This was a very cute, fun read. I enjoyed the characters, they seemed realistic and I was rooting for them. The small town setting felt cozy.

I really liked the second chance romance. There are other romances going on along side of the main characters. All of them are sweet, clean and heartwarming.

This would be perfect to sit on the beach and let your mind ride the waves of this story.

Samantha Carlisle is a new author to me, and I really enjoyed The Summer of Starting Over. It’s a sweet, small-town summer romance with a fun country music woven in. If you’re a fan of Denise Hunter, you’ll likely enjoy this book.

The audiobook is narrated by Melie Williams. She brought the story to life with an expressive performance that made the characters' emotions feel real. I really enjoyed the audio.

Publication Date-Apr 01 2025
#TheSummerofStartingOver #NetGalley

he Summer of Starting Over by Savannah Carlisle
Narrated by Melie Williams

This engaging audiobook is set in the picturesque small town of Big Dune Island, Florida. It follows the journey of singer-songwriter Callie Jackson, who returns to her hometown from Nashville after many years away to rediscover her roots. As Callie grapples with the challenges of returning to her childhood home, she also takes on the mission of reviving Beach Bash, a local music festival that holds sentimental value for the community. Amidst the backdrop of sun-soaked beaches and the melodies of her past, Callie must confront her ambitions and decide what her future holds. Will her passion for music be enough to reignite her career, or will she find herself drifting away from the dreams she once cherished?

Meanwhile, Jesse Thomas remains in Big Dune Island, nurturing his own aspirations despite the weight of his past. He chose to stay home after finishing school to support his family, all while trying to heal from the heartbreak left by the one girl who shattered his heart—Callie. Jesse’s story unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of island life, where nostalgia and unfulfilled dreams collide.

As a first-time reader of Savannah Carlisle’s work, I approached this story without any preconceived notions. One of the aspects I particularly enjoyed was the rich array of secondary characters; several of them grabbed my interest, leaving me eager to delve deeper into their stories. The narrator, Melie Williams, brought the author’s vivid storytelling to life with her expressive performance, making the characters’ emotions palpable and enhancing my connection to the story.

This book felt like coming home!! It’s a story about returning to a place you love and finding yourself again. The setting of the book takes place in a small coastal beach town and the characters are so loveable. Callie left home at sixteen to chase her dreams of being a famous singer in Nashville. She left her then boyfriend, Jesse, and family behind to go after her career. She is returning home because her childhood home is being put on the market and she needs to get things sorted. Southern Charm, Second chances and all the beach vibes in this book! A great summer beach read!


The audiobook is narrated by Melie Williams. She does such a great job voicing all the emotions of Calie. I loved the way she narrated the story it was very captivating and engaging.

I wanted to like this more than I did which was somewhere in the middle’ish. I adore a small town, second chance romance, but found that I wasn’t a big fan of most of the cast in this story due to a major theme that ran through the entire story. The characters were either manipulators, liars, gossips, a combo package or just obtuse. Callie Jackson left town to pursue her dream of music and never looked back. In fact she hasn’t been home since her parents died. When her career implodes for all the world to see. She receives a call from her Uncle Lonnie. He has sold her family home and now must return to clean it out. She also hopes to reconnect with the music she was born to play, a few of the people and town she left behind, and hopefully to avoid seeing Jesse Thomas, the boy whose heart she broke into a million pieces when she left him behind and told him not to follow her. It is a bumpy fib laden road to eventually get to a HEA.

Okay!! I loved this book. It took me a chapter or two to gain interest but I thought it was so cute and sweet.

The narration was great on the audio version and I really enjoyed this one a lot.

Thank you Net Galley and Dreamscape Select for the ability to read The summer of staying over by Savannah Carlisle that just came out on April 1st. A sweet summer small town romance returning home and second chances as well as finding who you truly are meant to be. Big star from Nashville returns to her waterfront childhood home on Big Dune Island to close up her parents home and discovers herself again. Put this book on your summer beach reads- it won’t disappoint.

THIS WAS SO CUTE WHAATTTTT

I can’t express how much I adored this book!!! I went into it pretty much blind and not expecting too much since my most recent arcs haven’t been earth shattering but I’ve officially found my first 5 star worthy arc! The chemistry and banter was so cute and even though I usually HATE second chance romances, this was just so well executed that I can’t help but love it.

This follows Callie and Jesse. They live in a small town in Florida (loved this even more because I currently live in Florida as well!) When Callie was 16, she was discovered to be a really good singer and got signed to a record label! To follow this long time dream of her, she ended up having to move to Nashville. Because she knew her high school boyfriend Jesse had always hoped to stay in their home town, she broke up with him. She wanted him to live his dream while she would be able to live hers. Only it turns out that the singer life is not as fabulous as she initially thought. After a tragic accident in which both her parents pass away, she never felt the need to go back home. But when her house gets sold she has no choice but to face her past and get back to clear out her childhood home. Who other would she run into than her old lover Jesse Thomas.

Jesse was absolutely heartbroken when Callie dumped him in order to follow her dream. Not because she broke up with him but because she took away the choice for him to maybe follow her. So when Callie suddenly shows up he can’t help but feel resentment to her. That is until he sees her wearing his old hat to disguise herself. How will he ever explain to her that he is the one who bought her house? As time progresses and Callie gets more comfortable around her own house, she realizes she’s found her love for singing again. She manages to write multiple songs in the short time she’s there but her manager does not agree with what she’s writing. In his opinion they helped her build an image with songs that are not country like her first album. (Very Taylor Swift coded yes!) Will Callie find the courage to stick up for herself and what she wants? And how will everything play out once Callie discovers the real reason that Jesse is constantly working on renovating her childhood home?

Spice: 0/5
Cuteness: 10/5

I adore this book with every piece of my heart. It’s a perfect summer read. It feels so much like watching an old school romcom movie! The way the whole book spins around getting to the big mind blowing kiss at the end made me so happy! And all the little side plots and sub romances and friendships are the cherry on top. I think this book is perfect for any romance lover. It’s like a clean Emily Henry book! It also reminded me a lot of “When in Rome” by Sarah Adam’s so if you liked that one, give this a try!


Tropes:
✨Small town romance
✨Second chance
✨Fmc celebrity x small town mmc
✨High school sweethearts
✨Fms refinds her old self
✨Found family
✨Beach read


Ps: if you like Taylor Swift you’ll LOVE this! But if you don’t like Taylor Swift you’ll still LOVE this!!!

What a great summer beach read! This novel draws you into Callie & Jesse's story and lives. Can't wait to read more

When Callie Jackson left her island hometown years ago with big dreams, she knew precisely the star she wanted to be, and she achieved it. At least for a little while.

Jesse Thomas had always planned to move to Nashville with Callie, but he was supposed to get there before her, knocking out his first year at Vanderbilt while she finished high school.

Neither of them imagined she'd get discovered so early or that family turmoil would put Jesse's family on the brink of financial collapse. He needed to be on Big Dune Island, and she needed to leave. So, Callie did the only thing she could think of that would make him she cut all ties.

Then, all her dreams came crashing down. As she sorts through the wreckage of her career, her Uncle Lonnie forces her to return to Big Dune Island to clean out the family home he's recently sold. And she knows she'll have to face Jesse.

I started this book as soon as I was approved for it and finished it all in one day.
What a nice and cozy story about going back home to face memories and people that you left behind. Likable characters (except Andrew) and a lovely small town setting.
Great narration and writing.
Loved this book.

4.5 stars


The Summer of Starting Over Honest ARC Review:

Fans of Debbie Macomber and RaeAnne Thayne take note! You’ll be sure to love this coastal town of Big Dune Island and the charming romance.

Callie Jackson left her quaint hometown to make it big in Nashville, leaving her love interest and best friend. Jesse Thomas intended to enroll at Vanderbilt University so that he could remain close with Callie. Unexpected events passed and he stayed in Big Dune while Callie’s music career soared.

Returning to Big Dune Island after her own set of obstacles, Callie realized that there really is no place like home, even if it felt impossible to return to.

The main characters were complex and developed further throughout the story. Residents of the quaint seaside town seemed genuine and well intentioned, even if it didn’t seem so at first.

Filled with reconciliation, self reflection and hope, this is definitely one to add to your TBR! I really enjoyed reading this and found it to be quite charming.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful ARC with me.

Relatively short and sweet.
If you like Country Music, Small Town Vibes and a little bit of Romance, this one's for you!!

Meet Callie. She's a small town girl who was discovered at a very young age. Her life was literally upended as she moved to Nashville to pursue her dreams! BUT... is it all she expected it to be? Is she really where she wants to be and doing the things she wants??

Meet Jesse. He's a small town boy who fell in love with Callie when she was just a little girl. As things around him started to crumble, he had to shift his dreams and stay locally to help his family to stay afloat.

So, when Callie has to come back to Big Dune Island years later... because her childhood home is being put on the market by her Uncle... well, she's not sure what to expect.

BUT, it definitely wasn't this!!

#TheSummerOfStartingOver by #SavannahCarlisle and narrated nicely by #MelieWilliams.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #DreamscapeSelect and #HarpethRoadPress for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date was yesterday, 4/1/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves now !! ***

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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

Callie Jackson, a country music star is heading home to Big Dunne Island to clean out her parents’ home. She hasn’t been home since her parent’s funeral, so she is hesitant what will be waiting. She left as a young girl after being discovered and has been on the road since with her career. She left everything behind, her family, her friends and her first love. Now she must face all the tough choices she made years ago. As she deals with struggling musically and the memories of her family, she is faced with her first love and how he has grown into a man. As the story unfolds secrets are exposed and Callie has to finally face the past she’s been running from all these years. Big Dune Island is a charming small beach town. It's a clean, wholesome story with a touch of romance. It's mostly about finding yourself again, reuniting with family and friends and remembering the better version your youth. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Savannah Carlisle

Quick Summary: A going home to a second chance romance

My Review: The Summer of Starting Over by Savannah Carlisle is a 2025 release. It is labeled as a "beach read getaway."

About the Book: "When Callie Jackson left her island hometown years ago with big dreams, she knew precisely the star she wanted... Then, all her dreams came crashing down.

Jesse Thomas had always planned to move to Nashville with Callie, but..."

In My Own Words: Country music sweetheart Callie Jackson may have forgotten who she was for a little while, but a return to her roots helps her to gain clarity. It also provides a chance for words and reconciliation with her past and with the special people of Big Dune Island...especially Jesse Thomas.

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Melie Williams. Her delivery was good. Her tone and pacing helped to keep my attention. (Speed: 2.0-2.5)

My Final Say: I enjoyed this straightforward romance. It had wonderful characters, it was easy to follow, and it led to a nice and neat HEA.

Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 👍

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Select | Harpeth Road Press), and to NetGalley for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I appreciate the opportunity to review this work. The words I have shared are my own.

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Audio for the Audio ARC.

First of all loved this book. It’s my first book by Savannah Carlisle but won’t be my last I’m glad I got found this ARC. The audio was good. The narrator was great. The audio flowed nicely.

The plot super cute. A story full of second chances, loss and love. A perfect beach read, second chance love and small town romance. I’m now officially a fan of Savannah!