“Just for the Summer” by Melody Carlson
A Sweet Summer Life Changing Choice, maybe
Loved this well written story. Searching for happiness, peace, calm, and being valued, essentially what most of us seek, and some actually find. Yes, there is some romance and heart-break and maturing character growth, too. A story I put the rest of my world on hold so I could stay with Ginny and the rest of the gang. Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

I can always count on this author to deliver an entertaining, wholesome novel. Just for Summer fulfills that expectation. There are no steamy love scenes or psychological thriller twists – just a solid escapist read with a likeable protagonist, a handsome romantic interest, conflicting personalities, and interesting venues.

Ginny Masters has reached her limit in dealing with her perfectionist boss, owner of a boutique hotel in Seattle. Simultaneously, Jacqueline Potter is longing to escape her grandfather’s deteriorating fishing lodge in Idaho. The two discover their mutual desires for a change in management responsibilities on an app offering to arrange job swaps and subsequently, contracts are signed for a 2-month swap. The problem: Jacqueline is in over her head and is second guessing her decision, while Ginny is flourishing in her new surroundings. The resolution unfolds with an unexpected turn of events and a feel-good ending.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

When two hotel/lodge managers decide to swap jobs for the summer months things get interesting. I thought this was a cute story that drew me in from the start. There was a touch of romance for each of the managers at their new jobs. I thought it was cute and entertaining . The characters were great and added so much to the story. Enjoyed the time I spent with this book.
There are two main characters. Ginny Masters is a manager at an upscale hotel in Seattle. She has worked at this place for ten years. She worked her way up from the laundry to the top manager position. Her boss Diana Jackson is a hard person to work for but Ginny rarely loses her temper. Lately she is feeling like a change would be good. She joins a Job Swap web site just for the heck of it. A sports resort catches her eye and she wonders what it would be like to work there for the summer.
Jacqueline Potter works as the manager at her Grandpa’s fishing Lodge. She is drop dead gorgeous but also very manipulative and seems like a spoiled brat. She has a college degree in hotel management. She hates working at the lodge. She wants out as soon as possible. She signs up on a Job Swap Web site hoping to find a place in the city where she can work for the summer. Then she sees an opportunity to go to a hotel in Seattle. This is just what she wants. Could this work for these gals and possibly become a permanent switch after the two months are up?
I recommend this book to readers of women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and fans of Melody Carlson. It is a standalone book. This book is scheduled to be released on 3/19/24
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thought and opinions expressed here in this review are entirely my own.
#JustfortheSummer #NetGalley

I wasn’t too sure I was going to like this book to start with. Jaqueline wasn’t the most pleasant character to read but as soon as it became apparent that was her role in this book I began to enjoy it a whole lot more. Ginny is everything a leading character should be, strong, kind and incredibly passionate about her work. I enjoyed very much seeing her able to slow down and find peace in the right place for her. Thanks netgalley

I loved the premise of the book - but it started off a bit too slow for me, and I didn’t feel connected to one of the main characters, Jacqueline so half of the book ended up feeling like a chore to finish, unfortunately.

Ginny works in Seattle at a hotel, and Jacqueline works at a lodge in Idaho. Ginny wants nothing but a small town and a slow lift, while Jacqueline wants to live the big and fast city life - so they sign a contract to switch places for 60 days. Except, it’s not what Jacqueline expects - while Ginny is having the time of her life. What happens when only one person is happy?

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an Advanced Reader copy from Netgalley for my honest opinion. I have read many books by Melody Carlson and enjoy her writing style. The premise of a job swap allowed Jacqueline and Ginny to experience two extremes, the rustic fishing lodge vs the upscale boutique hotel. Along with two different men, the fishing guide vs the son of the wealthy hotel owner, both attracted to Ginny. A misunderstanding changes everyone’s career choices. This is a sweet story of family and being true to yourself. Highly recommend!

"Just for the Summer" by Melody Carlson is a truly charming read. It brought back memories of my family managing a fishing resort. The story follows Ginny, working at a high-end Seattle resort, and Jacqueline, at her family's fishing lodge in Idaho. Both discontent with their jobs, they decide on a 60-day job swap for the summer. With romances budding and challenges from their bosses, the question arises: What happens when their contracts end?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it provided a delightful escape. In the midst of more intense reads, "Just for the Summer" is the perfect feel-good interlude. Highly recommended for those seeking a charming and uplifting novel to break up their literary journey.

Cute & fun story about switching jobs, thought that’ll be a great idea irl

Would recommend to someone who wants a quick fun read

Cute, clean romance story. I did have a hard time really sinking my teeth into it, but overall it was short and sweet.

Ginny has worked at the luxury Hotel Jackson in Seattle for ten years, starting out in laundry, housekeeping, working up to the General Manager of the hotel. She quit college to raise her ten-year-old sister when their mother died. The relationship with her boss, is challenging and she often feels that no matter what she does, it is never enough. She would love a quieter environment and a slower pace life.
Jacqueline is managing the Frederickson’s Fishing Lodge, in Idaho, owned by her grandpa, Jack. She longs for a job at a real, upscale hotel in a thriving city. She does as little as possible just to get by because her heart just is not in the fishing lodge.
When the idea of a job-swap comes up, it seems the perfect solution for both Ginny and Jacqueline. They sign a contract for 60 days and the switch is made. Jacqueline loves the beautiful, luxurious Hotel Jackson, but soon she is on the wrong side of her new, disagreeable boss. Ginny loves the challenge of sprucing up and making the lodge more attractive and family friendly. She is happy to help with the laundry, the cooking and cleaning. She is even learning how to fish.
Ginny does not look forward to the 60 days ending as she is incredibly happy at the lodge. Jacqueline cannot wait to get out from under the demanding and unreasonable boss at the hotel.
This is a delightful, heartwarming story, with some surprising twists, as well as a measure of romance thrown in. When the last page was turned, this charming story left me feeling good. Melody Carlson’s books have always left me with a good, satisfied feeling.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.

This was a cute story as the two main characters switch jobs. The characters are completely different and it shows through in their attitudes. Ginny works hard wherever she is and Jacqueline is a very unhappy person. It was interesting to see the main characters interact with the supporting characters. I did think the ending was extremely rushed.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I loooved this book so much! I love Melody Carlson and her 'clean' romance. This one did not disappoint. It was a quick and easy read where two main characters switch jobs for the summer - is the grass greener on the other side?! We always seem to think so. The plot was a little slow going at times but all in all a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson has a cute premise---It's "The Holiday" but...during summer.

Two women, each at their breaking point, agree to switch homes for the summer. One is the harried hotel manager, the other manages a fishing lodge. Each longs for the lifestyle of the other.

Once they switch, the usual mishaps and adventures happen. There's some relationship drama.

This is cute, but nothing that I will ever read again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

Oh my gosh I couldn't put this book down it's amazing I loved everything about it.
It's romantic, lovely and so good I can't wait to read it again and buy it I think it's my favourite book of the year so far.
It makes you all warm and tingly inside.
It took me 2 days to read it and I never wanted it to end.... I want to know how the trip goes and if Ginny lives happily ever after.
I would love to give it more than 5* more like 10

Unfortunately this was a no for me. I did not connect to any of the characters and could not connect to the story. The idea was cute but it fell short

This was a quick, light read...a beach read...that capitalizes on the phrase, "the grass is always greener on the other side, but you still have to mow it." Neither Ginny nor Jackie is happy with their current working or living situations, and they both decide to sign up for a job swap. However, that seems to be where the similarities end. While Ginny takes on a new position (that she was kind of duped into) with a vigor and zeal, Jackie goes into a fantastic opportunity with an entitled attitude. I felt like the characters embodied their generational stereotypes (STEREOTYPE, y'all, don't come after me with hate!), showing how different attitudes really lead to different outcomes. I would have liked to see more character growth from Jackie over the course of the read.

I was excited when I read the plot of Just for the Summer. While I enjoyed Ginny and the side characters, I did not care for Jacqueline. It was a cute idea for a story but lacked depth. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

The storyline caught my attention initially. The premise - people switching jobs, and locations, reminded me of the job - version of the movie The Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jude Law.

I love the idea of being able to switch jobs with someone else, try something new and know that I didnt have to give up anything. My job and life at home would be waiting for me if I wanted to go back. What is not to love about that idea? In this story by Melody Carlson, Ginny, who manages a high-end hotel in Seattle switches jobs with Jacqueline who is in the middle of Idaho managing her grandfather's fishing lodge. Both characters are likable and while the idea of the book was great. As you would guess the personalities of the guests in each establishment match their surroundings. That was fun, but I cant say that I ever felt connected to the story. I really wanted to, but it never happened. There was too much going on throughout the book and I found myself losing interest early on. It is too bad. I really wanted to like this story.

This was a cute light easy to read romance! It reminded me of the movie The Holiday where two people switch lives which is such a fantastic movie so I enjoyed this. I would have liked the plot to get moving a little sooner it felt a bit draggy in the beginning but once it got going I enjoyed! The main characters were relatable and I liked the romances! I would recommend to anyone looking for a fun easy read. Will be adding to our library - great for summer!

Cute premise. However, the pacing and general writing style wasn’t my favorite. It seemed to take forever to get to any notable plot line.

I wrote an honest review in exchange for this ARC.