Hot Mess Summer is a witty, entertaining stand-alone. You could almost call it a romantic comedy because of all the laughter, funny scenes and conversations that made me smile. But underneath the humour there's a strong feeling of sadness and past hurts to overcome for both Nicole and Declan. Their attraction is instantaneous, their friendship a wonderful thing to see develop. But their slow slide into love just sweet and wonderful to read about. A heart-warming romance with 'mature' characters in their late 30s and 40s. Highly enjoyable and I would love to see all the single side characters find their HEA!

Hot Mess Summer is a fun romantic comedy by Melissa foster featuring two divorced single parents that are not looking for love at all. Nicole is a romance author with writer’s block who buys a summer cottage in Chatemup, MA, in order to recharge and hopefully get a book done. She gets more than she bargained for with a hilarious cast of characters who know how to have fun and always have some advice. The town seems to be full of single men, but the one who catches her eye is Declan. They seem to understand each other on a deep level, but they vow to stay in the friend zone, despite the obvious sparks between them! Nicole and Declan really seem to find themselves and each other, but the hot messes in their lives keep popping in to interfere. Do they have the potential for more?

I really enjoyed reading a love story with MCs that were more my age, and they were both very relatable. This story shows the struggle of starting over after a divorce. The banter between “Dimple Dude” and “Writer Girl” was a blast to read, and that girl scout cookie scene was the best! I could picture that like a movie in my mind, and I was laughing the whole time!😂 The small town and found family vibes were strong in this story. There were so many people in and out that I had trouble keeping track of who was who at first, but they were funny, inviting, and caring. Plenty of drama came in from outside the relationship with Kenzie (Nic’s daughter), Lindsay (the ex-wife), and Rick (Declan’s dad). Declan, especially, shared a great deal of emotion, stemming from grief and military service. All of that was handled beautifully. As far as the romance aspect, it was a bit of a slow burn with some angst and tension as they tried to remain friends. Then, when they succumbed to their chemistry, it was like a bomb went off! So hot!!🔥🔥 Don’t miss this book! It’s funny, emotional, spicy, and it will leave you hoping for more books about these characters.

I received a free ARC via NetGalley, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶

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I liked this but the beginning was rough. There were way too many characters being introduced way too fast. After you got past that and just got Declan and Nic building a friendship it was a lot better. I liked seeing my little hags together. I loved that they were attracted to each other but still built that friendship foundation before they got together.

I received an arc through grey's promotion.

Hot Mess Summer is a fun and flirty book!!! This is one is not a part of one of her series. I loved every word, every chapter, all the characters and the story! I was captivated from page one. I laughed, cried, and cheered for Writer Girl and Dimple Dude throughout the whole book! This is one of your best stories Melissa Foster!

Hot Mess Summer by Melissa Foster was an engaging and addictive read!
This was my first Melissa Foster book, and it definitely won't be my last. I absolutely loved it! I feel in love instantly with both Nichole and Declan and their story was so much fun!
Her writing was so emotional and heartwarming. I enjoyed this sweet little adventure and I’m looking forward to reading more from Foster!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

So, I normally make it a point to read to escape reality. Because of this, I tend not to read characters that are super relatable to me. Others like to and that's fine, but for me why do I want to read about me? 🤣🤷‍♀️ so, when I opened Hot Mess Summer and discovered the main character was Nicole 😬, that she was my age 😬 and that her life journey had some similarities 😬, I was very nervous. That being said.. I very quickly fell in love with this book🥰.

Melissa Foster consistently produces books that steal my heart😍, make me laugh🤣 and get me all riled up🥵.

Nicole is a wonderful example of a fmc who has dealt with some things in life, been hurt and healed and hurt again. She has put in the work to find herself and continues to do so. We are the same age and I want to be like her when I grow up 😉.

Declan🥵. I loved Declan immediately. I love that he is very real. Very upfront. And he is trying. He is trying to be everything for everyone, even though it sometimes causes him more trouble than it may be worth. He is honest to a fault and the world needs more men like that. He's not a perfect book boyfriend because of these qualities, but he is damn near close. And did I mention everytime he opens his mouth?? 🥵🥵

I loved this story for multiple reasons. I loved the connection between the main characters, but I also loved their individual stories as well. This book made my heart happy and I will most definitely be reading it again. 🥰

Hot Mess Summer was an enjoyable romantic comedy with quirky characters that you want to root for from the very minute you meet them!

Nicole is a twice-divorced, single mother who is a romance writer who needs a fresh start. In order to get that, she buys a cottage in a small New England fishing village. Her sole goal is to focus on her writing and to avoid romance for herself all together. Of course best laid plans don't always work the way you hope. She meets Declan, a fish peddler, that she has an immediate connection with. They have a lot in common and they become fast friends and adventure buddies. Of course, she hopes to keep him Declan in the friend zone, but just like in her own novels, things don't go as planned. The question is, can these two that have so much baggage between the two of them make something work?

The chemistry between Nicole and Declan leapt off the page and the friendship that they developed definitely created the foundation for a longer lasting relationship. Foster used her typical brand of humor to infuse the story with great dialogue and laugh out loud moments. She

I appreciated that this was a romance about a more seasoned couple looking for a second or third chance at love. It goes to show that sometimes when you're not looking, that's when you find exactly what you don't think you're looking for!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Three years after her second divorce, Nicole is miserable with the lies her narcissist ex has been spreading among their friends and suffering from writer's block. She's a successful romance writer under a deadline and devoting seven days a week to her computer no longer seems to work. On a whim, she buys a cottage on the New England shoreline in Chatemup to spend summers in. But even the change of scenery doesn't trigger new inspiration until a chance meet-cute with a dimpled stranger causes the stories to start flowing again. Neither one of them is ready for a relationship as both of their lives are admittedly a hot mess. What follows is a friendship filled with adventure that eventually leads to benefits. But what happens when the summer ends?
I didn't realize this was part of the Love in Bloom series, just that there were a lot of characters to get to know right away. It read as a standalone in a charming small town with a lot of friendly people. From the beginning, I liked the banter between Nicole and Declan. I like the "adventures" he set up for her trying to make her summer fun and exciting. I especially liked that this was a later in life romance between adults with grown children showing it's never to late to find "the one".
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I always know I’m going to love a book if Melissa Foster is the author. There is just something about her writing style that speaks to me and it always makes me feel like I’m right there with the characters. And Hot Mess Summer was no different! I loved this book so much and it will be one that I will reread and is a feel good book. I loved that it had an older hero and heroine (30s and 40s). I loved both Nicole and Declan and felt that their story was believable and could happen in real life. Their story is proof that you’re never too old to find true love. This book had me laughing so much but also had moments that made me teary eyed along with swoon worthy moments. This was all around a heartwarming story that had me in all my feels and I will be recommending to everyone!

This storyline about a twice-divorced, nearly 40-year old woman moving into a cottage at the beach for the summer was so fun to read. I loved Nicole’s best friends Rachel and Dani, but really enjoyed seeing her become a part of the Chatemup community.

New friends, a sexy dimpled hottie asking her to be his adventure buddy made this book engaging and an entertaining. I totally related to the feelings Nicole had about not wanting to encounter old friends she knew because of her ex-husband.

Experiencing Nicole’s growth and adventures was such a nice change of pace. The storyline included romance, but Nicole stayed true to herself and respected her own boundaries.

Declan definitely was eye candy and such a tempting part of the story. Even though things weren’t always smooth sailing between them, he was respectful and an adult! Dimple Dude was definitely a catch!

There were so many characters to get to know, but anyone moving to a new town experiences the wave of so many new names and faces it was like us readers were adapting to the new town and learning all these new people alongside Nicole.

I received a free ARC from the author and Grey’s PR; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

I love small town romance and I love Melissa Foster so I was excited for Hot Mess Summer and all I need to say is this book was well written, entertaining and very enjoyable. This is Declan aka Dimple Dude and Nicole aka Writer Girls story set in the wonderful town of Chatemup, Massachusetts.
This is a story about finding love when you least expect it, taking chances, learning to trust again and putting the past behind you. I loved that is a journey about an older couple and I was captivated from the moment I picked Hot Mess Summer up. If you are looking for a read that will make you smile, leave you with a giggle with characters you can’t help bonding with look no further than this entertaining read.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

New beginnings... So many feelings

This book brought about so many feelings. I loved, loved Declan and I knew there was more to him underneath the adventurous and hot mess man. Nicole is so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. She came so far in her ‘Hot Mess Summer’, I was proud of her. Getting back to who you want to be after a divorce is not an easy feat. Dealing with young adult children who are on the cusp of independence is a tightrope walk, and I identified with her. I enjoyed the meet-cute between Nicole and Declan, and their growing slow-burn relationship. But that slow burn ignited into an inferno when they opened themselves to the possibilities.

Melissa Foster is a master at creating characters and gifting them to us in artistic and fun ways. How we see each person and who they are underneath the mask is endearing and emotional. Nicole has some wonderful and quirky characters who are willing to help her. Including her lifelong friends, Dani, and Rachel, and I hope we get to see their stories at some point. Her beach family is a wonderful mix of personalities and epitomizes what found family is all about. All in all this was a beautiful story of personal growth at any age, adventurous fun in doing anything as long as your with the right people, and finding love when you’re not looking for it. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Absolutely a cute summer read. I loved all the characters and the plot line.

- Slow Burn
- Small Town
- Mature MCs

Nicole is a writer and double divorcee, who bought a cottage in New England to try and beat her writers block. She finds a cute small town with many interesting individuals and multiple men making passes at her even though she has no desire to date again. She finds it hard to continue to be the workaholic she once was now that she has a community to be a part of.

Delcan is ex-military divorcee with a troubled background. With a messy family life, family business, and his own business to run, he has no time for romantic relations. He finds a piece of himself, as he goes on adventures with the new girl in town.

I was rooting for Nicole & Delcan from the start. I really enjoyed the character
Development and banner. The Girl Scout cookie scene had me laughing out loud.

This review is my own opinions from reading my ARC copy from NetGalley.

First let me say I love all things Melissa Foster. She is an auto download for kindle, or audiobooks for me. And getting an early copy of this was awesome. I loved these characters, and their fun friend Rachel. She does a great job when it comes to being the steam to her characters lives. Definitely pick up a copy of this one !!

Nicole is a romance author who purchased a summer home in Massachusetts and it’s a place she can escape to and maybe find some inspiration for her writing. Declan is a part of the community she is in and the two of them strike up a friendship and became adventure buddies.
There is chemistry between these two and I loved seeing their entire relationship develop. It was fun to see them grown and learn from each other as the story went on.
This book is rare in the fact that both characters are older and mature compared to reading a romance about some twenty somethings. Personally, I found it hard to connect with the characters, but it was still an enjoyable story.
If you’re looking for a friends to lovers, slow burn, age gap romance check this one out.

So I have been a long time reader of Ms Foster's and I have to say that this was just a flat okay read for me.

In this read we get a small town feel book with A LOT of characters that could have been left out as well as their dialog since much of it did not contribute to the plot. We get Nicole's story - a writer's blocked author who purchases a cabin in hopes of inspiring her writing again while she gets over her divorce and navigates being a single mother.

Declan, a single father, former military and fish seller becomes a friend to Nicole as the pair go on adventures. As their friendship grows the pair share some entertaining banter while they both find a connection in the hard cards that life has dealt them.

I think that while this is a great summer read it would have been better being released closer to summer. I also was not thrilled with the best friends of Nicole as they were hard to relate to especially since they were older than what they were portrayed as. I thought that the plot where it was a slow burn romance could have lost a lot of the extras that were in it and made it hard for me to soldier on when reading it.

Overall this was just an okay read for me that in the end may not have been a great pick for me.

4 star Review Hot Mess Summer by Melissa Foster

I know when I pick up a book by Melissa Foster I am in for an entertaining read. I was intrigued when I read the blurb for Hot Mess and couldn’t wait to dive in.

Set in Chatemup, Massachusetts this Declan aka Dimple Dude and Nicole (Nic) aka Writer Girl’s story and it ticked numerous boxes for me. We all know that love can be hard to find. Particularly as you get older. This is a story of moving on in life, of finding love when you least expect it. It’s a story of looking deep within and finding the courage to confront the past and taking a leap of faith.

This was a story that I enjoyed, I loved that the characters were older so perhaps that’s why it resonated with me. Well written, with characters who are easy to relate to I found myself smiling and laughing whilst reading.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Hot Mess was such an entertaining read. From the moment I picked up the book I was drawn into Nicole and Declan's story. I love how they became friends. There interaction in the book always put a smile on my face. Reading their story was like watching a movie. Their journey was such a natural progression. I loved the story and all the side characters just added to the book. I am definitely going to be rereading this one! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Twice-divorced, single mother, romance writer Nicole has just pressed "Control+Alt+Del" on her life. She needed a change, a fresh start. So, on a whim, she buys a raspberry-colored cottage in the small town of Chatemup, Massachusetts. She wants to spend her summer there, free of drama and the hot mess of her life back in Virginia. She wants a community to belong to. But like attracts like it seems, and all of a sudden, she's a magnet to all the hot mess men in the town, including Declan Miller. Self-proclaimed hot mess himself, he's a 47-year-old hunk of a man, with dimples that make Nicole swoon. Neither one is looking for romance. He's stretched thin as someone can be with his messy life that includes a widower dad that's not dealing with the loss of the love of his life, an ex-wife who keeps him on a leash with all the favors she needs from him, two sons, a successful "fish peddling" business... Nicole has sworn off men anyway, but they soon become fast friends and "adventure buddies" and all of a sudden the heart wants what the heart wants, right?
Loosely based on Melissa's own "summer of change"  this is a lovely story of finding what makes you happy, no matter when it happens in life. I love that the main characters are "older" and embracing change and new beginnings. 
It's Melissa's first foray into 1st person POV and I really liked that she choose to write that way  for this story. It makes you feel closer to the Nicole and Declan. 
In true Melissa fashion, she touches some heavy subjects, such as divorce, grief, gambling, PTSD, but all with the Melissa touch we all know and love. 
It's funny, sweet, steamy and the best "hot mess" ever! I want to move to Chatemup!  LOVED IT!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I am a huge fan of Foster and all her interlinked books; this was just as good as ever. In fact, I think it was possibly one of the hottest from the get go! This is probably because Nicole and Declan are older and very clear that they are both not interested in a relationship, but strongly attracted to each other. It works really well as a holiday romance which turns serious, I loved it.

Nicole is an author with a deadline and writer's block, so her impulsive purchase of a beach house to get her back in the mood is where she plans to spend the summer. Her friends come out to see she is settled and find it hard to leave, given the fun that is to be had in the community where her house is set.

As she gets to party with the oldies and spend time at the beach, Declan is often around and keeping the chemistry bubbling between them. It is fun watching them let their passion fly free, but only really half believing their ‘It is just a fling.’ statements.

I can see myself rereading this one just because it is so great to see these two people give themselves a chance to be happy!


Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Nicole and Declan are friends with a simmering flame between them. Neither of them is ready to take things further, so they are content as friends.

Being twice divorced, Nicole is not in any hurry to rush into a relationship, but her friends think she needs a man. She is a romance writer with writer's block and her friends are trying to get her block removed by hooking her up with Declan. Can Declan help remove her writer's block?

This group of friends is the best, they can laugh, laugh at each other, and cry together. I love the way their relationship evolves, and they finally give in to their passion. This story has the main characters in their late 30s and 40s and is more relatable.

I am a diehard Melissa Foster follower and try not to miss her books and this one is great. I highly recommend it.