Zoe Costas is a security specialist and a Costas through and through. Her eccentric, rather dubious family runs an Atlantic City spa that’s just this side of legit. So Zoe isn’t inclined to trust handsome, charming Ryan Baldwin when he shows up claiming to be related to Sam, the girl the Costas family is about to adopt. But Ryan is Sam’s uncle and one of the famously rich and snooty Boston … Boston Baldwins.
Ryan’s search for his sister has led him to news of her death, and to a niece he’s never met. But someone else has also tracked Sam down — someone who never wanted the child to be found. Ryan is determined to protect Sam and find out what really happened to his sister. And Zoe is just the woman to help him do it. Neither expects to lose their heart in the process.
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Zoe is a security specialist who works for her family at their Atlantic city spa. Her family is in the process of adopting a young girl name Sam when a man named Ryan pops up out of the woodwork saying he is related to the girl. Zoe doesn’t trust Ryan and wonders what he is really after. Ryan hates that his sister is no longer around and wants to get to know the niece he never knew anything about. When it looks like someone is after the young girl Ryan will do everything in his power to keep her safe. Zoe doesn’t think Ryan should do it alone and jumps in to help out. Will these two follow the feelings that are coming apparent as they spend time together or will they let them pass by and stick to the problem at hand?
Book 2 is just as fun as the 1st one. Twin sister Zoe is helping her family with a potential new sister, but new guy Ryan is the girl’s family and may bring trouble.
With this family trouble also equals fun times!
This is book 2 in the Costas Sisters series and it features Zoe, Ryan and Sam. I love Zoe! She likes to live her life HER way, no matter what anyone says. Luckily her family is the Costas. As far as her and Ryan, all the right words and actions were there but I failed to feel the connection until much, much later in the story. My heart broke for all Sam had been through. She’s such a wonderful girl and I liked the special way she tested people.
Again, not my favorite by this author but it is a highly entertaining story with fantastic characters.
Zoe is a member of the Costas Family that want to adopt Sam. Sam lost her Mother and has been in foster care since. Ryan is her Uncle that has been looking for his sister Faith since she ran away from home.
Sam hides next door when she gets scared and upset. She saw a man standing outside her bedroom window. The family decides to send her and Zoe to Boston with Ryan to meet his parents and see where her Mom grew up. Also to get her away from possible danger.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Zoe and Ryan deliver a fabulous opposites attract romance. When Ryan shows up at the Costas home, it’s believed he is the fill-in social worker but he does reveal to Zoe that he is actually Sam’s uncle. This is a huge blow for Zoe since Sam has already become a member of their family. Knowing Sam’s history and the issues she has trusting adults, she knows they need to be careful in revealing this information to Sam. Also, Zoe wants to get to know Ryan and see if he is worthy of being Sam’s uncle. Ryan is stunned by the energy, love and chaos of the Costas household. His family is the complete opposite which was a huge factor in his sister running away. But he needs to be part of Sam’s life, something he couldn’t do for his sister. Spending time with Zoe is refreshing and allows him to loosen up and embrace life in a new way. As Zoe and Ryan get to know each other, will they find love? Will their differences keep them apart? I had fun finding out. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
This is an interesting romantic suspense story. Zoe is a security specialist with a wacky family. Ryan is looking for his sister. With Zoe’s help he learns his sister is dead but finds his young niece. This story is full of quirky characters and snarky banter. I received this book as a gift and voluntarily give the review.
A fantastic follow up to Ari’s story, the first in this Costas sister series. Zoe, the security specialist and Ryan, the guy looking for a missing family member. And speaking of families…Zoe’s and Ryan’s couldn’t be more different. The rich Baldwins versus the quirky Coatas. But love has a way of evening things up and Zoe and Ryan are so sexy together. This is a terrific romance with some mystery, intrigue and a few hilarious moments thanks to Zoe’s family. Another fabulous story from this spectacular author with her outstanding storytelling and wonderful characters. I can’t wait for the next installment. Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The second book in the Costas sister duet from Carly Phillips and takes place a year on from the end of UNDER THE BOARDWALK. Some of the issues carry on from Ari & Quinn’s book but mostly, this is Zoe’s story – the twin sister we met towards the end of book one.
I liked Zoe, like Ari, she had issues around who she thought she was – or should be – and I did like Ryan for her.
Truth be told, I worked out what was going on and who was behind the intrigue fairly quickly but having an inkling to what was going on didn’t change how I felt and I still enjoyed the read.
We caught up with character from the previous book, met some new ones and watched Zoe and Ryan work towards their own HEA!! As you’d expect their was heat, fun, laughs and a little bit of angst and it was a good completion to the twins story.
I’m giving Summer of Love 4*
As with Under the Boardwalk, you should really go into this story for the fun of it and not try and dwell too much on this, that, or the other LOL The family is crazy ya’ll, but not the bad crazy! They’re the fun kind where there is so much happening all the time that to survive you just have to sit back and let the crazy happen. Listen, I come from a large and boisterous Latin family. I know crazy. You can’t fight it LOL SO while I get all these reviews that nitpick the family antics because maybe the reader does not have a point of reference in their lives for it, it belongs in this story/series. Carly did an exceptional job with all of it.
Summer of Love was another fun and zany read for me. I liked the bit of suspense the story had and really enjoyed both Ryan and Zoe and Sam 🙂 Both stories in this series are quite addicting. I read them rather quickly because they were just fun to read! This is one of the time I must insist that you read both books to get a complete the full crazy enjoyment of it all. Part of the charm for both of the stories in the Costas Sisters series is the characters around the leads and they flow from one book to the other so read them both!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You take a nonconformist woman from a rule breaking family, a strait laced man from a very conservative family add in a teenager that binds them both together and a mystery from the past and there is bound to be sparks and adventure.
When Ryan discovers that his long lost sister has passed away and left behind a daughter, Sam, who is now a teenager and living NJ he heads to down to the shore to collect her and bring her home. What he finds is that it’s not as easy and straight forward as it seemed. Sam is settled and well cared for by the wacky and lovable Costas family. A family that allows her the freedom to be herself- something his conservative family never allowed her mother- while giving her rules and and a sense of security. He also finds a surprising attraction to one of the Costas twin daughters and a rule bender by the name of Zoe.
As Zoe and Ryan’s attraction grows the bond with Sam grows as well. It was interesting to see how they all changed and bent to make it all work.
I really enjoyed following Zoe, Ryan and Sam’s journey and how they all found love and security where they weren’t expecting it.
As always Carly doesn’t let up. Provides great entertainment with her characters and the perfect read every time.
Zoe Costas, a former Special Agent turned independent body guard, is part of a Greek family who’s nearing the final adoption process of Sam. Ryan Baldwin, Attorney and Sam’s long lost Uncle shows up to claim her. What Zoe and Ryan don’t expect is the instant chemistry between the two of them especially when they are on opposite sides and from very different backgrounds. As they move along they find themselves getting in deeper, not just emotionally, but also physically. Can either of them stay the long haul, especially when neither have known love before?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Summer of Love is the second book in the Costas sisters series from Carly Phillips – though each book is easily read as a standalone. I read them in order, and I think there was a nice depth to the series as the characters (including all of the secondary characters) continue to grow. This book is a re-release of the original, with a new cover and re-imagined title. The original book was called Summer Lovin’.
Zoe Costas is a security specialist and former government agent with a wild spirit, thanks in part to her zany and crazy family and their tourist sideshow antics. Ryan Baldwin is an old-money Boston attorney who couldn’t be more “by the book”. In a true case of opposites attract, the sparks fly between Zoe and Ryan from their first encounter. I love their chemistry!
It’s never all fun and games – nor should it be. 😉 This is an entertaining and enjoying read with a surprising amount of complexity in emotions and family dynamics. We get a taste of suspense, mystery, drama, and romantic sizzle, all wrapped up in Zoe and Ryan.
I’ve always enjoy Ms. Phillips’ books. This one is no exception, and this series holds a special place in my heart as it’s set in a beach town in south Jersey, where I have spent a significant amount of time. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My general rating rationale:
5 – Can’t say enough amazing things, loved the characters, fabulously detailed plot, a quick hook, intense investment in both story and characters (including secondary characters) throughout the book. Will tell anyone who will listen that they should read it.
4 – A very good book. Engaging, with well-developed characters, a great plot, relatable scenarios; keeps you invested to the last page. Would recommend to reader friends.
3 – Perfectly fine story, perhaps some minor editorial errors. Entertaining. Typically with this rating I feel like there could have been MORE – be it believably/relatability, character development, internal dialogue, explanations or depth, richness to the overall story line, etc. May lose a bit of engagement here and there but I always finish reading it.
The second book in the series continues to have its characters dig deep inside themselves to learn how to deal with there complex emotions. Deciding to adopt a teenager when their adult children have moved out is not unusual for the Costas family. They live outside the box on a good day, and have skirted legal lines in the past. Turning 30, Zoe doesn’t believe she will find love like her parents and twin sister have. She just doesn’t think she is made for that depth of feelings. Meeting Ryan causes her to examine her life while dealing with the possible changes that could take place at home. Questioning weather opposites attract, differences in family expectations, and the possibility of compromising in the future sends Zoe running into her work for too many hours a day. Ryan is mare patient than he seems, but seems to read others well and is in it for the long game. Can they live with or without each other, only time will tell.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A summer love story full of laughs and sexiness. Two very different people from different families, but with one thing in common a girl named Samantha. Zoe and Ryan have some great chemistry and some twists to their story you will be glued to the pages. I would highly recommend the Costas Sister if you’re looking for a quick and fun summer read.
I read this book with a new cover and new title ‘Summer of Love’.
If you read the first book ‘Under the Boardwalk’ you’ll remember that the Costas family has expedited the process of becoming foster parents to take in Sam. In this book they are getting close to the point of adoption and there’s going to be a major twist.
It seems Sam has an uncle, one who just found out his late sister had a daughter. Ryan wants to meet her and have her become part of the family. He arrives with Sam’s 14th birthday party in full swing, and the family believes Ryan to be Sam’s new social worker. Ryan not knowing what else to do, goes along with it. However, while Zoe is giving him a tour of the house and finds herself attracted to the man, she gets a call.
A fun yet intense tale, as Sam and Zoe get to know Ryan. His biggest fear is that his parents would make the same mistakes they did with his sister and drive Zoe away as well.
Plenty of surprises, fun, laughter, tears, drama and suspense. I hope Carly has something in mind for all those Costas cousins.
Summer Lovin’ was a fun, sarcastic, and a sexy read. I really enjoyed this book. If you looking for a summer romance book to read, this is it! Summer Lovin’ is book two in the Costas sisters series, but can be read as a standalone. The Costas family had me laughing hysterically. They had me also feeling a bit overwhelmed just like Ryan did when he accidentally dropped in on the family.
Zoe has this first time ever connection towards Ryan. She has been great being alone and independent. She is even starting her own business. But with Ryan she falls under his spell. I was over the moon for Ryan. He was a determined man and he was sure he would get his way. Then he finally sees the whole picture and has a choice to make. Samantha is 100% full blooded teenager. Carly Phillips got Samantha’s attitude down to the “T”. I loved Sam’s character. Ryan’s family turns out to be very unexpected. You will see how every adapts to each other.
The heat that goes on between Zoe and Ryan gets intense. Samantha learns more about herself. The drama that unfolds in this book had me glued to the pages! I will never forget the Costas family
I love the chemistry between Zoe and Ryan, and the challenges they faced trying to do the best for Sam. The story was funny, interesting with a little suspense thrown in and I found Sam and Ima absolutely delightful. Great story that I would recommend to anyone who likes a great romance story.
After reading the first book in the Costa sisters duet and being left feeling slightly disappointed I was a little hesitant to read Summer Lovin but found I actually preferred this story. With Zoe and Ryan it was definitely a case of when opposites attract. There was a slight hint of mystery with an underlying thread of what really happened to drive Ryan’s sister into running away as a teenager but to me this book falls more in the rom-com category.
My one small niggle would be that in the end it all seemed a bit one-sided with Ryan and his family seeing the error of their ways and doing all the compromising
Another great story from Carly.
This is the story of Zoe Costas and Ryan Baldwin. Zoe Costas worked as a security specialist and she also has a twin, Ari and a large, very humorous Greek family. This story also includes Sam (Samantha) who is in the process of being adopted by the Costas family. Along comes Ryan Baldwin, who they think is a social worker, but is really Sam’s uncle, although no one knows that. Once Zoe finds out who Ryan is, she starts checking him out. This story, much like Ari’s story continues with the craziness of the Costas’ family. It will have you laughing at times and shaking your head at others. This story had a little bit of everything you could want in a book, love, laughter, mystery and a wonderful family.
Summer of Love by Carly Phillips is the second book in the Costas Sisters series. Zoe Costas lives with her very eccentric loving Greek family in New Jersey. At one time, Zoe worked for the Secret Service, but quickly tired of all the rules and regulations of the government; so she is now starting her own business. Samantha, Zoe’s foster sister, lives with the Costas and as they are about to celebrate Sam’s first year with the Costas family and her adoption of Samantha, Ryan Baldwin arrives.
Ryan, a lawyer from Boston, was searching for his sister Faith who ran away from home. He could only find that his sister was dead and left behind a daughter. Ryan then started searching for his niece, finally tracking her down in New Jersey. He arrives at the Costas home to “save” Sam and bring her back to Boston to be with family.
Since Ryan is Sam’s blood relative, he is able to be a part of Sam’s life even though the Costas’ object. They don’t want to lose Sam after being so close to adopting her, and are now shattered. As they all try to find common ground, Sam’s life is suddenly threatened. Working together, Zoe and Ryan protect her while attempting to solve the mystery of Faith’s now suspicious disappearance. Through all the problems Zoe and Ryan are falling for each other, there is a natural chemistry between them. They might be very different people and Zoe knows opposites attract, but she isn’t sure it’s enough to make things work. How can Ryan take Samantha away from a family that truly loves her?
Summer of Love is a fabulous story! Mystery, passion, desire and family quarrels. Ms. Phillips is a wonderful storyteller which she demonstrated in this story. I really enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting it down. This is a great book with plenty of romance. I recommend this book to other readers. It makes for a wonderful, light easy beach read in summer.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book