Summer Ever After by Kortney Keisel

Series: Falling for Summer bk 1
Genre: Island Rom-Com
Romance Level: Closed-door 1
Audio Release Date: July 21, 2024
Narrators: Amanda Friday & Andy Harrington
Indie published
Characters: Jane Hayes and Walker Collins

My Favorite Parts:
Best Friend’s Brother/Forbidden Romance
The Heimlich
Trope testing
Intro to men of Sunset Harbor
Damsel in distress
Nickname
List discovery
First kiss
Blind date
Boating
Loopy Jane
Learning golf
Grand gesture and Epilogue

This book is like a buffet of tropes! Not sure what is your favorite rom-com trope? Well, read this one and try a whole slough of them out! Trope Buffet might be my new favorite trope!
Jane is this happy go lucky, optimistic gal who grew up with both parents who loved each other and only wants the same. She decides to instigate the Summer of Jane Hayes, in which she makes a list of tropes to try out on men and fall in love before summer ends.
Walker is coming back to the island for the first time in a very long time to escape a bad round of golfing tournaments. He runs into Jane, his sister's best friend since they were very young. In their eyes, they are off-limits to each other. He is such a flirt, in the very best way. I loved the way he quickly falls for her, but can't admit it. He is smooth as molasses and knows it too!
Oooh boy, I adored Jane and Walker’s chemistry. They are the epitome of opposites attract in this best friend’s brother, forbidden romance rom-com.
When Jane mentions the song Somewhere Only We Know by Keane, I had to look it up and listen to it. And discovered I had never heard it and rather enjoyed it.

This book was such a fun way to start off the series, even if it was not my first intro to the island and characters. I enjoyed this one immensely due to the mix of tropes, hilarity, and fun! I laughed out loud during so many parts, I kid you not and swooned so many times.

Review on Audio: Amanda and Andy do a fantastic duet narration of Jane and Walker’s dual POV!

Content warning: minor amount of blood from cut, minor s*xual innuendos, kisses
Trigger warning: Estranged family, death of family member (past), grief from said death (present)

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook from Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and true!

This is the first of the Falling for Summer Series. Jane Hayes is desperate to fall in love over the summer. She creates this plan of setting herself up with every single, available guy in her small town, and uses every romance troupe she can think of. During her journey, she hangs out with her childhood best friend’s older brother, pro golfer, Walker. Yes, Jane is annoying at first with her constant need to fall in love. But, in the end I did enjoy her character. I loved the dual POVs and the two narrators that represented both Jane and Walker were spot on. The writing was good, and the storyline was easy to follow. I did want to keep going to see what would happen next to Jane. If you are looking for a clean romance summer read, then you should pick this one up! I am looking forward to reading the second in this series.

This was a cute listen! Looking forward to the rest of this big series!

Thank you to dreamscape audio and Netgalley for the chance to listen to this ARC!

I have read or listened to four of the other books in this series before I listen to this audiobook. The first book of the series. Perhaps that was my mistake. I didn’t really care for the female narrator. I’m not sure why it just didn’t sound smooth. The second thing that bothered me was from the very beginning so much of the talk was about scandalous romance books for their book club and I thought why are we even talking about this? This is supposed to be a clean and wholesome romance. Honestly, I was ready to give it up, but I persevered. I would say about halfway through the book, I became interested enough to at least finish. I didn’t mind the character of Walker. He seemed fairly genuine, but Jane was just childish. I thought she was reliving her teenage years or something. I’m glad I read some of the other books before this, because I probably would not have finished the series, I take that back, most of the authors are auto buy for me! Kortney is a new author for me and because I hear good things about her I would try another one of her books. I also may have liked it better if I had read it instead of listen to the audiobook so I’m pretty on the fence about recommending the book. I do think this series is fun and lighthearted and the characters all tie in together. received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a really cute and fun summer listen - I listened while out on my daily beach walks and this added to the ambience!

There is so much to love with Jane and Walker! I love the Best Friend's older brother trope! Excited to see what comes next in this series! The narrators did a fantastic job with this sweet Summer Romance!

I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Summer Ever After is the first book in the Falling For Summer series. They all read fine as standalones. This one was a fun installment, with all the book and trope references, but my least favorite so far. It did get a little repetitive that she was so obsessed with finding romance with those tropes but shes a romcom/romance girlie and she wants her HEA.

Jane is very adamant to stay in that town and very specific about being in a relationship by the end of the summer. It was a little annoying and obsessive to say the least. Also, the fact that she was obsessed and in love with her best friend's brother for 15 years and never mentioned it because her best friend Capri was so specific in not dating her brother. I thought that was too excessive as it was to the detriment of her friend and brother's happiness. There's things that just really ticked me off in this one unfortunately.

It is also a really slow burn. I did think about giving up at a certain point because they only get together the last 10% of the book. I would've liked to see more. Even With all this it is still a fun and easy summer read that a lot of romance girlies out there will love.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia & Kortney Keisel for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

summer Ever After
A Sweet Romantic Comedy
by Kortney Keisel
Narrated by Amanda Friday; Andy Harrington

I received an ARC of this audiobook from Netgalley.

This audiobook was a bit too trope-tastic for my taste.

Jane is the hometown girl that wants to live right where she is forever. So, she hatches a plan to fall in love with someone else who wants to spend forever there too. The plan? Use all the reasonable or semi-reasonable or even ridiculous romance tropes to force love to happen.

Walker is a self-absorbed cocky pro golfer. He also happens to be Jane’s lifelong crush, but things could never work out with them - he’s her best friend’s older brother and he doesn’t live on the island anymore anyway.

This story had the potential to be better than it was. Jane was too happy-go-lucky while clearly experiencing deep loneliness for my taste. And Walker was hard to like or care about.

I love the theme of the book series: a fictional island off the coast of Florida and a group of friend’s find love one by one. It’s great. I love these types of romance series. I don’t care that they are fictional or unrealistic at all. It’s fun and an oasis away from the humdrum of the ordinary.

I just wasn’t that into this book. However, because I already listened to an accompanying book I do think this book is worth a listen for the series.

So fun and flirty! The banter and chemistry are off the charts. A best friend's brother and hidden crush tropes. There are no swearing, swoony descripted kisses only, and no alcohol in this book. So fun and flirty! The banter and chemistry are off the charts. A best friend's brother and hidden crush tropes. There are no swearing, swoony descripted kisses only, and no alcohol in this book.

Officially the sweetest summer romcom, with a swoon worthy sports romance twist, Summer Ever After takes us on a journey with Jane as she explores all of her favorite romance tropes in search for her love as she sets up dates for herself. Of course the one person that is off limits is her best friend's brother - the golf pro that she has lusted after since she was a young girl.

Such a feel good, give yourself a hug, and find yourself a man like Walker... I loved this sweet book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this arc in return for my honest review.

Pub Date: 21 July 2024

This is the 1st book in the Falling for Summer Series (the 3rd one I Read) who believes in starting with book 1. haha I'm still glad I've still read them out of order. Jane is a lifer she never wants to leave the island.

Walker got out and became a professional golfer and has never wanted to return. When hes having issues with his game he goes home to clear his head and to get with his original coach to help him figure things out.

Of Course Jane decided early on she wants to find love on the island and is going to do a summer of Jane which means trying different book tropes to find love. and yes its as funny as you think.

Jane has always had a thing for Walker but best friend code is stay away from her brother and she's stuck to it.

They had such great chemistry and the fact on his own filled so many tropes without meaning to. chefs kiss. Can't wait to read the next book in the series out of order ;)


Thank You NetGalley for this audio-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Amanda Friday and Andy Harrington are two of my favorite narrators and I loved listening to them bring one of my favorite books of the summer to life.

Walker and Jane are such favorites and I really enjoyed listening to some of my favorite romance tropes play out in this adorable romcom. I laughed, I swooned, I melted, and I adored every single minute all over again. Now that I’m almost done reading the series, it was so much fun to go back and listen and recognize characters whose stories come later. I love this author's books so much and this one isn't an exception.

I can’t say enough about Falling for Summer. This is a series that takes me on a fabulous vacation and I’ll be rereading this one often.

Another great addition to the Falling for Summer series! I'm endlessly grateful to Dreamscape Media for the gifted ALC via NetGalley! These are my honest thoughts!

I enjoyed Walker and Jane's story a lot. It felt like a fun love letter to romance novels, with Jane trying to find love by intentionally seeking out romance tropes in dates with the single guys in her small community.

Both Walker and Jane had crushed on each other in their youth, but Jane's BFF being Walker's sister pumped the brakes for these two for a lot of years, all the way to present.

Jane never wants to leave her community on the island, and Walker's home is on the mainland of Florida. Despite these differences, Walker wants to pursue a relationship with Jane. Jane's crush on Walker is stronger than ever before, but he's only back to work on his golf game before he returns to his normal life.

These road blocks only provide an opportunity for Walker to show up for Jane, realize his real feelings for her, and act on them. At the same time, Jane is a good influence on Walker - his golf game, the way he shows up for his family, and some of the anxieties he has about being back home. AND Walker just organically helps Jane with some of her tropes, even when he doesn't realize it at the time.

Jane tries to force the tropes, and Walker just happening to act some of the tropes, was definitely my favorite part of the story. Proof that we all live in tropes in our romantic lives. I loved how smartly Kortney intertwined these tropes into the story in a fun way. It was entertaining and fun.

This was my first from Kortney, and I'm pretty sure this was my first listen from both narrators as well. I liked their style and the way they played these characters. It's a very solid 4-star audio listen! Nothing too cringe-worthy. A sweet story. Out now!

Jane’s plan for happily-ever-after keeps leading her to the one guy she’s sworn off: her best friend’s older brother Walker. Dating him would mean facing the heartbreak of his inevitable departure from the island she calls home. But how can she resist the attractions of the man she’s loved since seventh grade?

This is so cute and fun. Jane and Walker are likable and relatable, and perfect together. It’s an entertaining and heartfelt read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary read.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the advance reading copy of this sweet and feel good romance. I loved the older brother falls for sister's friend trope and Summer After Ever did not disappoint. This is a closed door romance but the tension and banter are very well done.

Rating: 4.5/5

Okay, this book was ridiculously cute and I absolutely loved it! I laughed so much as Jane tried to create some romance between herself and the single men in Sunset Harbor using tropes she loves from books.

Jane and Walker have great chemistry and I loved all their little moments together. The golf aspect was a fun addition.

Highly recommend the audiobook. The duet narration was done well and added so much to the story as it was brought to life.

Content: kissing

“This is our summer, ladies! We’re not going to sit back and live vicariously through romance books. We’re going to make our own romance happen.”

I knew from the opening scene that this book was going to be fantastic, and it genuinely was. I absolutely LOVED it! I’m sure I had a big smile on my face the entire time I was reading it.

Jane Hayes is determined to find love this summer and stop living vicariously through romance novels. She makes a list of single bachelors that live in Sunset Harbor, and a list of romance tropes to try out on them.

Walker Collins is a pro golfer, Jane’s best friend’s brother, and her teenage crush. He’s in a professional slump so he comes home to get help from his former golf coach.

Years ago Jane made a promise to her bff that she wouldn’t date Walker, but when they meet again, Walker is even more attractive than ever, and he manifests one irresistible trope after another. Kryptonite for her heart!

He’s everything she wants in a man, but she can’t forget the promise she made. And she never wants to leave her beloved island, but he hates it. Too many differences to get her HEA?

If you love romcoms you don’t want to miss this one! It’s funny, charming, super swoony, and a pure delight. I’ve read several books by Kortney, and this is my new favorite!

3.5 stars
I'm a bit up in the air about how to rate this book. The story idea is solid. But how Jane used the tropes was so contrived that I kept rolling my eyes. And she didn't seem to really see that every time she tried to force a trope with a date, she ended up actually living the trope with the guy she is trying to avoid having feelings for and it occurs more naturally with him. I like Jane's character but in this area she isn't very bright.

I didn't love how she treated her 7th grade pact with her best friend as a truth for life legal document. How about an honest discussion with her friend? She could have told her why dating her brother was not a good idea since he was not inclined to think seriously about anyone but himself and his golf. But she wouldn't have forbidden her to date him. It still felt very Junior High instead of adult.

I'm convinced that many people will love this book more than I did. It has some fun stuff in it. I think the thing that turned me off from loving it was really about the double entendre and innuendo. Even the reading of the book at the book club meeting at the beginning set me to wondering just how much spice was going to be in this book. I know the scene was intended to be humorous but it was more than I could enjoy. But that is just me. Others will love it.

I'm confused about the ending though. Did he give up his career goals completely? Or did he just alter how he would go about it? If it said, I missed it.

The narrators did a good job.

*I received a complimentary audiobook through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

Genre: sports romance
Content: innuendo, death of a parent to cancer (in the past), makeouts

📢 MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE 📢 THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

Okay, y’all, now that you’re focused: you NEED to visit Sunset Harbor, Florida this year & lucky for you, you can now do so via audiobook!

I loved this book! The cast of characters is fabulous. I love how Kortney introduced so many of the MCs that we’ll get to know in the rest of the Falling for Summer series. It’s all connected!

Jane Hayes is determined to fall in love this summer. What she doesn’t count on is her secret crush, who happens to be her best friend’s brother, coming back to the island. Walker Collins needs to refocus after some issues with his golf game/career and somehow he seems to play better when he’s around Jane. 🤔😉

Things I Loved:
🤣 their meet cute/reunion
☀️Pollyanna
🦷 the wisdom teeth scene
🎆 the fireworks kiss
❤️ the grand gesture

Favorite Quotes:
🥰Don't get me wrong. I love a good romance story as much as the next girl—okay, probably more than the next girl, and the girl after that, and the girl after that. What can I say? I love love.

🔥 First, Walker pulls something out of my hair, and then he wipes something off my cheek. This is trope Hell. And I definitely feel the heat.

😏 His stare drifts up and down my shirt, and the corner of his mouth lifts. Then he leans forward again, so far that his lips brush against strands of my hair, causing them to tickle my ear, making my whole body shiver. "You look good wearing my jersey. Real good."

🏌🏻‍♀️She looks over her shoulder with one raised brow. "Are you coaching me or checking me out?" "A little of both, if I'm being honest." A slanted grin spreads across my lips. "I'm an excellent multi-tasker."

❤️ Because when you finally figure out who you want to spend the rest of your life with, the rest of your life can't start soon enough.

I love a swoon-worthy summer romance! Let me gush about this romcom audiobook, it's an absolute delight! The banter between the characters is off the charts hilarious. I mean, we're talking witty comebacks, sarcastic quips, and jokes that had me snorting my coffee more times than I care to admit. But what really got me hooked to this book is the perfect balance of humor with heartfelt moments that I really enjoyed.

The narration is spot-on! The narrators did an amazing job bringing each character to life that makes the story even more captivating and entertaining. Whether you're a fan of romantic comedies or just looking for a delightful escape from reality, this audiobook is a must-listen.

I found myself laughing out loud in public places and smiling like a fool during some swoony moments. Trust me, give it a listen, and you'll understand why I've fallen head over heels for this delightful romcom!