I loved this so freaking much and I am beyond happy that I ended up actually buying the audiobook because I just know that I will need rereads.

I didn't know that a sapphic coming-of-age rom-com set in adult summer camp is what I needed right now, but holy heck did this deliver.

This book is hilarious for one. I found myself laughing out loud so many times while listening to the audiobook and just falling in love with all of the characters. I loved the adult summer camp setting and the figuring your shit out after 30 vibes and the continuous theme of "it is an act of love to yourself to continue to question things".

I feel like I could probably go on at this one for a while and I know that I have some quotes bookmarked that I want to go back and my physical copy and get written out here but for now I cannot recommend this one enough. I highly highly suggest you pick this up and whatever format you read and enjoy!

Brief note too, I would like to claim one of the secondary characters as aromantic. The label is not explicitly used but she talks about how her being single at 30 something is not a coincidence and it is a choice and she does not need a partner, she doesn't want a partner, and that she is perfectly happy and content without a romantic partner in life and I need to see more rep like this. The only thing that would have made this book better is on page labeling for that character. But that's it. I have no other notes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My immediate first thought when I read the summary for this book? “Where can I sign up for an adults only summer sleepaway camp?” Like the two sisters in this book, my sister and I loved watching Bug Juice when we were growing up and I going to camp seemed like such fun! Reading this book did not make it seem any less fun and now I really want to go.

Now, to the actual plot and the characters. This was a very cute queer romance. I love it when characters in books don’t realize they’re queer and have been all along until they’re older, because while that was not my experience, I know it is many other peoples’, and it is valid and deserves to be represented.

The romance was so swoony, and the character growth so heartwarming. It was a little corny, but not in a bad way, and anyway, I love corny. Give me corny earnestness over ironic detached aloofness any day!

This was such a great summer read, especially for Pride month.

This is about a grown ass woman who has never learned to communicate to others, who somehow readily accepts that she is queer despite never (in the story at least) thinking she might even be a little bit gay, and about a live story that is established in the time it takes Amazon to ship something. In all, it was, at best, an incredibly mediocre idea that was written down in the worst way possible, and at worst, just straight awful. I was so bored that I read TWO different fantasy books in the six days it took me to read this.

Gar (please who named these people) has trauma from her parents fighting, as if we all don’t, and it just hindered her ability to be a human. Not to mention, until she “realised” that she was queer, she was OBSESSED with the idea that her ex husband was going to want her back. This plot and story line was a fever dream and read like every teenage boys lesbian fantasy dream.

This was a great summer read! I really enjoyed Garland as a MC and loved watching her find herself again post divorce. The romance was very cute even though it was a little insta-love. The side characters and setting also really added to the story.

Overall I would definitely recommend this one even though it won't quite be a new favorite.

I spent all of my childhood summers at sleepaway camp. 10 years of going for 2 months and it was the best thing ever. But would I go as an adult? Hmmm. I have to think about that one…

That Summer Feeling is the story of two sisters who spend a week at a camp for adults and get caught up in the traditions and camp antics.
Color war, camp socials, camp romances, all of it. It was pure summer fun about finding oneself, reconnecting and moving forward to be the person you want to be. And a perfect way to start pride 🌈 month with an adorable romance.

“You can be a different you tomorrow. You can also own the person you are today. You don’t have to hide away because you might one day change.”

Oh, how That Summer Feeling has my heart. This book has the queer adult summer camp vibes of my dreams. This may end up being my new Red, White and Royal Blue in terms of the “desperate need to re-read immediately/ repeatedly.”

I deeply love Garland and Stevie. Their characters are so delightful and their banter is *chef’s kiss* I am simply weak for them both. This book has the insta-love trope, but it worked for me in a way it usually wouldn’t.

LOVE the later-in-life sexuality realizations. This was extremely relatable and done so well. I hung on every word from page 1 to the end. Such a great queer romance and found family feeling. Definitely recommend!

I loved the setting of this book. Adult summer camp sounds like a nightmare but I did like reading about it. Although this was a fantastic sapphic romance I also enjoyed the themes of family, marriage, divorce and being true to yourself. This was a beautiful book.

I loved this book and all the summer vibes it gave. I think it accurately portrayed how coming out later in life may play out in one's head as well as the realizations of all the indicators that were ignored due to the pressure of a heteronormative society. Even though it was never stated, Garland struck me as a shade of demi, which accounted for her extreme emotions for both the completely undeserving Ethan and lovable Stevie. And when she decided Stevie was her new person, she threw her whole heart into it. Highly recommend and would read another F/F romance from this author for sure.

“What was love if not holding someone else’s hand through their chosen journeys? Our ups and downs didn’t have to match to matter.”

Summer camp…but make it for adults?! Umm yes please! This was the super sweet story of Garland Moore, recently divorced, finding love in the most unexpected of places. The sister of a man from her past!

The love story between Garland and Stevie was so tender and I very much enjoyed how it evolved. Set to the background of sleepover camp, with the lake and all of the fun camp games you can think of, one lost woman thinking that love will never find her again finds more than just love..she finds herself. A heartfelt love story. ♥️

“Sharing a meal with people was one of life’s simplest pleasures. In the right company, breaking bread together, walking through the mundanities in our lives felt revelatory.”

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book made me feel all the things. It’s nostalgic and sun-drenched and soft and funny and tender and transportive. It’s about honouring your inner child, discovering who you are, and includes a beautiful relationship between two sisters with parents who were terrible role models for love. It’s full of Queer joy and love and discovery.

That Summer Feeling made me wish adult summer camp was real. It showed me that it’s never too late to discover something about yourself. It inspired me to face my fears and hold on to the things I love.

This would be a great book to throw in your book for a day at the beach or hanging out at the park. It would be a great book for anytime or anywhere, honestly! Big, big fan.

I love the theme of this book and the growth of the MC. All the activities at an adult summer camp were not it for me. I think I would have enjoyed this better in a more realistic setting for 30 year olds.

"What was love if not holding someone else's hand through their chosen journeys?"

From the outside, I expected this to be a cute romance but I was blown away by the beautiful prose and the brilliant characters. Garland, recently divorced, has been crashing with her sister for the last year; thirty-two and still finding her footing in life. Over the course of a week at an adult summer camp, she goes on a journey learning about herself, falling in love, and learning what it means to be in the present.

"I didn't dare imagine what kind of moments between us were yet to come. I wanted to experience them instead. Learn everything I could have with her in real time."

I just absolutely loved this one. Garland is such a lovable character with an enthusiasm and wonder for the world that reminded me of my own partner. To enjoy this one, you have to be okay with some insta-love, as this does take place over the course of a week, and also suspend some disbelief as a large portion of the premise hinges on a vision Garland. That said, the vision made sense within the context of the book. Summer camp is a magical place, why wouldn't there be a little bit of magic in Garland's life? I loved the way this book both encapsulated the nostalgia and magic and fun of summer camp as a youth while folding in the ways these childhood activities can be so healing as an adult. Such a quick read that manages to be both fun and have some deep emotions--just like summer camp!

Call me a sucker, but I am living for these Summer themed books!

Give me a book with a warm weathered title or a beach clad cover and you straight up stole my heart.

Here we go, That Summer Feeling.

This book is so much more than an adult version of sleep away camp. It’s about finding yourself and discovering what truly makes you “feel good” .

I’ve never read a LGBTQ type of book but I’m happy I did as it gave me a new understanding of love and quite frankly, Love is Love and Love truly conquers all.

This book was an eye opener and appreciate being thrust into something that I would have not otherwise been exposed to had it not been for the good ole people at Bookstagram.

This book is the perfect summer read and I believe it will be enjoyed by all.


Teaser:

When a divorced woman attends a sleepaway camp for adults, she reconnects with a man from her past—only to fall head over heels for his sister instead.

Garland Moore used to believe in magic, the power of optimism, and signs from the universe. Then her husband surprised her with divorce papers over Valentine's Day dinner. Now Garland isn’t sure what to believe anymore, except that she’s clearly never meant to love again. When new friends invite her to spend a week at their reopened sleepaway camp, she and her sister decide it’s an opportunity to enjoy the kind of summer getaway they never had as kids. If Garland still believed in signs, this would sure seem like one. Summer camp is a chance to let go of her past and start fresh.

Nestled into the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Camp Carl Cove provides the exact escape Garland always dreamed of, until she runs into Mason—the man she had a premonition about after one brief meeting years ago. No matter how she tries to run, the universe appears determined to bring love back into Garland’s life. She even ends up rooming with Mason’s sister Stevie, a vibrant former park ranger who is as charming as she is competitive. The more time Garland spends with Stevie, the more the signs confuse her. The stars are aligning in a way Garland never could have predicted.

Amid camp tournaments and moonlit dances, Garland continues to be pulled toward the beautiful blonde outdoorswoman who makes her laugh and swoon. Summer camp doesn’t last forever, but if Garland can learn to trust her heart, the love she finds there just might.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Berkley for the gifted e-book ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read if you like: LGBTQ representation, fluffy reads, instalove, adult Summer camp

This is the perfect, sweet, fluffy Summer read. The love is super fast but cute. I prefer bit longer development with romance, but this was still great. It was just a bit farfetched sometimes. This book was laugh out loud funny. The characters were well done. I would totally go to this adult Summer camp. I highly recommend this!

I really enjoyed this one! the setting of adult summer camp is SO fun and unique and perfect for the found family vibes of the book. following an unexpected divorce, Garland and her sister decide to spend a week at an adult summer camp. it becomes a week of self discovery, not only with her sexuality, but also just shedding expectations of the life she thought she was supposed to live. when she finally has a chance to be herself in a place full of strangers, so many things start to click into place. all with the help of her cabin mate, Stevie.

i loved how easily Garland is able to be in touch with herself and her sexuality when she’s finally in a space to just be herself. coming to terms with the fact that it’s always been beneath the surface, but was never given the chance to grow. it was a little insta-lovey, especially considering the book only takes place over a single week, but i think that comes with the territory of the summer camp setting, so i was able to just roll with it and still enjoy it despite not being a huge insta-love fan!

There is something so comforting reading about sapphic women discovering their sexuality later in life. I loved reading about Garland discovering herself, her community and finding love with Stevie it was so sweet.

Just from reading the book's premise, I knew I was going to read a messy romance. And I love reading a good messy romance book; it keeps me entertained from the beginning.

Hm, I thought this book was going to be entertaining with its messy drama. But yet, I kind of felt bored while I read it. It wasn’t as messy as described. It was more of an insta-love romance with fade-to-back scenes. And the drama was not as great as their miscommunications with each other. And don’t get me started on the characters. They act a bit immature at times. I was a bit confused about why they were acting like teenagers when they were adults.

I just felt that this book wasn’t for me. I love reading any new lgbtq romance books, but I just wasn’t feeling this one. The characters were too immature for my taste.

If you enjoy reading about insta-love romance tropes with summer vibes, then check out That Summer Feeling.

This one was such a highly anticipated read for me. It seems like everyone was talking about it so I really wanted to read it. Unfortunately, I did not get very far. It felt like Garland kept talking about her divorce, and I just really wanted her to get to the point.

Now I want to go to sleepaway camp. This is such a beautiful sapphic romance. How was the first time I have heard of this author? I need more.

That Summer Feeling is a wonderful story about finding yourself.

Prepare yourself for some major gushing. This book is utter perfection. There is absolutely nothing about it I didn’t love. If I could, I wouldn’t change a thing. I loved the premise of this book. A summer sleep away camp for adults? Where do I sign up?

Bridget has managed to pack a lot into one book and she has done so masterfully. Although she has tackled some pretty hefty topics like growing up with less than ideal parents, the trauma of divorce, and coming out later in life, it is all done with such care and thoughtfulness that the book manages to feel like a warm hug. It is positive and uplifting and just the book I didn’t know I needed to read right now.

Garland is by far my favourite leading lady I’ve read so far this year. She is just terrific. A people pleaser by nature, she is the one always trying to smooth things over, always trying to make people feel more comfortable. And she’s funny. Her sense of humour is just awesome. I found myself laughing out loud many times. When she arrives at camp, she is in a bit of a slump. A year after the divorce she didn’t see coming, she’s still crashing at her sister’s house and driving people around for a living. She doesn’t know what her future holds. She thought she had it all figured out. And then she was served divorce papers over Valentine’s Day dinner. She knows she has to make a change, but she’s not sure what direction to travel in. I love the personal growth she finds at camp. Anyone who has been to a sleep away camp can attest that it is the perfect time for reinvention. And that is exactly what Garland does.

There are so many great characters in this book. Garland’s sister Dara is a standout for me. I just loved their relationship and how well they knew each other. How they could read each other without having to say things out loud. And the way they are there for each other and support each other is a beautiful thing.

And Stevie. Oh Stevie. She is definitely a swoon-worthy book girlfriend. Outdoorsy, hilarious, confident and kind. She is the kind of person that knows who she is and doesn’t apologise for it. I loved her. I loved how her and Garland bonded immediately. There was definite fireworks, but they took the time to be friends first. Their banter made my heart happy. The way they supported each other and just let each other be who they are was inspirational.

That Summer Feeling is the perfect, uplifting summer read.