Member Reviews

Thanks to NetGalley, alcove press and Lauren Bailey for this ARC!

Second chance romance, coastal beach house vibes. The book did seem to drag and go back and forth a lot but is definitely hallmark movie-esk. I’m not sure if the author really did capture Jane Austin vibes but the attempt is definitely there.

Didn’t love didn’t hate, was an easy beach read.

Was this review helpful?

A second chance romance, high school sweethearts with a past to present storyline....what's not to love?

At parts of the book I thought I had it figured out but definitely appreciated the twist at the end I didn't see coming.

Looking forward to more from Lauren Bailey

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The first half of this book had me hooked. I couldn't stop reading it. Then, somewhere around the middle, it just sort of fell off for me. I'm not exactly sure why but I was really bummed.

Olivia and Fred meet one summer and that's it for both of them. The love they knew was it for them. Until it wasn't.

The book follows them through the past and present. Olivia goes "home" to pack up her family home after finding out her husband was unfaithful. Of course, she runs into Fred. The memories and feelings from all the summers, all the times they tried to make it work come surging back.

If you enjoy second-chance romances then you'll probably like this book. The ending wrapped up a bit too fast for my liking and the second half wasn't as good as the first but I'd still recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

I recently finished reading "Summer after Summer," which is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's "Persuasion." Although I haven't read the original, I thought the book was quite enjoyable. It's a charming story that features fascinating family dynamics, but some characters can be a bit annoying. The book alternates between past and present timelines, which adds depth to the story. I particularly enjoyed the author's writing style and can't wait to read more of their work

The story revolves around Olivia, who at 35 years old, returns to her childhood home after her father decides to sell it. Olivia has recently separated from her husband, and the new owner of her childhood home turns out to be her childhood love, Fred. The book explores Olivia's past and present life, with several subplots adding tension and interest. Although the story may move a bit slowly at times, there are unexpected twists that keep it engaging. Overall,

Was this review helpful?

A lovely modern retelling of Jane Austin’s Persuasion. Olivia Taylor is returning home to the Hamptons after years away in the city. Her marriage has dissolved and her family needs her. The family estate has been under financial distress for years with her father barely keeping it afloat and someone has finally taken it off his hands by purchasing it. So they need her help to pack up and move out. No one told Olivia who purchased though it before she got there for good reason……because it was Fred Webb.

Olivia met Fred when she was 16. He is indisputably the love of her life but it’s always been complicated for them and they could never get the timing right. Their love story exists in summers occurring every 5 years and what do you know….it’s been another 5 years. Will this be their time to finally make it work or let go forever? You’ll have to read to find out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

2.5 stars at best.
Olivia is turning 35 and returns to her childhood home that her father has decided to sale. Olivia is recently separated from her husband and it turns out the man that bought her old home is none other than her childhood love, Fred.

The first part of the book was nice, it was very hallmark movie in essence and I could see how it would develop. What started to get to me were the glaring amount of plot holes that may or may not get addressed. Her father and older sister don't work and her family ran out of money years ago. So how are those two still functioning off of anything other than social welfare and its been established that they live an affluent lifestyle? Her divorce isn't finalized, what'll happen when they split assets and the ex husband discovers Olivia just made 5 million dollars?
edit: I finished the book and yes some questions were answered but my rating stands

What caused me to put the book down was the amount of sheer pettiness in the main character Olivia. This is a grown woman, why is she wearing a dress from her 16th birthday? Why is she pulling out an old charm bracelet just to mess with the MMC. Also the MMC is being mature and dating another woman. Why cant they just be adults about the whole situation?

I found the whole situation to be off putting and can not bring myself to finish this book at the moment. It could just be the cynic in me. This is good for romance readers looking for a light summer read. The story is told in past and present starting from when Olivia first met Fred to the current date.

Was this review helpful?

Summer after Summer is a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion and even though I've never read Persuasion, the book was quite good! It definitely is a sweet and cute classic story set in a modern day setting. The book had really interesting family dynamics. Some of the characters irked me but that was okay. The dual timeline between the past and present was really good and gave depth to the book as well. I really loved the author's writing style and even though I am giving this book 3 stars I still really enjoyed it and look forward to their future works!

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for this ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Look no further! This is the perfect summer beach read. The coastal vibes in this book were immaculate and completed transferred me right to the beach.

The romance aspect was not quite enough for me. It left me wanting more (in a good way).

Would absolutely recommend this one!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this summer romance story by Lauren Bailey. I liked that we got to see what fated Fred and Olivia each time they met over the course of 17 years. A fun little twist at the end as well!

Was this review helpful?

We’ve all had that one relationship that just wouldn’t 100% end, Olivia and Fred tired summer after summer to get out right, but the timing was never right.. will this be there last chance or is the 5th time a charm?

I absolutely loved this book, Olivia and Fred relationship was kinda toxic but who hasn’t been in one of those. It touched on a few topics like friendship changing when you get into a relationship, timing being everything, and families moving on after a lost.

Overall I really enjoyed it, at first the flashback were a bit much, but the further you got in the story, you understood why they were needed, and it added a lot of context to the store

Was this review helpful?

I do love a good Lauren Bailey book and this did not disappoint. She does and excellent job of setting the scene and characters. You feel like you know them from the beginning. Well written and a great read.

Was this review helpful?

It was a good read a little slow, but i liked it an couldn’t wait to see what happens next. Thank you for letting me read this.

Was this review helpful?

This book had everything I typically love in a summer beach read: a coastal beach house, a past love returning, and intriguing family dynamics. While it had all the makings of a 5-star read, this one didn’t work for me. There was way too much back and forth, and the story dragged on too long, in my opinion. I can see this being a hit next summer, but it was not my cup of tea!

Thank you to Alcove Press and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

Was this review helpful?

unfortunately just didn't/couldn't connect with this characters as much as I wanted to. a lovely second chance romance that just fell a little flat for me

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the fantastic advanced reader copy of “Summer After Summer” by Lauren Bailey. This novel is the first by Ms. Bailey and I sincerely hope it’s not her last. This is a modern pseudo retelling of Jane Austen’s much beloved (by me) “Persuasion.” The main characters, Olivia (Austen’s Anne Elliot) and Fred (Austen’s Captain Frederick Wentworth) although less restrained than Austen’s characters, are wonderful modern representatives. I just love this book and highly recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

A heart-warming and beautiful second-chance romance. This reminded me so much of the film Love, Rosie especially with the dual POV's of past and present as more of Fred and Olivia's story is revealed. I was completely hooked on this and didn't want to put this down, it made for a perfect summer read and I can't wait to check out more by Lauren Bailey.

Was this review helpful?

Great setting and story! Liked the MC and her honesty. I thought the time with Fred was well written. Flowed well. Summer books are such good ones to get lost in. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

If you’re a romance, second chance girlie(or guy) this book will be perfect for you! Especially if you’re a Jane Austin fan - I hadn’t read Persuasion but I did watch the Netflix release and enjoyed it, I do see the modern take on the book which I enjoyed!

The dual POV between past and present was a nice touch to keep you engaged and turning the pages, this book is sure to be a summer time hit!

I loved Fred + Olivia story and all of the sweet moments they share between timelines! Wonderful start to a promising future for this author (I can’t wait to see what’s to come)

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

This talented author has written a great story about realistic characters. They come alive on the pages. The story moves quickly. Family and friends. Secrets. I liked this book. I liked the fact that two former lovers reconnect. The house is almost a character. Greed motivates some of the characters. Deceit…enjoy this intriguing story. Thanks Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

This book is going to be a hit next summer because it’s an absolutely perfect summer read.
Olivia and Fred keep swinging into each other’s orbits, but fate is meddlesome and for some inexplicable reason or another, the timing is never right for these two. They obviously love each other deeply, but their flaws, fears, and circumstances intervene summer after summer. It’s all the hearts: breaking, wrenching, and warming. And that twist! It’s subtly woven throughout the narrative and makes for quite a dramatic ending. Retellings can be hit or miss, but for me, this modern-day retelling of Persuasion is fully on the mark. A wonderfully plotted, fast, romantic read I found thoroughly entertaining and engaging.

Was this review helpful?