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A review by aksmith92
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Setup: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune is a contemporary romance that explores themes of forbidden love, self-discovery, and the complexities of friendship. The story follows Lucy, who regularly vacations with her best friend, Bridget, on Prince Edward Island (PEI). During one of these visits, Lucy has a spontaneous and passionate encounter with a charming local named Felix, only later to discover that he is Bridget's younger brother - a fact previously unknown to her because of a nickname he goes by.
The novel delves into the ensuing tension as Lucy and Felix grapple with their undeniable chemistry while striving to keep their relationship hidden from Bridget over the years. Their interactions are marked by a magnetic attraction, leading to clandestine meetings that challenge their resolve to maintain boundaries. Fortune's vivid depiction of PEI enriches the narrative, immersing readers in the island's picturesque landscapes and enhancing the romantic atmosphere.
What I Liked: This book was a pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. While I still had some qualms (it is a romance book, after all), I thought this was a nice take on a rom-com. I waffled between giving it a 3.5 or a 4.0 for a while and decided to hang with a 3.5 only because the last quarter fell just a bit flat for me. Regardless, I still enjoyed this, mostly because I felt the characters were decently fleshed out, and the description of PEI was entertaining. I also must admit that the writing and prose flowed, and I was hooked. I read this quite quickly and enjoyed the act of reading it. There was great chemistry between Lucy and Felix, and I did enjoy their relationship, especially the tension in the beginning and middle.
What Missed the Mark? I mean, besides Lucy not knowing about Felix as Bridget's brother, which I actually didn't give too much thought to because rom-coms sometimes don't make too much sense, I think overall, the wrap-up of the book was "eh." I'm unsure why, and I can't share too much without giving it away, but I wasn't sold on a relationship for a while. I loved their meeting, and the tension built throughout the middle, but the end simply didn't do it for me. Maybe the characters regressed just a bit, leading to unbelievable actions or ones that didn't make a lot of sense.
Still, I found this to be a great fun read. While I didn't read it in the summer, I think it had great cottage and water vibes. Overall, I still liked it a lot!
The novel delves into the ensuing tension as Lucy and Felix grapple with their undeniable chemistry while striving to keep their relationship hidden from Bridget over the years. Their interactions are marked by a magnetic attraction, leading to clandestine meetings that challenge their resolve to maintain boundaries. Fortune's vivid depiction of PEI enriches the narrative, immersing readers in the island's picturesque landscapes and enhancing the romantic atmosphere.
What I Liked: This book was a pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. While I still had some qualms (it is a romance book, after all), I thought this was a nice take on a rom-com. I waffled between giving it a 3.5 or a 4.0 for a while and decided to hang with a 3.5 only because the last quarter fell just a bit flat for me. Regardless, I still enjoyed this, mostly because I felt the characters were decently fleshed out, and the description of PEI was entertaining. I also must admit that the writing and prose flowed, and I was hooked. I read this quite quickly and enjoyed the act of reading it. There was great chemistry between Lucy and Felix, and I did enjoy their relationship, especially the tension in the beginning and middle.
What Missed the Mark? I mean, besides Lucy not knowing about Felix as Bridget's brother, which I actually didn't give too much thought to because rom-coms sometimes don't make too much sense, I think overall, the wrap-up of the book was "eh." I'm unsure why, and I can't share too much without giving it away, but I wasn't sold on a relationship for a while. I loved their meeting, and the tension built throughout the middle, but the end simply didn't do it for me. Maybe the characters regressed just a bit, leading to unbelievable actions or ones that didn't make a lot of sense.
Still, I found this to be a great fun read. While I didn't read it in the summer, I think it had great cottage and water vibes. Overall, I still liked it a lot!