A Summer to Surrender

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/6.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5.

This was a delightful read even when there were some time jumps ( every few months) in the beginning. Why did I like the time jumps? Because it started with meaningful stuff and not things that a character was doing that was irrelevant to the story if that makes sense. It also led us to where the romance needed to be in order to commence in a way because otherwise this story would've been another one entirely if they got involved when they met, either because of their circumstances at the times or because of where each character was at that point in their lives. It wouldn't have been as good as it is. I'm also impressed by this author since it's her debut book and I'm very excited for her next release.

Alex, Lord Westmore, is a business man first and foremost which is frowned upon by the ton. He doesn't care what others in society think about him, which I loved, and his focus is on building his empire and making it even more profitable than it is. Until he almost crashes against Lady Phoebe. I actually loved their first encounter and Phoebe definitely left an impression on Alex and because he isn't easily impressed especially by women, he just had to figure out why this Lady had such an impact on his mind.
I liked that he didn't shy away from the feelings Phoebe evoked in him as they were learning more and more about each other and later when they started their little deal.
I loved that once he "tasted" her, he knew there was no going back to a life where she wasn't in it and he went all in even when he never even pondered marriage. One thing you must know about Alex is that once he wants something or someone, he does everything in his power to get it. No matter what it takes or what society might think.

Phoebe is an orphan and her aunt took her in when she was very little but because of her mother's marriage, her reputation was sullied and she would never have a husband and was destined to be a wallflower. She knew that and was okay with that because she never wanted a place in society and she just wanted to make money on what she loved to do the most and be able to have a home of her own. Until she meets Lord Westmore at a party.
I loved her! She was ambitious, direct, smart and kind.
I do think she gave a bit too much of herself to her cousin without thinking of herself. I didn't like parts where Catherine, her cousin, seemed like she took and took from her and never really acknowledged what Phoebe wanted. It was always what she wanted and Phoebe just went along with it. Phoebe was also very selfless to her detriment sometimes so I don't put all the blame on the cousin.

I loved the new friends she made along the way and I'm excited for their stories.
I liked how they finally had their hea although the fact that it took so long for Phoebe to come to terms with the fact that she didn't mind being a Countess if she could have Alex as a husband was a bit frustrating to me. However I believe she meant to go to him before she received the package and I liked that she was the one that her feelings on the table so to speak and I liked even more that Alex didn't give anything away until she did. That whole interaction was as it was supposed to be.
I loved them and I can't wait to hopefully see them in future books.

* I read an arc of this book. *

The PINING. A Summer to Surrender has some exceptional MMC pining, and I devoured every page of it. What a wonderful read from Collette Perri, a new-to-me author!

Absolutely loved Phoebes nature form start to finish. Great chemistry between her and Alex. Devoured the book in about 10 hours with small breaks ♥️