4.5/5 (rounded up)

This is such a cute, feel good story. I absolutely adore Capri and Tristan. Their relationship made my heart happy. Seeing their relationship go from friends to more was the cutest thing. I found myself smiling throughout the entire story. Recommend if you’re looking for a sweet, feel good friends to lovers story.

4.5⭐
Genre ~ romantic comedy
Series ~ Falling for Summer #3
Others in the series ~ Falling for Summer series
Setting ~ Sunset Harbor, an island off the coast of Florida
Publication date ~ ebook ~ June 26, 2024, audio ~ August 12, 2024
Publisher ~ Dreamscape Media
Est Page Count ~ 354 (p+ 29 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 29 minutes
Narrator ~ Ellen Quay
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ small town, island life, secret author, secret teenage crush, neighbors to lovers, friends to lovers, no 3rd act breakup, no steamage

Capri & Tristan lived next door to each other growing up. She had a secret crush on him and penned a novel about it. Never thinking it would go anywhere it turned out to be a bestseller. She has kept her identity as the author a secret for years. Now that she’s back on the island, and Tristan is near, can she keep not only her pen name a secret, but also the fact that she still harbors that crush for the newly single boy next door?

Oh my gosh, this was adorable and sweet and fun! Both characters were great and their banter was top notch. Tristan is book boyfriend material for sure. Can I get a woo hoo for no 3rd act breakup?! Overall, delightful!

I’m not quite sure why I haven’t read this author before, but I’ll be fixing that asap.

Series notes:
The timeline is the same for each book meaning the characters from other books in the series are in the background, but haven’t necessarily had their story told yet. I like this way of doing things since it doesn’t make it absolutely necessary to read them in order, but it’ll be better if you do.

Narration notes:
She did great.

Love a good secret identity!

After reading book 1 of this series I found myself desperately wanting Capri's story and this book did not disappoint. This single pov first person book 3 in the multi author series can be read alone but is thoroughly enjoyed after reading the story of Capri's brother and best friends tale as well. I loved watching Capri thinking through story plots to use in future books as well as wrestling with her childhood crush on the boy next door. Add this whole series to your tbr today!

The narrator of this audio book did a fabulous job capturing Capri's emotion throughout, clearly communicating how Capri was feeling and reading in a pleasing tone and pace.

One of my favorite things to feel in a romcom is second-hand-embarrassment. When something so awkward you could melt into the floor happens and you just feel it… squeals and claps. Squeals and claps. This summertime romcom about the author of romcoms is giving what if the crush of your lifetime was your man, girl? I LOVED THIS AUDIOBOOK! It was very different to step into single POV for this one, but I felt like I was a confidant to Capri. It really added to those secret moments within herself that we didn’t get anything from Tristan’s POV. @ellenquay did a great job of keeping the mystery and mortification alive.

⭐️ 4.5/5. I loved this story! Once again, this series goes hard with a romance book plot that is perfect for romance readers because the FMC is a secret romance author. Not only that, but her biggest book sensation is a little too inspired by real-life characters...and people are starting to get suspicious. There is laughter, cute family moments, great friendships, cross-over characters from the rest of the books in the series, and love. I’d definitely recommend this book!

This charming love story is sweet and I love that Capri wrote it herself. Well, she wrote what she wished happened and then had most of it come true. Tristan is kind and thoughtful and unbeknownst to Capri, he has a crush on her too. I enjoyed seeing previous characters pop up in this story and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Ellen Quay did a great job narrating this romantic comedy.

I don't mind single POV stories but this is one instance where it didn't work. I felt like Tristan had no depth to his character and since Capri had a crush on him for like a decade, he was seemingly perfect.

The potential conflict that made her stay away from the island also turned out to be resolved very easily. I also didn't feel the spark between them.

The narrator's voice for male characters at the beginning was odd though it slightly improved as the story went on. Other than that, this was an easy read with Hallmark vibes. I just wish I would've loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Sunny Palmer is a best selling author known for her first book Secret Crush which is a fictionalized story of her first crush and neighbor. Capri is avoiding her hometown because no body can ever know she's writer Sunny Palmer. She goes back to her small town to get some books together...until she loses her keys and can't leave.

The banter and chemistry between Capri and Tristian is so much fun. I found this book to be wholesome and a really great summer read! The author did a great job with Capri's POV, she really had you feeling like you were right there with the characters.

I truly enjoyed this book! Its part of series but can easily be a standalone. I have read 3 books in this series now and I love that the books intertwine, there are parts of the book that are referenced in the other books. I had such a fun time reading this book. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This multi-author summer series about the small town island off Florida, Summer Harbor, has me completely hooked! This is the fourth I’ve read now and the characters, the authors and their seamless ability to overlap without giving much away from the other books is just perfect.

I haven’t read most of these authors before, but they’ve all been in my giant TBR pile, and all are moving further to the top now (their other titles). I really enjoyed Jess Heileman’s writing in Plotting Summer, and some of her other works definitely intrigue me.

We saw so much of both Tristan Palmer and Capri Collins in the first three books (this is technically book three, but I read it fourth because the order the audio books released was different than the ebooks), so I felt like I knew so much of their background story and was rooting for them as a couple already.

Capri is an author and now lives on the mainland in Florida, while only her one brother still lives on the island (famous golf pro bro moved years ago but is back in book one). She writes under a pseudonym and is famous, but only her bestie knows - everyone else thinks she’s in editing.

Tristan and his family are basically island royalty, and own/run the senior living and retirement home there, and three more on the mainland. Tristan runs this one. Capri has had a lifetime crush on him and almost had a chance - a single boat trip and failed kiss after he and his long-time girlfriend broke up in high school…. until Bridget came running back to him. 8 years later, they’ve finally called it quits, Sunny Palmer’s pseudonym is finally ready to be revealed, and Capri is hoping for a second chance with Tristan - if the revelation doesn’t scare him out of the state! Scare him and turn half the island against her because of the first book… which it seems every book club is reading.

I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to diving into the final few, out each week! Anyone who hasn’t checked out the Falling For Summer series yet definitely needs to!

I listened to this one - narrated by Ellen Quay. She is a new to me narrator but did an excellent job, and I enjoyed her performance immensely. I look forward to hearing more work from her in the future.

I received an advance listen copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media / Vagabond Publishing, and this is my honest feedback.

A sweet story set on a island could be the perfect summer read for lovers of Hallmark romance.
This story had it's charm, for the right kind of reader. I personally found myself wanting more. I think this book would appeal to readers who want a low friction, low angst, easy beach read.
I found myself wishing for a little more tension.
So I wasn't the reader for this book.

This book was nice, light, easy reading. Exactly what you’re looking for in a beach read. I felt to some extent like the author kept telling the reader how perfect the MMC was rather than showing us through his actions, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The bookish FMC feels like she was written exactly for her audience, which is gratuitous but still hit the mark for a good read. As installment two of the series, I enjoyed it and will keep reading.

3.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5 stars!

Like the rest of the series, I absolutely LOVED this book. I apologize for all of my other comments about "shouldn't it be pronounced Ka-Pre instead of Cap-ri". The big time author from a small island vibes was one of my favorites to read. I WISH this book was dual POV like all the other books in the series (that I have read so far at least).

Cannot wait to finish this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is my favorite so far in the Falling for summer series. I received an ARC of this audiobook through Netgalley.

This was the perfect book for me. The quiet book nerd girl has a crush on her next door neighbor and grows up to fulfill her dream of becoming an author. Seriously, that is my sweet spot on a romance right there.

The narration was perfect.
The story was perfect.
This book is perfect.

I honestly have no critiques. This was just seriously well written and narrated! I highly recommend this book!

It’s got mystery, romance, challenges, quirky characters, and just the right amount of awww that’s so sweet!

Absolutely DREAMY!!

This book was the PERFECT summer romance and my cheek muscles still hurt from smiling through THE ENTIRE BOOK! AHHH! This story was dreamy and romantic and swoony and made my romance loving heart sigh with happiness. Narrator did a fantastic job and brought the story to life!

There is something so incredibly satisfying watching the girl FINALLY get her man! Capri and Tristan were so ADORABLE together and had more sparks than the 4th of July! (the bike! the spa! the boat! the sandbar! the fireworks! plus so much more...)

Add in all the endearing and hilarious side characters - Heath and Tala and Jane and Noah, and I would like to please adopt the ladies of Sunset Oasis - and the laughs, the character growth, and the beautiful island setting, and you can see why I am using lots of capital letters - this book has EVERYTHING you could want in a sweet romcom!!

11/10, just go read it, my friends. My review can't do this book justice - you are just going to have to fall in love with Capri and Tristan yourself!

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the advance listening copy of this sweet and feel good romance. I loved returning to sunset harbor and the cast of characters from the other novels for this friends to lovers story about Carpi & Tristen. The dialogue is well done and the tension is just right. This is a closed door romance and you can't help but cheer for their happily ever after 🥰

*♡Thank you to NetGalley and Kortney Keisel for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion♡*

Plotting Summer is a great summer beach read. The characters are so easy to love and there are appearances from Jane and Walker from the first book in this series, Summer Ever After. I love interconnected stories and this is happening at the same time as the first book ☺️
What I enjoyed most about this book is that although there are a few miscommunications, it is quickly resolved and there is no third act break up. Tristan is such an understanding, amazing guy who Capri deserves to build her up ❤️

Would definitely recommend!! Cant wait to continue the series ❤️

This is probably one of, if not, the best romance I've read this summer. I listened to this on audiobook. The narrator was great - kept me really interested in the story. I loved the main characters who were so lovely, fun, insecure and like the rest of us. The supporting characters were fleshed and added meat and laughter to the story as well. The pace was fast, at least for me; I could not stop listening. I usually listen on the way to and from work and occasionally while I am doing something at home, but with this book, I just sat and listened to it. I am hoping there will be a sequel, but it's part of a series of books set in the same place written by different authors, so not sure if Jess Heileman will do a sequel or another author will be up to bat. I will definitely check those out as well. This is a closed door romance for those who prefer that. And, for those who like steamier, a heads up. So, that said, put this on your TBR!!!!

I can never get enough of Jess Heileman’s books! You hear that Jess? We need more!

This is the cutest book with an amazing plot. Capri is an introverted book nerd, turned author. She’s had a crush on her next door neighbor, Tristan, forever. He doesn’t seem to reciprocate those feelings, so she writes a fictional account of their love story, how it could have been.

The book is a hit! She becomes a renowned author but keeps her identity secret. At least she tries to, but life happens.

Tristan is the sweetest book boyfriend. Can he be so in real life? Capri is afraid he’ll figure out her secret. This leads to a lot of fun and awkward moments (my favorite) which Jess Heileman is a pro at.

If you love unrequited love, secret identities, meddling family and small town gossip, you will love this book! It’s amazingly swoony with sweet kisses only.

4.5 Stars!
I loved this book! I think it's tied now for my favorite in the series!

Capri has had a crush on Tristan since they were kids. She used a nickname he gave her and his last name as a pen name for a book she secretly wrote about their fictionalized love story. When her book goes viral and she returns to Sunset Harbor, she keeps running into Tristan. She has to hide her secrets from him now.

This book had a really fun/new to me plot concept! I enjoyed how positive the book was as well. No bickering as enemies and no third act breakup were so great! They were still able to flirt and have funny moments. I loved the ending and teared up on the boat ride. So cute!

I really loved the narrator for this book too! She did a wonderful job!

The book is already out but the audiobook will be released on August 12th! Thank you Jess Heileman, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the audio for this book in exchange for my honest review.

Narrator: Ellen Quay

My Reading Speed: 1.5x

Have I Read The Book Before Listening to the Audio? Yes

Overall Audio Impression:

I liked the way Ellen Quay did her voices! For the most part, I could tell the difference between the characters (sometimes I got Tristan & Heath’s voices mixed up until there was a verbal tag of who was who, but thankfully there aren’t too many of their lines near each other).

As shown above, I did read this book prior to listening to the audiobook & I loved getting to listen to it to go over the events of the story again! I loved Capri’s relationship with her sister & her brother-in-law. They are all so comfortable with each other and I love that they were able to tease one another. I loved reliving Capri & Tristan’s outings once again and seeing Capri realize she is still in love with him and wondering where he’s at/being disappointed that she is in the friendzone (depending on the point in the story). It was so sweet to see her hopeless romantic heart finally get the love story she’d always dreamed of!

Favorite Scenes:

the outings – especially the lighthouse

their questions

sibling banter/conversations

Book Review:

Reader’s Notes:

– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

– this is told from Capri’s point of view

– it is mentioned that Capri’s father passed from cancer when she was young

Review:

Having read Summer Ever After (Capri’s best friend’s & Capri’s brother’s story) I had an idea of part of the story prior to actually reading it (which we also get in the summary) and it made me so excited to actually get to it! I loved how Capri’s story was told with the characters reminiscing over past events they shared together along with their current adventures. It made me see just how badly Capri fell for Tristan & why. And I loved all the outings they planned together and how it brought them closer together. I thought I’d be disappointed not getting both sides of the story (not getting Tristan’s point of view) and I was a bit, but it made the story more intriguing not knowing what Tristan was thinking/feeling in the midst of everything. I loved how invested Capri’s sister & brother-in-law were with Capri’s budding relationship and the banter they threw around each other at all the stages of it! They were so funny & made Capri face her fears while standing by her side. I can’t wait to get to more of the books in this series to find out what’s happening with the other characters!

Summary:

When her sister insists on she come to visit, Capri concedes and plans on it only being a short trip. But things get out of hand quickly and Capri finds herself oddly looking forward to spending more time in Sunset Harbor than expected.

Before coming and honestly still after, Capri was mortified that she made the choice to not only publish her fictional story of her and her high school crush getting together. Not only that, but she also stole his last name for her pen name. Since it skyrocketed her career and became much bigger than she ever thought it would, Capri hasn’t really visited because she is worried that the people of Sunset Harbor will catch on to the similarities. Or worse, that Tristan will discover the truth. Almost no one knows about her secret and Capri wants to keep it that way.

But when she stumbles across the man she’s been pining for once more, Capri finds herself looking forward to spending time with Tristan. The only question is can she be okay with them being just friends as he keeps saying…