A few months ago, I was flipping through my Kindle book collection, looking for something to read, and I came across Just One Summer. I bought it last year, but I didn't have time to read it, and then I forgot all about it. (Doesn't that tend to happen to Kindle books?) I decided to give it a try, and it proved to be the perfect light vacation read.
Four Best Friends. Four Love Stories. Just One Summer.
Four college girls, best friends since childhood, have found one constant in their ever-changing lives--summer. Every June the girls choose a destination to reconnect, only this summer is different. This year, each one must face life's challenges on her own, overcome fear and failure, and learn the beauty of falling in love for the first time.
A Summer Remade by Nicole Deese
Joss Sanders needs an escape, a reminder of a sweeter, simpler, and steadier time. Only her family's cabin isn't exactly how she remembered it as a child, and neither is the charming boy who lives next door. Change is everywhere. If Joss doesn't stop living in the past, she just might miss the promise in her future.
Waves of Summer by Tammy L. Gray
Sydney Andrews wants nothing more than to get away from a controlling ex-boyfriend, find some clarity and enjoy a drama-free vacation. But nothing in Sydney’s life is ever that easy. Especially when the sexy bartender she meets at her mother’s wedding wants more than just her friendship. He wants the girl she’s forgotten how to be.
A Painted Summer by Amy Matayo
Darby Sparks has lived a very sheltered life. A homeschool graduate, a small town resident, and the only child of two over-protective parents. But she's had enough. She wants to see the world and chase her dreams, and that's just what she does...until she runs out of money. With limited options, Darby finds herself working for dangerously hot Lennon Dixon, the owner of a downtown Los Angeles tattoo parlor. To call the job unfamiliar is the world's biggest understatement. And to call her attraction to Lennon unexpected is a very close second.
Wild Heart Summer by Jenny B. Jones
Twenty-one year old Avery Crawford has had to fight for everything in her life, and this summer is no exception. When her culinary internship in a chic restaurant falls through at the last minute, she gets an unexpected offer to work on a dude ranch in the quaint town of Sugar Creek. While Avery’s up to her apron in cattle drives, trail rides, and kitchen duty, the cute ranch manager Owen Jackson is determined to sweep her off her feet. Just as Avery finds herself unable to resist Owen’s Southern charm, her own family secrets begin to unravel, pushing her away from the ranch--and the love of one handsome cowboy.
This collection kicks off with A Summer Remade, which is a nice, cute story. I enjoyed reading it, though I didn't find myself particularly drawn into the romance. 4 stars.
Waves of Summer had romance and chemistry in spades. I loved watching Sydney and Jacob fall for each other, and I'd love to watch their journey continue. 4-1/2 stars.
A Painted Summer was very interesting—Darby is a "good girl" who finds herself drawn to "bad boy" Lennon ... who turns out to not be bad at all. 4-1/2 stars.
Wild Heart Summer was the one story that fell a bit flat to me at first. I just really didn't care much about Avery or Owen. In fact, I stopped reading it about halfway through. About three months later, I picked it up again ... and I ended up really enjoying it! So I didn't care for the first half of the novella, but I really liked the second half. 3 stars.
Apparently I took long enough to read this collection that it's not even available anymore! Most of the novellas are available individually—I'd especially recommend A Painted Summer.
Buy the novellas: A Summer Remade, A Painted Summer, and Wild Heart Summer. (Waves of Summer doesn't appear to be available at this time.)
Read my reviews of Matayo's The Wedding Game (4 stars) and In Tune with Love (4-1/2 stars) and Jones's Save the Date (5 stars) and There You'll Find Me (4-1/2 stars).
Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it of my own free will. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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This looks good. I love finding buried treasures on my kindle too.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice surprise! These novellas are a great way to pass an hour or two. Thanks for stopping by, Heather!
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