When I saw that this book was being described as perfect for fans of Jenny Han I knew I had to request it. This book definitely lived up to my expectations. It was such a fun contemporary. Highly recommend.

It was an average read. It was very predictable and the characters were underdeveloped. It just wasn't for me

This book was so refreshing. I am 30 years old and still love a great YA book. If you like Jenny Han then you'll love this one. A perfect summer read.

Your perfect beach or vacay read. I read it in one weekend! I loved that it’s YA too... themes of self-discovery, love, etc. Flushed out characters are hard to find in contemporary YA rom-coms, but Meredith is perfection. I really appreciated the witty dialogue abs writing style! Can’t wait to recommend this to my high school students!

The Summer of Broken Rules was a lovely escape not only for Meredith but for me as well. For a few hours, I was at Martha's Vineyard enjoying a week-long game of assassin with a close-knit family while celebrating a wedding and on the edge of a potential relationship. It provided an unexpected but welcomed distraction from reality.

Assassin as a family tradition was the initial draw for me, and the game did not disappoint. Not only was it hilarious to see the lengths players would go to "kill" each other, the things individuals did to avoid their assassins were just as amusing. It also allowed the book to be more light-hearted than it could have been with Meredith still trying to navigate life without her sister. Walther realistically portrays what grief is like, not as something that is overcome, but something we live with daily; it's constant. It can hit any moment as it does to Meredith throughout the week as her happy moments on the island are often interspersed with bouts of grief.

Forming from a need to talk to someone about Claire who isn't a friend or family is Meredith's relationship with Wit. Without an expectation of what their relationship means, Wit and Meredith are generally honest in their interactions with each other. I enjoyed their banter and the positive changes he incited in her, helping her recognize what she'd been missing in her previous relationship as well as offering her a peek at what it means to immediately and effortlessly click with someone. The evolution of their relationship, even though it was only a week, felt genuine, as though it could lead to something long-lasting.

The Summer of Broken Rules is one of my favorite May reads. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light read that will offer a momentary escape from life's obligations. (4.5 rounded to 5 stars)

It's a good book. I didn't love it, but it was a fine way to pass the time. Nothing groundbreaking or unique. Just exactly what you expect from a light read.

4.5/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I had a wonderful time reading this book. I didn't know what to expect going into this book and was blown away. The writing was great, the characters were easy to connect to and I could visualize the setting. I loved that the heart of this book is family. It's about picking yourself up from loss and letting those around you in. I had so many emotions while reading it. I was swooning one moment then wanting to cry the next. I also completely adored the assassination game that is played in the book is a game I played in high school and it was awesome! Overall a fantastic read and I highly recommend it!

KL Walther is one of my new most favorite authors. This book is even better than her last, and is a great piece of summer in what feels like a winter that's lasted for about a year and a half or so. It's sweet and fun but also a sensitive portrayal of grief.

I will definitely read everything KL Walther writes. These books have been among my favorites of their respective years.

This was such an adorable YA read. I loved it so much and couldn’t wait to be able to pick it back up! I physically swooned a few times with Mer and Wit. They are the perfect summer love story/couple. Mer has been through so much with the loss of her sister, and Wit was just what she needed.

My favorite part about this book was the traditional family Assassin game. Holy shit did I want to jump into this book and play along with my own super soaker! How friggen fun! Brilliant addition to this story.

This novel was the perfect amount of heart, happiness, hurt, healing, and hope (hello H’s!). I loved it.

Thank you so much to @sourcebooksfire and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review ❤️

No Rate.
DNF: 35%
I was so happy when I received this book. I liked the concept and I thought it would be a nice read.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t connect with the writing. There was too much happening at the same time, the structure of the chapters was all over the place, long and slow.
The concept of ‘family time” was a great idea especially in a Y/A book, but it was too many people all the time that it was difficult to follow each of them or to even care.
The protagonist was another thing, I can handle whiny, but this was another level, especially when she cries, It felt so fake.
The sister’s death was so sad, and I get it was part of a process, however, thoughts about her came out of the blue moment and all the time without any sense.
I’m so disappointed, but I couldn’t go further into the story. Maybe I’m not patient enough.

This book was so cute! A perfect teen summer com-com, one of my personal favorite genres. I have never read a book by K.L. Walther before but now I'm definitely going to check out her other books. This was also so much realer than just a fluffy rom com though. The characters were suffering from real loss and other life dilemmas, and their struggles were so relatable. PLUS the Martha's Vineyard setting was so beautiful and fun. I definitely recommend this book for a fun summer read. Thank you Netgalley and Sourcefire books for the ARC!

Star Rating: —> 5 Stars

Ahhh! You're telling me that there was a YA contemporary rom-com that actually lived up to my massive expectations/ absolute NEEDS?! WOOHOO!

If you're looking for something that has a sugary sweet, with depth in flavor like a well made a sea salt caramel cupcake vibe... look no further ! This may (WILL DEFINITELY)fill the craving that you're having, because I swear there is a science that lies behind these types of super successful (IMO) rom-coms, but it also felt like it went one step further for me (which is saying A LOT), & felt so ultimately authentic & real, as well!

***drumroll please!!!***

THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES IS A WINNER, GUYS!

It truly FEELS like K.L. Walther bottled up summer, used a water gun to spritz/soak each page with it, and then finally let it dry onto the pages of her book!

I mean, is it REALLY too great a set of expectations for a YA rom-com to be/have (everything this book is):

– actually laugh out loud funny at all the right times
– smiles or happy tears most of the rest of the way
– emotional & relatable especially if there's been a traumatic event (there has been, in this book 🥺)
– golden WIT—lots of it... gotta love that back & forth & the chemistry it creates(!)
– filled with juuust the right amount of romance that makes your heart swoon & swoon & swoon some more (either slow burn or even insta-love as long as it works & makes sense to the story, idc)
– amazing family and/or friend dynamics,
– diversity
– in a fun setting/ have a fun premise
– a fabulous either HEA/HFN ending that makes you happy AF & feel like you're floating
ANDDDDD
– just an absolute blast to read the whole way through?!?

Okay it kind of is a big ask there😅, but this book truly has it ALL. All o' the above, my friends!

So let's talk the main character, MER & the love interest/ main supporting character, WIT
('Cause I can't help it if you look like an angel,
can't help it if I want to kiss you in the rain, so... ' #swiftieeeees where you at?!)

THEY ARE SO FREAKING SWEET & PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER! I was smiling at every encounter, it was love at first kick in the face, for me ;) ! I just wanted moremoremore at all times, and I def got what I came for ! :))
WOOOO #HITCHMETOWITRY! ;););)

The Fox family is truly THE BESTTTTTT. Their dynamic holds the bindings of this book together! It's just EVERYTHING!
Every character has their quirks & I loved them all; they are all also so real & relatable!

This book just had me sittin' happy with a huge grin on my face the entire time I read it & well after, and happy with sappy tears available at any given moment, for any & every little cute thing (that's just who I am, okay?! Don't judge me!).

I honestly ADORED & LOVED every moment of this novel! It is just SUCH a FUNNNN read! Also, the author is a swiftie soooo... yes, you heard it here, there are a few fun passing refs, and one big nod!
So basically... that's just like the cherry on top for me!

The author ALSO just has wonderful taste in music in general (I repeat: SWIFTIE IN THE HOUSEEEE, so duhhh), & created a Spotify playlist for this book that is just freaking BEYOND SPOT ON, & is aptly titled the same as the book. :)
You can find said accompanying Spotify playlist HEREEE: The Summer Of Broken Rules Official Playlist
EVERY single song & the culmination of said songs honestly made the reading experience just PERFECTION— rom-com NIRVANAAA.
I loved it SO much. If you have to (or just like to) listen to music while reading like I do, I am so happy you will get to experience this treat while reading, it's like pairing the perfect wine to go with each course of a long, fancy schmancy, DELICIOUS, meal! It's an experience!

I truly just loved this book SODAMNMUCH!! I had to get the word out there, so you all can have the BLASTTT that I had while reading this!

** Really quickly though I want to mention— TW// Death of a family member **

I wholeheartedly recommend this book & its antics to anyone & everyone!

It is so much fun, & just so, so adorable, but also SO REALLLL!

How do I sign up to be a part of Meredith Fox’s world? Her life isn’t perfect, but a whole lot about it is pretty darn terrific.

Seriously, almost everything in this novel is idyllic. The descriptions of Martha’s Vineyard made me want to book a vacation to New England immediately, just to experience the island. The Fox family is amazing, from their “farm” (read family compound—these folks are clearly not hurting for money) to their sometimes quirky behavior, which manifests most obviously in the game of Assassin that they play every summer. (Who wouldn’t love to participate in what is essentially a days-long strategic water fight?) Their friends are almost all wonderful, too, as is the family that Meredith’s cousin Sarah is marrying into. That includes the groom’s stepbrother, Wit, who is smart and handsome and funny; it’s no wonder that Meredith falls for him in a heartbeat. Together, she and Wit make a tremendously adorable couple.

What keeps this book from being totally unrelatable for those of us who don’t live charmed lives is the fact that Meredith is still struggling with grief over the death of her sister Claire, who was killed by a drunk driver over a year ago. A major part of the plot involves her slowly letting go of her sorrow over the course of a healing week with her extended family and her newfound love on the island that was her sister's favorite place in the world. Meredith's sadness felt very real to me, and I appreciated the depth her grieving added to the storyline.

Meredith's grief over Claire's loss doesn't weigh down the book, though. Much of the narrative is light and cute and funny. And as an added bonus for fans of the author's previous novel, Luke, Charlie, Sage, and Nick from If We Were Us pop up at various points in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I think it would make a great summer read for anyone who likes contemporary YA.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

‘The Summer of Broken Rules’ has so much to offer, I hope this review can do it justice. It is brilliantly written with witty banter, clever dialog, a fully fleshed-out whirlwind new romance, and so much more. Author K. L. Walther creates the perfect storm in which Meredith and Wit become tangled up in each other’s lives and it’s so easy to root for them as they fall for each other. Walther expertly entwines the detailed threads of young love, self-discovery, large family gatherings, and a wide-spread game of Assassin, with all the best parts of a summer vacation.

I love being inside Meredith’s head – love her narrating through memories of prior summers, the loving moments between sisters including snarky moments, her feelings towards her family, friends, and her crush on Wit.

This book is also a wonderful illustration of how loved ones who’ve passed away too soon are “always with us.” There are numerous ways in which Meredith feels her sister Claire’s presence, both on her own and with the help of family and friends pointing it out to her. This is a truly lovely way to share the story of a main character who is still reeling from losing her sister, but is starting to find her way back to joy – with the memory of her sister by her side helping her find happiness, rather than despite her recent loss.

This book handles grief over a loved one spectacularly well without taking anything away from the light-hearted, comedic, or romantic aspects of this book. Meredith’s older sister, Claire, had passed away approximately a year and a half before this story begins, and so while we don’t see Meredith and her family process fresh, brand-new grief, we do follow how they’re doing after some aspects of life have gone “back to normal.” Grief does not go away overnight, and this book handles that beautifully.

Claire is in Meredith’s every memory of the island they’ve spent all their summer vacations on. Claire is in her thoughts in every chapter of this book, and is discussed between characters many times throughout. Meredith discovers that Claire is, indeed, still with her in most things she does on the island.

Claire was the reigning champion of the family’s massive summer game of Assassin played each year. This year’s game is dedicated to Claire and will be played to honor her memory during a busy week of festivities leading up to a cousin’s wedding. By strategizing and taking a more active role than usual, Meredith finds greater enjoyment in the game and feels closer to her sister.

‘The Summer of Broken Rules’ brought back wonderful memories of summer moments, and can do the same for you! We follow Meredith through many scenes on hikes, at the beach, a pond, a nearby town, driving over sand in Jeep-type vehicles – there’s a scene for every reader to connect with and fondly remember our own joys under the sun.

While the scenery is a wonderful jog down memory lane, the fully fleshed-out characters and plotline are even more amazing. The attention paid to the little details, such as side characters with their own goals and relationships, help bring the summer atmosphere to life.

This book was just what I needed. I loved it. It made my heart break and melt in so many different ways.

When Meredith goes to her cousins wedding with her family, everything seems wrong. She should be here with her boyfriend of 4 years. She should be here with her sister, who will never return to the bunk beds on the island that they use to spend their summers in. It is devastating to relive someone’s loss, but the journey of Meredith’s summer is just amazing.

I loved the way the story helped heal Meredith and the love story that starts to unravel out of her pain. I think this story was just want I needed after reading “The Hating Game” ( which I love). I have recently gotten really into romance and this was a beautiful book that hit me right in all the feelings. I loved Meredith and Wit and the GAME! Ugh loved it all. Highly recommend this book.

Actual rating: 3.5

Overall I enjoyed the book, I misses reading YA so much.
My main problems were that the beginning felt terribly long - it felt like it dragged on and on and on.
I'm not a huge fan of insta-love either.

I loved the idea of the Assasing game, it was amazing and I want to play it myself now!

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy. I loved this author's previous book and was excited to start this one. It gives off a relaxed summer vibe, while still bringing up serious topics. I loved the game and the setting. I really enjoyed the gradual ease that Wes and Meredith fell in love with each other. The chemistry (and banter) were great. The relationship developed exactly how a summer romance does - fast, yet both characters hesitant, I didn't find this one too cheesy. Perfect for fans of Morgan Matson.

From the first paragraph, I knew this book would be a good one. I immersed myself into the book from the first chapter and I cannot say enough good things about this book! Honestly amazing! The writing is incredible and the plot is just one to die for. I am absolutely obsessed with this book. My favorite part would have to be the character development throughout the book. Character development is something I look forward to and this book did not disappoint.

The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther is a YA novel set in Martha's Vineyard when Meredith Fox returns for the summer to attend her cousin's wedding. Meredith is still reeling after the death of her sister Claire and is confronted with the memories of her sister in a place that has held so many fond memories for the sisters. The only saving grace is a game called Assassin that may help her take her mind off her grief while also offering a potential flirtation with one of the groomsmen. As the game progresses, her and the groomsmen Wit develop a friendship but will this help or hurt Meredith?

When I read this description I was instantly intrigued and knew I had to read this. And I'm so glad I did! This book was heartbreaking yet managed to put the pieces back together for a heartwarming novel by the end. The pacing of the novel was fun with tension developed by the relationships and the game as they progress. As with most YA novels the writing was simple and easy to fly through this book. The setting of the book also was so clear and makes me want to make a trip to Martha's Vineyard in the future for some salty air!

As for characterization, I appreciated going through the struggles Meredith faced which were so real and tugged at my heart. You can clearly tell by the end of the book that Meredith has grown as a character and is stronger despite horrible circumstances. I enjoyed seeing her dynamics with her family which are heavily intertwined as they are all dealing with grief. I also find the heavier themes balanced by the fizzy romance with Wit and the game. This novel felt very fresh and did not feel contrived but instead landed as a sweet novel.

Overall, this was a quick and easy read that is perfect for a beach read this summer! This is the first novel I have read from this author and I look forward to what they write next!

Many thanks to the publisher Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

The Summer of Broken Rules K. L. Walther was a really beautiful book. Going into it, I didn't know that this was going to be a YA novel. I expected the lead characters to be older and I though the book was going to be a tad bit on the darker side. But it was better than anything I could have ever come up with!

The book tells the story of Meredith Fox and her family. Every year her entire family spends part of the summer at Martha's Vineyard on the family farm. But for the past two year, her family has avoided it because they've been mourning the loss of Mer's sister, Claire.

When her cousin Sarah decides to get married on the island, her family finally makes the journey back. What ensues is a week of growth and joy, where the sun finally shines again.

When the family decides to resume their longstanding tradition of their vacation long, no holds barred, game of Assassin, it sparks something in Meredith. Claire used to be the longstanding champion of the game, and Mer decided that she's going to do her best to win it for her.

But what she doesn't expect is Wit, brother to the groom. Their first meeting is a disaster. But their connection is undeniable. They just work, quite adorably. They decide to form a secret pact during the game. But when their friendship starts to progress to more, small secrets come out that puts a major strain on their fledgling relationship.

This book could have been extremely cliched. It could have been predictable and that would have made this book fall flat. But the author kept finding ways to surprise me. Up until the last page, I was constantly surprised with the direction the story went it. And it worked. It made this story absolutely enjoyable.

Over the course of a week, Meredith finally finds a way to look past her loss and grief to find the person she used to be. Even better, she comes out of the other side better than before and finally finds a way to move on. And she manages to fall just a little bit in love along the way too!

This is an undeniably wonderful story that I'm glad I got the chance to read. It's moving and heartbreaking, while still being fun and joyous. It even made me shed a couple of tears. I would recommend this if you're looking for a ya romance, that's about family and loss and love, with an absolutely adorable lead couple!