This was my first experience reading something by this author. I listened to this as an audiobook and found it quite entertaining. It's an engaging and heartwarming book that will take you on a journey of self-discovery, romance, and healing. Presley is a former A-list star who escapes to a quiet island in Florida to avoid the fallout of her disastrous career and public scandal. What she doesn’t expect is the charm and warmth of Briggs, a local bookstore owner who helps her rediscover the joys of living without the weight of the world on her shoulders.

The narrators did a lovely job of bringing the story and characters to life. The story was well-written and flowed at a well-balanced pace. The romance between Presley and Briggs is sweet and natural, with a perfect blend of tension and chemistry. Briggs is such an endearing hero, and his support for Presley, despite the chaos in her life, was sweet to see.

If you're looking for a feel-good summer romance, then you will enjoy this delightful story that will leave you with a warm feeling and a smile on your face.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and am voluntarily leaving my review.

One Happy Summer is such a fun and happy audiobook! I’ve loved all the books in this world but this one really is something special!!

Presley is hiding out on the island after her meltdown went viral. She is tired of hiding out and when she dropped into the bookstore she eyes up the man there and asks for recommendations. Briggs is home after his start up is failing and helping out his mother. He recognizes Presley but when she asks him to keep her identity a secret he agrees. They start spending time together and all is great until Briggs mom discovers her. Mom is a busy body. This was a cute story and fits in well with the rest of the series even though this one along with the rest are totally standalone.

A sweet end to a fun series. It was fun to see where these characters went and how things turned out. I have been reading about these two for the whole series, so it was fun to see what happened with them!

I genuinely really enjoyed this series and this book was right there with the rest of the series. This book follows an A-list actor that goes into hiding after publicly disgracing herself. What better place to hide than in a retirement home in a small beach town. When she makes a quick trip in town she is sure her cover is blown but is the man she meets worth the risk?

These are all beachy easy reads that give a small town beach vibe with tons of sweet moments. I genuinely really liked this couple and it was giving Notting Hill vibes which who doesn't want Notting Hill vibes in a beach romance? So cute! Honestly really enjoyed this one and it was a really strong story for this series. I would definitely recommend and continue reading the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a beachy romance book! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story!

part of a multi-author romance series. This one was fine and I kliked both leads, but I also dont remember much of it after finishing it.

"One Happy Summer" is the story of Presley, an A-list actor who is running away from a publicity nightmare, and Briggs, a defeated software company founder who has gone home to lick his wounds and figure out next steps.

When they each run into one another (literally) outside the bookshop Briggs' mother owns, they're not quite sure what to make of one another. While Briggs had seen her the day before, he kept thinking he couldn't quite place who she was. But now that he's figured that out, he's all tongue-tied and flustered (in a very cute way!).

Presley's loneliness prompts her to keep seeking Briggs out, and their friendship deepens as they get to know one another more. But when the paparazzo finally find her, a misunderstanding leads her to leave the island (and Briggs) behind.

The question is, can two such disparate people overcome their misunderstanding and have a future together? As all good rom-com readers know, the answer is a resounding YES!

There are lots of nods to the movie Notting Hill, and many of the plot points follow that story. So if you enjoyed that movie, you're sure to like this story as well.

Thank you to Becky Monson, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I loved this series! This was super cute. I love the narrator. I’m not always a huge fan of celebrity who goes off the grid type plots. But I do love bookstores in stories! I’ve read others by this author and this is probably my favourite of hers.

If you are looking for an easy romance to get through then this book will work perfectly. Romances always make me feel all lovey-dovey inside.

This was cute and enjoyable, but honestly the winking homage to Notting Hill was taken a little far with plot points. It was still fun though. I liked the character development and I will definitely look for more by this author in the future. The narration was great as well. Often male narrators are just awful at the female voices, but this one did a pretty good job. :-)

Presley is a famous Hollywood actor and after undergoing a scandal, she is seeking refuge from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. She finds herself in the charming coastal town of Sunset Harbor. There she meets Briggs Dalton who is the son of the owner of a local bookstore. Briggs is a person with a kind heart and a quick wit, and definitely, he is a nerd.

The premise of this book is so interesting – she is an actor, and he is a normal person. Their lives are completely different from each other, and I loved reading about their lives and their chemistry! The strength of this book was the endearing characters. Presley and Briggs – were both flawed and very relatable. The chemistry between them could be felt from the very beginning of this book. The author skillfully balances their contrasting personalities, creating a dynamic and engaging read.

The setting of Sunset Harbor is idyllic and picturesque, I wish I could spend a summer holiday there! The small coastal town provides a perfect backdrop for a summer romance. The small-town charm and the slow pace of life create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. The plot is simple yet it is effective. This book focuses on two individuals who find love at both unexpected time and place. Briggs and Presley were going through so much in their personal lives, but they chose each other, making this book a swoon-worthy read. Highly recommend!

Absolutely adorable. I am in love with this series and this book was an exceptional addition! I can’t get enough of Briggs. Presley James is a sweetheart and so easy to root for. I am obsessed with this book. The audio was fire! This is not your typical celebrity romance because the characters were so relatable and down to earth. Great book!

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Cute read with some adorable main characters. I haven't read any of the others in this series but that was fine. It was an enjoyable romance, and the narrators did a great job.

Thank you to @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Charming Summer Escape

This charming addition to the Falling For Summer series is a delightful blend of celebrity gossip and small-town romance. Set on the picturesque island of Summer Harbor, the story follows a former A-list star seeking refuge from the spotlight. Presley and Briggs's story is a delightful escape into a world of summer romance. Set in the charming town of Summer Harbor, this standalone novel is perfect for those who haven't read the rest of the series.

I particularly enjoyed the nods to Notting Hill, which added a nostalgic touch to the story. Briggs, with his kind and caring nature, is a truly endearing character. His unwavering support for Presley and his close bond with his family make him all the more appealing. The author's portrayal of their budding romance is sweet and swoony, without crossing any lines.

The dual-perspective narration enhances the reader's understanding of the characters' thoughts and emotions. While there were a few instances where the narrators' voices didn't quite harmonize, their overall performances were strong and brought the characters to life with their expressive performances.

With its sunny island setting, slow-burn romance, and heartwarming characters, One Happy Summer is the perfect escape for anyone seeking a feel-good read.

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #dreamscapemedia #onehappysummer #beckymonson #fallingforsummer

🎧☀️ I just wrapped up listening to "One Happy Summer" by Becky Monson, and I can’t stop smiling! This audiobook is a delightful escape that perfectly captures the essence of summer love and self-discovery.

From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the charming world Monson creates. The characters are relatable and endearing, and their journey is filled with laughter, heartwarming moments, and just the right amount of drama. I found myself cheering for the protagonist as she navigates the ups and downs of love and friendship—it's a rollercoaster of emotions that kept me hooked!

The narrator did an incredible job bringing the story to life. Her voice perfectly matched the lighthearted and fun tone of the book, making it feel like I was right there with the characters, experiencing every twist and turn. I loved the vivid descriptions of summer adventures that made me feel nostalgic for sunny days and carefree moments.

If you’re looking for a feel-good read that’s perfect for summer, "One Happy Summer" is a must-listen! It’s the kind of story that leaves you with a warm heart and a big smile. Grab your headphones, find a cozy spot, and get ready to be swept away! 🌼💖

This whole series was super cute! It was a cute summer town with a wide variety of stories. This one by Becky Monson was one of my favorites in the series!

This audiobook is so good. The narrators were perfect for this book.

Such a great listen.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for a copy of the audiobook for me to listen and give my honest review

ALC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Disgraced actress, Presley James, flees to the small Florida island of Sunset Harbor in an effort to escape media backlash. After fifteen years of non stop working, she is desperate for some downtime.

Briggs is forced to return home with his tail between his legs. The failure of his start up company has left him directionless and penniless. With no clear path forward he reluctantly agrees to work in his family bookstore for room and board.

After a brief encounter the pair form an unlikely friendship. Desperate to stay out of the spotlight the two begin meeting in secrecy. Will they be able to help each other weather the storms, or will they finally learn people cannot be trusted?

Becky Monson’s One Happy Summer is the sixth book in the Falling for Summer series. This is a multi- author, interconnected series that features character crossovers. While the books do not have to be read in order, the authors highly recommend reading all seven books.

I had the privilege of listening to this as an audiobook. With this story being told through dual POV (Presley/ Briggs) it was only fitting that two voice actors narrated. While I did enjoy my time listening to the story I connected more with Abigail Reno’s portions than I did Ryan Stone’s.

As a fan of the romantic comedy I enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, it is a great romcom on its own. Second, Monson makes reference to the popular movie, Notting Hill throughout the entire story. I loved spotting all of the references and how it perfectly tied in with this story.

I recommend listening to this book if you enjoy:
-found family
-summer bucket list
-secret relationships
-friends to more
-opposites attract

Special thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Becky Monson for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This story is a fine take on a Nottinghill retelling, however it does not fit well with the rest of the series. Perhaps if I had read them in a different order it would be another author who's rating suffered over the inconsistencies, but I've read all of the books in this series now and this one stands out as not quite fitting the setting created by the other authors. The other characters don't make appearances the same way they do in the other books and it just generally felt like the author had a story ready to go and slotted it in rather than actually working on this group project together with her fellow authors, I was also disappointed by an ending that stuck too strongly to its Nottinghill inspiration without showing any actual growth for the female lead. True love is not a replacement for therapy.

This book, part of the Falling For Summer series, is a charming addition to the collection of seven contemporary romcoms, each penned by a different author. Set on the idyllic fictional island of Summer Harbor, each story is a standalone, but they share interconnected characters who make appearances across the series. The plot centers around a former A-list star escaping to Summer Harbor, and I loved the celebrity angle—it felt fresh and engaging. Fans of Notting Hill will appreciate the numerous references.

I listened to the audiobook version, which features dual point-of-view narration. The narrators did a commendable job bringing the characters to life, though there were moments when their voices didn’t quite mesh, making it tricky to picture them as a couple. That said, their individual performances were strong, and they captured the tone and emotions effectively.

Overall, the book delivers a delightful, feel-good experience. With its sunny island setting and engaging, slow-burn romance, it's perfect for anyone seeking an escape into a summery, lighthearted love story. A big thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy—I'm glad to share my honest review and look forward to reading more from this author!