A cute, quick, summer rom-com that is light hearted and well written. Can easily be read in one sitting.

**ARC Review: *Booked for Summer* by Kathryn Freeman**

Kathryn Freeman delivers the ultimate bookish summer romance in *Booked for Summer*—a heartwarming, sun-drenched love story set on the idyllic shores of Nantucket Island. With a charming bookstore, a fiercely determined heroine, and an infuriatingly irresistible billionaire, this novel is a swoon-worthy escape for romance readers everywhere.

### **The Story:**
Jade Taylor lives for books. So when she lands the job of managing the **Little Bay Book Shack** for the summer, she’s ready to spend her days surrounded by stories—*not* fighting off a corporate takeover. Enter Liam Haven, a billionaire resort owner who sees the bookshop as just another piece of prime real estate to add to his empire.

Jade is determined to change his mind, one book at a time. But as their witty battles turn into something much more complicated, Jade realizes that beneath Liam’s cool, business-like exterior is a man who just might need a happily ever after of his own.

### **What Makes It Special:**
📚 **Bookish Bliss** – A cozy seaside bookshop, literary references, and a heroine who believes in the magic of stories? Say no more!
🔥 **Enemies-to-Lovers Tension** – Sparks fly as Jade and Liam go toe-to-toe over the fate of the shop—and their growing feelings.
🌊 **Perfect Summer Vibes** – Sunlit beaches, salty breezes, and a small-town setting that feels like a warm hug.
💘 **A Grumpy Billionaire with a Soft Side** – Liam may be all business, but Jade slowly unravels the man beneath the power suits.

**Final Thoughts:**
*Booked for Summer* is a delightful mix of bookish passion, sizzling chemistry, and heartwarming romance. Fans of *Beach Read* by Emily Henry and *The Bookshop on the Corner* by Jenny Colgan will absolutely adore this one.

📖 **Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)**
A must-read for book lovers, beach readers, and anyone who believes that love—like a great story—is always worth fighting for.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. I just couldn’t connect with the characters and the story in general.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for this book. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

Jade is excited to start her summer job of managing a bookstore on Nantucket Island. For the next three months she will be surrounded by books and perfect scenery. On the drive there she runs into Liam, a rich resort owner, who will soon become her new book.

They have an instant connection, but he is determined to close the shop and she will do anything to keep it open.

I wanted to love the book; from the synopsis, it sounds like a perfect fit for me. However, I couldn't get into it. The dialogue was... let's just say not it, and I couldn't like any of the characters.
He was arrogant and obnoxious and she was over the top. Then there is the plot... why would she try so hard for a job she had for a day?

Unfortunately, I couldn't continue to read this one. I got to about 15% and stopped due to lack of character connection.

Some people may enjoy the beginning of this book, but having the characters instantly hooking up and spending a good chunk of that in the beginning, just ain't for me.

📖 Booked for Summer – Kathryn Freeman
📚 Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the early copy!

A sun-soaked island, a fight to save a beloved bookstore, and a billionaire who definitely needs a lesson in romance—Booked for Summer is a delightful, heartwarming rom-com packed with charm, witty banter, and a love story straight out of a beachy bestseller. If you love grumpy/sunshine, bookish heroines, and enemies-to-lovers tension, this one is for you!

📚 THE STORY:
Jade Taylor is living her dream—spending a summer managing the Little Bay Book Shack on Nantucket Island. For a book lover like her, nothing could be more perfect. That is, until Liam Haven, billionaire resort mogul and notorious non-reader (he only reads contracts), becomes her boss.

Jade’s mission? Save the bookshop from being absorbed into Liam’s ever-growing empire. But to do that, she’ll have to convince the business-minded, emotionally unavailable Liam that stories matter—both in books and in real life.

As the summer heat intensifies, so does their chemistry. But can a woman who believes in happily-ever-afters convince a man who only believes in bottom lines?

🔥 TROPES:
✔ Grumpy x Sunshine – She’s all heart and stories; he’s all logic and business deals.
✔ Bookish Heroine – A woman who loves books? Instant win.
✔ Enemies to Lovers – Their initial clashes are everything.
✔ Forced Proximity – He’s her boss, and the tension is delicious.
✔ Small-Town/Island Romance – Nantucket’s charm practically leaps off the page.
✔ Saving the Bookstore – Because who doesn’t love a heroine fighting for books?

✨ WHAT I LOVED:
📖 Bookshop Setting – A summer spent surrounded by books? Yes, please!
💋 Sizzling Chemistry – Jade and Liam’s push-and-pull dynamic is so satisfying.
😂 Witty Banter – Their dialogue is sharp, funny, and full of tension.
🏖 Perfect Summer Vibes – The island setting makes this the ideal beach read.
💖 Emotional Growth – Watching Liam slowly get it is beyond rewarding.

💙 FINAL THOUGHTS:
Kathryn Freeman delivers a smart, swoony, and utterly charming romance with Booked for Summer. If you’re looking for a feel-good beach read with bookshop magic, slow-burn romance, and just the right amount of sass, this one is a must-read!

This is such a delightful read - it has everything from travel to romance to steamy scenes to budding friendships to heartfelt conversations. Jade travels to Nantucket for a 3 month job at a bookstore when she encounters Liam who owns the bookstore and wants to tear it down. The sparks fly on so many levels! This should be a definite addition to your summer beach read list!

A great romance with some raunchiness thrown in for good measure. A traditional will they, won't they which ended as expected.

A light summer read, an enemies to lovers romance, light hearted and easy read. Love the setting of a bookstore on Nantucket and the characters were very cute.

I cannot recommend this book. If you’re looking for a romance/romcom, this isn’t it. Liam is not your next book boyfriend. Why? This guy is a giant red flag. I understand the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, but he is just a vengeful, rich bastard. After being bullied as a kid, he becomes rich to bully the guys who bullied him as a kid. Very little redemption arc. As for Jade, she’s seen as a blonde bimbo and wants to make a career for herself in books. She takes a job running a book store on a wharf that Liam newly owns. They had lust at first site and hooked up a few times. Then she starts a mission to convince him to not demolish the book store. I actually liked Jade for the most part. She was young and still learning to adult. The issue is what does she get out of the relationship with Liam? He was mostly focused on her looks (and constantly talking about her tits (verbatim from the book)) and generally cheapening her after they would hook up. He received all the benefit by being with her as she was well liked and was trying to steer him right. Book would have been better if it was more focused on Jade growing and not getting with Liam.

Thank you HarperCollins UK One More Chapter for providing book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Jade and Liam: I was cheering them on from the start! Jade is trying to find her place in the world and Liam is solidifying his, and then the universe throws them together. I devoured this book in a single day. A strong focus of the book is the flaws of the characters and this created such a great depth to the story. This book gave the messages of not losing yourself in the process and being worthy of love and support just as you are, alongside a stunning backdrop and a gorgeous bookshop. It was a pretty hot tale so be prepared for some fun!

- [ ] This is an ARC review. I want to thank Kathryn Freeman and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day! I truly loved the idea that Jade spent a summer and Nantucket and happened to fall in love with Liam. However, I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. Even though I wasn’t able to connect with them this book overall was a super easy read that would be perfect to read during summer. It felt as though something was missing for me. I couldn’t say what exactly but just something. What wasn’t missing was the sexual intimacy between them! The quick comebacks and banter is what I lived for in this book. It was nice to see throughout the book both of them open up slowly to each other and to the knowledge they were falling for each other. Overall the book was okay good and light hearted.

A sun drenched romance where desire quickly turns to dislike and then re-ignites. A glorious five star resort paradise combined with some quirky characters and centred with a bookshop. Glorious.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read the ARC of Booked for Summer in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wanted to like this book. The premise for this book was very cute but it was a bit problematic for me. The insta lust, Liam giving up his celibacy so fast after meeting Jade, the way the characters had so many overreactions and and unnecessary miscommunications throughout the story, and focusing so much on the physical part of their relationship and not emotional. It just wasn’t for me unfortunately.

Sadly had to dnf at 12%
Tried a couple times but really just couldn't get into the plot or characters

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute beach read and a great start to my spring/summer season of romance. I love a cute bookshop too!

2.5 stars

I really wanted to like Booked for Summer the way I've loved other Kathryn Freeman books, but it fell short for me. Jades takes a leave of absence from her job as a publishing assistant and moves to Nantucket Island to manage a book store for 3 months. She wants a change, to shake up her life, not repeat the same old mistakes. Enter Liam, the drop dead gorgeous yacht owner. After a couple of nights together, Jade learns that book store has been purchased and the new owner, now her boss, is none other than Liam. The cherry on the top of her crappy situation is that he plans to tear down the book store and leave her jobless so he can expand his resort next door. Jade begins a campaign to show him the store should stay open.

I found it hard to relate to Jade and Liam so I felt mostly indifferent about them. I struggled with Liam's decision not to be honest with Jade about who he was once he realized who she was. They'd both been hurt by exes and were reluctant to open up to one another. In fact, I think Liam is one of the best examples of a character being closed off, angry and spiteful that I've ever read. The reader slowly learns about his past and why he's become this way, but until he began to open his heart to Jade, theirs felt like a physical relationship and little more. Jade seemed hell bent on making poor choices. She'd decide to ignore Liam, and then get physical with him in the next scene. None of this helped me appreciate any actual feelings between them. I generally like a little push and pull between main characters but there was simply too much here. The grand gesture was cute and the last 20 percent of the book was more enjoyable than the first 80 percent. One thing I really appreciated about Liam was his thoughtful gifts. Even though he was rich, he didn't spend extravagantly to impress Jade. He gave her small gifts that showed her that he knew who she was as a person. I liked Liam's relationship with his Grandma. I loved Leroy and Jeremy. They brought balance to Liam's thunderstorm presence. Overall, a fast summer read perfect for someone who likes drama and lots of will-they-won't-they moments.

Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter and Kathryn Freeman for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Kathryn Freeman delivers an absolute delight with Booked for Summer, a charming and heartwarming romance perfect for book lovers and hopeless romantics alike. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the story’s cozy, feel-good atmosphere and the undeniable chemistry between the main characters.

Freeman’s writing is engaging, witty, and effortlessly enjoyable. The protagonist is instantly likable—relatable, fun, and full of personality. The love interest is equally compelling, making their dynamic all the more entertaining to follow. The romance develops at a perfect pace, with just the right mix of tension, banter, and swoon-worthy moments.

What I loved most about Booked for Summer was how it balanced lighthearted fun with genuine emotional depth. It’s not just about romance; it’s about personal growth, taking chances, and embracing life’s unexpected turns. The bookish elements woven throughout the story make it even more special for book lovers, adding an extra layer of charm.

If you’re looking for a warm, feel-good romance that leaves you smiling, Booked for Summer is the perfect pick. It’s fun, flirty, and full of heart—ideal for a cozy weekend read!

I received a free copy of, Booked for Summer, by Kathryn Freeman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Jade Taylor loves book, she decides to work at The Little Bay Book Shack for the summer on Nantucket Island, but her boss, Liam is not a book lover. I thought this was a light summer read.

Booked for Summer is the perfect feel-good romance, filled with charm, wit, and undeniable chemistry.

Jade was the heroine I didn’t know I needed - fun, relatable, and wonderfully down to earth while Liam was the brooding, irresistible hero I knew I’d love from the start.

Set in the stunning backdrop of Nantucket, the novel instantly transports readers to a world of luxury, sun-drenched beaches, and a delightfully cosy bookshop.

Jade’s job running the book shop felt like an absolute dream, adding to the book’s charm and making me wish I could step right into her world.

The tension between Jade and Liam was electric, keeping me hooked as I eagerly turned the pages to see how their story would unfold.

Their dynamic was perfectly balanced, full of witty banter, longing glances, and moments that made my heart race.

The romance developed in such a satisfying way, and the ending tied everything together beautifully.

This was a really heartwarming read - I’ll definitely be picking up her next one!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in echange for an honest review.