These three world-class literary hits are worth reading before the end of the summer: stories of love, missed opportunities and secrets

Three international literary hits deserve reading before the end of summer: stories of love, missed opportunities, and secrets. As the summer season approaches, many portals and magazines recommend what should be read during the annual vacation. This year, however, three major global bestsellers were apparently not sufficiently highlighted, prompting a desire to correct this oversight. Three novels, each set in entirely different worlds, share one clear connection: the correspondents Virginia Evans, the lover Herc of Lily King, and the artist Lucy Steeds do not rely on grand plots, but instead on memories, missed chances, and art through which we attempt to understand our own lives. Published throughout 2025, all three became significant titles in the British and American literary seasons by the summer of 2026. They have not been overlooked by awards either, and local publishers acted swiftly to bring them to readers. Love and personal relationships All three novels speak of what long remains unsaid, family wounds, old loves, ambitions suppressed, and of the moment when they can no longer be held inside, but must be told. Perhaps that is why their plotlines on the covers appear relatively modest, while the emotional impact they create after reading is precisely the opposite. Each of these novels centers around love and personal relationships, and their success has come from the amount of surprise and authorial originality with which they stood out in the annual literary production, confirmed both by public affection and the decisions of juries awarding prizes. Let's go through them one by one. Virginia Evans: The Correspondent The Correspondent, written by American author Virginia Evans, is one of those literary successes that are hard to position as potential hits beforehand, which foreign publishers usually do enthusiastically. Published in April 2025 as the author's first published novel, following years during which Evans wrote without much publishing breakthrough. At its center is 73-year-old Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired lawyer who sits at her desk almost every morning and writes letters. She writes to her brother and friends, family members, the university she wants to attend lectures at, and writers such as Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry. She writes to one person for years, yet never sends the letters. The entire novel is composed of letters and emails, so the reader meets Sybil not through a classical narrative, but through traces left in communication with others. Initially, it seems we are observing the orderly, somewhat stubborn life of a woman who has already made all important decisions. However, as correspondence accumulates, family relationships, old friendships, losses, and parts of the past that Sybil had kept under control open up. It is precisely in this that Evans finds the greatest strength of the novel: the idea that a person can change even when they believe their story is already complete. The novel quickly surpassed the status of a quiet literary hit. It won the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction, one of the most important awards dedicated to literature written by women, and the same year received the PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction. It was also listed for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. The author had previously written novels over the years that were not published. The novel was translated by Irena Škarica and published by Perga Media. Lily King: Herc, Lover Lily King is in a completely different position. The author already had a very successful literary career prior to this novel: Euphoria earned her the Kirkus Prize, and Writers & Lovers from 2020 became one of her most well-known novels. Strangely enough, none of them generated interest among our publishers. Herc, Lover, published in autumn 2025, found its way to a broader audience for the first time. The story begins during the last year of study. The narrator meets Sam and Yasha, two brilliant students who draw her into an intense world of literature, discussions, card games, friendship, and attraction. What appears to be a classic love triangle, King uses to tell a story about far more uncomfortable questions: what happens to great loves when life takes a different direction? Decades later, the narrator becomes a successful writer, married, and living in a small town. Her relationship with Sam has faded, and she feels a growing distance from Yasha, whose artistic ambitions have taken him elsewhere. As she reflects on her past, she realizes how much she has let slip away, and how difficult it is to reconcile the choices she made with the dreams she once had. Lucy Steeds: The Artist Lucy Steeds' The Artist presents another unique perspective. Set against the backdrop of a bustling city, the novel follows Clara, a young painter struggling to find her place in the art world. Through her journey, the novel explores themes of identity, creativity, and the sacrifices required to pursue one's passions. Unlike the other two novels, The Artist does not focus solely on personal relationships but delves into the internal conflicts and external pressures faced by artists trying to make their mark. The novel received critical acclaim for its vivid descriptions and emotional depth, earning several accolades including the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. Its publication marked a significant milestone for Steeds, solidifying her reputation as a rising star in contemporary literature. Each of these novels offers a distinct exploration of human experiences, touching on universal themes that resonate deeply with readers. Their success underscores the enduring power of storytelling and the ability of literature to capture the complexities of life. As the summer draws near, these three works stand as compelling reads that promise to engage and challenge readers alike.