I absolutely adored this wonderful romance! Plotting Summer is the third book in the Falling for Summer series, which is great when read in order, yet all of the books can also be enjoyed in any order. I listened to the audio version and it was beautifully narrated, truly bringing the characters to life for me.

Going into this novel, I realized that it was told only from Capri’s perspective and I wondered how I would feel about that. Well, it was the perfect way to tell this story! I thought the author did a great job of creating those uncertain and nervous emotions that Capri felt upon being around Tristan for the first time in almost a decade. As they embarked on spending time as friends and going on outings, Capri began to wonder if Tristan might want to be more than friends. And Capri definitely realized that her crush had never actually disappeared. It was in full force all of these years later! But would there be a chance to be more than friends with Tristan once he learned of the book she wrote about her crush? I really felt for Capri as she battled feelings of nervousness and dread for the conversation she knew she needed to have with Tristan.

This book packed all of the feels and captured every emotion so vividly! I loved it from start to finish and it was extra fun to find out that there was a bonus epilogue told from Tristan’s point of view. I highly recommend this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Oh my word! This Falling For Summer series is such a favorite already! I love Jess Heileman’s books and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this. Book #3 Plotting Summer was a dream to read! It’s every high school girl’s fantasy. Did you have that one boy you had a secret crush on? The one whose last name you’d constantly doodle with yours? This sweet romcom took me back to all those fun times. I could completely relate to Capri Collins’ book nerd, introverted self and loved reading the story from her point of view. I absolutely adored this friends to more, next door neighbor, hidden identity, unrequited love romance! Definitely a must read for every romance lovin’ heart!

Capri Collins has a secret. She’s a best selling author who stole her secret crush’s last name for her pen name. As Sunny Palmer, she published her high school fantasy, the one where her handsome next door neighbor, Tristan Palmer falls for her in high school instead of the popular girl.

When Secret Crush becomes a bestseller, Capri decides she can never reveal her true identity, and never go home again in case someone puts two and two together. It’s been 9 years and several books later, but when she has to return home and her oh so single secret crush is back again, she can’t help but fall in love all over, especially when bets are involved and he offers to remind her of all the great places on Sunset Harbor. But, just as friends, right? And what happens when Tristan discovers her secret?

I LOVED this book! There were so many scenes that made me smile. Jess Heileman knows how to write those adorably awkward scenes that are so relatable and I was here for all of it. I loved Capri’s family, especially her meddling brother-in-law Heath. The romance was so amazing! From the boat rides, to bike rides, to a day at the spa (the mud bath scene!), and the 4th of July, this book captured my heart and didn’t let go. While we never get in Tristan’s head, I loved seeing how much this guy cares for Capri. He’s every bit the dreamy book boyfriend she captured in her books. I also loved the perfect ending and how everything was resolved. Don’t miss the epilogue!

After reading this amazing book, I was so excited to revisit it via audiobook. The narrator did a fabulous job bringing all these characters to life. She had a pleasant voice to listen to & I enjoyed how she voiced both male & female characters. Definitely recommend this version.

Plotting Summer and the entire series are instant favorites and the perfect summer reads. Definitely grab this one and all the others! While this book can be read as a standalone, it was so fun seeing familiar faces and the way the series is connected. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Read three books from this series and its just keep on getting better and better with each book i believe. This one has some of my most favourite romance tropes🤌 love this combination so much.
The narration was as usual smooth and easy breezy. The vibe of this series is so beautiful that literally I feel I am a part of this book series now. The characters are charming and beautifully written in this too. I am eagerly waiting for the next book now.

Hooked in the first chapter! Adorable story of Capri & Tristan. Secret childhood crush on the neighbor. (Perceived) unrequited love. The friendly banter had me giggling and blushing. The anticipation of their first kiss had me going crazy, in the good way. I was torn between speeding up the audio narration to see what happened next, but at the same time wanting to live in the moment, lol. Narrator was good. Spice 0.5/5.

Spoiler?? On all of their outings Tristan took a picture of him & Capri. I was thinking along the way that it would come back. Maybe I missed it?

Falling for Summer series has been a blast to experience this summer. Thanks to Netgalley for the audiobook ARC's. 10/10 recommend the entire series if you are interested in closed-door summer romance.

Plotting Summer by Jess Heileman is a sweet summer romance. It is the 3rd book in the “Falling For Summer” series, which is a multi-author series with interconnected characters all taking place on Sunset Harbor. However, they can all be enjoyed as standalone stories.

Capri and Tristan were next-door neighbors growing up. Capri has always had a secret crush on Tristan, she even wrote a book about it. She never thought her book would go anywhere but it was a bestseller. She used a pen name and has kept her identity as an author a secret for years. When she returns to Sunset Harbor, Tristan is closer than she planned, and those old feelings have not gone away.

This story is a sweet summer romance that makes you think about young love and secret crushes. Both Tristan and Capri come across as teenagers as they revisit their past, adding some angst to the story.

The plot moves quickly and makes this a fun and easy read. The story is from Capri’s point of view, and it would have been fun to also see Tristan’s side.

If you are in the mood for a light and fun summer read with meddling siblings and a long-time crush, this is the book for you!

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Jess Heileman for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Capri is a successful romance author hiding behind a pen name. She faces a dilemma when she returns to her hometown and encounters her secret crush, Tristan—whose last name she borrowed for her pseudonym. Her secret identity, and a novel based on a fictionalized version of their relationship, threaten to be exposed as Tristan reignites their connection. Capri must choose between protecting her anonymity and pursuing a real-life romance with the man who inspired it all.

This is a fun, lighthearted, and emotional romance. The chemistry between Capri and Tristan is strong. I loved the second-chance element and the sense of longing between them. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

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

Plotting Summer is part of the Falling for Summer series but it will work just fine as a standalone. This story takes place on a fictional island off the coast of Florida, Sunset Harbor.

Plotting Summer is my fourth book in the Falling for Summer series and is my favorite. Summer Ever After was my least favorite and it followed Jane who I liked but she just came off so desperate that she bothered me. Plotting Summer follows Jane’s best friend Capri.

Capri was such a strong and interesting lead character. She is an author writing under a pen name. The name she uses has a stolen last name and her first book was based on her and the guy whos name she stole, just with a happily ever after. Capri has only told a few people who she really is and doesn't want anyone on the island to know who she really is, especially her secret crush Tristian.

Capri and Tristian’s love story goes back to when they were kids. This was the most well told story so far in the series and it even made me really like characters I was not too fond of like Jane. Jane was a great supporting character here and I believe that’s because of Heileman’s excellent writing. I also feel this story used all the characters we have learned to love in the other books in the series in the best way. Unlike the other books, this lacked the POV from the male main character, but this almost felt like an ensemble cast anyway. This was more than just Capri and Tristians story, this was a story of Sunset Harbor.

Listen if you like:
Friends to more
Love triangle
Unrequited love
Single POV

Tristan & Capri
Capri is a romance writer who is becoming somewhat of a big deal…so big in fact, people just HAVE to know who she really is! Her pen name, Sunny Palmer has given her anonymity, from her secret crush, and her identity.

Because, what’s a writer to do when they’re inspired by real life incidents, but write about them?

When she comes back home she runs into Tristan, and they make an agreement to have some fun together. She knows the countdown has started on her telling Tristan about what she has written, but who wants to ruin all the fun they’re having?

This is a fun and romantic clean novel! It had been giggling and swooning at the same time. You’ll love it!

Plotting Summer is book 3 in the Falling For Summer series, they don't need to be read in order to understand the story. It was such a delight. So sweet, so cute, the story was so much fun. I truly loved this installment in the series.

I loved Capri & Tristan. They were such amaIng characters, they were so sweet and they both had feelings for each other from the start but were both clumsy about it. Their banter was so much fun. All the situations that happened, the secrets, the mutual pining, I loved it all.

Such a perfect summer read, and praise for the no third act breakup! I loved the author's writing and how she easily realistic feeling characters and a romance that will make your heart melt. It was my first by her and definitely not my last.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscape & @jessheileman for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Escrevo essa resenha pouco tempo após ter terminado a leitura e já vou me adiantar para dizer que Plotting Summer foi meu favorito de Falling for Summer até agora! Um sólido 4,5 estrelas, mas arredondando para 5 aqui e ali fácil também, porque mesmo com um outro momento mais parado, foi de longe um dos romances mais doces e divertidos de acompanhar na série, não só pelos protagonistas, como ainda graças aos secundários em torno deles que deram um tempero ótimo à trama que, convenhamos, já é boa por si só!

Todo o plot de autora misteriosa e pseudônimo cheio de segredos que Capri dá início foi, logo de cara, envolvente de ver porque, como escritora, mesmo meio off no momento, em vários momentos eu ou me identificava com seus dilemas na escrita ou simplesmente me sentia aconchegada pelo tema um tanto próximo da minha realidade, em certos ângulos - ainda que infelizmente sem um Tristan para chamar de meu, ainda rs. Gostei muito de como a autora retomou o casal que passou tantos anos sem se ver e os desenvolveu de um jeito conveniente mas ainda coerente com a personalidade deles, em especial do Tristan, e com uma boa ajudinha de familiares como a irmã e o cunhado da Capri que são uma comédia em cena, diga-se de passagem, haha Queria ter visto mais do clube do livro, que já havia sido previamente mostrado nos anteriores com as outras protagonistas, mas que aqui se sobressai mais com a presença da avó da Capri.

O final tem um toque especialmente interessante pela autora não ter seguido certos clichês, ainda que as circunstâncias do plot da Capri e do Tristan dessem brecha pra isso, mas ela fez diferente e eu fiquei aliviada com isso. Também gostei de como ela tomou vias de render outra personagem, em vista do que aconteceu afinal, e se tivesse/tiver um livro dela eu interessaria super em ler. Enfim, novamente, mais um romance leve, fofinho, sem hot e até bem familiar para embarcar no clima de verão de novo. Meu ranking da série até o momento, veremos se vai mudar muito mais até o final ou não:

1. Plotting Summer
2. Summer Ever After
3. Beachy Keen
4. Beauty and the Beach

3.5 stars rounded up because it was a close call and almost got to 4 😉

I’m loving this “summer” series. So fun that each book is a different author & different characters but they are all centered by the same location.

Thank you for this ARC!

If you're looking for a bubbly summer read with a FMC who feels like a teenager, rather than an adult, between her excitement, the (manufactured) drama of her life, and even the voice of the narrator, this is for you. Which makes sense, because the premise of the book is that Capri has never gotten over her high school crush, Tristan, and is back at home on her childhood island trying to avoid telling people that she wrote a book based on her childhood crush. For many readers, the combination of the somewhat immature narrator and the bubbly narrator voice (appropriate for the FMC) may be a bit too much Valley Girl energy, but for others, this will what makes it an ideal beach read.

Plotting for Summer is SUCH a delight! From start to finish, I was smiling ear to ear! A lighthearted, perfect for beach read!

Capri & Tristan are so swoony! Friends in high school with an unrequited crush from Capri that led to her writing her first book using a pen name...which happened to be based on the nickname that Tristan gave her.

The duo have been avoiding Sunset Harbor so they create a competition to create new memories! Legit SO cute!

This is part of the Falling for Summer series - which is so brilliant and I highly recommend jumping into all of the books (written by different authors but set on the same island) so you can get little glimpses of Capri & Tristan in the other books too because who wants the fun to end when the book is over?! Not this girl.

Also, thanks NetGalley for the ALC!

Enjoy!

This is book 3 in the Falling for Summer (I read it 5th in the series) out of order queen.

This follows Capri who is tricked into coming back to the island to get books from her family. Except they don't tell her her childhood crush Tristan is back and living next door again. She has never got over her crush on him. I mean she even writes a book about him and what she wanted there relationship to be under her pen name that no one knows its her or what the author looks like.

Is now the time to tell her friends and town and most importantly Tristan who Sunny Palmer really is?

This was a cute book in the series and you have meet both of them in other books but I wasn't a huge fan of Capri in the past books so I didnt LOVE this book as much as the other in the series. But thats okay cause I'm still LOVING this whole series and this was a really cute book in the series.

Thank You NetGalley for this Audio-Arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

I love how the main character is a writer and all the connections with everyone in the series listening to all of the other fictional characters i have already read about. These two are really cute together.

💚 Friends to Lovers
💛 Secret Identity
💚 Secret Best Selling Author
💛 Unrequited Love
💚 Next - Door Neighbor

I wished i loved this one a bit more but i still enjoyed my time listening to it.

I was originally disappointed that this book wasn’t a dual pov like the previous books in the series but the further in I got the more I liked the book! I liked the connections with the other chart in the series and I absolutely loved Tala and Heath! Heath is seriously my favorite, he is hilarious! I wish Tristan had given a few more hints he was into Capri because I felt like if I was Capri I would have had no clue he was into me either! Props to the MVPs Tala, Heath, and Grandma for helping these two get together!

Plotting for Summer

A sweet low conflict summer romance. This story was perfect for my headspace 👏. Sometimes you just need a pick me up and that’s exactly what this was.

I truly loved listening to this and absolutely loved being back in Sunset Harbor. The audio is well done and I would definitely recommend it.

I am in a stupefied state of post-reading euphoria, so excuse me if this review doesn’t make any sense but I think my mind might have imploded from all the romanticalness (so I might have made the word up, but it fits) that is ‘Plotting Summer.’

Working on corralling a lucid though or two so that I can make sense and do justice to this book. In the meantime — ssssqqqquuuueeeeaaaallllll – new-to-me author alert! How did I not know about Jess Heileman? And she writes Regencies too! Her books are now on all my online wishlists and in my ‘Author Catch-up’ goal list because I need to read everything by this author. Now.

Because she writes with such heart! Capri and Tristan’s romance is so emotionally fraught with all the delicious nuances I enjoy in a romance. And Heileman exactly captures all the feels that go with the yearning for that first crush you never got over.

And, oh my, but Capri has never gotten over her high school days with Tristan. Not that he ever noticed her as anything but a friend. Capri’s imagination, however, took their ‘relationship’ to a whole other level. And she turned that into a best selling novel, published under a pseudonym that has all kinds of significance if Tristan took any time to think about it. So now she’s a popular romance author with a posse of book boyfriends who are all Tristan in some form or other. Only she can’t tell anyone that she’s Sunny Palmer because a) that name (!) and b) that first book might have been somewhat autobiographical. 🙂

I can’t gush enough about the way their love story plays out. Impeccable pacing where the laugh out loud comedic scenes are perfectly balanced by deeper emotional ones. These characters are vulnerable and hurting but careful about each other’s feelings. I love the way the romance builds — so many toe-curling almost kisses! And the playful banter! Kept me giggling my way into a swoon over and over again.

And the central theme of Capri’s story — ‘you’re worth being seen’ — and the way Tristan becomes ‘the man who always sees her.’ The way the author develops that throughout the story is…just…powerful…and meaningful…and so, so, beautiful. Sniffle. I kinda cried at the end. Happily ever after tears, which are the best kind. 🙂

I listened to the audio book narrated by Ellen Quay and she was a perfect match for these characters and their story. Her performance made for an immersive ‘reading’ experience — and made me love ‘Plotting Summer’ even more.

My thanks to the publisher, Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Listened to this audiobook while traveling and enjoyed the story overall. I thought Capri might have been a bit on the dramatic side but that was part of her charm. And Tristen was the perfect book boyfriend though I left like I got to know his background better in other books from the series. The books in the series overlap so you will see the other characters playing a role in their friends/siblings stories. It is fun to see where they are and what they are doing in other books.

I thought the narrator did a good job.


Sex: some mild innuendo
Language: no
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary audiobook through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

Rating: 4.5/5

This book was so adorable! I loved Tristan and Capri. It was fun to see them go on different outings to make better memories on the island and it created some really sweet moments. I also loved the drama and secret of Capri’s author identity.

Capri’s family was my favorite! Her grandma, sister, and brother-in-law added so much humor to the story and I fell in love with them as much as Tristan and Capri.

The audiobook narration was very well done and did a good job of bringing these characters to life.

Content: kissing