I loved this book and thought it was very sensitively written. Sam is an out of work chef who returns home to look after her teenage stepbrother so her father and stepmother can go on a trip. She is dyslexic and has ADHD, both of which are handled well by the author and described to give others a greater understanding of how this affects someone. Her relationship with librarian, Ben develops as she helps him on his search for his father.
Well written and very engaging..

I was drawn to Summer Reading because of its ND representation, but I do think that in the end, the somewhat clumsy execution of this is what let the book as a whole down.

Whilst I definitely appreciate how much research the author has obviously put into making the book more accessible - the use of bold typeface in place of italic for example - Sam (the main character) and her dyslexia just felt a bit surface level. It felt a bit ridiculous that every single time someone was slightly rude to her she assumed it was because of her dyslexia - including her own brother?!

Beyond this, the book was fine; an easy poolside read but unfortunately nothing special.

As the title and cover would suggest, this is a great summer beach read.
First of all, I enjoyed the Martha's Vineyard setting. It definitely transported me there.
Next, I really appreciated the representation of someone neurodivergent.
The romance, as well as the other relationships within it, were nice.
Did we need that predictable third act breakup that all rom coms seem to have these days? No, we did not. And that always detracts from the story for me.
But it was a quick, easy read and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for what Jenn McKinlay does next.
It's maybe not the most memorable romance that I've ever read but still worth picking up over the summer months.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When i read the first line of the blurb - ‘When a woman who’d rather do anything than read meets a swoon-worthy bookworm, sparks fly, making for one hot Summer fling!’ , I just knew that i had to read this story. It pulled me in and made me want to find out more about Samantha and Bennett.

Who can pass up the opportunity to read a rom-com about a sexy, swoon-worthy librarian?? Not me, that’s for sure and this book did not disappoint, I loved it!

This was a romantic, spicy, funny book with the added benefit of a book lover thrown in for good measure…..

Very light summer reading
While chaperoning her teenage half-brother for the summer, out-of-work chef Sam tries to resurrect her career on her home island. Enter extremely dishy Ben, interim director of the local library…Throw in the mix that Sam does not do reading and Ben does not do relationships and you‘ve got this very American rom com.

Sam, a dyslexic chef, meets Ben, an avid reader and librarian, on the ferry journey to Martha's Vineyard where they will be spending the summer. Sam has been tasked with looking out for her half brother for the summer but doesn't expect sparks to fly in her love life.

Sam and Ben had me from the start, I was completely hooked and knew I wasn't going to be able to leave this book alone. I loved everything about the book but especially the growing relationship between Sam and her brother who she hasn't seen in many years. The rebuilding of their relationship added to the heartwarming nature of the book and showed the importance of all types of love and relationships in life.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a book about chef Samantha, and librarian Ben. It is their summer romance in Martha's Vineyard which is Sam's hometown. Ben and Sam meet when she accidentally knocks his book off the edge of a ferry while trying to avoid someone puking, they meet again when Sam goes to meet her friend Emily at the library. Sam is looking after her younger brother Tyler, this book deals with all the side characters problems and also the romance.

I personally think the romance in this book was just lacking for me, they just liked each other and started dating and that's it, no tension or stakes at all. Ben is looking for his dad and Sam is looking after her brother, unfortunately these plotlines mean that the romance takes a backseat for the side characters.

This was a good book plot wise, but there was not enough romance for me to rate it any higher than 3 stars.

Summer Reading follows the story of Sam, a 28-year-old woman, returning to her hometown in Martha's Vineyard to chaperone her younger brother while her father and stepmother are away. I love a good "going back to my roots" story, and I love how she started the book finding herself a failure for being unemployed. This tells me that the book will show a character overcoming some challenges. So, I was very into the story. I also love library settings because I love spending time in libraries, which is a plus. I really enjoy that Ben, the MMC, is the bookworm, while the female character doesn't like books. I love how this breaks the stereotype of women loving books and men not so much.
Sam and her younger brother Tyler's relationship was also nice to see. I have a half-sister who is 12 years older than me, so I could see so much of my relationship throughout the years in the pages and, for the first time, see what might have been from my sister's POV when her parents divorced, and my mum came to the picture. Also, I loved that Sam loves Stephanie, and we stopped thinking every stepmother is like a Disney villain. The Portuguese background was also very close to my heart, and I loved it! Although I'm not Portuguese, I'm from Brazil; I grew up surrounded by Portuguese cuisine and shared the same language. So sweet to see her talking about her Vovó because that's how I talk to my grandmother (but we don't share the same passion for cooking haha).
The dyslexia representation is also another great element in the story. Learning from books is one of the most treasured gifts, and I'm glad to have picked up this book and learned more about it. I know people with dyslexia, but I never understood how dyslexia impacts people differently, so it was great to see Sam's challenges and coping mechanisms on the pages.
Ben and Sam's relationship was also nice to follow. Although it was a bit too quick for my taste, I enjoyed seeing them together.
Having said all these good things about the book, I still think the book was a bit flat. Not the characters per se, because I like their background stories, so I'm struggling to identify why I didn't love it. I can only think that in some parts of the book, I thought the dialogues were oversimplified and too short. When I was finally grasping the characters' interaction, the scene was abruptly shortened, and I felt slightly frustrated.
Still, it was an enjoyable, fast-paced, and romantic reading, and I'm sure it will find readers who will give it a 5-star.

Thanks to NetGalley UK and Penguin for sending me this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summer Reading is a cute, cheerful, fast-paced read that shines a much-needed spotlight on neurodivergent people.
Sam, a neurodivergent woman with dyslexia, is a chef that has moved home to take care of her younger brother whilst her dad & stepmother go on holiday for the summer. She meets Ben, her perfect guy except for the fact he absolutely adores everything to do with books and words.
I thought this was a charming and gentle romance that drew attention to such an important topic. However, it was definitely too cringeworthy at times, with the ending being cute but textbook, and the nickname Samwise didn’t do it for me. Also, the third act twist felt a little underdeveloped to me and made the ending a little rushed and unsatisfying.
The fact that Sam is neurodivergent is certainly the main plot line of the book along with the bonding between her & Tyler, her younger teenage brother, which I loved.
Definitely a cute “summer read” with an important narrative, but perhaps on the cheesier side of romance.

Loved this book. I really enjoyed further understanding how tricky the world can be for someone with dyslexia. I loved how the relationships between the main character Sam and her brother developed and how Sam and Ben's developed too.

I am in my 30s and was taken aback when I realised I am reading my first dyslexia friendly book, for adults. I want to commend Jenn McKinlay for that firstly. Through Sam's experiences in the book, you realise the importance of making activities accessible to all, especially when the benefits of reading are well known. I loved the stats regarding visual learning vs listening as a way to thwarting the taboo surrounding audio books as a form of reading. Inclusivity is key. Both Ben and Sam felt likeable, I enjoyed reading about Sam and Tyler's relationship and bonding through cooking and communication. It was a cute story overall and covers issues like problematic parents and also (trigger warning) death of a parent. There are some others to highlight/minor mentions before you read the book. A few negatives for mw was the random/abrupt placement of chapters ending (in the middle of a "scene"/conversation between two characters), Ben abandoning Sam at the end felt untrue to his character and a sudden red flag, which was a same. This book had an interesting plot line and as you came towards the end there was a true sense of the arc of growth as the story gradually progressed. It was an absolute learning experience about Sam's dyslexia and it made me sad there is not more information about so I appreciate the author making us aware. I think the bits that threw me off towards the end (porential incest plot twist for example) made this a 3/3.5 star for me. Thank you @netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This romcom explores love with learning difficulties, workplaces, and familial relationships. I felt like this book was a good read, it felt easy and quick but really enjoyable. I liked the characters, Ben was sweet. All in all a very good sizzling summer read.

Sam loses her job as a chef and finally agrees to return home to Martha’s Vineyard to babysit her younger half-brother for the summer. On the ferry home to Oak Bluffs she announces herself to a handsome stranger by knocking his book into the sea. Ben is the new interim Library Director at Oak Bluffs who she just can’t seem to avoid. But though Sam finds herself falling for Ben she also refuses to believe the ‘big, brained book lover’ could ever be attracted to a girl like her. For Sam is struggling with the impact of dyslexia on her day-to-day life and on her self-esteem.

As the summer unfolds Ben helps Sam overcome the shame she feels about her dyslexia and helps Sam realise her dream of writing a cook book. In return Sam’s knowledge of Oak Bluffs helps Ben with his quest to discover the truth about his past.

This is an immersive sexy summer romance with deep themes including living, dating and trying to love with a learning disability, discrimination in the workplace, and complicated familial relationships. I absolutely adored this book. It was affirming as the two protagonists went on a journey of personal discovery together, as well as learning that opposites can attract. Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Penguin for gifting me this arc via NetGalley. Don’t miss this beautiful and compelling summer romance when it is released on 20 July. I challenge you not to fall a little bit in love with Ben!

I loved this from the first page even before neurodiversity and coping mechanism strategies were mentioned - and a librarian.
Chef Sam leaves her job in Boston after being overlooked for promotion, which in her eyes was due to her dyslexia and ADHD. retuning to her childhood home on Martha’s Vineyard to look after her stepbrother for the summer . After meeting Ben on the ferry and later in the library, she helps him in his quest to find his father.
I loved the new relationship which blossomed between the siblings and the way that the family blend had affected them in different ways.
It is not common to find a book which educates whilst being a good read too. Often conditions which cannot be seen are the ones which are most misunderstood and it was interesting to read about Sam’s coping mechanisms and her initial lack of self worth.
This is a great read, although is there room for a sequel? One or two loose ends to tie up and it would be good to see how Sam copes with a new job.

Lovely summer read set in Martha’s Vineyard. The growing relationships with Sam and Ben and Sam and her half brother Tyler were good but the other characters seemed under=developed. I’m not sure how much the dyslexia aspect added to the story other than to emphasise the differences between the two main characters. This felt slightly forced and irrelevant. Light rom-com for the beach.

The summer vibes were so strong!

Definitely a fun beach read that I’ll recommend to my friends that are looking for a holiday companion.

Wow! What a fantastic summer read.
I loved everything about this book and couldn’t put it down. I read it whilst on holiday which was a perfect time to immerse myself in this wonderful story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Summer Reading is an opposites attract, summer romance in the vineyard tale about Sam, a neurodiverse chef who’s spending the summer chaperoning her little brother, and Ben, an (hot) interim library director with a motorcycle.

The romance in this book was so flipping sweet. Sam and Ben meet on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, where Sam accidentally sends Ben’s book flying off the ferry as he saves her from being puked on. What a meet cute. From there, the two are drawn towards each in, what with Ben working in the library and Sam ferrying her little brother to and from his robotics camp every day. I loved Ben’s attitude towards Sam's neurodiversity, it was heart-warming and perfect. He helped her confidence grow so much over the summer, and I adore him for it, so I’m only taking away .5 stars for the danged third-act breakup!

What I loved most about Summer Reading was Sam’s relationship with Tyler, her little brother. The two go from passing acquaintances to having such a deep bond. It was incredibly beautiful to read. Tyler goes from being stubborn and closed off at the beginning of this book to declaring his love for Sam, helping her with her cooking and having epic dance-offs. I could have honestly been sustained on their relationship alone.

Sam doesn't read and Ben is avoiding Romance. Sam hopes to be a chef but is chaperoning her brother. Ben works in the Library.
When they are thrown together will sparks fly?

An enjoyable summer read that did transport you to Martha’s Vineyard. As well as that it is a book with a message and highlighting dyslexia is a good thing and hopefully helping people who have that condition to feel valued. Good characters and the family relationships were very good and felt real. The only downside for me was the ending which all felt a bit rushed.