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 BLUSHES**
Heather Chadwick is not your typical 20 year old. She cares for her mother, whose mental illness spiraled after the suicide of her oldest child, the property they live on, an absentee father & a full time job have forced her to put her dreams and her life aside.
Noah Cavallari is running from something. He wants to be left alone. His nosy landlady may be cute but she’s too young for his 34 years so he has no intention of indulging her or her many questions.
Then Heather goes into the boathouse to clean and bumps into sexy half naked Noah fresh out of the shower and EVERYTHING changes. She can’t stop thinking about him and he hates himself for it but he feels the same. They manage to form a real friendship despite the insane attraction.
Things are not as simple as an age difference between two people that are hot for each other. Things start to unravel and we definitely do not see what’s coming.
Penelope Ward has a real special way of writing love stories with a twist. It’s always something fresh and not the usual romcom. When August Ends has a few surprises in store for the reader. Angst galore, heartache, heat and a huge grin by the time I turned the last page.
Love love loved Heather and Noah!
When August ends starts off with a burly, gruff Noah that needed to get away and ends with a softie so in love and it’s just the best. Heather has dealt with a lot in her short life and is such a strong woman, she’s quite inspiring. Their attraction is mutual but Noah has other intentions at first and I loved how they became friends first and foremost.
This is by far one of my top favorite reads from Penelope!
It’s a slow-burn, friends to lovers romance set on a lake AND it’s age gap, one of my favorites! The heroine is 20 and the hero is 34. Great summer romance with heat and a surprising twist.
This slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance from Penelope Ward is gonna wow you! It’s set on a gorgeous lake and has Penelope’s signature addictive style of storytelling. The sexual tension is high between this older man and younger woman. It delivers twists, swoons, laughs and tears. Grab it now!
This slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance is the perfect read for a blustery, frigid, snowed-in sort of day! I loved it!
When August Ends is a sexy, sad, funny, slow burn love story that will give you all the feels with a few surprises thrown in. I found myself laughing out loud and shedding a few tears while reading this one.
Heather is young and has had to give up things that she wanted to do, because she puts her family and their needs first. You would think that she would be bitter, but she is not. She is optimistic, makes the best of a bad situation, and not afraid to speak her mind. Wise beyond her years, she is drawn to Noah from their very first embarrassing meeting.
Noah is confident, sexy, and mysterious. He has rented the boathouse from Heather’s family for the entire summer and even though he is drawn to Heather from the start, he puts his feelings on the back burner, trying to do what is best for her.
I loved this book from the very first page. It is one of those books that you want to know what happens and at the same time you do not want it to end. I highly recommend this one, I bet you even fall in love with Teddy, Bonnie and Clyde.
Five glowing stars for this one!!
Penelope Ward has this gift for taking her readers on some kind of wild emotional ride. Even as the burn was slow, and even as the banter was often more awkward than sparky, I knew there was going to be a moment (or, really, a few moments) where I felt the emotion like a punch to the gut – and that would be a huge game changer.
And boy howdy, was I ever right!
I mean, the book got off to a bit of a wobbly start for me. I was embarrassed for Heather, and didn’t always connect with the choices she made or the awkwardness that kept flying out of her mouth. I wasn’t really sure what to make of the standoffish and slightly prickly Noah. But…they grew on me. As I became more familiar with Heather’s personality, and got a better understanding of her big, beautiful heart, those awkward moments felt less jarring and more endearing. While it took me a little bit longer to embrace Noah’s push/pull approach to Heather, I did love the way he tried to protect her, wanted the best for her, and in the end – how deeply he loved her.
And then the emotional firecrackers started detonating and as the story took its little twists and turns, my heart lept completely on board and I absolutely could not put this book down. It was compelling and interesting. It was heartfelt and touching. It was sexy, sweet, and so so satisfying. It touched on some serious, heartbreaking subject matter and balanced that against the playful, adorable burn that sizzled between Heather and Noah. In the end, it was indeed some kind of wild emotional ride – but it was completely worth every scratch and bruise left on my heart!
4 stars!
When August Ends was such a swoony, sweet and delicious slow burn read. And as the title clearly suggests, it’s set in the summer time and it gave all the warm summer vibes with the lake as a beautiful backdrop.
Heather is twenty years old and takes care of her mother and their boathouse which provides for most of their income.
Heather definitely had to grow on me little by little, as I wasn’t sure how I felt about her in the beginning. Her awkward and sometimes cringe-worthy encounters with our prickly hero – Noah – had me second guessing whether I’d like this story.
But never fear, as the author often does, she writes endearing characters you can’t wait to get to know more about. So as the chapters went by, I was pleasantly surprised at how Heather seemed be much more of bright ray of positivity despite her situation and the sacrifices she’s had to make.
Noah decides to rent the boat house for the entire summer. He’s dreamy and mysterious and Heather can’t help but fall all over herself at the sight of him.
Noah is also much older than her and even though he definitely feels an attraction towards her, he’s determined to never cross that line.
As the days go by, they develop the most genuine friendship and a deep connection that had me swooning hard! It made me forget how there was an age-gap at all.
Penelope writes the friends-to-lovers trope in such a way that the story is always a memorable one.
The books has a nice balance of light and fluffy and so more serious issues that were handled very well.
It’s one sexy summer romance I’d recommend.
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own**
I was riveted from the beginning of this beautiful book and it had my attention throughout the whole storyline!
The characters, namely Noah and Heather hold a place in my heart!
Heather definitely has a lot on her plate but when Noah rents the boathouse her family runs, needless to say you will have a tumultuous ride in store as you read!
I loved Heather’s personality, her ability to just blurt out whats on her mind and the connection that builds between them is so endearing!
Noah came to rent the place and we find out some truths later on!
Decisions, how the heart feels and beautiful friendships all make this the most enjoyable book that will stay in my heart forever!
I especially loved how it ended and the sadness is there but doesn’t distract from a heartwarming romance!
Such a delight to read!
Unlike other Penelope Ward books, this one took a little bit for me to get into it. I think the writing seemed a bit off…or just a bit different from her other works. The structure seemed to be trying to be a bit younger feeling to me…if that makes sense.
But after a while, I was in total Penelope overload and not willing to put the book down.
This was an entertaining story. It’s been described as a friends to lovers troupe but I don’t really agree with this description. Yes, Noah and Heather do become great friends, but that is not how their relationship started off. In fact, Heather is immediately drawn to Noah in a sexual nature during their first meeting. And she goes as far as to tell Noah. She does not beat around the bush but is very blatant at her attraction. I think it was this blatant behavior that I really liked in Heather’s. character.
Noah on the other hand tells Heather that he is not here to have a relationship with her. That his time is limited until the end of the summer. He even goes on to promise Heather’s mother that he is not interested in a relationship with Heather…and she is skeptical.
These are some interesting characters with a unique and interesting connection. But of course, you have to read 90% of the story before their connection is revealed…and I’m not about to spoil it here.
In typical Penelope Ward fashion, readers are intrigued by her characters and their story and When August Ends doesn’t fail to intrigue. A worthy read for any romance fan.
Heather is a little fire cracker. A little peculiar. And a ton of fun. Her non filter mouth was an art in itself. The awkward confidence she had was so much fun to read. And Noah’s inabilities to “stay away” was comical. He put up a good front though. This story had to elements. Heartbreak. Laughter. Excitement. Angst. Anguish. Happiness. It had everything. There were only one character in this whole story that I didn’t absolutely adore. Luckily he played as much of a role in the story as he did his daughters life. Which wasn’t much.
Sometimes, even in the messiest of times, life gives you exactly what you needs. And usually when you aren’t ready or looking for it. Hello, meet Noah and Heather. It takes quite a bit of time to get Noah’s backstory. All we know for the longest time is how he’s the temperamental hot guy renting the boathouse from Heather. While he broods, Heather lusts. Based on this premise, the story took a bit for me to take off, let alone suck me in. What really begin to strike a cord with me is despite Heather’s age and inexperience, she was ready to take on the world. Her tenacity and bright outlook on her less-than-sunny situation is what made me stay the course.
Noah was a bit like a hot grumpy ogre who fought every attempt to peel back his layers. But when they started coming off, you see that he’s anything but an ogre. He’s a bit tortured, carrying around years of guilt over multiple situations. And for once, he was seeking to make something right. And the lake was the first step in making things okay in his life again.
I was a bit taken aback by the age difference between Heather and Noah at first. However, when you meet someone and realize that you’ve found the other half of your soul, well…age doesn’t matter. There are some great moments of levity (I *need* to dance in a lake to awesome 80s & 90s music at least once in my life!) to pair with those moments of deep intensity.
Overall, this wasn’t my favorite pair by Penelope Ward, but I sure enjoyed seeing where she would take them.
I loved everything about this book! Penelope Ward’s writing is so seamless and eloquent that it is so easy to get transfixed so very deep in the very souls of the characters she writes. As in many of her books, there is an important theme/message and in this one it is relating to depression. Heather has sacrificed her childhood and now going to college to care for her mother who suffers from debilitating depression. Not much happens in this picture perfect lakeside community and things spark up when Noah comes into town and rents out their boat house for the summer. To say the two don’t actually hit it off at first is an understatement and then the miscommunications are just down right funny. But despite the age difference and the mad crush Heather has for Noah which appears to be unrequited they develop an easy friendship. But as the summer ensues, the chemistry between these two turns from a slow burn to a raging inferno and it is sexy hot! But things are complicated and it’s not just about when August ends there is so much more. Seriously a top favorite for 2019!!!
When August Ends will pull at your heartstrings!
Heather who is the type of person who takes cares if others before herself.
Noah is kind hearted person just don’t make him mad.
These two they have the greatest friendship, Heather is always throwing hints out and coming out saying how much she like him.
Noah is on a mission, once you read what it is, you better have your tissues ready. After the truth comes out the dynamic of their friendship changes.
This book brought back so many emotions for me personally. When you see someone who needs help, please help!
Loved their story and I really didn’t want it to end.
Heather puts her dreams on hold to take care of her mother. When Noah moves into her family’s summer rental, things start to look up. She’s instantly attracted to Noah. Noah tries to fight his attraction because he is a bit older than Heather but it becomes futile. The attraction starts to become too much for both of them. But he has a secret as to what brought him to the lake. When Heather finds out the reason he’s there, will she still feel the same way about Noah? I don’t want to give anything away but I can say I really liked this book. But I love all of Penelope’s books so I knew this would be an amazing book too. There were moments when I laughed and moments that made me cry. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t enjoy about this book. Loved every second of it.
WHEN AUGUST ENDS by Penelope Ward is a slow burn romance. Noah and Heather’s romance is a beautiful story. Heather is 20 years old while Noah is a bit older than her. Heather meets Noah while she is at this cross purpose in her life. Noah is this wonderfully self confident man who shows up , having rented out a place for the summer which is how Heather and him meet. Their story soon takes off and becomes a slow burn romance. Does it just stay this steamy summer fling or become something more, something deeper?
Make sure to keep tissues handy for I cried and laughed and swooned at Noah and Heather’s epic love story. Penelope Ward has done it again with this beautiful, heartfelt romance that will touch your heart and soul.
My Rating: 4.7 stars ******
Amazing slow burn with all the feels!! Move this one to the top of your TBR list now.
A new slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance from Penelope Ward…and it has an age gap This a standalone every reader needs on her shelf!
Get ready for Noah to steal your heart! Penelope Ward has just written my new favorite! Heather is truly a heroine who you will fall in love with too! This book has all the feels—it will break your heart and it will piece it back together! I wish I could give it the million stars that it deserves! With a dog nicknamed Fathead and two gerbils named Bonnie and Clyde, you know your heart will be stolen. Run, don’t walk, to get this book! 5 amazeball stars
If there was one thing you’d learn from this novel is that – good things come to those who wait and that friendship is the best foundation for successful relationships.
Heather is an amazing girl. She had sacrifice so much for her family. She manages the boat rental that they have. So when an older man rented it for a month, she took a fancy on him. He was something else, a bit mysterious and way too hot. But he turned her down when she decided to be honest (thank goodness) and instead offered his help to fix everything that needs to be fixed. I like her personality. She’s bubbly and VERY, VERY HONEST. To a fault. And despite the fact that life throws sh** at her, she thrives, and soon, she’ll win.
Noah is simply great. I was glad he didn’t take advantage of Heather. Instead, he helped her with whatever he can and enjoyed their friendship and their daily small takes. He’d build her confidence and save her every now and then. Although, he couldn’t help but be attracted to her. What was stopping him, wasn’t just the age, but a secret as well. And no way did I even think of THAT kind of secret he was keeping from her. OMG.
You’d fall in love with Heather and Noah, and though there’s the issue of “age-gap”, it won’t make readers cringe. Penelope did an amazing job getting the both of them together. She didn’t push it, she allowed friendship and romance to simmer before she decided to FINALLY get the both of them together.
One great slow-burn romance with sprinkle of drama, mystery and steam – Penelope Ward makes WHEN AUGUST ENDS a perfect read!