The second book in the Holiday Mode series by Gillian Archer is called That Summer Festival, and it delivers exactly what the title promises. It was a fun short read, a modern reedition of Cinderella, which is fun most of the time, like in this case. My only issue with the story was that Ella was so oblivious to all the hints about Ben's true identity, and she was very naive. Even as I say that, I have to admit that I laughed at most of the misunderstandings. This December (book 1) was better, but this one is nice too. A solid 4 star read. I would recommend it.

Super cute insta-love romance with Cinderella vibes, low angst, and plenty of spice. A fun, quick read!

Sometimes Emma Tremaine feels as if she is living in a fairytale, but not one of the happy ones. When her father passed away, he left ownership of his diner to his new wife. Emma is now working in the diner, living above the garage and barely making a living. During her shift, two men, Ben and Roscoe, come in to the diner and after chatting with them, Ben leaves her an amazing tip. She had planned to attend a weekend festival, but that was cancelled when her stepmother demanded that she work. Later, receiving a free pass for the festival, her friends urge her to go and have fun. She sees the men. from the diner at the festival, and they join forces to enjoy the day. Ben, aka rapper Reuben Bello, felt an instant attraction to Emma, someone who didn’t know who he was and didn’t want something from him. He knows how she feels about rappers and needs to tell her who he really is. She is also attracted to Ben and they soon throw caution to the wind to enjoy her unexpected freedom. How will she react when she finds out who he is? Is there a chance for an “ever after” for Ben & Emma? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Little bit of cinderella retelling vibe.
Emma just lost her father and working like cinderella at the diner and her home. She had big dreams of becoming a professional dancer until she lost her dad and everything else. Her stepmother breathing down her neck to do everything. She didn't have enough time to dream nor pursue her dream. When her fairy godmother aka diner's cook shows up at her house with summer music festival tickets, her life changed forever.
This was quick read and romance moves quickly with HEA. I did enjoy reading and it's ending.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.
#ThatSummerFestival #NetGalley

That summer festival
By: Gillian Archer

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Sweet but short Novella

In this sweet love story we get Ben and Emma’s story. The author lets dreams soar and see worth in a life of uncertainty. While yes like so many others I would have enjoyed a longer book but as written it was amazing. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors blurb: Every girl deserves a fairytale. I just didn’t expect mine to happen at that summer festival and definitely not with a rock star. My life hasn’t turned out the way I’d hoped.
My wonderful dad died and left everything to my wicked stepmother. Now I’m working endless shifts at his old diner and living above her garage.
And when she makes me work instead of going to that summer festival, I think my dreams can’t get any further away.

But then I meet a charming guy who is so into me. He whisks me away to the music festival, and I have the time of my life. Only when midnight strikes, my mystery man takes to the stage to perform.

Holy sh!t, he’s really a rock star.
And clearly I never knew him at all.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know you’re 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

That Summer Festival is a charming novella with a modern-day Cinderella twist. After the death of her father, Emma has been doing everything she can to keep his dream of a successful diner alive. Yet, life is far from simple, particularly with her stepmother, who constantly makes her feel worthless. Then, one ordinary day at work, Emma meets Ben. Their initial encounter is brief but leaves an impression. Fate intervenes when they cross paths again at a vibrant summer music festival. It is here that their connection truly begins to flourish until Emma discovers who Ben really is.
The novella beautifully captures the giddy, fleeting magic of festival nights. Ben and Emma’s interactions are full of witty exchanges and the kind of quiet intimacy that grows from simply enjoying someone’s company. What I enjoyed most about this story is how it blended a fairy tale with grounded, everyday emotion. Emma isn’t a helpless damsel; she’s hardworking, independent, and determined to honour her father’s legacy. Likewise, Ben is more than just the handsome prince but a person navigating the complexities of his success while unexpectedly finding someone who sees him for who he truly is. A great read, which I just wished had been longer!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

i havent read any Gillian Archer before It was a nice quick read and entertaining

Basically a cinderella story with a diffferent angle emma works in her dads diner wants to go to a festival but her step mum stops her the people in the diner come up with a plan make sure she goes
she's meets a guy ben in the diner and finds out hes the one who got her tickets she doesnt realise who he is he goes on stage turns out to be a rockstar freaks out but they get together in the end.
It was cute emma and ben are likeable and relatble
and so are the staff in the Diner Gwen especially and roscoe the bodyguard
its ok but i feel the festival but is a bit too long it seems to take her forever to figure out who he is and then it just feels rushed after like stuff happens with her atep mum when she gets back but that doesnt seem too have an end it just gets left up in the air like i would have liked to know what happened with that...

This totally gave me Cinderella vibes. Emma's father passed away and left everything to the evil stepmother. Emma wants to go the musical festival but is instead forced to work. There is even what could be consider the fairy godmother who is trying to convince her to go.

Enter Ben, the customer at the diner who she is instantly attracted to but chews him out for a comment. Godmother Gwen manages to find a way for Emma to go to the concert. It is a whirlwind day with some really sweet moments including Ben. It's a fun quick read.

Thank you NetGalley and Gillian Archer for providing me this ARC. All my opinions are my own.

That Summer Festival is a cute re-imagining of Cinderella. Both main characters are likable in this Novella. Emma is sweet and Ben is sweet to Emma. Nice, quick read.

So imagine Cinderella, but with a diner. And then imagine the prince, but he’s really anything but once you realize who he actually is. And honestly, imagine Cinderella getting so much more than “the guy” in the end. And you’re now looking at Emma. She’s worked so hard, but she hates the legacy she’s stuck tending. Her best friend knows this, as does the guy who her dad confided in once upon a time. And her dad? Well, he wasn’t the greatest when he was around, but he also knew that she deserved more in life.

Then, enter Ben. He’s saying all the right things, making the right moves. But he’s also a tad secretive. And when the truth comes out, Emma is DONE. Which is good, since it seems that her life has been waiting for her to just decide to start living it for herself. So, yeah. She flicks a certain finger at those holding her back, she dances toward a bright future, and Ben? Well, Ben might be a prince after all because he supports Emma’s dream in every single way and is 100% her biggest fan.

This is quick, fun, spicy, and oh so satisfying when she FINALLY tells Lydia exactly how she feels!

This book was a cute read. I loved the Cinderella angle with a twist. I mean who doesn't love a rock star bad boy. I did feel like it took her way to long to figure out who he was but it was a good story and kept my attention.

Very cute novella. The book reminded me of A Cinderella Story. Overall the plot was good. I would have liked to see a bit more drama with the step sisters. I thought it was so funny all the time Emma didn't figure out who Ben was. Normally I am not a fan of Instalove but for some reason in this book it worked for me. Would definitely read more from the author.

Thank you NetGalley and Gillian Archer for allowing me to read this ARC

A cute and short Cinderella story. This makes for a great palette cleanser between reads but I do think its length prevented it from the kind of depth that would make it anything more. I really like Gillian Archer but there was nothing distinct enough about this story to make it one I will remember in a month

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Ella is so funny she says what she thinks when it's anyone but her step family. Why bother they don't care or matter anyways. With Ben she is totally truthful and it's hilarious. I can almost see Ben's face when she states her truths to him. Very comical.

This story starts off like a Cinderella story but more like the one staring Hilary Duff… do you remember it?
Ella’s father dies and leaves her wicked step mother his diner and she has too self absorbed daughters while poor Emma is forced to work. She has plans to go to a musical festival until her step mother makes her work and she takes her daughters.
But then she meets B.
Then she sees him as the festival. His name is Ben.
He’s not who she thinks…
Sweet novella length story with a happily ever after.

This is a great novella from Gilliam Archer and the second book in the Holiday Mode Series. I didn't actually realise it was a series when I requested the book but this didn't detract from my enjoyment. Both books can be read as stand alones.

This is a short retelling of Cinderella with reference to other fairytales dotted about. I wish there was more to the story as I really enjoyed it, everything just happened and was over to quickly for me. When Emmas father dies she is left with her step mother and step sisters to run his diner and basically scivvy after them, she dreams of escape and becomming a dancer. 'B' is a artist and takes an instant shine to Emma when he visits the diner, as he is playing at a local festival. The two finally meet and it is insta-love. This is the first book I have ready by the author but I will defintely be looking out for more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

such a gorgeous read and exactly as you wished for going in after falling for the blurb. i gave me straight off Cinderella vibes but then took that and ran with it.
weve got a few shy moments in this book that makes you feel a little flush in the cheeks. this book is a gem of a read.
it rings us to Emma who is stuck. stuck stuck. life has ran from her not to her and the hand shes dealt doesn't feel fair. her dad died so she had to put a pause to her dreams. but its seems like a full stop has actually occurred and now she is working in his diner with the nasty stepmother.
then one night when she risked it all because she finds herself with tickets for the festival. and sparks fly between her and the giver of said tickets.... this mystery hot stuff is none other than an actual rock star.
and this rock star seems to be awfully smitten with our Emma. small thing though, Emma has no idea who he is.
but over the course of the festival the two get to know each other. and the instant connection is something neither can deny.
but what will happen when Emma finds out who he is. she cant trust this man a time she really needs to be able to trust people.
but what if there is more to this, more to him and he could be just the start of her dreams. not the answer to them but someone who will sit alongside her whilst she strives for them.
can she be brave. will his fame get in the way? will her step family?
or can our two build their own kind of fairy tale ending? yes please!
this book is exactly what it say on the blurb and cover and so much more. its brill.

Ok so this book was fast paced and it was a fan fiction lover's dream! Basically Emma hates her Cinderella like life as a waitress in her late dads diner, and her step monsters. She meets a handsome man but before she can flirt he is gone. Later she receives a VIP pass to the festival she couldn't go to because of work. The handsome man arranged for her to get it and meet up with him. It's instalove from there with some spice but when she realizes that her hot new man may be a celebrity it throws her off and she runs. However, in true fiction form he comes to whisk her off her feet and they live happily ever after.

It's very fan fiction so quiet frankly a little too instalove for me. I like to see characters "fall in love" not in just 2 days but it really was a sweet story about how he really likes her and she likes him for him, not celeb status. I think for a quick spicy celeb romance read I would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gillian Archer for allowing me to review this ARC!!

Cite and quick modern Cinderella story - yes you will dislike the steps, yes you will root for Em, and yes there is a HEA across the board, as you would expect. A great fast pick-me-up!