Member Reviews

Ginny has messed up big time. She double booked the hotel's event room with an anniversary celebration and a wedding reception. The fact that the bride's family is friends with Ginny's boss makes the situation even worse puts Ginny's job on the line. So Ginny signs up for a job swap for the summer.

Jacqueline is a fish out of water, running her grandfather's fishing lodge. Needing a change of scenery, she signs up for the same job swap as Ginny, and the plans are made.

Ginny hits the ground running making some changes here and there that enhance the ambiance of the lodge and entices more clientele to the lodge. Jacqueline very nearly destroys the hotel and enrages the owner in a way that Ginny never did. So the owner cancels the contract for Jacqueline and sends her home with her tail between her legs.

While at the lodge, Ginny has made inroads with Jacqueline's grandfather and his summer fishing guide, while Jacqueline has attempted the same with the hotel owner's son with not as stellar results.

Melody Carlson has built a most enjoyable book with places I know and believable characters who are real in the sense that they have real strengths and weaknesses. This gives them an honest touch in how they come across throughout the book. There is the man who continually seeks what he cannot have and is unwilling to accept what is offered. There is the couple who are falling in love without even realizing what is happening to them. There is the woman who wants to come across as stronger than she really is. All of these characteristics are part of the charm of the book that makes it all the more readable. Four Strong Stars.

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

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I highly recommend JUST FOR THE SUMMER for fans of light, clean romance. If you enjoy Hallmark movies, this novel has a similar feel-good vibe, which I really enjoyed. The premise of a job swap immediately captured my interest, and the author did a great job of introducing the characters, who are relatable and just complex enough to seem like real people but without the bitterness and angst that sometimes drags more serious books down.

Melody Carlson's writing style is breezy and fun and she will keep you turning the pages. I've read others of hers and can definitely say I'm a member of her fan club.

Ginny and Jacqueline get into all sorts of entertaining situations and I had a blast following right along. Ultimately the message here is that the grass is not always greener on the other side, and it's good to appreciate what you have.

Thank you to Netgalley and Revell Publishing for the advanced copy. All opinions in this review are my completely own.

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Just for the Summer is a super cute, behind-the-scences look at hotelier life, perfect for those of us who have gone down the rabbit hole of innkeeping on TikTok. Two women working at very different hotels swap places when they are fed up with their jobs, and it turns out that each one was exactly what that property needed.

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Just for the Summer is a well written romance. I always enjoy Melody Carlson’s books and this was no exception. Great plot and characters. I recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

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Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson is a charming and heartwarming novel about two women who swap jobs and lives for the summer. Ginny Masters manages a popular boutique hotel in Seattle, while Jacqueline Potter manages her grandfather's fishing lodge in Idaho. Both women are unhappy with their current lives and long for something more. When they meet at a conference, they come up with the idea to swap jobs for the summer. Ginny and Jacqueline quickly learn that their new lives are not what they expected. Ginny struggles to adjust to the slower pace of life in Idaho, while Jacqueline finds herself overwhelmed by the demands of managing a busy hotel in Seattle. However, both women also find unexpected love and happiness in their new surroundings. Just for the Summer is a well-written and enjoyable novel that explores the themes of friendship, love, and finding one's place in the world. Carlson's characters are well-developed and relatable, and the story is both heartwarming and humorous. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good chick lit story.

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Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.

I was hooked from the first paragraph. The story is about Ginny and Jacqueline. Both are in jobs managing hotel or resorts of different sorts. Ginny in Seattle in a Boutique hotel and Jacqueline in a fishing lodge. Through a site for a job swap they are able to swap jobs for a set time. In this case the summer. There are quite a few interesting characters. Ginny's boss Diane is very demanding and comes across as unreasonable and difficult to work for. Jacqueline is working for her Grandfather who she portrays as being stuck in time and unwilling to change the lodge.

There are other characters that help make the story but I won't say much as I want you to find out more. Its also Ginny and Jacqueline have a few things in common from childhood but interesting how different the Women reacted to this. I loved Ginny and her get up and go attitude but at times I wanted to reach in and shake Jacqueline for her attitude. It was interesting to see how the Summer played out and how the characters grow. I would love to talk more about this book as there is so much to unpack but you will have to read. Then we can talk about it.

The book does have a romance thread but its not the main thread.

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“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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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!

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"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.

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

Would recommend to someone who wants a quick fun read

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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