From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.What do you do when a sexy, older man moves into your family’s summer rental?Well, apparently, you make a fool of yourself-over and over. Things didn’t exactly get off on the right foot with Noah Cavallari. Our first encounter was embarrassing, to say the least.But despite that, I found myself waking up every day … day with a newfound energy. Nothing exciting ever happened on the lake-not until Noah moved into the small boathouse on our property. He’d booked it for the entire summer¿and I was still trying to figure out why.When my mother became ill, I inherited the responsibility of making sure our guests were well taken care of. I should have been in college. Instead, I was living my best life¿as a maid.Dark, handsome, and mysterious, everything about Noah screamed forbidden. I knew he was just passing through town for the summer.I knew he was probably too old for me.Yet, I was drawn to him.Not to mention, he tried to save my life when he mistakenly thought I was drowning.I wanted him and made no secret of it.His own attempts to warn me away soon gave way to late-night moonlight chats by the lake. We were slowly easing into a friendship that was gearing up to explode into something I might not recover from. Because he’s leaving at the end of the summer.And I have no idea what I’ll do when August ends.
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I’m going to be honest here and say the whole older man, younger woman trope isn’t one of my top favorites. But something about this blurb grabbed my attention, and I was looking forward to this story, albeit a bit tentatively. The heroine, Heather, is billed as an awkward, bumbling young girl making a fool of herself in front of the hot older guy, but that just wasn’t how I saw her. I saw a young woman being brave enough to take a few risks, put herself out there for something she wanted. I was impressed by her reactions – or lack thereof – to his rejections. She didn’t pout, throw a tantrum, slink off or hold a grudge. She took in what he had to say, she processed it, and instead offered him her friendship. Heather’s back story isn’t an easy one, but it’s made her wiser, stronger, more experienced in some areas while still retaining a bit of youthful naivete, wonder and exuberance in others. Heather was mature well beyond her years, and while I normally have a hard time connecting with a heroine so young, this character endeared herself to me quickly, and I definitely grew to respect her.
Noah took me a bit to warm up to as well. He was unapproachable and gruff at first, but as the story unfolds, I couldn’t help but fall under his spell. He was generous and kind, and though he fought it mightily, he ultimately couldn’t stop his building feelings for Heather. In true Penelope Ward fashion, though, this is a slow burning romance, and Noah and Heather initially forge a friendship as they repress their feelings for each other. But it was through that friendship that they really got to know each other, and the buildup of their love story was sweet and satisfying and sizzling with chemistry.
I enjoyed Noah and Heather’s journey to happily-ever-after. I couldn’t help but root for this couple once their story evolved, and I was practically bouncing in my seat when their friendship turned to romance. A sweet and sexy, slow burn journey to true love, Penelope Ward’s When August Ends gets four smooches from me!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
You can’t go wrong with a Penelope Ward book and WAE is no exception!
Another awesomely emotional, sexy read from Penelope Ward!
Funny + emotional romance between a h & H with a bit of an age gap is my latest jam – When August Ends ticked all my boxes!!
4.5 Stars
Heather is twenty years old. She’s not going to college like she’d planned – she’s at home at their lake house in New Hampshire, because her mom can’t take care of the place and the little boat house they rent out. So Heather stayed.
Enter Noah.
He’s rented the little house for the whole summer.
Heather is hugely mega and totally attracted to the mysterious older guy.
How much older is he anyway??
The only important thing is that she wants him – bad!
But he’s not all that interested … or is he??
But she’s way too young for him! Right?
I loved this book!
I kinda hate age gap romances – that’s why it’s so crazy that this is my 5th one this year already! So weird. My age limit is 7/8 years, but it’s a bit more here. It didn’t bother me much. Heather is a very old soul. She’s had to be the grown-up for a long while now.
But of course poor Noah still thinks he’s too old – plus we’re still not sure why he’s checked out of his real life for the summer? Why is he here?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
It’s so worth it!
It’s adorable and funny and beautiful and heartbreaking and mysterious.
I really enjoyed reading it!
A few tiny little things I didn’t love. I still really adored the book – but those things are in my head and I have to get them out!!!! But don’t be scared!
It was a bit too slow-burnish. Almost nothing really happens in this book. Yes, we have adorable and fun moments – even some exciting ones, but not much happens for most of the book. I wanted something a tiny bit … more!
The cover! Beautiful. Hot guy. But the Noah in the book was a bit too softish for my tastes. Most of the time at least. He doesn’t act like the tough guy on the cover led us to expect he would. But I still loved him!
And then …. the writing ….it was a bit weird. The way they talk… like a lawyer would talk to a … professor while reading the will of his late grandfather who was a … politician. So very formal and with so many 10 dollar words that young people would never use in a casual conversation. And then in the next line they say GONNA. Or HE BOOKED IT OUT OF HERE! ‘Gonna’ btw. was the most used word in this book! Sooo weird. Choose one way to talk! Or have one person talk this way and the other person that way. But not both in the exact same way and with the same expressions – that’s the author speaking and not the characters! 🙁
WHEN AUGUST ENDS was a really adorable and fun love story with some very heartbreaking moments! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Noah – this one is MINE!!!
…and I mean the Noah in the book and Joseph on the cover!!!
4.5 stars!!
Man Penelope did it again! What a beautiful book! She is so good at the shock factor in her books! Just when you think you know the characters she throws a curveball and sucks you into the story deeper!
Noah rents the boathouse on Heather’ family property. He’s a mystery because you know he’s hiding something. Heather is young in age but life has made her mature. I loved the chemistry between the two. I was rooting for whatever was holding Noah back he could get over it because I really felt they belong together.
The writing was fantastic. I personally felt connected to the characters in the story. I felt the emotions while reading. Great book, job well done Penelope!!!
WHEN AUGUST ENDS by Penelope Ward is a contemporary, adult stand alone, erotic romance story line focusing on twenty year old, waitress/college student Heather Chadwick. and thirty-four year old photographer Noah Cavallari.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Noah and Heather) WHEN AUGUST ENDS follows the building relationship between twenty year old, waitress/college student Heather Chadwick. and thirty-four year old photographer Noah Cavallari. Noah Cavallari is taking some time off from his busy photography business, and rented a boathouse up in New Hampshire, on Lake Winipessaukee. Coming face to face with Heather Chadwick, the owner’s twenty year old daughter, stirred something in Noah he had no business pursuing. Heather Chadwick’s attraction to, and seduction of Noah is met with refusal and rejection, but a last minute date for Heather forces Noah to look deep to understand from where his jealousy and need had come. What ensues is the slow building relationship and romance between Heather and Noah, and the potential fall-out as Noah keeps secret his real reason for coming to New Hampshire as his time in the lake house comes to a close.
Heather Chadwick has always wanted to be a nurse but her mother’s disabilities force Heather to become care-taker to a woman who struggles with mental illness. Still grieving the loss of someone close, Heather struggles with what was, and what will never be. Noah Cavallari battles his attraction to Heather knowing his secrets could destroy the precarious foundation upon which their growing relationship is starting to build, a relationship he will pursue as time passes them by.
The relationship between Noah and Heather is one of immediate attraction but Noah struggles with their fourteen year age difference, as well as the secrets he has yet to reveal. Heather knows that her attraction to Noah is currently one-sided, an attraction that comes with heartbreak and jealousy on both sides of the equation. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Heather’s mother Alice, and her estranged father Rick Chadwick, as well as friends Chrissy , and ex-boyfriend Eric; Noah’s ex Olivia, and his father Neil Cavallari.
WHEN AUGUST ENDS is a story of older man / younger woman, secrets, lies, guilt and second chances. The premise is engaging and intriguing ;the romance is a slow burn rejection and attraction; the characters are colorful and energetic. WHEN AUGUST ENDS is a sexy, character driven story of love .
I adore this book !
Omg this book!!! I absolutely fell in love with these characters. This is one of those books you do not want to put down until you have finished it. I bought a copy for my mother and my grandmother. Everyone needs to read this. I promise this book will stay with you for a few days. You will need a break before moving on to another book.
2019published, both-pov, contemporary, erotic, friends-in-love, m-f-romance, read, romance, sex, steamy
I took a chance and paid the steep price for this book because I really enjoyed the first book I read by this author. I wasn’t disappointed. I loved it. The setting and the characters were great. I love it when the author makes us wait a long time for the sex. It makes it that much more enjoyable than when they do it early on in the story. I liked Heather. She was mature for age due to he circumstances, but every once in while her age shone through with childish behaviour that was typical of a 20 year old.
When August Ends was funny and entertaining. It also had a little bit of an emotional aspect to it. The way Noah and Heather meet and then see each other again was very funny! Noah isn’t exactly the nicest guy at the start, but starts to change for the better because of his relationship with Heather. They are both good and caring people with big hearts. They may have an age gap, but they are quite similar to one another on the inside and fate seems to have brought them together. Their relationship is slow going, but I enjoyed how strong their relationship and connection is because of it. There were a lot of cute moments along the way plus a surprise or two.
4.5 shining stars!
While living in her childhood lake house and taking care of her sick mother, Heather rents out the detached boathouse to help her keep up with expenses for her aging home and her unstable mother. Enter Noah, a wandering photographer with a sexy edge and a secret. The dialogue between Noah and Heather is witty and engaging. Sexual tension builds with each page. And the end isn’t one I necessarily saw coming. This was a treat from Penelope Ward that shouldn’t be missed.
3.5 Stars
I expected this book to be all angst and drama, but was pleasantly surprised to find it very funny at times during the build up at the beginning, then satisfyingly heartfelt at the end. It was the perfect mix. And I was also glad to see that the young heroine was not so immature to get on my nerves, as I often see with age-gap stories. In fact, I found Heather to be strong and confident in a way that some women in their thirties aren’t, but I suppose she would have to be with her background. Overall, a good story.
4.5 Star
I always look forward to reading Ward’s contemporary romances and When August Ends is not only one of those books you pick up and have trouble putting down, but also broaches a subject I’m familiar with. So what, may you ask is it! Well…this stand-alone is overflowing with starting points, one of them being the age gap. Also, the author’s shorter sentences arrived like a gift since extended prose can at times make for a bulky read. And true to the author’s style, she hasn’t held back with the flirtatious witty wordplay. Totally necessary I might add, as the heroine most certainly deserves someone to brighten up her days.
‘Someone had to run things, and I was the winner of that responsibility by default.’
I couldn’t help but like Heather. She’s incredibly selfless, has had a raw deal and is handling the whole situation really well considering her age. And even though her hopes and dreams for the future aren’t in arm’s reach, I thought her matter-of-fact attitude mature beyond her years. In a nutshell, she’s an exemplary daughter and gets on with a job she feels duly tied to the best way she can. A past happening simmers in the background, the feeling of abandonment left me crushed. However, someone’s about to help her out in more ways than she could ever have expected.
“Sometimes you have to know when to walk away, even if it’s without your shoe. You know what I’m saying?”
Noah’s taken time out and rented a guest boathouse on the family property until the end of August. Ladies, I wasn’t the only one counting down the weeks. Although this guy… his moral compass, his willingness to do the right thing impressed me beyond words, he’s tight-lipped and brusque. This part of his character I didn’t dislike a bit since little-big actions showed me there was much more to him than meets the eye.
“Life is made up of little moments that don’t seem that important at the time, but in retrospect they’re what get you to where you are.”
Hmm…Noah fancies Heather, but won’t act on it as he knows it’s wrong in every way. He’s also aware that she has a crush on him. Lol, there’s nothing like drawing attention to oneself which she does pretty well in one scene. Roaring with laughter, this wasn’t going to be the only scenario which tickled me pink. So why is he holding back when the attraction is undeniable? I’d rather not make this known; nonetheless, it doesn’t need a calculator to come up with at least one right answer! Adoring how their friendship grew, their chats were a pleasure to read… How Noah slowly opens up to her, his sound advice and his reasoning behind his stance are realistically narrated. And his cigar smoking…loved this touch.
“You show people with your actions what kind of a person you are. You live your life with purpose, just like I try to. That’s probably the biggest thing we have in common.”
You’ll all want someone like Noah’s father in your lives. Regardless of his son’s doubts and fears, this marvellous man is always there for him. And a delicate health issue told with compassion brought to light just how this silent malady affects loved ones. The tasteful steaminess sneaks up on you at the right moment in the story, and despite being a low-angst-slow-burn romance, the twist took me by surprise and literally sealed the deal for me.
‘My attraction to her would have to stay my dirty little secret, because I wouldn’t be laying a hand on her.’
The author’s creative narrative from dual perspectives in past tense overflows with engaging banter, keeping this love story moving at a pleasing pace. Emotional and sensitive, Noah and Heather’s tale is not one you’ll want to miss. Ooh, and for all of you animal lovers, your hearts will melt when you meet Bonnie and Clyde, their mascots. Bravo!
It was a quick and easy read 🙂 Predictable plot after the foundation was laid out … wonderful way for me, a nurse and mother of 2 young kids, to escape without heavy thought.
3.5 Stars
I have very much enjoyed every book that Penelope Ward has written. So it breaks my heart a little that I didn’t like When August Ends as much as her usual books. I can’t quite pinpoint what it was. I liked the characters and the plot enough. I guess I just never felt completely invested in Noah and Heather. I did like Heather quite a bit- she was tough, assertive, and mature, especially when you factor in that she was only 20/21. I liked Noah, as well; he was compassionate, reflective on his past, and mature.
This book was good, and definitely worth the read, but copared with other books by this author, When August Ends just missed a little for me.
This was a great story and one that I couldn’t put down.
I usually love Penelope Ward. This book fell flat. Boring characters, bad storyline, etc… I almost stopped reading it. But once I start a book I feel like I made a commitment. Luckily, during the last 2 hours, there was so much i could skim right over till I even got to some dialogue. Bummer
Noah Cavallari is a photographer who rented the boathouse in Heather Chadwick’s property. He claims he’s spending the whole summer there as a retreat, to get away from his hectic schedule and focus on rumination. But Heather knows there’s something else he was hiding. She’s quite younger than him (make it 14 years younger) but she’s got the heart of an old soul. Heather loves 90s music, dances like nobody’s watching and takes care of her ailing mother after the catastrophe that happened to her sister.
And their lives change during that summer. Now both don’t know what to do when August ends.
I don’t know how to explain this, but Penelope Ward had me in tears while reading this book. The story of Noah and Heather is something that gutted me deeply, mainly because their respective stories resonated with me. Noah’s unexpected health condition had me crying as I remembered a dear friend whom I almost lost after battling with the same mental illness. It was too close and too painful for me. Heather’s looking after her sick mother also tugged heartstrings, seeing her as a beautiful, wonderful and caring daughter despite the deeply buried desires in her heart.
Seeing them together being awkward and acting on their adventurous alter egos while slowly building their romance was everything I loved in this book.It’s another exciting, @sstickling, heartfelt romance from Penelope Ward and I am so lucky to have met such powerful characters like Noah and Heather.