"A Novel Summer" by Jamie Brennen is a delightful and heartwarming story that follows the journey of a young woman who finds herself at a crossroads in life. As she spends a summer in a picturesque town, she discovers love, friendship, and the power of storytelling. Brennen's writing is engaging and relatable, capturing the essence of self-discovery and the importance of pursuing one's passions. The novel beautifully blends romance and personal growth, making it a perfect summer read that leaves readers feeling inspired and uplifted.

Shelby, Colleen and Hunter were best friends growing up spending summers together on the Cape. When they went to University/College, they moved on with Shelby becoming an author, Colleen working in her family's bookstore in Providence and Hunter becoming an editor in a small publishing house. Shelby has published her first book, based on her life on the Cape, Hunter has just lost her job and returned to Providence and Colleen is hoping to prove to her mothers that she can fun the bookstore. Shelby is doing a book tour and has set up her first stop at Colleen's bookstore. She didn't expect the anger and upset from some of her old friends, especially Hunter. She leaves, angry and unhappy, but returns to help Colleen out when she gets a desperate call for help. Can she reconcile with those who are angry with her? Will the three friends become close once again?

A Novel Summer is my first book by Jamie Brenner, but it will not be my last. Yes, this is a summery, beach read, but it is also a story of reconciliation, new beginnings, dealing with change and friendship. All three of the women are dealing with changes in their lives and need to make a lot of decisions. Will they be able to help one another? There are several secondary characters who play an important role in this story, especially where Hunter's and Shelby's relationship is concerned. I really liked the setting of this story, a small town that is trying to rejuvenate itself, but also stay true to the Cape feel. There is some romance, old beaus, new beaus and some feelings that are reawakened. Throw in a company that wants to move in and bring a resort, a new book idea that might cause more anger, and women who are independent, but need each other as well and you have an enjoyable summer story, all set in Cape Cod.

Alright, I have to start by saying that Jamie Brenner’s book, Blush, is probably one of my top romance books of all time. I LOVED it so much, so while I like A Novel Summer, I went in with really high expectations. Blush is still my top Brenner book, and while I liked this one it just didn’t strike the same chord for me, As a New Englander, I did love the Cape Cod-setting, though!

Author Shelby Archer loves the picturesque town of Provincetown, Massachusetts, where she spent some of the best summers of her life. In fact, she loved it so much that it was the background of her first novel. So when she comes home to P-town on her book tour at her best friend’s family book shop, she’s expecting a warm homecoming. But her friends back home aren’t happy about how Shelby portrayed them, so when the chance comes to spend her summer in P-town helping run Land’s End Bookstore, she knows that she has to make things right with the town, and the friends, that mean so much to her.

This was a light read, perfect for summer, filled with friendship, self-discovery, and second chance romances. An enjoyable read, but not my favorite Brenner novel.

3.5/5

I've been a fan of Jamie Brenner's novels for quite some time and I really like her stories that take place in Provincetown. So A Novel Summer appealed to me right away and it did not disappoint!

While reading this novel, I felt like I was on a vacation in some ways. Also, it was centered around books! There was a nice balance of friendship, romance, career, and family throughout and I enjoyed the various perspectives from the main and supporting characters. Even though the town is up north and on an island, it reminded me of Serenity from Sweet Magnolias. I hope to revisit with the characters in future novels, just like she brought in some cameos of characters from her previous novels for this one.

While I loved the story, I wish the intensity had been taken up a few notches. There were some dramatic moments, but I never felt the heft from any of them. However, this novel felt like a nice escape during a busy summer so it's not a huge complaint in the grand scheme of things.

A Novel Summer is perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Susan Mallery, and Jenifer Goldin, and also for anyone who loves a good summer story.

Movie casting suggestions:
Shelby: Rhiannon Fish
Hunter: Meghann Fahy
Justin: Justin Baldoni
Colleen: Leven Rambin
Anders: Jack Davenport
Kate: Willa Holland
Duke: John Benjamin Hickey
Ezra: Sean Teale
Carmen: Valerie Bertinelli

Jamie Brenner’s A Novel Summer is a heartfelt and enchanting read that beautifully captures the essence of second chances and the power of community. Set against the stunning backdrop of Provincetown on Cape Cod, this novel invites readers into a world filled with warmth, nostalgia, and the complexities of personal relationships.

I was not thrilled with this novel, it was a bit confusing with characters getting introduced.

As a lower level surface read, this could be an easy pick up for the summer. It’s set in a charming book store, set on cape cod.

A Novel Summer
By Jamie Brenner
Aptly titledi, A Novel Summers a great beach read. It’s about three friends, Shelby, author, and her friends, Colleen, book store manager, soon to be owner, and Hunter, their friend from a very wealthy family.

Shelby and Hunter were friends first from college. Hunter’s family had a home in Provincetown in Cape Cod and she invited Shelby to spend the summer after graduation from college. Shelby agreed but she’d need a job. So Hunter introduced her to Colleen. All three had the love of books in common.

After summer ended, Shelby headed off to New York to find a publisher for the book she’d finished during her break in Provincetown. The book was about her love of Provincetown and the friendships she had made that summer. She was successful and her book was published.

Write what you know, she was advised and that’s what she did. When she returned to the Cape the following summer, she found out how writing what you know can affect friendships.

Spend YOUR summer at the beach and see if Shelby was able to repair some friendships or were they lost forever.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for allowing me an ARC of this novel.

A Novel Summer is a beautiful beach read that kept me turning the pages. The story follows Shelby who wrote her first book after spending time in Provincetown. Now, ready to write her second book, she's faced with a lack of inspiration. When her best friend calls and says she needs to help running her family bookstore, Shelby takes it as the opportunity to find inspiration again with her second book.

This is one of the books that will leave you feeling warm and bubbly when you're done. The characters come to life on the page and with every piece of dialogue, I felt like I was spending time with the characters. The story talks about everything from friendship to love to grief and more. It's a lovely read that will transport you to the dunes of Cape Cod.

Thank you Park Row Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 stars

Absolutely charming beach read. This one is very bookish, with lots of nods to the publishing industry, which makes it extra fun for those who like that meta touch in their fiction. Atmospheric and very likable characters all around.

𝘈 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱.

If you like books about books, bookstores, close knit community, and second chances, you will love this sweet book.

Sometimes, without meaning to, we hurt the people we’re closest too. This book explores second chances and redemption among friends and love interests. Three best friends are challenged when one is jealous of another’s success, one doesn’t like that she and her hometown are used as inspiration in a book, and another is just trying to find her place.

You’ll devour this in one beach sitting.

I love Jamie Brenner's books for the perfect summer read. I enjoyed the Provincetown setting.

This was not my favorite of hers, sadly. Perhaps due to the mid 20s age of the characters but I found them to be self-absorbed and willing to get ahead at whatever cost. They used others and could not see how their actions affected everyone else.

I would have liked more of a focus on the female friendships instead of the romance. The second chance romance felt rushed at the end of the story.

I will continue to read her books because I have loved all her other summer reads. Thank you to Harlequin for the review copy.

A classic summer beach read from Jamie Brenner, about a woman who returns to town and ends up running the local bookstore for the summer.

Although a familiar premise, this book kept me entertained and engaged. I did find that the beginning was a bit awkward and choppy, and the characters lacked development in places, but otherwise written well. A good read – the tension made sense and questions were answered at the end. If you’re a lover of the quintessential beach read, you’ll enjoy this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for honest review. 4 stars, recommend.

This story was better in theory than in practice. The idea had me but never really drew me in as I read. I didn't feel a strong connection to any of the characters and felt like I only knew them and their stories at a surface level. I actually stopped reading it a couple of times before coming back to finish it just for Netgalley.

Thank you to Netgalley, Jamie Brenner and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This was my first time reading a Jamie Brenner book and it won’t be my last. I loved this book and the girls relationships from college to present day. How they come together but also separate due to opinions and perceptions. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this fun novel. A perfect beach read for any book loving reader. A fun sweet story that leaves the reader wanting more books and love!

DNF, which is disappointing because I really loved the premise of this book.

However, I did not find the characters likable (at all) or relatable, and the setting was really missing the essentials of Provincetown itself. As a straight woman, I am aware of the LGTBQIA+ influence on the history and culture of Provincetown. It's like--integral to Provincetown itself, and also what makes it so great. And it was sorely missing in this book--as well as any real representation of the people and culture that calls Provincetown home.

Perfect Summer Read!!!

Thank you NetGallary for an early review copy of A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner!

This is a heartwarming story and a perfect summer read! This book was original and hooked me from page one!

This book has a little bit of everything, friendship, romance, with a touch of humor! Character development was excellent!

This was my first book by Jamie Brenner and I enjoyed her writing style. Shelby’s journey is perfect the beach! Just what the doctor ordered!

I gave this book 4 stars! I could not turn the pages fast enough!

No spoilers with my review!

Well done!

I initially had a hard time getting into the story because some of the character introductions were confusing and felt a bit rushed, making it difficult to connect with the narrative. However, as I continued reading, I found myself increasingly drawn to the characters and their individual journeys. The layers of their personalities and the complexities of their relationships became more engaging, and seeing how the story unfolded kept me invested. By the end, the story had drawn me in more than I ever anticipated, leaving me with a deep appreciation for the way everything came together.

Loved this book!!!!!!!! Jamie Brenner always knows just how to hit the spot in beach reads. Another great one on the books!!!!!!!

“A beach bag read” . That is how Shelby’s book is deemed. As an army brat her Cape Cod summers were the time she felt most carefree with her two best friends. Becoming a best selling author has its downsides especially when some of her characters parallel the lives of some that she holds most dear. These three friends reunion doesn’t go as Shelby has planned. With an unknown rift between her and her good friend come to light she has some serious apologies due to make things right. The more engrossed she becomes with the town where she has some of her fondest memories she feels conflicted with her chaotic life in New York and the calm she feels by the Cape. This summer the friends find themselves growing and realizing it’s time for changes for the better. Told from many points of view you get the true story of each of their takes in this important summer. Reading this book makes you realize that if you have the opportunity to find happiness, grab it.thank you to Netgalley for this free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily