I anticipate Jamie Brenner's spring releases every year because they are a sure sign that summer is indeed on its way. Her writing is engrossing and enjoyable and I love the multifaceted characters and plotlines in each of her novels.

Summer Longing was no exception and I thought it was the perfect summer read. Summer Longing is set in tightly woven Provincetown community and Brenner's vivid details set the scene so well I almost felt as if I was there too. 

There is a great mix of drama, mystery, and romance which made the book a total page-turner. I loved the strong and capable female characters and the sense of connection not only with each other but eventually with themselves. It is a wonderful reading journey that encompasses the ups and downs of life and the lesson we learn through them. 

If you are looking for the perfect family drama beach read, I would highly recommend picking this one up! 

Thank you to Little Brown and Company for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

You guys ready for another summer reading recommendation? Jamie Brenner writes some of the best beachy books and I look forward to her latest every single year. There’s something effortless and easy about the way she tells a story and once again, this one has everything I look for in a summertime read and more. There’s a pretty setting that is brought to life, complex and authentic characters, intrigue, romance and even a light mystery, what more could you want?!

If you need a pick me up in the form of a great book this is definitely a great option. This one really swept me away and made me forget about my own life as I got wrapped up in the dramas of the characters. Highly recommended by me and her other books are just as fantastic!

Ruth, after selling her cosmetics company, decides to retire to Provincetown, but unable to find a home to purchase she rents from Fern and Elise. Only one day after arriving in Provincetown, a newborn baby girl is left on Ruth's front porch, clearly whoever left the baby knew that Fern & Elise would take care of her.

What follows is how the tightly woven Provincetown community, led by Amelia, comes together to care for the baby, until the truth comes out.

"How fitting that Amelia was dressed as a comfort food.. She was such a comfort to them all."

Jamie Brenner has become a go-to, must-read author for me and this book did not disappoint. It had everything I look for in a book....a little mystery, a little drama, a little romance and lots of vivid descriptions of the setting.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own.

Summer Longing is another gem from Jamie Brenner. Ruth and the women of Provincetown are a treat to read. I wish I could spend the entire summer with them. The ease of Brenner’s writing style had me turning the pages non-stop. This beautiful coastal town filled with strong women swept me up and held onto my attention until the last word.

What a journey of love, lessons learned and all the ups and downs of living in a small town. Summer Longing is the perfect escape to the beach. One you can enjoy right from home.

Such a summer delight!! This breezy beachy read is full of eclectic characters and even a little mystery. A perfect book to read while on vacation!

OᐯᗴᖇᐯIᗴᗯ: When Ruth Cooperman decides to sell her cosmetics company and retire to Provincetown, she is expecting to live a quiet life in retirement. Then on her first morning in town, a baby is left on her doorstep. All the women in town work together to take care of the baby and in the process develop friendships that will change their lives forever.

ᗰY TᕼOᑌᘜᕼTᔕ: Ruth was a little rough around the edges to start the novel and it made me wonder for the first quarter or so if I could really connect with her or the characters. But the women in town really helped soften her and she grew on me. I loved all of the relationships in town: the struggles, the camaraderie, the learning and growing, the love.

ᖇᗩTIᑎᘜ: ★★★★

Summer Longing
Jamie Brenner
May 5, 2020


Ruth Cooperman started learning the business of cosmetology early in her marriage. She hadn’t planned to start her own company but after years of being involved she began featuring a line of nail polish, then lotions, soap and other pure and healthy products not available on the market. She did well, very well. Mothering Olivia, her only daughter was not her best feature. Ruth’s husband, Ben did more than his fair share mothering Olivia. Ben is an anesthesiologist so he too was busy at work. In Olivia’s pre-teen years her parents divorced. She stayed with her dad living in New Jersey. Ruth moved to a condo in Philly to stay close to the business. She spent as much time with Olivia as warranted but being CEO of a large business demanded travel and 24/7 control. Now at 58 she felt it was time to retire. She had a fortune saved to retire. Ruth was a planner. Each phase of her life consisted of a business plan including her free time and future. For years she traveled. Nothing compared to Provincetown, the beautiful vacation town, just a ferry ride from Boston to Cape Cop. Provincetown was not a large city, no it was a beachside get away with small shops and sea air. She had been there when she met Ben and fell in love. Nothing had ever compared to the settlement of friendly people and streets filled with townsfolk who preferred to walk or bike rather than drive.
Ruth had definitely wanted a special house to buy rather than rent. Her realtor, Clifford, tried as he might over the months before the business sold but was only able to provide her with an old but beautiful house available as a summer rental. She knew of the house and felt that perhaps she could convince the owners to sell, if not she would have a magnificent home for the summer. Upon her arrival at Cape Cod Ruth was exhausted but she made her way to Shell Haven. The owner, Faith had told Clifford that the keys would be left in the mailbox. She felt this a bit awkward but she pressed on and when she arrived at the house she excitedly reached into the mailbox for the keys. When the box was empty she breathed heavily and called Fern Douglas; voicemail. She knocked again when the door cracked and a soft voice told her to go to the Beach Rose Inn where a room was reserved for her. Angry and tired she turned and started the walk to the inn.
This novel is one that I was totally surprised with. I have read a few of Jamie Brenner’s books but did not remember that they were more than just fun romantic reads. I was overwhelmed with #l: the story itself; the featured characters and their families. #2 the strength of the storyline and how well it was written. I had trouble putting this one down. I found myself so involved in Ruth’s journey. It was amazing and tore at my heart. We all go through tough times with our families so her journey was one that I found warmhearted and very pleasant to read. I recommend Summer Longing by Jamie Brenner. Tomorrow, May 5 it will be published by Little, Brown and Company of Hachette Books. It is one that readers will want to pick up this week. I was encouraged to read it by NetGalley. It is a hearty novel that will tear at your heart strings, don’t miss this one. Congrats Jamie on your new release, it is a winner!!

jamie is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled when I saw the opportunity to get an early copy of this book!

Jamie’s books instantly make me think of warm, sunny, summer days and put me in a good mood. Taking place in a beach-front Provincetown community, the story Is told through themes of motherhood, friendship and belonging. I found the characters to all be very sweet and charming.

Summer Longing is the quintessential book for summer and beach reading. An engaging story with a hint of ministry and a myriad of love stories- old and new to quench any romance reader's interest. However, it is more than a romance novel and offers a bit more depth in the storyline. I also appreciated the diversity of the characters which was introduced but did not go in-depth. I would have liked a little more, but I also think the author stuck with her area. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down. Highly recommended as a perfect beach read.

Don't you just love these dreamy covers?! I was so excited when I learned that Jamie Brenner had a new book coming out, and it did not disappoint. Summer Longing is on sale tomorrow, May 5, and you should pick it up if you are looking to get lost in the perfect summer read. It will have you longing for a trip to a small coastal town where the living is easy. Ruth thinks the same thing. After she retires, she heads to Provincetown. Shortly after she arrives, someone leaves a baby on her doorstep. What ensues is a group of women who band together to take care of this infant in a town that "takes care of their own." This book is full of strong women, all of whom you'll be cheering for by the end of the book. Brenner's writing is easy to read, yet she has a way of creating a complex story that will give you all the feels. This is the kind of story that is the perfect escape when you have to stay where you are (which is basically all of us right now, am I right or am I right?!). The secondary cast of male characters compliment the story and the women in all of the right ways. I loved getting swept away in this story, and you will too. Thank you @littlebrown @jamiebrennerwrites @netgalley for this free ebook/review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of "Summer Longing" by Jamie Brenner in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the charming town of Provincetown in Cape Cod, "Summer Longing" by Jamie Brenner provides readers with a bit of an escape. Ruth Cooperman is newly retired and looking to move to Provincetown to start a new chapter in her life. Ruth's daughter, Olivia, finds herself visiting Provincetown while trying to rebuild a relationship with her mother. Fern and Elise's marriage is going through a tough patch. These characters, along with the Barros family, Amelia, and Rachel among others navigate through a summer like no other.

I really enjoyed "Summer Longing" by Jamie Brenner. The town, the characters, their struggles, it all fit well together. That said, I didn't love the character of Elise. There was just something about the way that she was written that made me feel less sympathetic and empathetic towards her than I would have liked.

Overall, a 4 out of 5 stars for me. A quick and fun summer read.

Jamie Brenner does it again! This is such a cozy, summer read and it instantly makes me want to travel to the coast and get a beach house... in my dreams! It reminds me so much of what I loved about her first book. This was just a really comforting read, with characters who’s live all become interwoven and complicated. I only wish there was a little more resolution at the end with some of the characters, but I loved it!

I included this title in a recent write-up and will provide the details directly to the publisher in the next step of this process.

This is a 5 star novel! Jamie Brenner has a way of taking her female characters and illustrating not only their emotions but also the circumstances they find themselves in in with perfect clarity. A wonderful mix of summer shore life and literary fiction.

I've loved this author's works the past few summers and her latest is no exception -- I put these in the category of Elin Hildebrand, Nancy Thayer, etc. in that her books definitely get you ready for summer! Her latest was a fun, fast read that will have you longing to stroll the streets of Provincetown and head to the beach!

Summer Longing comes out next month on May 5, 2020, and you can purchase HERE. If you want a fun beach read, you should check this one out!

Ruth smiled at Lidia Barros, thinking how hard it was to actually make new friends late in life. There was so much that could never be fully explained, whole incarnations of the self that had come and gone. A friend at that stage could know only a two-dimensional version of you, and that's what made old friends--even old husbands--so precious. They knew you in all your dimensions.

38 // “This was what she could not fully convey to her friends. The feeling she got in Provincetown was not definable by geography or weather or logic; it was like falling in love.”
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SUMMER LONGING is the first book by @jamiebrenner that I’ve read, and I’m a fan! it made me officially ready for summer, as it was the perfect beach/escape read. if you like the Nantucket beach town setting, the interesting characters, and the overall vibe of @elinhilderbrand books, you will enjoy this story that takes place in Provincetown on Cape Cod. 4/5 ⭐️—I liked it! Out May 5.
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thank you to the publisher @littlebrown and @netgalley for the e-copy of this book!

Jamie Brenner is one of my favorite authors, and I always look forward to her newest read! Summer Longing was another excellent book. I loved all the characters, and related the most to Olivia. The real star of this book though, was Provincetown itself! It was clear Jamie Brenner both 1) absolutely loves Provincetown and 2) did her research to make the setting perfect. This book made me want to visit Provincetown but at the same time made me feel like I'd spent a summer there too. I was sad to leave the town and these characters at the end of the story. Her writing flows well and the story moves along at the perfect pace--it's a hard one to put down. In fact, I read the last 70% of the book in one day!

If you're sad that your vacation got canceled this spring or summer (as mine did) this is a perfect book to experience a perfect beach town setting along with characters that feel like friends. I absolutely recommend this book (and anything by Jamie Brenner) for your summer reading list!

I generally liked Summer Longing, and felt that there was a lot of good heart in this story about family (and all the different ways it can be made and found), and felt that the message of slowing down and enjoying the important parts of life before you miss them was timely. It felt a little too long, and I think that some of the storylines could have been tightened up a bit, but this will be a reliable one to relax with and escape with this summer.

I loved this book!! From the first page I was hooked! I could not put down. This book gave me a serious book hangover!

A delightful summer romp through Provincetown, SUMMER LONGING made me, excuse me, long for summer as I got lost in the colorful characters and rich storytelling. I enjoyed getting lost in the flavor of this cool town that I now long to visit, and starting the novel off with a bang - a mystery baby gets left on a front porch! - was enough for me to keep the pages turning. The worst part is that I couldn't read this by a pool as I hoped I would when I got the book back in December!

Ruth Cooperman, a CEO who has sold her company, decided to move to Provincetown to retire. There, we are introduced to a cast of local characters who she quickly falls for, though somewhat unexpectedly. There is Elise and Fern, a lesbian couple who run a tea shop and decide to care for the mysterious infant; Olivia, Ruth's daughter who loses her job in social media and comes to visit her mother to get her life back on track; Marco, the oyster fisherman who Olivia falls for, and many more. It was a fun, quick read, but didn't have too much of a plot and I could have used a little more intrigue. A perfect read if you are craving escaping to a beach town!