Thank you to @avonbooks and @netgalley for the earc of The Summer Escape by Jill Shalvis (book six in the Sunrise Cove series–quick note: all of these books can be read as standalones, in any order. The series is tied together by the same beautiful setting, but has different characters in each. And can I add another quick note that I love that some series do this? It’s a gift to us rule-following readers who feel the need to read IN ORDER.)

I loved this book. It truly is the perfect summer escape. It’s a swoony romance with a solid mystery at its core. Mix in some wonderful characters, hilarious dialogue, wonderful dog and cat pets, and some heart-pounding suspenseful moments, and I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading. Here’s another story that also isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics like grief and loss,but does so in such a beautiful way. I was so sorry when it ended and so appreciated the epilogue at the end. This another five star read for your summer and you won’t be sorry!

The Summer Escape
A Novel
by Jill Shalvis

Jill Shalvis' "The Summer Escape" is a charming and heartwarming standalone romance set in Sunrise Cove.
The story follows Anna Moore, a private investigator who, with her sister Wendy's encouragement, embarks on a quest to clear their late father's name. When Anna discovers a valuable, stolen coin among her dad's belongings, she teams up with Owen Harris, the nephew of the coin's rightful owner. Owen, convinced of her dad's guilt, wants to return the jewelry to his great aunt.
Despite their initial distrust, Anna and Owen can't deny their explosive chemistry. As they race against the clock, uncovering secrets and solving mysteries, they find their hearts increasingly intertwined. Wendy's wry commentary and her supportive relationship with Anna add depth and humor to the narrative, making this more than just a romance. "The Summer Escape" masterfully blends love, family, and adventure into an enjoyable, feel-good read.

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own.

Anna and her sister, Wendy, have come across an old coin in their Dad’s stuff. Their dad passed away and they are just now getting to go through some of his items. Come to find out, this coin was part of a big heist years ago. Enter Owen! Owen’s aunt is the victim of the robbery and he is bound and determined that Anna return everything her dad supposedly stole.

Jill Shalvis has become a staple in my reading life. I love her snarkiness and her characters. This book is exactly what I was hoping for. I needed a good summer escape and this one fit the bill!

I think my favorite part of this book is Wendy. Wendy is enormously pregnant with triplets and she cannot assist Anna with her quest to clear their father. So, she comes up with an excellent plan. She makes Anna put earbuds in and keep the phone line open so she can hear everything. And believe me…she has some of the best one liners…especially when Anna and Owen heat up!

Need a book the take to the beach to captivate you from start to finish…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Quirky, charming, and heartwarming. The Summer Escape is kind of typical 'they think they're wrong for each other but have undeniable chemistry' romance, but the characters and humor make this book shine. Anna is a private investigator and her older sister Wendy is on bed rest carrying triplets. Their dad died a year ago and while visiting Wendy, Anna finds an old coin in a box of their dad's things. Wendy encourages her to get it appraised and, much to their surprise, it's valuable. Even more shocking, it was stolen and Owen, the nephew of the woman it was taken from, wants to get it back to his aunt. As Anna tries to figure out how the their dad ended up with the coin and if it is the one that belonged to Owen's aunt, Owen insists on tagging along so he too can find the truth. Anna and Wendy's relationship is a gem, perhaps even more uplifting that Anna and Owen's developing one. An enjoyable combination of romance, family relationships, and mystery.

I want to express firstly that I have not gone to the grumpy side despite how the following review might read. Jill Shalvis’ latest entry in her The Sunrise Cove series, The Summer Escape, had the extreme misfortune of being read after Kate Clayborn’s amazing, heartwarming, perfect rom-com from last year, Georgie, All Along. If you love rom-coms and have not read it, I heartily (big on heart) recommend it. That said, if I had read The Bright Spot by Jill Shalvis (see my February 2024 review) after Georgie, it would have fared just as it did in my review because at no point in time did I think that Shalvis was phoning it in, unlike with The Summer Escape.

I am not sure why The Summer Escape was called The Summer Escape. 🤷🏻‍♀️ And I am not sure why the blurb refers to a race against the clock or a heart-stopping adventure. What promised to be entertaining, Anna Moore as private investigator, fell flat because Anna never seems to do any investigating and the mystery that I was enthusiastic about reading was not present for 90% of the novel.

What The Summer Escape is is a romance in which Anna Moore and Owen Harris, two commitment-phobes fall in love in under a week and then talk endlessly to each other and others about how it won’t work out. Throw in Anna’s sister, Wendy, who is pregnant with triplets and is interfering and bossy (and imho unlikable), and a novel most definitely not for me was created.

During the last 10% of the novel, the mystery is somewhat salvaged but there’s nothing mysterious and the climax is expected but raises logic questions that I won’t address because spoilers.

There were some funny snarky moments but for me they couldn’t rescue a story in which nothing much happens.

So. The Summer Escape is not for me. I hope it’s a one off for one of my favorite authors. I will mention that a lot of other reviewers loved it, so let’s call it a your-mileage-may-vary.

Many thanks to Avon Books for sending me a copy.

ps I loathed every moment of writing this review except for designing the accompanying image in Canva.

Enjoyed

Anna doesn’t trust easily. She never knew her mother, having died giving birth, a fact not revealed until later in childhood. Her relationships frequently go off the rails, and while she is a small investigative business owner, she doesn’t feel her judgment is the best.

So, when a news story surfaces her finding of an old coin and Owen mysteriously turns up at her office, she has no reason to trust his motives. Or does she? Together they embark on a scavenger type hunt to find his Aunt’s lost treasures, and maybe they find out things about themselves too.

I loved Anna’s relationship with her very pregnant sister Wendy, and her staunch belief in her father’s goodness. This book had laughs, romance and mystery, well-written and fast-paced.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Sunrise Cove series books are completely standalones, so you could read them in any order. The beautiful setting is the only thing in common. I don't think the town is too big so I don't know why none of these folks know each other. lol

Anna and Owen, like many others in the series, have horrible family backgrounds or at least difficult times in their history. But Anna loved her father and Owen loves his aunt. Anna finds a coin in an old box which came from a collection stolen from Owen's aunt. Anna's older sister, Wendy thought she should research the history, that it might be valuable. But that brought a whole can of worms including Owen, who wants her to hand over the goods stolen.

Owen and Anna team up to find the truth learning much about their family history and each other. I didn't care for Wendy and her shenanigans; she was over the top for me. The possible baby names were hilarious though. Anna worked hard and Wendy only added stress.

I enjoyed Anna and Owen's journey in the investigation, following clues to find the collection. But they encountered some danger from others wanting the treasure. But their personal journey of getting to know one another as they worked together was heartwarming. I wouldn't call it enemies to lovers, or only a very mild version, as they honestly worked to find the truth. While they may not have liked or trusted one another initially, they weren't hostile or dishonest either.

I always enjoy the personal growth and the support circle built in the books, but The Summer Escape had more mystery and action to it. I enjoy and always recommend Jill Shalvis books.

Loved this book. While this is a #6 in a series, it can be read as a stand alone. This book was so much fun. The two main characters Anna and Owen have a mystery to solve revolving around some stolen coins. While this mystery is what helps to move the story along, it is the characters that make this book so much interesting.

Anna and Owen have major chemistry, and while they try to fight it, you know they can't. They are both so darn stubborn, that they keep getting in each others way. But another couple also steals the spotlight and that is Anna and her sister Wendy. These two are the dream siblings. Wendy is pregnant with triplets and on bedrest. She is going insane and taking Anna with her. The names she makes up for the triplets are hilarious, and is a running gag throughout the story.

The character development in this book makes for a perfect beach/summer read. It is always so much fun reading a Jill Shalvis book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the opportunity to read the ARC.

The Summer Escape, book six in the Sunrise Cove series, once again wrote a heartwarming and humorous story, filled with a touch of mystery, lots of laughter, sarcasm, attraction, and love. Sisters Anna and Wendy are very close. Wendy, who took on the role of mother to her younger sister after their mother died, feels the need to try and micromanage Anna’s life. This time it’s proving to be more difficult than normal, as Wendy is stuck on bed-rest while carrying triplets. Of course that doesn't stop her from ordering a Go-Pro and a tracking App in order to keep tabs on her Private Investigator sister; a profession that comes in handy when a coin, found in their late father’s possessions turns out to be from a stolen set.

Adventure guide Owen believes the coin belongs to the set his cherished Aunt Ruby had stolen, along with a million dollar necklace. Both Owen and Anna are determined to find and return the necklace, except while Owen is convinced that Anna’s father has something to do with the heist, Anna is trying to clear her father’s name. Through all the twists and turns, Anna and Owen’s search for the necklace leads them down many different paths; the most important being the one that leads them to each other.

From their first meeting, the chemistry between Anna and Owen was obvious, only each had to overcome their own baggage before being open to finding love. The relationship between Anna and Wendy was amazing; being best friends, with a strong bond. Anna and Owen might have started off as commitment-phobes, but the more time spent together, the more their feeling grew. Wendy and her husband, Hayden was amazing together; especially all that Hayden dealt with while Wendy was on bed-rest. Then there are the antics, shenanigans, mystery behind the heist, and the shameful past of the girls learn about their father. The dialogue and banter between characters sells this story.

This story reminded me why I love Ms. Shalvis’ books. Her characters are amazing: Anna, because she is vulnerable even when she doesn’t want to be; Owen being an amazing book-boyfirend; Wendy and Hayden for being the best side characters ever; or Turbo, Clawdia and Jennifur, because all stories need adorably named pets. I actually think my favorite part was the names Jill came up with for Wendy and Hayden’s triplets: Buffy, Cordelia, Willow; Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Wilma Betty, Pebbles just to name a few. This story has it all, family love, intrigue, a treasure hunt and a beautiful happily ever after.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Avon

THE SUMMER ESCAPE – Jill Shalvis
Sunrise Cove Series, Book 6
Avon
ISBN: 978-0063235816
June 11, 2024
Romantic Comedy

Sunrise Cove, California – Present Day

Private investigator Anna Moore finds her life upended when her sister, Wendy, discovers an old coin among their late father’s possessions. It may or may not have been stolen by their father but when Owen Harris shows up and claims that the coin belongs to his great-aunt, she’s suddenly thrust into an adventure to discover the truth. Wendy is her older sister and is currently bedridden due to being pregnant with triplets. So it is up to Anna to clear their late father’s name because everyone—except the Moore sisters—believes he took it. Owen is one of those accusers and he makes a pact with Anna. They will investigate where the coin came from to find out who took it. Of course, Owen infuriates Anna. Or maybe she’s feeling the attraction building between them. It also turns out that someone else is interested in the coin, especially since there appears to be more coins missing along with a red ruby necklace belonging to his aunt. Will Anna and Owen manage to solve the mystery and recover the missing items? How long will it take before they’re acting on this crazy lust between them?

Anna has plenty of things to worry about in THE SUMMER ESCAPE, the latest tale from Jill Shalvis. Anna and Wendy lost their mother during Anna’s birth, so with Wendy being pregnant, one can understand her worry. Wendy is bossy and always calls Anna to do something for her, like picking up food and giving her unsolicited advice. Anna is fairly tough since her job requires her to interact with some sketchy people. She figures she can handle Owen but he’s smart and seems to always be around when she doesn’t want him to be. Their chemistry sizzles right from the start in this tale. He knows she wants him and gives her a bad time. Anna can be too serious at times, and Owen makes her even more uptight. Maybe a round of sex will help her relax?

Meanwhile, Owen introduces Anna to his aunt, who has dementia and experiences good days and bad days. It’s hard at times to get the truth from her about what happened to the coins and necklace. Did she imagine things or was there really a man who paid her a visit and took them? At first, when Will, the son of an old friend of Anna’s father, shows up, he seems more curious about the coin she found. But soon, both Anna and Owen suspect there is more to his interest than he's letting on. While THE SUMMER ESCAPE involves this little mystery and search, the main focus is all about the romance building between two independent people. Neither are looking for a long-term relationship, but they can’t get enough of each other. Readers will enjoy the banter and other interaction between Anna and Owen. They are perfect together though they can’t quite see it for themselves.

If you want to read a story where you can laugh and you can cry, all the while you can’t put the book down, then you need to pick up a copy of THE SUMMER ESCAPE. It’s one summer read you won’t want to miss.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite, go to authors. This one is another good one! The Summer Escape kept me entertained until the end. Anna tries to find out how her father had a stolen coin. Owen employs her help to find out why he had his aunt’s item. The story is full of love, friendship and family. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Summer Escape by Jill Shalvis is highly entertaining, filled with heart and humor...this enemies to lovers mystery solving story had me captivated.

He's determined to find his Great Aunt's stolen heirlooms and she's determined to prove to him, and herself, that her deceased father had no part in the theft.

Owen and Anna, despite their physical attraction, appear to be opposites…no way is Anna stepping on this no win relationship path again. Past hurts and losses made her serious and jaded with walls not many could get past. To resist the relationship pains, losses, Owen lives a carefree life, immersed in adventures to escape them. But as they are forced together to solve this theft, as they get to know each other, cracks in walls begin and resistance weakens.

It’s a wonderful thing when someone gets you and even better when they challenge you, too.

They are helped along by Furbabies with personality who’s antics help them reveal and see more about each other’s personality.

And time spent with family and friends who are determined for them, as they put it, get their heads out of their A$$, and get passed their fears and take a chance on the happily ever after love can bring. These relationships give them revelations and moments that bring laughter, misty eyes, and admiration towards each other…

All woven into what they discover about family and each other, possible antagonists as they unravel the case of the missing coins and necklace…challenging what they knew, how they see themselves and each other…and an omg! Did that just happen twisty moment that catches your breath and pushes these characters walls completely over.

Jill Shalvis has such a talent for writing friendship and family and I love all the characters in this book, the humor and the heart. This is a page turner that has it all!

This book kept a smile on my face for 99% of the book and only Jill Shalvis can make me swoon and laugh out loud in the span of a couple of paragraphs. While part of the Sunrise Cove series, this book is 100% standalone. I loved meeting Anna and her sister Wendy as they sought information about a mystery surrounding their father. Their bond (more like mother and daughter) made me miss my sister and wish that I could snuggle up with her and tell her my woes. They are always there for one another even when they drive each other crazy and their relationship was just as fun to watch develop as was Anna and Owens.
Owen Harris loves his great Aunt Ruby and would do anything to help the aging woman get back a necklace and other special items that were stolen from her years ago. Anna and Owen reluctantly join forces to solve the mystery of the missing items and to clear their Dad's name (with a bed bound and very pregnant Wendy, along for the ride virtually.) You won't regret spending time with this wacky and loveable crew.

Oh my gosh. This by far the best book I’ve read in MONTHS. I’ve been feeling like I’ve been in such a slump, worried I’d ruined romance and it turns out I just needed THIS book.

Owen and Anna are sooo swoony. They’re both hilarious, but also both just so good in their own ways. The banter in this book is top notch. I love that they were both vulnerable and open, I love that they came together to form this unbreakable team.

Now, let’s talk about Wendy. Can I read another book just all about her please. Wendy is HILARIOUS, and Wendy during labor had me DYING.

I LOVED the romance, with the sense of adventure, with a bit of mystery in there too. Seriously perfection. If I had to change one thing, it would be to add in more Thursday snippets.

Thank you Net Galley, Jill Shalvis and Avon Books for the advanced copy.

Bravo. 👏🏻

If you are looking for a fun vacation read, look no further! This story is about sisters Anna and Wendy, triplets and a little romance thrown in for good measure. The main story is built around finding a coin. In the process of finding out more about it, Anna meets Owen. Together they work to find out about the coin and the other pieces of jewelry that were part of a set that was stolen. At the same time, Anna works at entertaining her very pregnant sister, who is on bed rest. It is a fun read with plenty of excitement! Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

THE SUMMER ESCAPE provides just that for readers interested in a tale that combines a bit of romance, sisters working together, mysterious family pasts, impending arrivals of triplets and, did I mention romance? The book is fast paced and moves quickly. Although part of a series, it is not necessary to read other books to enjoy this one. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

As always, a Jill Shalvis summer read is a fun, fast, snarky, banterific adventure. This book is the 6th in the Sunrise Cove series, but the only thing connecting these books is the setting in a small lakefront town in Lake Tahoe, so they can be read in any order.

The star of this book wasn't really the romance between Anna and Owen, which was sweet, but a bit underdeveloped, with a touch of insta-love. Instead, for me, the relationship at the core of the book is the one between the two sisters, Anna and Wendy. I absolutely adored every scene that they were in together. From the fanciful names they both kept proposing for the triplets (Heart, Diamond, Spade? Willow, Maple, Birch?), to Anna's ability to divine exactly what junk food Wendy was currently cheating on her healthy diet with, every interaction between them was filled with banter and so much sisterly concern and love that I would have happily read a book consisting only of their relationship.

The plot, which revolved around Anna and Owen being forced to work together to recover a valuable necklace and coin collection stolen from Owen's aunt years before, had relatively low stakes, but was enough to keep the book moving and develop their relationship and I enjoyed all of the characters. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I love trying to solve a mystery or crime while also reading a romance. Best of both worlds. Ruby and Owen have both experienced tremendous loss, grief and hurt and have built their lives and relationships or lack thereof through those experiences…meaning they protect themselves in their own way at all costs.

Their banter, their independence, their support of each other while also trying to deny or avoid and very much not avoiding their feelings/attraction for each other. Throw in Ruby’s very pregnant sister, Wendy and her husband, Hayden and there were a ton a hilarious moments.

I really enjoyed this closed (cracked) door romance. Sweet, funny, meaningful.

🌶️

*NOTE: will return to add social reviews once complete

I have to say this is one of the best books I've read this year. I love the characters and the story line.

The Sunrise Cove books are always so fun. This is the 6th in the series and is a standalone. Anna and Wendy who are sisters finds a coin that was in their deceased dad's belonging. Owen claims that this coin belongs to his aunt and Owen and Anna agrees to work together to get to the bottom of how this coin ended in Anna's possession and what happened to the rest of the coin and family heirloom necklace. They go on a wild goose chase and try to resist their attraction to each other. They were great together and Wendy on bed rest and demanded being in part of the adventure was a lot of fun.

Thank you @avonbooks @netgalley for a copy of this book.