A story of a woman learning to define herself outside of her relationship- with help from her husband’s hot widower bestie. I found this premise pretty promising, definitely intriguing where I wanted to see how things came together and where the relationship ended up by the conclusion of the summer. While I think most of us who subscribe to the idea of monogamy would be devastated if our partner presented the idea of an open marriage to us, this book was almost the perfect way to play out what could happen without ever having to tread such waters. It was also a great exploration of the norms placed on us by society and how shame is a powerful motivator, for better or worse.

While I was captivated enough to keep reading, I was left wanting more in the way of background with Will and more time developing Logan and Sam’s tension until they had no choice but to act.

One thing of note is that this is HEAVY on introspection and inner strife about what is good and what is bad, what rules we have to follow as part of a society and especially the norms in a small, conservative town. Honestly I’m not sure I like Sam; I found her annoying and a bit ridiculous at times. I overthink but she takes it to new places. Like the amount of dialogue pushing the plot forward was missing and was replaced by Sam’s thoughts for long, long periods of time, and it was often repetitive where you could skip over it. The dialogue wasn’t witty, didn’t rise to the level of banter that I’ve enjoyed in other books; rather it was choppy and disjointed. It kind of felt more realistic because Sam didn’t have a 10/10 comeback or retort or couldn’t express her feelings when pressed by Logan, but also completely unrealistic in that it was phrased somewhat formally.

I wanted to love this book. I thought the concept was FASCINATING. I thought the first 3ish chapters were clever and hilarious. But when the best friend was introduced and she supposedly hated him and then we went through that whole love/hate you lost me. It was such a slog and honestly pretty taboo. I could have gotten behind it if the build would have been stronger, I honestly like predictability in RomComs but it was just so much emotion and drama.

This was the first book I have read by Maisey Yates and it was so good. 4.5 stars

Sam’s husband of 22 years wants to take the summer off from their marriage. She was a mother and wife at 18 and can’t imagine a life without Will.

We follow her through the summer where she grows and learns so much about herself. Most of the time along the side of Logan. Her husband’s best friend; a man who has been in love with her for years. Steamy, yes please.

This book really made me reflect and think about my own life. Beautifully written with a HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this would be more lighthearted. The book opens with Will, Sam’s husband, asking for an open marriage. Ultimately crushing Sam’s heart. All these years she thought they’d been happy only to find out Will had only been playing a role. Sam ends up taking the summer road trip she dreamed of doing with her husband with his best friend. And things get all sorts of messy.

If you like emotionally deep love stories this ones for you. I think it was just too sad for me. Sam’s heartbreak in the beginning was soul crushing, and painful to read. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Relatable and enjoyable. The story had a good writing style, and I found it mostly entertaining. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Maisey Yates’ Cruel Summer is a gripping and emotional contemporary romance that delves into the complexities of love, betrayal, and the lingering scars of the past. Set against a backdrop of sun-soaked landscapes and simmering tensions, the story follows a young woman returning to her hometown, where unresolved feelings and old rivalries come rushing back.

Yates’ writing is both evocative and engaging, with rich descriptions that transport readers into the heart of the story. The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery and healing is both relatable and compelling. The romantic tension is palpable, creating a dynamic interplay between passion and conflict.

The pacing is expertly crafted, blending moments of introspection with heart-pounding drama. Themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the complexities of relationships are woven throughout, providing depth to the narrative and inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences.

Overall, Cruel Summer is a powerful and emotional read that will resonate with fans of contemporary romance. Yates masterfully balances heat and heart, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for a story that captures the essence of summer love and the complexities of the human heart.