Last year I fell in love with K.L. Walther’s debut novel If We Were Us. I loved the author’s writing. During a time when I struggle concentrating on books, I’m grateful for the books that manage to ensnare me easily, and turn into one sitting novels.

The Summer of Broken Rules was just such a book.

I loved the story, the premise, and most of all the characters. I’ve always loved the idea of long standing family traditions, and vacations that included huge families, with multiple cousins and friends. A paradise for kids and teens with weeks of games, get togethers, eating and chatting.

The Summer of Broken Rules had all of it, and so much more. What I loved above all else was the MOST AMAZING summer vacation game – truly, I’m not exaggerating. I wished I was there, part of a game that had teens and adults equally passionate about the outcome. And although the ‘family’ was quite big, I had no trouble keeping track of everyone. From teens to adults, the cast was endearing, genuine and extremely likeable.

Also, I loved the romance between Meredith and Wit. They were so easy and comfortable around each other. And their summer romance was uncomplicated to a point, full of sun, sand and fun. Surprisingly it wasn’t just sunshine and rainbows, and I thought the author did a great job of balancing the summery and charming novel with some more emotional and somber moments.

All in all, the book was an easy and entertaining read. I had a wonderful time, and I can’t wait for her next book.

Full review on goodreads. Probably 3.5 stars
Some aspects I enjoyed like the general story and family dynamic but others that got on my nerves like the insta-love and awkward sister references. I understand and appreciate she missed her, but I don’t believe every sing,e thing was a connection.

Wow, was this a wonder. Not only is the cover stunning, but the story inside is too. Somehow I feel like I've just returned from vacation, even though I didn't leave my couch (except to grab a few snacks every now and again)!

The world-building in THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES is spellbinding. Most of the summer destination romances I read have plenty of glitz and glamour (that I always eat up), but "The Farm" was refreshingly rustic, downright dreamy, and cherished by its residents. It truly warmed my heart to read about how much the Fox family and their friends love their summer home. I wished I could be alongside everyone, snapping sepia-toned Polaroid photos and keeping my water gun close.

Assassin? I loved every second of seeing that game play out.

The characters, oh the characters. Even though Meredith and Wit have only known each other a short time, Walther skillfully navigates around the "insta-love" trope. Never once did I think their relationship was unrealistic, forced, or moving too quickly. There is a true connection, equal parts butterflies-in-your-stomach crush and also finding the person who understands you like no one else. They are beyond adorable together!

I loved the ensemble cast as well. Wink, Honey, and the extended Fox family were charmingly quirky and close-knit. I found myself wanting to pull up a chair to their dinner table, and all the wedding shenanigans made me laugh out loud. (And: for those of you who read "If We Were Us," Walther's debut, keep an eye out for some familiar faces...).

This book's golden days are tinged with sadness, too, which gave this story real depth and made me enjoy it more. While we only come to know Claire through memory, the bond she and Meredith share as sisters is undeniable and Meredith's grief extremely poignant. I have a sister, and after reading this story, I wanted to hug her tight.

Overall: I absolutely loved this story and can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy in May!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an ARC. Opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sharing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so cute and perfect for a summer day on the beach!
The blooming romance between Wit and Meredith was everything I wanted in a YA romance book.
More then that, the glue of this book is Merediths relationship with her sister and her family, as Meredith tries to heal after her sisters death.
The location of this book was so dreamy, the perfect escape during this winter season.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a cute romance with a lot of heart. You will definitely fall in love with the characters in this book.

The game is Assassin and Meredith has only a handful of days to win in her late sister’s honor before she returns home. The game isn’t so easy when struggling with guilt and grief while simultaneously falling for the cute boy named Wit.

While this may seem like a fluffy summer read, it’s much more than that. Meredith and her family are still trying to recover from Claire’s death 18 months prior, and The Farm is teeming with memories of her and her vibrant personality. I wouldn’t say this book is tear-inducing, but it does hit you in your feels.

For romance lovers: this is somewhat in the “forced proximity” trope. Meredith and Wit have an awkward first encounter and when they meet again unexpectedly, they decide to team up as allies in the game. From the very start, they have an undeniable connection and it was adorable seeing how it played out. This relationship definitely seemed a bit more “real” that many of the others in this genre, which I definitely appreciate.

K.L Walther crafter a beautiful YA/New Adult novel covering love that doesn’t always come easily. I highly recommend picking this one up May 4th!


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Thanks to the publisher for the ARC!

This book was so delightful and refreshing! It was just what I was looking for and needed. It was a palate cleanser of sorts, as i’ve been reading so many thrillers lately that they have all started to blur together and become formulaic (still love my thrillers though!) This book was heavy in a sense, but still joyful at the same time, and I loved it from start to finish.

There’s just something about books that take place during the summer that make them that much more enjoyable to read. There’s just something nostalgic and magical about a summertime setting.

The mixture of grief, romance, and the journey of self discovery that the main character embarks on over the course of the summer made for such an impactful story.

This book was emotional, funny, romantic, and everything else that makes a YA contemporary an enjoyable read.

I flew through this book, and the only thing that I didn’t like about it was the fact that I didn’t want it to end!

This book was amazing! It is that perfect mix of romance and self-discovery. Wit is such a supporting and loving character to Meredith. He definitely seemed like everything she needed to start moving on after the loss of her sister and the loss of herself in her ex-boyfriend. Will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen!

Wow!! This book was incredible, I really liked the concept of this book as it’s something that I have never read before. The story follows Meredith who has unfortunately lost her sister Claire and she goes down to her cousins wedding, where she meets wit (step brother to the groom) and you see their relationship grow over the game assassin (you will have to read when it comes out to find out what it is). I really liked the way they bonded, it’s not seen in many other romance books and I thought it was really special. As you read on more secrets are revealed which pulls them even closer.
I think this book is such a wholesome read and would be a perfect summer read.
I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves romance or someone who wants a fun read

Summer time books in a beach setting are always a favourite! This book is really well done in handing grief, it is there and a big part of Meredith's story, but the book is still light, funny and really romantic. Wit is a great love interest, their chemistry is so fun to read. There are lots of great secondary characters and interesting things going on in the novel that is quite entertaining. I'd definitely recommend this book!

I loved this book! I truly enjoyed each chapter, I adored the motivational, feel good message it gives, but I want to talk about the secret formula which put me this book at my favorite YA reads of the year:
- Assassin game theme: this smart game settling bring back the entire family who are still mourning of losing their daughter, suffering from unresolved issues. The fun, happiness, focusing on working as truly functional family as their eyes on the prize perfectly balance with sadness and grief they feel inside.
- Both of the MCs are so much lovable: Mel was dealing with her sister’s death, dumbed by her boyfriend, keeping her smile intact as she suffers from inner emotional turmoil: she’s tough, smart, sweet and Wit, the perfect guy she meets when she was not looking for love in her life mixes everything. But sometimes when true love knocks your door, it’s worth to risk everything, isn’t it?
- Beach settling, family’s reconnection and self discovery of teens!
I’m absolutely sold with this great formula. This book is powerful, bitter sweet, genuine, entertaining! Your feelings are everywhere! You laugh till your cheek hurts and then you cry as your heart ache for characters deeply!
I’m giving my sweet, teen, family reunion, inspirational four stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I wanted to love this book and went into it thinking it was exactly what I needed. This summer romance is about Meredith Fox, who is returning to Martha's Vineyard with her family after her sister Claire's death. Sarah, her cousin, is getting married, and the bridal party, the groom's family, and the bride's families are all at the Fox family's summer home. Meredith quickly falls for the groom's brother Witt, and the audience is left wondering if this summer romance will help her broken heart. Included in this love story is a hysterical game of assassins that everyone is taking part in.
I had high hopes for this novel but couldn't get through it. Meredith was extremely unlikeable; she ditched her friends for Witt and only seemed to care about herself. It was a DNF for me

The Summer of Broken Rules is an AMAZING story and I loved every second of it. The only problem, it ended too soon I needed more Mer and Wit!!!!! This story hooked me from Chapter One and I just couldn't stop reading. Meredith's story was emotional that I felt like I was on the journey with her. Through the loss of her sister, her new romance with Wit, and the excitement of the Assassin game I was invested and flew through the story. I already order the novel and ebook version for my library and can't wait for others to discover this great story. K.L. Walther I can not wait to read another book written by you!!!!!

Oh gosh. This story is adorable. Fans of Morgan Matson and Emma Mills will love this!

What originally lured me in was the mention of the game ‘Assassin’ in the blurb. I won a school-wide game of Assassin in 10th grade (so I'm pretty obsessed with it) and I can't remember ever reading about it in a book. So that aspect of the story was really fun for me and provided some great entertainment.

I also really like how the game is a way for Merideth's family to reconnect, mourn over a loss, welcome new members, and learn how to live again. It's a very sweet story, with a large cast of interesting characters, and a cool beachy setting.

This is the perfect book to go along with your towel and sunscreen this summer!

So honored and thrilled that I was able to read K.L. Walther’s amazing sophomore novel earlyI This was the most delightful, fun, and emotional read to start off my new year. THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES features Meredith and her extended family and friends, getting together for Meredith’s cousin’s wedding. The trip to Martha’s Vineyard, complete with big family gatherings and a highly competitive game of Assassin, is typically an annual thing regardless, but Meredith and her mom and dad haven’t been since the accident that took Meredith’s sister’s life.

Everything about this story was just beautiful. It’s a story about grief and loss, forgiveness and friendship, but also so much more. Meredith’s and Wit’s blossoming romance, the renewed and repaired friendships, the healing, the supersoakers and all the stealth. The whole Assassin thing gave me huge Survivor/Hunger Games vibes. And Loki (LOKI!!!). There’s just so much to love. Even the location was gorgeous and felt like its own character. From the 2PM pies to the midnight doughnuts to the library to the Nylon campsite… I felt like I was there. And THE CAMEOS!!! The sweetest and most surprising cameos from some of my IF WE WERE US faves. I did not expect to have so much fun with a story and feel so much. I’m so excited for readers to get their hands on this incredible story - I cannot recommend it enough!

This book was received as an ARC from Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really needed a romance novel to distract me from all that is going on and this book is just perfect to do that. It is always never easy loosing a family member especially when someone is getting married but for Meredith not only is she mourning over the loss of her sister but she just got dumped by her long term boyfriend which left her dateless to the wedding. Then after meeting the groomsmen, she finds her partner in her family game of Assassin and she not only wants to get to know her 'target" but she ends up falling in love with him and risking it all. This satisfied my craving for romance novels and when I finished I felt warmth in my heart with a smile on my face.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

You'd think a book that describes a girl being dumped two weeks before a family event, the first family event after her sister's death, could not possibly be a book that inspires much in the way of cheer, but you'd be wrong. Somehow the sense of place the author embeds into her writing seeps through the page and shows what a special place 'The Farm' is to the Fox family. And it is at that special place that Meredith begins to heal. But as the reader is taken along on Meredith's healing journey, the author shows that she cannot heal alone, and it is also the help of a cute boy she has maimed, a large and boisterous family, and a summery beachside setting that shows her that living your best life is the best way to live.

There were a few minor plot points that felt a little rough as I was reading this ARC, things that felt as though they could have been smoothed in revisions with a little more foreshadowing or follow through. However, this book delivered perfectly on its promises, and I was very thankful to have the opportunity to read early during our southern hemisphere summer.

*SQUEEL* This book was so cute and I really want to check out the author's first book. Wit and Mer had so much chemistry and their relationship moved along at a believable rate for a summer vacation. Wit was a perfect book boyfriend who was so supportive of Mer, who was going through a lot being back after her sister had died. It was just so good!