*** I received an e-ARC of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review***

🗣️ A Novel Summer focuses on three friends whose careers center around books. It sounds amazing already, doesn't it? The characters find themselves returning to the shores of Provincetown on Cape Cod once more to face their past, navigate thorough heartbreak, and discover new beginnings. This was an easy read that transports you instantly to a small beach town where the people are more than just neighbors, they're a community. I could definitely see Jamie Brenner writing further books and expanding on some of the other characters!

✨ Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book “A Novel Summer”. I always enjoy stories about book stores and this one is set on the Cape so a nice summer read. Three friends since college and spent their summers on the Cape. Now they are grown: A family bookstore owner, recently fired publicist and a New York Seller new release novelist who learns she hit too close to the heart with her story. In trying to mend relationships she realizes she needs to mend herself first. I really enjoyed the line that an older author said about not being mummified to keep sales…funny!

Cape Cod is a magical place and I have cherished memories of visiting there every summer on my family vacation. We would travel to Provincetown for a day trip where we would browse in the quaint and unique shops, climb the Pilgrim monument, and enjoy all the delicious food. My summer began when we set off on our journey to the Cape and that is exactly how best friends Colleen, Shelby and Hunter felt about the four summers they spent together. Colleen was a local, Shelby had traveled the world, and Hunter came from a wealthy family and hated what money did to people. Every moment they spent together was special, and even though they had been apart for three years, the minute Shelby and Hunter returned, they felt the magic of their idyllic summers come roaring back into their lives. Colleen was the lucky one who lived in Provincetown year round as the owner of the beloved local bookstore, Lands End. This summer Colleen had a big surprise for everyone, Shelby’s debut novel, although a literary success, was met with disdain by some of the locals, and Hunter found a summer job in publishing that would help her decide her future plans. Along the way, romance stepped in to confuse Shelby and Hunter, Colleen made a big decision, and the cherished cast of characters celebrated life on the Cape with joy and laughter.

I love all of Jamie Brenner’s books because she invites the reader into the lives of her endearing characters who are oftentimes starting over, hoping for a second chance, or looking for the answer to their prayers. She incorporates the peacefulness of the sea as a backdrop for the emotional and real experiences her characters are going through. To me, memories of Cape Cod summers will forever remain in your heart, and that is what this book is really all about: memories. Shelby always mentions her summers in Provincetown when she is invited to discuss her novel at bookstore events. Those memories worked their way into her life, her words, and her soul. No matter what happens as the final page of “A Novel Summer” is turned, Colleen, Shelby and Hunter will always have their memories of those special summers when anything was possible and the future was full of wonder!

Let me begin by saying that I love Jamie Brenner and have loved her previous writing, she is fun, witty, smart and writes engaging stories that I always enjoy. However I noticed in this latest story that she was basically having art imitate life as she wrote about a character who is a writer of the dreaded ‘beach reads’ with writers block. This story was slow and winding and just not on par with her previous work. This really felt like she had a deadline to make and simply put something together voicing her internal frustrations.

First, thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!
I like the premise of this book. The idea of friends coming back together after a period of time and can they pick up where they left off. I initially was really drawn to Shelby she her desire to want to return to Cape Cod and reunite with Colleen and Hunter.

However, as the book progressed it seemed like their friendships didn’t have a lot of depth to them. They didn’t really care a lot about the others feels and they almost seemed very surface level. Even the romantic relationships did seem like they were built on anything substantial.

Overall, this was a good poolside/beach read, and I appreciate your chance to read and review it.

This book stole my heart to save “the shop around the corner” (You’ve Got Mail) filled with friendship, love and publishing twists.

There were so many endearing moments shared between characters. My favorites were the twists between Shelby, Colleen and Hunter.

I enjoyed the tension Shelby experienced to write familiar dramatic scenes but also feel the loyalty to a place she called home with lifelong friends and community.

I would recommend because I found this to be a great story, enjoyable characters and an absolute beach read for your summer!

Thank you to Jamie Brenner, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity to provide my honest feedback.

I thought this book was just what the title said it was it was a perfect summer romance novel. I read through this relatively quickly and I thought it was as a girl that is from a beach town this was just what I felt like a summer on a beach town with romance is! It was written beautiful and I love it ❤️

A Novel Summer is a sweet story of close friendships and love set in Cape Cod. Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing for this advance reader's copy. I really enjoyed the story of three friends who reunite after a few years apart in a small town on Cape Cod. Shelby, the main character, is a writer who comes back to the island to help her friend run her family bookstore, and she navigates difficult friendships and seeing an old flame. I liked all of the characters in this book, even the one friend who seemed to hate everyone, lol! The author creates a story of complicated friendships, family dynamics and romance set against the backdrop of summer in a small beach town. Various conflicts and problems in the town arise and the characters have to navigate many difficult situations. I really enjoyed this book, but the dialogue between the characters sometimes felt flat and stilted to me, which is why I gave it three stars. Overall, a fun, light summer read perfect for the pool or a beach vacation this summer.

I can always count on Jamie Brenner for a beach read, and A Novel Summer is the perfect book to read this summer! While some of the characters I found a bit annoying, it was the perfect beachy escape.

Escape to Provincetown this summer with Jamie Brenner's masterful story telling. From the moment you read the first sentence you will instantly be transported to the iconic East Coast beach town filled with quant store and memorable characters.

Each and every time I read one of Jamie Brenner's books I am always taken aback by her absolutely stunning writing style. Her books convey the power of female relationships in a strong and impactful way. "A Novel Summer" is no exception to this. You will surely fall in love with each of her main characters as they teach us the importance of being there for a friend in need.

If you are looking for a beautifully written book to pick up this summer, make sure to grab "A Novel Summer", out July 16th!

I absolutely loved this book!! I couldn’t put it down.
I just loved all the characters. I highly recommend this book.

This was one of those books that was a quick read, kind of predictable, but very likeable. I liked the setting of Provincetown, and instantly felt like I knew the characters all along. I was able to finish this in a weekend, and it is a perfect read for the summer.

Best friends Shelby, Colleen and Hunter have spent summers in Provincetown. Shelby worked at Land's End, the local bookstore owned by Colleen's parents. But when Shelby leaves town to pursue her dream of becoming an author, the friendship bonds are strained. When Shelby becomes a best selling author and her friends feel like she has written about them in an intimate way revealing things they don't want revealed, the bonds are barely hanging on by a thread.

Colleen asks Shelby to come back and run Land's End for her while she is on pregnancy bedrest. Shelby reluctantly agrees but then discovers that old friendships can't just pick up where they were.

This book illuminates old friendships, loves, family and new friendships. it was a great book to highlight relationships and challenges in rekindling old friendships and loves.

I really liked reading this book even though I couldn't really relate to a couple of the characters.

I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

LOVED this book and flew through it. What an interesting thing to think about - how people in an author's life will react to details in a book they read. I never really thought about it.
I love Jamie Brenner's books because the stories flow so easily and the conversation is so natural and relatable. I wasn't sure how this would wrap up - I guess I expected Shelby to float the bookstore until the birth of the twins and then Colleen would take over and be grateful. But I was pleasantly surprised at the twist of Shelby staying and running it.
All of the 90's references were so cool. As a Gen Xer I'm so used to reading about 80's references, but these all brought back memories too!
Overall a 5 star book that I devoured

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for the opportunity to read A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner. A perfect summer beach read - Hooray!

First of all I'd like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to explore a new-to-me author and to share my honest thoughts on this book. I fell into the plot quite quickly and found myself imagining how it would feel to have a close friend write a book where a character resembled me in the story. Then I started to really enjoy learning about the ins and outs of actually being an author and all that goes along with writing a book, dealing with publishers, agents, editors, bookstores and getting it out to readers. I was entertained until the very end.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Jamie Brenner's previous novels but this one just missed the mark for me. The setting of Provincetown was the perfect place for a beach read about friendship with a little romance but I found myself not relating to a single character. Hunter especially annoyed me and I feel that the only thing Shelby actually knew how to write is other people's stories from her real life. Even her other friend Colleen got on my nerves towards the end of the novel. I was confused when the novel unnecessarily jumped POVs from different characters and I lost track of the more minor ones, like Duke and Justin's mom. Unfortunately, I found this book to be just an average read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

It was an OK read, I read this on kindle and there were many many typos and missing words. It very much distracted me from reading. Hopefully that gets worked out before publishing.

A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner had my interest right from the first chapter!
It is the perfect blend of romance, rivalry, and the charm of nostalgic summers.
The character development in the story was very well done, each with their own quirks that make them feel incredibly real.
In addition, this story beautifully captures the essence of nostalgic summers. My favourite!
The vivid descriptions of sun-soaked days, lazy afternoons, and the enchanting atmosphere of the small town and local bookstore create a perfect setting for a summer romance.
Author Jamie Brenner’s ability to evoke such a strong sense of place and time is truly commendable.

Overall, “A Novel Summer “ is a heartwarming read that combines the thrill of rivalry, deep friendships, the sweetness of romance, and the warmth of summer nostalgia.

Highly recommend!

Thankyou to Author Jamie Brenner , Netgalley and Park Row publishing for the opportunity to read this book ahead of published date.
Charlene Keller @lastnownext 📚🤗🌸

Shelby Archer is an author who wrote her first book about her summers in Provincetown, Rhode Island. But when her friends felt like the story was too close to home, it left a few of them feeling exposed and betrayed.

Desperate to make things right and looking for inspiration for her sophomore novel, she returns to Provincetown to help local bookseller, Colleen, who is now on bedrest. Now Shelby can heal her friendships and have a wonderful summer – if she can avoid her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, who happens to be opening a competing bookstore.

Why I Liked It: Fans of nostalgic Jamie Brenner rejoice! She’s back to her beach reads roots with this return to Provincetown and some of our favorite characters make it into the story! It was fun to reconnect with the locale and its inhabitants.