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jillyfay's review against another edition
5.0
A sweet story about finding love in many ways and many places and believing in yourself. I liked how the story wove in their journals from summer camp. But for a tiny town like Wildwood, how did they only see each other at summer camp??
witandsin's review
5.0
4.5 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin
The Summer Deal is a love note to messy, wonderful families, both the ones we make and the ones we’re born into. Jill Shalvis’s fifth Wildstone novel features the imperfect characters and bumpy roads to a heartwarming happily ever after that I’ve come to expect and enjoy from this series.
Brynn has come home to Wildstone with a bruised heart and a lack of trust in her own instincts. Brynn is kind, quirky, and somewhat of a mess at the beginning but I loved watching her learn to stand up for herself over the course of the story. The person who pushes her to do that isn’t a love interest, but rather her old summer camp frenemy (and secret half-sister), Kinsey. Kinsey claims to have a black heart but really what she is is fearful. She’s been sick most of her life and has been battling kidney transplant rejection for years. Kinsey feels like she has an expiration date and she doesn’t want to hurt others by letting them in, so she pushes them away first. She and Brynn don’t have the best history, but Ms. Shalvis shows why each of them acted the way they did as children and it makes sense. These are flawed heroines, but they’re relatable because of it and it’s easy to root for both of them.
Brynn and Kinsey’s relationship is central to The Summer Deal, but that doesn’t mean Ms. Shalvis skimped on the romance. Kinsey is clearly in love with her non-boyfriend Deck, a caring, incredibly patient nurse and father. It’s obvious from the start that Deck wants more with Kinsey, but her fear may cost them a shot at happiness. And the main love story is between Brynn and Kinsey’s lifelong best friend, Eli. Eli might just be one of my favorite Jill Shalvis heroes. He’s a sexy-as-sin marine biologist with a marshmallow heart. Eli has been rejected more than once by people who should have loved him and he’s afraid of getting hurt (a theme in this story). But Brynn has always captured his interest so she slides quite easily into his heart. Eli cares for people deeply and it shows every time he’s on the page. He’s pretty much the perfect hero and I can’t count how often he made me melt. It was easy for me to fall into his and Brynn’s romance and even though I could see the obstacles that would inevitably come their way, I was rooting for them every step of the way.
The Summer Deal is a heartwarming story of healing, family, and love. I enjoyed everything about this book and I look forward to revisiting Brynn, Kinsey, Eli, and Deck again soon.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Summer Deal is a love note to messy, wonderful families, both the ones we make and the ones we’re born into. Jill Shalvis’s fifth Wildstone novel features the imperfect characters and bumpy roads to a heartwarming happily ever after that I’ve come to expect and enjoy from this series.
Brynn has come home to Wildstone with a bruised heart and a lack of trust in her own instincts. Brynn is kind, quirky, and somewhat of a mess at the beginning but I loved watching her learn to stand up for herself over the course of the story. The person who pushes her to do that isn’t a love interest, but rather her old summer camp frenemy (and secret half-sister), Kinsey. Kinsey claims to have a black heart but really what she is is fearful. She’s been sick most of her life and has been battling kidney transplant rejection for years. Kinsey feels like she has an expiration date and she doesn’t want to hurt others by letting them in, so she pushes them away first. She and Brynn don’t have the best history, but Ms. Shalvis shows why each of them acted the way they did as children and it makes sense. These are flawed heroines, but they’re relatable because of it and it’s easy to root for both of them.
Brynn and Kinsey’s relationship is central to The Summer Deal, but that doesn’t mean Ms. Shalvis skimped on the romance. Kinsey is clearly in love with her non-boyfriend Deck, a caring, incredibly patient nurse and father. It’s obvious from the start that Deck wants more with Kinsey, but her fear may cost them a shot at happiness. And the main love story is between Brynn and Kinsey’s lifelong best friend, Eli. Eli might just be one of my favorite Jill Shalvis heroes. He’s a sexy-as-sin marine biologist with a marshmallow heart. Eli has been rejected more than once by people who should have loved him and he’s afraid of getting hurt (a theme in this story). But Brynn has always captured his interest so she slides quite easily into his heart. Eli cares for people deeply and it shows every time he’s on the page. He’s pretty much the perfect hero and I can’t count how often he made me melt. It was easy for me to fall into his and Brynn’s romance and even though I could see the obstacles that would inevitably come their way, I was rooting for them every step of the way.
The Summer Deal is a heartwarming story of healing, family, and love. I enjoyed everything about this book and I look forward to revisiting Brynn, Kinsey, Eli, and Deck again soon.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
moriak's review against another edition
1.0
The entire plot of the book is revealed by reading the back cover and first two chapters. What follows is a trip from point A to point Z stopping only at a few letters and bypassing the rest. It centers on two lifelong “frenemies” who are also half-sisters (only one of them knows this at the beginning of the book). Despite brief flashbacks to the women’s childhoods, it’s never explained exactly why they hate each other so much. The feud comes off more like normal kid stuff, not the sort of full-on bullying that would justify the obnoxious behavior of these grown adults.
And let me be clear: these women are AWFUL. And there is no clear reason why anyone endures their dramatics for the sake of friendship. There’s a lot of telling the reader how wonderful the two actually are, but all we see is selfish, immature behavior. There is a millimeter of personal growth from Kinsey, but alas we see Brynn pulling the same secretive nonsense in the epilogue that she does in the first chapter.
I wish the book had done more showing than telling, and that it had left a few plot twists hidden for a bit. Overall, not an enjoyable read.
And let me be clear: these women are AWFUL. And there is no clear reason why anyone endures their dramatics for the sake of friendship. There’s a lot of telling the reader how wonderful the two actually are, but all we see is selfish, immature behavior. There is a millimeter of personal growth from Kinsey, but alas we see Brynn pulling the same secretive nonsense in the epilogue that she does in the first chapter.
I wish the book had done more showing than telling, and that it had left a few plot twists hidden for a bit. Overall, not an enjoyable read.
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
Brynn can't seem to get her life together. After being scammed by her boyfriend and losing her job, she comes back home to Wildstone in defeat.
Meanwhile, Kinsey is dealing with kidney failure and has thrown up a tough outer shell to protect herself and those she loves. When they were kids, she and Brynn did summer camp together...and loathes each other. But when Brynn comes back to town, Kinsey has to figure out just how to tell her that not only is she her long ago nemesis, but they're also related.
While each of these two main characters certainly had their own issues, I enjoyed reading their story and flew through this book. I've enjoyed all the Wildstone books and this one was no exception.
Though I do have to say that there were a few issues here. There issues with the timeline for the last journal entry. Kinsey previously said she met her dad when she was 15 when she got the kidney. The last diary entry said she was 17. Also, I could NOT get why Kinsey wouldn't just tell Brynn the 3rd thing, especially once they were on their way.
ETA: Also, I've no idea where my review went. I know I posted this when I originally read it, but it went missing. Luckily, I xpost in Insta.
Meanwhile, Kinsey is dealing with kidney failure and has thrown up a tough outer shell to protect herself and those she loves. When they were kids, she and Brynn did summer camp together...and loathes each other. But when Brynn comes back to town, Kinsey has to figure out just how to tell her that not only is she her long ago nemesis, but they're also related.
While each of these two main characters certainly had their own issues, I enjoyed reading their story and flew through this book. I've enjoyed all the Wildstone books and this one was no exception.
Though I do have to say that there were a few issues here. There issues with the timeline for the last journal entry. Kinsey previously said she met her dad when she was 15 when she got the kidney. The last diary entry said she was 17. Also, I could NOT get why Kinsey wouldn't just tell Brynn the 3rd thing, especially once they were on their way.
ETA: Also, I've no idea where my review went. I know I posted this when I originally read it, but it went missing. Luckily, I xpost in Insta.
rania1199's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
janelegan's review
3.0
This was my first Jill Shalvis book. I enjoyed it but wasn’t blown away by it. 3.5 stars. :) Would recommend.
kaytiekirk's review
3.0
a light quick summer read. the ending and story were very predictable but it was a good idea. definitely not my favorite from this author.
colleengio12's review
4.0
So good. Great characters and interesting story. Never read anything by this author but I will be now!
daniireads's review against another edition
4.0
After coming home to find her boyfriend gone, Brynn packs a bag and hightails it home to Wildstone in the hopes that her moms Olive and Raina will take her in.
Ashamed of how her life has turned out, Brynn has an awful panic attack that puts her in the ER. Upon her release, she stumbles across a childhood friend and long time crush Eli ransacking a vending machine. Their chance encounter is the catalyst to a summer full of rekindled friendships, life altering secrets, and found families.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Jill Shalvis, and I really loved it. It was a quick read that instantly pulled me into the storyline, and is the perfect amount of drama and romance, and filled with relatable characters.
If you’re looking for a light bingeworthy read, The Summer Deal is for you!
Ashamed of how her life has turned out, Brynn has an awful panic attack that puts her in the ER. Upon her release, she stumbles across a childhood friend and long time crush Eli ransacking a vending machine. Their chance encounter is the catalyst to a summer full of rekindled friendships, life altering secrets, and found families.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Jill Shalvis, and I really loved it. It was a quick read that instantly pulled me into the storyline, and is the perfect amount of drama and romance, and filled with relatable characters.
If you’re looking for a light bingeworthy read, The Summer Deal is for you!