I really didn't like this one. There was just too much drama going on with the three women. I didn't really care for any of the characters. I was getting kind of depressed reading it, so I gave up.

This was a cute idea for a book but there was wayyyy too much drama and it felt a bit unrealistic and also made no sense.

Serenity is an author who decides as research for her next book, she’ll do one of those DNA/ancestry tests. She gets the surprise of her life when she discovers she has two half sisters. Keeping it from her parents, the three decide to vacation in Tahoe and get to know each other. I loved how Serenity, Reagan and Lorelei bonded almost immediately. There is something to be said about family, no matter how long you’ve know them. Over the summer they navigate their new found relationship, battle with the men in their lives and try to figure out the mystery of HOW they are related. There hasn’t been a Brenda Novak book I haven’t enjoyed and this one is perfect for the beach!

You can’t help but simply love these characters that all have one thing in common, a DNA test reveals they are siblings.

This was one of the feel-good reads, where the characters discover their selves, connect with new family and make life choices that will touch your heart while one sister is facing a cheating husband, one is a fling for a married man and one is facing the persecution of a husbands family because she helps put him in jail.

I found myself invested in their life stories and Novak left us wanting more. One Perfect Summer was a perfect summer read.

received this ARC copy of One Perfect Summer from HARLEQUIN - MIRA (U.S. and Canada). This is my honest and voluntary review. One Perfect Summer is set for publication April 7, 2020.

Heart string pulling goodness! With her latest release ONE PERFECT SUMMER Brenda Novak takes us through an emotional journey of family, friendship and love. The mystery and tension are high and the love and support these ladies grow to give each other along their journey is breathtaking. Rich character building, emotional highs and lows and just enough suspense to hold our attention without being over bearing.

When a DNA test taken for three different reasons by three different women lead to them finding out they are half siblings there is sure to be a good story there ... and it turns out there are three! Serenity is self-aware and accomplished and takes the test on a lark. Reagan is a self-assured go-getter and takes the test for health purposes. Lorelei has always wondered if she has a family out there and takes the test to see if she can find a place to belong.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a family centered story line with a hint of mystery and lots of subtle romance and drama. When emotions hit each of these three sisters as they embark on the journey of a lifetime to find answers of how they are connected, they learn what being a sister is truly all about as they lean on each other and allow love to surround them. I loved their stories!

Brenda Novak is a go-to author for me. She does not disappoint in her newest book, One Perfect Summer. A timely book about DNA testing and what revelations can be found when we put our DNA out in the world. Sisters that never knew they were apart found each other and forged a relationship together.

I wished for a little more of each woman's story, but the book was well written.

One Perfect Summer was just that “perfect” three strangers lives are about to change, their bond will be forever.

Serenity Alston life is about to change her life after a swab of her DNA . As a true crime writer has seen it all, but Serenity discovered she was married to a sick monster. Serenity did not know what she was doing all she knew is she needed answers after receiving a Facebook friend request from someone claiming to be her sister. Serenity’s job had me fascinated to say the least, but to see her life unravel was at times un-pleasant.

Lorelei Cipriano married, mother to Lucy is about to have her life rocked in more ways then one. With her marriage is on pretty shaky ground. What better way to get away and think, then going to meet the siblings that she never knew existed before she reached out to them on Facebook.

Reagan Sands is a brilliant addition to Edison & Curry for ten years, one moment of giving into temptation is about to change her life, but is it for the better? Who knows. Now added to her nervousness at meeting her siblings which she never known she had, she is dealing with an ex lover and a bombshell.

The supporting characters give so much to One Perfect Summer. They’re connected to Serenity, Lorelei and Reagan in so many different ways, some good some not. All make the bond between the three stronger. Haste brothers are and interesting bunch as well. Finn, Davis, Nolan

The plot to One Perfect Summer was a powerful read, one that shows that even in trying times family & friends you can always count on. The character building is strong. There will never be a time I will not think of this book and its characters. I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue aspect in One Perfect Summer. Brenda Novak kept me on my toes, even tripped me up a few times. 😉The description of Lake Tahoe had me wanting to visit.

Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb!

Fans of Brenda Novak are going to be a little surprised by her latest story ONE PERFECT SUMMER. ONE PERFECT SUMMER truly veers away from what we have come to expect from this very prolific romance writer. Attention to detail though is Brenda Novak’s trademark and never been more evident than in ONE PERFECT SUMMER.
Some doors open – other close.
An innocent quandary about heritage and genealogy leads to unmasking a decade’s long secret and a mystery to be solve a real crime novelist. Brenda Novak decides to take on the realm of genetic testing. Brenda Novak takes us on an enlightening journey with three women who discover that they are half-sisters.
Shared DNA is the opening salvo for three women who for different reasons decide to have their DNA tested. DNA testing has become rather easy. Many people are curious about their heritage. Others look for answers to the burning question of to whom do I belong. After all life is about fitting in and belonging to a family group or community.
Serenity, Reagan and Lorelei are half-sisters. Their DNA testing showed that they are connected. But the burning question is how that is even possible. The test doesn’t lie. So if you belong to a family – large or small doesn’t really matter – does that mean that at some time there was perhaps a disconnect.
For Serenity her testing followed her habit of researching for the books she writes. Serenity writes about real life crimes and mysteries. She spends time gathering facts about people and circumstances of the subject of her book. No one would actually be surprised by her running a test on herself – curiosity - what would a DNA report look like. So imagine her surprise when it says she has half-sisters. Serenity has a brother and twin sisters all in their twenties. The sisters that popped up in the report are closer to Serenity’s age of thirty five. It also appears as if these sisters all share a parent.
Lorelei’s life has been a tragic journey that began with her wandering alone in the streets. Just how does that happen. Lorelei has no memory of anything before the time she was about two. After being found she valiantly fought to belong to a family. Never happened but when she married Sean she thought that now she had a family. But even that relationship came with perils that Lorelei never anticipated. Seemingly the only positive aspect of her marriage to Sean was their daughter Lucy who is Lorelei’s life. Her family. Now it looks like Lorelei just might have some half-sisters. To Lorelei it looks like the answer to a prayer.
Last but not least is Reagan. Career woman who worked herself up the ranks and then had one moment of lapse of judgment and voila her future is in question. Reagan’s mother is a take no prisoner type of person. She is tough and demanding. Reagan works tirelessly not to disappoint her mother. But now Reagan finds herself in a tough position that will certainly make her mother unhappy and cost her the job she dreamed of.
There are lots more people to meet in ONE PERFECT SUMMER. The supporting cast is pretty phenomenal but ONE PERFECT SUMMER centers on these three women who now face the challenge of developing a relationship with strangers. ONE PERFECT SUMMER is a journey of discovery. ONE PERFECT SUMMER uncovers some truths that might not be readily acceptable – departure from the normal – a new normal to be sure. The ending is truly unexpected and yet fits the characters so well. Brenda Novak really stretched her writing skill for ONE PERFECT SUMMER and it shows.

After doing a home DNA test, three half sisters who just found out about each other decide to meet at Serenity’s family summer home in Lake Tahoe to get to know each other, and try to solve the mystery of how they are related. Each woman is facing challenges that are met with the help of the new found sisters. This is the first book i have read by Brenda Novak and I can say I look forward to reading more by her

Have you taken an online DNA test? What did it tell you? For the three women in Brenda Novak's One Perfect Summer, their tests told them they had two half-sisters they had never known about. Talk about a shocker and one that's perfect for a novel.

Here's the synopsis:
When Serenity Alston swabbed her cheek for 23andMe, she joked about uncovering some dark ancestral scandal. The last thing she expected was to discover two half sisters she didn't know existed. Suddenly, everything about her loving family is drawn into question. And meeting these newfound sisters might be the only way to get answers.

Serenity has always found solace at her family's Lake Tahoe cabin, so what better place for the three women to dig into the mystery that has shaken the foundation each of them was raised on? With Reagan navigating romantic politics at her New York City advertising firm, and Lorelei staring down the collapse of her marriage, all three women are converging at a crossroads in their lives. Before the summer is over, they'll have to confront the paths they walked to get there and determine how to move forward when everything they previously thought to be true was a lie.

But any future is easier to face with family by your side.
I liked that Novak started the novel after the women had already found out about each other and had been in touch. Not only that, but were on their way to spend a week together. It firmly placed the story and gave enough background for the reader to know how each of them was likely feeling without the novel getting too bogged down to start.

The story was full of drama without veering into over-dramatic territory. There were light-hearted moments that helped keep the story from being too heavy. Novak has a knack for really letting the reader into the character so you can understand everyone's motivations - even if you don't agree with them.

What was also so, so lovely was that each woman pretty much immediately welcomed the others into her life. They made decisions based on how their bond as sisters could grow and put a lot of effort into discovering how to make their new sisterly relationships even better. They knew it was a bizarre situation but also knew how important it was to make time for the others and get to know each other.

One Perfect Summer was a delightful read that I think everyone could use right now. Brenda Novak told an entertaining story about three very different women, each battling their own issues while trying to figure out how two new half-sisters fit into their lives.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Harlequin, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

One Perfect Summer was filled with intense characters who had complicated lives. Three sisters who never knew about each other, yet discovered each other through a simple DNA test. The stories they shared and the relationships they built over the course of one summer was the kind of love that will connect them for the rest of their lives. I absolutely loved this story filled with real characters dealing with real problems.

One Perfect Summer by Brenda Novak was just the quintessential "beach read." I feel like Brenda Novak is one of those authors I always see with books in this genre, but have never read. When the opportunity came from Mira Books via NetGalley to read, I decided to take the time to finally check her out. And y'all, I'm so glad I did. This is the story of three adult half-sisters, but here's the thing - They are just now finding out the others exist. After taking a genetic test, they are connected with one another. They decide to spend some time together at Serenity's (one of the sisters) family cabin. Reagan, Lorelei and Serenity head to the cabin to build their relationship. In addition to the emotion of finding new family, they are each navigating something pretty big in their personal and/or professional life. The story then alternates between each of their stories as they get to know one another, but also explore what they want for themselves. I loved that this was a book that had three women as main characters and really, really developed their stories. I loved the depth they were each given, and the complexities of what was shared. I found I became invested in all three of their stories, and I needed to know how it ended up for them. While it was heavy at times given the situations, I also found this was a light read. It was something I could sit outside with and get lost in, and I really needed that.

Serenity is headed towards Donner Summit . She first married Sean eight years ago and it seemed perfect. Serenity is a murder mystery writer but is still surprised by the truths of people. Serenity finds out she has family she doesn't know about. Lorelei and Raegan are Serenity's new family members. I like the name Lorelei. The sisters all have their set of problems . I loved the different points of view . I was iffy about Finn. At first I liked the drama then it got to be too much.

Long time secrets will always be expose no matter what. And that’s what Serenity discover when she submits her DNA to ancestry service, she has two half-sisters that she never knew of.

Life keeps putting Serenity into circles. But I think it is a good thing. Her personal life may be a mess but she gain two more sisters than before. That counts for something.

Each of these sister have their stories to be told. It may be messy but life is never easy. They will each discover what they want even if it is the unexpected.

Although contemporary romance isn't in my top 3, I was drawn into this story from the very beginning. The story starts with Serenity finding out via a DNA-test that she has two half sisters. And she is about to meet them. The story evolves around the lives of Serenity and her loving family, her orphaned halfsister Lorelei with her daughter and her independent halfsister Reagan.
While spending time together in the holiday home of Serenity's parents, the women try to unravel their ties and their heritage. Slowly the story unfolds and several possible scenarios are investigated by the woman. Alongside we learn more about the current lives and problems each sister is facing. And slowly, the summer turns into a perfect mix of love, family ties and bonding.
Fascinating story and a real treat. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

One Perfect Summer is another one of the those perfect summertime reads. Taking place at lake Tahoe, its slightly different than the East Coast beach reads that are typically so abundant. A tale about three sisters that recently find out they exist thanks to a DNA test. After meeting for a weekend at a lake house, they decide to stay the whole summer get to know each other, and each grow personally. A wonderful story about love, family and endurance.

Brenda Novak has been one of my all-time favorite women's fiction slash contemporary romance writers. I love her writing style and the characters she creates. However, it seems lately her books are just not hitting that high with me lately. I have read so many of her books. Starting with her latest book from the Dr. Evelyn Talbot series, Blind Spot, I was disappointed! I read every book in that series wanted to love that new book and bam, it hit at an all-time low. It just wasn't her usual awesome writing style that I loved reading. Just like with Blind Spot, I'm feeling that with this latest novel, One Perfect Summer. It was okay but not Brenda's normal best of the best type of writing.

The book is quirky and entertaining. A slow read with an intriguing plotline. Three women come together hoping to find their life path and getting to know each other. Family secrets have disrupted what they knew and now it's time for change.

Characters in this book were great. They each added to the story. Different personalities and all, they made for a wonderful cast. Heartfelt group of strong yet determined women.

The lows of the book was that it dragged out too much for me. I need a faster plot pace to keep me saying, wow. It's sad, because I normally don't run into this issue with a Brenda Novak book. Maybe, she's trying something different-I don't know. One Perfect Summer was good but not amazing. I just hope she finds her magic and makes another 5-star amazing read soon!

This was my first Brenda Novak. Unfortunately, I was mildly disappointed. The writing was done well, but the characters and storylines were somewhat cliche. Spouse’s affair with best friend, accidental pregnancy from illicit one night stand, angry injured men who lashes out at everyone...it had them all. I would have liked to know what happened to some characters, but they simply seemed to disappear. The overall mystery that was the main plot of the book was wrapped up way too quickly and easily without any real discussion about it. I’ve heard longtime fans of Brenda Novak say that this was not one of her best, so I’ll definitely give her another chance. But this book doesn’t leave me with a great first impression.

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

Thank you so much for the copy. I tried to pick this one up but it did not work for me. Thank you for the opportunity to be an early reader.

After taking a DNA test three women find out they are half sisters. But how? Serenity sees herself as coming from a happily parented family, with a brother and two sisters. Reagan has just her mother, but there is a no hint of anything odd. Lorelei has spent many years in foster care, after being found wandering the streets.

They come together over one perfect summer, where they get to know each other. Each in there own way are grappling with crisis life situations. Serenity's husband is in prison and it was she who ensured he went there. Now her writing has dried up and she can't get to write the book that is overdue. Reagan had an office affair that has left her anxious and Lorelei has found that her husband slept with her best friend. What a hotpot of challenges.

The story is told in turn by the three sisters and occasionally by their neighbor Finn - he and his two brothers are staying next door. It helped me the reader to really empathise with each woman and see exactly how they felt and what they were struggling with.

There is a little touch of romance, but essentially it is the story of each woman and the challenges she must accept and grow through. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And... I wouldn't mind seeing more of them!