The Falling for Summer series has been so much fun, and Rebel Summer is a great new addition! The tables have turned and now good girl Ivy is serving former rebel Dax as a result of her small town DUI (from an accidental Ambien meets golf cart situation). I enjoyed this story so much! The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the banter, the flashback-ness, the sweetness, the book boyfriend-ness, and the pure summer fun of this story to life. I highly recommend checking out Rebel Summer and the rest of the Falling for Summer series for its sweet summer goodness.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for gifting me with an ALC to review! All opinions are my own.

Super cute. Full of banter. Closed door rom-com (aka zero spice, which is totally okay!). Fans of Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist books will eat this story up of Ivy/Caroline/“Books” and Dax. Ivy is a post-doc in Mathematics. Dax is the hometown mechanic bad boy, whom she had known since high school Biology class. She finds herself in a bit of trouble after a friend’s wedding weekend and that bit of trouble involves seeing the hometown hottie after a decade.

4.25
Another amazing read by Cindy Steel. I loved this book so much. It was easy to binge in one day.
I really enjoyed the backstory of these characters as individuals and also together. I relate to Caroline/Ivy/ Books so much. The difficult parental relationship felt really raw and honest. I'm glad there wasn't a "shiny bow" to that problem and it continued without full resolution.
The romance was so swoony. I felt so giddy. Dax was the perfect book boyfriend. A little bit of a bad boy with a hard shell, but super gooey underneath it all.
One thing l'll encourage...please check trigger warnings. While this book is a sweet romcom, there is an attempted SA on page (not MMC) that can be triggering to some. The author did an amazing job of warning about this scene at the beginning of the book, so I thank her for that.

Reread via audio for me and I just ADORE this story. The narrator did a great job, and I felt ALL THE FEELS again.

This is the final book in the Falling for Summer multi-author series and holy guacamole did it finish strong! I laughed so much, I swooned so hard, and I felt all the feels. It’s the very best kind of frienemies to lovers story filled with flashbacks and forced proximity goodness.

Things I Loved:
-“He was a criminal. Now was not the time to feel attraction.”
-Books
-Biology
-“The hot mechanic guy. He wants a cup of coffee, but he says he wants it mediocre, and you’re the only one who can do that.”
-Sun Chips
-Goodnight Song
-Defying expectations
-Photoshoot
-“‘Shh. Think about how much you love me,’ Dax murmured.”
-Tattoo
-“The mediocre coffee here is spectacular.”
-Chicken
-“‘You’re such a punk.’ ‘Punk? What year is it?’ ‘According to your playlist? 1970.’”
-“We’re doing it, Grandma!”
-“Every word of that song belongs to you.”
-The entire ending & epilogue
-GET THAT BONUS SCENE 😍

When I say I adore these two, I mean it. This story reached some major depths while simultaneously being the literal sweetest and most fun love story at the same time. I’d love to gush about so much more, but I don’t want to ruin anything, so just go read it!

TW: Manipulative/narcissistic parent, attempted sexual assault on page, past family member abandonment.
CW: Very mild language (a few uses of H***)

Ahoy! A conceit I've never seen before in a romance novel! When rule-follower (and senator's daughter) Ivy comes home to Sunset Harbor, an accidental DUI forces her not only to stay on the island, but also to work in the shop of her former high school biology partner and unrealized crush. Characters from the other Sunset Harbor books play only small roles in this book in the series, which switches back and forth between flashbacks to high school and present day. Ivy and Dax, said former biology partner and current town mechanic, have a slow-burn romance, which develops via layers of small moments that become private jokes and increasing daily routines as they work and play while working to whittle down Ivy's mandated community service hours. This is classic sweet romance, with laugh-aloud moments and reasons to grin into space while listening.

This was a fun read in a new series, Falling for Summer, by an author known for her lighthearted romantic comedies. Ivy comes to town for the weekend to a Florida island home she's happily left behind and gets trapped when she gets a DUI after accidentally taking Ambien instead of Tylenol. Part of her community service penalty involves working with a boy she both loathed and was attracted to in high school years before. This is a rom-com, so you know how this will turn out, but Ms. Steel tells Dax and Ivy's stories well, throwing in a delightful playlist of music the characters argue over and a fun Lego obsession. I don't know that I'll ever reread this volume, but I'll definitely now look up earlier titles by this talented author.

This book legitimately had me giggling and kicking my feet. I kept finding myself smiling as I read. I think Dax was the best MMC of the series (kind, genuine, supportive… the very definition of a cinnamon roll), and his relationship with Ivy was very sweet. They really seemed to make each other better, and I think, in real life, they’d last.

4 stars

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

The chemistry and slow burn in this novel are 🔥🔥🔥 I loved Ivy & Dax, their fun list of rebellious things to do over the summer and visiting sunset harbor again. I did doc 1⭐️ because this book went a little too far for me with a DUI and breaking the law. I felt like this novel took too much of a joking approach to DUI and I feel that can be dangerous to readers to downplay how serious this crime is. Otherwise I enjoyed this novel

Cindy Steel is a genius in the romcom space! She has the ability to make readers swoon, stay engaged and laugh out loud at the banter! She's a must read for many and definitely for me!

What an amazing finish to this sweet summer series! Cindy Steel is a new to me author and this book was the best introduction! She did a wonderful job of ending the summer on Sunset Harbour with this perfect slow burn. I’m sad this was the end because I’m not ready to leave the island!

There was so much packed into this hilariously flirty, banter full, adventure of a book! It starts with a bang from page one and just continues with the laughs throughout. If you need a book that you can’t help but read with a huge smile on your face, this is it.

The character development and growth that happens in this book is incredible. The flashbacks give so many cute moments between Ivy and Dax from their past that just makes them even more lovable. They both go through some traumatic family moments that we get to see them work through and grow from, which adds so much more depth than the normal romcom. They develop the sweetest friendship as they work through it both separately and together, and it makes for so many swoon worthy moments between them. I absolutely loved and totally related to Dax being such a safe place for Ivy, and the way he takes care of her and encourages her while also letting her work through her trauma is beautifully written.

Bravo to the narrator who is also a first for me. She did an incredible job breathing life into this book and was a joy to listen to. I look forward to hearing more from her in the future and will be on the lookout for others she has voiced.

If you haven’t read this series yet, do it. Do it now. And though I would recommend starting from book 1 and going in order, it isn’t a must, and you would be doing yourself a favor no matter which one you pick up first!

Thank you so much to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook!

Rating: 5 stars!

Ivy is an aspiring teacher who is living in the shadow of the life her dad wants for her. He is controling, manipulative, and honestly, just a downright jerk. (Do people really have parents like this?! My heart goes out to you!!) When Ivy returns to the island for her cousins wedding, she ends up in an accident where she crashes into the side of none-other-than the island hottie-mechanic, Dax. Shes forced to serve community service to her high-school friend? ex-friend? guy who used to annoy her? If you've read any of the other books in this series, you know how this ends. I LOVED it.

All of the books in this series are typically lighthearted, summer romances that have happy endings. This book touched on heavier topics and made me cry twice. There is a warning at the beginning of the book, so consider that before reading if a narsisist dad is too much for you.

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

Enjoyable romcom that does have some more serious elements to the story but I think they were handled with care.
Dax is at once both charming and annoying. Not sure how a character can be both but he managed just fine. When he was charming, I adored him. When he was annoying I thought he would never be someone I could date. I wouldn't be able to stand it. But I think we saw more and more charm as the book went on.
Both Dax and Ivy had serious scars from childhood. I was just waiting for someone to tell her dad off. He is pretty horrible. I had rather hoped to see more healing in Dax's family but I suppose that would have tied the story up a little too neatly.
I kinda want to build that Lego car. And really that was one thing that bugged me about the book. Legos aren't just for guys. Girls can enjoy Legos just as much. But it seemed that at least with these characters the author felt like they are guy toys. It didn't play into my rating for the book but I did cringe when it was mentioned.
I listened to this (and other books in the series) by audiobook and the narrator did a good job.

Sex: mild innuendo
Language: a little, finger flipping
Violence: brief sexual assault, response to assault
*I received a complimentary audiobook through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

This is the perfect cozy summer read and I devoured it in 2 days!! Ivy is back in her hometown for a wedding when she accidentally takes some Ambien before getting behind the wheel of her golf cart. She falls asleep crashing into the shop window of Dax, bad boy from her youth. Back in HS, Dax stole a golf cart and got her in trouble with her dad, the senator who only cares about his image. Now she’s sentenced to community service working on rebuilding Dax’s Lego car she destroyed.

I want to move to this adorable small town, nestled on an island with no cars. This story is a cute cozy comfy romance 🥰 and I am just so in love. I love hearing Ivy’s inner dialogue and the banter between her and Dax is just perfect 👌🏼! This was my first Falling for Summer book, but it definitely will not be my last.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Ivy is working to be a professor with a heavy workload and a class to teach coming in the fall when she has to go back to her small hometown for her cousin's wedding. After some exhausting flights and delays she finally makes it in time to take her bridesmaid spot and walk down the aisle. The summer antics go from there.

When I was approved for the ARC, I dropped everything and started listening and the book did not disappoint! This is book 7of the Falling for Summer series and it was just as enjoyable as the other books I've read in the series. Even though its part of a series, the books are also standalone books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and everything its about. I love that this romcom is a wholesome book without any scandalous sex scenes or foul language. It truly is a delightful summer read! There is crossover between the books and I like that it references parts from the other books as well.

The audiobook is narrated by Marli Watson and I absolutely enjoyed the calming voice. I found her very easy to listen to and it was easy to distinguish between the characters.

I like that the book starts with a trigger warning, I haven't read/listened to any books that have one (even when they probably should have), which just shows the authenticity of the author.

I definitely recommend this book for a light, fun summer read!

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

This was such a cute, heartwarming story. I absolutely love Ivy & Dax, the tension and buildup between them was palpable. I enjoyed the flashbacks to when they were chemistry partners in high school and seeing the changes in them from then to now. Seeing both Ivy and Dax let their guards down and let the other in made my heart happy. I found myself smiling throughout this entire story. The narrator did a great job at bringing the characters to life.

I’ve been excited for Dax’s book the whole time reading the Falling For Summer series… and Cindy Steel doesn’t miss! It was just lovely.

Dax and Ivy- the ‘bad boy’ and the ‘perfect’ politicians daughter- such a great pairing. Dax is top tier book boyfriend material. So many sweet moments from him, that I will not list because I don’t want to spoil anything.

I loved the immediate enemies/ rivals vibe we get in the story… and watching the natural way they grew closer as they were forced into each other’s orbit… perfection.

The flashbacks to high school at the start of each chapter were amazing. I loved the banter and the tender moments and everything in between.

This book was so fun and heartfelt and I just adored it.

Thank you to netgalley and dreamscape for the chance to enjoy an audio copy. Excellent narration by Marli Watson!

ALL THE SUMMER STARS!

Ivy's weekend trip back home turns into an entire summer in Sunset Harbor thanks to a unfortunate mistake on her part.

But the worst part? Her mistake means she has to spend her summer doing community service for Dax Miller...her high school biology partner and the town rebel who has broken more than few laws himself.

But when the fighting between the turns to flirting, Ivy has to decide if she is going to follow the path she has already chosen for herself or embrace her inner rebel and follow her heart.

What you'll love:
Sunset Harbor
rebel MMC
court ordered forced proximity
opposites attract
single pov
THE FLIRTING!!!
THE KISSING

I could mention so many other favorite things but the way that Cindy crafts her stories, reading each chapter feels like unwrapping a little gift and I don't want to spoil any of the surprises for you! The narrator was perfect for Ivy and did a wonderful job bringing the story to life!

Just know that this book is bingeable and swoony as all get out and I could not get enough page time with Dax and Ivy together. Every moment - whether they were on the boat, hanging out with friends, or spending late nights at the mechanic's shop, made me fall in love with them a little bit more.

I love that they helped each other begin to heal from past traumas but despite some of the hard things they have experienced, the book still had a lighthearted, teasing tone and and oh, the chapters from when they first met were absolute perfection!

This truly is a summer read you do not want to miss! Though it is a Cindy book so you know you are going to love it not matter what time of year you pick it up. This book is what summer romcom dreams are made of!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Y'all, I've never wanted to rebel so much before if it meant I could have a love like Dax Miller. *swoon* Ivy and Dax did not disappoint. I tell you, everything Cindy Steel writes is simply AMAZING and oh soooo good with the chemistry and moments. Ahh, the moments in this story. This is the kind of book you need to read going into it knowing nothing more than you are going to be smiling and grinning the whole time. Steel doesn't just deliver on the romance though. I love the depth of her characters and way she tackles some really heavy family situations. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't give a lot of detail, but just know, I was so proud of Ivy and I loved how Dax was her opposite, but they were exactly what each other needed.

I listened to the audiobook version and let me tell you, Marli Watson did a fabulous job bringing Ivy to life. I loved how the audiobook made reading feel like watching the love story of Dax and Ivy play out. I definitely recommend the audiobook version.

This is part of a multi author series. It can be read as a standalone, but the whole series has been five star reads for me and I think this book was the perfect end to the series. I loved seeing the other Falling for Summer characters in the book (especially Beau) and the setting of Sunset Harbor.

This is a clean romance. I received an advance listening copy from Dreamscape Media and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ARC/ALC Review

This sweet romantic comedy beach read is book seven of the Falling for Summer series (and my favorite)! 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!

‘Every good summer has a little bad…’ this perfectly describes this book. It was bad in just all the right ways. Cindy Steel is truly my favorite contemporary romance author, she just has a way with words and paints the best pictures in my head. In this one we meet Ivy and Dax. They grew up together on the island of Sunset Harbor and a little incident brings them back together. The banter, teasing and pranks are just perfect and all so funny. The nickname of ‘books’ went straight to my heart every time!

I loved the narrator Marli Watson, I have read a couple other books she narrated and they were awesome too! Marli does so good reading this, she reads Ivy’s part perfectly, I could just feel the emotions and they matched perfectly with the words. Also, Dax’s parts were excellent too! I didn’t even notice it wasn’t a dual narration and I loved it. I read this one twice, first the ebook and then the audio!!

Quotes:
🩷“Never mind. Just the burger and fries. And you…”
🩷”This is my business. That you broke into, I might add. So no, I won't be putting on a shirt. But I'm sorry if it's distracting for you.”
🩷”You've jumbled me up in all the best ways.”
🩷”The girl who crashed into your shop? And my heart…”

Enjoyable content:
☀️ Enemies to lovers
🦋 Bad boy & good girl
☀️ Opposites attract
🦋 Teasing & tension
☀️ Flashbacks
🦋 Lots of Legos

Spice: 💋 kisses only

Thank you to the author Cindy Steel and Net Galley for the advanced copies of the book.

I knew this one was going to be my favorite! Absolutely obsessed with this book, especially the audiobook.

It had everything I was expecting and more. The plot is so entertaining and full of humor & heart. I couldn't put this book down. I also loved the setting.

The characters are fantastic. I loved the dynamic between them. Dax and Ivy were adorable and had great banter, plus a ton of chemistry. If you're a fan of the relationship between Nick & Jess from New Girl, you're gonna love Dax and Ivy. Just imagine as a "bad boy" mechanic haha.

The writing is addictive and the narration is well done. I truly thought Marli Watson did a marvelous job voicing the characters.

10/10 would recommend!!