I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

A cute short story, I would’ve liked a bit more, it felt a bit rushed at the end to complete the tale., but still enjoyable

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read

This is a cute little book - romance, beach, friendship and reconnecting with the one that got away. I definitely recommend this one. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lia Langston left Tuckaway Bay twenty years ago, leaving behind an attractive job offer and the young man she’d fallen in love with that summer. The breakup hurt them both, but she was expected back home in Chicago where a new job was waiting, one her father had pulled strings to help her land. While Lia wasn’t thrilled with the idea of jumping from beach life into Corporate America, as a new college graduate, she knew the family expectations.

She meanders through life—marriage, a child, divorce, career—yet there is one constant. She never misses a summer trip back to the beach with her college girlfriends. By the time beach week rolls around each year, she is more than ready to shake off her troubles, unwind, and unplug with the girls. And every summer, Lia wonders if she might run into Zach Allen again.

She doesn’t.

Then Zach steps back into her life, catching her totally off guard. Suddenly, Lia must face the twenty-year-old consequences of her leaving. Will this be the year to make amends with the young man she left behind? Now looking forward to the next book!

This is a very good novella. The two main characters are Zach and Lia. When they meet they are both headed in different directions in their lives. Lia returns back to the beach twenty years later and meets up with Zach. Their love survives.

Thank you NetGalley, Madelaide James and Sand Dune Books for That One Summer. This is my personal review.
I loved the novella, and I am excited to read more in the series by Madelaide James.
What a combination summer, first love, new jobs, new location, and every constant summer trip to the beach with her college friends. This is the perfect way to grab a reader’s attention.

Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review..   


That One Summer was a 3 star read. I felt the story was begin rushed I wanted more. This is my first Madelaide James, I will give her a other try. 




Happy Reading 📚

Lisa

I was given annearly.fopy of this novella by netgally in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the first full novel in the series. The novella follows Lia who left behind her summer love and how they reconnect 20 years later. It is a bit too easy that they are still just in love after 20 years apart but a nice romance story set by the coast that I think will lead to great holiday reads for the rest of the series.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Lia met Zach the summer she graduated college. Henwas a true love which she never forgot. I liked this short story

I understand that this is just supposed to be a quick prequel to set up for a further series, but this just reads like a first draft.

Too fast paced, too much telling instead of showing. The characters seem flat,.

*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.

What a wonder start to a new series. This is my first Maddie James book and I’m intrigued enough to want to read more !
Summer, first love, friends, second chances !

Unfortunately this one left me unsatisfied. I understand it was meant as a prequel to add context to a future story, but by the end I didn't feel like I really knew much about these characters and the pacing was very rushed. Zach and Lia meet, have a spark, and literally one day later they're neatly swept into a work/live together situation. And then we just...skip their entire relationship, picking up two months later in the very next chapter.

I feel like I was supposed to believe Lia was "wrong" for making the choice she did, but to me it seemed pretty sensible and rational. She had a good opportunity to try out her intended career. They were both very young and had only been together for 9-10 weeks. I've had snacks in my pantry longer than that! It seemed like Zach had a pre-conceived idea about what would happen and rejected every reasonable compromise, which made him look immature and made Lia's choice seem even more prudent. Chicago is not exactly Outer Mongolia--if he was sooooo desperate to have it all right away, why couldn't he have finished his online grad program there? "My way or nothing" didn't leave me feeling terribly warm toward him.

Their reunion also takes place very quickly and directly. It moved so fast there wasn't much chance to explore any longing, anticipation, or hard-won personal growth.

This wasn't an unpleasant read, by any means, but it just didn't have the depth or nuance to really resonate much. I wouldn't write off the rest of the series, though. Maybe in a longer format there will be more opportunity to really develop a story.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review!