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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Family…can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. People you don’t even know you’re related to, that’s a real issue, especially since you’ve known them for years and have never gotten along! The advent of DNA testing has opened up a whole new era of familial relationships!
Brynn is back in Wildstone after her louse of a boyfriend cuts and runs. Her moms are stifling her, and she needs to get her own place. Eli, her crush from long ago, has a house in Wildstone, and rents out rooms. Fabulous! Unfortunately, Brynn’s nemesis from long ago and Eli’s bestie, Kinsey, also rents a room from Eli.
Secrets. Kinsey and Eli know the secret of Kinsey and Brynn’s relationship. Kinsey and Eli and Deck all know Kinsey’s health issue. Brynn is in the dark. Not quite fair, but I get that it might be difficult for Kinsey to open up to Brynn because of all the animosity between the two as they were growing up.
I loved the journal entries that began each chapter, it gave such a great back story to the feeling of both women. Brynn’s moms were a hoot! I loved them. If I had a wish…it would be to have a Kinsey and Deck novella! Eli and Brynn…finally…swoon.
This was an easy, although emotional read. It touched on some very timely topics and handled them brilliantly.
I’ve enjoyed the whole Wildstone series and look forward to more books from Ms. Shalvis.
3.75 stars. The Summer Deal is a good book. This is mainly Brynn’s story. After a disastrous breakup with a con-man ex-boyfriend who stole from her, she has returned to her hometown to start over. As a child, Brynn attended camp for years with Eli and Kinsey. Eli was her first crush and first kiss, while his best friend, Kinsey, bullied her for having lesbian parents. Now, Brynn finds herself with a new job and in desperate need of a place to live, besides with her smothering mothers. After a chance meeting with Eli, she accepts a room for rent in his house with he, his brother, Max, and Kinsey. But there are some big secrets between them all. Kinsey is not just Brynn’s childhood frenemy, but is also secretly her half-sister.
This was a good book. I enjoyed the themes of love, friendship and family. Kinsey was a prickly character, but had a good heart. She and Brynn found out how much they had in common and that they were meant to be friends and family. There are two romances going on in the book. Brynn and Eli have an attraction from when they were young that turns into a slow burn relationship as adults. They both must learn to trust each other and let each other in. The two were really sweet together. Kinsey has a life-threatening kidney disease that causes her to not want to get close to most people, including her guy, Deck, who she loves but won’t let herself get too attached to. The story was interesting and centers around forgiveness, family drama, humor, healing and love. It shows how this group of friends formed their own family and loved each other through difficulties and despite their flaws. The story ended a bit sooner than I would have liked. There is an epilogue, but I wanted to see firsthand some of the events that were skipped. Still, I enjoyed this book and was happy that everyone got the happy ending they deserved.
Overall, this book was an easy, entertaining read. Perfect for reading by the pool. I have enjoyed the Wildstone series and look forward to more from Ms. Shalvis in the future!
I’m always excited to see a new Wildstone book released from Jill Shalvis. It’s one of my favorite series from this author as it combines women’s fiction with a touch of romance quite nicely. Each book works well as a standalone.
In this installment, Brynn Turner returns home, not by choice but by necessity as her ex-boyfriend has left her in a place that isn’t so good financially or emotionally. Returning to Wildstone and her two moms, she realizes that staying at home might not be the best thing for getting back on her feet, so she ends up renting a room from some childhood frenemies.
Kinsey wasn’t the nicest person to Brynn during childhood and would like to make us for it now. Only there’s a secret she’s keeping from Brynn that’s likely to cause some major upheaval. But Kinsey has some serious health issues that may be putting a timer on her chance to let Brynn in on the secret. Good thing there’s Eli, Kinsey’s best friend, and Brynn’s crush and new landlord.
There’s so many opportunities for all three of these characters to redeem themselves, if only they will take the it. But it’s not easy for them to let go of the past, and it might just really hurt their future together. It’s all about forgiveness and that doesn’t come easy to these characters as they do carry a large amount of baggage with them as well.
In addition to the main characters, Kinsey’s boyfriend Deck provides quite a bit of heat to the story and is a favorite character of mine in this story.
I really enjoyed this story. It’s the type of emotional tale that gets to me. It’s all about family and forgiveness and how if you have family, you will probably need to practice forgiveness at some point. Families can also be made by people who love each other enough to forgive and trust. Lots of good emotional content here that makes this a five star read for me.
Jill Shalvis always delights with her quick wit, laugh out loud snark and lovable characters that always wrap themselves around a reader’s heart within a few pages of dialogue. This most recent visit to Wildstone is no exception!
Eli Thomas was definitely the star of the book for me. He’s kind, he’s loyal and he loves hard. His childhood crush on fellow summer camp attendee Brynn flares back to life quickly the moment he runs into her again.
Brynn Turner is easy to like. She finds herself once again trying to pick up the pieces after a man lets her down, and she’s not so sure she ever wants to let her guard down again. Running into Eli reminds her that there is good in the world … she’s just not sure she can take the jump to letting herself see it.
Kinsey Davis is your typical mean girl, but as we get to know her, we see the soft side hiding behind all of her biting words. She’s Eli’s best friend and secrets she doesn’t want to share endanger the life he wants to throw himself into.
I highly recommend this story and the entire Wildstone series to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt romance with an equal amount of drama, love and sass. It’s always a joy to visit this town!
Title: The Summer Deal
Author: Jill Shalvis
Genre: Friends to-frenemies-to-lovers romance
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Jill Shalvis is a new-to-me author. I’ve heard great praise about her books, but have sadly never read them. This book was one that I enjoyed. It’s a story about Family. The good. The bad. At times—LOT’S of bad. The Summer Deal deals with the underlying drama between two couples: Deck and Kinsey and Brynn and Eli. Deck is the MAN. He’s handsome, charming and who I felt made the story. Kind of wished the story were centered around him and Kinsey. Although, Kinsey, was a bit abrasive and stubborn at times, which grated on my nerves. The onset of Brynn and Eli’s relationship was a tumultuous one. Brynn, down on her luck in the romance department, returned to Wildstone after a terrible break up. Eli is Kinsey’s BFF. Eli and Brynn meet in the most unlikely of places: their local ER. Proceeding that, their lives somewhat intertwine, not nil any complications. Also, trust. It took a whole lot of tearing down walls for Eli and Brynn to feel comfortable around each other and reveal their inner most thoughts and secrets.
Final thoughts…
The Summer Deal is a Kleenex worthy read, that is emotionally charged to have you brimming with tears. It is gripping, profound. And pulls you in from start to finish. I also liked the concept of two couples being the center of attention. Can’t say I’ve seen that in a romance book, making this amazing story, heartwarmingly unique. Definite reread!
*I was fortunate enough to receive this wonderful ARC from author Jill Shalvis in exchange for an honest review*
“The Summer Deal” is another installment in Jill’s “Wildstone” women’s fiction book series, set among the rolling hills, beautiful ranches and wineries of CA’s Central Coast. Following the ups and downs of two female protagonists, one of whom is also a bit of an antagonist, it deals with secrets, unspoken attractions, crappy-as-hell family members, starting life over, frenemies, bromances…..and a bazillion misdirected conclusions! There were times when I wanted to throttle the characters and call them really mean names because they simply acted so stupidly. That was my main reason for subtracting a star from the rating…sometimes the storyline felt a little extra hard to believe. But at the same time, it’s a page-turner, and I was saved from throwing the book across the room by knowing that there was an HEA at the end. Three new spins for Shalvis fans are having one character raised responsibly by an endearing-but-slightly-too-doting lesbian couple, another character facing the possible end of her life due to chronic kidney failure and transplant rejection, and a small but scary-as-heck (for me anyway) medical situation involving the requisite live-in pet.
Despite my frustrations with various characters’ mindsets/antics at times, this book is lively, LOL-funny, fun and bittersweet. It’s a perfect read for this summer, especially as we all maintain distancing for our collective health.
What a different type of story – I’m obsessed! At first I was a little confused because the story was told in two different points of views that weren’t both ends of a romance. This book really focuses on two half-sisters where one of them doesn’t know they’re related. They’ve grown up together and really grew up as rivals, and while Kinsey has known due to her health, Brynn has no idea. After Brynn returns to town after a bad breakup, she’s unsure what to do next with her life or how to get back on track. She runs into her childhood crush, who just so happens to be Kinsey’s best friend Eli, and he invites her to rent a room at his place, and thus sparks the change of both Brynn and Kinsey’s lives. As Brynn gets to know Kinsey as an adult, and more secrets come out – until the finally all come out and shock everyone, we wait to find out if the sisters will come together or continue to be at odds. In addition, we get to see Brynn and Eli finally come clean with their childhood feelings, and act on the undeniable chemistry they have as adults. This book was different to read and experience, but I absolutely loved every aspect of it and couldn’t get enough! I will definitely be going back and reading the previous books in the series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
What a wonderful addition to the Wildstone series. Eli amd Brynn were great together when they finally put their guard down and trustm. It’s easy to get caught up in this series. I love the storyline and all of the characters
In Jill Shalvis’s new women’s fiction book, The Summer Deal, Ms. Shalvis may have given us one of the best friends-as-family stories for the summer. I enjoyed all the side stories and the two-in-one love stories. I’ve come to love all of JS books and this one was no different. I’m not gonna give any spoilers away but this is definitely a book you should put on your kindle for the summer.
I loved everything about this book! It was emotional from the beginning & really pulled you in. The characters all were well written & played off each other perfectly. It was a story everyone could relate to from the bully in childhood hiding her fears & insecurities behind her actions to the best friend/boyfriend caught between them. I love this series & cant wait for the next book.
3.5 stars
I’m a huge Jill Shalvis fan, but The Summer Deal was just an okay read for me. Deck and Max were the only characters that I liked. My favorite was Max. I would love to read his story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
The perfect summer read! Brynn and Eli were absolutely fabulous, and Kinsey and Deck were an extra scoop on the cone! Seriously couldn’t put this book down. The banter is classic Shalvis, and the relationships – making your friends family – are why Ms. Shalvis writes a wonderful story EVERY TIME.
Another good book by Jill Shalvis in her Wildstone books. Brynn is on her way home to Wildstone after the betrayal of her boyfriend. She has not been lucky in love nor in self esteem. She reconnects with Eli, and then Kinsey, who she had gone to summer camp with. Kinsey has been protecting her heart, and those who care about her, her whole life. I enjoyed watching Brynn learn to stick up for herself and Kinsey allow people to love her. This was a very good story that I enjoyed..
The summer deal
Jill Shalvis
Reviews on good reads. Amazon. BookBub. The book addicts
Love love love !!!
This is everything you except from a Jill Shalvis book … and then some !!! I could not put it down. There is love in all forms in this book.
The Summer Deal is the fifth book in the Wildstone series by the talented Jill Shalvis. I’m loving this series and I really enjoyed The Summer Deal. It’s not just about Brynn’s journey to find herself and finding Eli again in the process. She also finds her half-sister and friends who become more like family. Her moms love her to death, but she’s never had more than that. Nothing real. Until she reconnects with Eli, someone she knew at summer camp so many years ago. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially men, but Eli is going to prove he’s worth taking a risk for. He’s had a crush on Brynn since they were kids and now that she’s back home and all woman, it’s even stronger. He has his work cut out for him though. We also get to know Kinsey, Brynn’s sister, who has been sick her whole life. She won’t let people get close to her because she’s afraid. Kinsey and Deck have a benefits only relationship, but Deck wants more. So much more. Brynn and Kinsey may not have been raised together, but they are more alike than they ever thought possible. Can they stop running from love and finally be there for each other? I loved that it was a twofer! Brynn and Eli and Kinsey and Deck. I was equally invested in both relationships and loved the dynamic between the four of them and Eli’s brother, Max. Overall, I laughed, teared up, laughed more, got upset and smiled! Looking forward to more from the series!
I could not put this book down. Jill Shalvis just gets better with every story she writes. The Summer Deal features Brynn, who is back in town after a bad breakup, Kinsey, a childhood frenemy of Brynn’s from camp and Eli…another camp friend and Brynn’s first kiss. As the three come together, new and past relationships are revealed and, as the story got deeper, i found myself warmed by the idea that friends can really be the family you choose.
Brynn is the girl who is just trying to find her home and her way after various jobs and choices she’s made. Kinsey is battling a failing liver transplant and, while she comes across as cranky and mean, is really one of the strongest people in this story. Eli….a sexy, nerdy marine biologist, is the calming presence despite having demons of his own. Add in fun, spirited brother Max and…possibly my favorite….Kinsey’s friend-with-benefits, Deck, and this group just got to me. I loved watching them interact with one another and how they all really become a family by the end.
The Summer Deal is part of Shalvis’s Wildstone women’s fiction series. She has always been a top favorite of mine and this book truly continues that trend. I loved everything about this read and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a warm, funny, uplifting read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.
Begin your Summer with a captivating book set at the beach – The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis. A wide spectrum of characters – a badboy nurse with tatoos, a transplant recipient, substitute teacher, same sex parents (two moms), dead beat Dad, single parent, dependable friend, – all contritube to a compelling story. I especially liked the letters that Bryn and Kinsey wrote at camp when they were young. Like all books by Jill Shalvis this one is filled with zany humor. The Summer Deal will be one of those books that you will want to reread.
Brynn Turner desperately wishes she had it together, but her personal life is like a ping-pong match that’s left her scared and hurt after so many 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 pretty much the opposite of Brynn except for one thing: they’re half-sisters. Kinsey is keeping this bombshell, and a few others as well. Long time frenemies from summer camp, there’s no way she’s going to tell Brynn they’re related.
But then Brynn runs into Kinsey’s lifelong best friend, Eli, renewing a childhood crush. He’s still easy-going and funny and sexy as hell. 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 a sister, 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.
Loved Brynn and Eli’s story! Well written and heartfelt! Loved every page. Brynns’s ex really did a number on her and it was beautiful to watch her grow from that! Good summer read!
This is a story about multiple people who have trust issues they need to overcome to be able to love again. I liked the book. I did not like the character Kinsey. I could not envision a mean bully as a beloved child psychiatrist! I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for my honest review.
Loved these people.
Brynn is home to lick her wounds. Kinsey’s is trying to make sure no one loves her. Eli likes to collect broken people. Three people connected by summer camp.
This story was great and I couldn’t put it down.