Susan Mallery is my go to author who, when I see a new book by her I automatically read it. Her books are always so refreshing & happy ever after.

Solid Susan Mallery Tale Of Finding Friends Even In Difficult Situations. I admit, I'm a bit weird here due to how my own family was as I was growing up, and even how my wife's family is to this day. You see, my grandparents divorced well before I was ever born. I never knew them married. And yet, my grandmother and step-grandfather lived on my grandfather's property, at times even inside his own house, at a few different points of my childhood. Similarly, my wife's mom's best friend... is the ex-wife of her husband (my wife's stepdad).

Thus, when I find myself reading a tale such as the one here, where a new wife suddenly finds that her only real chance at moving forward is the generosity of her husband's ex-wife (prodded on by their daughter)... it actually isn't that far out of the realm of "normal" for me. :D

So maybe I had an easier time accepting this plotline than some, but for me it absolutely worked quite well. Yes, it could get a touch repetitive at times as Mallery was driving home her major thematic elements, but... that is kinda part of Mallery's style, at least of late. Yes, her books - including this one - could easily be 20 or more pages shorter without all of the repetition, but I honestly think that many of Mallery's bigger fans appreciate this to some level.

Ultimately, this is a tale of hope and found family/ found friendship and how these can make life bearable even under difficult and somewhat unusual circumstances. This is a tale of women bonding even in situations that would likely tear many female bonds apart, and it is a tale of the power of friendship. I for one thoroughly enjoyed it, even if, yes, it did run perhaps a touch too long. But again, that is just something one comes to expect from Mallery, who I'm beginning to think has some kind of deep seated aversion to publishing a book with less than 400 pages in it.

Very much recommended.

When you love someone you will do most anything. Especially if it is your child. These hard decisions will lead to strange bedfellows as they say. Erica will forge a friendship with Allison, her daughter's step-mother during what turns out to be a rather hard time. For the love of Summer, they each do their best and come together.
A great story about women and the bonds they form.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and am leaving a review by my own choice.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was sweet, funny, and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

This book is filled with human kindness while also revving the engine of girl power!

Characters- very easy for the reader to engage with the characters. Really enjoyed the heroine and villain experience throughout the story.

Plot - As the story unfolded, the more moved I was by the characters. I was so engaged in the plot that I couldn’t wait to get home from work to pick up my book!

Style - The writing style is smooth as silk—flowed beautifully and kept those pages turning.

I would recommend this book and already see myself reading it again down the road to feel empowered and loved.

Thank you to Susan Mallery, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC opportunity to provide my honest feedback.

I absolutely adored this book. It was my first Susan Mallery book and is now definitely a favorite of mine. I fell in love with every single character, minus douchey Peter. The journey to female empowerment was such a great staple for these characters. I know this is meant to be a summer book, but would definitely be a good one to read anytime of the year.

Thank you, NetGalley, Susan Mallery, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic story! I loved everything about this read. I loved the strength, flaws, and compassion in Erica. Allison had to find herself and she did that with much needed support. Mara (Mother/Grandmother) was full of wisdom and got my high five when she tactfully put teen Allison in her place. Allison is mature for a teen and has a tender heart. Killion is everything Erica needed. The support the women offer is incredible and a great reminder for women to have each other backs. A wonderful read of an unlikely friendship and forming an unusual family. Highly recommend.

For the Love of Summer is bestselling author Susan Mallery‘s moving tale about relationships between women.

48-year-old Erica Sawyer is the owner of four successful salons in the Seattle area and the mother of a 16-year-old daughter, Summer. Erica is a driven businesswoman whose ambition and no-nonsense attitude make her intimidating to others. She has no friends, just employees and acquaintances. Since her accountant husband dumped her four years earlier, Erica is afraid of romantic entanglements. She has been casually seeing Killion, a business tycoon, for almost a year.

When Erica’s ex-husband, Peter Jenkins, is arrested for financial crimes, his second wife, Allison, is devastated. 34-year-old Allison is six months pregnant and is caring for their 18-month-old son, Jackson. She works two part-time jobs: as a grocery store clerk and at a daycare to earn credits. Allison and Peter rent a small house but are planning to move within two months because the home is being sold. Peter has told Allison untrue and unflattering things about his ex-wife, Erica. The two women have never met.

Summer visits her father’s house frequently to spend time with her toddler brother, Jackson. She genuinely likes her stepmother, Allison, and is upset by Allison’s devastation over Peter’s arrest. Allison’s biggest issue is that their bank account has been frozen by the government and she has no access to money, including her paycheck that was just direct deposited into their joint account. Summer explains Allison’s plight to her mother and begs her to allow Allison and Jackson to move in with them temporarily. Erica is hesitant but realizes that Allison has no one else to help her.

Erica and Allison begin an uneasy friendship. Erica admires Allison’s mothering skills to Jackson and her kindness to Summer. Allison realizes that Summer’s goodness may be due more to Erica’s influence than to Peter’s. Erica’s mom, Mara, a 70-year-old retired hairdresser, acts as a neutral party between Erica and Allison. She gives wise advice to everyone and babysits Jackson when needed.

Eventually Allison realizes that Peter told her many lies during their three-year relationship, and she can’t trust him. She has experienced a lot of loss in her life and deserves the boost up that Erica is offering. Erica has to re-evaluate her relationships with both Summer and Killion after realizing that she has been wearing blinders.

For the Love of Summer is different from previous books by this author because it is Women’s Fiction, not romance. It’s a character development story of two very different but likable women. While there are some sexual references, there are no graphic sex scenes. However there is profanity sprinkled throughout the story. I really enjoyed reading For the Love of Summer, especially the behind-the-scenes looks at the salons.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Readers who enjoy enjoy family drama will love this book. An unique story with characters in which readers will fall in love with. I love the way Erica chose to help Allison because of her daughter Summer even though it was a difficult and unimaginable thing to do. Readers will be drawn into the story and love the outcome. Enjoyable! Highly recommended!

For The Love Of Summer
By: Susan Mallery
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing
Pub Date: June 6 2024

Erica has known her whole life what she wanted to do. Become a beautician and take over her moms salon and continue to grow the business. Now middle aged with a 16 year old daughter, Summer and one divorce she’s a force to be reckoned with. Her one salon quickly turned into an empire called Twisted. Summer’s dad remarried Allison; they have one young son and a daughter on the way. Allison receives the shock of her life when her husband, an accountant, is arrested for a whole bunch of financial crimes. Summer walks in on her stepmom not long after she’s told about the arrest and much like her mom Summer takes charge. As they learn more about his charges and that he has a million dollar bail price, Summer asks if a very pregnant Allison and her son can come live with them. Shocked and stunned Erica doesn’t know what to say. Her ex-husband's new wife and children moving in with her? There has to be a better option… but is there?
This was a perfect summer read. I really enjoyed the play on words with the title! Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Susan Mallery and NetGalley for the ARC

Susan Mallery writes stories with the best characters! This one is now on the top of my list for her books. Great story with lots of drama. I loved reading about the ex-wife and the new wife becoming friends. Summer is the daughter of the ex wife and she is the main reason for the two women to find a way from resentment to friendship. A great story with many dimensions.

For the Love of Summer by Susan Mallery
A Summer Beach Read
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes an unforgettable beach read about the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters and finding friendship with the unlikeliest person, perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Emily Giffin…
As the owner of Twisted, Seattle’s best salons, Erica knows that the sharpest cuts come from the people we love. She’s terrified that she’s losing her teen daughter, Summer, to her “other” family, especially to her stepmom, Allison.
All it takes to blow up Allison’s happy life is one collect call. From prison. Her beloved husband, Peter, has been arrested, leaving Allison pregnant, broke, scared and alone with a toddler. But when her stepdaughter ferrets out the truth, the teen rushes to the last person Allison wants to ask for help—her husband’s battle-ax ex.
Erica would do anything for Summer, even take in the woman her daughter loves like a second mom. Allison feels intimidated by Erica—a woman who would never let herself become so dependent on a man. But the more time they spend together, the more Allison realizes what Erica truly needs is a friend. Can two women who married the same man move beyond their complicated past and rethink what it means to be family?
This is Erica and Summer Sawyer's story.
This is Allison and Jackson's story.
Erica is the owner and CEO of the Twisted Spa Salons.
Summer is Erica and Peter's daughter.
Allison is married to Erica's ex-husband, Peter.
Allison has a 18 month old son, Jackson and is 6 months pregnant with a girl.
For the Love of Summer by Susan Mallery is a 3 star book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book.

I could read Mallery’s books every single day!
For the Love of Summer by Susan Mallery is another remarkable read!
As always, Susan creates relatable characters that you care about and grow to love.
The characters bring to life real emotions and situations.
This story is as if you are watching a real family play out their emotions and drama. The vibes of the summer are paramount for this atmospheric and situational wave of emotions.
She writes the absolute best women’s fiction/romance reads that deals with family, friendship with some added romance.
This book is absolutely wonderful and I am very thankful to have received a copy to review.

Thank You NetGalley and MIRA for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine need to buy the rights to this book and make it a TV show.

For the Love of Summer is a wonderful story of strong women and the importance of female relationships.

Summer is the daughter of Erica, a successful owner of a string of hair salons in Seattle and Peter, who is divorced from Erica and now married to Allison. Turns out Peter made some bad decisions and ends up going to jail leaving Allison alone, pregnant and caring for a toddler. Summer gets the idea to move them into Erica's home and yes, there's more than enough room for everyone. Oh and Erica's mom lives in a house on Erica's property.

Susan Mallery crafted a beautiful cast of characters that you root for, admire, and definitely don't want their stories to end. I'd love for Mallery to turn this into a series. I'd love for her to revisit Allison several years later and see what she has made of her life after following Erica's guidance and another with Summer as the main character. Will Summer follow in her girl gang's footsteps?

You'll laugh at the interactions between Allison and Erica, especially when Allison calls Erica out in the romance department.

For the Love of Summer needs to be at the top of your summer reading list.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

This was a cute, quick and easy read. I went into this expecting a bit more and it was a little lack luster. However, I did really enjoy the sense of found family under dire circumstances. Erica and Allison were able to overcome their differences to make things better for them and Summer. This is a great read to pick up as a palette cleanser or if you just want to have a mindless read with pretty low stakes.

I flew through this book! From the beginning I was heavily invested in the outcome for all of the characters. I love the theme of female friendships and finding family in unexpected places. Allison and Erica forge a strong bond with Summer's best interest at heart despite being very different people. Allison and Erica were strong female characters with a lot of growth throughout the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For The Love of Summer is another amazing Susan Mallery book. This story is full of love , heartbreak and family issues .
Erica has built a great life for her daughter, Summer and herself. She owns her own chain of hair salons and spas and is happy . She has a man for companionship that never asks for more than she can give..
Allison finds herself suddenly alone and unsure how she is going to get through her pregnancy and take care of her toddler as her husband ends up in jail for money laundering. Feeling lost and about to be homeless and having no money the only person she can confide in is her sixteen year old stepdaughter .
Through all the madness the women find a way to co-exist and work through Allison’s problems.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

For the Love of Summer by Susan Mallery is a women’s fiction title that deals with friendship and family drama and with a slight side of romance to the story. The story in For the Love of Summer is one that does change the point of view between the characters involved but does take place in the present timeline.

Erica was once married to Peter and they share their wonderful teenage daughter, Summer. After their divorce Peter went on to marry Allison and start a second family with her which includes their young toddler, Jackson, and another baby on the way but they always include Summer in their lives welcoming her to their family too.

Since the divorce Erica was motivated more than ever to continue to bring her business, Twisted, Seattle’s best salons to the top and doesn’t really want a man in her life permanently again. What Erica never expected though was to bring Allison and Peter’s new family into her life but when Peter is arrested Allison is left with nothing and no where to turn and Summer is determined she and her mother need to help “family”.

I’ve read several of Susan Mallery’s books before and always enjoy them so I was looking forward to diving into For the Love of Summer. Thankfully I was right when I expected to enjoy this one but even more so I really loved the creativity to this whole new twist to what family means. Just how many people would step into Erica’s shoes and what she does in this book is probably an extremely low number but it worked for this book and really pulled me into the characters lives and struggles. Definitely a book I’d recommend checking out if you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary that is truly a thought provoking read.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Another awesome women's fiction story by Susan Mallery. She writes such strong women characters that at the same time are vulnerable and easy to like. This story reels you in from the beginning to the end and it encompasses the empowerment of women into a strong storyline. It is an absolute must read.

I really enjoyed this story of friendship and family. It was not what I expected from other Susan Mallery books I've read. I recommend this book.