Summer Return by Elise Ackers, she is a new author to me and was looking forward to discovering someone new. This book takes place in Australia so there is some getting used to a bit of difference in the language but as you read, you adjust (I live in the US.). The main story is of two brothers who are torn apart after the death of their parents when they were teenagers. The youngest brother leaves town at 18 and takes with him a secret... this secret is slowly destroying him but he keeps it to protect those around him, despite the harm is has done to his older brother and feeds a not great opinion of him in the townspeople's eyes. Another family tragedy brings him back into town and this time he stays - trying to re-establish his relationships, both with his brother, his brother's family, friends, lost loves and the town. I wanted to love this book, but I didn't. I did like it and am interested in reading the next book in the series but the story never really got into the characters, you want to love the characters, root for the underdog, truly live their emotions and that doesn't happen. It stays too much on the surface of the emotions and feelings of Ethan, Sam, Caleb, etc

Overall this way an easy read to sit back with and relax. I enjoyed the different characters and their development, but there were times when I wanted more from them. The story was told in third person omniscient, so perhaps it was covering too many characters, whereas I wanted to focus more on Ethan and Sam. It made me want to speed up their interactions too and get to the goods so to speak. Since I'm a romantic I wanted to explore their relationship more instead of feeling like I only got the tip of the iceberg.

With that being said, I did like how the author kept the entire story pretty much PG13. I don't need smut, not that I'm opposed either, but it's nice to read a story that does the old fashioned fade-to-black on sex scenes. Lately it seems like too many authors are trying to out-do each other on how ronchy they can make them. Honestly it just ruins the joy I find in reading romantic chicklit. I read for the warm fuzzies it gives me as I watch two characters overcome their differences or develop a relationship... not for the sex. So kudos to this author for keeping the story clean.

The story as a whole could've been expanded on to build the characters more and give their interactions, as well as development room to breathe. By the end of any book I really want to feel like I've gotten to know the characters, but in this case I felt like I was just barely getting to know them by the time it was over. However, it did make me want more and I did notice that the story is part of a series so maybe that exploration of characters will expand as each story goes on?

Something positive I'll take away from the story is when Ethan was explaining to the kids how they will have goodbyes, but one day they'll discover hellos. I thought that was sweet and something that can be applied in real life when we lose a loved one.

Overall, I feel this book has something that a lot of people will like, love, family, conflict, acceptance and forgiveness.

Summer Return is a very well written book. I enjoyed the plot and the Australian setting. The author was new to me and I liked the writing style.

I really enjoyed this book. It had by emotions in turmoil . I smiled, i cried, my heart ached and at some parts I even laughed out loud. Taking place in a small town, it had all the charm that comes with it. Friends, neighbors loyalty. Summer Returns leaves with a sense of family and loyalty. How a town comes together when things go wrong and it shows at what length family will got to protect others.

Ethan Foster goes back to his hometown after tragedy strikes. Following the unexpected death of his sister-in-law, he must decide if he wants to stick around for good. Having been away for the better part of 11 years, he's left a lot of anguish behind. His brother is resentful, while his neice and nephew want to get to know the uncle they've rarely seen. Sam, the woman he once loved, must decide if she wants to allow him into her heart again. I enjoyed this book quite a lot. You see the characters change grow and learn not everything is as it seems. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

Setting in small town in Australia. Ethan is coming back to his home town to attend his sister-in-law's funeral. Since he left his home town twelve years ago, he hasn't stayed long enough to stay..
Small town with rumor mill going nuts, Ethan was known as trouble maker in the town and they believed he left town because he was trouble maker. Finally back in town but everyone is suspecting he will be leaving as soon as funeral is over.
When Samantha "Sammy doll" finds Ethan at Dean's house during her best friends wake, she was surprise to see him and not. She assumed he will be leaving soon and it is breaking her heart again.
Ethan's brother Dean's kids (Rowan and Nina) is warming up to him and slowly he wants them in his life. But will he have a heart to stay....

This book had so many potential to become more interesting book but it felt short. I wish there was more story between Sam and Ethan. It kept changing voice from Ethan and Dean.. I wasn't sure if it was more about Ethan or Dean.

Set in Australia, this book finds Ethan returning home for his sister-in-law's funeral after her untimely death. it has been 12 years since Ethan first took off on the heals of his parents death leaving his brother Dean and Ethan with the local garage. Ethan's discovery, which he won't divulge to anyone, leaves him broken hearted and angry as he drives away from his childhood home. Samantha O'Hara still loves him after all the times he has left her behind. He has been back for major events but never to stay - but that is because no one ever asked him to.

It took me awhile to get into the book, but once I did it was fairly quick. I didn't find a strong connection between Ethan and Sammy-doll, the relationship he built with Rowan and Nina felt closer than with Sam. I also found the stained relationship between Dean and Ethan to be odd, once Ethan divulges the secret, it becomes apparent but in the interim it was stilted for no apparent reason.

It was okay

I really wanted to like this book because of the premise. This story had much potential but it could never take off. I didn't find myself caring for the characters whatsoever nor did I find the relationship between Sam and Ethan interesting. I think the author had an opportunity to take this story places but it just couldn't get there.

4.5 stars
loved the story, it flowed.

I got this book free for and honest review from netgalley. This is another new author to me but the story is well written and and enjoyable read. So much so that I wanted to see what happened at the end. The main person in the book is Ethan he come back to town for his sister in laws funeral (you'll have to read the book to see how she died). Ethan left town when his mum and dad died when he was 19 and his brother was 16. He left town with secrets which were not his you'll have to read to to find that out to. Ethan's brother Dean has two kids a son Rowan and the youngest is Nina. Also when Ethan left he had a sort of girlfriend Samantha O'Hara but he calls her 'Sammy-doll' which is his nick name for her, he also did not tell her why he left town when he did. Sam has a brother called Call he find out some about him but his story is next. I am looking forward to his book to see who his love interest is. I would highly recommend this to book to others to read its a good read.