This book was a fun summer read. I enjoyed the characters and would recommend to others. Rachel resonated with me most and I wanted more of her in the book. Consider a sequel

This was an exciting and very enjoyable read!

I enjoyed this live story from the very beginning until the very end. The ending was well executed and concluded realistically - I love the fact that it wasn’t a typical “live together” ending.

The two main characters were so easy for me to connect with, as were all the other characters. The whole story was one that I followed with ease and intrigue. It also brought out personal emotions/expectations for me, this was a positive reminder of how far I have come after my divorce.

I would definitely recommend this book as it’s so sentimental, but at the same time also sexy and contemporary- which in my opinion makes it more appealing and easier to connect with.

A book that I will remember.

First of all, give me a book that has lots of funny and/or sarcastic banter and I'm happy. Nicole and Declans banter was funny and flirty and hot! I loved their friendship first and how they basically put everything out on the table. All the side characters were hysterical, even though it took me awhile in the book to be able to remember who they were. This was the first book I've read by this author but I'm definitely going to read more!

I thought that this book was excellent and I loved it!

The characters were great, I loved their interaction and the author’s writing style made you feel as you were there with them – it was very well written and an easy one to read

The book was thoroughly entertaining – it had romance, honesty and an additive plot and it was one that I didn’t want to put down, I was enjoying it so much and wanted to know how the story would end

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

Hot Mess Summer by Melissa Foster

* Dual POV (although more heavily focused on female character)
* Older MCs
* Small beachside town
* Tight-knit community

This book is about a romance author who purchases a holiday home in a small beachside town in the hopes of soothing her soul and getting her writing mojo back. With no intentions of dipping her toes back in the dating waters, she is surprised when the universe has different plans.

My Review - ☆☆☆☆
I loved reading this book and getting lost in Nic's world. Both of our characters are living in a post-divorce world with adult children. They both face challenges within their own lives but fine solace in their fun filled friendship.
This love story feels very organic. It feels like a very mature love story with just enough spice. There are times where it feels like these characters are much younger than they are, but in all fairness, that is the point. They both find the fun again in their lives and it is beautiful to watch this blossom and watch them grow.
My favourite theme in this book is how ou heroine focuses on loving herself and accepting her for who she is!!! This messaging is amazing and powerful.
Although this book does have dual POV, the bulk of this book is written from the heroines perspective. At first I really wanted to get inside Declans head, but by the end of this book, these frutrations made me connect more with Nic.
Another amazing read from a fantastic author!

This is a humorous yet insightful look at life after divorce and finding yourself again. I loved the characters and their banter. I officially want to move to a New England small coastal town to find my chosen family.

Nicole and Declan are great characters. They’re not perfect. They are floundering around trying to figure out life. They are both in their 40’s. I enjoy reading about couples that are older like me. They are more relatable. I loved Nicole’s new friends. They are fun and humorous. This is a very well written book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Perfect read for the summer. I enjoyed all the characters. Super fun and very quick read.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book.

I received this book as an ARC, but all opinions are my own. Thank you to Net Galley and Montlake Publishers for the opportunity to read it early

This was a fun summer read. I would recommend to friends/family above my own age group however. There was lots of post-divorce self realization content, as well as later in life friendships/relationships that I had a hard time relating to personally.

That being said, the characters were lovable and had complexity. Such a quirky, well rounded, well written friend group. The plot, while not really heading anywhere in particular, had enough gradual developments to keep you in it. In the end the summer was wrapped up nicely, and in ways that you wouldn’t have expected half way through. Characters were pushed and their problems resolved in a way that was both realistic and made for a happy ending for the main characters (which we love of course).

I want to go to Chatemup! And I would certainly read another book about these characters.

I'm torn between 3.25/3.5 on this one. It brought me back from a months-long reading slump.

I liked that the main couple was older and mature in their decisions, they actually communicated as much as the plot allowed. The side characters in Nicole’s circle felt weird, too meddling and artificial, so I didn’t care much for them. But I did like Declan’s family and there was one scene that made me laugh out loud (I never do that, it felt great). The usual conflict made sense and felt necessary, but it could’ve happened earlier so the ending wouldn't be so rushed. I did enjoy the book, but if it weren’t for the main characters’ charisma and their compelling struggles nothing else would’ve piqued my interest in that little town.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this edition in exchange for an honest review.

Fun read! I got halfway through at my hair appointment and was a really fun was to spend my time at the salon. I was hoping these two characters would hit it off and we'd get to see where their relationship goes. Nice, easy read and a good pick for pool or beach reading!

A very hot girl read for me. As, this was hot, very very hot. I had so much for reading this!! Loved it.

Melissa writing in first person POV? Sign me up. I have been waiting for this style of writing from her for so long because, for me, I connect better with the characters. Now to the story, this one features mature adult characters which is refreshing to read! Their relationship grows organically and so do their characters. This is a heartwarming, small town, feel good story that will leave you with a smile.

this is an INSTANT review as I read a friend's ARC and saw it on Netgalley as "read now" - so I am adding in my two cents

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************

From the New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster comes a funny, sexy romantic comedy featuring a twice-divorced, stressed-out romance writer who finds out that sometimes true love can be a hot mess.

Who buys a cottage in a New England fishing village on a whim? A stressed-out, twice-divorced romance writer and single mother looking for a fresh start, that’s who. Despite what my besties say about my three-year dry spell, I’m not looking for a man. Or drama. Or sex. I’ve got enough on my plate with writer’s block and a daughter who refuses to grow up. Community. That’s what I need.
Unfortunately, it seems the universe has other ideas. Either Chatemup, Massachusetts, has a serious shortage of single women, or I’ve become a hot mess magnet for the male species. At least I’ve found one funny, good-hearted fish peddler Declan Miller, my brainstorming adventure buddy who stirs my creative juices. I’m his Writer Girl. He’s my Dimple Dude. Just scruffy, granite-chested, deep-voiced, ex-military brawn who happens to be— oh, Nicole, what are you doing to yourself? —stoking a long-neglected fire without even trying. A self-confessed hot mess divorced single dad Declan is too old for relationship games. Not interested. Same here. So why do I keep thinking about him? Preferably naked. Because I’m a hot mess, too? At least he’s inspiring me to write.

If only real life were like one of my novels. At least then I’d have a better idea of how this was going to end.

Although I found that this novel meandered around quite a bit of the time (much like the description above) in the end it was worth following the trail … a half-decent, not too treacly romance that PROBABLY should have come out in the spring or summer instead of the fall. (Just an opinion!). Nonetheless, I enjoyed it and will recommend it to my patrons, friends and book club members who will undoubtedly say "Oh are you thinking of moving to the ocean in Nova Scotia again?" #shortbutsweetreviews

PS – I am the type to move to a village like that … I think about it every darn day. (and how I would have to tranquillize my cats for a 4-day drive...maybe my brother would drive me in his camper so I did not have to put them in wee carriers????...#butIdigress)

There is nothing I enjoy more than reading a romance and being able to relate, on a deeper level, with the main characters. 𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥 is one such book.

This is above all else, a romance read, but the underlying theme of starting over, living and accepting oneself after a life changing event, was what made it special. I read this book and found myself understanding both Nicole and Declan because I saw parts of myself in both of them. It was refreshing to be able to do so.

As with all of Melissa’s books, there is a lot of sweet and steamy moments between the hero and heroine and a friend group that embraces you like a warm hug. I couldn’t get enough of them. This book was a fantastic, read in one sitting romance and it gets the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval. TBR 𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥 and Enjoy!

Romances with mature heros/heroines usually tend to be somewhat flat and sometimes even a little boring. But, not this one.

I was rooting for Nicole and Declan from the start. Nicole had been dealt a tough hand in life, so had Declan. And while they were drifting through life, they somehow encountered each other. What I loved most about their relationship is how it evolved so naturally. When Nicole needed a friend, that's what Declan was to her, and vice versa. But, when they were both ready for their relationship to progress, it happened so organically, that you knew it would turn into something special.

This is definitely going in my re-read list! ;)

P.s. Still not a fan of Mackenzie.


NOTE: ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.