My Thoughts
Sigh…  Here are my pros and cons for One Perfect Summer:

Pros

1. Very interesting premise. The synopsis grabbed my attention for sure.

Cons

1. This book is so incredibly repetitive. Every chapter is basically a rehash of the previous chapters – Serenity has a horrible husband, Lorelei has a horrible husband, Reagan has a horrible lover. It is just one big pity party! Even though they have reason to hate their partners, this kind of repetitive plot just isn’t enjoyable for me at all.
2. The “good-looking neighbor/infatuation” storyline with one of the characters was not believable.
3. The whole family tree mystery (the entire reason I wanted to read this book in the first place) fell super flat for me. They barely even addressed it until the very end of the book. Super disappointing.
4. I didn’t feel like the sisters even bonded in the book. One sister was on her phone texting most of the time, another was at the neighbor’s house, and the third was running back to her regular home to take care of other things. The entire book felt like a collection of disjointed vignettes to me – it just never came together.

Summary
This is a perfectly decent book and I’m sure many people would read it and like it. I am, unfortunately, not one of those people. I don't dislike women’s fiction per se, but this one was not my cup of tea.

Thank you NetGalley and HARLEQUIN-MIRA for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It has an interesting premise, and the story leaned heavily on the sisters' mysterious beginning. I loved how we learned about each of the sisters gradually, but towards the end extra pieces of information were added almost as a second thought, as if the author forgot to mention them earlier. As for the resolution to the mystery of the sisters' connection, only in the literally last 5% of the novel do we find out how they are related, and even that as a rushed, almost thrown in solution.

The ending, yes, is unexpected and I wouldn't have guessed it, but maybe less build-up, and more telling how they coped with what they found out. There was a lot, and I mean, a lot of information thrown in my face in the last few pages, coming from an unexpected source, and I needed time to process it all, but alas! I had no time because the novel ended. Funny enough, one of the characters is an author and she says at some point that the ending always goes faster than the beginning. This applies to this novel as well, because by the 90% mark it seemed the author was ready to wrap up this novel. That must have been a bit tricky because it touched up on a lot of heavy topics, some put there as if to cover all mandatory points in a novel. Hence the unbelievable ending.

I knew I was reading a women's story when all the men were described as good looking, the perfect height so their female love interst could rest their pretty head on their broad chest (I'm paraphrasing here). Speaking of love interests, I am glad not all three sisters ended up in a perfectly tied romantic relationship; this keeps things more reality-grounded. There are the expected cliches in a novel in this genre, but in times of global pandemics, I knew this was what I wanted, so no judging here.

Overall it's an engaging story, albeit a tad too many characters. I think we could have done without all three brothers next door, and maybe the novel as a whole could have been about 50 pages shorter. It's a light novel, with some depth; in a word, a feel-good novel.

Brenda Novak delivers another thought-provoking book. The storyline is very relevant to today’s world with modern medicine.

4.5 stars

I have to say, this storyline was unique and instantly drew me into the book. I found each individual story of the sisters interesting, and their story with each other fascinating. There was a lot going on in this story, all of it kept me turning the pages.

I especially loved Lorelei’s story. This book seems to give more insight into her than the other sisters. In fact, that’s my only issue with this book…I felt there were threads that started that didn’t get a good conclusion.

While we know the stories of all the ladies, sometimes things were mentioned in passing that made me more curious. It’s hard to explain. It’s nothing that detracts from the story. I guess I feel that if this would have been a series in 3 parts, each focusing on one sister but still being a story of them all, the author could have delved deeper into the smaller details that left me wanting more.

Don’t misunderstand; this is a wonderful tale of three women discovering their true selves. Not just in the outward manner of DNA and sisterhood, but they all have to dig deep to decide what is truly important to them. They all have to let go of their outer shells in order to find their own true happiness. It’s a beautiful journey for them all.

4 stars / This review will be posted at BookwormishMe.com on [Date] .


DNA tests are all the rage right now. But what if you find unexpected results when you take one? Serenity took one for a book she was writing and found out she had two half siblings. Now the three of them are meeting at Serenity’s family cabin in Lake Tahoe to figure out what’s next. How do they solve the mystery of their relation - and who are their parents?

Serenity has a picture perfect family in California, mom and dad and brothers and sisters. Reagan was raised by a New York fashion designer with no desire to have kids. Lorelai was found wandering the streets of Orlando at two. What connects these three individuals?

The novel is told by four characters - Serenity, Reagan, Lorelai and the Lake Tahoe next door neighbor, Finn. Novak, who is quite the prolific author, does a wonderful job of navigating what it would be like to suddenly find out you have siblings. She brings three very different individuals, each with her own set of problems and life experiences, together and makes them a family. Just like any family, this won’t be without some trials.

As an adoptee this book screamed out to me. I too took a DNA test and found my birth family. Real life, so the book had a lot to live up to! I wasn’t disappointed at all. The mystery surrounding their births, the personal issues that each woman has to face, all of it was riveting to read. I loved this book. Well written and inspiring in many ways. Novak wrote a fictional novel that brings together all the elements of finding your new family.

A book about a girl who does a DNA test and finds out she has two sisters. They spend the summer to get know each other. I think this is my first book by this author. It was a good story that grabbed my attention from the start. Definitely recommend. Thanks to the publisher for the early copy

One Perfect Fictionalized Story Of Real World Concerns. I picked this book up the instant I read the description because it seemed like it would be working through in novel form many of the same issues Libby Copeland raised in her nonfiction book The Lost Family, which released about a month before this one will. (Yes, this is yet another book I'm reading as an ARC, and my reviews are my own honest thoughts no matter how I acquire a book or when I read it in relation to its official publication date.) I was not disappointed in that regard at all, and if anything this book actually did a better job of truly exploring these complexities than the nonfiction book did, if only because in novel form it is much easier to express just how messy these situations can be from so many angles. Yes, you may get answers - but those answers in these cases... well, many of them were buried for very good reasons. And then there are the people who just do these DNA kits on a lark to "find out where they're from" or some such - which is actually how one of our lead protagonists arrives in this situation, highlighting the stark realities of how serious even taking one of these tests can be. Truly an excellent work grounded in real world research and even real world situations, as the nonfiction book shows. Very much recommended.

I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on April 7, 2020

What else can I say but WOW!!! This book was one of her best books ever and believe me when I say I have read probably 55 of her books at least that is saying a lot. I found this book heart wrenching at times, it grabbed me for the first paragraph and never let me go. For me a book that can pull me in and tug at all my emotions is hard to find, yet this one certainly did that for me. I recommend this book for everyone to read, it is amazing.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy from NetGalley and the Harlequin- Mira, and this is my fair and honest review.

Serenity takes an AncestryDNA test, not expecting to find anything and discovers two half sisters. They correspond and decide to spend a week together at Serenity’s cabin on Lake Tahoe. All three have their problems and struggles. Serenity’s husband is in prison for child pornography charges. Serenity was the one who found the photos on his computer and testified against him. Reagan is attracted to a co-worker and had a one night stand with him. Lorelei is married with one child, Lucy, and she just discovered her husband is having an affair with her best friend who is pregnant with his baby. The three decide to spend the whole summer together at the cabin. A riveting story about how the three deal with their problems and how they begin bonding as sisters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A DNA test is taken on a lark and life changes for three women.

It all begins when Serenity Alston takes a DNA test for research in her latest crime novel. She’s stunned, when the results reveal she has two half sisters. After corresponding, and as each find themselves on the brink of personal crises, the three women agree to meet in person at Serenity’s cabin in scenic Lake Tahoe. These three women with very different backgrounds, living in very different parts of the country, are all drawn together in the most unexpected way and have to confront not only their own personal issues, but the mystery of their shared DNA and newfound relationship. Their interactions at first are stilted and awkward as they try to navigate this new bond while being virtual strangers. I can’t say that I agreed with all their stances on their particular issues and I found them to each be a bit frustrating and abrasive at times, but it was intriguing to see their relationships develop despite these unusual circumstances.

This story deals with the complexities of relationships, unmet expectations, life tragedies and what being a family really means. Despite the title, this novel is not a light, fluffy read. It definitely deals with some darker topics that depict the more deplorable aspects of human nature. That said, the writing is easy to read, the setting is picturesque, and the story has mystery, family drama, the range of human emotions, as well as a scientific aspect. It is a surprisingly long story and could have been condensed to keep the pace flowing, and it meanders at times from the main plot point, but overall it was a thought-provoking moving story.

This book starts out with three almost-strangers who are, in fact, sisters. Half sisters who, until, the year before, had no knowledge of each other. The story delves into each of their lives separately and the issues that each sister is dealing with and how that brings them closer together.

From the beginning the reader isn't told who their real parents are or what happened. Along with the characters, we're left to wonder what the backstory is.

But, that mystery didn't take away from the story of these three sisters and their building their relationships, even in the midst of their differences and the walls they all have to bring down.

I am impressed with how the author approached this subject. I'm mostly impressed with how the relationships between family took center-stage even when there were pressing issues at hand.

My first read by Ms. Novak but definitely not my last!

One Perfect Summer is a study in how the connection we have, both biological and through choosen relationships, can not only shape our futures but also get us through our darkest hours. Through the seemingly magic of DNA, we can find our history. But we can also heal our futures. Brenda Novak continues to take realistic, relatable topics and spend them into stories that not only entertain but makes us think. And lasts on the edges of our memory for days to come.

This is a heartwarming story. It's about finding strength and yourself. The characters are interesting and complex. The premise is one I believe many readers will relate to. I myself was found by half siblings through one of the DNA programs. This book hits all the notes and accurately describes what it's like to go through this. This is one I will read many times.

Novak definitely wrote a new hit with One Perfect Summer! Sisterhood for the win - even if it wasn't easy for any of them.
I loved the premise of three women finding each other after taking a DNA test. And none of them knew they actually had a half sister. Serenity, Reagan and Lorelei looked like sisters, but they were still very different.
The fact that they were so different definitely brought up the question of nature and nurture, and it also showed how our environment can become almost hardwired to our emotions.

LOVED it!!! I really could not put this one down. It was touching and just an all around fun read. Such a full and incredible story that most everyone would enjoy.

Loved the book! Great strong female characters you can enjoy. A summer for three strangers to bond and learn about each other and to discover how they are half sisters. Each came with serious life issues, all three wanted to find out the mystery of how they are related. I think you will really enjoy this book. It has love, deception, bonding and mystery. Great beach read. Thank you NetGalley, Brenda Novak and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC this is my honest opinion. I’d buy this book for my friends.

Brenda Novak has knocked it out of the park once again!

One Perfect Summer centers around 3 half sister who just recently learned of each others existence! After submitting their DNA to 23andMe and finding out they were half siblings they start corresponding with each other and eventually meet in Lake Tahoe for a sisterly week long meetup. Well a week turns unto a whole summer, and not only do the women bond as sisters they also find clarity in other areas of their lives!

Simply put, I just didn’t want this book to end. As in, I am hoping beyond hope that Brenda Novak will make this book into a series! The storyline was fast paced with an addictive 5 star storyline! Brenda Novak has created incredibly endearing characters (and supporting characters) that will worm your way in your heart! One Perfect Summer is a fantastic combination of women’s fiction, romance, and mystery—truly something for everyone!

Another great read by Novak. This is a story about finding family in unexpected ways and the way family can lift and support us when life is piling on the challenges. This is the story of three half sisters who find each other after online DNA testing, All three are facing different challenges in their personal lives but decide to meet to get to know each other and to figure out how they are related. I enjoyed the three sisters, all of whom were the focus of different chapters. Overall, another wonderful read by Novak who continues to be one of my favorite authors. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ms. Novak has crafted a wonderful, sweet family saga. I couldn't put this down.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ms. Novak's latest novel will have us the readers wondering do we ever know our family members. Serenity finds out that she has two half sisters she did not know about after having her DNA checked. So begins this novel where her two other half sisters Regan Loreli along with her daugher comes to Lake Tahoe for the summer to stay in Serenity family's summer home. All three woman have live different lives. Serenity grew up in a lovely home with a mother and father, Regan comes from a single mother and Loreli grew up in foster care. As the woman enjoy their summer they all tried to combine their information to find how is possible they are all related and which one of their parents is truly their parents. Although this is the main storyline they are also other subplots that are discussed there is a spousal cheating, an accused pedophile and accidental pregnancy all of this Ms. Novak has written making us the reader sift through each page what will be reveal next. A great foray of women's fiction novel by the author. Review on goodreads and eventually amazon.