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A review by allingoodtime
The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis
4.0
4.5 stars
I renewed this book from the library so many times and kept forgetting to actually read the darn thing before I’d have to take it back. Then, I was lucky enough to get an eARC of the next full-length book in this series and, although there really isn’t crossover and the books in the Wildstone series can truly be read as standalones, I knew I had to get cracking. I have some idiosyncrasies, like everyone else, and one of mine is the inability to skip books in a series. Here I was, still far down the list for my e-library, with a big hardcover copy waiting for me. Ever since I started wearing reading glasses, it’s really a lot harder for me to find the time to read paper books. I tend to read in bed a lot. So it says a ton about this book that I was able to read it so quickly. Usually, even when I love a story, I just don’t have the time to dedicate to getting it read. Especially coming up on Christmas!
In case you didn’t get the gist from the above paragraph, I really enjoyed this book. All of the characters were wonderful and had me rooting for them. Even Kinsey, who I wanted to dislike. Really, I did. To be fair, there were things she did I didn’t like. And moments I wanted to scream at her. But as a human being, I couldn’t dislike Kinsey. She had her reasons for doing the things she did, even the terribly witchy things.
Brynn and Eli have great chemistry. I love the way they reconnect and the hoops Brynn jumps through in order to seem so chill and laid back when it comes to her memories of Eli. Brynn has amazing parents but has a hard time really setting boundaries with her moms. Sure, they are pushy and smothering to their only child and have a hard time giving her the space she needs. Brynn is such a pleaser that she just doesn’t speak up as often as she should. In her mind, if her moms are wonderful people and so loving, how can that be a bad thing? Even if it’s holding her back, or even hurting her in a way.
Like I said, this series really has a bunch of stand-alone books that happen to touch on the same small town in California. But I’d love to see more with Eli’s brother. I adore Eli and how hard he works to protect those he considers his. His brother, Kinsey, and even Brynn. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been hurt and that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own issues. Eli’s issues are deep and festering. With Brynn, those wounds have to be allowed to come to the surface before either of them can truly find their happiness.
As usual, Jill Shalvis has given us a heartwarming and funny tale with lots of chemistry. Both romantic and familial chemistry.
One last quick note, because it’s something I’ve been noticing happening more and more lately. I love the cover of this book, but it really doesn’t fit with this story at all. The three main characters went to summer camp together for a few years, but the scene depicted is not something that would have been their truth. I know the job of the cover is to get the reader to pick up the book, but it’s just curious to me when the covers are so off from the story. At least, in my opinion.
You can find more of my reviews, from this author and others, at All In Good Time.
I renewed this book from the library so many times and kept forgetting to actually read the darn thing before I’d have to take it back. Then, I was lucky enough to get an eARC of the next full-length book in this series and, although there really isn’t crossover and the books in the Wildstone series can truly be read as standalones, I knew I had to get cracking. I have some idiosyncrasies, like everyone else, and one of mine is the inability to skip books in a series. Here I was, still far down the list for my e-library, with a big hardcover copy waiting for me. Ever since I started wearing reading glasses, it’s really a lot harder for me to find the time to read paper books. I tend to read in bed a lot. So it says a ton about this book that I was able to read it so quickly. Usually, even when I love a story, I just don’t have the time to dedicate to getting it read. Especially coming up on Christmas!
In case you didn’t get the gist from the above paragraph, I really enjoyed this book. All of the characters were wonderful and had me rooting for them. Even Kinsey, who I wanted to dislike. Really, I did. To be fair, there were things she did I didn’t like. And moments I wanted to scream at her. But as a human being, I couldn’t dislike Kinsey. She had her reasons for doing the things she did, even the terribly witchy things.
Brynn and Eli have great chemistry. I love the way they reconnect and the hoops Brynn jumps through in order to seem so chill and laid back when it comes to her memories of Eli. Brynn has amazing parents but has a hard time really setting boundaries with her moms. Sure, they are pushy and smothering to their only child and have a hard time giving her the space she needs. Brynn is such a pleaser that she just doesn’t speak up as often as she should. In her mind, if her moms are wonderful people and so loving, how can that be a bad thing? Even if it’s holding her back, or even hurting her in a way.
Like I said, this series really has a bunch of stand-alone books that happen to touch on the same small town in California. But I’d love to see more with Eli’s brother. I adore Eli and how hard he works to protect those he considers his. His brother, Kinsey, and even Brynn. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been hurt and that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own issues. Eli’s issues are deep and festering. With Brynn, those wounds have to be allowed to come to the surface before either of them can truly find their happiness.
As usual, Jill Shalvis has given us a heartwarming and funny tale with lots of chemistry. Both romantic and familial chemistry.
One last quick note, because it’s something I’ve been noticing happening more and more lately. I love the cover of this book, but it really doesn’t fit with this story at all. The three main characters went to summer camp together for a few years, but the scene depicted is not something that would have been their truth. I know the job of the cover is to get the reader to pick up the book, but it’s just curious to me when the covers are so off from the story. At least, in my opinion.
You can find more of my reviews, from this author and others, at All In Good Time.