i can't believe i slept on this book for so long. i randomly pulled it up on a whim and was immediately hooked. the romance was great but i really loved their friendship -- the found family aspect was wonderful but loved how it was other families becoming one with the siblings and such. just an overall feel good, comfort read that i'll absolutely be recommending to everyone.

That Summer Feeling proves that a sunshine-meets-sunshine trope should not only exist but be highly sought-after content. Garland is the first of our sunshines, and her personable good cheer hides a lot of the difficulties in her life. She and her sister, Dara, grew up in a home where they were treated as an afterthought at best and a hindrance at worst. They had to create magic on their own, and that included an expectation that they would each find lasting romantic love one day, nothing like what they saw from their parents. Garland fears that she's already failed that dream. She's divorced from the husband who blindsided her with his dissatisfaction in their marriage. She's been crashing with her sister and driving ride shares ever since.

Before I tell you about our other sunshine, you should know that with her signature skill for telling family stories, Morrissey gives us a tale of sisterhood in this book. Garland and Dara have been through it all together, and they've both dealt with the uncertainties of their early years in different ways. I may not be her brand of peppy extrovert, but I can relate to Garland's defensive people pleasing. She constantly prepares for the worst by easing the way for as many other people as she can. But then there's Dara, whose classic big sister energy naturally speaks to me. The woman has a specific "you're possibly the least intelligent person alive" voice, which I have it on good authority I also bring to the party.

This story finds them on a new journey together, one Dara hopes will be healing, not that she could have predicted just how much it would be. She insists they capture the joyful childhood they never had by going to summer camp. A pair of Garland's customers are reopening a sleepaway camp with a week for adults to relive that adolescent summer feeling. There's a big competition among the campers involving daily games, cabins to sleep in, a lake to paddle on, and arts and crafts. There are mixers every night with the adult addition of a full bar.

On their arrival at camp, Garland finds it easy to make friends, with her affable personality and aforementioned people pleasing. Her first conquest is her cabinmate, Stevie, who literally trips and falls on top of her on their first day. Their easy, bantering connection gets a dent in it when Garland meets Stevie's brothers. It turns out that Stevie met one of them before, at the airport on the way to her honeymoon. She'd put it out of her head, but in that moment, she had a vision that she now realizes showed her with him and all of his siblings at this very camp. Convinced that it's a romantic sign, she confides in Stevie and her sister, gaining their support to pursue him as a camp fling, even if Garland is convinced she'll never fall in love again. As Stevie does what she can to aid in Garland's quest, a wedge grows between them, and then Garland has a revelation. She has a major crush on Stevie, not her brother.

This is a story of not only Garland's bi awakening but also the bombshell (to her) that her sister is aromantic, something she takes as a personal blow to their mutual childhood plans to find love. It takes some adjustment for her to realize that their childhood aspirations have no bearing on how they find happiness as adults. As an ace reader, Garland's horror at Dara's pronouncement hit me hard, but never let it be said that Garland can't bounce back quickly and with great vigor, right back to supporting her sister exactly as she is.

As she grows during her week at camp, Garland is delighted to discover all these things she didn't know about herself: her queerness, what future she wants, and what real joy feels like instead of what she expects it to look like. Though there are bumps in the road given Garland's initial intentions regarding Stevie's brother, it's a largely easy-going and heart-warming love story. Stevie is competitive, irreverent, and dependable. She listens to what Garland has to say and communicates back openly. They have a flowing banter, which Garland initially assumes is out of friendship but which becomes blatant flirting as their situation changes. Their humor is inviting and exuberant, which makes it extra fun to read. There's no final act breakup, only difficult discussions and some time spent in their feelings.

I love this as a romance and as a story of a woman finding herself, even as an adult. Garland thought any hope of a happy, loving future was beyond her. Instead, she finds a new and better path to get there, one she never could have imagined for herself. She finds the magic of summer camp, adds a new layer to her love for her sister, and makes friends who see and value her for who she is. This book is a genuine delight, and I recommend it to anyone in need of a sunny day. Thanks to Berkley for my copy to read and review!

This book is a queer summer camp fantasy. It's nostalgic, romantic, and full of good vibes. The setting (adult summer camp!!!!!!) was honestly a dream, and the central romance was soft and lovely.

There’s a lot of emotional unpacking here -- divorce, second chances, identity -- but it’s handled with warmth and levity. A feel-good summer read.

Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for a free download of the audiobook.

Bridget Morrissey's "That Summer Feeling" is a refreshing and emotionally resonant novel that captures the magic of summer camp for adults.

The story beautifully explores themes of found queer family, late-in-life sexual awakening, and the enduring bonds of sisterhood. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery, as she navigates her bisexuality and finds love after divorce, is both relatable and inspiring.

This is a perfect read for anyone seeking a heartwarming story of personal growth and queer joy.
Jeremy Carlisle Parker's excellent narration on the audiobook brings the characters and their emotional journeys to life.

3.5 stars

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*That Summer Feeling* by Bridget Morrissey is a heartwarming and romantic contemporary novel that perfectly captures the magic of summer and the complexities of love. The story follows two characters, Charlie and Drew, who are brought together by a summer job and a shared history of unspoken feelings. Morrissey’s writing is full of warmth, with witty dialogue, emotional depth, and relatable characters. The romance builds slowly, filled with moments of tension, nostalgia, and self-discovery. With themes of growth, second chances, and finding love in unexpected places, *That Summer Feeling* is a delightful, feel-good read for fans of summer romances and contemporary fiction.

This book was absolutely amazing! I need more queer camp books as soon as possible, because this was the best! I loved the MCs and the way the romance unfolded. The ending made me cry happy tears!

For me this was an meh read. The characters are older but acted so much younger, yes they are at camp but still. The instant love was super quick and just felt pushed on us in a way. It was nice to see people as themselves and enjoying life. but otherwise, blah.

this was very sweet. A little too insta romance for my taste but the chemistry and banter was so good.

Liked the first half better than the second, but it was cute! I found that the couple and the main character were not the easiest to root for and some of the side characters seemed a bit out of place.

Really loved that the setting was at an ADULT summer camp. I did really like the contrast in the main characters in the sense of one being very extroverted and the other introverted. I do wish there was more of a deviation in some way because even though the storyline was fun, it unfortunately is a bit forgettable.

That Summer Feeling is quite literally the perfect summer read. This book takes place at an adult summer camp (that will absolutely have readers wishing it was a real place because it sounds so dang fun) where our two main characters meet and are swept up into each other. I loved how different our main characters were, one being super outgoing and the other being a bit more introverted. I felt that this is a good way to have more readers be able to connect with one of them and the story all together.. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is yearning for old summer camp feels, a cute love story, or just a great summer read!!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Having grown up attending summer camp and spending many summers working at summer camp during college and beyond, I love reading books set at summer camps. That Summer Feeling is set at Camp Carl Cove, which two former camper twin brothers bought and reopened for an adult week-long session. Garland, recently divorced, attends with her sister, although they are surprised to learn they won’t be staying in the same cabin or on the same color war team - but that’s ok because it’s camp! But Mason, the man Garland briefly crossed paths with at the airport during her honeymoon, happens to be at camp, too. And Garland has had a premonition that he will be in her life. It’s a good thing she is rooming with his sister, Stevie…
The book depicts an insta-love relationship, which I usually find hard to believe, and I especially struggled to get behind this one as it is a queer awakening for the character. While I do think that summer camp has the ability to help someone figure themself out, to me, this mix of tropes was a bit too much. However, if you’re a fan of either/both, this read could be right up your alley.
In all honesty, I had to look up a Hannah Montana reference on YouTube, but it definitely added to my enjoyment of this read 🤣 So if you're a HM fan, you might enjoy checking this one out. I have no clue why I didn't read it sooner!

It was such a great romance and setting. The characters were awkward but it was a sweet exploration of comphet and how it feels to date someone who is outgoing when you think you're not

Starts with a magical vision, continues with an adult summer camp (where do I sign up?). Sweet second chance romance.

Turns out you're never too old for a summer camp romance. Or a change of heart. When a divorced woman attends a sleepaway camp for adults only, she reconnects with a man from her past--only to catch feelings for his sister instead.

This made me nostalgic for my summer camp days to many years ago. Such fond memories and the perfect setting for this one. Honestly, I don’t read a lot of LGBTQ romances, not sure why, but this one does such a great job of showcasing that Garland and Stevie have the sweetest romance.

I’ve read a few diverse books lately that constantly remind me that they are diverse by constantly telling me throughout the book instead of me just experiencing their life. This one sat back and had the romance play out and I was so rooting for the couple to jump from friends to more.

I giggled with the characters and pined to be at camp with them.

A lot of people loved this one but for me it fell short of expectations. I thought it leaned too heavily on the trip of insta-love at the expense of a well-developed love story. While the premise holds promise, the narrative rushes into a romantic connection between the MCs, leaving little room for genuine emotional depth or connection.

I loved the thought of adult summer camp so I really was excited to pick this up. While some readers may appreciate the immediate romantic tension, those seeking a more nuanced and well-crafted love story may find it lacking. A more gradual and thoughtful exploration of the characters' emotions could have elevated this book from a fleeting romance to a more enduring and resonant love story.

This was such a beautiful story, filled with wonderful characters and second chances. I felt very hopeful while reading this book and the ending made my heart sing. My only regret is reading this during winter and not summer, but it definitely made my feel like it was summer with how much my heart melted!

"That Summer Feeling" offers a delightful sapphic love story set in an adult summer camp, weaving themes of sisterhood and chosen family. Garland's journey, post-divorce, brings a mix of humor and heart, with laugh-out-loud moments. While the camp setting is fun, the story might resonate more with a younger audience despite its adult context. The tale beautifully explores love's unexpected paths amid the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a charming summer read.

This book was pretty cute but I never really felt connected to any of the characters. I did like the summer camp setting but there was a bit too much whimsy for me to really enjoy this one fully! Nice cast of characters though, and fun vibes. 3.5 rounded up.

🌈Queer rep: bi/pan woman, FF main relationship. Gay male side characters, trans woman side character, nonbinary side character.