I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Three quick reads by three well-known authors. Especially liked the story by Susan Mallery.

I liked the title of Suddenly This Summer and the fact that it had stories by different authors. I had heard of, and have reviewed books by, Susan Mallery and Stefanie London. Synithia Williams is a new-to-me-author. Each story. was unique and the book has all the summer vibes.

Thanks to Susan Mallery, Stefanie London, Synithia Williams and Harlequin Books S.A. for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

This is book .5 in the Wishing Tree series. There are 3 short stories in this book. Susan Mallery's, Say you'll stay is about a young woman on her way to nowhere when she stops for lunch in Wishing Tree and takes a part time job. The local handyman encourages her to stay.
This time for keeps by Williams and Best man next door by London are equally as good. All are sweet short romances that have you wishing to visit this lovely little town.

Suddenly This Summer by Susan Mallery, Synithia Williams, and Stefanie London is a collection of three contemporary romance novellas from each author. These novellas all tie to the three authors current series but they all can be read as standalone stories with having different main characters from the full books in the series.

The first story in Suddenly This Summer is Say You’ll Stay by Susan Mallery which is a part of her Wishing Tree series which are normally set during Christmas but let’s reader see a glimpse of the small town in the summer. In this story Shaye Harper is passing through Wishing Tree when she meets Lawson Easley who gives her a reason to stay.

This Time for Keeps by Synithia Williams is set in Peachtree Cove from the author’s novel, The Secret to a Southern Wedding. Michaela Spears has returned to Peachtree to help care for her ailing father when none other than her off again, on again ex, Khalil Davenport, shows to be her father’s care nurse. Michaela thought Khalil was out of her life for good but can the two have a second chance at love?

Best Man Next Door by Stefanie London is a part of the author’s Paws in the City contemporary romance series. In Best Man Next Door Sage Nilsen has returned to her Massachusetts hometown for a wedding when she runs into the same mean girls from high school and only wants to lease ASAP. That is until Sage begins to spend time with her former crush, Jamie Hackett, who just may give Sage a reason to stay.

Picking up Suddenly This Summer by Susan Mallery, Synithia Williams, and Stefanie London was a complete no brainer for me since two of the three series featured in the book when ones I have been following from the beginning. I of course had high expectations for those two novellas and was not disappointed in the least really, with of course my only novella complaint of I would love if they went on longer. As for the third novella I found that I quite enjoyed the story even without being familiar with the author so overall this was a lovely collection for any contemporary romance fan.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

The Susan Mallery story has already been published and is the prequel to the Wishing Tree Series. Synthia Williams story dealt with the h coming home to take care of her ill father. The H is her father’s nurse and the h’s former fiancé.
I received an ARC from net galley

Say You’ll Stay by Susan Mallery
Shaye Harper has decided that she’s done with men by the time she makes a stop in Wishing Tree. Lawson Easley has returned home after years away and is smitten by Shaye but disappointed she has no plans to stay in town. Is there a possibility that Lawson can convince Shaye that Wishing Tree is a great place to establish roots?

This Time for Keeps by Synithia Williams
Michaela Spears is home to help care for her sick father, but she’s also hoping to win back the heart of someone whose heart she broke years before. Khalil knows it’s not a good idea to be the home nurse for Michaela’s father, but he can’t resist knowing that Michaela is back in town. She’s not sure anything she does will convince Khalil that she’s here to stay, but she’s willing to try.

Best Man Next Door by Stefanie London
Sage Nilsen dreads going back to her hometown for her sister’s wedding because it brings back lots of painful memories. Sage never felt like she fit in, always pegged as an outcast. Jamie Hackett was the guy next door who turned her down when she asked him to prom, now he’s the best man. All the more reason to not want to go home. She’s unprepared for the feelings and sparks that fly once she’s around Jamie again. Is it possible that she might have a second chance with Jamie and the town she left behind?

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #SuddenlyThisSummer

Three second chance love stories are included in this book. All three quick, easy reads that are hard to put down. Two of the three authors are new to me and look forward to searching out their backlist.

Suddenly This Summer is an anthology featuring three novellas by different romance authors. I enjoyed all three of these stories and like that two of them are prequels to larger ones. I don't always enjoy novellas as much as other books, but these stories did not feel rushed and I felt that I got to know the characters relatively well. Overall this was a lovely anthology with three enjoyable romances. For those of you that do not like open door romance, there is some in this book, but it was a small part of the stories and I was able to skip over it and still enjoy this book.

Say You'll Stay is the perfect introduction to the Wishing Tree series. We meet some of the residents that will play a role in future stories. I loved the setting, the community and the love and acceptance from the sometimes quirky residents. Of course the romance between Shaye and Lawson is also well written and enjoyable. You don't need to read this book to enjoy the rest of the series, but it is a sweet introduction that I enjoyed.

This Time for Keeps is a story to make those workaholics sit up and reevaluate their lives. It stresses the importance of being happy with your work, choosing what is right for you and not to feel pressured to take a job that won't make you happy, or leave a job that you are happy in. I liked how the relationship between Khalil and Michaela developed. Having been in a physical relationship in the past, it was nice to see them enjoy each others company as friends before making a decision about their relationship. I liked both characters and enjoyed seeing them look at their lives and determine what is really important to them.

Best Man Next Door introduced us to Sage and Jamie. Both of them had some baggage from their past that they had to overcome before having any kind of meaningful relationship. One thing that I liked was the how Stefanie London dealt with bullying and how childhood bullying can affect lives long after. Of course childhood bullies don't always grow up and change, some become adult bullies and Courtney was well written. I enjoyed the romance and how Sage and Jamie finally opened up and were honest with one another. Sage's family was very important to her and helped her in making her final decisions. I think this was my favorite in the anthology, although I enjoyed them all.

I am not a fan of anthologies however I picked up this book as I love Susan Mallery. It turns out I had already read the Susan Mallery story. I had never read the other two authors, Syninthia Williams and Stefanie London and I enjoyed both of their stories. They were filled with love and romance. I would definitely pick up these two authors again to read and Susan Mallery is one of my favourites.

Suddenly This Summer

Three small town romances that provide a variety of characters, issues to be dealt with, and happily ever afters that made the characters – and me – happy. Getting to read two new-to-me authors that I would read again was also a treat.

Susan Mallery’s SAY YOU’LL STAY sees Lawson and Shaye meet on the street, spend some time together during Christmas in July and wonder if it would be a fleeting moment that will quickly pass them by or perhaps provide a future for them together.

Synthia Williams’s THIS TIME FOR KEEPS Michaela and Khalil circling one another with one ready to commit and the other unable to trust that this time it will really work for them. Is the time finally right for this couple and if so, how will it come about?

Stefanie London’s BEST MAN NEXT DOOR was a surprise and my favorite of the three stories. Sage and Jamie were wonderful people that so deserved to be together. I loved everything about this story though I wished that both characters had not had to go through difficult times to achieve the maturity they did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

SUDDENLY THIS SUMMER Anthology featuring Susan Mallery, Synithia Williams, and Stefanie London is an enjoyable combination of three contemporary romances that are all great for a quick read and a heartfelt bit of romance. I started these stories and could not stop until I finished all three.

Say You’ll Stay by Susan Mallery is an introduction to the wonderful small-town of Wishing Tree. This story has Shaye Harper just passing through, but Lawson Easley knows she is “the one” and wants her to stay. I have read all the Wishing Tree books and they are just wonderful and always leave me with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart.

This Time for Keeps by Synithia Williams has Michaela Spears returning home when her father gets a kidney transplant determined to convince Khalil Davenport she is home to stay and wants their relationship to be permanent. This is a new to me author who wrote about finding the balance that is important in life and love. This is a spicier romance than the other two.

Best Man Next Door by Stefanie London has Sage Nilsen returning home for her sister’s wedding to the hometown she could not wait to leave. Jamie Hackett is the best man and was the only man Sage had ever wanted but could not have. This wedding may be the second chance both are looking for if they can let go of the past. I loved this romance so much even though it reminded me why I hated high school.

Overall, three well written novella length, delightful contemporary romances that are relatable and satisfying on every level.

Sweet novella anthology

I am a big fan of Susan Mallery and have read almost all of her books. This is a nice anthology of novellas by three romance authors, just right for your summer vacation reading (when you don't want to spend too much time or energy...). I will now have two more authors to discover the backlist! Definitely recommended!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

Suddenly This Summer is a gorgeous collection of three heart-melting contemporary romances by perennial favorite Susan Mallery and fast-rising stars Synithia Williams and Stefan London.

In Susan Mallery’s Say You’ll Stay, romance is the very last thing on Shaye Harper’s mind. Having sworn off men, affairs of the heart are strictly off the table for her – which is a shame as she’s just met devastatingly attractive army vet Lawson Easley and she has fallen head over heels in love with him! The more time the two of them spend in one another’s company, the more they realise that this could be the beginning of something special for the two of them, but while Shaye is in the small town of Wishing Tree for a flying visit and will be heading off to pastures new soon, Lawson makes it perfectly clear that this is where his home is.

Do Shaye and Lawson have a future together? Will they fight for their love? Or does their happiness lie elsewhere?

Susan Mallery never puts a foot wrong and she consistently delivers sparkling, emotional and enjoyable page-turners readers cannot help lapping up. Say You’ll Stay is a funny, feel-good and heart-warming novella that will make you smile and fall in love. Sparkling, magical and hugely enjoyable, Say You’ll Stay is another first-rate tale from this much-loved storyteller.

In Synithia Williams’ This Time for Keeps, Michaela Spears has returned back home to look after her ailing father – and to reconcile with the one man she has never quite managed to put behind her: Khalil Davenport. Michaela had broken his heart years ago so she isn’t sure what sort of reception she will get from her ex – so she is shocked when Khalil turns up on her parents’ doorstep and informs her that he’s her father’s nurse!

Old feelings quickly resurface, but are Michaela and Khalil ready to give their love another try? Or should they just let bygones be bygones?

Synithia Williams’ This Time for Keeps is a warm, emotional and witty tale about second chances, righting old wrongs and healing from the past that will tug at the heartstrings. With two characters you cannot help but fall for, Synithia Williams’ This Time for Keeps is sure to delight!

In Stefanie London’s Best Man Next Door, Sage Nilsen is far from thrilled to be back home. But with a family wedding to attend, she had no choice but to return to the town she had left behind years ago. Sage always knew that going back was going to be hard, but she wasn’t prepared for the feelings that overwhelmed her when she clapped eyes on Jamie Hackett who has gone from boy next door to handsome best man!

It doesn’t take long for sparks to start flying and for never forgotten feelings to reawaken leaving Sage to wonder whether the second chance she had been hoping for might have been under her nose all along.

Stefanie London’s Best Man Next Door is a swoon-worthy charmer you will find hard to resist. Sparkling, sexy and feel-good, this uplifting romantic novella aims straight for the heart and does not miss as readers will be completely invested in Sage and Jamie’s engaging and enjoyable love story.

If you are looking for the perfect beach read this summer, look no further than Suddenly This Summer by Susan Mallery, Synithia Williams and Stefanie London.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Nice blend of stories for this anthology.
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Susan Mallory is one of my go-to authors when I want a wonderful, warm-hearted contemporary romance. Her stories are women’s fiction with the romance element so it becomes a cozy romance built in a small town.

This book is based on one of her previous stories set in Wishing Tree, a wonderful, feel-good setting where everyone knows you and welcomes strangers with open arms.

I just love her storytelling gift and her characters shine in the story. They’re just warm and fuzzy all over. This story offers a beautiful balance of friends, family, community, and a growing romance.

Love this one! 4 STARS!
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The next story is by Synithia Williams. This is a first-time read for me by this author.

This story brings a second-chance romance to the forefront with a warm story that gives us lessons on working smarter to gain precious time for life and love. I really enjoyed the character development and the delicate balancing act facing many with again parents and building a life for yourself too.

A sweet read with a lovely HEA. 3 STARS!
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The last story is by Julia London who also is a wonderful women’s fiction/contemporary romance author. I love the story as she brings us a supportive and sweet second-chance romance with a bit of sexy appeal to it.

I have read several of London’s books before and love her stories so this was a special treat! A fun, sweet story. I was definitely digging the romance!

4 STARS!
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Overall, this is a great collection of stories that will be perfect for a quick taste of romance without having to dive into a full-length novel. The authors are strong and gifted, and each one also offers a little taste of their next upcoming release as a teaser.

Overall – 4 stars!

A perfect summer read: easy, entertaining and well done. I liked these stories and enjoyed them
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Three short stories by three wonderful authors! Easy reads, with Happily Ever After endings. What’s not to like? Synthia Williams was a new author to me, but her story was engaging throughout. Both Susan Mallery and Stephanie London are favorites of mine and I liked getting to read whatever they write.

Three novellas by three excellent authors. Say You’ll Stay by Susan Mallery, This Time For Keeps by Synithia Williams and Best Man Next Door by Stefanie London. All are easy, entertaining reads, family, drama, romance and HEAs, each are lovely to read, with a tie in with the holidays. Grab this one for the beach or just your leisurely “me” time.

Three authors, three different stories
All of them captured my attention and were heartwarming. Loss and heartache give way to love, redemption and happy ever after.
Truly entertaining feel good stories.