A huge thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L Rosen.

I absolutely loved On Fire Island last summer and so many of Jane's books so was SO excited to read Seven Summer Weekends. Set on Fire Island, this book is about a woman who inherits a beach house along with some weekend guests and an irritating next-door neighbor.

When Addison's great-aunt passes away, she inherits a house on Fire Island. She doesn't really want to keep it, but decided to spend the summer since she is at a crossroads. There will be 7 weekends worth of guests her aunt has invited to stay and I loved seeing how she learns from them and her neighbors to get used to the Fire Island life.

I didn't realize until I was a few pages in that we get some of our favorite characters from On Fire Island, so I highly recommend reading that first to get to see Ben and Shep, plus there are lots of references to the book, which had me laughing!

I loved this book -- the author has such a way with characters, emotional scenes and writing amazing books!



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Overall, I think I would give this book 3 stars.
I found myself flip-flopping a lot whilst reading this book. There were times where i really enjoyed it and couldn’t wait to read more, but then others where it brought me out of the story. I haven’t read On Fire Island, so maybe having read that would’ve boosted my enjoyment of this one, but I just didn’t connect to the character of Addison (or Ben, really). For a 35 year old she was remarkably childish, as was Ben (miscommunication/running away from problems and feelings… please no). Rosen has a way with words and I found myself inhaling parts of her writing, but I also struggled between the constant shifting of viewpoints. Characters would often make appearances as the ‘narrators’ for a chapter, before the book went back to Addison’s POV. Their chapters weren’t distinct enough to where I could automatically guess that it was somebody else narrating/thinking on the pages. I also feel like a lot of the side characters (‘Addie’s’ friends, parents, and those who helped her at the beach house, etc) were very surface level. I would have loved to see more of Gicky’s friends, and their true impact on Addison. It would have been nice to see her make deeper connections with them as well—having a couple more chapters of them spending time together would have made it a tad more heartfelt. The ending also seemed a little too perfect for me, and it was extremely fast paced, or even rushed. It didn’t give me a feeling of finality, as it was wrapped up so quickly, and frankly, anti-climatically. Obviously, it’s a rom com that has a happy ending, but maybe their relationship just didn’t tug at my heartstrings the way I thought it would when they had just met. Ben as the love interest intrigued me, because it’s not often you see such a loving husband portrayed in these kinds of books (aside from their relationship with the leads). I appreciated the consideration of grief, both of loss and grieving the feeling of ‘leaving’ the person that passed by moving on. It was a nice touch that added some depth to the narrative.

I really liked the setting and the vibes of Fire Island. Having been to New York just this past month, I’ve been craving the feeling I got when I was there. This wasn’t quite exactly that, as it was removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, but it was a nice relaxing beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jane L. Rosen, and Berkeley Publishing Group for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

“Love truly was the thread of creativity. In order to create beauty, you need to have a warm heart.”

This book starts out with a laugh out loud funny zoom disaster that sends Addison’s previously successful advertising career into a downward spiral. I have actually heard of this happening in real life and oomph that’s a whoops if ever I’ve heard one. 😬🫣

The rest of the story is a bit heavier as it deals with loss and healing. Although touted as a romance, that is almost more of a side note. Also important to note is that this is the follow up to On Fire Island, which I haven’t read and didn’t know when I started it, so I think it works just fine as a stand alone. I loved the Sex And The City references, too.

Overall Seven Summer Weekends is an enjoyable summer read with a stunning cover!

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The author's passion shines through in this book. It's a lovely premise of healing and connection. However, I didn’t connect with it or the characters like I wanted to. That's a reflection of me as a reader and not the book! It has great potential to appeal to other readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

In Seven Summer Weekends, after getting dramatically fired from her job, Addison finds out she has inherited a beach house on Fire Island from her quirky aunt. And of course there is a handsome and single neighbor next door with whom she butts heads. Last year I loved On Fire Island and this sequel by @janelrosen was just as heartwarming, funny and emotional. I loved how the book itself was structured - with the book broken into weeks and different houseguests arriving each weekend throughout the summer to stay with Addison. Each guest reveals a little more about Addison’s aunt but also makes Addison engage in self reflection and brings her one step closer to finding happiness and being true to herself. I loved the quirky cast of characters on the island, I loved the beachy vibes, I loved the bantering between Addison and her friends and I loved that the characters were so realistic and relatable. And I love an enemies to lovers trope. It warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face. A perfect summer beach read.

Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen is a delightful story that explores the profound impact of love, the invaluable support of friendship, and the transformative essence of time spent by the ocean. This was the prefect addition to my day at the beach.

Spoilers:

Thirty-four-year old Addison Irwin, poised to become the youngest and first female art director in her firm, instead finds herself fired after accidently accusing her boss of being a nepo baby on a company-wide Zoom call. Immediately on the heels of this devastating news, she learns that her estranged Aunt Gicky, who she hasn’t seen since she was a child, has died and left Addison her home on Fire Island. After disembarking from the ferry and being met by the real estate agent, she learns that she has renters at the guesthouse for several weekends, giving her seven weeks to make the decision either to sell or keep the property. What she never expected was that the quirky villagers would be so welcoming (except for grumpy, rude widower Ben Morse, her next-door neighbor) and that getting to know her aunt through both their eyes and from Gicky’s old friends who come to visit would endear her to the place her aunt called home. As the summer winds down, the feelings between Addie and Ben ramp up, and her buried passion for sculpting reignites her creativity, she must decide which iteration of herself she wants to pursue moving forward.

I struggled to finish this book for two reasons. I found the two romantic leads insufferable throughout most of the story. Both Addie and Ben are very quick to jump to the wrong conclusions about each other and then make rude comments and impulsive decisions based on jealousy rather than logic. Addie struck me as being very immature, gossipy, borderline puritanical, and judgmental and Ben, more than three years after his wife’s death, is still mourning her. So, it’s hard to have any faith that their eventual relationship will flourish.

I also found the writing to be choppy, which disrupted the flow of the story. There were several characters introduced, but they lacked any depth other than either filling in Gicky’s life story or providing Addie with a sounding board. Just over the halfway mark, I was tempted to not finish it, but felt I owed it to the author and publisher to finish it. The conclusion didn’t sway my opinion, I’m afraid.

This one was so good, until the end. I absolutely hate when authors justify ghosting and argue that a lack of basic communication skills, emotional intelligence, and empathy can be overlooked in the name of "I was scared to commit." It annoys me, and I don't appreciate this message being continuously demonstrated in books as something to settle for.

3.5 rounded up

It’s a tale as old as time, or since Hallmark movies started anyways. A girl is left a house by an estranged relative in some tiny town she’s never been in. She then travels to that house and well… I think you all know what happens next.

THOUGHTS - NEGATIVE
This story is centered around Addison and the revolving door of characters that reach Addison not only about her estranged aunt but about herself. What a fantastic concept! The problem is that it feels like you are in the outside looking in during this book (which obviously you are) but good books make you feel like you are IN them. I don’t feel what the characters feel, or have a draw to Fire Island. I read the words and they slide off my back, they don’t stick in my mind to swirl about during the day. I think the main reason for this is the lack of detail. Rosen uses many descriptors, but they are all very basic. He has brown hair, she is 5’9”, and the dog is large - her writing style doesn’t draw me in for more. I don’t want to dive deeper into the book because no matter how far I read I’m left on the surface level.
My other issue with this book is that there’s kind of multiple POVs, but also kind of not. There is no distinction between POVs you just to kind of have to realize… oh this isn’t Addison’s internal dialogue anymore and then replay what you just read in your head from another person's POV. Then one page later it switches back. Having to guess who the narrator is in a book is not a game I like to play.
The miscommunication between Addison and Ben drove me nuts. It was so unnecessary and just made me internally scream.

THOUGHTS - POSITIVE
While the characters may not be overly detailed there is a fantastic assortment of characters. The house that Addison is left has a vacation rental that is rented for the next seven weekends. Some of the renters are Gicky's old friends, some are Addison's, and some are just obsessed with the author next door. The plot, as basic as it was, was great. Addison's personal growth with the help of all of the people sent into her life courtesy of her aunt made it a great read.

TROPES
~ Miscommunication
~ Instalove to Enemies to Lovers
~ Female Friendship
~ Grief of Spouse

At times, we all crave a story that wraps us in a comforting embrace. Seven Summer Weekends is precisely that kind of narrative. It exudes warmth and comfort in every aspect, leaving me with a sense of tranquility.

The aspect that deeply resonated with me was the emotional journey of Addison and her aunt.  As Gicky grapples with her diagnosed illness, she sets up a series of heartwarming experiences for Addison to learn about and remember her after her passing.  The visits each weekend from friends of her aunt, the beach house and all it contained, and the neighbors who all knew and loved Gicky - all wove together to create a rich tapestry of relatable and authentic emotions.

The setting of Seven Summer Weekends is a true paradise. A beach house  brimming with cherished memories and love, nestled in a picturesque and artistic beach town—it's a setting that sparks the imagination. The place's self-sufficiency adds a layer of inspiration, making me yearn for a similar retreat. From the first page to the last, the setting serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

The romance in Seven Summer Weekends is a journey of growth and understanding. While I initially craved more of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, their relationship evolves into something more profound. They meet each other's needs and work well together. Some miscommunication goes on and some baggage to overcome, but these challenges strengthen their bond. By the end, their relationship is not just nice but thoroughly heartwarming, leaving n with a sense of satisfaction and warmth.

If you are looking for a warm-hug type of story, Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen is the book you should pick up today.

(4.75 stars) This book has me longing to visit Fire Island (New York)! Addison Irwin, who is at a crossroads in her life, unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s Fire Island home. She spends the summer coming to terms with what her future may hold, after having been fired from what she thought of as her dream job, after a Zoom misstep. (So relatable!) The house happens to be next-door to a handsome young widower’s house. Gradually Addison rekindles her love of sculpting in her aunt’s studio.

You can tell that Jane L. Rosen really knows - and loves - Fire Island. This Long Island beach community, only reachable by ferry, has long been a favorite of New Yorkers of all kinds. Houses are often passed down from one generation to the next. (In this case, it is handed down from aunt to niece!) I loved the author’s comparison of Fire Island and The Hamptons - paraphrasing here: On Fire Island summer is a noun; in The Hamptons it’s a verb, as in - People spend the summer on Fire Island. People summer in The Hamptons!

There is wonderful Jewish representation in this book (and in On Fire Island). Addison’s friends and her Fire Island neighbors are terrific characters. Kizzy was my favorite. I thought it was so sad that Addison’s parents were estranged from Aunt Gicky (Gloria) and that she had to come to Fire Island to learn more about her. I’m sure they would have been incredibly close. If Only! This aspect of the book affected me personally, as my family has had a sad estrangement as well.

Seven Summer Weekends is a sequel to Rosen’s equally delightful book, On Fire Island, but it’s not strictly necessary to read that one first. Some of the major characters in this one also appear in On Fire Island (including Ben, the widower), but the story works fine as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Berkley Pub Berkley Romance for the free book and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy of Seven Summer Weekends! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #BerkleyBookstagram #berkleypub #BerkleyIG #berkley

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

★★★★★

Jane Rosen has once again proved why she is one of my favorite authors. She writes the most perfect rom-coms with the best characters. I fell in love with the characters and the setting of On Fire Island, and I was so excited when I learned that Rosen was taking us back to Fire Island again this year for Seven Summer Weekends. This book exceeded my expectations. Addison Irwin was such a joy and I loved following along on her summer journey. I loved how each of the various summer guests helped Addison learn more about her Aunt Gicky, and The Spice Girls were of course my favorite visitors. I also loved the connection between Addison and Ben. My heart is so full after reading this book!

While it helps to have read On Fire Island before reading Seven Summer Weekends, these books are not technically part of a series. If you have time, I would highly recommend reading On Fire Island first because I loved that book, but you can definitely still understand Seven Summer Weekends if you do not read On Fire Island first.

🎧I alternated between the ebook and the audiobook, and absolutely loved my time listening to Emily Norman bring this story to life. I mostly listened during my morning walks, and one morning, I ended up walking close to five miles (I usually walk around two-three miles) because I was so into this audiobook and story. That’s how much I loved this one. Norman provided a flawless performance and I cannot recommend this one on audio enough!

☀️A Follow-Up to On Fire Island
☀️An Inherited Property + Guest House
☀️Heartwarming
☀️The Perfect Beach Read
☀️Eclectic Guests
☀️New Possibilities
☀️Friendship & Family

Posted on Goodreads on May 29, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around May 29, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on June 4, 2024
**-will post on designated date

Read if you like:
💕 Romance
🏖️ Beach Reads
⛅️ Grumpy Next Door
🔥Slow Burn Plot
🥺 Grief and Death

A woman inherits a beach house, along with a series of weekend guests, while butting heads with the irritable (and irritatingly handsome) man next door.

I stayed for the blossom enemies-to-lovers romance between Addison and her neighbor Ben.

The quirky small-town side characters were prime additions to the story keeping the gossip and charm of the town alive.

Thanks Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

We are back on Fire Island with this book from the spring 2024 book releases. Addison Irwin had a Zoom disaster and lost her job (hint: do not make fun of your boss in a group chat). When she inherits a property on Fire Island from her aunt, she is surprised because she never had a relationship with her.

She must decide what to do with the house and what to do with her life moving forward. To help her make her decision, her aunt arranged for guests to stay at the house's guest cottage during the summer weekends. They each teach her a little more about herself and about the aunt she barely knew. She also begins to get to know her moody neighbor with a sweet dog.

Why I Love This: I am so excited to be back on Fire Island with this new romance. Not only is the story great, but I got to see some of my favorite characters from the last book. And no, you do not need to read Fire Island to love this book!

This book truly transported me to summer days spent by the beach. The MC Addison was relatable, and I loved seeing her own journey in figuring out what she wants to do next, as well as the familial issues she deals with. Though Aunt Gicky isn’t an on-page character, her free-spirit shines throughout the book, and it was fun getting glimpses of her through the people who knew her. The romance plot balanced well with the self-discovery one, and I liked the dynamic between Addison and Ben (though could’ve done without the little bit of miscommunication). The setting was one of my favorite parts about this book. I’ve never been to Fire Island, but the descriptions painted a beautiful picture of it in my head; from the beach, to the small town and close-knit community, it all felt very summery.

I absolutely LOVE Jane L. Rosen. Everything she writes feels like a new best friend you've been waiting to meet. I would call this novel On Fire Island, part 2. You can. of course, not read that wonderful novel and view Seven Summer Weekends as a standalone, but why would you? You'll be getting so much more out of this if you meet the quirky denizens of Fire Island in the first novel.
Addison Irwin was left an amazing beach house on Fire Island by her estranged artistic aunt, Gicky. After a devastating blow to her professional career, Addison decides to take the summer off and see what's what on Fire Island.
Addison is begins a whole self-discovery journey, seemingly set up by Gicky. Love, art, creativity and friendship all come together to create the ultimate happy ending. You'll never want to leave Fire Island.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this e-arc.*

Welcome back to Fire Island!

Seven Summer Weekends brings us back to the island for a new family saga and love story. We meet a slew of interesting characters who add charm to the story. Plus, characters from the authors previous Fire Island book make an appearance. This book is ideal for summer reads.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for these advanced copies in exchange for my honest opinion.

Oh my god this freaking book!! I had no idea going in that it was connected to On Fire Island and it made it so much more special when I figured it out. The audio was perfection, I was there the whole time. Emily Norman did such a fantastic job bringing Addison to life.

I loved the nature of the story, the pacing. I loved how someone new came each weekend. There was a fantastic balance of light-hearted moments and themes of grief, friendship and family. There was such great Jewish rep, I loved being back on Fire Island and with the full cast of characters. I loved how Addison rediscovered herself and her art. Ben, sweet Ben, I was so happy to see him again and in a different phase of his life.

After Addison unexpectedly loses her ad executive job after an unfortunate ZOOM incident, she finds out her estranged aunt, who recently passed, has left her a beach house on Fire Island. Addison decides to spend the summer on Fire Island and finds more than just a house full of someone else's junk.

I loved this book. It was fast paced, with fun, engaging characters. I could absolutely relate to Addison's internal debate about whether to pursue a well-paying career full-stop or to pull away and try to create a life that she loves, which could me a less certain financial future. This was a sweet, if predictable, summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Seven Summer Weekends by Jane Rosen exceeded my expectations. I ended up listening to an ALC via PRH Audio, and I really enjoyed the narration by Emily Norman. I hadn't read On Fire Island, the book that comes before this one, so I didn't have the heart-breaking history with Ben's character, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of this follow-up, which focuses on Addison Irwin as Ben's new love interest, following the death of his wife Julia.

Addison comes to Fire Island after two things happen simultaneously--she's fired from her high-profile advertising job in the city and she inherits her estranged aunt's house. Little does she know that over the course of seven weeks, her neighbor Ben and his dog Sally, along with the guests who come to stay at her aunt's guest-house, will completely change the course of her life.

I loved the subtle way Jewish life and traditions were woven into the story. There wasn't a focus on Jewish trauma--just little sprinkles of Jewish life and joy, like the mention of Jewish summer camps and picking up babka from a favorite bakery.

4.5 stars. I would definitely recommend the audiobook for this one, if you're someone who enjoys listening to stories. The writing had a bit more telling as opposed to showing, which would have been a bigger deal to me if I'd been trying to read it with my eyes (adhd problems), but listening to it, it didn't bother me the same way. Also, there was a cheating side-plot I didn't love (usually cheating is a complete no-go for me), but because 1) it was a side character and 2) Rosen didn't go into detail or romanticize it, I kept reading. Ultimately, I'm glad I finished it. The ending was super poignant and perfect.