She wanted to be a star—until he crushed her dreams in front of millions.When Ivy Quinn’s father dies, her dream of moving to Nashville gets put on hold, but she isn’t giving up on a music career. At least not until country superstar Nash Bennett delivers a devastating critique of her audition…on national television. Returning home to her supportive family and a stable job makes the most sense. … the most sense. Who needs a life in the spotlight, anyway?
Lately, stardom hasn’t been easy for Nash. Being labeled a “bad boy” by the press and getting hurt on tour has earned him a one-way ticket to Idaho where he can heal while a PR team repairs his damaged reputation. But when he hears Ivy sing, Nash forgets about lying low. He asks her out only to be rejected—hard—when Ivy tells him to leave her alone.
One impromptu duet, however, is all it takes to forge a connection between them. Nash wants to win her over. But Ivy won’t give in to her feelings, fearing her rekindled dreams of a music career—and Nash—could destroy her. She has no idea what he’s willing to risk for love…and for her.
more
For ten years, the heroine has hated the hero and the hero didn’t even know she existed. What I liked about this story was how REALISTIC that relationship was. Thanks to social media, the heroine’s dreams were ruined and she was a laughing stock. But the author does a really great job of showing how/why the hero did what he did, WITHOUT making it “Okay”. Humans do bad stuff for reasons that made sense at the time, and I really liked the way the hero handled it, albeit 10 years later. The romance was sweet and totally believable, and the epilogue was GREAT!
Ivy Quinn is living her own country strong. Will it prove to be a ballad of heartache or a duet of second chances? Summer Serenade begins with a dream. One woman dares to follow her heart and ends up facing betrayal, heartbreak and love along the way. Ivy is the dreamer who wants to be star. Nash is the star who has lost the ability to dream. Both have a great deal to learn about falling in love. McClone keeps it simple and captivating with a big time romance.
I enjoyed reading Summer Serenade. I liked Nash and Ivy and enjoyed the character development (personal growth) that both experienced. I loved Ivy’s huge and protective family and Nash’s foster mom. This story is about second-chances, forgiveness, trust, and going for your dream all couched in a great romance. There is a sweet HEA and a wonderful epilogue. I highly recommend this to readers of clean/wholesome romance. I definitely plan to continue reading Melissa McClone’s books! I obtained my copy through KU.
This book made me happy
I thought it was sweet, I thought it was moving. It also had some fun moments. So it was not too heavy at all. It tugged at my heartstrings. I read this as a standalone, BTW, and that was fine!
Ivy was really likeable. She has been hurt deeply – by Nash. He is known as a bad boy, but he ain’t so bad, not really. I really enjoyed their journey to love. At the end of the book I caught myself smiling. Always good when a book leaves you feeling happy!
A sweet and tender contemporary romance with unforgettable characters and a beautiful story that kept me entertained and engaged from beginning to end. I loved the raw emotions and undeniable chemistry between Ivy Quinn who dreamed of being a star and country music superstar Nash Bennett who had crushed her dreams ten years before on an American Idol type show. Summer Serenade is a perfect beach book that will give you an afternoon of reading pleasure in the must-read multi-author Quinn Valley Ranch series. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
A sweet heartwarming romance between Ivy and Nash. Nash has arrived in Quinn Valley for some much needed down time from his music career when he meets local, Ivy. Ivy is a waitress and sings in the local bar at times. Nash loves her voice, but little did he know that he turned down her competition and said she would never make it in the music field when he was a judge. Now he needs to convince Ivy that she has real talent is singing and writing, but soon they can’t deny the chemistry that they have between them.
I so enjoyed this clean romance of Ivy and Nash. Great characters, that were very likeable. This is part of a series by a group of authors but all books can be read as a stand alone. The perfect afternoon read.
Ivy is living in her hometown and living a comfortable life. But she has talent and a dream that she is not pursuing. Nash is hiding from the press while he recuperates from an injury. He ends up in Ivy’s hometown. And both of their lives will change when they cross paths again. It’s a great lesson in pursuing your dreams, learning who to trust and forgiveness. I haven’t read any other Quinn Valley books and really enjoyed this one, so it stands alone. But after reading, I may have to check out some of the others. I read this in one sitting as it kept my attention from the first page. The characters were likable and I was cheering them on every step of the way! I received an advance copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I seem to be finding many multi-author series lately and I am liking the opportunity to read new to me authors. This one is set in Quinn Valley, Nevada and as I am starting it at the end and not the beginning, I will have to go back.
Ivy Quinn writes music and occasionally performs at her siblings bar and grill. Even though they keep telling her to pursue her music she is perfectly happy waitressing and performing once in a while here.
Nash Bennett is in Quinn Valley for R&R and physical therapy after falling off the stage during a performance in Seattle. Everyone involved with him had signed a non-disclosure agreement. This is to prevent the paparazzi from finding him and hindering his recovery.
Things were going just fine, until he hears Ivy sing.
Nash of course couldn’t let things be, and then the fireworks start when he reveals himself to her. She knows him and she wants nothing to do with him.
I love the way this story plays out, it is emotional and satisfying. There is humor, romance and also betrayal and redemption.
Ivy is ultimately very forgiving when she discovers country star Nash Bennett hiding out in her uncle’s hotel. Nash is the reason she gave up on her dreams of moving to Nashville to become a singer/songwriter. He crushed her dreams 10 years earlier, and at first doesn’t even remember doing it.
I will give them both credit for owning up to their mistakes (Nash) and letting go of past slights (Ivy), but the relative speed in which this happened dropped this from a 5 to a 4 star for me. It has nothing to do with McClone’s writing, which I always thoroughly enjoy! I think it’s more about the sub genre of sweet romance. Plus, as much as I am both a fan of music and country music specifically, there’s something about “rock star” heroes that leave me a bit cold.
Fan of sweet romance, Ms. McClone and second chances will love this story!
I received an ARC from Booksprout, for which I voluntarily left an honest review
Ivy has suffered the loss of her father and then the loss of her dream. Ten years later she runs into Nash, the dream killer, and sparks are flying. I loved how he wouldn’t give up on her and her dream. They both showed such growth and strength throughout this book. He did aggravate me somewhat toward the end – fame can really taint your thought process. Loved her family and the town. Really sweet ending and great epilogue.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ivy and Nash, a famous country star, have a history, for her the worst time of her life while he can’t remember. Now they meet again. Nash is in awe when he hears her sing but she doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. Can he make amends and can she forgive him? Will their love for music bring them together? Take this emotional ride with Nash and Ivy, and the rest of her family.
I really loved this story, Ivy is such a lovable character but I wanted to yell to Nash to not be so stupid, luckily he woke up before it was too late.
I received this book via BookSprout and this is my honest opinion.
I LOVED it!! Ivy is my idol!! Strong, independent and even though her dreams had been dashed yrs ago, she still had the confidence to keep trying. Nash, on the other hand, I got a little mad at him because he couldn’t see he was being played by an unsavory person. Then I fell in love with him once he made right by Ivy. This story was sweet, heartbreaking (at times), romantic and my heart was filled with joy at the ending! Totally a must read for anyone that believes in following their dreams!
Summer Serenade by Melissa McClone
Ivy Quinn is an aspiring song writer and singer and Nash Bennett is a country music superstar who had told Ivy to go home and give up her dream 10 years before when she tried out for a talent show. They meet again when he shows up in her town hiding from public while recovering from an injury. They fall in love but there are obstacles that they have to overcome. I really enjoyed this book and totally recommend to anyone looking for a good book to read. It is the only book I have read in this series and I didn’t think it was to confusing.
Nash hurt Ivy ten years ago when he went mean judge on her at on a reality show competition. But she’s a much better singer-songwriter now and he wants to work with her. Still it will take a lot to overcome that hurt and trust him. They get closer musically and romantically until Nash listens to the wrong person and has to decide what’s important to him and who he can trust. I watch reality show competitions and I’ve seen how soul crushing some of the judges can be. Some famous singers and musicians were rejected there and went on to be very successful. I liked that Ivy’s family kept her dream alive having her sing at the family pub. It was great to catch up the Quinn grandchildren and their matchmaking grandmother.
Heartache, second chances and sweet romance. Wonderful interaction with Quinn family members as they support and protect their own. Ending with a well deserved happily ever after.
Ivy and Nash’s sweet story in Summer Serenade was a heartwarming, sweet romance by Melissa McClone, book nineteen in the Quinn Valley series. Country music star Nash Bennett was in Quinn Valley to recover from exhaustion and an injury to his leg while on tour. The former foster child was getting bored while hiding from his fans and struggling to find his creative muse. Ivy Quinn went after that dream of a singing/songwriter career ten years ago when she unsuccessfully auditioned to be on an American Idol-type show. Not only was her voice criticized but she became an internet sensation for all the wrong reasons. In the meantime she was satisfied working at family’s restaurant and filling in for the occasional weekend gig. It was there that Nash heard Ivy sing; never imaging how that one night could change both of their lives.
I so admired the strength and strong backbone Ivy had in order to stand up for herself after all she went through and dealing with the clueless Nash when he messed up. She was also such a forgiving person, more than her family. As successful as Nash was he was still clueless about people, especially his handling of abandonment issues. Both Ivy and Nash were talented songwriters but working together improved their talent.
Ms. McClone wrote a wonderfully sweet and moving story that is not to be missed. This story contains major attraction, fun banter, endearing and likeable characters and the support of family. I highly recommend Summer Serenade to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This is such great book!
I truly adored reading it!
It’s a feel-good & moving romance.
Nate, is in Quinn Valley, recovering
from an injury. Also hoping to revive
his music career.
10 years ago, Ivy experienced the 2nd worst day of her life. Now, she is approached my the last person she
ever wants to see again.
Nate & Ivy’s story, will pull at your heartstrings, wanting more.
Another great book in the series.
I loved everything about this Must Read Story!!