The Summer Deal: A Novel

This is book #5 in the Wildstone series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment, and to understand the series, I recommend reading this series in order. Brynn comes home after another boyfriend makes her feel less than herself. The bright spot in her life is her Mom's. They may be in her business but they bring the fun. Also being at home she runs in to Eli. The very Eli with whom she made the summer deal. Eli has his hands full with Kinsey and her health. With a breath of fresh air, Brynn comes back to town and its like he can breathe again. With his protective attitude, he enjoys being in both women's lives. Even though he is only best friends with Kinsey, her friendship is more like family. This story just kind of pounded into my head. I felt like each chapter was a sock to the stomach and was like watching a very loud play. So much action, so much to it, I felt a little overwhelmed. I do not normally say this about this author's books. This was a hard one to finish. Honestly if it was not an author I love well, I would not have bothered. ***This copy was given in exchange for an honest review by Edelweiss and its publishers.

This is a beautiful, sweet, funny, and heartfelt novel that is a perfect summer read. Brynne is home, embarrassed by her breakup and how her life is going. She wants to turn things around and try to be more in control. She has a hilarious meet cute with her long ago crush from summer camp, Eli. They can still feel the flutters that made them share a first kiss at camp too. Unfortunately he is still best friends with Kinsey, her frenemy from that same camp as well. But he is so charming, and sexy, and he convinces her to move in with him, along with Kinsey, and his brother Max, for the summer. Brynne is quirky, easygoing, and upbeat which is the total opposite of Kinsey who is grumpy, and snarky, but fiercely loyal and protective. They didn't get along as teens but now they seem to fall into a comradery that works for them. Eli has a way of collecting people and making an eclectic family that play, banter, fight and protect each other. Add in Kinsey's big, tatted boyfriend, Deck, who is so swoony with his calming yet adventurous spirit, and you have a great group of people I would love to be friends with. I really loved the dynamics between all six of them as well as Brynne's quirky mothers. The way that they formed their bonds, not easily as there were things they kept hidden at times, just felt so real and honest. I loved the peak at each of Brynne and Kinsey's summer camp journals that gave us a revealing look into both their lives growing up. I really just devoured this story. It was so easy to fall for all these characters and their lives that made me laugh, tugged at my heart, and made me swoon. I haven't read the other books in this series but really loved this funny, charming, and heartwarming romance. I will definitely go back and check out the other books in the Wildstone series!

Well, it's that time of year again! Here in FL summer has shown up full force which means I'm on the lookout for some good beach reads. They say don't judge a book by the cover but that's exactly what caught my attention and screamed "beach read!" at me. Jill Shalvis' newest release was exactly that. The book takes a look at two childhood enemies who find out in adulthood they are half sisters. Full of family dynamics and relationship struggles, mixed in with some humor. It's light, upbeat and a quick page-turner. Sometimes between some more serious reads I just need a cheerful bright palette cleanser and this fit the bill!