From New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes a friends-to-frenemies-to-lovers story… Add in a few secrets. Shake. Stir. Then read on a lazy summer day at the beach… attempts to get it right. In search of a place to lick her wounds and get a fresh start, she heads back home to Wildstone.
And then there’s Kinsey Davis, who after battling serious health issues her entire twenty-nine years of life, is tired of hoping for . . . well, anything. She’s fierce, tough, and she’s keeping more than one bombshell of a secret from Brynn — her long-time frenemy.
But then Brynn runs into Kinsey’s best friend, Eli, renewing her childhood crush. The good news: he’s still easy-going and funny and sexy as hell. The bad news: when he gets her to agree to a summer-time deal to trust him to do right by her, no matter what, she never dreams it’ll result in finding a piece of herself she didn’t even know was missing. She could have real connections, possibly love, and a future—if she can only learn to let go of the past.
As the long days of summer wind down, the three of them must discover if forgiveness is enough to grasp the unconditional love that’s right in front of them.
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Wow! Jill Shalvis didn’t give us a book to read; she invited us to be a part of an extended family. Jill wrote family dynamics that were so real. Every character written, be it Eli, Brynn, Kinsey or Deck, were main characters. Character development was so well done that no one came across as minor or inconsequential. I really enjoyed feeling as if I belonged to these people as well. So glad I had the opportunity to read this story.
OMG, I am loving this series so hard!
The Summer Deal is a contemporary romance hidden inside a women’s fiction novel (ugh, I really dislike that term, but apparently it’s here to stay)–as are the rest of the books in this series, really. Told from three POVs–Brynn, Kinsey, and Eli–you’d be hard pressed to say whether Brynn and Eli’s or Brynn and Kinsey’s relationship is the more satisfying one to read about.
As is customary in Ms Shalvis’s books, the secondary characters here nearly steal the show–I adored Max (Eli’s half brother and the forth roommate in the house the three POV characters live in), Deck (Kinsley’s love interest; if this were a straight up contemporary romance we would have had his POV too!), Brynn’s moms Olive and Raina, and of course the animals, Catherine the Great Cat and Mini. They all played their part, bringing the story to an extremely colorful life. Then there’s the setting–OMG, I’ve never wanted to be at the beach so badly as while I was reading this…
But I digress.
I only have two complaints (beyond the women’s fiction label) here. First, secrets (mostly Kinsey’s, though Brynn wasn’t blameless here) were held just a little *too* long here. Ms Shalvis did her best to convince us that they both felt they needed to keep them, but at the same time both knew that they did so far past the point where they should have, and it was frustrating. Second, Brynn’s past hurts just didn’t seem to live up to the emotional scarring she apparently had from them. I get the grudge she had against Kinsey–I am the queen of keeping grudges, so I felt her there!–but other childhood bullying (over her lesbian moms and…wearing glasses, I guess?) and one bad relationship (admittedly, she just had that bad relationship, and it did end in one heck of a betrayal, so at least that wound was fresh) really shouldn’t have affected her as much as they did here. Fortunately she was eventually able to move on, but with as fabulous as her relationship with her moms was, it was hard to buy her “I never really fit in anywhere before” complaint. Sure, they were smothering, but she clearly fit with them, so…
Honestly, though, even with that super long paragraph I just wrote, I only took off a half a star, so what does that tell you? 😉
And OMG, that epilogue–with the most perfect, most Kinsey-ish final line! 😀
Like the other books in this series, The Summer Deal absolutely works as a standalone. It’s set in the same town as all the others (Wildstone, obvs) but other than that there was no relationship to the other stores. So–a great place to start, but do yourself a favor and read them all! 😉
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors. Her books bring all of the feels. They are always fast moving and easy reads. Once you start reading you don’t want to stop until the end. They are the perfect escape from social distancing. Even though her books are usually part of a series they can all be read as stand alone novels.
Her Wildstone series is full of drama past and present. It brings people together that you don’t expect and all of the books are about family. Some are the families that you are born into and some are the families that are made. All of the laughter, tears, joy, pain and most especially love. This story centers on Brynn and Kinsey. Kinsey’s best friend Eli and Kinsey’s guy Deck. It shows how people can grow from their past and their future is what they make of it. Brynn and Eli are thrown together right where he has always wanted them to be. Brynn and Kinsey have to overcome the past to move on to their future. The Summer Deal brought all of the drama that the series is known for as well as the happily ever after that we all want.
“They were her personal superheroes, sweeping into her life, accepting her as she was.”
I have read quite a few of author Shalvis’ books and this one is the most serious of them. Most that I’ve read before definitely have a message but lean more towards the romantic comedy genre. I would call this women’s fiction (if I needed to put a label on it). That’s not to say there isn’t romance and also comedy in this one but it’s not the focus.
Brynn Turner is a hot mess when she comes dragging home to her two moms in Wildstone, California. Her con man boyfriend left her, after he robbed her blind, and she needs the comfort of home.
She ends up running into her long time ago crush, Eli, who she met at the summer camp she went to for years. He offers her a room to rent in his large beach front house to help her get back on her feet. But what she doesn’t realize is that his friend is Kinsey, the mean girl from the camp who also rents a room from him.
The story revolves around Brynn learning to live her own life and around Kinsey, who has some big secrets she’s keeping from Brynn. Kinsey wasn’t my favorite character but there are good reasons she’s the way she is.
I loved the message behind this story – of not necessarily being stuck with the family you’re born into but being able to create the family you want and need.
I highly recommend this story. And you don’t have to read the rest of the Wildstone series to enjoy this book. It stands well on its own.
I received this book from Morrow Paperbacks through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
The Summer Deal is part of the Wildstone series. I really enjoyed this story. I brought out a lot of thoughts and emotions that were unexpected. This is one you definitely find yourself immersed in. I definitely recommend it.
Loved all the ins and outs of this book. Another winner from one of my favorite authors. If you need a great book to cozy up with this summer, snag this one.
Jill did an amazing job with this story. This was a awesome story of loving, courage and finding your way.
You definitely get taken on a emotional journey with this story and the people involved.
An exciting read that tugged at my heart strings, they way Brynn, Eli, and Kinsey lives are intertwined and learning how to deal with the hand life gives them. One of the best stories I have read and I can’t wait for the next story.
I was excited to read this new book in Jill’s Wildstone series. I think it had a great mix of romance, friendship and family.
The storyline grabbed my attention from the moment I am opened the book to the very last page. Jill does a great job of always keeping the romance factor in her books but always adding in something new. For instance with one of the supporting characters, Kinsey, her character needed a transplant. This added a new aspect to her book that I have not read before and is something that readers will find interesting.
In addition to the storyline the characters were very well developed and diverse. It really adds to the story and makes it interesting and enjoyable to read. I think she also did a great job of giving you the background on Kinsey and Brynn and their history but she doesn’t go over board. I think she also allowed their relationship to grow naturally over time and didn’t rush it.
I truly enjoyed this book and watching Brynn and Eli’s love story grown. Can’t wait for more stories from Jill to come!
Home is where your people are. That’s what makes the very best kind of family.
I can’t believe I waited to read this book. Such a wonderful story of family, both blood and chosen. It reminds you that no one is perfect but everyone deserves to be loved.
Probably my favorite book of the year so far.
Once again Jill Shalvis brings us another great read and escape to Wildstone.
Her books are full of family, those we choose and those we don’t, love, life changes and challenges, and discovering who we are along the way.
Brynn and Kinsey are frenemies from growing up, but there are secrets between them that can change things for good. Kinsey and Eli are just friends, and Eli has been interested in Brynn since they were young. Now they’re thrown together and those feelings are back to the forefront.
This book and the characters had a lot of learning to do, and I loved, as always, Jill’s witty banter had me reading this book non stop until the very last page. Loved The Summer Deal!
Another great addition to the Wildstone series from Jill Shalvis!!
This book read more as women’s fiction to me than the rest of the series, which isn’t a bad thing, just something readers might want to keep in mind.
I found myself really invested in the relationship between Brynn and Kinsey, even as I struggled to believe how easily they fell into the role of roommates, and then sisters, after having such a tumultuous relationship as kids/teens.
That’s actually probably my biggest issues with this story. Other than the way secrets were revealed to Brynn, one by one, everyone in this story reacted and behaved almost too perfectly.
Eli was, dare I say it, almost too perfect. Even despite his familial backstory, he was a pillar of strength, understanding, patience and kindness.
Brynn’s history with Kinsey gave her a valid reason to want nothing to do with her, yet she handled the surprise of being her roommate and the revelation of them being related with more grace than I could ever imagine. At times I felt like she actually let Eli and Kinsey off too easily.
Yet, somehow, it all worked to make this a story that I couldn’t stop reading and finished with a smile and full heart. That’s the magic of Jill Shalvis’s writing and why she’ll forever be one of my favorite go-to authors.
*I received an ARC from the author for honest review
As usual, Jill Shalvis delivers a heartwarming story with wonderfully, enjoyable characters. At the bottom of things, this is really a story about what it’s like to have the family you choose to have…and all the complications that come with it. These characters have to figure out how to come together in spite of their differences. Loved this story!
Wow! Jill Shalvis can definitely write a story that will grab your heart and not let go. Her stories are always heartwarming and always captivates her readers hearts. When she puts pen to paper the words are guaranteed to dance off the page and into her readers hearts forever.
In The Summer Deal we get a story that is beyond amazing. We get three different characters and it is amazing. We meet Brynn Turner, Kinsey Davis and Eli Thomas.
Brynn’s life is anything but together. Having been hurt in her past she heads back home to Wildstone looking for a fresh start. Brynn wishes she had her life together.
Kinsey has suffered health issues her life. Kinsey is fierce and tough. Kinsey is a survivor. Kinsey and Brynn are well I guess you could say frenemies. Kinsey is very loyal to the people she loves.
Eli is easy-going and definitely gorgeous. Eli makes a summer deal with Brynn to give him a chance to do right by her. He asks her to trust him. Eli is Kinsey’s best friend and has been since the third grade.
Summer Deal is a powerful story of relationships. It’s so much more than romance. It’s about finding yourself, letting go of the past, forgiving, trusting, friendship and love and so much more. I loved every moment of the story. I also loved Kinsey’s secret and it was a good one. In The Summer Deal we get a journey that Kinsey, Eli and Brynn all take in different aspects. There is history and chemistry. I laughed and cried. My heart went out to Brynn and Kinsey. The Summer Deal was a story full of warmth, and charm. The struggles that each character had was very relatable. Life can often be full of struggles and hardships. It’s how we deal with those struggles and hardships that define who we are. I found myself mesmerized by this story from page one. Jill Shalvis captivated my heart and soul. I really felt as if I were actually in Wildstone and not reading a story. I couldn’t stop reading this book. I found myself saying “one more chapter” and before I knew it I was at the end and it was 4am. Phenomenal story by an equally phenomenal author with an immense amount of talent. Grab your copy and fall in love with The Summer Deal and Wildstone.
Loved everything about this book. Loved the new and old relationships. Loved all the characters and that each had their own demons to overcome. Jill Shalvis has me rooting for each and every one of them. I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for what’s next in Wildstone!
The Summer Deal is another excellent book written by Jill Shalvis. Shalvis knows how to hook the reader from the first page until the very last.
The book is full of romance, surprises, and a little bit of drama. You are introduced to Brynn, Eli, Kinsey, Deck, and Max. The novel mostly focuses on Brynn, Eli, and Kinsey’s struggles with acceptance and finding happiness.
I’m hoping that the next novel will focus on Max as I’m interested to see where his character goes and if he can find the one person that can rock his surfboard right out of the water.
If you are fan of romance, family, and drama, then you need to get a copy. You’ll love the characters and be hooked on Jill Shalvis. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I requested this book because of the cover, it’s beautiful and screams SUMMER! I knew of the author but had never read any of her books. Write up was intriguing. What a pleasant surprise! Loved the characters and their development. So much baggage for this group … enemies to frenemies to much more. I can hold a grudge (ask my husband) so I could relate to Brynn. I’m quite familiar with dialysis (sister was on dialysis for years) so I could relate to Kinsey. I loved that Ms. Shalvis puts a modern spin on family and the family we choose.
There were no great surprises in this story, but it flowed well. Just realized this is #5 of a series, but I read as a stand-alone with no issues. A easy, fast-paced romantic read for these dark times with a very important underlying message … testing isn’t painful. Be the Match…you can save a life. I would definitely read this author again.
Thanks to Ms. Shalvis, Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
Kins is a hot mess!
Deke is amazing! As is Toby 😉
Eli is a sweetheart who wears his heart on his sleeve without knowing it.
Max is a human puppy
And Brynn is human.
Great story about love, friendship, relationships and forgiveness.
The Summer Deal is the latest novel set in Wildwood, California, by author Jill Shalvis. Brynn Turner has returned home to Wildwood after the relationship that took her to Southern California has imploded, leaving Brynn with only her car and a duffel bag. Her other belongings and dignity have been left behind.
Brynn has had a different upbringing with two adoring mothers that she absolutely adores in return. But they can be a bit much! When the opportunity arrives for Brynn to become a housemate at a beach house owned by Eli Thomas, a former acquaintance from summer camp, she accepts. What Brynn didn’t realize was that her biggest frenemy from camp, Kinsey Davis, is not only a housemate but they will also be sharing a bathroom.
As the story evolves, the reader learns that there is much that in reality is so very different from the appearance. Kinsey is brash, abrasive, and boisterous. In reality, she is sick and fearful. Eli is a marine biologist and avid surfer on the outside, but is actually a person who feels he has always been left behind by those that shouldn’t have done so. Deckard Scott appears to be out for a good time, but that is not the relationship he seeks. The web of half truths and white lies that is spun within the group is such that the reader is just waiting for the relationships to collapse.
This is a beautiful story of four young people from difficult backgrounds and how they learn to recognize the issues they have experienced together and the ways in which they can grow and put all that in their rearview mirrors. This heartwarming tale will make the reader anxious on the characters’ behalf and tearful as they each find their way. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
This is the perfect summer book! I love women’s fiction and Jill Shalvis is the master at combining that with contemporary romance. This is the story of three people who met at summer camp every year from grade school through middle school. They each had very different home lives and it shaped them from children with insecurities and issues into the adults they now are. Brynn and Kinsey are now 29 and by a twist of fate and a surprise run in with Eli they are now all living in the same town. Brynn has returned home to heal her bruised heart. Kinsey has a barbed wire fence around her heart. And Eli just wants to share his heart with people who won’t break it. Unbeknownst to Brynn, she and Kinsey share more that just memories of summer camp. The Summer Deal really has it all. From laughter to tears. From angst to friendship. From lust to love. It really is another wonderful story set in the fictional town of Wildstone that will bring a smile to your heart. It is told from multiple POV’s and to tell anymore about the story would ruin your reading experience. All I can say is that I loved it!
I loved returning to Wildstone. And you add a triangle of two half-sisters/childhood nemeses and of course a man – best friend to one and long-time crush of the other. Eli always had a secret crush on Brynn – which was totally reciprocated during summers at camp – but he was also best friends with Kinsey – who has had longstanding health and trust issues. Kinsey needs a new kidney but won’t ask Brynn because then she’d have to tell her about being fathered by the same horrible man. Brynn is raised by two moms and fought chatter from mean kids her whole youth. But when they find themselves all suddenly roommates relationships begin to develop – between Brynn and Eli and Brynn and Kinsey. This was a great book!