This book was very interesting and held my attention to the end. It was a great reminder of the webs we often weave that quickly get out of hand. The characters were believable and the plot was well rounded. I would recommend this book to others.

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. When Hannah gets an invitation to summer at her old friends’ estate, she’s elated. She expects things to remain unchanged, including promises she and Oliver made when they were 12. One thing is unchanged, Damon is still a rogue with a penchant for teasing her.

Damon has a surprising request that Hannah feels she must accept. It was fun watching them navigate their deal. I enjoyed their teasing and banter. “I can call you by another name if that is your desire. Although I do believe you will find my lord to be the most agreeable” (location 225).

Another favorite quote was. “He seems to have lost his manners.”

“It is true…they have been misplaced for quite some time. However, I’m doing my best to locate them…” (location 922).

It was hard to put it down. I wanted to see how things were going to be resolved. Thank you to Covenant Communications for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Hands down one of my favorite sweet regency romances ever! Damon is the swooniest hero ever! I read this story in one sitting, I couldn't put it down!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

This is a sweet, well written Regency romance with a couple of interesting twists that kept me engaged, so much so that I read it in one day. Hannah has happy memories of childhood summers with her best friend Ollie, but not so happy memories of his older brother Damon. She returns to Summerhaven hoping Ollie is finally ready to propose, only to find him courting someone else. In an effort to make Ollie jealous and help him realize his true feelings, she agrees to a fake courtship with Damon, and the fun begins. This story is full of romance, witty banter, character growth and swoony scenes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Many thanks to the publisher Covenant Communications for the chance to read an ebook via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

#BookReview: SUMMERHAVEN by Tiffany Odekirk

Hannah was so excited when she was invited to visit Summerhaven. There were so many fond memories there with her mother and her best friend, Oliver. Summerhaven sounds like a beautiful place with amazing people. Well, Hannah would say, Damon excluded.

I have read so many good reviews about this book. This enemies-to-lovers, clean romance was fun and sweet. I enjoyed it but it kind of dragged on some. The writing was good but love triangles are just not for me. Hannah became too unpredictable as well. I’m glad I went ahead and finished the book though. I liked Damon and reading his side of the story was enlightening. There was more to him than meets the eye. Damon and Hannah had some really delightful moments and amusing banter. Lady Winfield and Amelia were pleasant additions to the story.

I look forward to reading other books by this author. If you like regency romance and this trope, this one’s for you.

Rating: 3.5 stars
Pub date: 14 Feb 2022

Thank you Covenant Communications for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

#netgalley

Dear readers, what I am about to say will have you thanking your lucky stars: if this was a space for spoiler-filled reviews, I would have written a word count of thousands. Fortunately for us all, this shall be as abridged and spoiler-free as possible; a tricky task, as Tiffany Odekirk’s 2022 debut, Summerhaven, keeps one guessing about the heroine’s journey to a happy ending until the very last pages.

Happy Beginnings

At twelve years old, Hannah Kent of nowhere-special gave Oliver “Ollie” Jennings of Summerhaven her hand and cheek to kiss as a sign of their future marriage pledge. Little did she know that these golden days at Summerhaven wouldn’t last. After the death of her beloved mother over five years later, Hannah yearns for the happy, carefree days of long months spent at Summerhaven….until the morning that an invitation is left on her doorstep. A few months visiting with her mother’s best friend, in a place that just so happens to still be the home of the man she loves–what could be better? Unfortunately, Hannah knows she’ll also have to face her childhood nemesis, Damon, Ollie’s prankster older brother. On her arrival, only one brother is waiting on the steps to greet her: the wrong one.

“Damon stepped forward, and his watch key and seal–visible reminders of his status and self-importance–clanked together. He bowed. “Miss Kent.”

“My lord,” I returned with a shallow curtsy. The corners of his mouth curled into a smile.

“I see someone has managed to make a lady of the wild girl I once knew,” Damon said, and before stepping back in line with his mother, he met my eye and added, “A pity.”

My eyebrows pulled together in surprise.

“Do try not to scowl, Miss Kent. It will crease your lovely brows.” (Loc 204)

A Dangerous Proposition

As the days pass, it soon becomes apparent to Hannah that the man she thought she loved has no interest in her beyond that of a friend. Instead, Ollie has his eyes on beauty and wealth in the form of, well, any young eligible woman, it seems. Shattered, Hannah does all she can to hide her heartbreak. Damon sees through her mask and offers an interesting proposal. What if, Damon offers, he begins to pursue Hannah? Knowing that Ollie has always tried to take what Damon has, Damon persuades Hannah to his scheme. What could possibly go wrong?

As the unwanted brother becomes the wanted friend, Hannah learns that her memories of those happy seasons at Summerhaven might not be the full truth. The entire truth is more complicated, and with each minute spent with the intriguing Damon, a happy ending might be a thousand times more difficult to achieve.

“There was something between Damon and me. What exactly, I did not know, but he was not the villain I had made him out to be.” (Loc 1519)

First Stop: The Writing

Tiffany Odekirk’s story is simply exquisite. Never once did I not feel as if I was visiting Summerhaven, sitting at the dinner table to eat slimy frog legs or galloping on horseback with Hannah and Damon, face against the wind. Every sight, touch, sound, and smell are vividly painted so that I felt as if Summerhaven and its denizens truly lived. I can’t promise that I won’t be looking for familiar portraits along the walls of old English mansions, the next time I visit.

“The realization was sudden and sure, like a flash of lightning and the first fall of rain. I gripped the rough material of his shirt, and he pulled me closer. The heat of his body warmed me despite the coldness of the room. I wished to never dance with another man again. Never hold or touch or whisper to anyone but him.” (Loc 2187)

The Journey, Not the Destination

It’s probably easy to guess by the synopsis who Hannah chooses to be her life partner, but you won’t hear it from me! Suffice it to say that, however predictable the result, the path that led to the romantic conclusion left me breathless. I put off mundane and pressing tasks for hours to devour this book, and I feel no guilt. The couple’s tale of charged glances, witty banter, and partnership against mutual difficulties was flawless.

More Than a Trope?

In the past five years or so, I’ve seen many Regencies and general fiction centered on (and named for) a location. Each one had a lead who was obsessed–sometimes, murderously obsessed–with their spot of God’s green earth, which is typically a shadowy, magnificent mansion of some sort. After seeing this trope again and again, it’s hard to muster much sympathy or interest. So, it’s a testament to Odekirk’s simply magical novel that I experienced this story of one woman’s gripping love for an estate without a speck of boredom or grumpiness about this now-tiresome trope.

In Conclusion

Blissfully unpredictable and heartbreakingly romantic, Summerhaven is a gem in this year’s already glittering historical line-up. Its echoes of Jullianne Donaldson’s Edenbrooke will appeal to long-standing fans, but its twists and turns of humor, drama, and passion are sure to draw in fans who see this novel for what it also is—a debut strong enough to stand entirely on its own merits.

5 out of 5 Stars

It is fun to see how the relationship between the two main characters changes from childhood to adulthood!

I might be in the minority here!
I know this is one of the most Raved books I've read and Alas! Though it was not disappointing it was predictable and a good one time read, I read a lot of historical romances and there are several with impressed me but very few which made their mark.

I enjoyed reading this but felt bad for Damon initially for how He was thought of by Hannah.
I feel Hannah was a lady with valor and value but couldn't understand how she wanted to think bad of Damon memories

Oliver though made mistakes and was wrong impressed me with His change

Ahh! Damon Now! How should I explain his character...like the perfection of regency lover who steals hearts with charm, honestly & integrity making the time we spend with him fun & worth ✨💕

The reason this book got 3 stars from me is: I don't like love triangles, the plot was a bit predictable & Hannah's character decisions & mind at times weren't impressive for me

But still this is a good one time read and I'm glad I got an opportunity to read this ARC
Thank you NetGalley & Covenant publishers

I love Tiffany Odekirk's contemporary Jennings family series so when I found out she had written a Regency romance I was SO excited to read it and I wasn't at all disappointed. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this is an enemies to lovers, childhood friends to lovers, and fake relationship all rolled into one.

Hannah Kent is very excited to get a letter from the mother of her childhood best friend, Oliver Jennings, inviting her to spend the summer at Summerhaven, where Hannah made so many wonderful memories. She can't wait to see Oliver and plans to renew their friendship hoping it will lead to the marriage they had planned when they were younger. Only Oliver's older brother Damon, who teased her mercilessly, is there to greet her, not Oliver. When she does see Oliver, he barely pays attention to her. Where's Ollie, her childhood best friend?

This was a great enemies to lovers story. I loved Damon and his interactions with Hannah--his helping her with the quadrille, giving her ginger candies to help with her carriage rides, and the chess games. I loved watching Hannah realize the things Damon had done to "torture" her when they were younger weren't meant that way at all, and that maybe she wasn't in love with Oliver, but in love with the idea of love. Damon is a great character and I loved the way we slowly discover who he is--like peeling the layers away to get to the real Damon. I loved all the flirting and the banter. Can we just say gazebo (IYKYK)?

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I receive a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book. I enjoyed it from start to finish!

Summerhaven sucked me in right away. I couldn't put it down and the first half gave me the silly smile feels. The second half felt like a different book. It slowed down, dragged out, and our heroine made some frustrating choices.

*Spoilers*

Early on, I did not understand Hannah's feelings of obligation toward Miss Atherton. They had one super brief conversation and I didn't understand why Hannah was determined to make a friend of her. She knew nothing of her and I wouldn't have been placing my secrets or reputation in the hands of strangers, especially ones who may feel threatened by my ruse.

On a similar note, I did not think Miss Digby did anything cruel in their few interactions. And honestly, the longer one at the picnic was largely Oliver's unkindness. Miss Digby seemed like a typical female who feels threatened and insecure, egged on by men she is trying to impress.

Hannah finally seems to get some clarity around who Oliver really is now and how things have changed. Then for who knows what reason, she breaks her agreement with Damon, gets Oliver alone, and spills everything out to him. This made absolutely no sense to me. None. Willfully nonsensical.

Hannah's idea of love and marriage definitely seem shallow and naive... but she is called out on it, which soothed me for a time.

Later, Damon abruptly dumps Hannah when the real state of the earldom is revealed. I was disappointed in his willingness to give up, something he accused her of before. He didn't even ask her to wait, for time to try to figure something, anything out.

And later still, Hannah reconsiders Oliver who has had a complete character shift (not untrustworthy at all...), saying to herself "Could I marry without love?" Setting aside my personal pet peeve on this subject, I was super upset with Hannah. That's not the question. The question is, is it appropriate or at all advisable to marry a man when you are deeply in love with his brother? And the answer is a resounding NO. So disappointing to even flirt with this idea.

Despite my frustrations with the second half of the book, I would read another book by this author.

I loved this book by Tiffany Odekirk. I have loved her contemporaries so it was nice to see that she can write a historical just as well. I loved how the main characters had to make discoveries about themselves and their relationships with others in order to be with the right person. I liked that it took time and reflection. I also loved how the story kept your attention the whole time and how you felt the same emotions as the characters. I would highly recommend this book and would love to read other historical books by this author if she chooses to write them.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Summerhaven by Tiffany Odekirk

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
____________________________________________________________
Story Notes

This lovely Regency debut by Tiffany is one I'll definitely keep on my shelf to read again very soon. I loved the setting, the prose, the characters and the sweet romance. The "enemies to lovers" plot was so very well done here with plenty of misunderstandings and revelations that brought Damon and Hannah together in a wonderful way. Damon is clearly a teaser but he does so with the intent of making someone smile rather than for meanness' sake. I really loved how he treated Hannah with respect and taught her than she was entirely worthy of love from any person with a brain. And I can honestly say that I DO NOT LIKE OLLIE! He was rude, condescending, selfish, mean and unable to apologize properly for any of that. Hannah was much nicer than I would have been about him treating her so terribly, I would have called him out for that. But Damon was such a help for Hannah and showed her just how much he cared by ensuring he would not only love her but would provide a comfortable life for her and their future family. Lady Winfield was another character I really liked a lot. She was incredibly kind to and supportive of Hannah, stepping in the place of her mother as best she could. Her grace in the face of her husband's harsh treatment of others was lovely to see and gave hope to Hannah and Damon that they could work things out together. This is certainly a book that I'm going to be recommending to others. I had a delightful time reading it and I know it will be one that others will enjoy as well. As I said before, I'll be purchasing my own copy to add to my shelves because I know it's one I'll reread many more times.

I received this temporary complimentary ARC from Tiffany Odekirk via BookFunnel. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review but am very pleased to do so. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

What a lovely and swoony regency romance! It has all my favorite tropes (enemies to lovers, fake relationship, love triangle, misunderstandings) and absolutely nailed them all! Hannah is such an endearing character, and her longstanding friendship (or enemyship in Damon's case) with brothers Oliver and Damon is sweet. This is a perfect book for a cozy afternoon of reading!

I am on a bout of books that keep you up at night and Summerhaven fell directly in line.

Regency at its finest. The story follows perspicacious and genuine Hannah. After a childhood spent at her mothers closest friends manor Hanny (as nicknamed by her best friend, Oliver) returns as a young lady.

Her intent upon return is to rekindle and marry her best friend as so promised when she was 12. What she finds is a past that is the same as she remembers but also, different. Could the past relationship align or could it change everything about the future?

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

London - 1817

Hannah lives in London with her father who is a clergyman. Her mother passed away a couple years ago which has left her family quite sad.

Hannah is delighted to receive a letter from Lady Elizabeth Winfield of Summerhaven. Hannah had spent many a summer there with her mother growing up with Oliver, the younger Winfield son. Damon is the older son and heir to a earldom. She never cared for Damon because he always teased her and played tricks on her. She always thought that she and Oliver would marry one day and live in Winterset Grange which he will inherit. Now, Lady Winfield has requested that Hannah come spend the summer with them.

After a long ride to Summerhaven along with her father and her maid, she arrives to sadly find that Oliver is not waiting to meet her, however, Damon is there and greets her. Very quickly, Hannah realizes that Oliver is in love with someone else. Broken-hearted, Hannah wants to return to London, but Damon asks her to stay.

This book is written quite well and expresses the feelings of the characters and the decisions each of them has to make about their future. At first, I thought it was silly how Hannah automatically assumed that a childhood crush could mean marriage. But then, I realized it was her extreme naiveté that led her to feel that way. I must add that Georgiana is the type of sister-in-law one would not want to live close to. Her pushiness made me roll my eyes. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Hannah had it all planned out, she was going to marry Oliver. What she didn't plan on was his brother, Damon. This story was just so good. This is a cozy, curl up in a blanket with cocoa feel good romance. Hannah decides to take Damon on his offer to pretend they're courting just to make Oliver jealous. You know what they say about the best laid plans.

I love Hannah's journey as she discovers who she is and expands her heart to make room where she didn't realize that there was room. I love how she sees both Damon and Ollie with fresh eyes and she can see who was looking out for her even as children.

Damon is amazingly written. He is guarded and you don't quite see him until much much later, but I think I fell for him right alongside Hannah.

I was thrilled with the characters and story in this first Regency offering from Tiffany Odekirk and can't wait to see the stories of some of the side characters so I hope there is more to come.

I received an early copy through the publisher on NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Absolutely wonderful read! Loved the characters and their chemistry. Just a fantastic, character driven story that kept me turning pages well past bed time. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely romance! It has a lot of elements commonly found in Regency romance, and it’s done well! The story is definitely character driven. As much as I liked being inside Hannah’s head for the point of view, I wish we could have had a peek inside Damon’s thoughts as well. I enjoyed seeing all the characters grow, and Hannah and Damon’s banter had me laughing. The ending was satisfying. One of the better Regency romances I’ve read in the past while! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a delightful story! I loved the chemistry between Hannah and Damon. My heart went out to them and I found myself cheering on what seemed to be an impossible love. I love how it all came together. So good!