Summer Kind of Love

I loved this friends to lover, second chance romance. The anxiety representation felt very real to me as someone who also experiences anxiety. I loved the setting and seeing these two rekindle their flames. Our MMC was such a supportive cinnamon roll when our FMC was having anxiety attacks and not feeling her best. Also, this cover is gorgeous!

*Thanks to NetGalley uk, the publishers and the author for the ARC*

This is an amazing debut novel!
It is about Avery, a woman who is going through several things such as heartbreak, financial problems and some mental health issues. Her character was very well developed and I found her very relatable, especially the portrayal of anxiety was spot on. Of course, this is also a romance, as she returns to the beachy town she grew up in and crosses paths with Logan, an old friend. The friends to lovers, second chance romance was so good. I personally love these tropes and think they were masterfully done.
I would absolutely recommend this romance which ticks all the boxes: fun, full of chemistry and sometimes hard-hitting moments too.
Avery's journey resonated a lot with me and i think that a lot of women will feel the same. The romance really adds to it as it makes it a much more hopeful story.
It's the perfect mix and I won't forget it.

Title: Summer Kind of Love by Charlène Boutin
Seasons of the East Coast, Book 1

Release Date: June, 11th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Avery finds herself on a solo retreat on the shores of Cape Breton, seeking solace and inspiration after a painful breakup. When she lands a project at a retreat centre, she's hopeful for a fresh start. However, her past resurfaces when she encounters Logan, someone she once relied on. As they navigate their complicated history, Avery wonders if it's possible to find closure and move forward with Logan by her side.

In my opinion, this book delivers a delightful summer romance with a surprising depth, delving into themes of anxiety and fear of abandonment.

Despite its exploration of heavier topics, it maintains its charm as a friends-to-lovers and second chance romance. Avery's emotional journey resonates deeply, offering relatable insights and moments of connection for readers. The portrayal of emotional trauma and healing feels authentic, capturing the struggles of post-breakup self-discovery. Logan's unwavering support for Avery through her anxiety is heartwarming and adds to the uplifting nature of the story.

This is a cute and easy summer read that leaves a lasting impression.

Thank you to The Publisher Iris Books ,The Author Charlène Boutin & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Summer Kind of Love by Charlene Boutin
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 11 June 2024

Avery's usual domain is behind a screen, crafting the words that grace website homepages and glossy brochures. But since her heart was shattered by "The One," her once prolific writing has come to a standstill, leaving her bank account painfully empty.

When a prestigious retreat centre offers Avery a lucrative project, she seizes the opportunity to keep the bills at bay. But accepting the job means immersing herself in a new environment, hoping to reignite her dwindling creative flame. A seaside cottage seems like the perfect place to find inspiration, but Avery soon realises it's not as solitary as she expected.

Unexpectedly, Logan, once her closest confidant, is now manning the front desk. His sudden appearance resurrects memories Avery thought she had buried. It's overwhelming, yet oddly comforting—all at once, too much and not enough.

The characters were a highlight for me; they were incredibly endearing and easy to love. Logan, in particular, was the perfect mixture of caring and considerate for me. His interactions with Avery were adorable, and their dates were pure delight. The way he supported her through her struggles showcased his genuine kindness.

Avery was equally sweet and humorous, and her relatability resonated deeply with me. She's a character who tugs at your heartstrings, and their dynamic together is simply wonderful.

The writing in this book was absolutely captivating from beginning to end. It had a beautiful quality that kept me engrossed throughout. The story unfolded seamlessly, and the plot was fantastic—I was hooked from the get-go, and it delivered on its promising premise flawlessly. Overall, the writing was superb.

This book is the perfect summer read, it's filled with lovable characters, gorgeous prose, moments of humour, and touching emotional depth.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Iris Books, and the author, Charlene Boutin, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

4/5

This book had me laughing out loud and even tearing up at times. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one sitting. Loved it! 💕

WHAT TO EXPECT:
⛱️ Childhood Friends to Lovers
⛱️ Mutual Pining
⛱️ 1/5 🌶️
⛱️ Cinnamon Roll MMC
⛱️ Anxiety Rep
⛱️ Small (Beach) Town Romance

Starting off with a quick summary: Avery’s spending a whole month on the shores of Cape Breton. She’s usually glued to her laptop, writing stuff for websites and brochures, but since “The One” broke her heart, she’s been in a creative slump with blank pages and an empty bank account. When a fancy retreat center offers her a big project, she jumps at it, needing the cash. But to do the job, she has to move to a seaside cottage to try and get her creative juices flowing again. She thinks it’ll be peaceful... until she finds out Logan, the one person she could always count on, is working at the front desk. Suddenly, her past is right in her face, and it’s overwhelming but amazing at the same time. With Logan there, maybe it’s not too late—if Avery can deal with their past.

I really loved the writing in this book. It was beautiful from start to finish, and it kept me hooked the whole time. The story developed really well, and the plot was awesome. I liked the premise from the beginning, and it totally delivered. Great writing overall!

I really liked the characters; they were super sweet and lovable. Logan was such a cinnamon roll, and I’m always down for a good cinnamon roll MMC. He was so sweet, especially with Avery, and their dates were the cutest. The way he helped her through panic attacks? Total sweetheart. You’ll definitely love Logan. Avery was really sweet and funny too. Seeing some of my struggles reflected in her made me feel less alone and showed there's a way out. She’s a character that got me emotional because of how relatable she is… these two together are just everything and really awesome.

This book is a perfect quick summer read! It’s got lovable characters, a swoon-worthy love story, beautiful writing, funny moments, and some emotional bits too. I really enjoyed it, and you might too!

——————

PUBLICATION DATE:
11th of June, 2024

*Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Charlène Boutin's first novel skillfully portrays the experience of a woman dealing with anxiety and heartache, intertwined with a second-chance romance. As we follow Avery's journey, we see her battle with self-discovery and healing after reconnecting with her long-lost friend, Logan. Their relationship is portrayed realistically, offering genuine support without quick fixes. This novel seamlessly combines emotional depth with a delightful summer romance, making it a must-read for those who enjoy friends-to-lovers and second-chance love stories.