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!

I'm giving mad props to Bilow for steering clear of the dreaded third-act breakup. Why is our love interest named Ernie though.

Wow, this is the perfect summer read for contemporary romance lovers and Anthony Bourdain worshippers! I've been a big fan of Rochelle Bilow since her first book, "The Call of the Farm," and I have to say that "Effie Olsen's Summer Special "might be my favorite of her titles! I so appreciate how Bilow weaves her passion and experience in the food and restaurant industry into her stories and how real and believable her characters are. I loved the protagonist Effie, her sense of humor, and her flaws. This was just too sweet and perfect for any Millennial foodie looking for a fun beach read. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this ARC! I can't wait to hear what Rochelle Bilow is working on next.

Read if you like:
Second Chances
Small Towns
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Seaside Atmosphere
Restaurants & Food

What an amazing
Love story! . A love story that emcompasses love in many forms. The romantic kind, the friendship kind, the parent and child kind and the hometown kind.
Great writing, story, and characters. She nailed the scenery perfectly. You could almost feel the saltwater splashing up on shore.
Ernie is the sweetest everrrr. The way he treated Effie has me melting everywhere . He’s definitely my new favorite book boyfriend.
Can’t say enough amazing
Things about this,

I was more than excited to read Rochelle Bilow's newest release, Effie Olsen’s Summer Special. I enjoyed her previous books, so I know that I am going to read a cozy yet heartwarming romance story. And I was totally right, except it’s a bit steamier, which I love!
Effie Olsen finally returns to her hometown after being burned out, aka fired, from her dream job. It’s not the best feeling to return because she still remembers not belonging. Plus, it still hurts that her former best friends never wanted her to come after so many years. She has no other choice but to go back to her hometown. She needs time to recuperate and save money so she can move to another place. 
Maybe returning to her hometown isn’t the best idea for Effie, and yet, it’s actually the best thing for her. Why? Because she can finally confront her unsettled feelings about her mother and not her belongings. And she can also confront her former best friend after so many years. Thankfully enough, she sees him sooner than expected. 
She may deny her feelings regarding her former best friend, Ernie, from years ago. But the feelings are still there. He is the only one who truly gets her and never wants her to change. He finds her perfect, even though he tries his best to keep his distance. He is trying to maintain his feelings, aka his heart, since she is determined to leave after the summer. Yet they can’t deny their feelings for each other. They were always meant to be, just at the wrong time. They needed to grow into themselves.

In this swoony friends-to-lovers culinary romance, professional chef Effie returns to her hometown in Maine and reconnects with Ernie, the best friend she hasn’t spoken to since graduation when he made things weird. The local farm-to-table restaurant just happens to need help, and she becomes gainfully employed while she contemplates her next move.

The descriptions of coastal Maine in summer, culinary lifestyle, and restaurant characters and antics are warm and engaging; the details of what exactly happened between the two friends, and strange things afoot at the restaurant propel the narrative. The romance is a slow burn, with a first kiss not until 50% of the way through, followed by Effie pulling back, followed by steamy sexting.

Fans of Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year will appreciate the small town setting, food descriptions, and richly detailed personalities.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #EffieOlsen’sSummerSpecial via #NetGalley courtesy of #BerkleyPublishingGroup.

I love a Rochelle Bilow novel because it's going to have evocative, rhythmic prose, hot spice, and a gorgeous sense of place. I really loved Ruby Spencer and so I was extremely excited to get my hands on Effie Olsen, and this did not disappoint! I blew through it in 24 hours and it had all of those classic Bilow book traits I wanted.

There's a delicious friends-to-lovers tension here as well as a story about Effie who's trying to figure out what makes her happy (and who, and where). All of the interactions between Effie and Ernie felt really fraught, which I loved, and when they finally give in, it's super steamy and satisfying. I also loved the restaurant plot. Given her background, Bilow writes authoritatively about the food and restaurant world and I eat it (lol) right up. Catch me side-eying my local farm-to-table restaurant now lmao.

Highly recommend this delicious beach read to friends-to-lovers fanatics, people who want a spicy restaurant world book, and to people who appreciate their romances with lush prose. (And then read Ruby Spencer, too!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a sweet read!

Boy meets Girl. Boy and Girl become besties for life. Boy confesses love for Girl on the night of graduation. Girl runs away for more than a decade. Girl becomes top chef then her career kind of crashes and burns. Girl returns to hometown and Boy is hot hot HOT. A love story ensues!

I really enjoyed this read. It's very much a hallmark type romance with a simple straight forward main plot and romance. The characters are understated but relatable. Not too deep, but interesting enough to keep you going. I enjoyed the small town vibe and the influx of side characters that kept the story light and fun. There's a good bit of spice that was surprising but welcomed. And overall, it's a great mindless beachy romance that I'm sure others will love!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange of my honest review.

Effie Olsen is back home. She is a professional chef, but after an incident, she lost her job. Now she is back in her hometown, an island in Maine. She plans on it being temporary, but fate has other ideas, including the boy she left behind.
A wonderful love story. A love story that emcompasses love in many forms. The romantic kind, the friendship kind, the parent and child kind and the hometown kind. Great writing, story, and characters. She nailed the scenery perfectly. You could almost feel the saltwater splashing up on shore.

I loved this book! I’m calling it a favorite of the year already! I found myself totally invested in Effie, Ernie, and the little town of Alder Isle. The banter, the chemistry, the angst- it was all so good.

I really can’t say enough good things. The pacing was perfect and the HEA left me with a perma-grin. The Maine coastline was a great setting. It left me feeling so nostalgic. Maine has a very special place in my heart and now after reading this book, I must go back.

Ernie is the sweetest soul. The way he treated Effie has me swooning. I mean really, where can I find myself a man like that. My new favorite book boyfriend.

Read if you like:
❤️ Second Chances
❤️ Small Towns
❤️ Childhood Friends to Lovers
❤️ Seaside Atmosphere
❤️ Restaurants & Food

You can go home again, even if it is with your tail between your legs. It doesn’t hurt if a handsome best friend is still there. Old friends can become new lovers and a happy ever after

I was so excited to read this after reading "Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year," and it was such a cute story... although my Scotland loving self was disappointed that it didn't take place in Scotland, haha.. I loved how the story ended. I love the "returning to my hometown" and "second chances" tropes, so would definitely recommend this to anyone of the same mind. The book has depth and real problems, while also being romantic and happily ever after.

This book wasn’t written for me. I didn’t resonate with any of the characters but that doesn’t mean this is a “bad” book by any means. It flowed well, the dialogue was great between characters.

Buckle up for a hilarious and heartwarming rollercoaster ride because "Effie Olsen's Summer Special" by Rochelle Bilow is like a lobster roll for your soul! I picked up this book on a whim (thank you, Berkley, for the unexpected gem!), and boy, was I in for a treat.

Effie and Ernie, childhood friends with more history than a library, reunite after a whopping sixteen years, and folks, it's more entertaining than a game of bingo at the retirement home. Their bucket list dates are pure genius, and I've officially added "summer island escapades" to my own must-do list.

Now, onto the nitty-gritty. I'm giving mad props to Bilow for steering clear of the dreaded third-act breakup. No tear-stained tissues here—just gratitude and a vow to read everything she writes as a token of appreciation. This is an absolute delight—a clean slate, second-chance romance combined with the friends-to-lovers trope.

In the grand banquet of "Effie Olsen's Summer Special," you'll feast on heartwarming hometown vibes, savor the romantic reunion of Effie and Ernie, and nibble on a mystery that keeps you guessing. Rochelle Bilow's recipe for a summer read blends nostalgia, romance, and a dash of intrigue—all served with a side of small-town charm. So, dear readers, dig into this delightful dish and let the flavors of love and rediscovery dance on your palate. Your summer escapade awaits!

Again, special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this heartwarming book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Someone better explain why I am kicking my feet and squealing over a man named ERNIE.

It's rare I get to be the first written review for a book on goodreads, so I will instantly assure you that I loved this! Maybe it was just the palate cleanser I needed, but I inhaled this book faster than any of the shorter ones I've read this month. It was well-written, nicely paced, had a neat food industry angle, and was perfectly atmospheric with a small-town second chance seaside romance.

I'm genuinely shocked by how much I loved Effie and Ernie. I requested an early copy on a whim (many thanks to Berkley for approving me for once!) and not gonna lie, if I had read the description beforehand I probably would have skipped over a book with characters named after senior citizens. That said, I really did like these two. They have a big history together as childhood friends, and it was so entertaining seeing them come back together almost two decades later and get reacquainted with each other. Their little bucket list dates were a great vessel for that. The explicit scenes were admittedly not the best, but there was a sexting scene that literally every other romance author needs to take notes on.

What kept this from being a five star read for me, however, was the ending. Don't get me wrong, mad respect for the no third act break up. Like, I will read everything Bilow puts out after this as a way to show my gratitude for that not happening here. However, there were some decisions made in the last ten percent that I did not jive with. It felt a little confusing given how the story had unfolded, but that's just me.

Definitely popping back into Bilow's backlist to read her debut now!

"Effie Olsen's Summer Special" by Rochelle Bilow offers a heartwarming and inviting story of rediscovering one's roots and rekindling old friendships. Effie Olsen's journey from a globe-trotting chef to returning to her Maine hometown is filled with the promise of redemption and healing.

The picturesque setting of the tiny Maine island, with its renowned restaurant, Brown Butter, provides a captivating backdrop for the story. Effie's return to her childhood home and her reunion with Ernie Callahan, her former best friend, give the plot a sense of nostalgia and a second chance at both love and a dream job.

The complex emotions and tensions surrounding Effie's past and her desire to set down roots are relatable and add depth to her character. The blossoming romance between Effie and Ernie is sweet and tender, and the small-town charm of Alder Isle shines through in the narrative.
The mystery hinted at with Brown Butter's secret adds a layer of intrigue to the plot, creating anticipation and curiosity. This plot element, along with the beautifully described Maine coast, is sure to draw readers into the story.

"Effie Olsen's Summer Special" appears to be a delightful summer read, filled with nostalgia, romance, and a touch of mystery. It explores themes of second chances, hometown connections, and the power of the heart to lead the way. Fans of contemporary romance and stories set in charming seaside towns are likely to enjoy this tale of love and rediscovery.