This book is going to make a great beach read this summer! I really like Rochelle Bilow’s writing! It’s easy to read, I was so engaged the entire time. I don’t always love third person, but there was something about the way this was written that was just felt so good to read. I really loved all the moving let’s of the story - between Ernie and Effie’s rekindled friendship turned flirting turned MORE, to Effie really facing her fears about coming home and why she wanted to leave so badly in the first place, and then whole restaurant subplot was the perfect little added mystery.

I LOVED Effie and Ernie honestly. It was kind of a slow burn?? They were working out how to be best friends again and putting the past behind them. But of course she’s lowkey obsessed with him?? He’s BEAUTIFUL and nice and her best friend!! And for whatever reason I liked the back and forth they did? Like they were flirting then backing off, kissing and then decidedly NOT, then confessing things and then NOT. I don’t usually like that but I did this time?? I think it was because I was rooting for them so hard.

Truthfully though I really only loved Effie and Ernie. I did like all the characters! And the restaurant drama was exciting. But I really just felt really neutral about almost the whole book.

Thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

OKAY WOW this book was the perfect mix of spice and plot. More to come on my Goodresds review but this book was the epitome of the summer

Childhood best friends who broke up are reunited years later when they both end up working at the same restaurant... and old and new feelings begin to grow, can they get their second chance at romance or was it over before it even began. Effie Olsen has always wanted to get out of her tiny Maine island, but after being fired from her job as a professional chef of 16 years, she's going back home to spend the one summer in Maine to get her life back together. Effie swears its only going to be for the summer and she's out again but then she runs into Ernie Callahan. Ernie was her best friend who swore never to talk to her again after their college graduation where he told her he loved her and she ran away. Turns out, Ernie and Effie will be working in the same restaurant together and now have to get to know each other as they've changed since the last 16 years they last saw each other. To Effie's amazement she finds herself falling for Ernie... but her heart still wants her to not settle in Maine and Ernie is determined to stay there. Can Effie and Ernie work out their new feelings for each other as well as the fact that Effie is determined to leave after the summer? This just didn't feel like it worked all that well for me, I love a second chance between friends to lovers but honestly Effie got on my nerves so much. I was surprised that Ernie even gave her so many chances after everything, she was constantly hot and cold and changing her mind. The whiplash this woman gave this poor man. I honestly didn't care all that much for the romance between them. By the end of the book I was just happy to have finished it. The other big thing about this book was the restaurant drama and Effie trying to find her place in the restaurant world after not being able to handle the stress of her previous job. Overall, it just felt like a miss to me, yet I think this would be good for anyone who enjoys a second chance romance or a friends to lovers romance.

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Professional Chef, Effie Olsen, is back home on Adler Isle, Maine. She's broke, burnt out and has missed her best friend, Ernie. These two fall lock-step back into each other life, after years apart. The banter, tension, and desire made for a tasty love story. This book dishes out incredible writing, a swoon worthy story and incredibly likable characters.

This will be the beach read of the summer.

Effie Olsen's Summer Special is a delicious friends-to-lovers story!

Thank you, Berkley

Effie Olsen’s Summer Special by Rochelle Bilow
Narrator: Nikki Massoud
Rating: 5 stars
Pub date: 4/30

Thank you so much, Berkley Pub for my advanced copy and PRH Audio, for my complimentary audiobook.
Effie returns home after sixteen years of world traveling and culinary escapades with dreams of redemption. But what awaits her is more than just a job opportunity at the renowned Brown Butter restaurant; it's a chance encounter with her childhood best friend, Ernie Callahan, that reignites a spark she thought had long fizzled out.

I adored this beautiful story! Olsen weaves a tale of friendship, love, and self-discovery against the beautiful backdrop of coastal Maine. Effie's journey from a world-traveling chef to a hometown sous chef is full of nostalgia, heartwarming moments, and a hint of mystery lurking beneath the surface of Alder Isle.

The chemistry between Effie and Ernie crackles with intensity, and their witty banter had me cackling. Effie is bold, loud, and knows exactly what she wants. Ernie is the perfectly depicted childhood best friend with just the right amount of pining and “it’s always been you” energy. I loved watching them navigate the complexities of their past and their uncertain future.

This story is a love letter to the restaurant industry, and as a bartender of twenty years, I could relate to every moment spent at Brown Butter. And as someone who spent her childhood summers in Maine, the nostalgia was real with this one! The vivid imagery made me feel like I was dining oceanside and walking on the beautiful beaches of Alder Isle.

I went back and forth between the ebook and the audiobook, and Nikki Massoud did an incredible job with the narration. It was easy to forget that she was the only narrator because all of the voices sounded so different!

With its perfect pacing and heart-melting happily-ever-after, this book earns its spot as a favorite of the year. It’s a journey of love, laughter, and second chances you don’t want to miss!

Read if you like:
*childhood friends to lovers
*slow burn
*restaurant setting
*small-town beachy vibes
*second chances

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Romance and PRH audio for the gifted digital and audiobook copies of this perfect summer read! Below is my honest review.

Effie left her small town home in coastal Maine behind 16 years ago. Since then, she's traveled the world working at some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants around the globe. But, recently fired from her job as head chef, broke, and carrying all her belongings in one suitcase, she is out of options and returning home. On the plus side, her sleepy town is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant needing a sous chef. On the downside, she has to face her dad, her sister, and Ernie, the best friend she left behind at high school graduation, just after he told her he loved her. As Effie navigates rediscovering her family, repairing her friendship with Ernie, and a new restaurant gig, she realizes there is much more going on with all three - coming to terms with her parents' divorce, recognizing Ernie's feelings might not have been so one-sided, and some very fishy business at the restaurant.

This second-chance summer romance is a rollercoaster of emotions. The coastal Maine setting is beautifully described, Effie's character is chaotically lovable, and Ernie is a golden retriever with an edge. But what really pulls you in is the emotional journey of these characters. Bilow's writing immediately immerses you in the depth of their past friendship, the transition from childhood to adulthood, and the simultaneous thrill and fear of risking that friendship for something more. This book is a must-read if you're a fan of witty banter, small towns, and second-chance romances!

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my copy of Effie Olsen’s Summer Special. This comes out April 30th!

This was such an enjoyable read. The banter between Effie and Ernie was everything. I went through a handful of emotions. I fell in love with the residents of Alder Isle. This book was more than just the relationship that Effie and Ernie (I know, you’ll get used to their names) have, but a story of family and community.

I love how there was a little bit of everything; friendships, relationships, family, food, romance, adventure and so much more.

Can I get a book for Ingrid and Sixto now?

When her career hit a snag, Effie returned to the island she had wanted to escape in order to regroup and figure out what was next. But years of experience plus her absence had her viewing this place she resented in her youth through a different lens. Effie was also viewing some important people from her past in a new light, but would it be enough to convince Effie to call Adler Isle home again?

From the very beginning, I knew this book was going to be a hit. I very much enjoyed Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year, but Effie blew that book out of the water. It had me laughing and swooning and hoping, and it was simply a delight from beginning to end.

There is something about returning to a place you once called home after many years away. Some things may be the same, but there will inevitably be a multitude of changes, too. Not only had the people Effie left behind change, but so did she. She came back with some new baggage but also a whole heck of a lot of world experience.

Effie had dreamed of traveling the world, and she accomplished that. She also dreamed of being a head chef, and well, that didn't quite live up to the dream. This was something Effie confronted in this story. Was her dream the same or had it changed? I would say this was a minor part of the story, but it really spoke to me, and I appreciated the way Bilow explored it.

As I said, some things stayed the same while other things changed, and Effie couldn't help but notice how much her former best friend, Ernie, had changed. I was excited that she found herself physically attracted to Ernie, as she had previously broke his heart when he confessed his love to her, But I was even more excited about how easily they fell back into their friendship. They spent many years apart, but their friendship never really faded. I loved that. They had such a great rapport and the banter was fantastic. Their bucket list excursions were so much fun, too. It was just a pleasure to watch them grow closer and closer to each other.

But there was more to this story than a stellar friendship and fabulous romance. It was quite a personal journey for Effie. She confronted her past with respect to her parents and dealt with some unsavory situations related to the restaurant industry to which she had dedicated so many years. Both storylines were well done, and I was really pleased with the results of Effie's soul searching.

Effie was supported by such a wonderful group of people. Her dad was a sweetheart, as was her sister. You already knew that Ernie was a standout friend, but Effie also built a community at the restaurant where she was working. The other employees became her "family". They bonded and worked together to try and make Brown Butter a success. I knew Bilow could write about food from her last book, but she did an incredible job capturing the highs and lows of the restaurant industry here.

Overall, I adored Effie Olsen's Summer Special. The focus on family, friendship, and food plus a charming New England setting, a great romance, and Effie to root for made this a spectacular read for me.

Effie Olsen's Summer Special was okay! The small-town setting and cooking elements kept me hooked in. I thought Bilow did a wonderful job of setting the scene. This story made me want to go back to Maine. I liked the foodie elements and the restaurant drama. It was satisfying to read what Brown Butter turned into. The main characters weren't my favorite, especially Effie. I found Effie annoying. Her hot and cold feelings towards Ernie were frustrating to read. I also found her attitude towards Maine irritating. It felt like every other chapter was an inner monologue of Effie begrudging her state. As for Ernie, he was an alright character. His character could have used a little bit more depth. I wish he had a bit more of a backbone when it came to Effie. Overall, I wish the story had a little bit more umpth and little less complaining from the FMC. Thank you to Berkley for the ARC.

Friends to lovers is practically my least favorite romance trope, mostly because I never believe that suddenly, these two people, who had all the chances in the world, miraculously discover they actually DO love the other person.

HOWEVER. I thought Effie and Ernie - who are not grandparents, btw, but 30-something millennials - had a pretty believable thing going. I respected how Ernie was hesitant to start anything with Effie based on her past actions. He didn't just turn into his eighteen year old self at the sight of his former bestie, but waited for Effie to show that she had changed. And for her part, I loved that Effie was the human equivalent of the kombucha girl when she realized Ernie got hot since high school. Like wait gross it's Ernie, but it's HOT Ernie, but also still Ernie, well....he is hot now, oh wow and super mature and nice.

The small town supporting cast was great, the drama of the restaurant was interesting, and all in all this will be a fun summer read.

Thanks to Berkley for the eARC in exchange for my review,

Another great Rom-Com and it is based on my favourite trope friends-to-lovers
This book was the first one I have read from this author and it was really really good. It was well written, fast-paced and had all the feelings, oh and definitely had great characters.

Now for the book review. So we have Effie and Ernie, who were childhood friends, best friends and were attached at the hip until their graduation when a serious event/talk happened and Effie then left town and started on her dreams. All by herself. Ernie stayed in the small town with his dad and so much happened while she was gone. 16 years went by and she is now back for the summer.
This book was such a fun rollercoaster of an adventure and ohmgosh did it make me laugh out loud (the ice cream part was the best and shocked me soooo much, loved it). These two are so great for each other and are scared to do anything about it bc of their friendship that they don't want to lose, cant lose bc that is soooo important to each other. But they are also forgetting something else that as a reader we see and hope they will figure out.
There is sooo much feelings and flirty in this book and it's exactly what you want. I am so glad that these two decided to be "friends" again and do their summer bucket list. It was fun and adorable and just what we as readers wanted and what the characters needed in their lives.

I am so glad to have read this book and found this author. Lots of thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this opportunity. The above is my own review it is honest and voluntary.

Effie Olsen's Summer Special by Rochelle Bilow is a charming and deeply fulfilling romance that captures the essence of sweet, salty, and nostalgic flavors with just the right amount of spice. Bilow's exquisite writing transported me to the enchanting Maine coast, where I found myself engrossed in a vibrant community and tantalized by delectable cuisine.

Thank you @prhaudio @berkleyromance @netgalley for a copy of this. Grab this one for a summer romance that involves a small beach town, friends to lovers and a bit of mystery. Effie goes back to her hometown and takes a job at the town's only fine dining restaurant. She meets up with her former BFF, Ernie and they resumed their friendship. I love seeing their interaction together and how their relationship developed. I appreciate that there was no third act breakup and Ernie was so amazing. The supporting cast of characters added the great small town feel.

Nikki Massoud did a great job with the narration.

Effie Olsen’s Summer Special is a great summer romance. Effie Olsen thought she’d never settle down in her small town but after 16 years away, she’s back for one summer. Her sous chef role puts her right in the path of her childhood best friend Ernie and she can’t help but wonder where she belongs. I had some trouble connecting with Effie, and it might have been the tone of the narrator; for a while she came off as kind of stuck up and a little inconsistent. I wanted more context for the friendship of the past but I loved how Ernie and Effie rebuilt their friendship and relationship and how genuine their relationship got to grow with them as adults. I loved the small town and the friendships and family elements of this. The restaurant setting felt unique and I loved the mystery around what was good on there. It was a well-rounded romance. I will say, I did not like them substituting cursing with “fluffing” so much, especially in the steamy moments, it pulled me right out of those moments. It’s not an overly steamy romance, but I really liked Ernie. He was so sweet and he and effie were a great pair. Effie too goes through a lot of well-developed growth. The story fun, and it made me wish for a beach!

4.5 stars. Effie and Ernie (who are not, in fact, 90 years old, despite their names) were childhood best friends who haven't spoken in years. When unemployed chef Effie is forced to come home to their tiny Maine community for the summer, they reconnect and make a pact to rediscover what they loved about their town.

I can't get enough food romance these days, and this includes an inside look at the dysfunctional kitchen of a high-end restaurant that may be hiding some dark secrets. It's obvious that Bilow has spent a lot of time in the industry, and her plot is tightly constructed and interesting. Plus the food sounds delicious. The romance is lovely, too, of course.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Do you have a book hangover with an Emily Henry book? Effie Olsen's Summer Special is the cure, a charming "return to small town life" "second chance" romance set on a small New England island and in the restaurant scene... two perfect to me settings for a great romance read with strong character development. This is a gentle easy read, a perfect summer breeze kind of read, and I recommend it for your spring and summer travel, tuck this one away for an airport wait, a poolside read, or wherever you go for a summer lobster roll.

Effie indeed returns home, despite saying she never would, to recoup after some career setbacks and of course her high school bestie, who never left, is waiting there as are old ghosts but also old and new possibilities. The pacing of this book is great, strong developed background with the restaurant/chef world and tender moments with Effie and Ernie as they explore their childhood friendship renewed but with the messiness of the past merging with the chemistry in adulthood. And a as treat, Rochelle Blow avoids some of the romance tropes that many romance readers tend to dislike (the later in the acts break up) and instead gives hints of intrigue about the restaurant scene that Effie and Ernie are involved in and nicely developed secondary characters (family and co-workers, adding depth to the scenes at work and at home).

Thank you Berkley for the review copy of Effie Olsen's Summer Special, excited to feature this on my booksta tour later in April! Thank you to PRH audio as well for the free audiobook copy from the influencer program.

Rochelle Bilow has written another must-read romance! Effie Olsen's Summer Special is a delightful second chance romance that would make an excellent beach read. The story centers around Effie Olsen, who moves back to her hometown after losing her job. Effie had sworn never to return to the tiny Maine island after high school graduation, leaving behind her best friend Ernie who was heartbroken by her decision. Now, after 16 years, Effie returns to the island, uncertain about how Ernie will react to her unexpected appearance. From this point on, I was completely hooked.

I thoroughly enjoyed the second chance romance theme, and Rochelle Bilow puts a delightful spin on it. I loved the history between Ernie and Effie, and how it was naturally revealed throughout the novel. Effie Olsen's Summer Special is a 5-star book that I highly recommend! I truly look forward to reading more from Rochelle Bilow in the future.

Effie Olsen’s Summer Special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Effie, we don’t even need to try to build a life together. We already have.”

Thanks so much to @berkleyromance for the free book! #BerkleyPartner #Berkley

This book was such a delight! One of my all-time favorite book things is the childhood friends to lovers + second chance trope so when I saw this ARC I had to read it!
I also just adore summer books, and this would be the perfect beach read. It’s set on the coast of Maine and the setting is so gorgeous.
I was really impressed by this. If I’m being honest, I do prefer my romance books to be told in the first person POV and this was in the third person, but this story flowed so effortlessly. I didn’t even notice that it was in the third person, that’s how good the writing was.
Let’s talk characters! Ernie was so beyond sweet to Effie. I was grinning, it was so so so cute. He was so thoughtful and kind to her, and it was just such a joy to read.
I also really love it when a main character in a book is a chef, and that was Effie’s profession! Another surprising aspect of the book was some issues with her job…this added a splash of intrigue to the plot!
I really think everyone needs to check out this book! It will be available on April 30th so add it to your list now!

Read If You Like:
🦞chef FMC
🦞summery books
🦞childhood friends
🦞small-town romance
🦞second chance romance

This was a good read!

I enjoyed the storyline but thought the characters could have used a little bit more development. I think I would have enjoyed this a little more had this been told in first person with a duel point of view. In addition, I would have liked more details regarding the characters. I did love the small town vibes along with chef/cooking aspect! However at times the interactions between the characters felt a bit lack laster and awkward dialogue.

2.75 ⭐️

This is a vacation book if there ever was one! Friends to lovers with beautiful destinations and swoony moments, heartily recommend!