Callie and her friend Olivia decided to buy and restore the cottage across from Olivia’s grandmother Gladys. They want to open a bed and breakfast by the late summer and therefore they have a lot of work to do before that. Callie and Olivia are both focused on work and didn’t have romance in mind, but life had other plans and Callie’s path collides with a local millionaire Luke. She’s a bit hesitant, but the time she spend with Luke showed that he’s way more than a playboy with a lot of money. The more time they spend together, the more they get to know each other and feel the connection they haven’t felt before. Like usually in life, everything can’t go only smoothly and when an old diary is found in the cottage, it brings an old secret to the surface, a secret that can and is going to change a lot for some people.

Another wonderful novel by Jenny Hale, it was a great summery beach read. It had all the good elements-great location, wonderful characters, sweet romance and of course the secrets and intrigues entwined into the story. All in all it was a magnificent story to read, especially during the summer!

When they were kids Callie and Olivia used to spend their summers at a beach in Outer Banks. They've always dreamed about owning a beach house themselves and when the opportunity arises there's no doubt in their minds that his is their chance. Now they're working hard to turn the beach house into a bed and breakfast. Hidden behind a wall Callie finds a box and a diary from the former owner. Curious about the content, Callie and Olivia go out on a quest to find the rightful heir to these belongings. Will there be secrets that remained hidden for a long time written down in that diary?

Luke has been living a life in the spotlights. He's gorgeous and successful and has dated a lot of beautiful women. Being home is always incredibly relaxing for him and he doesn't miss the reporters who are usually following him or stay hidden in the shadows until the right moment. A persistent paparazzo makes Luke use Callie to get out of a tricky situation. They form a bond immediately and they're comfortable with each other straight away. It's like they've known each other for years. Luke can't remember ever feeling this way about someone. He's determined to make Callie see the real him. How will Luke react when he finds out that the things he values most in life are not even really his?

Callie and Olivia have been best friends ever since they were little kids. Callie didn't have a nice childhood and sees Olivia and her parents as family. Gladys, an older lady who lives in a nearby beach house, is part of their family as well and these women obviously love each other very much. Callie and Olivia work hard and know what they need to do to reach their goals. I instantly felt a connection to these women and I loved reading about the progress they make with their bed and breakfast.

The whole world thinks that Luke is a rich playboy who takes whatever he wants without consideration for others. There aren't a lot of people who know he has a softer side and hardly anybody sees how sweet and considerate he actually is. He's a great brother and son and I loved the way he interacts with his family. Even though Luke is rich he still enjoys the simple things in life and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. I liked this no-nonsense man and I could totally understand why Callie felt attracted to him.

The Summer House is a fabulous sweet story about best friends and love. Having won the lottery with my own best friend I always love to read stories about true friendship. Callie and Olivia are fantastic women and I loved that they don't hold back in achieving the dream they've had since they were children. Jenny Hale describes the surroundings so vividly that I could almost smell the ocean and feel the sun warm my skin. The Summer House is a lovely feelgood story, a perfect read for the summer. It left me with a smile on my face and I'm hoping this book will become part of a series.

This was a nice summer read altough the first part of the book was a bit boring. When I read futher it became better and there was some more excitement in the book. But is was a nice book and you really get that summerfeeling reading it!

Afreshing book about summer, friendship, and romance. The friendship between the two main characters is a friendship everyone wishes they had. This is the perfect book to take to the beach and enjoy reading. The whole book isn't about romance, just a touch of it but that is build into the book also, this is a book I would recommend to sit back and enjoy

The perfect summer read! Two old friends renovation of a old house on the outer banks leads to love for one a mystery and discovery of secrets that change their lives. It's the perfect summer afternoon read . The author beauitfully describes the outer banks , builds a wonderful plot with pleasing characters and adds a dash of a intriguing mystery. A very enjoyable read.

There are some book releases from several authors that I look forward to every year. Jenny Hale is one of them. It's one of those scenarios where I hope I'm lucky enough to receive an advanced copy so I don't need to wait just quite as long, but know I'm going to pre-order my own copy anyway! Jenny's latest Summer novel is here and takes us straight back to the Outer Banks.

The Summer House is all about Callie and Luke. Callie is finally beginning to realise her dream of owning a B&B with her best friend Olivia. The story starts with the early stages of renovation and follows Callie through her summer with a few more bumps in the road than she predicted. Luke is the local celebrity and heartthrob. At first Callie tries to keep him at arms length all while Luke continues to woo her proving there is more to him than the gossip columns say. He proves himself throughout the story and is up there with the best of Jenny's book boyfriends.

While the main story throughout is the love story between Callie and Luke there is a little something else bubbling away in the background built into the history of Callie and Olivia's house. I enjoyed the parallel storylines and how parts of each complimented the other. I always find Jenny's books to be unputdownable but for the first time here I was gripped with tense excitement and suspense to see how the story was going to unfold. The storyline simmers along gently before coming to a full blown boil in the last half of the story! Jenny has more than demonstrated the strength of her writing and story development here and each of her characters come into their own light, rounding them out before the end of the story.


As usual Jenny has hit it out of the park in terms of describing the setting for her book. After I read this novel I headed straight to Google to search for images of the Outer Banks so I could carry on imagining myself there. I would LOVE to visit and that inspiration has come from reading Jenny's books. I feel like you can completely immerse yourself in the story, imagine yourself walking along the same streets, same shop fronts, same beaches with the characters and it's one of my favourite things about Jenny's books.


If you enjoy Nicholas Sparks novels I'm quite sure you will enjoy Jenny's.

Callie Weaver and her best friend Olivia Dixon are starting over. With Olivia's son in tow, they have purchased a large beach house and are renovating to open as a bed and breakfast on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Callie and Olivia are doing a lot of work themselves so the last thing they have time for is a relationship. The timing does not always work as planned. When Callie runs into Luke Sullivan (rich, heartthrob playboy), something happens to both of them. As they tentatively begin to get to know one another, life gets in the way. While Callie and Olivia are working on the house they stumble across an old diary and a lock box belonging to the previous owner and her brother. When Callie starts to read the diary and looks at the contents of the lockbox, secrets emerge. Secrets that could derail her new relationship. If that is not enough, a hurricane is moving in to the Outer Banks and they are forced to evacuate. Will the Bed And Breakfast survive? Will Callie and Luke's new relationship survive? What will the secrets mean to the other residents of The Waves.

The Summer House by Jenny Hale is a great summer read. I loved the story. This was more than girl meets rich handsome playboy. There was a whole story behind both Luke and Callie. His family was likable and very real. I loved Olivia and her son Wyatt. They were a very important part of the story as well. The setting was amazing. The descriptions of the island, the Sullivan home and even the Hurricane and its aftermath were so real, I could picture it all. Yes there is romance, yes there are some happy endings, yes there is also drama and major decisions to be made. Overall, a good story that I have come to expect from Jenny Hale.

I'm beginning to see a trend in the books I'm choosing lately. They all seem to be about summer and beaches! Who knew? I love those things so I guess it's appropriate.

"The Summer House" by Jenny Hale was a really enjoyable read. I read it quickly because it was hitting home. The Outer Banks is one of my favorite places in the US to just be myself. I would love, and can picture myself, in a cottage on the shore there (a far cry from where I love - just dreaming). This book sent me there and it made me wish for it more than ever.

The characters were interesting and I wanted to get to know them, which helped me to want to read the novel, the setting was perfect (duh!) and the story was perfect for a summer afternoon on the deck with a glass of iced tea and this book. I promise you won't be disappointed by Jenny's writing. It's nice and smooth! It was good to take some time to relax and pretend I was on the Outer Banks!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

I'm a fan of Jenny Hale's writing,I love to read her stories during Christmas and Summer times and this was not an exception.I really liked this lovely, warm, summery, colourful story.

The author made a beautiful work with the description of the landscape,I'm italian so when I closed this book I went on google to look to some Outer Banks pictures and they looked like what I have envisioned while reading.

Callie,our heroine,is so focused on the success of her business she thinks there is no time and room for love but she realizes pretty soon that to be happy she needs Luke in her life.I appreciated how their relationship developped throughout the book and I wished they could find a way to be together even during the hard times.

The Summer House was another fab book by Jenny Hale it hooked me from the first few pages and I did not want to put it down. I read it in a day and am sorry it's finished as I could have carried on reading. Loved the storyline and was transported to the setting I could see and smell the sea it drew me in. A great feel good summer read that I can guarantee you will love and not want to put down.

A glorious, beach setting and a hidden love story make this book a wonderful summer read.

Great characters and wonderfully descriptive narrative make this a must read this summer.

I enjoyed everything about this book. The characters were interesting and believable. I was hooked from the first page. I actually read this book on the beach! I especially enjoyed reading about the work they did in the house. They could have their own show on HGTV ! I thought I had read Jenny Hale before, but turns out that she is a new author to me. I will be reading all of her books.

Callie and her best friend Olivia have spent many summers at the outer beaches in North Carolina and so when one of the houses comes up for sale just across the road from Olivia's Gran they decide to buy it, do it up and turn it into a B & B

Callie has been bitten in love and so when she bumps into local playboy Luke she is very sceptical thinking that he has a different girl on his arm each week but the more she sees of him the more she realises she is falling for him big time!

While renovating the house Callie finds a diary belonging to the previous owner and at first is reluctant to read any of it, but then decides she should try and find the owners brother and starts to look for clues in it as to how to find him.....but she certainly reads about more than she expected and if she discloses the information there could definitely be serious consequences!

A great book - I loved all the characters and the descriptions of the area - especially the beach with the wild horses. Perfect light summer read.

My Review: 5/5

I loved this book! Callie and her best friend, Olivia, just purchased the Beachcomber. It is an old home they are renovating to become a B&B, located on the coast of the beautiful North Carolina. On a busy afternoon, Callie goes to town to pick up lunch and runs into the gorgeous and famous, Luke Sullivan. Sparks fly, and the rest (as they say) is history!

First, the characters in this book were just perfect. Callie is such a strong woman, with vulnerabilities holding her back from giving in to Luke’s charms. Luke is the perfect man, sweet, funny, and handsome. He is every woman’s dream! The two of them had great chemistry from the start, which was so fun to read. I also enjoyed the supporting characters: Olivia, her grandmother Gladys, and Luke’s family.

The setting of the book makes it the perfect summer read. I can envision this being read on a cruise ship, or on white sands while sipping a fruity drink (with a fun umbrella, of course!). The author’s descriptions of the ocean, the beach, and the cute little town allowed me to escape as though I was right there with Callie and Luke, running on the beach, salt in the air.

There are a couple of little twists that add a slight mystery to the story. While renovating, Callie and Olivia discover an old journal and lockbox from the previous deceased owner. After taking matters in to her own hands, Callie learns a deep secret that could destroy the Sullivan family. While I did find it a little predictable, it was a great added element that only deepened the story and characters.

I highly recommend this fun, light read!

The Summer House by Jenny Hale is a fun and light summertime feel-good read.

Main Characters Olivia and Callie have bought an old house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in hopes of restoring it and turning it into a bed and breakfast. This is such a fun idea and after reading The Summer House, I desperately want to go and stay at The Beachcomber.

The Summer House is a true to form chick-lit / romance novel. If you like movies such as The Wedding Planner or How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days then you'll love this novel.

The plot is a little predictable and Luke, our main male character, and Callie's love interest, is a bit over the top in the perfect man category. He is your typical handsome, thoughtful but so down to earth millionaire.

Jenny's vibrant and descriptive writing bring delightful characters and a beautiful setting to life. I really loved her writing style and the next time I'm up for a perky, pick me up kind of read I will grab one of her other novels.

Bottom line: The Summer House is a perfect summer read.

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Callie and her best friend Olivia have put their savings together and they have bough the The Beachcomber. It’s a lovely beach house on the Outer Bnks of North Carolina. Their dream is to open it as a bed and breakfast and Callie spends every day getting the house ready.

However, she catches the attention of gorgeous Luke Sullivan, who comes across as a bit of a player. Callie gets to know him though and realises that he is different. I loved reading about these two together. Their relationship developed slowly, smoothly and sweetly. Jenny Hale captured it all beautifully.

Callie and Olivia find a diary full of secrets, which will add a lot of drama, involving Luke and some of their friends. It’s intense and it tests them on several levels, which added a lot of great excitement to the story. Then there was also a hurricane coming closer, so they had their fear of The Beachcomber being destroyed in their minds as well.

I absolutely adored this lovely bunch of characters, all so well lined out, all of them adding a spark to the story and of course they got their story told as well, without taking away space from Callie’s story. Luke is probably my favourite character, he is so thoughtful and just a sweetheart. Callie is a very relatable character and she goes through a real journey in this book, learning to trust again and not building too many walls around herself. Jenny Hale managed to include it in the story in a great and exciting way.

Jenny Hale has a real talent when it comes to describing places and settings. She did it again in this book, her descriptions are so vivid and real, it really feels like you are there with the characters.

This is your perfect summer read. It’s full of emotions, colourful and mesmerizing descriptions, lively and authentic characters, love, romance and much more.

The Summer House follows lifelong friends Callie Weaver and Olivia Dixon as they buy and move in to the beach house of their childhood memories. Many summers Callie spent with Olivia and her family in the small seaside town of Waves. When the chance to buy an old guesthouse arises, the girls know they have to take the chance and plow all of their money in to buying and renovating the property so as to open the guesthouse again. The last thing on either of their minds is romance or falling in love, both have been hurt in the past. Not to mention all the work they need to do on the guest house.

But as always seems to be the case, when you least it expect it, fate always delivers the hunkiest of men. In the case of Callie, this is Luke Sullivan, local millionaire. A chance run in when heading out for lunch leads her to a man who is determined to be in her life. Throw in to the mix a storm which threatens the existence of the guesthouse and the journal of the previous owner which contains some explosive secrets and you know you are on to a winner.

I loved The Summer House. It was the perfect read for a warm summers day. I was mesmerised through out as I became lost in Callie's world, discovering her secrets and seeing her learning to trust again and open her heart. Callie, was a character who was easy to like and relate to, much the same as Olivia and Luke. I never had a moment throughout where I disliked any of them. Each were well formed and beautifully described. Luke literally sounds like the man of many womens dreams, it soon becomes apparent that there is much more to him than there first seems and that is where we discover this beautiful character.

Then we have the locations. I mean what could sound more wonderful than a beachfront guesthouse. The whole town and the building were described beautifully. I could vividly imagine the picturesque places, so much so I almost feel as though I had visited. It does now mean, however that I am gutted that this beautiful place does not exist for me to enjoy in real life. As far as I am concerned you can never go far with a beach set novel, to me there is no place more beautiful and magical than along the coast, something which Jenny managed to portray throughout this book.

Jenny manages to create a masterpiece, her words flow effortlessly from the page, weaving their spell and grabbing me and drawing me in. The plot was fresh and flowed easily, a compelling read which kept me on the edge of the seat as I waited to learn the secrets within. This was a beautiful book and I am sad that I have finished, it was such a delightful read, full of love, hope and friendships. Never a dull moment, an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end.

The Summer House
By Jenny Hale

A Delightful Read !

Callie Weaver meets rich, eligible and good looking Luke Sullivan while remodeling a bed and breakfast in North Carolina's outer banks.

Hesitant on dating Luke because of his local play boy image, Callie finds there is more to him than meets the eye.

A delightful summertime read, with lead characters who have great chemistry.
5 Stars !

I received this ARC through Netgalley from Bookouture for a honest review.

This is the second book that I have read by Jenny Hale, so I am familiar with the author's writing. And once again Jenny doesn't disappoint in this beautiful, heartwarming summer read.

Transporting us to the white sand of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, with stunning descriptions that made you feel right there in the story. We meet Callie Weaver and best friend Olivia Dixon. Who are doing up a Beach house to open it has a Bed and Breakfast. Then along comes pretty boy local heartthrob Luke Sullivan who catches Callie’s eye. Luke is from a wealthy family and leads a completely different lifestyle to Callie. She soon begins to realise that there is more to him than money and good looks. But then Callie and Olivia find a diary full of secrets and she begins to unravel a mystery from the past.
Will Callie and Luke be pulled apart by the storm it unleashes, or can true love save them?

To start with I wasn't sure where this story was going with it being a more fluffy read for me. But I loved how the author has weaved the whole diary storyline in dropping pieces of the puzzle throughout the story making this a pageturner. I actually read this in one afternoon I simply couldn't put it down.

I loved the relationship between Callie and Olivia they are both likable characters. Callie being the main character grows throughout the story after playing hard to get with Luke when she firsts meets him. I loved that about her.

This is a must read for Nicholas Sparks fans which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars.

Thank you to Kim for letting me take part in this blog tour. I have read quite a few of Jenny's book and I adore her writing style so when I heard about the tour I had to sign up.

Like Jenny's other summertime books this story is set at the Outer Banks. Callie and bestie Olivia have bought their dream house The Beachcomber. They have admired this house since they were little so when it came on the market they knew they had to get it. the Beachcomber sounds like the perfect place to stay if you were holidaying in this area. It has the views, the beach and the house itself sounds very relaxing.

When popping out to pick up some lunch one day Callie meets Luke. Luke Sullivan is a bit of a celebrity in these parts and has been portrayed as a flashy playboy by the media. Luke is actually a real sweetie.

Callie has so many walls around her. She was hurt when she was young by one of the people that are supposed to love you unconditionally. This has led her to keep people at arms length, never really letting them in.

I won't ruin the story for anyone but I felt so sorry for Callie. Knowing that secret put her between a rock and a hard place. There was no right answer. I think she handled it very well though.

This story is the perfect summer read. It will have you wishing for those chill out days on the beach and those long summer nights.