➠ ʙᴏᴏᴋ: The Comeback Summer

➠ ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 3.75/5 sᴛᴀʀs

➠ ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅs ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 3.94/5 sᴛᴀʀs

➠ 💭 Read this if you’re looking for a story that includes second chance romances, Jewish reps, stories about sisterhood, body positivity, women’s fiction, love, and heartbreak. The scene is set in Chicago. The two Freedman sisters have one summer to save their beloved grandmother’s PR firm and if they don’t figure it out soon, they will lose everything. Then comes Lou, self-help guru and podcaster, who can save it if they just follow the simple 12 week “Crush Your Comfort Zone” challenge. The story that unfolds is beautiful and unforgettable. There were two things that didn’t set well with me, but other than that, I enjoyed the book.

FAVORITES:
👯‍♀️ The relationship between Libby & Hannah, even through the hard times.
🔚 The ending was probably my favorite of the entire book. It was perfection.
😅 The hardships and courage that both characters portrayed throughout the struggles they endured.
🧍🏼‍♀️ How the characters stood up for themselves.
🩷 How real the characters were when it came to real world daily struggles of a woman, which included, body image, self confidence, anxiety, & family expectations.

In order to save their grandmother’s PR agency, Hannah and Libby agree to do a twelve-week challenge in order earn the business of Lou. Hannah’s challenge is to go on twelve first dates, and Libby must complete an obstacle course race.

I liked this a lot!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the authors' last book (The Beach Trap), so was eager to read this one and it met my high expectations.

Sisters Hannah and Libby are trying to keep alive the public relations firm they inherited from their beloved grandmother. They need a big client and one just walked in their office. However, there's a catch; the sisters need to complete the 12 week motivational program that the potential client is marketing. They complete a survey and are given assignments that take them out of their comfort zones. The assignments stretch them and make them question their paths and the roles they've assumed in their relationship. Both sisters also have a bit of a romance storyline.

I found this really satisfying. I loved the assignments and the growth of Hannah and Libby. I also thought the representation of anxiety and ADHD was well done. I can't wait to see what the author duo writes next!!

Thanks to the publisher for a copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. I enjoy a romance every so often to break up all the thrillers but I just had to DNF at 56%. I enjoyed the premise of the idea but found the goals for Libby and Hannah to be way too superficial. Going on 12 dates in 12 weeks and exercising? I think there’s better ways to go out of your comfort zone. I think this book is definitely geared for avid romance readers who enjoy a spicy scene every so often, but not for me.

I highly recommend The Comeback Summer as the perfect summer read! The story is relatable and heartwarming, and I found myself invested in the main characters, supporting cast, and their romantic storylines. This book will stay with you long after you finish it. Ali Brady has crafted an engaging story about sisters Hannah and Libby, who need to break out of their comfort zones. I had a blast reading about their growth over the course of the book. Their stories are intertwined, but they both learn to grow and change as individuals. I enjoyed the romances and all the book references. This heartwarming tale is about discovering who you are, making meaningful connections, and forming new friendships. It's definitely worth checking out!

First of all I love this cover! Second of all this book is a straight up love letter to Chicago and I love that. Just like New York is not just a setting but a character in Sex and the City the same can be said for Chicago in this book!
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Sisters, Hannah and Libby are struggling with their business. They need a comeback, just as Chicago came back from the Great Fire. Every Chicagoan knows about Mrs. O’Leary’s cow! (Great comparison @alibradybooks )
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They get just the push they need when a new potential client put them to the test. Self help Guru, Lou challenges them to complete a 12 week challenge before she considers signing with them. This challenge pushes both women out of their comfort zone in ways they never expected. This was an enjoyable one and will be the perfect read by the pool this summer!

Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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This body positive, sisterly bond, family business aspect with all things chi-cah-goh.....was just what I need to cleanse my summer semester impending finals palate.

Not only is the writing on point but the feels are pulled all out of ya as you find what these sisters will do to truly make their way.

Sigh. I just adore Ali Brady writer duo and this was such a fantastic debut! Thank you Berkley for the opportunity to read this eArc. It took me a bit to get to it, but once I started I could not stop..

I wanted to read something a little more lighthearted and while it hit the mark as it is not a thriller, this one was a little deeper than I expected. I really liked the message to experience life to its fullest all wrapped up in a less serious book.

Crush your comfort zone was a cute way to name the test the sisters are put through. While the two sisters are struggling a little in life, I like that no matter what happens their bond keeps them together. Their love and support are apparent through the read. Told in alternating POVs of the sisters makes it so the reader not only gets their view of themselves, but how others see them too.

I liked both of the sisters and loved their journey. How they both grew in unexpected ways and came out better in the end in ways they could not have fathomed. I love that the romance was balanced with their personal journeys. I was a fan of the sisters and rooted for them to crush their goals.

Since this is my first Ali Brady book, I will need to go back and read The Beach Trap. This is the perfect book if you want a little more to go with your romance.

I really enjoyed The Comeback Summer! I especially appreciated the plus size/body positivity representation. I felt like it was accurately described, but also done so delicately. I loved the relationship between the sisters and how they were forced to face their fears alone but also together in order to save the family business.

I am not a huge RomCom fan but Ali Brady got me with last year’s The Beach Trap, so I was hoping lightening would strike twice and grabbed The Comeback Summer. I’m so glad I did! I loved this tale of sisters working together to create happiness for themselves and each other.

Both sisters are forced out of their comfort zone while trying to save their family’s fledgling PR firm. As they move through the summer trying to better themselves and their business, the sisters are forced to examine if they truly believe in the values that they hold so dear. Of course, there are some dreamy guys along the way to spice up the story a bit.

This is the second book that I have read by this author duo. This book is set in Chicago and shares the perspectives of 2 sisters that are trying to save their failing family business. There is romance and family elements in this book and I can't wait to read more by them.

Omg I f*ckin LOVED this booooook!!!

What a feel good book about two codependent sisters trying to get out of their comfort zones. AND with a little bit of romance on the side 😉 I absolutely adored every character in this book. It had the right amount of ease, fun, and seriousness. Some of the parts were tough to read, especially with Libby being insecure about her weight and not being good enough because story of my life. But it also felt very motivating and I cheered for her and Hannah to break free from their comfort zones.

I can’t wait to read their next book!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I loved the positive body image, sisterhood & element of self help this book incorporated. There were lots of funny and sweet moments.

Ultimately, this book is a bit forgettable. I don’t know that there was a lot of uniqueness, and there was so much going on it felt like nothing was covered adequately or with enough depth.

Wonderful wonderful wonderful! This writing duo doesn’t fail to entertain with engaging characters, clever banter, and great relationships! Such an enjoyable read, with a challenge to get out of our comfort zone. I will be coming back to these authors again and again.

Ahhh this book was so cute!

But also - how does such a cute read also feel like it's relatable, and inspirational, and can someone get me a Lou in my life immediately, please?!

I loved that this was like a love story of sisters. About being who they are together - as coworkers, sisters, and best friends - but also being their best selves individually - as the unique and strong women they both are. So incredibly different but both so intelligent and charismatic in their own rights - and equally fun to cheer on as they grow out of their comfort zones.

And bonus... those comfort zones involve super dreamy guys too :)

Who hasn't felt comfortable in their lives while also feeling a bit stuck and uninspired? This story made me feel like I want to take some risks and kick my comfort zones butt. And to me - that's the best kind of story.

This cover whisks you right to the beach, doesn’t it? I loved the newest summer book by Ali Brady just as much as their debut from last summer, The Beach Trap. The Comeback Summer is about Hannah and Libby, two sisters who run a family PR agency that’s struggling.

Help comes in the form of Lou, but in order to gain her help, Hannah and Libby have to do get out of their comfort zones and complete personalized challenges. For Hannah, she has to go on twelve first dates. 😱 And Libby has to compete in an obstacle course.

Things are progressing with the challenges until they aren’t… Some monkey wrenches are tossed into the mix… Will Libby and Hannah be able to come back together and save their family business?

This was SO good. I loved it even more than The Beach Trap. The dynamics between the sisters and also the challenges added so many fun elements. It reminded me a little of a few favorite movies. The messages are thoughtful and inspirational. I know I already said it but this book was fun… and full of heart. A delightful must-read for summer.

I received a gifted copy.

This was a fun summer read. I enjoyed the two sisters POV and the separate (but connected) storylines. I enjoyed the comfort zone challenge - it actually seemed really realistic in today's self help trends. The romances were a little flat for me, but I’m not sure if I could put my finger on what exactly or why. I really enjoyed the fun banter and great little bookish references (BOTM!).

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for a copy to read and review.

This was such a good book! This is my first book by this author duo, but it certainly won’t be my last. Sister drama isn’t my favorite, but this was done so well. I really loved watching these sisters so things out of their comfort zone, and watching them grow. I think it’s so important for us to do things out of our comfort zone more often. I also loved how there was romance in this story as well. If you’re a fan of sisterhood, coming of age, romance, and dual POV, you will enjoy this one. I recommend checking it out!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

CRUSH YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Libby and Hannah are sisters who inherited a PR firm from their late grandmother. They had a difficult family situation growing up and really depend on each other. They have been struggling with the business, losing clients and not knowing how to make ends meet. A hail Mary client appears, but the business comes with a catch, they must complete a 12 week challenge to get out of their comfort zones. For Libby this means challenging herself physically and training, then competing in a race at the end of the 12 weeks. While Hannah is to challenge herself emotionally and socially and go on 12 dates with 12 guys over the weeks. They both agree to help each other out with the challenges, Libby will set up the dates and pre chat with the guys for Hannah, and Hannah will plan a training schedule and train with Libby to get her ready. Things don't go as planned for either of them but it may push them to finally reevaluate what makes them happy and what is holding them back.

This was really fun. I always enjoy myself with these types of books of women getting out of their comfort zone and finding their happiness. It was nothing mid blowing or new but I had a good time and would read from this writing duo in the future.

"𝘈 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘦."

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥 by writing duo Ali Brady isn't your typical romance. Yes, sisters Hannah and Libby both have romantic subplots, but this book is really about the women falling back in love with themselves.

After the death of their beloved grandmother, the sisters take over her PR firm and commit to a 12-step "Crush Your Comfort Zone" self-help program in the hopes of wooing a big client. The story touches on so many important topics like body image, anxiety, ADHD, depression, and family expectations, and the Jewish rep is fantastic. I loved the alternating POVs and the CYCZ program prompts that made me think about pushing my boundaries more right along with Hannah and Libby. If you're searching for the perfect summer read, look no further - this one has drama, love, sisterhood, great banter and even some steam.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for the copy to review.