Member Reviews

Such a terrific novel of love, of loss, and of the relationships that happen. Olivia and Fred-you wish for them everytime they reconnect, hoping all will endure. They always seem to meet up after five years pass and it is the sale of her family home that brings them together once again. Told in phases of their relationship set against the current day, their experiences will mark your heart.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This is one of The Summer Beach reads of the year I just know it. This is one of the best summer romance books I've read and had been looking forward to. I could not put it down. Hands down this is going to be in the top 5 books of this summer. It is a love story that you can't miss!

I just reviewed Summer After Summer by Lauren Bailey. #SummerAfterSummer #NetGalley
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Summer After Summer is the debut novel written by Lauren Bailey.It tells the story of Olivia who leaves her husband Wes and their New York apartment because of his affair.She is going to the Hamptons to her childhood home to help her sisters Charlotte and Sophie and their father empty it out for the new owner.She is surprised to find out the new owner is her high school flame Fred.Told in alternating timelines the novel tells the story of past and present relationships.You will enjoy how this story plays out!Thank you Lauren Bailey and NerGalley for allowing me to read this ARC ofSummer After Summer!

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"Summer After Summer" by Lauren Bailey is a captivating and heartfelt story that explores the complexities of love, loss, and second chances. The novel follows Olivia Taylor, a woman whose marriage is falling apart, as she returns to her family's estate in the Hamptons to help with the packing. As Olivia navigates the emotional turmoil of leaving behind her childhood home, she also finds herself confronting the ghosts of her past, particularly the memories of her first love, Fred. Bailey skillfully weaves together the present circumstances of Olivia's life with flashbacks to her earlier relationship with Fred. The author beautifully captures the nostalgia and bittersweet longing that Olivia experiences as she reminisces about their youthful romance. Through her vivid descriptions, Bailey transports the reader to the idyllic beachfront property where Olivia's memories were born, where her mother passed away, and where her love story with Fred began. The character development in "Summer After Summer" is exceptional. Olivia's growth throughout the book is palpable, as she evolves from a woman trapped in a failing marriage to a confident individual rediscovering herself. The author expertly portrays Olivia's inner struggles, showcasing her strength and vulnerability in equal measure. Fred, too, undergoes his own transformation, making him a compelling and multi-dimensional character. The chemistry between Olivia and Fred is electric, and readers will find themselves rooting for their reunion. What sets "Summer After Summer" apart is its exploration of the theme of second chances. As Olivia and Fred cross paths once again, they both grapple with the idea of whether their love was simply not meant to be or if fate has brought them together for a reason. The novel delves into the notion that individuals can change over time, and with personal growth, relationships can evolve and stand a chance at lasting happiness. This underlying message is a source of hope and inspiration for readers who have experienced their own share of heartbreak. Bailey's writing style is engaging and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the Hamptons' scenic beauty and the emotional landscape of the characters. The pacing of the story is well-balanced, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. The dialogue feels authentic and adds depth to the characters' interactions, allowing readers to truly connect with them on an emotional level. In conclusion, "Summer After Summer" is a mesmerizing tale of love, growth, and the power of second chances. Lauren Bailey's storytelling prowess shines through as she crafts a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings and leaves a lasting impression. This novel will resonate with readers who appreciate well-developed characters, poignant reflections on the past, and the possibility of finding love when least expected. "Summer After Summer" is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking a heartfelt and captivating story that lingers long after the final page.

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Great as always. Loved the character development. I enjoy her books and this was no different. Cute story line.

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I always struggle with dual timeline before, but this book was so easy to read despite the constant time jumps. I love that we get to see how the past turned out and how it affected the present. I love how each character, despite the distance and time apart are there for each other. Most especially during that particular scene that rocked their reality and the future of their summer home.

If you want to read a summer book about a mid 30s woman still trying to figure out life, in which you are struggled to grasped to, then this is for you! It has both friendship and family and a little sprinkle of mystery to keep you going.

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First, I would like to thank Netgalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity.
I love books with summer vibes and the perfect summer beach vibes, and this one had a synopsis that made me intrigued.
I began reading and I liked the writing, it was fluid and easy to read.
About the plot I liked it in general but sometimes it felt too long. Well, but it was interesting to see the present and past.
I liked the characters but unfortunately, I couldn’t identify myself with any of them.
Overall is a good book and I’ll recommend it if you like summer reads that will leave you intrigued and interested, always wanting for more.

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I really enjoyed this book. Fred and Olivia are star crossed lovers of the best kind. Olivia, an aspiring tennis player, falls in love with a lounge chair beach attendant one summer, and every five years they seem doomed to repeat the same love story. Fans of Emily Henry will really like this book. I’ve seen reviews that compare the author’s writing to Rebecca Serle, but it lacks the supernatural quality that Serle adds to her books. This book is a great beach read, certainly a companion to your yearly Elin Hildebrand and Emily Henry. Happy reading!

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Olivia Taylor returns home to the Hamptons to sell off her family home and take stock of her life after finding out her husband was having an affair. And of course the one that got away is front and center in her home town

This was absolutely delightful.

Embarrassing side note - I was 60% in when I realized this was a Persuassion retelling. It was so richly developed and stretched the formula so much I was not convinced how it would work out for our heroine until the end, even knowing Persuassion well.

This book was incredibly satisfying: engrossing plot lines, very spicy romance and characters with depth and layers. I absolutely enjoyed this book and could not put it down. I look forward to see what the author produces next.

Please note, I did receive this ARC for free; I am writing this honest review voluntarily

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Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC.

This retelling of Persuasion is much more melancholy than Jane Austen’s books are meant to be; Austen is a satirical writing commenting on society, and Bailey writes us a bittersweet story of love. I love the Hamptons, old-money setting and meeting each character. The story unfolds bit by bit through dual timelines, and when the twist is finally revealed, I gasped!

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Retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion? Count me in!

This was a very nice casual afternoon read. After many recent dud reads, a modern book which makes you feel like you're reading a classic is exactly what I needed in my life.

The dual timelines were done well and kept my interest.

The one thing that stopped it from being a 5 star for me was that it did feel very very slow at times, and I think that's just a personal preference of min. However, it was enough for me not to give it a higher rating despite the fact that this could definitely have been a 5-star read.

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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4.5/5 stars

Game, set, match, Lauren Bailey!

To borrow a quote from the novel, this is a book that I will be thinking about in five years.

Olivia finds herself back in her childhood home. She’s separated from her husband and her father has finally decided to sell the house. Not to mention, she finds herself in her first love’s orbit after years of trying to stay out of his atmosphere. With dual timelines between past and present, we learn how Olivia and Fred fell in love, and how they fell apart, summer after summer.

I must admit that there were times in this book where I really didn’t think I was going to get a happy ending. And I had made my peace with that because sometimes sad endings can be just as beautiful as happy ones. But I won’t lie, I was *elated* when I got my HEA.

Fans of Jane Austen’s Persuasion will adore this charming retelling!

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A “Persuasion” retelling of my dreams. Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Past: Fred and Olivia meet as teenagers one summer. It’s perfect until it’s heartbreaking. Present: Olivia goes back to her old house, angry at her husband, to clean it up to sell, because her old love Fred has bought it.

We weave from past to present. Summer to Summer. It seems every 5 years Olivia and Fred try and just can’t make it work. When their present collides for what seems like should be the last time, is this it?

I love a second chance romance and Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” the basis of this story is one of the best. Lauren Bailey takes the story we know, makes it modern and relevant. Even though you think you know how it will end the ups and downs of Fred and Olivia’s relationship still puts you on the edge of your seat.

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This has so much potential to be a 5 star read with all the best aspects of summer reading! However, there was just too much back and forth for me and a tad rug out.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

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Summer After Summer is a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. Lauren Bailey did a great job of keeping the bones of the story without too heavily relying on the outline. I really enjoyed this spin on the classic.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

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Summer After Summer unfortunately fell short for me. The constant back-and-forth narrative and character self-sabotage, coupled with a slightly drawn-out storyline, left me feeling like the plot was treading water.

The central theme of communication issues between the main characters was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the chemistry when they reunited kept me engaged, but on the other, it added to the frustration that permeated the narrative. The dual timelines helped in maintaining my interest. While at times sluggish throughout, the story did wrap together nicely in the end.

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This book was everything I wanted it to be and more! It was such a cozy beach read and I constantly craved more. It had great character development and I’ll probably reread it this summer! I loved it.

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I loved the beginning of the book. Who doesn’t love a coming of age summer romance? It was nostalgic and gave me all the feels.
As Olivia grew older the tennis picked up and I was less interested in that. I found it hard to believe they would find their way to each other with the intensity of it after only spending a handful of days together in total. It was a running joke with Ash but also what happened to her at the end?
I also didn’t find it believable that their circle of people was so small.
The ending was more the conclusion of a who done it murder mystery game and was easy to predict as it unfolded but also came out of nowhere.
I do love a HEA so the book ended with warm and fuzzies and I really did love the beginning.

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A captivating read featuring a multitude of endearing characters. A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion making it the perfect summer read!

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A woman comes home to help her family clear out the house since it is sold. A lot of memories come with this house. Also, the woman is newly separated from her cheating husband.

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