Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

The Summer of Perfect Mistakes was *almost* also the perfect book. This adorable romantic comedy follows Lark, a medschool dropout, who is back living at her parents and struggling to find herself again. Her worried mother in an act of desperation signs Lark up for an art class at the local community college that to Lark’s surprise is taught by an old classmate, Nick. Nick can tell right away that the Lark in front of him is not the girl he knew, but a shell of her former himself and despite himself, he’s desperate to make her come alive again, even if they only have the summer ☀️


I really loved Lark’s character and found lots of myself in her, especially the pressures she feels to be exactly what everyone else wants her to be. And the chemistry between Lark and Nick ?? 🥵🥵 I was obsessed with every single thing about their relationship from start to finish. Honestly, the only reason this book isn’t 5 ⭐️ for me is that the ending felt a little rushed; it was a great ending but I wish we got just a littttttle more before it ended.

Here are some of what you can look forward to if you read this book (which you really really should):

🎨 Former High School Classmates
🎨 Slow burn
🎨 Hometown Summer Fling
🎨 Found family
🎨 Dorky in the streets, freaky in the sheets MMC
🎨 Perfectionist learning to let go FFM
🎨 Mental Health Rep

The Summer of Perfect Mistakes will be coming in HOT (😏🥵) June 25/24



**review on my bookstagram (@littleredandthebigbadbooks) to come closer to release date**

I always enjoy Cynthia St. Aubin's work, and I was excited to get an advance reader's copy of The Summer of Perfect Mistakes. This book is the sweet story of Lark and Nick, who were high school acquaintances and find themselves back in their hometown for a summer years later. Lark is really struggling with depression, and I loved Cynthia's sensitive and authentic depiction of Lark's situation. Nick is teaching an Art class at the local community college and Lark enrolls in the class, and through the course material, they get to know each other and learn a lot about themselves too. This book has a great ending, lots of steam and has a fun cast of side characters too. I recommend this book!

“The Summer of Perfect Mistakes” by Cynthia St. Aubin is a delightful romantic comedy that captures the essence of summer, love, and self-discovery. Set in the charming town of Spring Valley, this novel takes readers on a journey of transformation, where imperfections become beautiful brushstrokes on the canvas of life.

Meet Lark Woodley. Once the homecoming queen and valedictorian, now she struggles to find her place in a world that only remembers her past perfection. Her life shattered in one fateful evening, leaving her with blurry lines and a tentative sense of self.

Meet Nick Hoffman. He’s the enigmatic art teacher who sees beyond Lark's facade. As Lark attends his community art class, her world begins to take shape, and the colours grow more vibrant. But can she let go of her pursuit of perfection and embrace the messy beauty of life?

Lark is relatable and endearing. Her vulnerability and growth resonate with anyone who's faced setbacks. Nick, the unconventional art teacher, adds depth to the story. The slow-burning romance between Lark and Nick sizzles. Their banter and shared moments are heartwarming.

St. Aubin masterfully explores themes of identity, acceptance, and second chances. The emotional rollercoaster keeps readers engaged. From afternoon margaritas with divorcées to late-night apple pie, the small-town setting exudes warmth and Southern hospitality.

While the ending wraps up the main plot, I craved more details during the time jump. What happened to our beloved characters during that period? Will this get us readers a sequel, perhaps?

St. Aubin's “The Summer of Perfect Mistakes” is a palette of emotions: vivid, messy, and utterly captivating. It reminds us that life's imperfections are where true beauty lies. Preorder a copy and when your beloved book mail arrives, find a cozy spot and let this summer romance colour your world.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Romance, and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The Summer of Perfect Mistakes. It takes a lot for me like romance books because there are just so many that are not written well, but the pacing, storytelling, and the character development was fantastic. I appreciate that the author created characters who are so relatable. She grew up with parents who achieved a lot and held her to the same standard. Everyone in her town knew Lark as this "perfect girl", but really she is just a people pleaser. Because of this, she never really got to know herself and what she wants out of life. As a high-functioning anxious person who is also a perfectionist, I related a lot to Lark. Nick, on the other hand, seems to have it together, but he's also a people pleaser who has been afraid to pursue what he really wants. They really are two sides of the same coin.

I think that this is a perfect read for many young adults, and even older ones, as it touches on the many difficulties that we face as we try to figure out ourselves and our place in the world.

This was such a wonderfully perfect summer beach read! Highly recommend!
(Unfortunately this title is not eligible for an Amazon review).

I thought that I had read something like this before. loved lark and nick but didn't like the teacher student aspect of it. loved the other classmates and that she was able to figure her life out and find love.

I am beyond thankful that NetGalley and the publisher gave me access to this arc because this is going to end up being one of my favorite books of the YEAR. I relate to Lark is so many ways. I cried with her and got giddy with her too. These characters were incredibly real and endearing. I am obsessed with this book. Best i’ve read in a long time. READ IT PLEASE.

This is a new adult novel (I wouldn't call it YA due to the spice factor) that includes real-life topics such as anxiety, depression, and the death of a family member. The two main characters find themselves back in their hometown due to aforementioned reasons, where they bond and have adventures. The characters are college/post-college age and there are some spicy scenes, just FYI, as it might look more like a YA book from the cover/title/description. I did enjoy reading this novel and will read the author's next offering as well.

Lark Woodley has been under too much pressure to be perfect.
Then, one day she lost it. That perfect girl is gone. Trying to find who she really is, Lark attends a community art class where she meets some real friends and Nick.
Nick is the class instructor and hot guy from high school. Larks not so perfect life starts taking Shape but Summer is almost over... does she need to start faking perfection again and lose everything that's felt real?

I loved how Larks story progressed. The writing was great and the spicy scenes were EXCELLENT!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book was incredible. Following Lark, the 'perfect' girl- former prom queen and Valedictorian, currently enrolled at Dartmouth- as she begins to find herself in the wake of a very public breakup between her and her high school sweetheart, along with battling the decision not to return to medical school. All this while facing the weight of depression and anxiety, and the fogs they can put one in. Months into her suffering, however, she takes an art class under the guidance of her mother, where she finds that the instructor is none other than one of her former classmates. And with his sly smile, wayward curls, and all around gentleness, Lark begins to realize that allowing herself the peace to feel and indulge may be exactly what she needs in life.

And indulge, she does.

Packed with a ton of humor and wit, I found myself laughing alongside these characters and their banter. Tammy, Linda, and Julia were absolutely everything and I found myself wanting a group of friends just like them. Watching the acceptance and friendship that they so freely gave to Lark in a time she needed it most was so heartwarming, and I could truly feel the love that they all had for each other. However, humor and gal pals aside, there was so much emotion in this book. Deep, gnawing, hits-you-in-the-most-tender-parts-of-yourself senses of sadness and grief are prevalent themes for both Lark and Nick, albeit for different reasons, but the space and care the author gave to each of their experiences and feelings was really great to see.

In many ways, Lark was a mirror. I saw so much of myself in her character, both good and bad, but I think her relatability speaks to how well the author honored these things like depression and anxiety, of never feeling like you're enough, of needing to save yourself before relying on another to save you... There were just so many raw parts of her character that stuck with me, and will continue to do so long after I finish writing this review. Also, the character development from over-achieving 'perfection' to a tattooed and pieced artist who says 'fuck' a lot is a very validating progression, if I may speak from experience.

And Nick. Sweet, swoony, amazing Nick. I adored his character. I thought he was tender and accepting and seeing the way he cared for Lark in her highest and lowest moments was enough to bring a tear to my eye. Just the way he strove to give Lark a sense of peace and calmness was so sweet to me, and while the third act breakup is never fun, I really appreciated this one. It was truly necessary for them both, and I love an author who can show that although healing is not quick or linear, the ones who will love you through it all will be there when you are ready.

Also... THE SPICE. Oh my gods, the chemistry between Nick and Lark was off the charts and I was most definitely BLUSHING through these scenes. It was definitely done well, and Nick is most certainly a 'gentleman in the streets, freak in the sheets' type of character and we. Love. To. See. It.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this book if you are looking for a quick, spicy, emotional summer read to make you feel all the feels. I call dibs on Nick, though. Sorrrrrryyyyy!

This book was a perfect 5 for me - it is for anyone who was scared to color outside of the lines and didn't discover until later that some of the best moments are those that are not planned. As always, with book by Cynthia St. Aubin, the balance between romance and comedy was spot on. The dialogue and interactions between Lark and Nick had just the right amount of tension to keep the reader engaged. Plus I loved the development arc for these characters, it didn't quite go the way I thought it would but was perfect for these characters. I think part of the reason that I loved this book was that I saw myself in Lark. So those poignant moments really hit home and felt so authentic and the highs were even higher. The only mistake that someone can make this summer is not reading this book!
I received this book from the publisher/author at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.

This love story was cute, the pacing was kinda slow for me and didnt quite hook me in . I feel like this took forever to get through. When i got to the end it felt rushed and left me confused.


Thanks to NetGalley and Afterglow by Harlequin for the advanced reader copy of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/5 stars! I LOVED this book! It was exactly what I was looking for in a romance. It is a perfect blend of plot, storytelling, romance, and spice. I highly recommend picking this one up. I’m a big fan of Cynthia St.Aubin’s books and I enjoyed every minute of this story. If it ever comes out on audio I’ll definitely pick it up. Thank you @netgalley for this ARC!

“The Summer of Perfect Mistakes” is a poignantly written story about the value of self fulfillment, the dangers of perfectionism, and the importance of living for yourself, not others.

I would give this book 3.5 stars, but unfortunately have to round down to 3 due to its pacing. If not for the pacing in the second half, it would have easily been a 4 star read, solely for the chemistry between Lark and Nick. I really enjoyed their banter, and it seemed like they had a really solid foundation together. I would have loved to further explore their relationship after the climax of the story, if only to see how their respective self-reflective journeys influenced the way they approached their relationship, not just in the physical.

I also really appreciated the detail given to the supporting characters, who had their own arcs, and felt more than one-dimensional. Standouts were definitely Julia, Tammy, and Linda! It’s always refreshing to see the main characters have relationships outside of their romantic/love interest, and not just to advance the plot. These characters all added something positive to the dynamics between Nick and Lark; they weren’t too distracting, but not boring enough to be forgettable.

Lark and her struggles with perfectionism were super relatable, as I myself tend to be a people-pleasing overachiever. However, I would have liked to see a bit more of the process of her transformation; readers were told, not shown. I share the same sentiments as other readers that it was kind of quickly glossed over, and it made the ending fall somewhat flat for me. Having anywhere between 20 to 50 more pages of the book would have helped tie up loose ends and give the readers a better picture of the trajectory of her growth, rather than just a time skip to the end. It felt rushed and left me feeling empty and wanting more.

Similarly, I think the context of her “breakdown” and Lark’s relationship with Reese could have been better explained. While it was mentioned, there didn’t seem to be any sort of lead up or resolution to how or why it exactly happened. A little more insight into it would have helped the reader feel even more sympathy for Lark as a character, and also understand where exactly she was coming from. I honestly feel as though the book could have used a few more chapters to tighten things up (I’m a reader and I want to read more, obviously :))

Overall, a very solid book, and I would be open to reading more by the author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow by Harlequin for the advanced reader copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review

This is a hard one to review. I almost hate to give it only three stars, but it didn’t quite stick the landing. Mirroring the sentiment shared in other reviews, this book started with so much promise but the back half felt rushed.

As I said, the book starts out strong - Nick and Lark have top notch chemistry, and Nick is exactly the kind of guy I’d have gone for in my early 20s. I like Lark in the first part of the book, but her character growth in the end doesn’t feel earned because it’s glossed over. Without giving anything away, I think Lark made a smart decision by putting herself first, but I wish we’d have seen the process of her coming into her own. If more time had been spent with both characters in the interim, whether in real time or flashback, the ending wouldn’t have seemed so sudden and jarring. Instead, we’re introduced to Lark 2.0 without enough information about her transformation.

In summary, great chemistry, good characters, but the book could have benefitted from slowing down, especially in the back half, and another 50 pages or so of material wouldn’t have hurt. The beginning drew me in, but the end left much to be desired. Based on the strength of the character’s chemistry, I’d been interested in checking out more from this author. Maybe pacing isn’t an issue in their other work.

Side note: I’ve read several ARC books this year, and this is the first one that had some pretty noticeable mistakes in it, not in terms of grammar or punctuation, but in terms of actual plot details. Hopefully these will be rectified before the book is released.

Thanks to NetGalley and Afterglow by Harlequin for the advanced reader copy of this book.

I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.
The story itself was a simple, fluffy read that held my attention. However, the ending fell flat and left me a bit disappointed.
I thought Nick was a very realistic character, but Lark not so much.

The ending was very rushed, and Lark did a complete 180 that I still don't understand.

A bit more conversation would have been nice to really show the characters chemistry and connection to each other.

This book was a great surprise! A story about finding love when you’re lost, and then building the courage to find yourself… it’s a beautiful story!

Lark was one relatable character to all of us anxious older daughters, with people pleasing tendencies, and a bit of a need for academic validation. To see her find herself, go through her troubles, and find unconditional love was soul soothing!

Nick was exactly who I wanted the male main character in this book to be. He was kind and patient, gracious and respectful. He allowed Lark the space to grow, even when it was painful, and he found himself too in the process!

A good book needs good side characters and this one did not disappoint! Tammy and Linda were my favorites, but Julia (Nick’s mom) and her friends also brought so much light and fun to this story…

I’m never one to like, or even read, a book with third person narrative, but I couldn’t drop this one! So glad I finished! Can’t wait for everyone to read this book!

This book was good until it wasn't. The last chapter was very disappointing and Larks drastic change was unbelievable, while Nick seemed more realistic.
2.75 stars

This was a quick and enjoyable read with a perfect balance of romance, spice, emotion, and angst. I loved that our mfc took time to find herself and grow apart from the mmc, but I think I would've liked to see more of that development. Overall, I really enjoyed it and am headed to check out more from Cynthia St. Aubin as a result.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC!

Pretty good book. Easy, quick romance read.

I almost thought it was a little too short? The second half felt rushed. Overall, it was okay, but it didn’t really leave me feeling anything