Our main characters, Samantha and Bennett, have a lot going on. Sam is spending her summer chaperoning her half-brother, Tyler, who’s in a robotics competition at the local library, while trying to find inspiration in her career as a chef. Bennett, the local library director, is trying to find his father, who he doesn’t know. They don’t plan on getting involved with each other, but fate pushes them together.

Sam and Ben were relatable characters who had real problems. I would’ve liked a few chapters from Ben’s POV, but the story was still impactful without them. I really enjoyed Sam as a main character. She was smart yet insecure because of her dyslexia, but she still kept pushing on. Her family issues were just as much of a focus as the romance, and I liked that.

I’ve read several books by McKinlay and I love her writing style. The story flows so flawlessly and each character has their own distinctive voice.

Summer Reading is a warm and funny romance, with deep issues alongside the romance. I’ll definitely be recommending this through readers’ advisory.

This was such a lovely book. The description of this book doesn’t really match the insides. While it is a romance I found that plot to feel secondary to the family, career and best friend dynamics. This book explored all these relationships so well!

“Summer Reading” by Jenn McKinlay is a fun, feel-good rom com with heart that will have readers engaged from the meet cute through the final page. Full of memorable characters, the standout characters are the neurodivergent chef, hesitant to reveal her severe dyslexia for fear of being judged, and the hot librarian, who is a book nerd. The chef’s modern family dynamics are poignant and captivating. The friends are quirky and relatable and, of course, there is a touch of romance.

The setting of Martha's Vineyard is the perfect backdrop for this novel. McKinlay's vivid descriptions bring the island to life, and readers will feel as if they are right there with the characters.
Overall, "Summer Reading" is a fun, feel-good rom com that has depth and heart. The storyline, character portrayals, and the beautiful setting of Martha's Vineyard make this novel a must-read for anyone looking for a beach read that will leave them feeling good.

I was extremely excited to read a book with dyslexia rep, as I work with dyslexic students everyday. For readers who do not know much about this disorder, you will definitely learn a lot, and I praise the author for writing in a dyslexia-friendly font and sharing facts on how to make reading more accessible to dyslexics. However, I feel like Samantha’s dyslexia was written in a way that defined her and rather than showing her resilience through compensatory strategies and a shift in her mindset since being diagnosed, the author focused on what she can’t do. This made it hard for me to not only empathize and relate to Sam but also cheer her on. Also, I feel like this was such a huge plot point in the story that it took away from the romance I was itching for, as Ben was such a strong character. I will say, I was a huge fan of the relationship with her half-brother Tyler as well as with her childhood BFF Em, who is getting her own book next. Plus, there is nothing not to like with a Martha’s Vineyard setting :)

Read if you like:
-Martha’s Vineyard Setting
-Neurodivergent Rep/ Dyslexic FMC
-Library researcher MMC
-Sibling relationships
-Delicious food recipes
-Romances with substance

Thank you Berkley for the ARC. Pub date: 5/15

What a fun read! I went into this book thinking it would be a cute, light romance (and it was); it also had quite a bit of substance. And the book’s cover captures the essence of a summer beach read with its bright colors and art.

Our heroine, Samantha, meets Ben on a ferry en route to Martha’s Vineyard, where they will both spend their summer. She will be watching her younger half-brother while the parents are on vacation. At the same time, Ben is the interim library director and also searching for the identity of his father.

While books and reading are a huge part of Ben’s life since he is a library director, in contrast, Sam doesn’t like to read since she has dyslexia. Being neurodivergent has shaped Samantha’s life and how she sees herself. While I know some people who have dyslexia, I don’t know much about the challenges they face. This book helped me to understand how auditory and font preferences can help.

Ben has a different type of challenge. He was born not knowing who his father is; his mother will not share that information with him. His non-traditional upbringing is a challenge for him, and Samantha ends up helping him with this, just as he is helping her with hers.

Lastly, the summer allows Samantha and her younger half-brother to get to know each other and develop a strong sibling bond. In addition, his character provided some humorous moments.

If you’re looking for a great way to kick off your summer, grab this book and a nice drink, park yourself on a beach, and say hello to summer!

**Review posted to Goodreads, will post to Twitter and Instagram on 5/9/2023 @read.rest.recharge

Jenn McKinlay is known for her cozy mysteries and while I love them I have to admit that I ADORE her romances so much more. Don't get me wrong her cozies are absolute winners but she writes romance with passion! Summer Reading is just perfect and it belongs in everyone's beach bag this summer!

Lighthearted romance novel perfect for a summer vacation read. Thank you to a Netgalley and the publisher

This was such a wonderful book! I was drawn to it based on the cover and the summer vibes it was giving off, and it did not disappoint. Samantha Gale is a chef who recently quit her job in Boston after being passed over for a promotion and comes home to Martha's Vineyard for the summer to chaperone her teenage half brother while her dad and stepmom are on an extended vacation in Europe. On the ferry to the island, she meets a hot guy named Ben, and accidentally knocks the book he's reading overboard. As fate would have it, Ben is the Interim Director of the local library where Samantha's best friend, Emily, works and where her brother will be attending robotics camp every day, so it's impossible to avoid seeing him even after her mess up. Sparks fly but Samantha struggles with self esteem issues relating to her dyslexia and can't imagine that an avid reader like Ben could want to be with someone who struggles with reading for anything but a summer fling.

This is a sweet romance with a sprinkling of spice with two likeable characters getting to know and supporting each other on the road to realizing that they are meant for each other. Ben recognizes Samantha's strengths, helps her jumpstart a catering initiative on the island, and encourages her to start work on the cookbook she has always wanted to write based on her Portuguese grandmother's traditional recipes while Samantha, in turn, helps Ben in the search for his father and in dealing with his difficult mother.

I appreciated the growth and development of not only Sam and Ben's relationship but also her relationship with Tyler. I also loved the insight into dyslexia and the struggles that accompany a learning disability like that. There is also a section at the back of the book for Sam's recipes which was such a nice touch! Overall, this is such a fun book that is perfect for summer reading - pun intended!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC of this great book.

“Summer Reading” is a light-hearted, easy to read romance book – perfect for a little escape or beach read. It definitely gave me “Book Lovers by Emily Henry” vibes. I loved how Ben had his special way of viewing Sam, recognizing all her accomplishments. Everything felt real with the emotions relatable, and yet it was still loads of fun. Sam and her bestie Emily are super-entertaining together. I loved the bonding between Sam and her half-brother Tyler. I was laughing out loud when she was trying to teach him how to dance! I also liked her relationship with best friend Emily and was pleased to see in the excerpt at the end of Summer Reading that Emily will be getting her own book about leaving Martha's Vineyard to take a job in Ireland! I enjoy seeing different experiences played out in books, and getting a glimpse into an experience of neurodivergence/dyslexia was eye-opening. Jenn did a great job representing dyslexia. This book was a great love story while also bringing awareness to a topic many don’t know about. I’m almost sad to be done with this. Thank you to Jenn McKinlay, Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy!

My first book by this author and I loved the story. Sam is a great character and I really likes how her summer goes on Martha’s Vineyard talking care of her stepbrother. Lots of humor and I was invested in the outcome of the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars!

✨When he’s a librarian and has her sit on his lap during the sex scene he’s reading out loud…ICONIC✨

Summer Reading could’ve gone the way of either four or five stars, but really the sexy librarian, wholesome sibling relationship, and Martha’s Vineyard summer vacation vibes were just so charming.

Sam must travel back to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer to a. watch her younger sibling while their parents go on vacation b. reconnect with her best friend and c. definitely NOT fall in love with the hot interim library director.

*Since we all classify spoilers different, there could be potential spoilers below*

Sam was a chef which is so hot and the Portuguese food content had me drooling. I worked in catering and love to reminisce and it really epitomizes summer for me! Since Bennett was a librarian (hot), Sam was scared he’d think less of her since she wasn’t a reader and had dyslexia. I really enjoyed the opposites attract aspect of their relationship, and how Sam worked through her insecurities and advocated for herself.

I also adore a sibling relationship and this book fully delivered. The whole book begins by Sam going back to Martha’s Vineyard to watch her fourteen-year-old brother while her dad and stepmom went on vacation for the summer. Tyler was definitely Unsure of Sam since they weren’t very close, but my heart melted during each of their milestones. Since his robotics camp was held at Ben’s library, I think it worked to still keep the main focus on the relationship as the plot lines were pretty meshed.

✨

I loved getting to know a main character with dyslexia, as I think Percy Jackson is the only time I’ve encountered it in fiction. The book itself also has a note at the beginning describing how they changed the font to be more dyslexia friendly, bolded words that are usually italicized, and changed the margin sizes.

I learned a lot about Sam’s personal journey with dyslexia, as well as the coping skills she developed in school, life, and her career. Even though Ben was fully supportive and didn’t try to change her, he did make mistakes like texting instead of sending a voice note or calling, so we were learning together. He didn’t force her to be a reader, but he did offer her the choice of listening to him read.

✨

The weakest part of the book was the third act breakup. It’s a single POV romance, which I did enjoy, but I would’ve liked to see a bit deeper into Ben’s reasoning and feelings, especially at the end. Where did he even go when he up and left? It was just a confusing record scratch moment, because I really did think he was gonna work through it with her not apart from her.

I didn’t hate it and I wasn’t angry about it, but it could’ve been stronger. I could see it making readers angry though, as it was so abrupt. However, I did like how Sam was fully committed to being in a relationship, as I kinda thought she’d be the one to break it off! So it did slightly show her growth in that sense.

✨

Overall I loved the entire book, but this turned to a true winner when he recorded himself reading the rest of the audiobook for her. (He thought she was pulling back from him and their relationship, but didn’t want her to miss out on the book!! AHH.)

I can’t wait to reread via audio this summer! I need to go inhale some SunBum to tide me over until June. Also the teaser for book 2???? Please that book is going to be such a banger I know it in my bones.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5

*My brain is a highlight reel of him fingering her while he was reading her that sex scene because god to be so lucky 🫠 However, the language used when she described that fictional sex scene was a bit more explicit than the actual scenes in the book. There were 2-3ish lightly spicy open-door scenes. The language wasn’t very detailed, but the connection and overall scenes were still hot.


Note: I’m not sure if the text will be updated before the pub date, but the hero has a beard and wayyy darker hair than the cover shows! He definitely looks wimpier on the cover lol.


CWs: Cancer scare (negative biopsy results), death of a parent (in the past), strained relationship with parent


Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

I felt like this book was good but not great. Was it easy to get through and enjoyable enough? Yeah. Is it particularly memorable and something that'll pop into my mind when giving recommendations. Probably not.

Starts with an entirely too-cute meet-cute and just warms my heart from there. Summer Reading was the perfect weekend romance read with relationship-strained half siblings, a mystery for an interim library director, and a robotics competition! LOVED this one by Jenn McKinlay!

Samantha goes home to Martha’s Island for the summer to take care of her 14-year-old half-brother. Unfortunately for Samantha, she finds herself falling for the interim library director and he keeps trying to push books on her. While this is his love language, Samantha has struggled with severe dyslexia and struggles to read – so she avoids it whenever possible. The chemistry between them is sizzling hot though and neither of them can deny it. While they both only ever wanted a summer fling, they aren’t sure if this romance will be their happily ever after.

I was so glad I read the authors introduction on this one, it provided some valuable insight into the anti-reading mentality of the main character. For those that struggle with dyslexia, reading is not always the escape it is for others. I am thankful that we have audio books now and other alternative formats so more people can enjoy books.

The writing on this one was top notch. The author artistically captured the characters in a realistic way. The romance never felt forced – it flowed naturally. I also enjoyed Samantha’s teenage brother. After being around a similarly aged kid this week – it hit home, ha.

This one is out May 16th, make sure to grab a copy.

A sweet, breezy summer read, with nice neurodiverse representation. My favorite parts were the family dynamics and Cape Cod setting.

Thanks to a responsible depiction of severe dyslexia and well-developed emotional growth between characters, This story feels real and was a delight to read.

What a great story! Ben is a sweetheart!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to admit I really know nothing about dyslexia. I was very interested in how the author intended to blend that into the story and I appreciate the note at the front of the book about the changes that you will see in the print and ebook. I think it’s fabulous that she is calling out issues and making a change!

With that said, this book was a true delight to read. All of the characters are warm and funny. We really get a glimpse into the psyche and impact someone with dyslexia experiences in society today.

The author wove this sensitive topic beautifully into the rest of the story. The story and plot are about building connections with family. It’s about growing and becoming who you truly are meant to be. And it’s about taking risks when you have the right support.

From the moment Bennett was introduced I just fell in love with his character. He is sweet, warm, and endearing, and they balance each other perfectly. He’s so kind and has some big emotions as well. And there’s nothing better than the scenes that involve reading “their” book.

While Summer Reading is listed as a romcom, and it was humorous in many ways, there are deeper issues that McKinlay brings to light. She blends them into the story so we come out with a warm romance that is both endearing and deeply touching.

SUCH A GOOD SUMMER ROMANCE! I am in love with the main characters and ther backgrounds. This was such a feel good read. You might cry a little but mostly smile. This book made my heart sing!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Summer Reading
By Jenn McKinlay
Pub Date May 16, 2023
Berkeley
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was drawn to the book by its gorgeous cover! I have enjoyed the authors other works but for some reason this one fell flat. The love story between Ben and Sam did not resonate for me. Nice book for a relief from Indiana winter… but not as good as I desired.

An adorable summer romance - perfect if you're looking for a beach or vacation read!

Samantha Gale is a chef who recently quit her job in Boston after being passed over for a promotion and comes home to Martha's Vineyard for the summer to chaperone her 14 year-old half-brother while her dad and stepmom are on an extended vacation in Europe. On the ferry to the island she meets a hot guy, Ben, and accidentally knocks the book he's reading overboard. As fate would have it, Ben is the Interim Director of the local library where Samantha's best friend, Emily, works and where her brother will be attending robotics camp every day so she can't avoid seeing him. Sparks fly but Samantha struggles with self-esteem issues relating to her dyslexia and can't imagine that an avid reader like Ben could want to be with someone who struggles with reading for anything but a summer fling.

This is a sweet romance (with a bit of steam) with two likeable characters getting to know and supporting each other on the road to realizing that they are each other's 'person'. Ben recognizes Samantha's strengths, helps her jumpstart a catering initiative on the island, and encourages her to start work on the cookbook she has always wanted to write based on her Portuguese grandmother's traditional recipes while Samantha, in turn, helps Ben in the search for his father and in dealing with his difficult mother.

Things apart from the romance that I enjoyed about this novel:
(1) I have always wanted to visit Martha's Vineyard so I loved the setting of Summer Reading - it sounds like the perfect summer vacation destination!
(2) It was quite interesting to read about a character dealing with dyslexia and the challenges associated with having a neurodivergent brain. There's an author's note at the beginning of the book explaining that it has been printed using a font that is easier for those with dyslexia to read and that words which would typically be itallicized are bold instead. I had no idea that those accommodations were helpful so that was educational.
(3) I enjoyed the development of Samantha's sibling relationship with Tyler at least as much as the romance, if not more.
(4) I also liked her relationship with best friend Emily and was pleased to see in the excerpt at the end of Summer Reading that Emily will be getting her own book about leaving Martha's Vineyard to take a job in Ireland!
(5) If you like to cook, there are bonus recipes for the Portuguese foods that Samantha makes included at the end of the book.

A great read overall - light enough for the summer beach bag but with some substance as well!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.