across sun-soaked Mediterranean shores
  • Ex-spouses reunite = messy romance against luxurious coastal backdrop
  • Nonlinear storytelling delivers that same indulgent summer escape feeling
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Books With More

Surprising Secrets and Connections

You loved discovering the hidden ties and unexpected pasts woven through The Academy—those delicious revelations that made you gasp and turn pages faster. These next reads deliver that same thrill of unraveling relationship mysteries, where every conversation might expose a secret that changes everything.

The Go-To Read
Family Reunion cover

Family Reunion

by Nancy Thayer

  • Multi-gen family summer = buried secrets exploding on Nantucket 🏖️
  • Hidden pasts unravel during tense gatherings (major Academy vibes)
  • Every convo drops bombshells that flip family dynamics completely
  • Gasp-worthy reveals + romantic drama = unputdownable beach read
Buy on Amazon
The Under-the-Radar Pick
The Island House cover

The Island House

by Nancy Thayer

  • Multi-gen Nantucket family reunion = hidden affairs & parentage bombshells
  • Tense family dinners unravel secret romantic histories just like The Academy
  • Past connections revealed through intimate island confrontations that escalate fast
  • Gasp-worthy relationship twists w/o complicated plots—pure emotional drama
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Books With More

Flirty Banter That Sizzles

You loved those witty exchanges and fizzy romantic tension that made you smile through every page of The Academy. These next reads deliver that same spark—playful flirtations, slow-burn chemistry, and swoon-worthy moments that'll keep you turning pages late into the night.

The Go-To Read
The Paradise Problem cover

The Paradise Problem

by Christina Lauren

  • Fake marriage + ex-roommate chemistry = banter that absolutely crackles ✨
  • Lavish island wedding vibes meet family drama & romantic chaos
  • Slow-burn tension w/ witty flirtations that'll have you grinning
  • Ensemble cast delivers the same feel-good relational drama you crave
Buy on Amazon
The Under-the-Radar Pick
The Islanders cover

The Islanders

by Meg Mitchell Moore

  • Baker meets local → witty banter sparks slow-burn chemistry vibes
  • Charged convos over shared meals = peak flirty tension energy
  • Block Island ensemble delivers The Academy's playful romantic sparks
  • Relatable emotional exposure + swoon-worthy payoffs throughout summer drama
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Books With More

Found-Family Bonds That Warm the Heart

You loved how The Academy brought strangers together into a tight-knit circle, full of laughter, loyalty, and the occasional clash that made their connection feel real. The books ahead will give you that same beautiful sense of instant community—characters who become each other's people, with all the support, banter, and heartfelt moments that come with finding your tribe.

The Go-To Read
Summer Rental cover

Summer Rental

by Mary Kay Andrews

  • Three besties escape to a beachy fixer-upper for summer drama
  • Personal crises + new romances = peak found-family chaos
  • Shared meals & secrets deepen their ride-or-die squad bonds
  • Outer Banks setting delivers The Academy's island-community vibes
Buy on Amazon

Books like The Academy: quick answers

What should I read after The Academy?
Start with The Weekenders, Summer on the Bluffs, and The Rocks. These NextBookAfter matches are selected for readers who want contemporary fiction with a similar mood, pace, and emotional payoff.
Are these books similar to The Academy?
Yes. The recommendations here carry readers from The Academy into contemporary fiction while preserving the core read-alike appeal.
How many books like The Academy are on this page?
This page currently lists 8 curated picks for fans of The Academy, with each pick chosen around tone, themes, character dynamics, pacing, and reader payoff.

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