Member Reviews

It's been a long time since I've read anything by Radclyffe. When I saw this one on NetGalley, I decided it was a good time to give one a shot. From what I can tell, it's a stand-alone novel which was important to me since I've not read any of the series books for years and would likely be lost.

I liked Only This Summer. It was much more tame, sexually, than I had expected. I remember a lot more sex in Rad's books but this one felt much more romantic than erotic. And I liked that. I'm not going to lie, my friend Megan and I sometimes joke about sex against trees in Rad's books but there was none of that in this one.

One of the things I liked about Only This Summer was the inclusion of a non-binary camper and some focus on their time at camp. The campers got some attention in the story but they didn't overshadow the relationship between Lily and Chase.

All in all, it was a pretty satisfying romance read. Thanks to BSB and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read some new Radclyffe. And for being patient while I continue to work through my ARCs.

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Lily goes to help at a camp during the summer to find herself again, get some energy back and she finds all that and then some. Her friend Sarah is responsible for the camp and among one of the people also working in the area is Sarah's sister, Chase.

Lily and Chase feel an instant attraction and after talking and thinking it through (like a lot at one point) they decide to go for it. I mean, what's the harm right?! Well, Sarah seems to be the voice or reason here at more than one occassion but both Lily and Chase seem very keen on convincing themselves and each other that they can handle this.

To be honest there was more in the book about the campers but then the story turned out to be about something else entirely. I mean, Ford arrives with security and there is some secrecy involved but that story never went anywhere. Same for Marty's story. It felt a lot like filter.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

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"Only This Summer" by Radclyffe is an absolute must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-written lesbian romance novel. MCs Chase and Lily remind me so much of Reese and Tori from Radclyffe's Provincetown Series. A law enforcement officer with a penchant for trouble meets a doctor who is desperate to get away and find some modicum of peace. Radclyffe's writing is powerful, poetic, and beautifully descriptive, bringing to life the stunning setting of the book and the emotions of the characters. The story itself is engaging and full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I basically inhaled this book in less than 24 hours. What I've found is typical in Radclyffe's storytelling is the depth and complexity of the characters. They are richly drawn and fully realized, making it easy to invest in their journeys and root for their happy endings. "Only This Summer" is a masterful work of fiction that is not to be missed, earning a well-deserved 5 stars.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books. Review provided voluntarily.

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ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is probably my favourite Rad read for awhile because it deviates from her usual MCs meet, have lots of sex and fall in love within a week stories. It also happens outside of her other series.

The MCs here are Lily, an ER doctor from NYC who is helping out at a summer camp run by her long time friend Sarah. Lily worked through the pandemic and is carrying some trauma from the effects of that and a summer camp in the mountains is just what she needs. The other MC is Chase, Sarah’s younger sister and one of the local rangers, who also has some past traumas.

There’s a bit of an age gap, though it’s not really noted or discussed by the MCs, which I also found refreshing. Both MCs are interesting and interested in each other. Attracted for sure, but each also recognises parts of themselves on the other and also what drives the other to do what they do.

As it’s a summer camp, there’s also a side story featuring some of the teens who attend the camp and while I appreciated that the plot there didn’t follow the typical tropes you might expect, it also didn’t really add much for me either.

I liked that this took place over a longer period and that the MCs spent time with each other and got to know each other. Given that Lily is from NYC, there’s the typical ‘this is only for the summer’ thing going on and the ending is never in doubt, so Rad doesn’t really break any new ground here, but it’s still a sweet romance. 4 stars.

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I enjoyed this book so much. Lily is a ER Dr during Covid and is absolutely burned out. Her friend Sara has a camp for teenagers and need a medic for the summer. She meets Chase who is Sara’s sister and a Park Ranger. Immediate spark. Chase was born and raised in the mountains and knows the terrain like the back of her hand, but she is being lent to the camp because of a high profile teen.
This book just had everything. Suspense, romance and the growth of the teens that have given up their summer to come to camp. Excellent book.

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I've been reading Radclyffe's books (i.e. [book:Above All, Honor|663722]The Honor Series, etc) for...many, many years. I actually haven't circled back for a couple of years and when I saw that NetGalley had this book on it's list, I was excited and couldn't wait to read it. (Thank you for the ARC!)

Although this is set at a summer camp (for teens?), it is definitely a grown up read. These relatively 'common' folks (I mean, no secret agent, no First Daughter) were quite, uncommon. The characters were well rounded, there's quite a bit of angst and Radclyffe didn't really waste time and beat around the bush for half the book. Which, I appreciate. The main storyline was gripping and the side plots were pretty heart warming.

I thoroughly enjoyed the read and would definitely recommend this to anyone who has a quiet rainy weekend ahead (we have a lot of those in the Pacific North West). Another good one from Bold Strokes!

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This was an alright read. It wasn’t my favourite Radclyffe read but I did want to keep reading. My issue was in the MC - I really didn’t like Chase very much at all. I found her pushy and obnoxious and I feel like Lily was the one always going against her needs. It just didn’t feel like a great relationship. I did love the setting and the secondary characters of Marty and Ford. Although thinking about it Chase was there to protect Ford and was never actually around. Seemed like a weak reason for her being around the camp.
It was readable but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it

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Only This Summer was a great light read that came to me just when I needed it. I loved the setting - I felt like I could see the summer camp and the gorgeous mountains depicted. The romance is very light and sweet, with two interesting characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel which allowed me to escape a bit in a beautiful environment with a low angst romance attached.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you Netgallery for this ARC!

I loved this book and the story !! The characters chemistry was a little late but it was over all a good book. ! The character development was really great. It’s was a lighthearted book and I’d recommend it!

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2.5 stars. Lily Davenport is a doctor who is ready for a change after being an ER doctor during Covid. She is convinced to come to a summer camp and work as their doctor for the summer as a change. Her beset friend runs the camp and she can use a less stressful job. Sara's sister Forest ranger Chase Fielder does not look for a relationship, she has had a life full of tragedy and just wants to have fun with a woman for a summer. They are both instantly attracted to each other.

I thought this book was alright. I thought their chemistry seems kind of quick and I felt like i never really felt them fall in love with each other. The writing in this book was good but I just did not like the way the story went. It was not a bad book,. but not my favorite. The characters were interesting, but I wish there was a little more backstory on them and what happened before the book. The book touched on it a little bit but not enough. This book did not have a glaring flaw but once I was done, I did not think it was good enough to recommend or to ever re-read.

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Radclyffe has done it again with this page turner book. A great adventure! An excellent love story. The characters were well developed and likeable. The story line is amazing. The main characters had great chemistry. I recommend this amazing read you will not be disappointed. 5 stars

Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

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The story revolves around Lily (who is a doctor) and Chase (who is a forest ranger). The two meet by chance at a summer camp. Lily was recruited by Chase's sister and Chase is the forest ranger assigned to the park the summer camp is near.
Lily is looking for a break after being a doctor during the pandemic. Little did she know that she would find peace at a new location and love too.
This book is written with so many imagery, you feel like you are there. Although the women have little in common, you can feel the chemistry between them.
I would recommend this as a great read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest read.

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A new Radclyffe book so I was quite excited to delve into it. Set with the backdrop of a wilderness summer camp with one of the leads an ER doctor recovering from the trauma of the pandemic and the other lead a forest ranger - I was hooked. With the author's medical background I knew that aspect plus the romance should be well covered.
The mental and physical toll that Lily (and other medical professionals absorbed during the pandemic) and the need to escape from that turmoil is well written and I empathized quickly with her character. Ranger Chase was more difficult to accept. Her passion for the outdoors rings true but her pushiness for a hook-up right from the start made it difficult for me to warm up to her character . In the supporting cast, Sarah the camp director (Chase's big sister and Lily's best friend) is the connection in the romance but I found her interference and unsolicited jibes more of an annoyance.
While Radclyffe's descriptions of the outdoors and the life of a forest ranger were spot on and emotional and physical scars were intertwined in the plot, the storyline didn't move as smoothly as I anticipated. Yes, the romance evolves between Lily and Chase to a HEA but a few dangling threads disappointed. Maybe Marty and Ford fleshed out a bit more?
This was a pleasant enough read but sadly I was not completely satisfied at book's end.

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Only This Summer is an enjoyable read for fans of WLW fiction. While it's not one of my favorites from Radclyffe (those would be Innocent Hearts and Love's Masquerade) it is a fun, easy read and worth picking up if you've got some time on your hands.

The story revolves around Chase (a forest ranger) and Lily (an ER surgeon) who meet for what they think will be a summer fling at a wilderness camp for high school students. I really loved the setting of the book and many of the secondary characters, particularly two of the campers (Ford and Marty).

I also really liked watching Chase and Lily's relationship develop as they learned about each other's lives and careers. In the first half of the book I felt that they feel for each other a bit quickly, but I really settled into the pace and joy of their relationship in the second half.

This was a quick, fun read and worth your time if you've enjoyed other books in the genre.

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What an interesting and engaging read. I really appreciate reads with romance and presents the opportunity to learn something. In this case, the environment and wilderness camp. I went to summer camp but we did not engage in these types of activities.

The college I attended and the program I selected involved taking a course called September camp and we participated in many wilderness activities. I recall lots of fun except, climbing and repelling.

Chase Fielder, environmental conservation officer assigned to work with the campers which she is good at but does not enjoy. Chase is totally devoted to her job and not necessarily looking for a relationship. Dr. Lily Davenport, ER doctor burnt out physically, mentally, and emotionally from treating COVID -19 patients. She is invited by her college friend, Sarah and Chase's sister to work as the camp medic for the summer. She thinks it is a good diversion from the push and pull of the ER. Lily is possibly looking for a relationship. As the story unfolds, the reader learns about Chase and Lily and the challenges they have gone through. I liked the attraction and how they interacted with each other as far as listening, supporting, and appreciating the work that each of them do. I also liked the interaction between Marty and Ford as they grew to value and support each other. All in all, a good read.

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I will say right off that Radclyffe is one of my go-to authors, I believe I have just about all her books-with that being said, I did enjoy this story but I will be honest and say it is not one of her more indepths storyline. It was a very quick read for me and the MCs were relatable, just not as deep in character as I am used to (ok yes I have been spoiled with series like Provincetown Tales, Honor series, Justice series). I did enjoy the book, don't get me wrong-if you are looking for a comfort story with humor and warmth definitely pick this one up.

The MCs, Lilly and Chase, have good chemistry and even though Lilly is a doctor and we know that Radclyffe is the queen of hospital drama stories (highly recommend the PMC Hospital series and Rivers Family series), the setting for this story is a summer camp-that was a bit of a fun twist with this author (not her usually setting). Having a camp full of teenagers was a bit of a different read for me, but I thought it was fun and Radclyffe had me feeling like I was really there (brought back a few of my own summer camp memories-fun).

I recommend this book if you are looking for excellent writing and a not to heavy story line that leaves you cheering for Lilly and Chase to the end.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own.

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Only This Summer by Radclyffe

Lovely summer romance between two women perfect for one another – but – might there be the possibility for more than the summer?

What I liked:
* Lily: ER physician during covid pandemic, burned out, looking for something, hopes a slower pace will give her insight regarding her future, attracted to Chase
* Chase: Ranger with the Department of Environmental Conservation, strong, healthy, had to adjust her life goals due, loves being outdoors, works hard, attracted to Lily
* Watching the relationship develop between Lily and Chase, their maturity and that they communicated honestly and openly with one another
* Sarah: Chase’s sister and Lily’s best friend, runs a summer camp for teens that includes survival training, good person, meddles a bit but wants what is best for others
* Marty and Ford: campers that forge a friendship at camp – enjoyed getting to know them
* The activities the camp provided
* Learning a bit more about the job that Chase was required to do as a ranger
* The location – sounds beautiful
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Not a dislike but perhaps would have liked to have a bit more information than the epilogue provided

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to Bold Stroke Books and NetGalley for the book – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

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Back to her usual form, this is a light read with a strong sense of place and believable characters. Lily has agreed to volunteer at a summer camp and is hoping to process and recover from being an ER Dr during the pandemic. Chase is the sister of the camp organiser and also a local ranger. The pace was good, I enjoyed finding out more about the work of a ranger in such a large wilderness and about the dangers and joys of climbing. The processing of working in a hospital emergency room through the pandemic was also handled well and with sensitivity. There is also a lovely sub plot of a developing friendship between two of the teenagers at the camp, one of whom was asexual.

With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley;ey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Any book that has the MC's making their way to one another's hearts at camp will always be a win for me. Chase, with her heart in the forest and passion flitting around the ladies was quite charming in her dedication to her job. Lily, learning to breathe again in the fresh air stumbled into a new chapter of her life while finding her heart in the forest.

It's a wonderful journey reading how these two, quite opposite characters, find common ground as they explore their surroundings together. Some heroine moments, some steamy scenes, and lots of laughter surround this book. A very enjoyable read.

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2.75 stars- Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I think the best word to describe this book was cute. Fast(ish) paced romance, happy ending, cute relationship, etc. However, on the flip side of this, the erring didn’t really make me feel anything. I cared about the characters to the extent that I hoped Lily and Chase would end up together ( which is kind of a given), but honestly not much further than that. When the fire happened, I wasn’t like “oh I sure hope chase makes it out!”, I was just like “oh. Huh, okay, i wonder how Lily’s going to move to lake George”. I think one thing that made me care less as well was the length of the conflict and fire. It was pretty short, and I wasn’t really in any suspense.
Overall, this book is a nice quick read that I think is perfect if you’ve been reading a lot of heavy books and want something fun.

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