Good beach read! It's hard not to feel empathy towards Summer but she seemed a little too perfect. It was an interesting interesting way the author chose for Summer to find her father. This story has lots of drama! The falling in love aspect of the story was a little too fast. Enjoyable.

A light hearted book that touches on a heavy subject. Summer was raised by her cold mother and her grandfather with no idea about her father. She does a DNA test and finds out she has a father who knew nothing about her and 2 sisters. A surprise for all involved and this book does a great job of navigating how tricky this would be. Great summer read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

DNA test leads to the discovery of a new family! I love these types of stories and was entertained reading this book! Four stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Summers Gift by Jennifer Ryan a really good book. DNA is a fascinating subject I really like how they added it to this story.

I was able to read this from NetGalley. Summer has lived her whole life believing her father wanted nothing to do with her. Her mom is a spoiled socialite. Her Grandfather is head of a company that Summer will takeover someday. Through her Grandfather’s medaling Summer finds out she has two sisters. Her Father finds out about Summer and sends his business partner Cody to meet Summer. Summer and Cody hit it off right away. Summer goes back to Carmel with Cody to meet her Father, Stepmother, and sisters. This was a delightful romance to read. It had a great storyline and a wonderful setting.

Again a DNA test is used a a vehicle for a plot about finding family with the results. When Summer learns about her biological father, the wheels begin spinning. Interesting that it is a mutual search since her dad Nathan is very interesting in connecting with the daughter he didn’t know about.

The author throws in some predictable romance and interpersonal rivalries.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Summer's Gift
by Jennifer Ryan
Pub Date: June 20, 2023
Harper Collins
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
A young woman takes a DNA test on a whim and discovers the birth father—and half sisters—she never knew. New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan returns with this dramatic and page-turning novel perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Lori Foster.

A DNA test tells you who you come from, not who you are.
Romance is not my favorite genre but I kept reading. I found the characters likeable and felt quite happy when things turned out. I liked the message of responsibility, good communication, and being kind.
3 stars

Funny story. I selected this book to read and review because I thought it was written by a different Jennifer Ryan — the one who specializes in WWII Home Front stories that I love. Who knew there were two? I figured out my mistake about 20% in. This book is a Romance novel — full of physically beautiful, successful and wealthy people — not a bomb or make-do attitude in sight.

Still — although Romance is definitely not my genre, I kept reading. While there was literally nothing realistic about the characters, I found them likable (despite all their money and good luck, they were pretty grounded and decent) and felt quite happy when things worked out (that’s not a spoiler — all Romance novels work out — that’s the point! )

The writing was fine, I liked the characters, and while parts of it got a bit repetitive, I appreciated the strong messages about responsibility, good communication, and being kind without allowing yourself to become a piece of marshmallow fluff that people can trod on with impunity.