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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4.5 stars
When August Ends was a highly enjoyable read!
For being only 20 years old, Heather was quite bold and forward with her advances towards Noah. She told him exactly how she felt, and truly did respect his feelings of not wanting anything romantic with her (even though he was totally lying). Yet, as they began to spend time together, the feelings they both had continued to grow until they gave into what they each wanted. Heather and Noah were both consenting adults, so I don’t think the age difference between them should matter at all. I really respected Noah for wanting Heather to have a chance to live life a little by going off to college before jumping head first into a relationship with him. Had they just gone for it, I think they would have made it….but the time they spent apart, the many hours on the phone – the bond between them only intensified and solidified their feelings for one another.
I couldn’t quite get into sync with these two characters. I liked the story but couldn’t feel any chemistry. One of my favorite authors but this book didn’t do it for me.
Twenty year old Heather Chadwick is stuck in her hometown taking care of her severely depressed mother while her dreams of college and a career float away. There’s not much excitement in her life until Noah Cavallari rents her family’s boathouse for the summer. There’s an immediate attraction between the two of them but Noah is 15 years older and not willing to start a relationship with someone so young.
As typical with Penelope Ward, she gives us two very complex and flawed main characters. The romance between Heather and Noah is definitely slow burn and there’s a lot of push and pull between the two characters. I really enjoyed this one–read it in one sitting.
Heather is a strong, determined young woman. Family means everything when you’ve experienced loss and worth sacrificing for. She’s honest and speaks her mind. And she’s attracted to the guest rental their boat house for the summer. She lets him know in many it so subtle ways, even blurting it out. She’s endearing and easy to love.
Noah is fascinated by her and despite saying no to her declaration, he’s fighting not just his demons, he’s fighting his attraction. He’s not just a summer renter. He’s there to because he needs to be. But needs change and he finds himself needing her.
Friendship and attraction. Before he can give In to his feelings, to the consuming desire, he has to tell her everything.
This is a sweet love story with difficult references to depression. There is so much more to these characters than their love story. Join Heather and Noah on their journey to Do The World.
“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.”
Heather was a complete surprise. I’ll be completely honest here….the age difference between the H/h was on my mind constantly while reading. I kept thinking….How is Penelope going to do this? How is she going to make this work for me?
I kid you not….I am absolutely 100% satisfied with the outcome most this book. Penelope wrote a young heroine that knew herself and her value. Heather is hard working, loving, smart, always willing to sacrifice for her family and she has awesome (to me) taste in music. She knew her feelings for Noah were on the epic scale and didn’t hold back. She went there. Multiple times. And Noah shot her down. Multiple times. Until he didn’t.
Yes, Noah was absolutely freaked out over their age difference but eventually after a long long long summer of getting to know and becoming great friends with Heather he realized that he might have just met the love of his life in the least likely place.
When August Ends was a beautiful slow burn romance that packed a serious dose of self discovery for all its characters. This book teaches you that life is made up of choices. Some are good and some….not so much. But in the end they are what teaches us our lessons and help shape who we are.
Reviewed by: Heather S.
Solid 4
I’m going to be honest, I had a bit a rough go of trying to connect with Heather. So, I’m going to focus on Noah right now.
I enjoyed Noah’s character; he seemed to want to do make things right from the past but didn’t realize what doing that would do for him. He knew what he wanted to do and was focused on that and tried really hard to not let others (or someone) stop him on his quest.
Overall, the story was good, as for Heather, I had to picture her as different in order to make the story believable for me.
Reviewed by: Dana D.
What I love most about Penelope Ward’s stories is their unique story lines and the fact that she usually takes her time with the progression of her heroes and heroines’ relationships, building up things between them in a way that clearly indicates that they know what they’re getting into by crossing a line that they never anticipated wanting to cross.
This is exactly the situation that Heather Chadwick and Noah Cavallari find themselves in, in Ward’s newest release, When August Ends, and, like the title suggests, there seems to be an end date for anything these two begin since Noah only plans to stay on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire in Heather’s family’s boathouse for the summer. Not only that but due to Heather and Noah’s age difference as well as the their differing personalities and lifestyles, it doesn’t seem possible that anything could develop between them, especially since Noah thwarts Heather’s advances from the very beginning, hopefully preventing another fallout from a situation turning disastrous.
Heather and Noah are an interesting pair who strike up a friendship and enjoy each other’s company, and despite Heather’s desire for more, the connection they form means a great deal to both of them. Heather sees Noah as someone she wants to unravel, not just because she’s desperately attracted to him, but because she clearly sees what’s beneath his exterior and wants to understand this complex man in every way possible.
Despite the fact that Noah knows he should keep Heather at an arm’s length, he struggles to completely do so, until it comes to a point where he no longer chooses to fight his attraction or turn her down one more time but that decision makes things significantly more difficult for both of them, especially when summer is almost over and it’s unclear how everything will play out in the end.
When August Ends is a slow burn romance that illustrates the push and pull as well as the amped up sexual tension of two people who feel a connection but one feels the risks are greater than the rewards if they give into what they feel. I really enjoyed how Penelope Ward crafted Heather’s character; she’s sassy, funny, and good-natured and the fact that she’s innocent draws Noah to her in a way that, for the most part, he refuses to act on. Noah’s denial of his feelings towards Heather was necessary, even if it frustrated her and me at times, but the fact that these two built a foundation of friendship and camaraderie before crossing the line makes everything play out the way it should for everyone involved.
4 Poison Apples
This read started off slow for me. Taking a typical scenario dealing with an age gap between two people where one is holding back and the other is wanting more. Then once again the author takes what could have been a predictable story and made it all her own.
As the story progressed the characters will have you seeing things in a different light. The chemistry is slow burning and full of hesitation but filled with being themselves when they are around each other. There were some sweet moments that will have you LOL, banter that will have you wanting more, and openness presented will have you falling as they continue to get to know each other.
The read will take you on a journey of life, love, and second chances for more. As you get more into the story the feels will arise and will keep itching for more. What started off as a read I thought I knew what would happened ended full of surprises. The author got me good once again.
Every book by Penelope Ward has a twist that you don’t see coming. This book actually had me crying over guinea pigs! Never thought that would be in a book review but here we are. I loved this one.
Oh man, I just love a May-December romance. All the wonderful angst over age gap and what will other people think about them together. Is he robbing the cradle? Is she looking for a sugar daddy? What do they have in common? Delicious.
And that’s just what When August Ends is! Angsty deliciousness that wraps around a wonderful slow burn romance.
I really liked both Noah and Heather—separately and together. Their meet-cute was super awkward and honestly, I was wondering if they’d ever move past their initial interactions to find their happily ever after.
Heather’s a bit of an old soul—she’s had to take care of her mother for many years due to mental illness. And it’s forced her to grow up quickly! At just 20 years old, she comes across much more mature and older. Until she gets all tongue tied in Noah’s presence—and somewhat makes a fool out of herself. But she’s not afraid to ask for what she needs—she’s got some massive confidence underneath her gorgeous exterior. And that’s something I can appreciate in others. And awkwardness aside, it’s quite the turn on for Noah.
But also a deterrent because Noah thinks he’s got nothing to offer the young, “just getting started in life” beauty. But as the summer days pass and they get to know each other better, their attraction is undeniable. And soon they’re overcome by both circumstance and their desire for each other.
And holy swoony hotness.
When August Ends is a love story for the ages. It’s a story full of romantic love as well fraught with love of family and the decisions made that aren’t necessarily their own. I wholly enjoyed the romance that eventually blossomed between Noah and Heather. It was so lovely to see them working toward a future—planning ahead to be together . . . maybe. When August Ends packs a wallop of an emotional punch along side a lovely romance. And while I struggled a bit with the first half of the book, it was definitely worth the read! ~ 3.5 stars
This book was really good however didn’t do it like the normal Penelope books do. Noah was portrayed in the beginning to be really old when he reality he wasn’t, and Heather for some reason didn’t know his age even though it’s claimed she did a full background check. That didn’t add to me. It was a good book in that it made me laugh and smile as well bring a slight tear to my eye with how heartfelt it was. Even at only a 3 star, I would still recommend this book!
This was a fantastic read. The new Penelope Ward story is so heartwarming and sweet that you won’t want to miss it. The characters are so amazing and real that makes it a unique and original story.
I think the pace was my absolute favorite part of this book. It was a slow, delicious build up. The banter between Noah & Heather serving as foreplay and I couldn’t get enough of it. I loved the fact that Heather says what she thinks without filter, she just says it. Noah was perfect, he was a real man, so caring and you’ll fall for both of them immediately.
There is an age gap but it didn’t bother me because Heather was so mature and they were meant for each other. I don’t want to spoil the story, there is an unexpected twist and I love the fact that Noah was there to save Heather but he was saved too.
If you’ve never read a Penelope Ward book before, you couldn’t find a better one to start with. WHEN AUGUST ENDS is a hearted, swoony romance with plenty of depth that will stop your heart.
I want to go there! This hot love story made my cabin fever even worse lol I love a good age-gap and When August Ends doesn’t disappoint.
Penelope Ward is one of my unicorn/ go to authors and just when I think I have seen her best she gives me yet another brilliant read and When August Ends is certainly that, it is a must read.
This book has all the feels you want and expect in a great read, a slow burn with characters you will fall in love with, it will captivate you and keep you interested to the very last page.
Noah and Heather stole a piece of my heart and I think if I’m totally honest I’m not going to get it back because their journey will be a story I will read over and over again. I loved Heather’s honestly, I loved how she had no control over blurting out exactly what’s on her mind and the friendship she shared with the man she had fallen for hook line and sinker. What can I say about Noah that hasn’t already been said before he is dark, mysterious and extremely handsome and boy oh boy did I swoon.
Noah may have tried to warn Heather he was too old and wasn’t into relationships but sometimes friendships turn into so much more and love happens when we least expect it.
This book has it all, secrets, lies, second chances as well as rejection but there is also plenty of moments that will leave you smiling so do yourself a favour and one click When August Ends.
Penelope Ward is one of my favorite authors. This book was such a breathe of fresh air. I love Penelope’s writing style. You never know where she is going to take the characters, I loved the unexpected in a story. Heather is a strong young woman in so many ways and she is also vulnerable. I love. The build up between Noah and Heather was slow, it was worth it in the end. This book warmed my heart. I loved every word.
There’s nothing like a story that makes you feel. Noah and Heather had me laughing out loud, gasping, sighing, and even shedding a few tears. There were times when I had butterflies in my stomach, and other times, it was tied in knots!
From the very start, I was all in. Penelope Ward does such an amazing job humanizing her characters. You can’t help but fall in love with them! The silly things they say and the quirky things they do, combined with all the passion and emotion, make it all so real.
Full of humor, heat, and heart, When August Ends is everything I love in a romance read. I have read every single one of this authors stories, and I can’t wait to read what she releases next!
I highly recommend When August Ends as your next read!
Review by Lys
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 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.
Wow! Loved every single page of Heather and Noah’s story. Their story was flawlessly written and heartfelt. Their journey wasn’t an easy one and their was a twist that I definitely didn’t see coming. I can’t find the words to describe how amazing this book was. An absolute must read!
Beautiful slow burn romance I couldn’t put down.
When August Ends by Penelope Ward is the tale of two people whose experience of a summer change their lives. This was a love story for the ages. Heather is stuck caring for mentally ill mother. She had aspirations of being a nurse but is now stuck at the family house. Every summer they rent out the boathouse to offset the cost of living. This summer one person has rented out the house for the entire summer, till the end of August. Thinking no one is in the boathouse Heather goes in to clean only to walk in on a towel clad adonis. She is instantly smitten. I don’t want to give to much away but the age difference along with a few secrets weigh heavily on the attraction between these two people. The journey the two embark on makes for a marvelous read. I love Heather’s feistynes and honestly. She is such a relatable person. Noah is doing his best to stay away from Heather but there is something about her that he just can’t stay away. He is not only good looking, built like a Greek god but a real help to Heather. A man any women would love to have. 5 emotional stars.
Reviewed by Robin
There were just so many feelings running through me reading this story and I literally couldn’t put it down. I felt so sad for Heather and her situation with her mother and what happened with her sister. I felt like she was trapped in her world when she didn’t seem all that upset about it. She’s just so smart and mature for 22 years old and you want to step in and help her. And Noah…his story is just so incredible. This was a fun friends to lover story and made my heart all mushy. It had all that fated, in the stars type of romance for me and I loved every word.
Reviewed by Lindsey
Wow! I am in love with this book! Devoured it in one sitting because I just couldn’t stop. Perfection! Great flow with witty and sassy characters to go along with it. I loved the story so much. Won’t even lie and say I didn’t get a little misty eyed. I did. So worth it! Epic read!!!!
A true binge read. I could not put down. Penelope Ward has done it again with this awesome heartwarming story that pulls at your heartstrings as this story develop. We met twenty year Heather a strong beautiful women who has sacrificed everything for family; who rents the family’s boat house to a Noah handsome older man, a famous photographer with chemistry, attitude, and an alternative motive. The two have immediate spark and Noah tells Heather there is no way they will be together. This is their story as the inevitable happens and Noah gives into chemistry. A story of friendship, trust, fate, loyalty, and love proving age is just a number.