The storyline for this book was very clever and interesting. I'm not sure if I could have opened my heart and home to an ex-husband's wife and family. I'm just glad it worked out for Erica and Allison. I liked how Erica's relationship with her daughter Summer deepened as they worked together to meet the needs of Allison, Jackson, and baby Bethany. It was amazing to watch Erica's transformation from being cold-hearted to becoming a mentor and good friend to Allison. Erica was able to do some amazing things to help Allison's life situation become better. Erica was then able to let go of the pain from her marriage with Peter and open her heart to Killion who was the perfect match for Erica. The ending was my favorite part of the book. It was so touching, I also liked that the book included discussion questions for book clubs and a recipe for Creamy Shrimp Scampi with Vegetables. Who doesn't like a book with a recipe? This book makes a great summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book is filled with all the feelings and a lovely cast of characters! It’s amazing what happens when family and chosen family pull together to help each other during difficult times. This book is filled with strong women, strong banter, and even stronger love!

Erica has always been determined and goal oriented and never took the time to indulge in the high school or college social life.
After college she buys her mom’s salon and turns it into a million dollar corporation. She buys her forever home and meets Peter who she lets do her finances for salon. They have Summer who ends up being an only child. She finds out that he has been embezzling money and he has the audacity to ask for a divorce from her. She keeps her own house and leaves him practically penniless and bitter. He does his rescuing act again and attracts Allison who is grieving the love of her life that had gotten sick and died a few years after their wedding. Allison and Peter get married and live a middle class life - far from the luxury that his life with Erica allotted him. They have their son Jackson whom Summer absolutely adores. Since nothing is ever enough for him and he ultimately gets involved with people he shouldn’t and his office manager turns him into the authorities and is arrested for some white collar crimes. Summer is absolutely devastated and deeply worried for Allison as he is pregnant with Bethany and all her money has been frozen by the government. Summer pleads for Erica to help them since they are her family too. Ultimately, Erica lets Allison and Jackson move in so Allison has a safe place to give birth. Erica has always kept men at arms length until Killion - but still she keeps things “casual”. But Killion is always a phone call or text away and drops everything to help or be by her side. He knows all her favorite food, facial expressions and desires. Ultimately while Erica helps Allison overcome the disaster that is Peter - she also learns that she is also worthy of love and finally opens her heart to Killion who has been in love with her for a while.

The book enlightens the reader of both Mother and Daughter’s sheer will power and strength - Erica in building her business and Summer for standing up for the innocent victims (Allison, Jackson and Bethany) against her fathers betrayal and criminal activity. You encounter Erica’s struggle to open her heart to others (both romantically and platonically) but through Summer pushing her to help her stepmom and half brother. Erica learns that she’s worth relationships and finds love and partnership with both Allison and Killion.
Book was entrancing and entertaining… falling for most of the characters and the strengths and weaknesses that they bring into the story.
Great Read - Highly Recommend

A sweet, sweet read about love, in all forms, and compromise and second chances and grace. It was a beautiful read and I couldn't put it down!

For the Love of Summer is a perfect beach or pool ready to pick up this season, following two women connected via their daughter/step-daughter, Summer. Allison has the perfect life - a doting husband, a sweet toddler, lovely step-daughter, and a baby on the way. Then she receives the call she never expected - Peter, her husband, is in prison. Erica is a successful businesswoman who owns multiple high-end salons and the mom of Summer. She has never remarried after the end of her marriage to Peter. When Summer schemes to pull the two families together for the sake of Allison and her kids, Erica and Allison never expect to find friendship and family in each other. While I could have used a bit more character development, I found this to be a touching story about family and love. Note: I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Susan Mallery is a must-read for me and this one did not disappoint. The story may focus on Erica, Summer, and Allison, but I found myself drawn into the story of Erica's business just as much as her personal life. I have been recommending this one as a must for the beach/pool bag. The women are the strong force in this book and that is okay with me! The cover is also perfect to lure in readers wanting a solid story for summer reading. I look forward to what is next from Susan Mallery.

This one was surprising to me, such an original storyline!
First, I loved Erica, and the success she built. But I loved watching her grow and accept a situation that was not even a little bit ideal, and then embrace it. I loved the mother/daughter relationship and I loved watching the friendships grow. Also, watching Allison turn into her own person, and be the best mother she could be was amazing.

This one was so touching and well done!

I little different then the other books I read by Susan Mallery but a great read. There is a strong women lead and secondary characters that can not only hold their own but rule the world. A great example of what you can do if you put your mind to it.

I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

Erica Sawyer is a very successful business woman who owns and runs four high end salon/spas. She has been hurt in love by her ex-husband Peter who walked out on her without any notice. Erica has sworn off love and ever giving her heart to any one again, she has her daughter, her mother, her work and that's all she believes she needs. She shares her daughter Summer with her ex Peter and when he is arrested and imprisoned for money laundering she is shocked. Peter's current wife Allison is pregnant, mother to a toddler and financially broke as all their assets have been frozen due to Peter's arrest. She is desperate, has no money and has nowhere to go. Summer, Erica and Peter's teenage daughter loves Allison and her little son Jackson and is desperate to help them through this life crisis. So desperate in fact that she talks her mom Erica into letting Allison and Jackson move in with them. Erica does not want anything to do with this plan but because of her love for her daughter she agrees. The clash of the two wives is rough at first, but as the story progresses they find that they are really compatible and become almost sisterly. It was a fun and fulfilling progression to read.
This book is very aptly titled.
When I started this book I already could see the ending coming, it was so obvious. But then as I got more into the story I became more and more invested with the characters and how they interacted, grew and learned from each other. It was really a delight and the author pulled it off perfectly. I can highly recommend this novel by Susan Mallery. 5 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for a chance to read an e-copy of this ARC novel. This is my first Susan Mallery book and it won't be my last.

For the Love of Summer
Author: Susan Mallery

I have read several of Susan Mallery’s books. This one is my favorite by her by far. The focus of this book was not romance but relationships. That said, there is a little bit of romance to engage in.

Erica is a strong, self-made, successful entrepreneur, with a teenage daughter, Summer. She is an amazing woman, who does some amazing things for others, though she does not like to be recognized for them.

Allison is Summer’s stepmom and mom to an 18-month-old and a baby on the way. Her husband, Erica’s ex-husband, gets into some legal trouble, much to the surprise of both women. Everything tends to spiral out of control for Allison.

I will stop here because I do not want to give away the plot.

For the Love of Summer is a women's fiction story with strong female characters that support one another. Erica Sawyer is the owner of several salons called Twisted. She is doing well supporting herself and her teenage daughter, Summer after her divorce. Her ex, Peter, has remarried a younger woman, Allison, who now has a toddler and is expecting another child shortly. Allison's life blows up when Peter is arrested and imprisoned. Their bank accounts are frozen and she will run out of money within a couple of months and be homeless at the same time. Summer cares about her step-mother and half brother and wants to help them. Erica is finally convinced to help them out and what happens next is surprising.

I have read similar stories before where the husband is involved in illegal activities and the women are left to fend for themselves, but this one had quite a twist to it. I loved Summer. So often teenagers are sullen, self-centered and often rebel against the new parent, so it was delightful to see this caring young lady. Erica was also not angry with Allison. She wasn't friendly with her, but didn't blame her for the breakup of her marriage. Allison was a bit naive. She had a tragedy in her past and was vulnerable when she met Peter. Peter was a jerk. He constantly tried to make it seem like his actions were the fault of Allison, he was just trying to make a good life for her. This is a story of a unique relationship/family. We see Allison grow in self-confidence and Erica grow in her relationship building, as these two women, who married the same man become almost like sisters. Themes of found family, women helping women, the importance of being able to support yourself, love, and more made this a wonderful and uplifting story.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

Erica is a successful business owner with a 16 year old who adores her stepmother and half brother. Her dad ends up in jail and when Allison ends up broke and almost homeless while pregnant, Summer convinces Erica to take them in.

Great story that depicts an interesting situation. I actually wish this book had an epilogue because I would love to see where these characters are a few years down the road!

I recommend this book for a summer read!

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this book. Love the author and her writing style. I did go into it thinking it was a book about summertime. Thoughtfully written story about family, doing the right thing, struggles, and finding inner strength as a woman.

Not sharing with students because I teach kindergarten.

The title fooled me. This was not a summer beach read, Summer is a character in the book. This was just ok for me. Another book about women who struggled and succeeded regardless of the men in their lives. A feel good story albeit predictable.
I received this advanced copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

4.5**. Such a great book!

Thank you NetGalley and Susan Mallery for the ARC.

When a strong business woman shows kindness to her ex husband’s current wife, their lives intertwine in an unexpected friendship.

Such a beautiful showing of kindness, friendship, and capable women.

This was an okay read 3 stars. I had two main issues with this book I found the daughter to be annoying at time by expecting her mother to give in on unrealistic expectations about her stepmother. I was not a fan of the ending I was expecting more it felt rushed after the buildup.


***************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.************

I’ve always been a big fan of Susan Mallery(I started with Fools Gold series) but this book is on a different level. With her writing I felt bad for the characters in the book, like I showed actual emotion for them. I loved how Erica and Allison came together and were there for one another. A book about two women bringing each other up after such hard issues. This book is a book of love, women power and scandal. Not many people would be the bigger person like Erica for her kid or not. She should be a great role model for all the women out there.

Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for a review.

Erica would do anything for her daughter, Summer. So when her ex-husband is arrested, leaving his current wife, very pregnant and with a toddler, broke and homeless, she feels like she has to help her. She lets them move into her home and her daughter and mother help care for the toddler to give the pregnant woman a break. As hard as it is, she finds herself befriending the woman.

This is a great beach read! It shows no matter how hard it can be, it pays to be compassionate to others.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

This is my first book I've read by Susan Mallery and I am hooked! For the Love of Summer was such a heartfelt story that had me invested from page 1. I loved reading about both women, Erika and Allison. Both were different in their own way but found each other in the end. Everything about this book was spectacular and I am looking forward to reading more by the author. I definitely recommend reading this book!

In For the Love of Summer, we meet Erika and Allison. Erika is a successful businesswomen who runs a chain of salons she built after buying her mother, Mara, out years ago. She has been divorced from her husband Peter for some time but they share a daughter named Summer. Allison is Peters current wife who is working part time at a daycare and a grocery store. Peter and Allison have 1 child together, Jackson, and another on the way. Peter ends up getting arrested and goes to jail for a slew of charges. That left Allison with no money since all their funds were frozen. Summer has a great relationship with Allison and does everything she can to help her. Summer asks her mom Erika if Allison could move in with them until she gets on her feet again. Erika finally agrees and steps up to help Allison. The rest of the story really dives into the uniqueness of the situation and shows what family is all about.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this arc in exchange for my honest review.