Summer on Sunshine Bay, by Debbie Mason, is a complex, multi-generational family drama, heavy on the family drama. The setting is summery, but the plot is layered and heavy at times.

The story starts when Lila’s fiancé, David, surprises her by taking her back to her hometown of Sunshine Bay, a place she did not want to return to. He has been hired to manage a restaurant that competes directly, and quite successfully, with her long-time, close-knit family business. Adding to the angst, the women in her family hold the belief in a family curse that occurs to any female who tries to marry. Since Lila is getting married in a couple of weeks, this adds to the stress and antagonism.

There are a lot of characters that add to the plot, great examples of strong women, supportive family ties, and a few romances. The relationships are not without heartbreak and hardship, and this story isn’t entirely feel-good and light. It’s humorous and also heart-wrenching, as well as a bit silly at times and a tad unbelievable in some of the interactions. I can’t say I was onboard with all the characters and their choices, and as enamored with the story as I hoped to be. There is a lack of communication trope, as well as a subtle hint at cheating.

Summer on Sunshine Bay is a unique, slightly different summer read, filled with weightier topics and all of the mixed emotions that go into relationships of any kind. It’s an engaging story that many will find meaningful and entertaining.

I can sum this up in one word…..Amazing! Thus is such a beautifully written romance.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review for you. I’m grateful to have been one on the lucky ones chosen.

I Loved it!

okay, i super enjoyed this book!! it was such a fun time and i really hope that you pick it up when it comes out! and as always, thank you so much to netgalley for letting me read this book early! what a delight!!!!

Debbie Mason has yet to write a story that didn’t pull me in. Lila is returning home to Sunshine Bay with her fiancé David to get married. Her family owns a restaurant there and David’s family just bought and opened their competition. Join them and their families as they learn that love is complicated in all its forms and sometimes you need to take chances. Hoping Ms. Mason brings us back here to learn the stories of the rest of the family.

I highly recommend Summer on Sunshine Bay – a definite beach read.

Thank you NetGalley, Debbie Mason and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

I must say that Debbie Mason has hit it out of the ball park AGAIN!!! I am always swept up in her story-telling and immersed in the small town being featured as if I were actually there. I love that when I am reading fiction!

Summer on Sunshine Bay is all about Lila Rosetti … of the Rosetti clan. And let me tell you, the Rosetti clan is comprised of a number of strong, independent women who do not believe in happily ever afters and marriage – well – except Lila that is. So when Lila returns to Sunshine Bay to introduce her fiancé David (a Matt Damon look-a-like, if Lila says so herself) to her family – there are fireworks, hugs, and many other emotions from the Rosetti clan. Actually though, as they navigate the introductions, it comes to light that David’s family has just purchased Windermere, an upscale inn that will host the engagement party as well as cause challenges for her family run restaurant, La Dolce Vita – and it may even run it out of business! Oh my goodness!!!!

We also throw into the mix that Lila’s father, James, comes to Sunshine Bay to celebrate this auspicious occasion from an invitation extended by David’s family (and NOT his own daughter). We quickly realize that the relationship between James and Eva (Lila’s mother) is fraught with unresolved emotions… one wonders where that will lead.

As Lila navigates the introduction of families and the engagement party (where the only invited Rosetti is the bride to be and her father), Lila learns of the hard times La Dolce Vita is having and how the Windermere is changing the landscape of Sunshine Bay – and not in a good way. Lila must also sort through her feelings about her upcoming nuptials, which is not an easy task when al old flame enters the picture.

I was captivated by the descriptions of Sunshine Bay. So much so that I would love to take a vacation there! And do not get me started on the MANY instances where we are introduced to the food that is served at La Dolce Vita. I am sure I gained 5 kilograms just reading the story:

“She’d taken care of the appetizers: prosciutto-and-arugula crostini, fried calamari, and fried zucchini blossoms. Eva had already made the lobster-stuffed ravioli and the brandy and plum tomato sauce with piccolo gamberetti for the pasta course. She had the entrée, Pollo Piemonte – breaded chicken breast stuffed with broccoli and goat and mozzarella cheeses with a roasted red pepper cream sauce…”

I had to do research to learn all about Gamberetti -> it is a traditional Italian dish originating from Venice. The dish is usually made with a combination of shrimps, butter, heavy cream, garlic, minced parsley, salt, and pepper. The shrimps are shelled, deveined, seasoned with salt and pepper, and cooked over high heat in butter.

So back to the book review. I find that while the number of characters were more than I traditionally like, with a bit of diligence on my part (i.e. keeping a diagram of who is related to whom) – all worked out. I was able to keep track of the characters in the beginning and as the story progressed, I did not need to look at the diagram so often.

The main storyline was predictable, but in a good way. There were a number of side stories which added spice to the story as well as some complexity. Kept me on my toes. All I can say is – those Rosetti women – love it when a family sticks together through thick and thin.
The journey that is Summer in Sunshine Bay is definitely one that is worth taking, especially for those that like contemporary romance stories. If you like to chuckle a bit with your romance, then I highly suggest picking up this latest Debbie Mason story and get reading… you will not regret it.

This is a cute romance, full of relationships that weren’t the best role models for the main characters. I didn’t connect with the MMC and was waiting for the inevitable. I honestly thought that the FMC was a bit, I don’t know, idealistic? Her backstory is that her parents weren’t together, but they loved her and showed her that all the time, but that was the catalyst for her agreeing to marry the MMC in the first place? I dunno. Luke though, I’m happy with Luke. Not the other half though. Not much spice, and the story pretty much telegraphed exactly everything that happened. But still a cute read.

Lila and David are engaged and moving back from London to her hometown to be near her family and his family. Her family owns a restaurant that has taken a hit from a new hotel opening in town… one that David’s parents own. And that Davis will be managing. And his parents planned the whole wedding to be at their hotel. And Lila’s family is full of loud, passionate Italian women that don’t hold back their opinions. Everything will be fine, nothing is going to conflict here.

I felt like I was reading a soap opera. The characters felt a bit immature and dramatic and I lost interest in the story pretty quickly. Had to DNF halfway through which was a bummer. I did enjoy the beachy setting and will try another book by this author. Thank you @netgalley for this copy.

I usually like Debbie Mason's books, but not this one. It was more women's fiction than a romance. The h was pregnant and engaged, but I didn't feel a real connection between the two of them. The h's mother was conflicted about how much involvement should she have with her daughter's father. The women in the h's family are supposedly cursed when it comes to love.
I received an ARC copy from Net Galley

Lila is engaged to David and his family is now running a business that is in competition with Lila's family.
I didnt like David or his father from the start but I really liked David's mother.
I loved the women in Lila's family and how protective they are of each other. It was a fun read.

What a fun summer read! Lila is surprised by her fiance with a trip to her home, Sunshine Bay. He has been hired to manage a new resort and restaurant that is in direct competition with Lila’s family restaurant. Lila’s family is excited to have her home but are trying to sabotage the massive wedding that Lila’s mother-in-law planned in just a few weeks because they all believe in a marriage curse.

Romances bloom and grow in this story across all the generations of Rosetti women! I loved all the side characters and how they were weaved in. I loved how Lila’s family and her fiance's family grew closer throughout the book!

I loved how this story was focused on strong women who supported each other.

Overall, a 4.5 stars for me. Thank you Forever for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely heartwarming read full of family love and beach vibes. I enjoyed reading and will likely try out more from Debbie Mason now that I haven't visited Sunshine Bay.

If you enjoy romance, with a lot of conflict, you will love this book! This family loves fiercely and protects one another. Loved them! The love story was just perfect!

My first ever Debbie Mason book and it definitely won’t be the last! This book was very complex and at times a little emotional. There is so much going on throughout this book (in a good way). Family entanglements, misunderstandings, questioning, and confusion. In the end… it’s all about love. Can’t wait for more from Sunshine Bay.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the arc of this book.

Highly entertaining, emotional and exciting journey filled with witty banter, reluctant relationships, loving family and undeniable passion. Really enjoyed this action-packed and sweetly thrilling adventure.

What a delightful story of love, family, and resilience. The Rosetti woman have run a successful restaurant on Cape Cod for generations. They also believe in a curse that involves weddings.

When Lila and her fiancee David return from London and land on the Cape, heads will roll. His family has bought a local inn and it will be in direct competition with her families restaurant.

On top of balancing the families, new jobs and finding a place to live; Lila's pregnant. She reconnects with old friends and realizes she's attracted to one of her clients in her new consulting business. Can she and David work through life changes to proceed with the wedding. So much happens in each family that keeps the story interest and fun. You're going to laugh and cry along with the families and in the end you'll be rooting for true love.

Although I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are freely provided.

A really fun beach read about mothers and daughters and the secrets and truths that we tell each other.

This was a nice, light hearted read. It made me laugh a lot. I loved how everyone worked together in harmony in the end! There were quite a lot of characters that it was kinda hard to keep straight who everyone was, but for the most part, I enjoyed it!

I enjoyed reading Summer on Sunshine Bay by Debbie Mason. The story and characters are wonderful! Happy reading!
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

My first Debbie Mason book: not disappointing but not my cup of tea 🫣 For lovers of soap operas and telenovas, this is perfect! There were some fantastical plot points that had me scratching my head. A few dun-dun-dun moments that I was surprised by but not overjoyed with. Overall, I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Lila (who shares a name with my child…could be my issue) is tricked into going home to Sunshine Bay that she swears isn’t good for her. She is faced with some Romeo and Juliet minus the death drama, in a battle of hotel ownership a la Capulets and Montague-eque fighting. With dramatic characters and few grounding moments to recenter the direction of the plot, Lila journeys to find what she really wants for her future.

Thank you Forever @ Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC. This review is mine alone.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Debbie Mason for allowing me to read an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book for an honest review.

The Rosetti curse has haunted the family and the town of Sunshine Bay for decades. The local men call the Rosetti women “the heartbreakers”. It’s been rumored that the Rosetti women may never marry because their soon to be husbands will suffer heartbreak or even worse…death. Their freedom and independence from men has bonded the women of the family together to be stronger than they ever imagined.

Lila is determined to prove once and for all that there is no curse by marrying her fiancé, David. There are a few hiccups along the way though. For starters, David’s family owns the new posh hotel in Sunshine Bay which may end up putting Lila’s family’s restaurant out of business. Luke, Lila’s childhood crush, hires her to help brand the two local businesses that he owns. I’m the end, Lila is challenged with figuring out if she is marrying David for the right reasons.

Is the curse true to its legendary accusation? Or, are the Rosetti women cursed with their insecurities and fear? The fear of taking a risk, acknowledging their feelings, and making a commitment?

This book is the perfect 2023 beach read and will definitely not disappoint romance readers and believers of second chance romance! I highly recommend picking up your copy today!