"What was love if not holding someone else's hand through their chosen journeys?"

From the outside, I expected this to be a cute romance but I was blown away by the beautiful prose and the brilliant characters. Garland, recently divorced, has been crashing with her sister for the last year; thirty-two and still finding her footing in life. Over the course of a week at an adult summer camp, she goes on a journey learning about herself, falling in love, and learning what it means to be in the present.

"I didn't dare imagine what kind of moments between us were yet to come. I wanted to experience them instead. Learn everything I could have with her in real time."

I just absolutely loved this one. Garland is such a lovable character with an enthusiasm and wonder for the world that reminded me of my own partner. To enjoy this one, you have to be okay with some insta-love, as this does take place over the course of a week, and also suspend some disbelief as a large portion of the premise hinges on a vision Garland. That said, the vision made sense within the context of the book. Summer camp is a magical place, why wouldn't there be a little bit of magic in Garland's life? I loved the way this book both encapsulated the nostalgia and magic and fun of summer camp as a youth while folding in the ways these childhood activities can be so healing as an adult. Such a quick read that manages to be both fun and have some deep emotions--just like summer camp!

Call me a sucker, but I am living for these Summer themed books!

Give me a book with a warm weathered title or a beach clad cover and you straight up stole my heart.

Here we go, That Summer Feeling.

This book is so much more than an adult version of sleep away camp. It’s about finding yourself and discovering what truly makes you “feel good” .

I’ve never read a LGBTQ type of book but I’m happy I did as it gave me a new understanding of love and quite frankly, Love is Love and Love truly conquers all.

This book was an eye opener and appreciate being thrust into something that I would have not otherwise been exposed to had it not been for the good ole people at Bookstagram.

This book is the perfect summer read and I believe it will be enjoyed by all.


Teaser:

When a divorced woman attends a sleepaway camp for adults, she reconnects with a man from her past—only to fall head over heels for his sister instead.

Garland Moore used to believe in magic, the power of optimism, and signs from the universe. Then her husband surprised her with divorce papers over Valentine's Day dinner. Now Garland isn’t sure what to believe anymore, except that she’s clearly never meant to love again. When new friends invite her to spend a week at their reopened sleepaway camp, she and her sister decide it’s an opportunity to enjoy the kind of summer getaway they never had as kids. If Garland still believed in signs, this would sure seem like one. Summer camp is a chance to let go of her past and start fresh.

Nestled into the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Camp Carl Cove provides the exact escape Garland always dreamed of, until she runs into Mason—the man she had a premonition about after one brief meeting years ago. No matter how she tries to run, the universe appears determined to bring love back into Garland’s life. She even ends up rooming with Mason’s sister Stevie, a vibrant former park ranger who is as charming as she is competitive. The more time Garland spends with Stevie, the more the signs confuse her. The stars are aligning in a way Garland never could have predicted.

Amid camp tournaments and moonlit dances, Garland continues to be pulled toward the beautiful blonde outdoorswoman who makes her laugh and swoon. Summer camp doesn’t last forever, but if Garland can learn to trust her heart, the love she finds there just might.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Berkley for the gifted e-book ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read if you like: LGBTQ representation, fluffy reads, instalove, adult Summer camp

This is the perfect, sweet, fluffy Summer read. The love is super fast but cute. I prefer bit longer development with romance, but this was still great. It was just a bit farfetched sometimes. This book was laugh out loud funny. The characters were well done. I would totally go to this adult Summer camp. I highly recommend this!

I really enjoyed this one! the setting of adult summer camp is SO fun and unique and perfect for the found family vibes of the book. following an unexpected divorce, Garland and her sister decide to spend a week at an adult summer camp. it becomes a week of self discovery, not only with her sexuality, but also just shedding expectations of the life she thought she was supposed to live. when she finally has a chance to be herself in a place full of strangers, so many things start to click into place. all with the help of her cabin mate, Stevie.

i loved how easily Garland is able to be in touch with herself and her sexuality when she’s finally in a space to just be herself. coming to terms with the fact that it’s always been beneath the surface, but was never given the chance to grow. it was a little insta-lovey, especially considering the book only takes place over a single week, but i think that comes with the territory of the summer camp setting, so i was able to just roll with it and still enjoy it despite not being a huge insta-love fan!

There is something so comforting reading about sapphic women discovering their sexuality later in life. I loved reading about Garland discovering herself, her community and finding love with Stevie it was so sweet.

Just from reading the book's premise, I knew I was going to read a messy romance. And I love reading a good messy romance book; it keeps me entertained from the beginning.

Hm, I thought this book was going to be entertaining with its messy drama. But yet, I kind of felt bored while I read it. It wasn’t as messy as described. It was more of an insta-love romance with fade-to-back scenes. And the drama was not as great as their miscommunications with each other. And don’t get me started on the characters. They act a bit immature at times. I was a bit confused about why they were acting like teenagers when they were adults.

I just felt that this book wasn’t for me. I love reading any new lgbtq romance books, but I just wasn’t feeling this one. The characters were too immature for my taste.

If you enjoy reading about insta-love romance tropes with summer vibes, then check out That Summer Feeling.

This one was such a highly anticipated read for me. It seems like everyone was talking about it so I really wanted to read it. Unfortunately, I did not get very far. It felt like Garland kept talking about her divorce, and I just really wanted her to get to the point.

Now I want to go to sleepaway camp. This is such a beautiful sapphic romance. How was the first time I have heard of this author? I need more.

That Summer Feeling is a wonderful story about finding yourself.

Prepare yourself for some major gushing. This book is utter perfection. There is absolutely nothing about it I didn’t love. If I could, I wouldn’t change a thing. I loved the premise of this book. A summer sleep away camp for adults? Where do I sign up?

Bridget has managed to pack a lot into one book and she has done so masterfully. Although she has tackled some pretty hefty topics like growing up with less than ideal parents, the trauma of divorce, and coming out later in life, it is all done with such care and thoughtfulness that the book manages to feel like a warm hug. It is positive and uplifting and just the book I didn’t know I needed to read right now.

Garland is by far my favourite leading lady I’ve read so far this year. She is just terrific. A people pleaser by nature, she is the one always trying to smooth things over, always trying to make people feel more comfortable. And she’s funny. Her sense of humour is just awesome. I found myself laughing out loud many times. When she arrives at camp, she is in a bit of a slump. A year after the divorce she didn’t see coming, she’s still crashing at her sister’s house and driving people around for a living. She doesn’t know what her future holds. She thought she had it all figured out. And then she was served divorce papers over Valentine’s Day dinner. She knows she has to make a change, but she’s not sure what direction to travel in. I love the personal growth she finds at camp. Anyone who has been to a sleep away camp can attest that it is the perfect time for reinvention. And that is exactly what Garland does.

There are so many great characters in this book. Garland’s sister Dara is a standout for me. I just loved their relationship and how well they knew each other. How they could read each other without having to say things out loud. And the way they are there for each other and support each other is a beautiful thing.

And Stevie. Oh Stevie. She is definitely a swoon-worthy book girlfriend. Outdoorsy, hilarious, confident and kind. She is the kind of person that knows who she is and doesn’t apologise for it. I loved her. I loved how her and Garland bonded immediately. There was definite fireworks, but they took the time to be friends first. Their banter made my heart happy. The way they supported each other and just let each other be who they are was inspirational.

That Summer Feeling is the perfect, uplifting summer read.

Short synopsis: Recently divorced Garland decides to attend a weeklong Adult summer camp with her sister when she meets Stevie.

My thoughts: This was such a fun read to start off summer with such a fun setting. I enjoyed reading about the self discovery, pushing through fears and insecurities, the camp traditions, and the competition games.

The relationship between Garland and Stevie progressed very quickly, but I didn’t mind it. They encouraged each other to step outside their comfort zones and I think that’s part of what a significant other does, challenges you to grow.

Read if you love:
- Summer camp
- Mountain/Lake settings
- Instalove
- Found family
- Self discovery

this romance was so soft and while it moved quickly I found it believable! it made me happy to watch the two of them fall in love and I found myself actually caring about them more than the plot. this is full of queer joy and makes me wish I had been able to go to summer camp

oh how cute!! a fun adult summer camp plus sapphic panic of figuring out ur sexuality!! While this wasn't a masterpiece and the ending was a little odd?? and slightly cringy?? I think this would be a super fun summer read.

This book!!! Oh my gosh, That Summer Feeling was truly ✨That Summer Book✨ I could not think of a better summer book to be honest, and I am now DYING for an adult sleep away camp to go to 😭

Ok, but truly, I loved this achingly sweet love story so much! I found so much of myself is Garland’s later in life Bi awakening. It’s so hard when you have queer people in your life who have always known who they are, and you’re only starting that journey of self discovery. But Morrissey portrayed that feeling so well, and with the utmost care.

Plus Garland and Stevie just had the sweetest, cutest unfolding of a love story. The development of their relationship was a joy to watch. The kind of joy that has you squealing and kicking your feet in bed at 2am trying not to wake up your roommate.

I hope everyone reads this story, and now I need to go back and read this author’s debut!!

I was so excited to read this sapphic romance and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint! I read A Thousand Miles by this author last year and absolutely loved it, so I had no doubt that this one would be perfect for me as well.

I read the whole thing in a little over 24 hours which is really fast for me, so that should tell you something.

The premise of this book was so unique and I loved it. Garland goes to an adult summer camp and meets a man that she once had a romantic vision about. But then she ends up falling for his sister instead. I mean, come on. Such a fun story.

Garland and Stevie were girlfriend goals and best friend goals. The summer camp nostalgia was hitting me HARD. The side characters were amazing. The LGBTQ+ representation was perfection. I loved every single part of this book!

I do wish that there was more of a magical component. I thought it was such a fun idea but it was only touched on a few times. Other than that, I have no complaints.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Berkley Romance for my gifted copy!

I was absolutely hooked on this book from the very first page. Set at a camp for adults, it was full of family, humor and was just a joy to read. I never got to go to camp as a kid and now I want to find a camp for adults like in this book and go.

I thought Garland's struggle to figure out who she was and what she wanted was so relatable. Yes I found her a little annoying at times but it was more like the way you get annoyed at a friend who is being an idiot and not so much an I hate you annoyed. I loved also loved Stevie and her brothers. And everyone at camp.

I just had such a good time reading this book. It's a great sapphic romance but it's also a book about acceptance both of yourself and others and is one of my top romance reads of May. I definitely plan to look up more by this author.

Did I Google adult summer camps when I was reading? Of course!! This had A+ summer vibes, and everything you’d want from a camp story - dances, team challenges, late nights at the lake. Garland and Stevie were such a cute pair, although I did think more could have been done to build up the tension between the two of them.

I totally fell in love with everyone at camp - the twins, Stevie’s brothers, and Garland’s roommate Michelle. I think the story could have benefitted from going deeper into all of these relationships. The whole story seemed to stay pretty surface level.

Overall a cute read but nothing groundbreaking, but great to get ready for summer!

After going through a divorce, Garland and her sister decide to go to their friends’ newly opened sleepaway camp for adults. It is the summer they never got as children and both sisters are excited for it. When they arrive, Garland meets Mason, a man she literally ran into on her honeymoon years ago and had a certain feeling about. She also happens to be sharing a room with his sister, Stevie. As camp goes on Garland wonders if meeting Mason was really meant to be, but she also can’t ignore the growing crush she has on Stevie.

This book was such a heartwarming read filled with summer magic. I don’t know about you, but I always felt there was something almost magical about summer camp - a feeling of freedom to be whoever you want to be, a feeling of excitement and optimism and possibility for what that week (or more) might bring. Camp relationships were so deep and special, whether they are friendships or romantic relationships. This book captured all of these feelings perfectly and more. I loved the idea of a summer camp for adults (and now I want to go!) It was truly the perfect setting for Garland’s journey of self-discovery and it was so fitting that she would learn more about herself while there. The romance between her and Stevie is what camp relationship dreams are made of - a deep friendship turned into something more, a little bit of adventure and pushing their comfort zones together. And to make it better, being adults it had maturity and that awareness of real life. I also loved the camp activities, especially the color war! Overall, this was the perfect fun summer read.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

✔️Forced Proximity
✔️Meddling Family
✔️A sprinkle of Fated Mates
✔️Found Family
✔️Love on Vacation
✔️Sapphic Romance

I adored the adult summer camp setting and loved how each of the camp activities helped either drive the budding relationship of Garland and Stevie or forced Garland to confront her own life and figure out how to be happy again.

I loved that this was also a book about family, from the funny and tender moments between Garland and her sister as well as Stevie and her brothers.

My favorite message of the book is to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you; and even when you do encounter someone who doesn't get you, maybe use that energy to remember and be grateful for the folks that do.

The romance and Garland's coming out worked well - partially because Stevie is so great - but I also loved that there wasn't trauma. The camp and the people in it were such a safe and loving environment for Garland that the whole journey was a delight. 4⭐️

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕

Like plunging into a lake on a hot summer day! I went into this without reading the description of having read any of the author’s previous work, so I had pretty low expectations. I was so pleasantly surprised! The writing is crisp, descriptions are vivid, and the characters so well rounded I felt like I really knew them. The author does an amazing job of capturing “That summer feeling” I found myself revisiting my own camp experiences and longing to go back to summer camp now. Garland’s growth throughout the book is realistic and her journey to figuring out her sexuality refreshingly unique. If you are a fan of Georgia Clark’s Island Time, you will love this.

Garland is still reeling from being surprised by a divorce from her husband. In an attempt to begin her new life, she leaves for adult summer camp with her sister. While there, she meets a man that she had a vision about while leaving on her honeymoon. That seems like it should be a sign from the universe- but why can’t she stop thinking about his sister, Stevie?

What I loved:
-adult summer camp
-good communication/no third act breakup
-complicated family relationships
-chemistry between Garland and Stevie
-virtually every single character

I enjoyed this book immensely! I am normally not a fan of an instant love situation and this relationship moves QUICK but the chemistry between the characters was so evident and they acknowledge the speed of the relationship so it worked for me. I loved every character so much and the idea of this lovely adult summer camp with so much found family just fills me with joy.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!