This story is written in dual points of view from Alice and Andy. The two met ten years prior when travelling and end up working together down the line.

Whilst I enjoyed reading this book it became very predictable and o could tell what was going to happy. I think this book just shows how people need to say what they feel and think at the time!

I would however still recommend this book would be a cute holiday read.

The Good:
The descriptions of Barcelona felt so alive! It made me interested in traveling there. I also loved learning more about Catalan culture. I could tell the author was very passionate about it. I found the dynamic between the FMC and her mother interesting.

The Not-So-Good:
The characters were boring. I didn’t care about them or their relationship. I cared more about his ambitious ex. This felt like a long story your friend tells you about people you don’t know, and you keep waiting for them to get to the point but there isn’t one. Everything was wrapped up very quickly and neatly, and I found myself missing out on the excitement I usually feel at getting answers.

1⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Sadly this was a DNF for me.
Alice’s mum and sister are awful, and I’m sure they’ll magically grow into better people through the course of this book, but I’m not invested enough in the story to see this happen. Also, why is the bi person the promiscuous one who openly cheats on their partner?

Oof. I just did not enjoy this one. The set up was cringy and it felt oh so stilted. I did not finish this one.

I really loved this book. Alice and Andy were really likeable. This takes place both in London and Barcelona. It also is told from both Alice and Andy's view point which I liked. I goes from present to memories of when they first met.
I loved the descriptions of Barcelona and the food.
It takes Alice from her mundane life in London back to Barcelona by an unexpected invitation.
Also we see how Alice and Andy's lives and the lives around them a changed by this.
I found it an easy read and it is enjoyable and relatable. It also shows how a situation might not be how first we see it.

Thank you Netgallery.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book!
Alice and Andy are both being held back in similar yet different ways. Trapped by secrets from their past they deny themselves what they really want, each other. Told in both in the past and the present and from both his and her’s viewpoints. I felt that this story was a little unrealistic at times but cozy to read!

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
Unfortunately, this book didn't quite meet my expectations. I tried to empathize with the characters and their choices, but I just couldn't connect with them. Maybe I had the wrong idea going into it. Nonetheless, the writing is excellent and I wish the author all the best.

Jane Crittenden's "Summer Ever After" is a delightful diversion into the world of romance, second chances, and gorgeous scenery. The narrative, which takes place in a quaint seaside town, follows protagonist Anna as she negotiates life's unforeseen turns and turns. While I enjoyed the storyline, I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters. The chemistry seemed somewhat lacking, possibly because of the frequent shifts between present and past chapters, which made it difficult for me to establish any meaningful connections.

DNF

Bi characters being promiscuous? Okay fine I guess. Bi characters being cheaters? Why? Just stop. I'm hoping/assuming the character goes through growth but I don't care I hate this harmful stereotype and I won't be finishing.

Title: Summer Ever After

Author: Jane Crittenden
Genre: Romance
Read on: Kindle (NetGalley)

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️

Starting off…. Alice was all about traveling and was very excited to start an apprenticeship, but during that time she fell in love with the food and the location (sun) and a guy by the name of Andy. A family tragedy pull her back to her hometown, leaving this romance with Andy and everything that she had hoped and dream for for her Career in life. She has a chance to come back to Spain. But she finds herself working alongside the man who broke her heart. The time has changed and the things she went through has changed her and Andy still has his charm and they’re still sparks flying that remain between them. She’s not ready to immerse herself into getting hurt again, so she just head on dives into the city and discovering all of the dreams that she had once before as she’s in Barcelona, everything that can possibly happen under the vibrant Barcelona sky.

This book is about second chances and rekindling romance. There is decades apart from each other and there’s lots of nostalgia and chemistry.

I didn’t like how we kept going back-and-forth between the past and the present, but in order to build a timeline, it was necessary for the big picture and Overview of their relationship.


There’s things I like about Alice her passion for cooking and her aspirations to discover herself again. I also didn’t like the miscommunication that happened. It was hard to go through the book.

I won’t lie at some point I forgot who was who because their names are so close Andy and Alice,


I think for the overall scenery, the description of the food and where they are is extremely well done, but I really feel like the character building for all characters could’ve been more thought out.

Thank you to the publisher Lake Union publishing Jane Crittenden & netGalley for ACR AN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST REVIEW

First I would like to start by saying the cover is so pretty and fun, it’s what drew me in! Second, this book wasn’t for me but I can totally see why people will like it!

This book is a really cute and quick read. I read it in a night. I really loved the 2 different perspectives both from the guy and girl main character. It did get confusing at time because their point of view was different most of the time. Her point of view was in the present while his was when they first met. it did get confusing a little bit.
It's a good book if you are wanting something light and easy to read this summer. The descriptions of the places and scenery did make me feel like I was there.

Very cliche. The trope's bordered on offensive. Could have used more editing. The setting of Barcelona is enjoyable so overall an okay read.

Honestly, I wasn't a fan of this one. The characters were annoying at times, and it felt like the story just dragged on. I'd give it a 2. The overall idea and plot were decent, but the execution was lacking. There was a lot of time jumping and flipping between characters, which made it super hard to follow. The constant swapping of POVs, especially at critical points, just added to the confusion.

This book was okay. The story feels clunky, and there’s a lot of seesawing back and forth between present and past, to the point it could be confusing which time frame we’re in. The ending ties up a little too neatly - suddenly large epiphanies and revelations clean up tumultuous, emotional pasts in neat bows.

Also, frankly, parts of this book had what felt were continuity errors, and others were just gross.

“Charlie smirks. 'I snogged her cousin, but I didn't know they were related. He was just a fit bloke in a club who thought I was fit too - what's a girl supposed to do?'
I wince, but my mouth twitches into a smile.
'You're a nightmare.' … Charlie shrugs. 'It's sex, not marriage, and it's not like I deliberately screw people over, things just ... happen.
I raise an eyebrow.
'Come on! I'm not that bad. I like a bit of fun and I'm always upfront about everything. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗲.”
𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘮: 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺

“Mum told me she could have lived a life without ever working. Instead, she chose me over the money her father refused to give her 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆.”
𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺? 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳? 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵… 𝘸𝘰𝘸. 𝘐𝘤𝘬.

“I told her about my boring finance job in the City where I'd worked my way up over the years.”
𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬; 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 21. 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 3 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘴 “𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴” 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

Summer Ever After” was a quick read. The setting was described beautifully of Barcelona. As well, the description of the food was appetizing. The story is told dueling time of 10 years. It was a good read, just at points, it was a bit slow. Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for this advance read. Out July 1st.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. my god, was this edited at all? also, using the cheating trope was lazy. especially making the characters queer or bi to make it seem like they've never met or read about queerness in their life.

Title: Summer Ever After

Author: Jane Crittenden
Genre: Romance

Rating: ★★★1/2

Ten years ago, Alice's life was all about the joy of traveling and the excitement of starting a cookery apprenticeship. During her adventures, she fell in love with the food, the sun, and the incredibly handsome Andy Hall. But a family tragedy pulled her back to London, leaving behind her budding romance and the dreams she cherished.

Now, Alice has the chance to return to Spain, only to find herself working alongside Andy, the one man who ever broke her heart.

Time has changed them both, yet Andy's frustratingly good looks and the undeniable spark between them remain the same. Not ready to risk getting hurt again, Alice immerses herself in the culinary delights of the city, rediscovering a life she once dreamed of. As she explores the vibrant flavours of Barcelona, Alice begins to see new possibilities unfold under the hot Spanish sun.

What I Loved:

Summer Ever After is a charming and evocative romance that captures the beauty and magic of second chances. The setting in Spain, with its sun-soaked streets and tantalising cuisine, provides a perfect backdrop for Alice's journey of rediscovery and rekindled romance.

The dynamic between Alice and Andy is both heartwarming and realistic. Their decade apart adds depth to their reunion, making their interactions filled with a mix of nostalgia, hesitation, and undeniable chemistry. I enjoyed how their past and present are woven together, even if the switching between timelines was a bit confusing at first. This narrative style ultimately adds to the charm, painting a fuller picture of their relationship and personal growth.

Alice's passion for food and cooking is vividly described, making her culinary explorations in Barcelona a delightful aspect of the story. The way she rediscovers her dreams and redefines her aspirations is inspiring and adds a rich layer to her character.

Summer Ever After is a delightful read. Jane Crittenden has crafted a story that is both touching and uplifting, making it a perfect pick for those who believe in second chances and that want a nice summer read.

Thank you to The Publisher Lake Union Publishing, The Author Jane Crittenden & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Overall I liked the premise of the book but not everything was my cup of tea. The characters were written very well but a lot of them annoyed me most of the time. I liked the FMC though.
Especially the little moments were great in this book and made me feel a lot. But overall the miscommunication trope just left me very frustrated all the time (but I'm not a fan of the trope anyway, it's just very overdone here as well).

Summer Ever After is the story of Alice and Andy during two summers ten years apart. The premise was promising but the delivery was ultimately confusing? At several points, I felt myself being pulled out of the story trying to figure out what was going on and if I had missed something. Personally, I struggled with the revelation that Andy was married, and despite later explanations and information, it tainted the story for me especially as there was no indication of this in the description and it nearly led me to not finish the book. Overall, I think the premise is promising, but the story needed additional exposition to fully round out.