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 ⭐️

🎧🎧 Book Review 🎧🎧 I have said this before and I will say it again: the Falling for Summer series was my surprise hit of the summer! These books are absolutely adorable and I am still in awe of these independent authors who did such a stellar job writing such wonderful stories that created the magic of Sunset Harbor but with their own unique voice in each book. Plotting Summer was filled with cameos from some of my favorite characters from other books and it felt like catching up with old friends! Capri and Tristan’s story had its own endearing arc that fit perfectly into this seven book series that I seriously cannot get enough of. Ellen Quay brought these charming characters to life through her narration of this beautiful book.

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on instagram closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!

Gosh!! This Falling for Summer series has been incredible! I have loved each book, all the characters, the sweet romances, and fun tropes.

Plotting Summer was a wonderful addition the summer fun with a secret identity, unrequited love/secret crush, and childhood friends to more.

Dreamscape media has killed it all the audiobooks for this series. Audiobooks are life for me at present and I have enjoyed listening to each one. Ellen Quay does a fantastic job!

Thank you to Dreamscape and NetGalley for the alc, all opinions are my own.

So cute! I think I was grinning the whole time. I needed a pick me up book and this was it. I loved all the crossovers and connections. The author wraps everything up very well. Loved the Bridget wrap up. Will reread this one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Audiobook Review

This sweet romantic comedy beach read is book three of the Falling for Summer series. The series takes place in Sunset Harbor and each book features different residents of the small town island. The characters appear throughout the series, but each book can be read as a standalone. It is such a fun and unique series due to it being written by multiple authors and it takes a “connected series” to a whole new level of fabulous!

I really loved the main character Capri, she was so relatable. Capri describes herself as a story writing book nerd and I loved that part of the premise. I was so invested in her journey and was really cheering for her. Not to mention the laugh out loud scenes throughout the book. I also really enjoyed the Tristan. He was great and I loved the fun dynamic between Tristan and Capri. The nostalgia too was fun and we see flashbacks of them growing up together as neighbors.

The narrator Ellen Quay did such a good job. I really enjoyed her narration. She read all the parts and it was fantastic. Highly recommend this one by audio. I would listen to another audiobook by her for sure.

Favorite one liners from the book:
“I pounce on him like a love crazed lioness.”

This book includes:
☀️ Secret identity
🐬 Friends to lovers
☀️ Small town island
🐬 The boy next door
☀️ Wallflower book nerd
🐬 Unrequited love

Spice: 💋 kisses only

Thank you to the author Jess Heileman and Net Galley for the advanced listener copy of the audio book!

Part of the Falling for Summer series. The Falling of Summer series is a series of seven stand-alone clean romances. All by different authors. They are located on a fictional island off Florida. I believe they all happen concurrently, so it doesn't matter what order you read them in. (Based on the events, I am fairly certain at least five of them are concurrent, so one would assume all seven are.)

Capri has had a crush on her childhood neighbor Tristan for basically her entire life. She is also a NYT Best Selling Author and her most famous book is about her and Tristan. She avoids Sunset Harbor because she is afraid people will figure it out. When she comes home to pick up a few boxes, and ends up stranded, she keeps running into Tristan. They spend more and more time together. But she is so afraid he will figure out the truth.

This was a cute book, but Capri and Tristan didn't have any chemistry. Like zero, none, nada. Maybe even negative chemistry. They also seemed to spend most of their time together (and not interacting with many people other than Capri's sister's family), so the lack of chemistry was even more obvious.

Ellen Quay narrates the audiobook and does a good job.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Tristan and Capri’s story. It was funny and romantic. This is the perfect summer book. The audio was done really well and the narrator is great.
I identified with Capri so much. I am not an author, but I am a chronic over thinker. I often make up scenarios in my head of all the things that can go wrong. I love reading books that make me feel seen.

An unrequited love with a friends to lovers adventure! Capri secretly wrote a romance series that began with her childhood crush Tristan Palmer. What she didn’t realize is the series would become a viral sensation and people would hunt her true identity.

In a rare visit back to Sunset Harbor her meddling grandma insures Capri will need to spend extra time on the island and reconnect with Tristan!

It was fun to read a story about a romance author and all the tropes she would write down and plan out through inspiration in her everyday life.

I loved the dating competition and activities! Tristan was AMAZING!!

Thank you Dreamscape Media, Jess Heileman, and Netgalley for the #gifted ALC. The audio narrator did a fantastic job!

Romance Content: Just Kissing

I loved this book! I've been slowly working my through the Falling for Summer series (thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this one!), and nearly all the authors are new-to-me. This is my first by Jess Heileman, but I just *loved* this story.

This book had everything I truly love about a closed door romance novel!

Capri (Sun) was the type of FMC that I related to on a bone-deep level. She's a little shy and sensitive. She had a crush on her older neighbor growing up. Their small island town felt like too small of a place for her big secret... she's a really famous romance author who used her childhood crush's last name as her pen name.

Tristan is the type of book boyfriend that makes me swoon. He's sweet and thoughtful, and he takes his time getting to know Capri as an adult, taking care not to ruin his second chance.

I loved all of the easter eggs from the other stories. I loved the community events. I LOVED the dates they planned for one another and their competitions. And the epilogue... it was just all so sweet. This is likely going to be my favorite from this series... big fan! Now to read anything else Jess has written....