Such a sweet and steamy read THE SUMMER OF PERFECT MISTAKES IS! I really enjoyed the how endearing Lark and Nick are. Lark and Nick used to be classmates back in high school, not several years later they are both back in their hometown each needing to figuring out what direction they want their lives to go. Lark has the growing pressure of her successful parents who went the medical route, which Lark no longer wants to take. Nick is just the guy to get Lark's mind off her future and live in the now to understand who she is and what she wants. He just so happens to be the art teacher for the class Lark is in, and when they're together in a way it's a chance for them to redo high school together, be free and reckless, make the choices and mistakes that they want to make as individuals. I appreciated the reminder how important it is to do things simply for the sake because we ourselves want to do it and to not forget to be reckless and live.

Thank you to Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Lark & Nick are high school classmates who lived very different lives. Lark was raised to be perfect, obedient, a future doctor. Nick was messy, a rebel, danced to the beat of his own drum. In high school they didn't have a chance encounter because of their differences... but years later when Lark finds her life unraveling at the seams & listens to her mothers advice on taking a local art class that chance encounter happens... & the spark that is there will be the one that changes both of their trajectories forever.

This was my first Harlequin novel & I gotta say I'm so not used to the brevity of it because I wanted more. I wanted it to be longer as I felt some parts were rushed but it was still an enjoyable quick read.

I was immediately drawn in to Nick and Lark's relationship, and it was really fun and easy to follow their journey because of how well written and well paced this story was. There was just the right mix of emotional depth, spice, lighthearted summer romance swooniness, and of course a good ol' HEA.

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Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this title! These are my honest thoughts.

I think this book has one of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen and in fact it was what drew me to it.
No one's perfect. We're all a work in progress and always will be.
I loved how this new to me author has done a wonderful job in portraying Nick and Lark.
I was lost in the story from the moment I opened this book.
Nick and Lark will pull you in from the beginning and leave you thinking about them long after this story is over. I know I still am.

Lark and Nicks relationship from the beginning was enjoyable to read and watch develop throughout the book. Cynthia did a fantastic job of intertwining the side characters into the story line to help build, enhance, and advance the story. However, the ending was a bit rushed and left me wanting more especially to understand what occurred during the time jump.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Summer of Perfect Mistakes by Cynthia St. Aubin. Within the first few pages of this story, I was hooked and finished it in one sitting. In the Summer of Perfect Mistakes, Lark is coming our of her first and only serious relationship and dealing with new mental health issues. Nick returned home for the summer in hopes of getting some space and figuring out what to do with his career and life. These two have a history together as classmates. Years later, a single art class and a missing ride brings them together and turns their worlds upside down. This spicy romance brought on laughs, tears and all the feels while riding the emotional roller coaster of self-discovery, all through navigating depression and anxiety. I normally don’t read books for a second time, but I pre-ordered my copy of this because I can’t wait to revisit this down the road. Perfectly written! Easily 5/5 stars.

This is a quick and simple story. I liked seeing how Lark and Nick's relationship was growing, although I think it could have been developed more. They're both relatable characters and it was interesting to see how they tried to address their own struggles. Lark's parents were intense and I did appreciate the growth of Lark's relationship with them, but it felt a bit rushed. The ending was a little anticlimactic because of the sudden skip. I would have loved to see what Lark and Nick were doing during this time and I was a bit disappointed that we didn't really get to see how Lark focused on herself. I also wasn't the biggest fan of how Lark handled her relationship with Nick but considering how short this book is, it was okay. Honestly, even their reunion was rushed and I would have loved to see more communication between them. Lark and Nick were cute together but I wouldn't say they were necessarily strong together. It would have helped if we were able to see a deeper connection between them.

I really enjoyed The Summer of Perfect Mistakes for the first 50% of the book. I liked getting to know the female and male leads, Lark and Nick, and see their relationship evolve. The book started going off the rails when they went on the field trip. The story felt rushed towards the end. When Lark took some time for herself, and then returned, she came back a totally different person, without showing us how it happened (other than just having freedom of choice). It felt a bit like whiplash. I also wanted more conversation and angst between Lark and Nick when Lark returned, but it was just straight to being back together. It felt disconnected.

The Summer of Perfect Mistakes is the taste of chocolate ice-cream with apple pie. It’s sneaking through a bedroom window in the middle of the night. It’s the mess of blue paint smudged on a crisp suit. It’s the feeling of adrenaline when you take the plunge. Most of all, it’s finding yourself and what makes you happy above all else.

This book is a love letter to every perfectionist. Every people pleaser. Every over-analyzer. It’s a beautiful reminder that you can always choose your own colors with a paint-by-number picture.

Lark is taking a break from medical school and begins taking an art class only to find out the instructor is Nick from her high school. As they spend time together, Lark realizes she misses art and feels free instead of being told what to do by her restrictive parents. Nick and Lark spend more time together,and become close, but Lark tells Nick we both knew this summer would end. She tells him I want you but I’m not strong enough. She wants them to spend a year apart and goes off to Paris to study art. Will she see Nick again when she comes back?

what a gorgeous cover! i was immediately drawn to this book because of its cover and went in with high hopes and expectations. needless to say, i got what i was looking for! this was a heart-aching second chance romance that i finished in one sitting! i’m going to reread this a second time and come back with more thoughts to share.

a huge thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this novel from start to finish. The characters were so likable. Lark and Nick’s stories both felt so relatable and nothing about their development felt forced. The romance and spice were top notch. I could have read 10 more chapters without wanting this book to end. It was the perfect feel good romance!

I really enjoyed this book but found myself getting frustrated quite a bit with the heroine’s parents. They were way too overprotective and it took away from the story a bit. Otherwise, I definitely recommend it!

It was easy to get lost in Lark's world. St. Aubin crafted a bingeable book with prominent characters and an interesting storyline for them. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Lark is picking up the pieces after a breakdown. Nick needs a break to figure out where his career should be going. He ends up teaching an art class that Lark takes. They are drawn to each other and in each other, they find that they are starting to find themselves. Lark's parents are overprotective and Nick's mom can be obtrusive, but understanding. Throw in loud and outgoing Tammy and Linda and you have quite the cast of characters. Lark insists on finding herself without Nick and requests a break. By the end, they find their way and importantly, they find their way back to each other.

Aubin was able to make me stop and think about my own life in relation to the story, which is one of the most exciting things as a reader. Although I read a lot of books for escapism and educational purposes; sometimes it is nice to have a book that makes you analyze yourself. I couldn’t put this down, so loved it.