Effie Olsen's Summer Special by Rochelle Bilow is a fun contemporary romance set on a charming Maine island, which is one of my favorite summer settings. It's a book about friendship and reconnection and romance.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

this was fine and I liked the old friendship rekindling but honestly wasn't that invested in the couple throughout

Effie Olsen left her island in Maine with the goal of being a chef all over the world. Now she’s back on Adler Island, broke and broken. Fired from her last job, with no money, she comes home to work at a new and notable restaurant except she’s afraid of what will happen when she runs into her very friend, a guy she hasn’t seen or talked to in years. Not since their friendship blew up.

It’s a good story, and Effie is great. Love Ernie, and his patience with Effie as she tries to find her happy. The Maine setting is a delight.

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

My first Rochelle Bilow book and I don’t think it’ll be my last. I loved the vibes, Adler Island and the culinary scene(really loved). I was initially kinda conflicted because Effie is not a conventionally likable character, at times while reading I was like “girl??” but the more I was in her head the more I came to understand her in a way. This book is romantic, with an amazing cast of characters and relatable themes. I really really liked Rochelle’s writing and would love to try another book by her!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Facing financial hardship, joblessness, and a sense of aimlessness, Effie Olsen returns to her hometown in Maine. Seeking employment, she accepts a position as a sous chef, fully aware that it is likely temporary. Her primary objective is to increase her income and establish a savings plan. Despite her culinary expertise, the new role does not fully satisfy her aspirations. Regrettably, poor judgment led her to engage in a hot night with her boss, Ernie Callahan, with whom she had once shared a close friendship. Recognizing that this employment serves as a temporary respite, Effie endeavors to maintain her focus and dedication.

I appreciate the setting of this story in Maine, as it evokes fond memories of my family’s summer vacations there. The combination of the picturesque location, the blossoming romance, and the overall delightful narrative makes this book an enjoyable read. It offers a wealth of content, and I believe it has the potential to become a favorite among readers.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the Maine island setting —a perfect vibe for a summer book! I thought the romance between Eddie and her co-worker and former best friend Ernie was well-written but at times I struggled to emotionally connect with it.

This was cute! It was super funny and a light romance read! This was my first book by RB and I would definitely read another one! I love a second chance romance story!

I read this while in Maine and mostly in Acadia and I’m proud to say I had a ton of locally sourced meals 🤣

This book was super cute and I loved Effie and Ernie together and they had great communication with each other because they are ADULTS lol

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

When I saw this book was set in coastal Maine, I knew I wanted to read it around my trip and bring it with me! Second chance childhood friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes in a romance book!

I haven’t seen The Bear, but it’s giving some of those vibes!! Overall is full of pining, small town charm, foodie moments, self-discovery, and overall a lot of swoony moments!

Effie and Ernie are truly just meant to be 💕. Loved reading a romance without a third-act breakup also 🙌🏻.

Flirty and fun, this was such an easy summer read!

Rochelle Bilow is a new favorite - I had not read any of her books before, but will definitely be following her now! I loved Effie and the restaurant setting - don't read on an empty stomach! :) This would make a perfect beach read! My only complaint was Effie seemed a bit closed off at times and I couldn't tell if she was standoffish or maybe just shy? All in all, it was a great book that I would recommend.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Love Rochelle Bilow and love this book! Her writing style is just perfection, and I love the characters that she creates for the reader!

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Effie Olsen’s Summer Special

Author: Rochelle Bilow

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Sapphic side couple, Mexican side character

Recommended For...: adult book readers, romance, contemporary

Publication Date: April 30, 2024

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Relevance: 18+ (romance, sexual content, harassment, sexual harassment, language, alcohol consumption, COVID)

Explanation of Above: This is an adult romance book, so there is romance and sexual content including sexting and sex scenes. There are mentions and showings of harassment and sexual harassment. There is some strong language. There are scenes of alcohol consumption. There is a mention of COVID.

Spice: 3/5

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 384

Synopsis: These childhood best friends swore they’d never speak again. But that was before a surprise summer reunion gives them a chance to turn up the heat. Effie Olsen thought she’d never settle down on the tiny Maine island where she grew up, but she’s returning from a whirlwind sixteen years as a professional chef in far-flung countries for one summer and one summer only. Her hometown boasts one of the best restaurants in the US, and lucky for her, Brown Butter needs a sous chef. Effie is eager for a chance at redemption after her last job went up in flames, but reluctant to set down roots in a place that reminds her of the ghosts of her past. Until, that is, she runs into Ernie Callahan, her onetime best friend who now works in the very same restaurant. Early morning swims and late-night games of truth or dare with Ernie remind her of what she’s been missing while traveling the world. He knows her better than anyone, and it doesn’t hurt that his smile lights her up brighter than the lighthouses dotting the craggy coastline. But Brown Butter has a secret that’s bursting at the seams, and if Effie doesn’t keep it, her job will vanish into the foggy Maine air. As summer draws to a close, she realizes a second chance at her dream job and the perfect guy are both within reach. The salty seaside town of Alder Isle is the key to Effie’s sweet ending.... All she has to do now is learn to let her heart lead the way.

Review: Maybe I'm just in a romance mood, but this book was so cute and I liked it a lot. In this book we follow our main character whose name is Effie. Our main character is a professional chef and she has went to a lot of different countries , but she finds herself back home in Maine due to a mysterious reason that the reader finds out along the way. Her plan is to only stay one summer and she plans to work at this restaurant that prides itself on using locally sourced food. There. She reconnects with an old flame and they end up working together but also Effie finds out that locally sourced apparently does not mean local in this restaurant and she ends up investigating what is actually going down in this restaurant. This character is a little older then normal romance books which I really liked. I am in my thirties and while I do love YA and middle grade and the college age crowd, I like seeing myself and my age group in books LOL. I really liked the character development and the story that went along with this book. I like that the romance was there and a focal point at the book but it wasn't the main thing about this book. I also really liked the world building and I would gladly come back to this book world.

The only thing that I found just a little off-putting was a little bit of plot gaps here and there and some pacing issues, but again I had an early ARC so they have probably been resolved.

Verdict: I loved it so much.

A cute second chance friends-to-lovers romance set in Maine that will make a great beach read. The restaurant subplot will have you craving lobster!

Thanks to Berkley for the copy to review.

You know how sometimes there are authors who you've never heard of before and then all of a sudden you are eagerly checking for their next release? That's how I feel about Rochelle Bilow. I read her previous book Ruby Spencer's Whiskey Year and loved every page of it. So, of course when I was offered an ARC of Effie Olsen's Summer Special courtesy of Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio, I dove right in.

I've been on a bit of a social media hiatus and am finally getting back into the groove of reviewing. Rest assured, during my brief stint away, I kept reading and have been eager to share my thoughts.

Effie Olsen's story was just as enjoyable as Ruby Spencer's. Although, I did miss the Scottish accents. Effie's story touched my heart and once again Bilow has me checking for when the next book will be released!

Effie Olsen's Summer Special was a sweet childhood friends to strangers to lovers novel about Effie and Ernie, who find themselves drawn back together when Effie returns to their hometown to take a new job after working around the world. This was my first Rochelle Bilow read and I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed that it is written in third person POV because you were able to know both Ernie and Effie's thoughts. I thought their friendship and eventual relationship was so incredibly sweet and I loved that the angst came from their feelings and history, rather than a love triangle and contrived drama. It just made you root for them that much more. The plot about their workplace was interesting as well, because it brought in so many fun characters and the drama was outside their relationship, which I appreciated. I'd definitely recommend this book to any romance readers, it's a perfect beach read. Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 ⭐️ the setting of this was PERFECT FOR A SUMMER READ! My only complaint is I just kinda felt like Effie (FMC) was so withdrawn for no reason? I didn’t dislike her she just wasn’t my fav! Overall a cutie read! The restaurant drama had me at the edge of my seat!!

Summer romances are not disappointing, and I am here for all of them!! This Maine second-chance romance was so cozy and heartwarming, yet covered some heavier topics, including sexual assault and parental abandonment. It also included some great mental health rep, which I always appreciate!

I liked how Effie and Ernie’s romance was interwoven into Effie’s journey to heal and find herself, as well as the uncovering of all the secrets Jarrod and Geoffrey were trying to cover up at Brown Butter. I also loved how much of a foodie read this was! Rochelle’s past as a food writer and chef definitely shone through, and it made me want all of the lobster rolls, pasta, and chowder!

If you love food writing, romance, and some mystery, give Effie Olsen’s Summer Special a try!

If you’re looking for a heartwarming read to kick off your summer reading, I highly recommend Effie Olsen’s Summer Special. It’s a small town, friends to lovers romance, that also features a wonderful journey of personal growth and healing for the main character, Effie.

Effie has reluctantly returned home to Maine after over 15 years of traveling around the globe in her capacity as a chef. Her last job ended abruptly and she has come home to work at Brown Butter, a local Michelin-starred restaurant. Her goal is to replenish her bank account so that she can continue her rootless, globetrotting ways. That is, until she encounters Ernie, her former childhood best friend.

Their friendship went a bit sideways when they graduated from high school, so Effie returning home gives them not only the opportunity to mend their broken friendship but to realize that they actually have more than just friendly feelings for one another. I thought the chemistry between Ernie and Effie was amazing and I enjoyed the fun banter between them.

In addition to the romance, which was both sweet and spicy, I also found myself deeply invested in Effie’s personal journey, especially as her experiences once she returns home have her rethinking what she wants out of her life, especially as old wounds finally start to heal.

The vivid Maine setting, some shady drama at Brown Butter, and a fabulous cast of secondary characters all come together to make this the perfect beach read so be sure to pick up a copy!