Member Reviews
This Falling for Summer series has seriously been the highlight of my summer reading! After hearing about the mysterious author Sunny Palmer (aka Capri) from some of the other books, I’ve been anxious to read her story! And it did not disappoint!
In Plotting Summer by Jess Heineken Capri, a secret romance author with a childhood crush, returns to Sunset Harbor where the sparks of attraction pick right back up when she sees Tristan (the crush), who as it turns out is not only her sisters neighbor… but also just so happens to be the inspiration behind the dreamy male lead in Capris first published book! Capri’s quick visit to the island is unexpectedly extended and as a result a playful little competition between her and Tristan ensues!
Capri’s secret author identity as Sunny Palmer adds an exciting twist, plus watching her navigate her feelings, the meddling of friends and family (including another fantastic Falling for Summer grandma!), makes it all just so entertaining. The island vibes are perfect for a summer read, and the banter is perfect. Plus there’s some real heartwarming moments! Like Capri and Walker, I also lost my father to cancer, so there were a couple times I was definitely feeling all the feels (but in a good way!)
If you’re a fan of sweet, swoony romances with a touch of mystery, this book is a must read. I’m already eagerly anticipating the next one!
Huge thank you to @netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
OMG! These Falling for Summer novels are just down right adorable! I loved the romance in this book and Capri and Tristian were such an amazing couple. I loved how Capri took her first love to write a romance novel and eventually gets to live out a happily ever after. I also am loving how these books are all connected and all these romances are happening at the same time in their own little silos. This is such a fun series and I can’t wait to read more. These are great beach reads.
This was a reread via audio for me. I love this narrator and it was so fun diving back into this story!
This is book three in the Falling for Summer multi-author series and my first book by Jess Heileman—it definitely won’t be my last! This was such an outright fun read with a secret identity, a romance author, childhood crush, meddling family, playful competition, the sweetest dates, tons of tension, so much swoon, and the sweetest ending.
Things I Loved:
-Hybrid sibling (relatable!)
-“‘The proof will be in the pictures?’ ‘Something like that.’”
-Remembering Favorite Foods
-Manatees
-Coordinating Outfits
-Steamy Room
-“You’re worth remembering, Capri Sun.”
-Thinking up stories for people
-Celebrating turning in the manuscript
-The Kiss
-Bro Apology
-Gum 😂
-Annotated Book
-The ending!
I loved the secret author dynamic of this story and the way Capri’s mind ran. I wanted inside Tristan’s head so badly, but the single POV really did work for this story and I enjoyed every bit of it!
These stories are interconnected while remaining standalone. The connections are so fun!
I am loving this multi author series and Plotting Summer was super cute. Jess Heileman has such great banter and inner-dialogue for Capri in this book; it made it so much fun to read and escape into.
I loved the insights into the life of an author and just grinned so much each time Capri's imagination created a romance plot or character love story in her head. Her crush on Tristan was adorable and I love that Tristan fell so hard for her. The "outings" were all so romantic and made me swoon. Heath and Tala were the best side characters. I would totally name a character after Heath if I were ever to write a book (or if he was a real person); he was such a comedic presence and everything he said and did made me smile.
My favorite part of this book was a certain gesture Tristan did/gave to Capri at the very end regarding Secret Crush. Since we didn't get his POV in the book, I thought that moment was super insightful into his thoughts and heart. Definitely a fabulous summer romance. I listened to the audiobook version and I loved it. Ellen Quay was a great match for Capri in terms of the narrator and I felt like I was right there in Sunset Harbor with her and Tristan. I will listen to this again and recommend it. I received an advance listening copy from Dreamscape Media and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Another winner in the 'Falling for Summer' series. I loved the book/author tie ins with this one so much. And the retirement center residents are just straight up the best support characters ever written. Every town needs to care about their residents like they do. (And with as much mischief and craziness!)
And talk about a MMC that has it all! I'm glad I already have the ideal man, or no one would measure up to Tristan. I loved Capri's reasons for her choices, and when they ended out possibly hurting another- she wanted to make it right.
Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook- it got me through a hot day of setting up my classroom!
This one is for the book girlies!
Plotting Summer was so cute. I absolutely devoured this one. This may be my favorite in the series so far.
We have a wacky plot, a plucky heroine and a dreamy hero, what more could I want from a summer read? This book inspired giddy feelings and so many laughs. It's fun, charming, and made me want to move to this beach town immediately. I loved the romance. It was sweet and romantic. Plus the hero is so swoon worthy in this one.
Narrator Ellen Quay did a wonderful job bringing this story to life. I really enjoyed her voices for the characters.
Really enjoyed this! Would recommend! Can be read as a standalone.
Another delightfully sweet addition to the Falling for summer series set on Sunset Harbor, a small coastal Florida island town and its charming collection of residents. This story follows secret best-selling romance book author, Capri, who writes under the pen name, Sunny Palmer.
Capri has had a crush on her next door neighbor, Tristan Palmer for YEARS and when they both find themselves back on the island Capri is nervous that Tristan will discover she's loved him all this time. The chemistry between these two was top notch and I loved all of their banter and interactions.
Great on audio narrated by Ellen Quay, this might be my favorite in the series. Technically the third book, it can be read as a standalone with no problem but does feature cameos from some of the other characters in the series. You can't go wrong picking all seven up this summer if you want fun, low angst, swoony, kissing only romance reads.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review! This was a standout listen that I enjoyed a whole lot!
This one is for the girls who wrote fan fiction about their own lives, and always had a SLIVER of hope that someday it would all come true… plus a little extra.
This is only the second book in this series that I’ve read, but I am in love with this universe. It’s so fun to see how the timelines overlap and the characters intersect, but how unique their love stories are!
Capri and Tristan are too cute. TOO. CUTE. I feel like I must emphasize how sweet the story is. I loved the lack of drama (just some looming tension that truly was just not that bad!) and the focus on celebrating two people getting to know each other again and fall for each other without ridiculous meddling obstacles and nonsense. It was really refreshing!
Capri is you. You don’t know it yet, but there is a part of you in her, and when you find that part, there’s nothing that you want more than for her to have everything, because you’ll feel like YOU have everything.
If you haven’t started this series yet, do it. If you have, add this one to your list ASAP!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“You’re worth remembering, Capri sun.”
* Embarrassing moments are the best and worst 😅
* Yesss I love matchmaking
* Looove their competitions
* Oh my gosh not the shower! Be still my heart
* Ugh yes, love him
* Please stop, the whole pancake breakfast is hilarious and I’m dying 😂
* I just love all these men who understand the girl and what she needs and are so good and tender and understanding
* I freaking LOVE Heath 😂
* PLEASE STOP. Not the annotated book I could literally cry rn
This one was so fun! I loved the entire premise of the secret romance author getting her happily ever after. Ugh, yes please! And all their outings? SO fun!
Capri was a fun character and I love that she’s an author! It was so fun to see everyone going on on the island from a writer’s perspective. And I loved how she eventually just melted into Tristan.
Tristan is so good! I loved him! I loved how obsessed and in love he was with Capri. It’s just so sweet! And I especially love the communication 👏 He never let her get away with overthinking or assuming the worst because he was always right there to talk. Love that!
Already can’t wait for more Sunset Harbor and more incredibly hilarious side characters!
“Don’t get the wrong idea Capri sun, I have no intention of letting you seduce me today.”
“You’re going to miss the fireworks” . . . “I’ve experienced plenty of fireworks today thanks to you.”
Thanks to NetGalley for this ALC. All opinions are my own.
3.5/5 rounded up A sweet story. Loved the pining for each other. Friends to lovers was on par. Loved the drama.
Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me this ARC for my review.
This book is cute. Great read for the summer filled with the cuteness of a friends to lovers relationship.
I did find the chemistry a bit lacking at some points, but at the end of the day, they leave you giggling with glee at being a part of their story.
I definitely recommend this book to others and I will be checking out others from this author as well
This was a super cute summer rom-com, a perfect read (or listen) to enjoy while soaking up some sun - although I kept listening until long after the sun had gone down and I'd moved this book party to the bedroom.
Capri, who is secretly the bestselling romance author Sunny Palmer, is back on the island where she grew up. And so is her former next-door-neighbor/life-long crush Tristan, a.k.a. the guy whose last name she stole for her pen name, a.k.a. the guy she fantasized about so much as a teenager that she wrote her first book about a what-could-have-been romance between a fictionalized version of him and of herself.
I enjoyed spending time inside Capri's romance author brain and all the little meta comments about how "if this was a romance novel, this would mean something". The only thing that could've made the book even better, would've been some Tristan POVs too. Seeing him only through the eyes of Capri with her hopeless, life-long crush made him seem a little too perfect.
On page, this romance never goes beyond kissing, so it isn't steamy (except in the literal sense in the steam room during their SPA day outing), but it is definitely swoony. And it is a very comfortable, relaxing read. Not too much angst, no huge obstacles (outside of Capri's overactive imagination), just following along with characters having a good time. And the supporting characters are so much fun too, especially Tala and Heath.
The audiobook narration by Ellen Quay was excellent.
This book is part of a collaborative series of interconnected standalone romances by different authors, all set during one summer on this fictional small-town island. So far, this is the only one of them I've read, but I might pick up some of the others, too.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing a review copy of the audiobook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank yo so much for this ARC audiobook! I can't begin to explain how much I loved it!
I have been so looking forward to Capri's story and it really didn't disappoint! Capri is a very likeable protagonist and I felt as if I really knew her, as if she was my friend telling me a story of her life. The author did an excellent job of matching the tone of the first book in the series and the characters that made appearances were the same as in the other books which I thought was excellent, so much so that it made me forget that this is a multi-author book series.
The romance was adorable and I loved that there wasn't any toxicity from either of the characters in particular.
The narration really matched that of the first book and I was very impressed with how she voiced the entire ensemble of characters, Jane and Walker felt like the same characters from book one and Beau matched that of the Beau from Book 4. Furthermore, this book really managed to capture the beauty of family and community and I thoroughly enjoyed Capri doing her Auntie duties; I love how much the kids love her.
I'm going to read/ listen to every book in this series as I believe it is a perfect cosy summer read, and as I've said in previous reviews, I really love that it is clean and more about the character development/ falling in love with someone's personality as apposed to explicit scenes that only describe the MMC's physical attributes, simultaneously watering down their character development. Don't get me wrong I love a steamy scene however I am way more interested in the plot than anything else, and these books remind me of why I love reading romance and watching Rom-Coms.
I will be posting a video on TikTok soon about my love for this series once I've read them all.
I can't wait for the next one!
This audiobook had me swooning! If you're a fan of friends-to-lovers stories with a secret childhood crush, this one is a must-listen! First off, the chemistry between Capri and Tristan was off-the-charts and oh so swoon-worthy! I loved watching their friendship evolve and navigate to something deeper, it was both heartwarming and relatable. The author did a great job of balancing the romantic tension with laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt conversations, keeping me fully engaged from start to finish.
The narrator, Ellen Quay, did an amazing job capturing the essence of each character's personality and emotions, which made the audiobook even more enjoyable to listen to. Her narration really brought the story to life, creating a vivid experience for listeners. It was told from a single point of view and has all the feels you could ask for.
Overall, if you're looking for a feel-good listen that will leave you smiling, this audiobook is perfect. It's a delightful escape into summer love!
Quick Summary: A "minty fresh," what if/what is romance
My Review: Plotting Summer written by Jess Heileman and narrated by Ellen Quay is "a sweet romantic comedy beach read." It is associated with the Falling for Summer series.
About the Book: A romance writer and her secret crush grow up and get their chance at happiness. Of course, with a family full of matchmakers, all is fair in love and war.
About the Narration: Ellen Quay did a superb job with this novel. There was never a dull moment. It was such a pleasant listening experience that I didn't even notice the time going by. I was completely engaged for the entirety of Sunny and Tristan's story.
My Final Say: I enjoyed this book so very much. It was sweet and innocent, and it had a charm all its own. The more I listened to the fiction come to life reversal, the more I wanted to hear about all of the other stories that are sure to come. This little community stole my heart.
Rating: 4.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: Clean
Level: 💕
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media, Vagabond Publishing, LLC), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own. I look forward to better acquainting myself with this writer.
I started this book thinking I was going to love it as I’ve read others in the series (all different authors, but similar thematically) and it included multiple tropes I adore. I did…mostly. This is a sweet story that started out as unrequited young love that finally comes to fruition with a sweet happily ever after. Cute, but I found some glaring issues in my opinion. Sunny’s family drove me nutty. Though their intentions were well intentioned, the amount of manipulation, lies and their general level of immaturity was quite off putting to me. I pretty sure I’ll be in the minority with this review and taking this way too seriously, but I didn’t find her family to be likable enough to not be bothered by it. So in essence, it was cute, but only if you can forget there isn’t an actual adult amongst the cast.
Plotting Summer is probably my favorite of the Falling For Summer series so far. A series of 7 interconnected stand-alone books written by 7 different authors.
Capri and Tristan were such a fun couple to root for. You really felt their connection and chemistry throughout the story. It was witty, fast paced and fun. And I loved getting glimpses of their past. I can't wait to check out more of this series.
Read if you like:
Secret High School Crush
Childhood Friends to Lovers
The Boy Next Door
Book Nerd/High School Football Star
Hidden Identity
Small Island Town
Closed Door Romance
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this free audio Arc in exchange for my honest review
Plotting Summer
By: Jess Heileman
Narrator: Ellen Quay
This one was such a joy to listen too. Sunny Palmer is a best-selling of romance books. Little to people know that she is writing about her crush and no one knows this is her pen name.
Tristan Palmer was her childhood crush and she wrote about their relationship or what she wanted their relationship to be.
When she heads back home to Sunset Harber, she runs into her crush. Life has brought back those feelings and creates a unique opportunity for her to find herself once again longing for Tristan. Can they reconnect as friends and possibly more?
Looking for more by this author.
This book was a lot of fun, and felt really new to me. I loved the secret identity and how that played into the entire story, it was so much fun. I’m sure that any girl who has written about their crush is worried about this, but it just takes it to the next level.
I really loved the characters and how they fell for one another. This was light hearted and fun, and Capri was so so likable. I love a likable FMC. She is funny and sweet and I adored her whole secret author persona. And then Tristan was so flirty and kind! Ah! Perfection.
The narrator was fantastic, completely brought Capri to life. I loved it.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Jess Heileman for the chance to listen to this ARC!
Plotting Summer is a delightful addition to the Falling for Summer Series, further captivating me with its enchanting island setting. This installment masterfully weaves a friends-to-lovers narrative, crafting a heartwarming and uplifting tale perfect for a summer escape. 3.5 ⭐️