Erica Sawyer is a very successful business woman who owns and runs four high end salon/spas. She has been hurt in love by her ex-husband Peter who walked out on her without any notice. Erica has sworn off love and ever giving her heart to any one again, she has her daughter, her mother, her work and that's all she believes she needs. She shares her daughter Summer with her ex Peter and when he is arrested and imprisoned for money laundering she is shocked. Peter's current wife Allison is pregnant, mother to a toddler and financially broke as all their assets have been frozen due to Peter's arrest. She is desperate, has no money and has nowhere to go. Summer, Erica and Peter's teenage daughter loves Allison and her little son Jackson and is desperate to help them through this life crisis. So desperate in fact that she talks her mom Erica into letting Allison and Jackson move in with them. Erica does not want anything to do with this plan but because of her love for her daughter she agrees. The clash of the two wives is rough at first, but as the story progresses they find that they are really compatible and become almost sisterly. It was a fun and fulfilling progression to read.
This book is very aptly titled.
When I started this book I already could see the ending coming, it was so obvious. But then as I got more into the story I became more and more invested with the characters and how they interacted, grew and learned from each other. It was really a delight and the author pulled it off perfectly. I can highly recommend this novel by Susan Mallery. 5 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for a chance to read an e-copy of this ARC novel. This is my first Susan Mallery book and it won't be my last.

For the Love of Summer
Author: Susan Mallery

I have read several of Susan Mallery’s books. This one is my favorite by her by far. The focus of this book was not romance but relationships. That said, there is a little bit of romance to engage in.

Erica is a strong, self-made, successful entrepreneur, with a teenage daughter, Summer. She is an amazing woman, who does some amazing things for others, though she does not like to be recognized for them.

Allison is Summer’s stepmom and mom to an 18-month-old and a baby on the way. Her husband, Erica’s ex-husband, gets into some legal trouble, much to the surprise of both women. Everything tends to spiral out of control for Allison.

I will stop here because I do not want to give away the plot.

For the Love of Summer is a women's fiction story with strong female characters that support one another. Erica Sawyer is the owner of several salons called Twisted. She is doing well supporting herself and her teenage daughter, Summer after her divorce. Her ex, Peter, has remarried a younger woman, Allison, who now has a toddler and is expecting another child shortly. Allison's life blows up when Peter is arrested and imprisoned. Their bank accounts are frozen and she will run out of money within a couple of months and be homeless at the same time. Summer cares about her step-mother and half brother and wants to help them. Erica is finally convinced to help them out and what happens next is surprising.

I have read similar stories before where the husband is involved in illegal activities and the women are left to fend for themselves, but this one had quite a twist to it. I loved Summer. So often teenagers are sullen, self-centered and often rebel against the new parent, so it was delightful to see this caring young lady. Erica was also not angry with Allison. She wasn't friendly with her, but didn't blame her for the breakup of her marriage. Allison was a bit naive. She had a tragedy in her past and was vulnerable when she met Peter. Peter was a jerk. He constantly tried to make it seem like his actions were the fault of Allison, he was just trying to make a good life for her. This is a story of a unique relationship/family. We see Allison grow in self-confidence and Erica grow in her relationship building, as these two women, who married the same man become almost like sisters. Themes of found family, women helping women, the importance of being able to support yourself, love, and more made this a wonderful and uplifting story.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

Erica is a successful business owner with a 16 year old who adores her stepmother and half brother. Her dad ends up in jail and when Allison ends up broke and almost homeless while pregnant, Summer convinces Erica to take them in.

Great story that depicts an interesting situation. I actually wish this book had an epilogue because I would love to see where these characters are a few years down the road!

I recommend this book for a summer read!

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this book. Love the author and her writing style. I did go into it thinking it was a book about summertime. Thoughtfully written story about family, doing the right thing, struggles, and finding inner strength as a woman.

Not sharing with students because I teach kindergarten.

The title fooled me. This was not a summer beach read, Summer is a character in the book. This was just ok for me. Another book about women who struggled and succeeded regardless of the men in their lives. A feel good story albeit predictable.
I received this advanced copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

4.5**. Such a great book!

Thank you NetGalley and Susan Mallery for the ARC.

When a strong business woman shows kindness to her ex husband’s current wife, their lives intertwine in an unexpected friendship.

Such a beautiful showing of kindness, friendship, and capable women.

This was an okay read 3 stars. I had two main issues with this book I found the daughter to be annoying at time by expecting her mother to give in on unrealistic expectations about her stepmother. I was not a fan of the ending I was expecting more it felt rushed after the buildup.


***************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.************

I’ve always been a big fan of Susan Mallery(I started with Fools Gold series) but this book is on a different level. With her writing I felt bad for the characters in the book, like I showed actual emotion for them. I loved how Erica and Allison came together and were there for one another. A book about two women bringing each other up after such hard issues. This book is a book of love, women power and scandal. Not many people would be the bigger person like Erica for her kid or not. She should be a great role model for all the women out there.

Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for a review.

Erica would do anything for her daughter, Summer. So when her ex-husband is arrested, leaving his current wife, very pregnant and with a toddler, broke and homeless, she feels like she has to help her. She lets them move into her home and her daughter and mother help care for the toddler to give the pregnant woman a break. As hard as it is, she finds herself befriending the woman.

This is a great beach read! It shows no matter how hard it can be, it pays to be compassionate to others.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

This is my first book I've read by Susan Mallery and I am hooked! For the Love of Summer was such a heartfelt story that had me invested from page 1. I loved reading about both women, Erika and Allison. Both were different in their own way but found each other in the end. Everything about this book was spectacular and I am looking forward to reading more by the author. I definitely recommend reading this book!

In For the Love of Summer, we meet Erika and Allison. Erika is a successful businesswomen who runs a chain of salons she built after buying her mother, Mara, out years ago. She has been divorced from her husband Peter for some time but they share a daughter named Summer. Allison is Peters current wife who is working part time at a daycare and a grocery store. Peter and Allison have 1 child together, Jackson, and another on the way. Peter ends up getting arrested and goes to jail for a slew of charges. That left Allison with no money since all their funds were frozen. Summer has a great relationship with Allison and does everything she can to help her. Summer asks her mom Erika if Allison could move in with them until she gets on her feet again. Erika finally agrees and steps up to help Allison. The rest of the story really dives into the uniqueness of the situation and shows what family is all about.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Another beautifully written women's fiction/ family drama by Susan Mallery. There are unique characters in Erica (the ex-wife of Peter and mother of Summer) and Allison (the current wife of Peter and Summer's stepmom). Peter gets arrested for money laundering and all his bank accounts are frozen leaving Allison without any money and nowhere to go. Allison (currently pregnant) and her 18-month-old son are getting evicted from their rental property. Summer comes up with the idea to have Allison and her toddler move in with her and Erica. These women's relationships evolve throughout the story with the wonderful character development that Susan Mallery is known for. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

FOR THE LOVE OF SUMMER
BY: SUSAN MALLERY

About 3.25 Stars!

CAN TWO WOMEN WHO MARRIED THE SAME MAN SET ASIDE THEIR PRECONCEPTIONS OF ONE ANOTHER AND HELP THE SIXTEEN YEAR OLD AFFECTED BY THIS HUSBAND'S BETRAYALS & LIES?

This was a comfort reading experience that examines two very different women who married the same man and whether or not they can rise above their rivalry, jealousy and preconceived notions of one another to help this man's daughter. Do they find common ground where they can help one another in the process? These are a couple of main themes at the core of this novel that I would be spoiling it for readers if I answered these questions. It is not a deeper literary fiction novel, but a lighthearted one that has some over the top characterization in Erica's endless supply of money even though it feels like the author Susan Mallory's intention and heart is in the right place as empowering women. Yes, I think as this author has sketched Erica to be more successful and driven where she has built four salons and spa treatment facilities in the Pacific North West by herself than her first husband. Given their juxtaposition between each other's ethics Erica is believable and it is realistic given what he did to be arrested and put in jail for his crimes is credible and is realistic. I think it's wonderful to be ambitious and financially independent as Erica is portrayed. I did feel that her wealth in which she has earned by herself was just not authentically convincing which detracted from my emotional investment to take this novel as seriously to be convinced that it is realism.

I don't expect a novel to be contemporary realism to enjoy it. My admiration with Erica's generosity and what a great mother she was to her daughter Summer in helping her ex-husband's new wife was an example of how empowering women's goodwill is impressive. It is something that I would expect from this genre. I just wish the extent of Erica's wealth wasn't so exaggerated and more toned down to not make her appear more convincing.

Allison is married to Erica's ex-husband and they have a 20 month old son named Jackson. Allison is pregnant with a daughter when she tries to make two purchases from her joint account using its card and is shocked that it's declined. She uses a different credit card that's perceived as a back up and it authorizes her purchases. When she gets home she is very upset and confused after contacting their bank inquiring why her purchases were declined and is told that the accounts are frozen. She finds out that her husband is responsible for her position after much panic that he is in jail when he calls collect after her complete upsetting experience with not being able to solve things with their bank. He is an accountant who she learns has been arrested for money laundering and wire fraud and something involving a gun against the police.

His daughter Summer is sixteen and she had plans to have dinner with her father and his second wife Allison and her lovable baby brother, Jackson. Allison is understandably upset after being blindsided with her horrible position and she tells Summer. That is too much pressure and information to put on the shoulders of a young sixteen year old. Summer really takes in the burden of Allison's predicament and worries. I thought that Summer's character was unrealistic for her age to have been so involved and worried about Allison. It's great to have a step daughter so eager to blend with her father's second wife and son. I don't think most sixteen year old teenagers are going to get as involved with her step-mother's problems. It's nice to be mature and empathetic, but it's putting too much pressure on a young person with her own age appropriate concerns.

Erica ends up taking in Allison who is about to be homeless since the house she and her husband were renting is being sold. Allison has inherited from her husband's actions the multitude of worry about not being able to find a new home for her and Jackson with no access to her money in the bank. She is already in a hard position where anybody would be feeling like the rug was ripped out from under her. Expecting a daughter and being pregnant with her is enough of a hardship when you have no means of knowing when your husband is going to be released and there to help. Allison is already working two jobs and being left in the dark about her husband's actions I felt sorry for her. Especially when
Allison the next day goes to work at a day care where she gets fired because of her husband being labeled a criminal by her boss who she thought was a friend and confided in. Allison is more upset since she didn't know about what her husband did and she is depending on that job which she can still leave her son there for day care due to the credits she's earned. She goes to her husband's accounting firm and learns that all computers have been seized and only one loyal employee is still there. She had been told by her husband the previous night that it was a misunderstanding and now she is more worried about this being more serious. How can she buy groceries, pay health insurance premiums, buy diapers and find a new place to live with just the income working at her grocery store?

How can she bail her husband out of jail with their bank account frozen? How can she get a lawyer with no access to her money? Allison is a hard worker and honest and suddenly she is on her own with her whole life turned upside down with more worries than she can imagine. Lucky for her Summer has begged her mother Erica to help Allison. Erica doesn't want to but for her daughter's sake she agrees to help. It is something that her daughter will remember the rest of her life the kindness extended to help Summer's other family. I thought it was highly unrealistic how Erica had an endless supply of money that she could have given a woman she's never met before especially to her husband's second wife. It's a great example of a mother's powerful love to her daughter to put aside her own feelings in order to lift the burden of worry over her daughter's unfair position. I personally think it's an admirable great gift to model for your children the willingness to help those who are in need. I believe women who are in a position to help those who need it is something I would do. Erica's circumstances seemed plausible in some aspects and totally far fetched in others. Even though she worked hard to be financially well off which is attainable, there are too many examples for me to list in which I found implausible. Just to be clear I applaud her willingness to help Allison. I just thought this could have been less ostentatious since it's not magical realism, fantasy or science fiction. It's Women's fiction where it's possible to show good will and help others without Erica having an unrealistic endless supply of wealth to the point of having a money tree. Her house was too perfect, her daughter having a trust fund, her business scholarships and their opulence doesn't line up with being a single parent achieving the degree of perfection displayed. Allison's character was more believable and even with both her and her husbands combined income they weren't anything close to Erica's lifestyle or vast fortune. Maybe it's just the wrong timing for me to have read this because I generally like Susan Mallery. I do think the title is perfect.

Publication Date: June 4, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Susan Mallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing-MIRA for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#FortheLoveofSummer #SusanMallery #HarlequinTradePublishingMira #NetGalley
FOR THE LOVE OF SUMMER
BY: SUSAN MALLERY

About 3.25 Stars!

CAN TWO WOMEN WHO MARRIED THE SAME MAN SET ASIDE THEIR PRECONCEPTIONS OF ONE ANOTHER AND HELP THE SIXTEEN YEAR OLD AFFECTED BY THIS HUSBAND'S BETRAYALS & LIES?

This was a comfort reading experience that examines two very different women who married the same man and whether or not they can rise above their rivalry, jealousy and preconceived notions of one another to help this man's daughter. Do they find common ground where they can help one another in the process? These are a couple of main themes at the core of this novel that I would be spoiling it for readers if I answered these questions. It is not a deeper literary fiction novel, but a lighthearted one that has some over the top characterization in Erica's endless supply of money even though it feels like the author Susan Mallory's intention and heart is in the right place as empowering women. Yes, I think as this author has sketched Erica to be more successful and driven where she has built four salons and spa treatment facilities in the Pacific North West by herself than her first husband. Given their juxtaposition between each other's ethics Erica is believable and it is realistic given what he did to be arrested and put in jail for his crimes is credible and is realistic. I think it's wonderful to be ambitious and financially independent as Erica is portrayed. I did feel that her wealth in which she has earned by herself was just not authentically convincing which detracted from my emotional investment to take this novel as seriously to be convinced that it is realism.

I don't expect a novel to be contemporary realism to enjoy it. My admiration with Erica's generosity and what a great mother she was to her daughter Summer in helping her ex-husband's new wife was an example of how empowering women's goodwill is impressive. It is something that I would expect from this genre. I just wish the extent of Erica's wealth wasn't so exaggerated and more toned down to not make her appear more convincing.

Allison is married to Erica's ex-husband and they have a 20 month old son named Jackson. Allison is pregnant with a daughter when she tries to make two purchases from her joint account using its card and is shocked that it's declined. She uses a different credit card that's perceived as a back up and it authorizes her purchases. When she gets home she is very upset and confused after contacting their bank inquiring why her purchases were declined and is told that the accounts are frozen. She finds out that her husband is responsible for her position after much panic that he is in jail when he calls collect after her complete upsetting experience with not being able to solve things with their bank. He is an accountant who she learns has been arrested for money laundering and wire fraud and something involving a gun against the police.

His daughter Summer is sixteen and she had plans to have dinner with her father and his second wife Allison and her lovable baby brother, Jackson. Allison is understandably upset after being blindsided with her horrible position and she tells Summer. That is too much pressure and information to put on the shoulders of a young sixteen year old. Summer really takes in the burden of Allison's predicament and worries. I thought that Summer's character was unrealistic for her age to have been so involved and worried about Allison. It's great to have a step daughter so eager to blend with her father's second wife and son. I don't think most sixteen year old teenagers are going to get as involved with her step-mother's problems. It's nice to be mature and empathetic, but it's putting too much pressure on a young person with her own age appropriate concerns.

Erica ends up taking in Allison who is about to be homeless since the house she and her husband were renting is being sold. Allison has inherited from her husband's actions the multitude of worry about not being able to find a new home for her and Jackson with no access to her money in the bank. She is already in a hard position where anybody would be feeling like the rug was ripped out from under her. Expecting a daughter and being pregnant with her is enough of a hardship when you have no means of knowing when your husband is going to be released and there to help. Allison is already working two jobs and being left in the dark about her husband's actions I felt sorry for her. Especially when
Allison the next day goes to work at a day care where she gets fired because of her husband being labeled a criminal by her boss who she thought was a friend and confided in. Allison is more upset since she didn't know about what her husband did and she is depending on that job which she can still leave her son there for day care due to the credits she's earned. She goes to her husband's accounting firm and learns that all computers have been seized and only one loyal employee is still there. She had been told by her husband the previous night that it was a misunderstanding and now she is more worried about this being more serious. How can she buy groceries, pay health insurance premiums, buy diapers and find a new place to live with just the income working at her grocery store?

How can she bail her husband out of jail with their bank account frozen? How can she get a lawyer with no access to her money? Allison is a hard worker and honest and suddenly she is on her own with her whole life turned upside down with more worries than she can imagine. Lucky for her Summer has begged her mother Erica to help Allison. Erica doesn't want to but for her daughter's sake she agrees to help. It is something that her daughter will remember the rest of her life the kindness extended to help Summer's other family. I thought it was highly unrealistic how Erica had an endless supply of money that she could have given a woman she's never met before especially to her husband's second wife. It's a great example of a mother's powerful love to her daughter to put aside her own feelings in order to lift the burden of worry over her daughter's unfair position. I personally think it's an admirable great gift to model for your children the willingness to help those who are in need. I believe women who are in a position to help those who need it is something I would do. Erica's circumstances seemed plausible in some aspects and totally far fetched in others. Even though she worked hard to be financially well off which is attainable, there are too many examples for me to list in which I found implausible. Just to be clear I applaud her willingness to help Allison. I just thought this could have been less ostentatious since it's not magical realism, fantasy or science fiction. It's Women's fiction where it's possible to show good will and help others without Erica having an unrealistic endless supply of wealth to the point of having a money tree. Her house was too perfect, her daughter having a trust fund, her business scholarships and their opulence doesn't line up with being a single parent achieving the degree of perfection displayed. Allison's character was more believable and even with both her and her husbands combined income they weren't anything close to Erica's lifestyle or vast fortune. Maybe it's just the wrong timing for me to have read this because I generally like Susan Mallery. I do think the title is perfect.

Publication Date: June 4, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Susan Mallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing-MIRA for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#FortheLoveofSummer #SusanMallery #HarlequinTradePublishingMira #NetGalley

Susan Mallery is great, though unfortunately, her latest novel is meh. For the Love of Summer seemed predictable in the story and the ending. The "mean," jilted wife is "redeemed by others learning her true, kind nature. The ex is a scumbag and the boyfriend wants more, but she is reluctant. The daughter and second wife are bonded, and the"fun" ensues...! without giving away too much of the story.

I really enjoyed this book. If you love a book about women supporting other women and raising them up, give this a read!!!

Could you find yourself living together with your husband's ex-wife? or even actually becoming friends? As this book shows anything is possible if the intermediary is someone you both love and don't want to disappoint.  That friendship thing is more about chemistry and compatibility, I think but let's read Ms. Mallery's take on it.
Erica is a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman. Having run a successful business, myself I was impressed with the way Ms. Mallery showcases Erica's leadership skills when an employee messes up.  Sometimes its little things like this that draw a reader into a story and that's what happened for me. Despite her business success, Erica is struggling on the family front as her daughter Summer seems to spend more and more time with her father's family. Then boom! her father is arrested and her stepmother who is heavily pregnant is left with nothing not even enough money to take care of her little family. Summer persuades her mother to take in Alison to live with them resulting in a strange living situation. The family dynamics are interesting as relationships change and evolve. 
Once bitten twice shy, Erica has a friend with benefits relationship that everyone but her knows means more to her partner than he shows. I really like the way the story plays out and how everything comes together perfectly. 
This is a feel-good read with no pressure.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Although it didn’t hit all my criteria for a 5 star rating, it was a solid 4 star read. The title and the cover are a little deceptive. I went into this one thinking it was a summer themed story but it’s not. Summer is the daughter/step-daughter of the two main characters. It is for her that these two women come together to form an unlikely friendship. I truly liked the message of this story especially as a mother whose children have a step-mother. It is a challenging situation in the best of circumstances and often results in some seriously complicated relationships. I liked how these two women put aside their personal feelings and judgments to do what's best for Summer.

I enjoyed the plot and appreciated the uniqueness of the situation and how each woman handled everything thrown at them with such grace. I did feel like the pace was a little slow to start but once it picked up, I had no trouble staying invested in the story. There was a lot of drama and a little bit of humor to lighten the heavy parts. I enjoyed the banter between Erica and Allison. I felt this was a heavily character driven novel and the characters were all well written. Each woman was written in a way that allowed the reader to witness their personal growth but also experience the evolution of their relationships with all the people in their life. I absolutely hated Peter. I am shocked that both of these women were taken by this man who was clearly self-centered and deceitful.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction and stories about unconventional friendships/relationships.

The book title had me thinking this was a book about summer. It is actually about main character, Summer.
The story is about bringing family back together after emotional abuse.
This was a bit different from other Susan Mallery’s books. I enjoyed this story of love and friendship.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This might be my favorite title by author Susan Mallery. I love how the story kept me guessing how it would end, but I loved the friendship aspect the most.