Summer Reading (2024)

✨When he’s a librarian and has her sit on his lap during the sex scene he’s reading out loud…ICONIC✨

Summer Reading could’ve gone the way of either four or five stars, but really the sexy librarian, wholesome sibling relationship, and Martha’s Vineyard summer vacation vibes were just so charming.

Sam must travel back to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer to a. watch her younger sibling while their parents go on vacation b. get her chef career back on track and c. definitely NOT fall in love with the hot interim library director.

✨

*Since we all classify spoilers different, there could be potential spoilers below*

✨

Sam was a chef which is so hot and the Portuguese food content had me drooling. I worked in catering and love to reminisce and it really epitomizes summer for me! Since Bennett was a librarian (hot), Sam was scared he’d think less of her since she wasn’t a reader and had dyslexia. I really enjoyed the opposites attract aspect of their relationship, and how Sam worked through her insecurities and advocated for herself.

I also adore a sibling relationship and this book fully delivered. The whole book begins by Sam going back to Martha’s Vineyard to watch her fourteen-year-old brother while her dad and stepmom went on vacation for the summer. Tyler was definitely Unsure of Sam since they weren’t very close, but my heart melted during each of their milestones. Since his robotics camp was held at Ben’s library, I think it worked to still keep the main focus on the relationship as the plot lines were pretty meshed.

✨

I loved getting to know a main character with dyslexia, as I think Percy Jackson is the only time I’ve encountered it in fiction. The book itself also has a note at the beginning describing how they changed the font to be more dyslexia friendly, bolded words that are usually italicized, and changed the margin sizes.

I learned a lot about Sam’s personal journey with dyslexia, as well as the coping skills she developed in school, life, and her career. Even though Ben was fully supportive and didn’t try to change her, he did make mistakes like texting instead of sending a voice note or calling, so we were learning together. He didn’t force her to be a reader, but he did offer her the choice of listening to him read.

✨

The weakest part of the book was the third act breakup. It’s a single POV romance, which I did enjoy, but I would’ve liked to see a bit deeper into Ben’s reasoning and feelings, especially at the end. Where did he even go when he up and left? It was just a confusing record scratch moment, because I really did think he was gonna work through it with her not apart from her.

I didn’t hate it and I wasn’t angry about it, but it could’ve been stronger. I could see it making readers angry though, as it was so abrupt. However, I did like how Sam was fully committed to being in a relationship, as I kinda thought she’d be the one to break it off! So it did slightly show her growth in that sense.

✨

Overall I loved the entire book, but this turned to a true winner when he recorded himself reading the rest of the audiobook for her. (He thought she was pulling back from him and their relationship, but didn’t want her to miss out on the book!! AHH.)

I can’t wait to reread via audio this summer! I need to go inhale some SunBum to tide me over until June. Also the teaser for book 2???? Please that book is going to be such a banger I know it in my bones.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5

*My brain is a highlight reel of him fingering her while he was reading her that sex scene because god to be so lucky 🫠 However, the language used when she described that fictional sex scene was a bit more explicit than the actual scenes in the book. There were 2-3ish lightly spicy open-door scenes. The language wasn’t very detailed, but the connection and overall scenes were still hot.

Note: I’m not sure if the text will be updated before the pub date, but the hero has a beard and wayyy darker hair than the cover shows! He definitely looks wimpier on the cover lol.

CWs: Cancer scare (negative biopsy results), death of a parent (in the past), strained relationship with parent

Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

“Once a guy finds out I have dyslexia, he usually ghosts me.” -a quote from this book 😭 apparently having dyslexia is equal to having an STD or someth. This book was ridiculous

DNF 😣 Maybe I’ll revisit this later because apparently I’m in the minority here, but this was just atrocious. I have dyslexia and ADHD got exhausted with the amount of 2023 buzzwords and cliches this author uses, and I barely made it a quarter in. It feels like somebody made an AI bot skim 12 hours of tiktok and Instatherapy and then write a book about it.

Talk about cover love! 😍 However, this book is just as delightful inside as it is on the outside. This is the first romance I’ve read where the female isn’t the “bookish nerd” in the relationship, and I loved seeing this trope flipped. Sam and Ben are such a delightful couple and I enjoyed rooting for their romance, but also their separate plot journeys that converge beyond the relationship. I did feel that the page count could have been shortened by about 50-75 pages, but that’s just personal preference.

Sam is dyslexic, and while I do not have first hand experience on what it is like to be a part of this neurodivergent group, the author took great care in creating an inclusive reading experience for everyone with this book. From dyslexic sensitivity readers, to requesting the publisher create the book with neurodivergent friendly font and formatting, color me impressed. (I read all about the journey to creating this story in the beginning of my e-arc, and I’m assuming this information is included in the finished copy as well, and if not it should be.)

If you’re looking for a heart-warming romance for the summer, here it is!

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.

This book kind of irked me. I like stories with well-rounded characters, not characters with single defining traits. This book has the latter.

Sam has dyslexia. And in case you missed that, SAM HAS DYSLEXIA! I’m all for neurodivergent representation, but to describe it as if it’s her entire personality just really rubbed me the wrong way. She constantly says she has “coping mechanisms,” but clearly they are counterproductive because she can’t function: she can’t find love or get a chef job, so what exactly are her “coping skills” doing for her? Let me be clear: I acknowledge that dyslexia is a constant struggle that creates fear and cognitive distortions, and I realize that the narration was likely trying to illustrate that. However, she didn’t overcome any of it by the end, so she’s going to continue defining herself as “broken,” which I find to be a highly problematic way to represent a disability. I just wish her struggles with dyslexia would have been written as one part of her…not the focus of every interaction she has and setting she enters into. As someone who is not neurodivergent, I can’t say whether her perspective is realistic or not (i.e. do people really get dumped because they’re dyslexic?), but the counselor in me did not appreciate the excuse-making and narrow-mindedness about potential for growth and healing. Like audiobooks have existed for a long time, gf. As for Ben, yes he likes to read. He is a book person! A librarian! Are you seriously not going to explicitly assign him a single other trait besides that he reads and is hot? Wait scratch that - he does ride a motorcycle. Even Sam’s parents are singular: the mom is type A and dad is type B, and that’s why they got divorced. All of the characterization is honestly terrible!

In general, this book was skimmable. There were good moments with romance, spice, and banter, which is why I thought it deserved some credit, but ultimately I was left feeling irritated.

Automatic minus one star for use of “guidance counselor” instead of “school counselor.”

I fell for this amazing cover! After reading and obviously enjoying Wait for It so much, I didn’t think or care to read the blurb! I just requested the arc! This colorful, vivid cover truly enchanted me! I just went blind. Buttttt…

I wish I loved this book as much as I adored the author’s previous work. But I found it a little flat and the love story between Sam and Ben didn’t resonate with me! Don’t get me wrong! The characters were truly likable. Maybe I got used to read love stories with my favorite tropes. Just because of that, I found romantic parts a little strained, dull. At the last parts Ben made me curse a lot. He acted like immature jerk.

Anyways I still enjoyed representation of dyslexia/ neurodivergence , delicious food recipes. I think I invested in Sam and her little brother Tyler’s bonding and Ben’s searching for his father storylines more than the romance parts. That’s why I liked this book as a fiction but I didn’t love it as a swoon, sweet romance ( which is not, there are too many heavy stuff and triggering subjects in this book)

It was still great getaway to visually move away from freezing Winter days to explore a summer holiday on Martha’s Vineyard ( this year I might read at least 50 books take place at this location. I am so determined to visit there next year)

I’m giving my three stars but I can honestly it’s still enjoyable book with good written family bounding stories that warm your heart. But I just wish to read a good romance. That’s why it’s lower my points. I’m still looking forward to read the next works of the author.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

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This was a great summer read. Our main character Sam has dyslexia and I thought the representation for that in the book was awesome. The whole book is about Sam spending the summer in Martha's Vineyard watching after her 14 year old brother and trying to find a new chef position.
We also have some romance between her and Ben, a library director and book lover. I did like how the male was the book lover in this read as it's usually the female, that was a fun twist.
Overall I enjoyed this read. It was fun, romantic and dealt with some tough topics. I do feel like it was trying to do to many things though. It was a little scattered for me if that makes sense.

This book is just bad. The dialogue is awkward. The romance between Sam and Ben makes me feel uncomfortable. The way she goes on and on about how she’s dyslexic is just too much. In this day and age, no one is judging anyone about being dyslexic. Her struggles are fine, but for her to be like “omg he can’t know I’m dyslexic! He’s a librarian! We would never work!” Is just absurd.
A similar plot line might be: I’m left handed and he comes from a Puritan family! He can’t know or he might think I’m a witch!

I also am annoyed with her relationship with her “best friend” Emily. She goes on about how they’re so close and ride or die. And then brings up “hmm. Wonder why she moved back in with her mom after college a decade ago? Maybe I should ask about that.”

Just an overall disappointment for me.

DNF at 10%… I don’t think this author had any mental health beta readers, and it shows 🙈

Charming! I'm not a typical rom-com reader but I do enjoy a few each year. Jenn McKinlay strikes the right balance of romance, mystery, drama, and tenderness. I loved the two main characters and rooted for them from their initial meeting on the boat. It was destiny... and the entire story was beautiful up until the end when 1 of the 2 behaves oddly (a bit too much of a plot device for me) and breaks the apart. But there's an HEA, so I was contended with the conclusion. Bookish hot nerd. Smart and sassy chef. Parental duties. Library shenanigans. Friends with potential illness. Lots to hook into, and I was very happy with this, my third rom-com from the author. One more to go and I'm all caught up!

3.5⭐️ At its core, this is a super sweet foodie romance filled with heartwarming sibling love, set in the picturesque Martha’s Vineyard and a librarian MMC. What more could you want? As a neurodivergent individual myself (Autism) I am appreciative of the neurodiversity/dyslexia rep and the fact that the author had the book stylized to benefit dyslexic readers.

My primary criticism relates to how Neurodiversity/ADHD/Dyslexia is portrayed. Throughout the story, it was often mentioned in a more negative light in moments of Sam’s self doubt or when others are ostracizing her for it. And while this is okay and important in illustrating the consequences of these issues, there needs to be a good counter balance of how she’s overcoming that adversity through implementation of coping strategies.

I loved seeing how Sam and Tyler’s relationship developed as she stayed with him over the summer and how her emotional growth led to the repair of these important familial relationships. This was perhaps my favorite aspect of the story. And it is set in New England, the epitome of a beach read setting.

Read if you like:
•meet cutes
•books about books
•foodie romance
•dislexia/neurodivergent rep
•sibling friendships
•New England settings

Thank you {partners} Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.

This was a sweet, quick, and heartwarming read. I think this was the light read I needed right now so I really appreciate being able to read a copy of this book. I had only read this author’s cozy mysteries before so I was excited to read this and branch out and her talent definitely translated. I will say the romance to me was a secondary focus and what really made this book a winner for me was the heart-warming sibling bonding between Sam and her brother Tyler. Sam is 14 years older than Tyler and he was born after her parents divorced and her dad met her stepmom. Sam has also struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia for most of her life and when she graduated high school she and her dad disagreed about her next steps and she left the Vineyard to become a chef and didn’t visit for more than an occasional weekend. When she finds herself jobless and desperate and her dad calls and asks if she will stay with Tyler while he and his wife go to Europe it feels like fate. But that is nothing to her meet-cute with the hot reading guy on the ferry. Overall I gave this one 4.5 stars which I rounded up for great neurodivergent representation. Definitely the perfect book to pick up this summer!

So I didn't finish this at 150 pages in. This sh*t is so stupid and juvenile. I mean I'm 150 pages in and nothing has happened except for the main character telling us repeatedly that she has dyslexia and did the shuffle at an event she was working that no one asked to see, embarrassing herself and me.

She made being dyslexic her entire personality for the first one hundred pages and then suddenly she also has ADHD that came out of nowhere??? She talks about coping mechanisms but clearly doesn't have any because this bitch can't function at all. She quit her job when she wasn't picked for a position she felt entitled to and then went around saying she lost her job?? Um no you quit. There's a difference. And now you can't find another one??? She acts like being dyslexic is the same as having cancer which surprise! her best friend also might have cancer but I'm not going to finish it to find out. She talks about how as soon as guys find out she's dyslexic, they break up with her as if she's got some STD called dyslexia or some sh*t. Then, she signs her name in the wrong spot on some paperwork and instead of telling the lady who makes fun of her to go f*ck herself like an actual adult, she runs away and cries about it???? I understand being dyslexic it's easy to mix up letters but I have friends who are dyslexic and they've never signed in a spot that clearly says "human resources" and not their name because my friends can actually f*cking read. This has nothing to with dyslexia and everything to do with this girl just being a dumb bitch, which is the real reason she gets broken up with. To top it off, her best friend is a librarian who for some reason refuses to give her any resources or information on how to help with her dyslexia. This is insulting to actual people with dyslexia.

Also, her ADHD hasn't been brought up again so far. ADHD and dyslexia don't go hand in hand. They can exist without the other. It's like the author just threw a bunch of random sh*t together and look while I appreciate the author trying to represent a certain group of people who struggle with this, it was handled poorly.

I may skim later on to find out if the love interest finds his dad because I think it might be the guy they catered for but this sh*t is so bad I won't be surprised if the author tries to pull some colleen hoover bullsh*t twist and make them related after they f*ck each other's brains out.

Review coming soon.

This is a warm-hearted contemporary romance between a professional chef and a cinnamon roll hero! There’s family connection, romance, cooking (+ recipes), books, and a look into the many effects dyslexia has on people (and those around them) dealing with it day-to-day. I knew very little about it until reading this. The way Jenn McKinlay blended neurodiversity into her storyline was done in a sensitive, beautiful way. I also enjoyed the sweet moments of Ben and Samantha reading “their” book.. pulling at my heartstrings! It’s such a wonderful heartfelt story about sibling bonding, grief over a lost parent, and finding confidence in this world to be the best person you can be.. even with a disability! ♥️😊 Is greatly informative about dyslexia. A great pick for your summer TBR! ❥ 4.5 stars — Pub. 5/16/23

Ironic that the bold words and sentences (in place of italics) is the reason I couldn’t finish this… made it hard for me to read… lol

pov: you’re the fmc with dyslexia & you made it your entire personality. and apparently multiple men ghosted the fmc after finding out she has dyslexia. be so for real.

DNF at 20% way too cringe

What a great story! Ben is a sweetheart!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to admit I really know nothing about dyslexia. I was very interested in how the author intended to blend that into the story and I appreciate the note at the front of the book about the changes that you will see in the print and ebook. I think it’s fabulous that she is calling out issues and making a change!

With that said, this book was a true delight to read. All of the characters are warm and funny. We really get a glimpse into the psyche and impact someone with dyslexia experiences in society today.

The author wove this sensitive topic beautifully into the rest of the story. The story and plot are about building connections with family. It’s about growing and becoming who you truly are meant to be. And it’s about taking risks when you have the right support.

From the moment Bennett was introduced I just fell in love with his character. He is sweet, warm, and endearing, and they balance each other perfectly. He’s so kind and has some big emotions as well. And there’s nothing better than the scenes that involve reading “their” book.

While Summer Reading is listed as a romcom, and it was humorous in many ways, there are deeper issues that McKinlay brings to light. She blends them into the story so we come out with a warm romance that is both endearing and deeply touching.

* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/summer-readi...

I absolutely loved Summer Reading and am considering changing my birthday plans to Martha's Vineyard, because the author made it sound so quaint and relaxing! I enjoyed this so much!

Our story starts when our FMC, Sam, accidentally knocks a cute guy's (Ben's) book out of his hands on her ship ride to Martha's Vineyard. Sam is going to be watching her 14-year-old half-brother (Tyler) for the summer while her parents travel abroad and will be trying to establish a strong sibling relationship with him. While dropping her brother off for summer robotics camp, Sam discovers that the cute guy she inconvenienced on the ship is actually the new local library director (and her best friend's boss). As Sam's BFF, Em, deals with the potential of serious illness and Sam's feelings for Ben grow more complicated, Sam has to face her fears about repeating the past and dealing with her own childhood trauma. Sam is a chef who has been passed over for a promotion at her high-end city job and is strapped for cash... and ideas for how to sustain herself for the future. Sam fears that Ben will reject her when he finds out that the reason she doesn't like to read is because she is dyslexic and struggles to absorb written material that isn't accessible to people with her diagnosis. Can an introvert and an extrovert, a book lover vs. a movie lover, and a successful director vs. an in-between-jobs couple make a romance work? As Sam tries to help Ben unravel the mystery of who his father is, she begins to discern between accepting what people have thrown at her in the past and truly claiming what she deserves.

There are so many things to love about this book:

1. Our FMC is dyslexic and I learned SO much about dyslexia from this book. The book is also written in a dyslexia-friendly font and makes words bold instead of italicized to increase accessibility for dyslexic people.

2. Sibling relationships are explored just as much as romance, and I found that entire arc fascinating and adorable.

3. I saw in the back of Summer Reading that Sam's best friend Em is getting her own book?? I am so hyped for that because I really related to her health challenges and want to see which direction she chooses to go with her life. If this turns into a whole series, I'm in it for the long haul.

4. The MMC makes mistakes, but overall he is extremely thoughtful and finds ways to bridge gaps between his and Sam's special interests. I do wish that he had clarified exactly how he would deal with stressful situations in the future, but his re-entry into Sam's life was pretty dramatic and entertaining. I think this works so well because Sam and Ben are not actually opposites. They both adore storytelling- Sam just needs to engage with content in a way that is accessible for her while working through her emotional wounds from a childhood that was hateful toward dyslexic people.

5. Even though some parts of the book are sad, they are necessary for good storytelling. I've seen people asking why there is no lawsuit since Sam's workplace that basically fired her and didn't promote her seemed to discriminate against her for being dyslexic. While I think that would have been satisfying, the fact is that some people just want to move forward with their lives. Sam is also dealing with intense shame surrounding her diagnosis, so it makes sense that she is not in the headspace to jump into a legal fistfight. Maybe in a future book, this could be explored? Either way, I am satisfied with how things turned out. I would also love to find out what happened with the cookbook Sam was writing! The recipes in the back of the book look amazing, and I'm going to have to try them out.

All in all the author, Jenn McKinlay, jumped at the opportunity to make this book so much more than a romance, which is what really hooked me. I love it when authors take the time to develop an MC's relationships outside of romantic love and really delve into the side characters and backstories. I read this in a single night and I'm as invested in this story as I am in the Delilah Green series. Thank you to Netgalley, Jenn McKinlay, and Berkley Publishing for my ARC of this delightful read!

dnf at 35%. i know it’s not that serious but this book is actually irking me on so many levels.

1. why did sam make it about /herself/ when she found out that em is hiding having (?) cancer from her. if your best friend is hiding something that serious maybe feel concerned instead of thinking “omg i can’t believe she didn’t tell me!”. the fact that she calls it betrayal too. ugh.

2. believe it or not dyslexia is not a personality trait love.

3. the f*cking random dancing scene, babes this isn’t camp rock.

i was looking forward to reading this book because of some scenes i’ve heard about but i don’t want to waste my time on this anymore.

edit: looked up spoilers out of curiosity and now i’m even happier that i dnf because wtf? 😭😭😭

Samantha + Bennett

Sam just quit her job as a chef in Boston and being short on cash now, she's happy to be spending her summer on Martha's Vineyard at her dad's old family place. Dad and the step mom are leaving for Europe and Sam's supposed to watch her 14 year old half brother Tyler.
She was planing on spending her summer at the beach. But it looks like she'll be spending it chauffeuring Tyler to and from the local library. Little brother is a super smart guy and he needs to work on his robotics whatevers to get into his dream school. Sam does not do books. She's dyslexic!
But the library boss is the hot book guy from the ferry. So maybe she'll hang around a bit...
And maybe some local cooking opportunities might be rolling in too.
And someone's family mystery needs to be uncovered!

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN .... ☺

════════════════

That was adorable!
A little pre-summer trip to Martha's Vineyard. What's not to love about that?!
We have this insta sparkage between Sam and Ben. It's adorable. Because they should not fit at all. Him being the calm chain reading library director and Sam with her ADHD and dyslexia. But they're super adorable together.
The relationship with her brother is something that Sam wants to work on this summer too. The age difference made it hard to connect in the past, but now he's old and wise enough to be her friend. But it's not easy taking care of a teenager.
Adorable!
Then we have Sam's BFF Em - they've shenaniganed their way across the island since they were babies. Well, Sam was the troublemaker and Em was just always along for the ride.
(We'll get Em's book next fyi!🎉)

I loved how Sam feels so at home on the island, especially after what happened in the city. I so want her to find her happily ever after in this place where she spent so many amazing summers.

I just loved reading this!
Adorable and funny and sparky summer romance with some very serious topics!
I loved how Jenn researched so much about dyslexia and how to make her own book more readable for people with reading problems.

Gimme the Netflix version asap please!

SUMMER READING was such a beautiful summer love story! Adorable, funny, sparky, sweet, culinary, bookish, nerdy, islandy, mysterious and a bit sad .... I just loved reading this! Run to your nearest book shop for your own Ben - this one is MINE!!

💜 💜

3.75

Anxious, dyslexic, ADHD female lead (we love) and a librarian male lead who romance books reads to her (even the 🌶 bits 👀)

She’s helping him try to find his father and he’s helping her write a cook book. Honestly most of it was pretty good but the ending was so cheesy 🙄.

Also while our MC is neurolodivergent I feel that our author learned that word and decided no synonyms were allowed which is just a pet peeve of mine.

On the other had our author choose to print in a font that is more dyslexia friendly which I thought was awesome.it’s also clear that the author has worked in a library and isn’t just like “this is what I think a library is like” which is a great time. Very immersive.

I was extremely excited to read a book with dyslexia rep, as I work with dyslexic students everyday. For readers who do not know much about this disorder, you will definitely learn a lot, and I praise the author for writing in a dyslexia-friendly font and sharing facts on how to make reading more accessible to dyslexics.However, I feel like Samantha’s dyslexia was written in a way that defined her. Rather than showing her resilience through compensatory strategies or a shift in her mindset since being diagnosed, the author focused on what she can’t do. This made it hard for me to not only empathize and relate to Sam but also cheer her on. Also, I feel like this was such a huge plot point in the story that it took away from the romance I was itching for, as Ben was such a strong character. I will say, I was a huge fan of the relationship with her half-brother Tyler as well as with her childhood BFF Em, who is getting her own book next. Plus, there is nothing not to like with a Martha’s Vineyard setting :)

Read if you like:
-Martha’s Vineyard Setting
-Neurodivergent Rep/ Dyslexic FMC
-Library researcher MMC
-Sibling relationships
-Delicious food recipes
-Romances with substance

Thank you Berkley for the ARC. Pub date: 5/15

all this book did was talk about how much teenagers suck, have the worlds worst dialogue, and made having dyslexia this girls entire and only personality trait.

Seeing what some of my Goodreads friends rated this I am clearly in the minority here, but this did not do it for me at all. In fact, I'm probably among this book's top haters.

There's value in writing books about people with disabilities, and I'm of the belief that you can do it as an author even if you don't possess that disability yourself. However, the risk of creating questionable and bad representation is much higher. And even though this author seems to have done her research and has people in her life with dyslexia that she no doubt spoke to in creating her dyslexic character, Sam, the portrayal of dyslexia here just feels intensely dramatic.

Every conflict in Sam's life comes down to her being severely dyslexic: she suspects she was passed over for a promotion as a chef because of her disability, she's often embarrassed in front of peripheral characters in this book who want her to read on the spot, and her past intimate relationships have fallen apart because of her dyslexia, with one partner even telling her he wouldn't want to "pass on her disabled genes" to any future offspring they might have. Reader, when I tell you my jaw dropped. I have a really hard time believing anyone would even think this in the year of our lord, 2023, but if you *did* think it, why would you SAY it?! Other peripheral characters in this book are also cruel to Sam and it just feels very unrealistic? Like they shame and embarrass her and assume she's slow or that she can't read - I just have a hard time believing people would treat someone like this in the real world unless you're a supreme asshole and you don't have a verbal filter.

Sam's relationship with her dyslexia also feels very juvenile and immature. Her insecurity surrounding her dyslexia and her memory of the times she was embarrassed in high school or by past boyfriends still feels very fresh and it's like... girlie pop you need some therapy to process this. I don't know it just feels like if this were a real 28-year-old, they would have several coping mechanisms and they would likely have some level of peace with their insecurities? I might be biased because as a 27-year-old myself, I look back and feel sorry for how visceral my insecurities were as a teenager, and I think as you grow into your 20s, these feelings just become duller? Obviously people in their late 20s still have insecurities, but my personal experience and what I've heard and seen from my friends that are also in this age range support that these insecurities are not nearly as crippling as they were when we were teens. I don't know if I'm explaining this in any type of way that makes sense, but hopefully I got my idea across.

I think this over-dramatization of dyslexia leads Sam to lean into a victim mentality, and she doesn't seem to have made any strides towards working on this (or even realizing it) by the end of the book. I don't think the author put enough explanation into how Sam copes with her dyslexia. There are *so many* parts of your day that require reading, and it can be critical in emergency settings. Sam doesn't seem to have any coping techniques before the MMC and love interest, Ben, comes along, and this also feels like a sh*tty message to send. While Ben's reading to her is a way for them to build their bond as a couple and to spend time together, it genuinely comes off like this 28-year-old woman had never heard of audiobooks before Ben came along?

In case it wasn't clear already, Sam is defined by her dyslexia. She feels very one-note in this way - her past is colored by embarrassing experiences involving her dyslexia, she's nervous to tell Ben about her dyslexia because she thinks he won't be interested in her because of it? Like girlie no one thinks like this unless they're a psychopath, please get a grip. Sam isn't the only character that's one-note though: Ben is entirely defined by his absent father, and Emily is the bumbling and anxious librarian friend who gets absolutely nothing in terms of a satisfying character arc except (possibly) a job in another country? The book ends before this is ever concluded, though. Very disappointing because even if I don't like a book I generally care about at least one of the characters and I didn't give a single f*ck about anyone in this story.

Another criticism I had of this book was the writing, particularly Sam's inner monologue and the dialogue in this book, which is CRINGY. Sam is 28 years old, but she genuinely speaks (both in her head and to others) like she's 14, and not like a modern 14-year-old but more like how a 40-year-old thinks a 14-year-old would speak in the early 2000s. Some words/phrases here that had me cringing and raising my eyebrows:

- "Parentals" - said unironically several times in reference to Sam's parents
- Sam says "OMG!" and in her head several times when anything shocking happens and it just feels very juvenile
- "Whatever" is said multiple times in Sam's head whenever something annoys her.
- "It was impossible not to bob my head to her groove." (this is 100% me being a hater, but I couldn't help my eye-roll at this line).
- Sam and Tyler call each other "bro" and "sis" in very serious settings. Like they'll be talking about something, and Tyler will be like "of course I'll be there for you, you're my sis." which just... I'm sorry, feels so unserious? Like it sucked all the emotional weight out of the scene for me because it didn't feel like how siblings would really speak to each other in a heavy emotional moment.

Also, I listened to parts of this on 1.5x speed and the audiobook narrator got on my nerves. She has a very smoky voice and her style of reading makes everything sound sensual which was just very bizarre.

This was a big old wop, which was sad because the premise seemed interesting. Unfortunately I don't think I'll leap to read more of this author's work - this was that bad.

A wonderful contemporary romance about relationships, falling in love, and finding yourself, Summer Reading is a fresh and fun read. The story follows Samantha, a chef who has dyslexia and hates to read and Bennett, a hunky librarian searching for information about his family. Samantha has returned to Martha’s Vineyard to her family’s home to watch her teenage brother for the summer. Passed over for a deserved promotion, Samantha left her job and is in transition, so spending the summer on the Vineyard is a perfect place for Samantha to figure out what’s next. And when she meets the new and hunky librarian, her summer looks even better.

Samantha is such a relatable protagonist, and I really enjoyed her journey. She’s trying to figure out what to do career-wise now that she quit her job, she has a distant relationship with her family, and she’s returning to an island where she spent a lot of her childhood. She has such a vivacious personality, and she’s so funny! She’s also really smart, though she doesn’t give herself nearly enough credit. Samantha has dyslexia and is neurodivergent, and she definitely has negative feelings about herself. It’s not surprising years of insults, judgment, and discrimination have affected her confidence and sense of self. I think being back on the island, reconnecting with her roots, and meeting new people give her a different outlook on herself and life.

Bennett has a lot to do with Samantha’s growth, and I absolutely adored him!! A hunky librarian reading a romance novel to a woman who hates reading? I was sold! Their love story is so sweet and charming and beyond romantic. From their first meeting, you could totally feel the chemistry between them, and I love how their relationship progressed over the course of the novel. Bennett is a such swoon-tastic book boyfriend! The way he woos Samantha is lovely. OMG their banter is perfection, and they have as many fun and funny conversations as they do serious or romantic ones. One of my favorite scenes is when Samantha teaches Bennett and her brother different dance moves. It’s so fun and funny, but it also says so much about them and their feelings for each other.

I also love that Bennett gets Samantha to see herself the way he sees her. He helps Samantha see that people read and learn differently and that her struggles with dyslexia and ADHD show how incredibly intelligent she is. He offers her a different perspective that she never really considered, and it empowers her. I think being back in Martha’s Vineyard, a place where she had so many wonderful times, connecting with her brother, spending time with her best friend, and having this new relationship with Ben changed her in incomprehensible ways.

The story explores so many different relationships in Samantha’s life, and the standout is her relationship with Tyler, her 14-year-old brother. Her relationship with her brother changed so much. They are fabulous together, and the way they tease and banter back and forth is the best. Samantha and her best friend are great too. They have total ride-or-die vibes. Even her relationships with her father and stepmother changed, and I think it shows how much Samantha has grown over the course of the summer.

The mystery behind Bennett’s father was interesting too. Bennett took a position on the island so he could investigate his family history since he never knew who his father was. I love how his journey took us to many different places on the Vineyard. I don’t live too far from this gorgeous island, and the author captured it well. It’s a beautiful place to visit, especially in the summer, and McKinlay makes me want to hop on the ferry (which is only one town over from me) and head over there!

Summer Reading has everything I love in a contemporary romance. It’s fun and funny, emotional and entertaining, and the romance is wonderful. Oh, and the food!!! Samantha cooked up some delicious-sounding food, and I want to try it all! Special thanks to Berkley Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

These may be my favorite characters of the year! This author is a favorite of mine as she has a way of crafting characters that are relatable, realistic and so very likable. You will find yourself laughing with the characters, crying with them and swooning with them at times as well! Sam, is a chef with a learning disability who has learned to live with her dyslexia and overcome it with many tools. You will find yourself wanting to go kick her bullies in the shins at times while cheering her on throughout the others. I think this book is so relatable as neurodivergent or not, we all have things we are insecure about or have been made insecure about by others. Reading about Sam overcoming her insecurities makes us all feel like we have a shot at overcoming ours. This is definitely my favorite feel good book of the year so far and I can't wait to read what else this author comes up with next!

2.5 ⭐️ This book feels like it was written by someone who loves romance but usually writes in another genre.
The characters were lovely, the mystery of Ben’s dad was fun, the siblings bonding was nice…but there wasn’t much romance chemistry.
Generally fine, but mostly forgettable

Also side note one of my icks is people making characters call each other “sis” or “bro” no one does that in real life un-ironically. Unless you are a toddler you don’t call someone “sis”

Sam quit her job after being passed over for a promotion as head chef she suspects is due to her dyslexia. Now she’s spending the summer at Martha’s Vineyard to watch her younger half-brother, Tyler, while her parents are off on a European vacation. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. She can figure out what her next move will be while getting to know her younger brother.

On the ferry ride out she has an unfortunate accident with Ben, who she finds out is the library director. A man she’ll be seeing daily thanks to the Tyler’s robotics program taking place at the library where Ben works. There are sparks of attraction, but Sam wonders how a relationship would ever work when she has such issues with reading and Ben’s so very bookish. They end up thrown together over and over, and Sam offers to help Ben with his search for his father, and while Ben helps Sam write a cookbook with all the recipes her beloved grandmother shared with her.

Summer Reading was an easy romance to settle into and enjoy. I didn’t realize the hurdles some with dyslexia have to navigate and I appreciated learning about it through Sam’s story. My heart went out to her and the insecurities she struggled with because of it. I loved how Ben helped her realize how talented and smart she was and how wonderfully she coped with her disability. He was a sweetheart and a bookish hottie! Hard to resist!

Besides that, Sam was a spunky extrovert and a lot of fun! I enjoyed seeing her get to know her younger brother more, bond bring him out of some of his teenage angst. I really liked Em, Sam’s best friend, and enjoyed seeing them reconnect. Em’s story is next, and it sounds like a good one! Set in Ireland at a bookstore, I’m so there!

A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.