I absolutely loved this book. It had something that just grabbed me. Loved the characters, the scenario, the descriptions, everything.
Avery lives with a lot, it can't be easy but she does the best she can. Fighting with your own head and body is nearly impossible, and she loses that figth nesrly everytime. Logan was her saving grace, he helped in any way he could, he was there for her and that's the most important thing. He didn't judge her and listened to her, he loved her wholeheartedly and that was beautiful. Logan too was battling something and it wasn't easy, but having Avery with him was more than enough. Loved this couple and how they loved and supported each other

I really wanted to like this book. But I just didn’t. I almost DNF more than once. But I wanted to push through and I am glad I did. I liked the ending much better than the rest of the book.

I really liked the premise of this book and the description, that along with the cover and title drew me in. But the entire book is from the main character’s point of view and I really disliked the main character. I appreciate the anxiety rep here, but I just didn’t enjoy the way it was written. It became the entire story, felt repetitive, and made the FMC very whiny, selfish, and unlikeable for me.

I also felt like the storyline between the main characters was rushed, with the timelines making it not as believable for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGallery for the ARC! Unfortunately I did not really enjoy the book! I felt there were a lot of important pieces of information missing along with a pace that was fast and somewhat hard to follow without a background on what was taking place. I appreciate the opportunity to get to read this!

Absolutely adored this! Usually I lose interest in romance novels by 40% and I'm a slow reader but I read this super fast because I needed to know it so that's how I know this is GOOD. It reminded me in a sense of Emily Henry because of the heartfelt writing and the setting. Also, the anxiety representation was accurate and not icky at all. Logan was an absolute babe and I love how he handled Avery's panick attacks and she is super relatable for an anxiety and overthinker girlie. The third act conflict and breakup was very real and believable and didn't annoy me (which most of the time does) and the epiloge was really sweet (it almost made me tear up). Can't wait for Fall into you!!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

I loved Avery and her struggles with anxiety were so relatable. Logan is a dream man with some secrets that were very ominous. Some of their issues as a couple seemed to just fall away because they were meant to be together. The storyline about Avery’s dad seemed misplaced and not completely necessary to the plot - somewhat random.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and storyline. The love was capturing and addicting to read.

I loved this book. Although the first twenty five percent was a little slow, after that, the author had me hooked! I enjoyed the later stages of character development! I also really enjoyed the happy ending!

Thank you Charlène and NetGalley for this ARC

This books was both beautiful and heartbreaking and I loved every minute.

This book is about a girl called Avery who after a recent breakup and struggling for inspiration for work ends up booking for a month long stay at a cabin. But guess who works behind the front desk, it is none other than Logan, her childhood best friend who she hasn’t spoken to for 17 years.

I loved how this book focused on mental health,I haven’t read a book like this which has shown the raw emotions and heartbreak of coping with anxiety and panic attacks.

If you are looking for a beautifully written friends to lovers romance which also covers some harder topics of mental health than I really recommend you give this a go.

This was such a beautiful, heartbreaking and heartwarming story. I can’t describe how much I saw of myself in Avery. I hope that a lot of people will read this story because it’s definitely worth it. Make sure to read the trigger warnings before starting this book because it’s not a fluffy romance book. I’m excited to read the second book ☺️
Thank you Netgalley and Iris Books for this arc 🫶🏻

If there is one new author to watch out for, it is Charlène Boutin; this novel is beautiful and devastating.

Before starting I want to mention the content warning that the author shares at the beginning:

•Toxic / Strained relationships with a parent
•Themes of loneliness, depression, and burnout
•On-page anxiety symptoms, meltdowns and anxiety attacks
•On-page suicidal ideation brought forth by extreme anxiety attacks
•Brief depiction of alcohol consumption
•Brief mention of childhood bullying

Summer Kind of Love stars Avery, a woman from Montreal whose heart was wounded by Jeremy. As a freelance copywriter, she decides to spend a month at a cottage resort in Cape Brenton to rediscover inspiration after her breakup. However, she doesn't expect to see her childhood best friend Logan working at the resort. As the summer progresses, Avery and Logan bond and spark something more than friendship; yet, in order to live the life she has always desired, she must confront some terrible trials to heal her mind and heart.

This narrative depicts such sensitive issues as anxiety and the hardships that come with it; my heart hurts for Avery throughout the story; she has completely lost herself over time, and so many things have happened to exacerbate her situation. The anxiety representation in this narrative is flawless; any individual living with anxiety would recognize themselves in Avery. As a person dealing with anxiety since the age of 15, I felt seen in a way I never felt before, so thank you Charlène Boutin, for making me feel that way. I sobbed, I laughed and I enjoyed every minute of the story! I want to share with you, a quote from the book that represented perfectly what I felt while reading this book:

There's something unfurling in my chest, like a small flower blooming and spreading its petals against my sternum

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I believe it might have been a five-star read if we had also seen it from Logan's perspective. It would have been wonderful to understand his point of view and emotions. Because while Avery is going through a lot, Logan is also dealing with his own issues. But it does not change the fact that it is an amazing story and that I recommend you to read it!

I cannot believe it is a debut novel! Charlène Boutin totally deserves those four stars and even more! I cannot wait to read Charlène’s future books, especially Sophie’s story. And as we say in French: chapeau bas, l'artiste!

Thank you Netgalley and Charlène Boutin for the arc in exchange to my honest review, it means a lot to me.

This was a great summer beach read, a fun second-chance romance with likable characters. I thought the author did a great job working through the complexity of anxiety and working through some of those roadblocks. I can't wait for the next one!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 My bias is definitely going to show through on this review because I 💯 believe that escaping to a cabin near the water is always going to solve life’s problems. Undoubtedly, you still have to put in some work but there is something about slipping into that state of mind that primes you to take on the world. When life in Avery’s high rise in the city is not panning out the way it should, she escapes to Cape Breton for the summer. Reeling from a break-up and riddled with anxiety, time alone is what Avery thinks she needs. However, perhaps the universe has another plan when she is reunited with her childhood best friend, Logan. Kudos to Charlene Boutin for taking on anxiety and panic attacks in this book and helping to pave the way toward identifying and addressing symptoms, as well as speaking up about them. With alstrong characters and a charming setting, Summer Kind of Love is a delightful summer read that will have you rooting for second chance romances and healing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Review is posted on Goodreads and the final review will be posted on instagram closer to the publication date.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Summer Kind of Love' by Charlene Boutin.

'Summer Kind Of Love' is the perfect read for the upcoming months and many people will swoon and sigh over this book but sadly I am not one of them. I didn't feel any chemistry between the two characters and it just dampened the mood for me.

↬ review: 3 stars ☾ ❦
this charming love story transports readers to a beautiful vacation setting, perfect for a summer read, and it blends lighthearted romance with just a touch of serious themes. the author beautifully captures the essence of summer, making you feel the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze of the vacation locale.

❀ what i loved:
one of my personal highlights of the book is the ending. the conclusion of the story is executed perfectly, delivering a heartwarming and satisfying resolution. the healing journey of the characters is depicted with sensitivity and care. avery's best friend's unwavering support and honesty add an extra layer of warmth and depth to the story, showcasing the importance of friendship in the healing process.

❀ what i disliked:
➵ avery's character: she is a complex character who can be extremely exhausting. her tendency to make everything about herself and her inability to listen to others can be infuriating. while her anxiety is understandable and adds important depth to her character, it often results in selfishness, making it incredibly hard to emphasise with her.

➵ the romance: the romance feels extremely rushed and unrealistic. transitioning from childhood friends to strangers and then to immediate lovers after 17 years of no contact stretches believability. there's zero room for the development of a convincing and deep connection. over the past 17 years, the characters appear not to have changed or grown, and they assume they still know each other intimately.

➵ the lack of chemistry: another significant drawback is the lack of chemistry between the characters. their interactions often feel flat, and their romance lacks the spark that makes love stories engaging.

➵ how avery dealt with a breakup: it's frustrating how avery jumps into a new relationship right after a five-year one ends. while moving on is commendable, her immediate leap into romance feels impulsive and unconvincing. it would have been more believable if the story showed her taking time to heal and grow before diving into a new relationship, not after.

❀ conclusion:
overall, as you can see, i had more issues with this book than compliments. however, it offers a summer escape with its beautiful setting and lighthearted narrative. if you're looking for a quick, feel-good read to accompany you on a sunny day, this book might be for you.

thank you, netgalley and charlène boutin, for the arc in exchange for my honest review. it means a lot to me, and i appreciate it.

Overall, this was a fun, short summer read! I loved the setting (nothing like a mountain cabin) and enjoyed the role of nature in the book. As a second chance romance, it felt a bit like “instalove” but I bought into the FMC and MMC’s dynamic.

The part I struggled with was the repetitive spiraling of the FMC. As a person with anxiety, I understand that kind of spiraling is a reality. However, as a reader, it felt repetitive. I also felt like I never fully understood the dynamic with her mom.

Light spice, 3 stars overall.

Thank you Charlene for giving me the opportunity to read this arc! I loved the story and the characters I appreciated the mental health aspect of it as well. Such a cute summer read for sure! I gave it a 3.5 but rounded to 4 stars.

I posted my good reads review under my NetGalley folder .
And for my tik tok I will be posting the review video on may 31st .

Summer Kind of Love by Charlene Boutin hit so close to home it was unreal, in the best way possible.

Avery's long term boyfriend dumps her after five years. She can't seem to focus on work and needs to get out of the house. Avery leaves for a "workation" only to run into her long lost childhood best friend, Logan, whom she hasn't seen in 17 years. The two instantly become best friends again, and soon they are hoping for more.

I thought this would be a typical romance novel, but the couple got together a little earlier in the book than usual, and at first I thought it could have used more sense of anticipation. It wasn't until some pages later that I realized this book is not your typical romance novel. While it definitely held elements (friends to lovers, childhood besties, secrets, first love), it was more than a romance. This book perfectly illustrates how anxiety grabs a hold of a person's self worth, dragging them into believing they are worth nothing.

From a personal standpoint of someone who has been living with clinical anxiety and depression for over 20 years, these passages rang so true:

"Mom, make it stop, please make it stop--" (The battle going on inside her head that is so incredibly painful) "It hurts, Mom, make it stop, it hurts" "Because it hurts. It hurts so fucking much I want to die in this moment." "The wave of sorrow that always hits me after."

"When you find someone like that, someone who will stand by you, someone who understands...The anxiety will try to take them from you. But you can't let it."

"I usually try not to think about it for more than a second because I know how much pain I can cause myself for something that is likely more than decades away."

How I'm too much.

"You always assume it's your job to save people. It's not. I know it's hard, and I know the anxiety makes it harder, but seriously, just stop pushing so hard. Let things happen."

Thank you, Charlene Boutin, for this read and sharing your personal experience with anxiety.

I want to thank Charlène and NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book!

I loved this book so much! The writing was so lyrical and perfect that sometimes I just stared at the phrases.
This book is about Avery, who gets out of a relationship and needs a little time to herself, so she decides to book a month away at a cabin. When she gets there, she encounters Logan, her childhood best friend whom she hasn't spoken to in 17 years. Sooner or later, Avery realizes there’s still something between her and Logan.
The mental health representation in this book is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. The way the panic attacks were described—as someone who has mental health issues, I could not relate more to them. They were described in a perfect and realistic way that I appreciate so much.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed, and I would have loved to see more of Avery’s journey by herself.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I really enjoyed this one. I liked the authentic progression of the relationship between Avery and Logan. I also thought the friendship between Avery and Sophie seemed so genuine.

Avery had so many different issues in her life and her relationship with her dad broke my heart. Having a parent not make you a priority is so crushing and that really cane through in this book.

I really liked the how the conversation came out about the last night Avery spent with Logan before she moved away. It made the awkwardness between them make so much more sense. Same goes for her anxiety and panic attacks. Logan is such a loyal friend and confidant. He’s everything that Avery longs for.

I saw a lot of myself in Avery. I’m def the “fixer” and jump into action to fix things but by doing so sometimes I fail to really 𝙇𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙉. I just really loved the authenticity of each character.

It’s a cute story of how when someone loves you, they love you “warts and all.”

Firstly, Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this beautiful summer read!

3.5/5* rounded up to 4*


I really enjoyed this book. The author handled the topic and depictions of anxiety and panic attacks beautifully, in such a way that I suspect perhaps the author has personal experience with it. The setting and scenery were so easy to picture in my head with how she described them and made me want to be there myself. My only con is that I wish there had been more build up to Avery and Logan’s relationship, or that maybe we had a dual POV so that we could know Logan better and what’s going on inside his head. I would’ve loved to know more about him so that we could see how well the characters fit together. But overall, I think this book was beautifully done!

Avery has just been dumped. In an attempt to get herself back together, she books a month-long stay at a coastal resort to reset herself, and to also work on a copy writing project. A "work-cation," if you will. Her best friend Sophie approves of Avery's decision, and off she goes to be alone.
When Avery gets to the resort, her best friend from 17 years ago, Logan, is working at the desk. Avery has a panic attack, and Logan is brought back into Avery's life again the same way he left it; without notice and because of Avery's anxiety. Logan stays with Avery until her panic attack subsides, and asks if she would like to reconnect with him during the month she is there. Avery says yes, and her month-long work-cation begins.
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.
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I have a lot of thoughts about this novel but my very basic review is that the writing is good, but the story was not meant for me. Personally, I'm not a fan of miscommunication tropes, and this novel is chock-full of them, from her father, to her best friend, to her second chance lover. No wonder Avery is so anxiety-ridden; there's nobody in her life that tells her the truth consistently.
Avery needs to learn to set boundaries and stand up for herself. She does it a little bit near the end, but back-steps significantly and it was extremely frustrating as a reader.
Sophie needs to let her friend do her own thing and stop barging in because what Avery is doing is "bullshit" in her eyes. Let her be alone for 5 seconds.
Logan. Sir. You need to communicate with this woman you supposedly love, and also respect her boundaries.

Do yourself a favor and read the trigger warnings before you start reading the book.