Thank you to NetGalley, Canary Street Press and Maisey Yates for this arc. The following is my honest review.

I went into Cruel Summer expecting a slow burn summer read — what I didn’t anticipate was how sharp and captivating Maisey Yates’ storytelling would be, even when it felt like trying to drink from a firehose in the opening chapters. At first, the pacing felt overwhelming, sentences packed with information and emotion, but then I realized it was a reflection of the heroine’s reality — drowning in the shock of a suddenly imploded marriage. The style mirrors the state of mind, and that choice ends up working beautifully.
This is a book about rediscovering yourself when life takes an unexpected left turn. It shines when exploring the tensions between who you are, who you’ve been, and who you deserve to be. The characters aren’t fresh out of college or fumbling through early adulthood — and that felt like a gift. These are people in their forties grappling with questions about belonging, desire, and belonging to themselves first.
I loved how openly the story explores the weight of expectations — from society, from spouses, and from ourselves — and how liberating it can be to shed them. The scene where Samantha is in a dressing room choosing an outfit for herself, making a decision rooted in her own opinion, felt like a quiet revolution. The banter and sparks between her and Logan — from arguing over music to trading stories on long drives — captured that magical “you feel like summer” energy that’s hard to forget.
The second-chance romance here is layered and messy in a very adult, very real way. It doesn’t shy away from the blurred lines between loyalty and betrayal, or the fact that life doesn’t fit into neat binaries. And while some moments felt like they could have been tightened — instances where I found myself thinking, “I get it, can we move on?” — the depth of the inner monologues ultimately paid off. I came away knowing these characters like friends.
Logan is an absolute scene-stealer. The dynamic between him and Samantha felt reminiscent of some of my favorite book boyfriends — broody but nurturing, gruff but kind. The intimacy here crackles (and whew, the spice delivers), but it’s also grounded in trust and vulnerability, making those moments feel earned.
If I had one qualm, it’s that the ending felt a bit ambiguous, leaving questions about where these characters landed long term. But in a way, that suits the nature of this book — a story about finding belonging and beauty in the undefined spaces, about making peace with life being a work in progress.
In the end, Cruel Summer is a compelling, poignant exploration of second acts and second chances. Maisey Yates delivers a memorable summer read that celebrates resilience, reinvention, and rediscovering joy when the roadmap you’ve been following goes up in flames.

Just finished cruel summer by Maisey Yates. This book had my feelings all over the place. I did end up loving it so glad she got the love she deserved in the end. This is how every person deserves to be treated, loved and taken care of. So much heart break to get there though. Wanted to cry many times but I didn’t while I was driving. Loved the narrators. Thanks to @hqn_shamelessromantics for this read!

So it took a bit for me to get into this one. I can't say that I'm a fan of how it started. It starts quick and to the point. Will asks Samantha for an open marriage. Boom, right off the bat. Look, if that's consensual and both parties genuinely want that then cool. But when you know that it's a one sided request, it's hard to get thru. Not going to lie, this book was really predictable. But! I did enjoy it. Yes, you know what's going to happen the minute you read it and yes, it plays out exactly the way you think it will. But it was still really great watching Sam find herself and fight for what she really wants. And I liked how believable her journey was, it wasn't a quick change, it was gradual and purposeful.

Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book and the storyline of adventure throughout this book. Cruel Summer is about Samantha and her journey of finding herself after twenty two years of marriage and three kids. A summer of adventure, exploring and healing. This story features main characters in their 40s and showcases love is messy and complicated. Love can be so many things and we can love more than one person in our life. The story starts with Samantha’s husband, Will asking her to take a break in their marriage during the summer. Explore the country with Sam as she explores a second chance at life, loving, loss and so much more.

The audiobook was narrated by Nancy Peterson. She was the perfect voice for Sam bringing out all the feelings in this story. Her tone and pacing was perfect and I found myself just loving listening to this audiobook. A perfect summer read or listen!

This was a sweet story, but it did become redundant after a while. I think there could have been fewer of the main character's internal monologues about starting her family and marriage early. .

This book was very emotional! Between Logan’s grief and Sam’s it definitely is kinda Sam. I love how Samantha learned that she doesn’t need anyone in life to happy. She learned to live herself for who she is. Even after her husband asked to see other people. Logan learned that he does deserve happiness and he learned to have courage. I loved this summer romantic read!

Thank you to @netgalley and Harlequin audio for allowing me to have this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Maisey Yates delivers an emotionally charged, deeply satisfying romance in Cruel Summer—a story that dives headfirst into a messy heartbreak, healing, and the dangerous allure of a second chance you never thought you’d get.

When Sam’s husband unexpectedly proposes an open marriage, it shatters the foundation of the life she thought she had built. Reeling from betrayal, she agrees to a summer apart—one that takes a surprising turn when she hits the road in a classic car with Logan, her husband’s best friend. Logan is protective, grounded, and undeniably on her side, and their journey across a sun-soaked landscape becomes a slow-burn unraveling of years of suppressed feelings.

Yates writes the tension between Sam and Logan with exquisite care—balancing spice and swoon with raw emotional honesty. This isn’t just a story about forbidden desire; it’s about permission. Permission to want something more, to walk away from what no longer serves you, and to finally choose yourself.

The audiobook, narrated by Nancy Peterson, brings added depth to the story. Peterson’s performance is grounded and emotionally attuned—she captures Sam’s pain, confusion, and growing confidence with nuance and warmth. Her pacing allows the tension to build naturally, and she handles the moments of intimacy and inner conflict with a quiet power that enhances the listening experience. Peterson also does a great job distinguishing voices without overplaying them, keeping the focus on the characters’ emotional journeys.

This is the kind of story you feel in your chest—and don’t be surprised if you find yourself thinking about it long after the last page or final track. Perfect for fans of angsty, character-driven romance with a strong emotional payoff.

The narration was great. It kept me involved when I wanted to quit. The topic was very hard and triggering for me. I finished the book and in the end was grateful for the perspective. I loved the character growth.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Interesting premise, well-written, and loved the narrator, otherwise predictable.

𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐘𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★

I just adored this book full of a summertime romance, second chances and new beginnings!

I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book much when the main character Sam’s husband asked for an open marriage. I cringed a bit but continued on, and I’m so glad I did! I felt this story was truly inspiring for Sam, the 40 year mom to 3 college students, going out into the world and learning to find herself again. I just loved that it was of course with her husband’s hot best friend Logan! That does sound a lot more scandalous than the story truly is, but believe me you will appreciate the beauty that unfolds with these two.

The summer of road trips, driving classic cars to Logan’s clients and learning to discover one’s true self along the way was beautiful and very relatable which I think that was my favorite part of the story!

I listened to the audiobook and read the ebook in tandem and I loved the way Nancy Peterson brought this story to life with her narration.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
Road Trips
40+ MC
Self Discovery
Second Chances
Slow Burn
Summer Vibes

This book started with what felt like a real slap in the face from the first chapter it had me gripped. I wouldn’t quite believe at points what was happening. I’ve never read a romance from the perspective of someone married for 20 plus years in their 40s and showing what life can be like in that world and I feel like this was a great representation.

I really liked the changes through the FMCs view point on she realised that she was truly just living for other people creating no conflict and pleasing other people and watching her find herself and change was great. I personally was a fan of the falling in love with the best friend and that story route, however I know that part might be mixed feelings for people.

It was a fun summer book, and I enjoyed the trip aspect of it and feeling like you were exploring the cities with them when you were listening.

Really enjoyed the narrator and thought it was a great audiobook. Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for an early copy of the ALC.

Right away, the book starts with a breakup and “we should see other people” after 22 years of marriage. Sam married her husband, Will, after an early pregnancy in their relationship. They just became empty nesters when this bomb drops. What’s most infuriating is that Will is being kind and considerate about his request, but expected Sam to also go along with this open marriage concept, even though she loved their life.

She blames Logan, his charming best friend who lost his wife tragically years ago and has chosen to live the single life. When Logan approaches Sam after hearing the news, he is appalled and Sam thinks maybe she got him all wrong. Sam and Will decide to take a summer to live separately, Sam knows she won’t seek out any others and is sure Will will decide he wants to stay with her.

Instead of doing nothing, Logan hires her to help with his work as he travels around the country. She is torn between striving for her relationship and normalcy, but also enjoying the spontaneous life Logan tends to lead.

This summer romance novel was very real, unique themes and very much will be relatable to those older couples who maybe married due to society pressure or just settled because it’s what everyone else expected.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 6/24/25!

Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice🌶️🌶️

Wow!! Wow wow that was amazing! The way this story hit you from the very start was so impactful. I was in tears within the first few chapters and that is when I knew this was a five star read! And the Audi was fabulous! The narrator was perfect for the character!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an advance listening copy of #CruelSummer. A woman goes on a road trip of self discovery. 4 stars.

☀️ALC 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠☀️

𝓒𝓻𝓾𝓮𝓵 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓻 by @maiseyyates

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🗓️ 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

📄 320

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥:
💔Marriage in Trouble
🚘Road Trip
💕Self-Discovery
☀️Grief Journey

“𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨.”

When Sam’s husband of 22 years asks for an open marriage, Sam’s perfect world comes crashing down. Will and Sam agree to go no contact and spend the summer apart. When an unexpected offer of adventure presents itself, Sam soon finds herself riding in classic cars with top down… seeing new places with her husband’s best friend, Logan.

𝕄𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Cruel Summer was a delightful read. A story of healing, self-discovery, and the beauty that can be discovered in the most unlikely places.

This one pulled me in from the start. Sam is such a relatable character, like many women, her husband and children became her identity over the years. Seeing her break out and truly live life for the first time was so rewarding. From riding a mechanical bull in a Honky Tonk in Texas to getting her first tattoo, Sam truly discovered who she was and what exactly she wanted out of life. This was a beautiful and emotional journey that was so well written. It was such an enjoyable read, I was cheering for Sam the entire way and read it in one day.

Logan, her husband’s best friend.. It sounds terrible but it is so tastefully written. The way he supported, listened, and cared for Sam truly showed his character and I loved him.

“𝒴𝑜𝓊’𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝓎 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒. 𝑀𝓎 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒.”

I was so excited to get to listen to this story again and the narrators did an amazing job bringing this book to life!
💋 @netgalley @htp_books @htp_hive @harpercollins360