70 reviews for:

Cruel Summer

Maisey Yates

3.79 AVERAGE

kristenmcdaniel's review against another edition

4.0

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I received an ARC from NetGalley for Cruel Summer. I enjoyed the transformation Sam has throughout the story. While the men in the story are central characters, this story is more of an exploration of her own growth and discovering who she is outside of motherhood. While this story is a small jump outside of my own personal reading preferences, I was drawn in regardless. Also, can we talk about that playlist at the end?!? Golden. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! Add this as a must read for 2025!

itslikeareward218's review

5.0

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Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing & Maisey Yates for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Listen- this one might be a real thinker for a romance reader.  I mean- our FMC's husband asks for an open marriage (after 3 kids and 22 years...) on the first page!  This novel might make a reader think about how you move forward when a request can't be taken back.  But also- when you've lived your life so long doing everything "right" are you really happy?  or just happy you did it "right"?

I really liked the way the author took us on this journey- the way she blended their past, gave reason for their road trips, endeared us to Logan every step of the way.  Excellent story!

lizetteratura's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional hopeful 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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rainyautumnreads's review

3.0

adventurous challenging emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

allingoodtime's review

4.0

emotional hopeful reflective fast-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

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I found this book to be a good blend of contemporary romance and contemporary/women’s fiction. I say that because I’m not quite certain the romance was the central theme of the story. It definitely played a large part in the second half, but Sam’s growth and her journey are the most important parts, especially in the first half of the book.

When Sam’s husband of 22 years asks for an open marriage, she is blindsided. She always felt they were the couple others envied. A solid, loving, kind couple who were good to each other and their children. As her husband’s best friend, Logan, points out pretty early on, Sam is great at denial and pretending, even to herself. She doesn’t even realize she’s doing it most of the time, which becomes obvious as this story progresses and Sam unpacks her marriage and her life.

I’ve complained before about this author’s recent books being too internal. It works with this story. Sam needs to get in her own head and figure things out. From her upbringing (somewhat strict religious), to her fears (she cares way too much about what others think about her and her family), to who she really is instead of who others want her to be. At the beginning of this story, Sam staunchly believes her husband has always split the household and parental responsibilities with her, but by the end, she has opened her eyes to how much she was taken for granted and how comfortable they had both gotten with their dynamic.

The beginning of this book is hard, I’m not going to skim around that. Sam is racking her brain to figure out where she’d gone wrong in the marriage. Why she wasn’t enough. Why their life wasn’t enough for him. It’s heartbreaking, so be warned if that’s something you have a hard time reading.

Since I did say this is also a romance, I should talk a little about Logan. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a man who starts a relationship with his best friend’s wife, even if that best friend is acting like an idiot and had asked for the “freedom” for them each to try things out separately from one another. Somehow, it was handled in a way that worked by the end. One of the things I think helped with that is how Logan always stepped out of Sam’s way, so she was making a decision based on true feelings and not anger or fear. There was never pressure. Logan would often rile Sam up by pointing out a problem she hadn’t faced, but then he’d step back and let her come to her own conclusions. It was also obvious, but a certain point, that Sam and her husband weren’t really in love. Not in the way they thought they were. All that together helped this story work.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely** 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent

peixotodust's review against another edition

2.0

adventurous challenging hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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For the complexity of being a woman and how everyone expects you to be a certain way, I really applaud this book. Especially throwing in religion and how it shapes your life because it tells you something is wrong if you don’t get married, it intrigued me. 

However, the writing left a lot to be desired. Sam is a very complex character and I didn’t find her inner thoughts interesting enough to care. However, I did find relatable the moments when she started questioning everything she had done and finding out she wasn’t doing it for herself but because she had been told that’s the way she was supposed to be. Plus how she went through the grief of losing her mom made me sad for her. 

Another part that weirded me out a bit was her having attraction to Logan for a while before Will asked for an open marriage. The entire situation felt a bit messy but that’s okay. Sam and Logan were good for each other. I loved seeing them come together to what they ended up being. Just wish there was more of a depth to them. Things did get a bit spicy so I give it a 2 🌶️ out of 5. 

Thank you NetGalley, Canary Street Press and Maisey Yates for the ARC in exchange of an honest review. 

minnfinnfiction's review

4.5

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

thelibbrary's review against another edition

3.5

emotional funny hopeful 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

bdsongbird8's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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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Thank you to @netgalley and Harlequin audio for allowing me to have this ALC in exchange for my honest review. 

Maisey Yates delivers an emotionally charged, deeply satisfying romance in Cruel Summer—a story that dives headfirst into a messy heartbreak, healing, and the dangerous allure of a second chance you never thought you’d get.

When Sam’s husband unexpectedly proposes an open marriage, it shatters the foundation of the life she thought she had built. Reeling from betrayal, she agrees to a summer apart—one that takes a surprising turn when she hits the road in a classic car with Logan, her husband’s best friend. Logan is protective, grounded, and undeniably on her side, and their journey across a sun-soaked landscape becomes a slow-burn unraveling of years of suppressed feelings.

Yates writes the tension between Sam and Logan with exquisite care—balancing spice and swoon with raw emotional honesty. This isn’t just a story about forbidden desire; it’s about permission. Permission to want something more, to walk away from what no longer serves you, and to finally choose yourself.

The audiobook, narrated by Nancy Peterson, brings added depth to the story. Peterson’s performance is grounded and emotionally attuned—she captures Sam’s pain, confusion, and growing confidence with nuance and warmth. Her pacing allows the tension to build naturally, and she handles the moments of intimacy and inner conflict with a quiet power that enhances the listening experience. Peterson also does a great job distinguishing voices without overplaying them, keeping the focus on the characters’ emotional journeys.

This is the kind of story you feel in your chest—and don’t be surprised if you find yourself thinking about it long after the last page or final track. Perfect for fans of angsty, character-driven romance with a strong emotional payoff.

djosephine's review

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad 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