Reviews - Cruel Summer | The StoryGraph

66 reviews for:

Cruel Summer

Maisey Yates

3.8 AVERAGE

thebookishdogmom's review against another edition

3.0

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Dont let the cover fool you, this is not a cutesy summer romcom. Instead, it's a very poignant and introspective story of self-discovery for our FMC, Samantha. After her children are all finally off to college, instead of a summer trip exclusively with her husband of 20 years, he instead says he wants to try an open marriage.

As a result, they separate for the summer and Sam embarks on a journey that takes her across the country with a lot of time to figure out who she is as her own person and what she wants for her life moving forward.

I think there are many things to take away from the story as a self-reflection point of view. However, I do think that much of the story became very repetitive with Sam's inner monologue, and things became quite lengthy. I would have preferred more of an "I choose myself" ending; what we got felt cliche and predictable.

Thank you, Netgalley and Canary Street Press for the advanced reader copy! I received an advance ebook, but the review is my own.

future_fangirl's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

Maisey Yates really killed it with this steamy semi second chance romance. Sam and Logan had sizzling chemistry and never have I ever wanted to see a woman cheat on her husband more. Sam deserved it. This story definitely leans more on the women’s fiction side of things so if you like your romance with more of a soul searching edge this might be perfect.

Content Warnings

jennifer_charbo's review against another edition

5.0

emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

meg13sam's review

3.0

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

missjustynak's review against another edition

2.0

I contemplated how many stars to give. The premise of the story was refreshing, different, new. I liked that the main characters are older, more mature. I Samantha's marriage falling apart and how it did. That might sound strange, but again it was a new and yet real premise. I liked how Logan stood by her and even his admiration for how she was there for him through his tough times, despite her not even liking him. Where it felt apart for me was the editing. About 50% of this book could have been cut out because it was just a repeat of what was already said/explained/repetition of scenes. Then their attitude towards each other threw me off. I get the back and forth, but a lot of times it was almost a contradiction to what was presented in a scene right before. One moment the characters were one way, the next the complete opposite. I was confused by where the characters were supposed to be emotionally. I found myself rolling my eyes at those parts and it was almost hard to finish. Nancy Peterson did a good job narrating as Samantha, but I didn't like how she made Logan sound in some moments. The words and meaning in the book was one way but her tone was completely not there. I didn't know how I was supposed to feel about the character.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the arc.

sarabethu's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective relaxing 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

"It was about him. All of it. What she gave to him. Not how he felt about her. She had never been more certain of her decision. Of herself..."🚗

This story is about finding yourself in a midlife crisis/one-sided marriage and dealing with societal/family/religious pressures. I was not expecting the religious aspect to be so prominent in this book, but it was a major theme, especially around teen pregnancy and marriage. I expected the children to be more a part of this story but they were not, which I actually appreciated as the author really allowed Sam to find herself and her love for Logan to grow throughout the book.

There was one semi-descriptive sex scene about 75% in, so this is a slooooow burn. All other sex scenes were told in third person and felt more modest/distant, so this book gets a 2/5 spice rating 🌶🌶

itorres_87's review against another edition

5.0

Cruel summer by Maisey Yates was the perfect summer book I didn’t know I needed to read. It explores the life of Sam, a woman that has been married to her husband for 22 years, her high school sweetheart and the only love she’s ever known. When her husband suggested a change in their marriage, Sam embarked on a journey of self discovery and possibly of a change that she didn’t know she needed. This book was such a powerful and very well executed story about a women struggling to accept that the life she is living is not as perfect as she thought it was and needs to learn how to give in to a new adventure. I really enjoyed the concept of this novel and about a woman trying to consider the new path she wants to take and find her true identity in the process. As a woman there are so many components that makes us who we are and what defines us as a mother, a wife and an individual. I really felt a deep connection to the FMC and her struggles with individuality and her need to always please others in spite of herself. I loved the character development that we see throughout the story and the importance of being true to oneself and enjoy life to the fullest. I highly recommend this book I really enjoyed this book and will definitely continue to read from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

mseil24's review against another edition

3.75

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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: Complicated

mayawildgoose's review against another edition

3.0

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for this advanced listening copy!

Sam lives in a small Oregon town and has her whole life, happily married with grown kids. Then, her husband of 20 years proposes trialing an open marriage, much to her heartbreak. She ends up spending her summer trying new things during road trips across the country with her husbands handsome and mysterious best friend…

I liked that the FMC was in the middle act of life and that Yates explored what love means in middle age. I also enjoyed the mechanism of the road trips to encourage Sam’s growth.

I found the romance to be a little 0-60 in terms of growth, but they did have good chemistry.

Overall, a fun summer read.

10/10 for the narrator, too!

daniellereads12's review

5.0

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

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