Jamie Brenner’s A Novel Summer is a delightful second-chance summer romance that beautifully intertwines themes of friendship, love, and the pursuit of dreams. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Provincetown, Cape Cod, this story offers a heartwarming look at how life’s twists and turns can bring people back together, even after years apart.

The story revolves around three college friends—Shelby, Hunter, and Colleen—whose shared love of literature initially brought them together. Years later, their paths have diverged: Shelby is a writer in New York, Hunter is an editor in Boston, and Colleen manages her family’s bookstore in their beloved Provincetown. When fate intervenes—Hunter loses her job, and Shelby returns to Provincetown for personal reasons—the trio reunites for the first time in three years. Together, they navigate career challenges, rekindle old friendships, and explore unresolved romantic feelings.

Brenner does a wonderful job of portraying the complexities of relationships—romantic, platonic, and professional. Each character is distinct, with relatable struggles and growth arcs that keep the story engaging. The author’s focus on the different dynamics at play adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a romance. The seaside setting of Provincetown enhances the charm, making it an ideal summer escape.

However, one minor drawback is the occasional confusion caused by abrupt shifts in point of view. While it doesn’t detract significantly from the story, a smoother transition between perspectives would have enhanced the reading experience.

Overall, A Novel Summer is a sweet and satisfying tale of second chances, self-discovery, and the enduring power of friendship. It’s a perfect pick for readers who love character-driven stories set in idyllic coastal towns.

Thank you to Jamie Brenner, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, summer read that I especially enjoyed being familiar with Cape Cod. Rising author, Shelby, draws inspiration from her time on the Cape but her novel hits a little too on the mark for one of her friends. Alongside that conflict, another friend seeks Shelby's help with her bookstore over the summer. How will it be for Shelby to return to her roots? What awaits her is far more complex than one friend feeling exposed. As she helps with the bookstore while working on novel #2, she is reunited with friends and acquaintances and faced with a town that is exploring new initiatives. Will she be able to advocate for what she feels passionate about and effect change, or will the scars her novel created, force her out of the area for good? Thanks to Park Row and Net Galley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I am going to keep this brief and short. I was hoping for more of a beach romance in 'A Novel Summer' by Jamie Brenner. However, a few times I felt lost and had to reread some pages just to figure out who's point of view I was reading. The story does change between several characters, except the one best friend Colleen. I will say I did read an unedited version and hoping the published version has some sort of distinctive way marked to show the story is switching POV.

I also had a hard time relating to Shelby, the main character, with all the mistakes she kept making and not learning from them, until the very end. Glad she finally did, but man while reading I kept wanting to yell at her. LoL

I will say it was quick read, and I will give Jamie Brenner another chance and read another one of her books.

** Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Jamie Brenner for an eARC copy of 'A Novel Summer'.

I love Jamie Brenner for my character driven dramas! This was no exception - I also always wanna import myself into her settings. This was another good one!

I think that the concept of this book was an amazing idea. I lover reading books about authors, but I went into this book thinking it would have a similar vibe as Beach Read by Emily Henry and I feel like this caused the book to fall short for me. The romance fell a bit short for me and there were times when I was confused with the different POV's. I enjoyed all of the scenes showcasing life as an author as well as the story being set in Cape Cod. Overall it is a nice summer read, there just happened to be multiple points where I wanted more from the story.

A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner is a beautifully written, soul-soothing story about second chances, forgiveness, and the power of books. What I love about Brenner's writing is how she captures the emotional depth of her characters. Shelby’s journey is one of growth, redemption, and finding balance between her career and the people who matter most. The Cape Cod setting only enhances the story, adding a layer of nostalgia and warmth.

If you’ve loved Jamie Brenner’s backlist books (I loved Blush and Guilt), A Novel Summer will not disappoint. It’s the perfect blend of emotional depth and summer charm. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend!

A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner is called a beach read, as is the book that its main character Shelby publishes. Shelby’s characters seem to resemble her friends, which causes rifts in some of her oldest friendships. She returns to Provincetown to help her friend run her book store and tries to make amends with those she has hurt. This story is told from various viewpoints including Shelby’s friend Hunter (a woman named Hunter was confusing to me…), her ex boyfriend Justin, and Justin’s mom Carmen. There were a few subplots and my favorite was the one about Justin’s sister. While this does include a bit of a second chance love story, that is not the main focus of the book. As a light read, this one served its purpose!

Three years after abruptly leaving her friends, boyfriend, and local town in order to pursue a career goal, SHelby Archer finds herself back in Cape Cod. Now a successful author working on her second novel, Shelby is not prepared when she finds some hurt feelings in those she loves, as they feel she used their private lives and personal stories to fuel her first novel's plot.

I would consider A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner to be a "coming of age" novel however I had issues with how Brenner wrote the characters. Almost every character was so self absorbed in their own problems it was distracting to the reader. I understand much of the personality traits were used as plot points and illustrations of how the women in the novel grew and matured; but it was insulting to the intelligence of the audience in the way Brenner believed the reader would just understand and sympathize with Shelby.

Jamie Brenner has written many good books in my opinion. This was not one of them.

A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner is a mixed bag for me. While there are elements of the story that are engaging, it ultimately falls short in several key areas, leaving me with a sense of disappointment—especially given my appreciation for Brenner’s other works.

The premise is promising: a bestselling author, Shelby Archer, returns to Provincetown, the place that inspired her first novel, to reconcile with old friends and manage a local bookstore. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to the potential. The book feels disjointed, with too much focus on descriptions, while the character development of the three central women—Shelby, Colleen, and Hunter—feels underdeveloped. I really wanted more depth and insight into their relationships, especially Colleen, who was a central part of Shelby's summer but had very little voice in the narrative. Their friendship felt flat, and I was disappointed by how little time the characters actually spent together. Instead of meaningful interactions, they often texted or barely communicated—particularly Shelby and Colleen, who, despite being best friends, didn’t seem to connect in a way that felt authentic.

The plot is also driven by the "miscommunication" trope, but this was frustrating more than it was compelling. There was very little direct dialogue between the friends, and much of the conflict could have been avoided with more open communication. It's difficult to fully invest in a friendship storyline when the friends spend most of their time apart or texting each other.

That said, A Novel Summer has its redeeming qualities. The character arcs, particularly Hunter’s, did provide some emotional payoff by the end, and the story does wrap up in a satisfying way, albeit predictably. There are some sweet moments, and I appreciated the overall sense of hope and second chances. It also serves as an easy, breezy beach read, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a light summer novel.

The setting of Provincetown, which could have been a character in itself, sadly didn’t get the love it deserved. The town could have been anywhere along the northeastern coast, and that was a missed opportunity. In contrast, authors like Carley Fortune are experts at making their locations feel like integral parts of the story, and I would have loved to see more of that here.

That said, A Novel Summer does have its strengths: it’s an easy read, offers some good character arcs, and wraps up with a decent ending. For readers looking for a beachy, feel-good romance with some drama and a few good moments of growth, this book will likely be enjoyable. For those familiar with Jamie Brenner’s other works, however, this may not be as strong a showing. It’s definitely a letdown compared to her previous books, but I’m hopeful that future releases will return to the level of storytelling I’ve come to expect from her.

Overall, this is a good read for a light beach vacation, but don't expect the depth and charm that the premise promises.

📖 BOOK REVIEW

📱 A NOVEL SUMMER by Jamie Brenner
4 stars

Genre: contemporary fiction
Did I cry: no
Published in 2024

💭: this book was the perfect summer beach read🥹 i absolutely live for a cape cod beach-town setting, and the idea of a local author moving home to help run/save the local independent book store while mending broken friendships and relationships i mean come on!! couldn’t have been better. the characters were great and the plot was great. I don’t think the book particularly wowed me, but then again it’s rare that i feel that way towards contemporary fiction. It was just enjoyable for what it was! Def recommend for a light, fun summer read.

Let’s book made me happy for so many reasons. As an elementary school librarian, that would love to own my very own book shop and write a book of my own, it just hit all the connections for me. I love the storyline and relationship dynamics.

I have read and enjoyed this author before and definitely enjoyed this one.

Would be a great beach read. Three women, Shelby, Hunter and Colleen were college friends. They spent summers in the same beach town. After graduation their lives took different paths.

Shelby, now an author, returns to the beach town to promote her book. Some of her friends aren't happy with the book and that they may be portrayed in it. She also encounters her ex boyfriend, who she parted ways with to move away and pursue her writing.

This was a fun read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for an eARC.

This was a sweet beach read! The story, set in beautiful Provincetown, captures the charm of summer and self-discovery. Though the dialogue is sometimes a bit slow ,the characters and their journeys kept me hooked. A heartfelt, scenic read for anyone who loves stories about friendship and second chances

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. A Novel Summer is definitely a simple beach read. A little romance, a bit of friendships and family drama - all things that make a good book.

I loved the setting but overall this book didn’t really engage me much :( i had high hopes it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Overall a really cute story and setting though!’

Absolutely beautiful writing style. Perfect summer vibes! I loved the rival bookstore owners trope so so much. It makes me wish for summer days to come back again.

I FINALLY got around to reading this one in October! hahah! I absolutely loved the setting of this book, but it was missing something for me to really love it. 3.5 stars overall! Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

I enjoyed this read and felt like it was a good summer book. Janie Brenner kept my attention with the story and the evolution between all the characters. I also enjoyed the plot conflict with the MC and how she resolved it at the end.

Jamie Brenner is an auto buy author for me. I love her writing. It's soulful, colorful and relateable. A Novel Summer is the perfect heartwarming summer read. Add to your summer reading list ASAP.

I enjoy stories about women, their friendships and their lives. This is exactly what Jamie Brenner delivers in A Novel Summer.

Readers meet three young women as the story opens in Provincetown on Cape Cod. They include Colleen who has grown up on the Cape. Her parents own a bookstore (and one that I would like to visit). Shelby grew up moving around as her family was a military one. She dreams of being an author. Hunter has grown up in a family (and a wealthy one) that has deep roots in Boson. Despite not having to work, Hunter wants meaning in her life. The three become good friends.

Soon after the book opens, we move forward with these characters. Shelby has written a best seller; a rival bookstore wants to open; Hunter is at loose ends.

What will happen to each of these women? Will they find happiness? Romance? Will their friendship survive? Find out in this read that will speak to those who enjoy women’s fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.