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sryoung's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hammock_and_read's review
4.0
I finally got to this one and even though summer is truly done up north here it was a nice vacation read for me. Jill is becoming an auto buy for me and this book was sad- happy- tears but all good in the end sort of book. Three kids meet at summer camp for years but one keeps going later and doesn’t know why the other two don’t. We find out why but also the girls shared new hope.
A great summer/vacation read!!
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A great summer/vacation read!!
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
lupiebutterfly's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moving, emotional read that really had you rooting for them.
yodamom's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet summer romance with flaws. The MC's deal with troubled family issues, bad relationships, life and death. There were parts that flowed well and some that were a bit cheesy and unbelievable. The cheese developed more towards the end. It started out really well for me I really liked where it was going. But, the love was too easy, too fast, to unrealistically understanding. These girls were horrible to the men and the men were all, it's okay I'm here for you no matter what...I really wished they got a backbone and said NO.
Bottom line: Fun-ish mindless read, no deep thoughts involved, no real connection to the unreal characters.
Bottom line: Fun-ish mindless read, no deep thoughts involved, no real connection to the unreal characters.
mags_readsbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A light hearted summer read with found family, frienemy turned actual family, and childhood crushes turned roommates - all in just over 300 pages! While there is a more serious plot line of kidney failure/transplant malfunction - the book stayed pretty surface level with emotions for me, which made it an easy book to fly through in no time.
I had a hard time liking one of the main characters (Kinsey) due to her lack of ability to let anyone in - it seemed her phobia of loving/being loved created 90% of the conflict in this book, rather than actual conflict. I’m not a fan of the “lack of communication” being the main trope in the book.
I had a hard time liking one of the main characters (Kinsey) due to her lack of ability to let anyone in - it seemed her phobia of loving/being loved created 90% of the conflict in this book, rather than actual conflict. I’m not a fan of the “lack of communication” being the main trope in the book.
sslovesbooks_1's review
4.0
A feel-good romance which is easy to read but packs a punch on family relationships,serious health concerns, betrayals and secrets.
I have read a number of Jill Shalvis's books before and have always enjoyed them, they are full of fun and romance but this one was more in depth for me with more complex family dynamics and the vulnerability of many of the main characters.
The story follows Brynn who returns to her home town after a difficult end to her relationship and meets an old friend Eli from the summer camps she attended as a youngster. He offers a room in his house to Brynn who doesn't realise that Eli's best friend and fellow housemate is Kinsey, a girl whom she did not like from the summer camps of her youth and from their diary entries the feelings were mutual.
As the romance between Brynn and Eli blossom at the same time Kinsey has a few secrets she has withheld from Brynn and as the story moves forward their relationship feels like an emotional roller coaster ride of highs and lows for the reader.
Although the main story of romance was between Bryn and Eli, I loved the relationship between Kinsey and Deck who she keeps at arms length for reasons that all become too clear, I don't want to give any spoilers.
Brynn's two mums and Max, Eli's younger brother are also really likeable characters and as secrets and revealed and people take a chance on love the book moves towards its end. By the end I had a smile on my face and as I usually do reading Jill Shalvis books I know that it wont be long until I pick up another one.
I would give this book 4 stars - a romance novel with a bit of extra to think about.
Thanks to the publisher William Morrow Paperbacks for my review copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
I have read a number of Jill Shalvis's books before and have always enjoyed them, they are full of fun and romance but this one was more in depth for me with more complex family dynamics and the vulnerability of many of the main characters.
The story follows Brynn who returns to her home town after a difficult end to her relationship and meets an old friend Eli from the summer camps she attended as a youngster. He offers a room in his house to Brynn who doesn't realise that Eli's best friend and fellow housemate is Kinsey, a girl whom she did not like from the summer camps of her youth and from their diary entries the feelings were mutual.
As the romance between Brynn and Eli blossom at the same time Kinsey has a few secrets she has withheld from Brynn and as the story moves forward their relationship feels like an emotional roller coaster ride of highs and lows for the reader.
Although the main story of romance was between Bryn and Eli, I loved the relationship between Kinsey and Deck who she keeps at arms length for reasons that all become too clear, I don't want to give any spoilers.
Brynn's two mums and Max, Eli's younger brother are also really likeable characters and as secrets and revealed and people take a chance on love the book moves towards its end. By the end I had a smile on my face and as I usually do reading Jill Shalvis books I know that it wont be long until I pick up another one.
I would give this book 4 stars - a romance novel with a bit of extra to think about.
Thanks to the publisher William Morrow Paperbacks for my review copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
tuabaxl's review
3.0
Exactly what I was looking for - easy breezy summer read. Nothing earth shattering or groundbreaking.
illyreadsbooks's review
4.0
Brynn returns home to Wildstone for a fresh start after a horrible breakup. Her life is a mess and she just needs a restart. She steps right back into her childhood with Kinsey, her camp nemesis and Eli, her former crush. With her new beginning off to an unexpected start, she has the opportunity to mend a broken relationship and find love.
Loved the new addition the Wildstone series.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.
Loved the new addition the Wildstone series.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.
trudyd's review against another edition
5.0
Wildstone is a small town overflowing with drama. With every book I know I will get lots and lots of drama but I will also get a happily ever after.
The Summer Deal dealt out a lot of drama. A house full of misfits are intertwined through their pasts and daily struggles. When they add another roommate the walls come crumbling down as the characters deal with the emotions of living, dying, sacrifice, and love.
The Summer Deal is an emotional roller coaster about two couples. Most romances center around one couple. I really enjoyed cheering on two couples. Deck and Kinsey have been in a thing for awhile but her walls won't let her move forward. Brynn has returned to Wildstone after a nasty breakup. Her Life needs to move forward, but can't.
A panic attack brings Brynn to the ER. A false call has Kinsey at the OR with Eli, her BFF, by her side. Frustrations puts him and Brynn together where he has always wanted them. Past, present and future intertwine.
Their moving forward had me in tears. Their misdirections had me screaming. Their resolutions had me dancing in the sun. The Summer Deal brought light to a dark day. The epilogue made the journey worthwhile.
The Summer Deal dealt out a lot of drama. A house full of misfits are intertwined through their pasts and daily struggles. When they add another roommate the walls come crumbling down as the characters deal with the emotions of living, dying, sacrifice, and love.
The Summer Deal is an emotional roller coaster about two couples. Most romances center around one couple. I really enjoyed cheering on two couples. Deck and Kinsey have been in a thing for awhile but her walls won't let her move forward. Brynn has returned to Wildstone after a nasty breakup. Her Life needs to move forward, but can't.
A panic attack brings Brynn to the ER. A false call has Kinsey at the OR with Eli, her BFF, by her side. Frustrations puts him and Brynn together where he has always wanted them. Past, present and future intertwine.
Their moving forward had me in tears. Their misdirections had me screaming. Their resolutions had me dancing in the sun. The Summer Deal brought light to a dark day. The epilogue made the journey worthwhile.