DNF at 11%. Nantucket sounds amazing and so does the bookstore Jade is there to manage. Sadly, I’m not big on Jade or Liam and how the first 10% of this book is mostly these two being hot for each other but I also felt none of this super sizzling hot chemistry they apparently had. The interactions Jade has with other characters don’t feel genuine and a little awkward. Jade’s breasts have been mentioned an extraordinary amount in such a short amount of time. Mostly by Jade herself as she documents which men are checking them out. I’ve read and enjoyed a few Kathryn Freeman books before so it’s a shame this one and its characters didn’t gel with me.

I was interested in this romance based on its bookish premise and having enjoyed some of the author's previous novels. But the first few chapters turned me off with an immature main character and one-dimensional instant lust between the leads.

A cute summer beach read. Jade is visiting Nantucket for the summer to run a local book shop. Her first night there Jade meets Liam and the two connect right away. It is until after she meets him she learns he is the owner of the hotel resort that is buying the bookshop and wanting to knock it down. The two spend their time fighting their connection as Jade tries to save the book shop with the help of the other locals.

Read if you like:
Summer love
Billionaire romance
One night stand

the synopsis of this book was so good, but unfortunately the other parts of it didn’t live up to the expectations.

the mmc has serious issues, which is very understandable when looking at his childhood. he’s traumatized but for some reason he doesn’t want to change? he believes that jade is the person to change him, but is she? she’ll suffer because liam is mentally unstable.

for this reason i don’t understand why people were pushing jade to get together with liam. wrongggggg!! maybe later they’d match again but now i just don’t see the connect

i enjoyed most scenes of them together because the chemistry was incredible. i truly like how the author writes about emotions and feelings, especially in 3rd pov

DNF.
ARC review:

Jade is a book lover who decides to work at a bookstore for the summer in Nantucket. Liam, a billionaire who owns a resort next to her bookstore, becomes her boss. Unlike Jade, Liam has no interest in books at all. Determined to change that, Jade is determined to make him appreciate books in order to save her bookstore.

I thought this book would be a cute palate cleanser between my other reads. The premise to me seemed very cute and I thought it would be the perfect kind of fluffy summer romance read. And I like books about books. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book at all and I didn't really like anything, aside from the setting. I found the main characters unlikable, frustrating and shallow, and I struggled to care about them, so I didn't feel any excitement to read further. This book is very insta-lust, and their feelings for one another are more focused on their appearance and just physicality overall. I didn't feel any connection between them besides lust. :/

If you’re looking for a cute summer romance featuring a book lover and bookstore owner who falls for a billionaire in Nantucket, this might be the book for you. This just wasn't for me, I think.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, One More Chapter and the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️ thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was intrigued by this for all the small town vibes and it being set in Nantucket which was a holiday destination for many of the people who lived in the Connecticut town I lived in when I was younger!

The premise is that Jade (our fiery FMC) is moving to Nantucket to manage a bookstore over the summer and is trying to prove herself as “someone serious” by taking on this managerial role. She then has an excellent meet cute with a handsome stranger on a yacht also headed near the island. As she’s settling in to her new place she spots him again at the bar. Will she break her unwritten rule about one night stands?

I really enjoyed the writing style of this and all the little “side quests” that came up as part of the storyline. I felt their love story was believable and I really enjoyed the side characters!

I didn’t like how I felt the Jeremy character was only fleshed out at the end and was suddenly Liams best mate. I also felt like the storyline with the rival wasn’t as good as it could’ve been.

Overall a nice little summery read ☀️

I found this to be an ok novel. I can’t say that the plot or characters really captivated me and didn’t feel compelled to keep picking it up. It’s a shame as from the premise, it sounded ideal but unfortunately it wasn’t for be. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

A fun summer romance! I enjoyed the plot - saving something is always a plot that I enjoy and the fact that it was a bookshop vs a resort made it even more fun!

There is quite a lot of spice. It starts with spice to be fair but then you do get quite a fair bit of plot, before the spice is thrown in. As someone who doesn't enjoy spice, I was still able to enjoy it.

Writing was fun, easy to get stuck into, as was the location! I feel like going on holiday now and saving a quiet little bookshop!

A lovely and enjoyable read with all the summer holiday vibes, the scenery was stunning I loved it (with a touch of spice) x

There was such tension early on and I really warmed to the FMC - it took me a lot longer to like the MMC😂 It helped when we dived into his past and really understood what made him act the way he did throughout the book.

This book was a classic enemies to lovers holiday romance with cheesy elements! The ‘Save The Bookshop’ side story was brilliant with nosey town neighbours like Mary (coming from a small town, there is always a Mary😂)

The character of Jeremy was the star of this book for me. He was the glue that held the story and plot together. His happy go lucky vibe and excited energy was infectious.

Jade has been given a rare opportunity to manage the most adorable bookshop in Nantucket, but when she meets the gorgeous Liam on her first day their chemistry threatens to shift her focus. Especially when it turns out he's her new boss and wants nothing more than to close the bookshop down ...

This is a quick read, but manages to be both sweet and sexy with excellent side characters. I am really glad I picked it up!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I think Kathryn Freeman did a wonderful job of creating a beautiful setting for her story but unfortunately I found her characters not very likable. Liam is unkind and does not very much positive character development. His main motive appears to be to screw Jade the FMC and literally seems to only do nice things in order to advance said goal. I think Freeman is a very capable writer and that if someone just wants to read this book for a cheeky romance where you don't really care about the MCs, then this book will make an excellent beach read. I, however, do not believe the characters hold the appeal I look for in a romance novel.

Booked For Summer is the book for you if you enjoy the Grumpy-Sunshine, opposites attract trope, with a splash of "enemies" to lovers.

Jade feels undervalued by the people around her, her work, her family, and especially the string of bad boyfriends that she's had. What's better than a 3 month hiatus in Nantucket to run a bookstore and to find herself again. Shortly after her arrival, Jade meets Liam, the owner of the resort near the bookshop she is contracted to run for the next 3 months. Jade is then thrown a curveball, finding out that Liam is now her new boss, who wants to get rid of the bookstore in order to proceed with his plans to grow his resort.

Characters:
Jade was written as an extremely kind character, who is mostly underestimated because of her looks. Her growth throughout the book was wonderful to see. Jade moved to a place where she clearly did not fit in, yet as she made friends who accepted her for who she was, Jade began to flourish and grow in her confidence.

Liam was all grump. His past experiences left him jaded, yet it seems now Jade, might be the only one to break through that icy heart of his. Liam’s level of grump oftentimes had me screaming, especially when he would show growth and back track. But I feel like that’s part of a growth process. You can’t change in one day, and even an entire summer, so I felt his arc was more realistic.

All I have to say about Jeremy is that I adored him. He always brought a smile to my face! All I could picture while reading his character was Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

Thoughts:
While reading this book, I was really getting “You’ve Got Mail” vibes! Billionaire unintentionally meets a cute blonde who is trying to save a bookstore. There was a splash of “Beauty & the Beast” just because Liam’s level of grump always reminded me of the Beast’s tantrums when things weren’t going his way.

Liam and Jade had that immediate attraction towards one another in the beginning, but for personal preferences, I loved the banter brought on when she realized Liam was her boss. It made the attraction (ahem, and spice) even better, wanting something you should want!

Overall, this was a fun read for those who would love to enjoy a summer in Nantucket, running a little bookshop! It was an entertaining story, with the perfect balance of spice and sweetness.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Publishing for allowing me to read and review Booked for the Summer.

Really liked this one although it's not my favourite of the Freeman romcoms - just a little too much back and forth but it resolves nicely at the end and didn't feel unbelievable.

𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗆𝗂𝗌𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗌𝗎𝗉𝖾𝗋 𝖼𝗎𝗍𝖾, 𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗎𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗒. 𝖩𝖺𝖽𝖾, 𝖺 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋, 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝖾𝗌 𝖺 𝗌𝗎𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗋 𝗃𝗈𝖻 𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖺𝗀𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗇𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖻𝖾𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗂𝖿𝗎𝗅 𝖭𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗎𝖼𝗄𝖾𝗍 𝖨𝗌𝗅𝖺𝗇𝖽.

𝖩𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗌𝗈𝗈𝗇 𝗆𝖾𝖾𝗍𝗌 𝖫𝗂𝖺𝗆, 𝖺 grump 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 a 𝗒𝖺𝖼𝗁𝗍, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝖺 𝖿𝖾𝗐 days 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗁𝗂𝗆. 𝖴𝗇𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗍𝗎𝗇𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗇𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗌𝗈𝗅𝖽 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝖻𝗈𝗌𝗌 𝗂𝗌 𝗉𝗅𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗇 𝗈𝗋𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗈 𝖾𝗑𝗉𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗈𝗋𝗍, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝖻𝗈𝗌𝗌 𝗂𝗌 𝗇𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗈𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇 𝖫𝗂𝖺𝗆.

𝖲𝗈 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗀𝗋𝗎𝗆𝗉 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗎𝗇𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖾 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝖨 𝖿𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒 𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗐𝗁𝗈𝗅𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝗇𝗈 𝗌𝗎𝖻𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝗒𝗈𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝗁𝗒𝗌𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗅 𝗋𝖾𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗉, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝗇𝖾𝖿𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝖼𝗎𝗌 𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇 𝖾𝗆𝗈𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇. 𝖨 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖽𝖾𝗉𝗍𝗁 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗌𝗍𝖺-𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍.

𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝗁𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗂𝖿𝗎𝗅 𝖽𝖾𝗌𝖼𝗋𝗂𝗉𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝗌𝖼𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗆𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗍𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗍𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗄𝗇𝗂𝗍 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗏𝗂𝖻𝖾. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖻𝖾 𝗀𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖺 𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗈𝗇 𝖺 𝖻𝖾𝖺𝖼𝗁. 𝖠𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖾 𝗂𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌𝗇'𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝖾, 𝖨'𝗆 𝗌𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗈𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒 𝗂𝗍.

𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗍𝗈 𝖭𝖾𝗍𝗀𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗒, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖧𝖺𝗋𝗉𝖾𝗋 𝖢𝗈𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗌 𝖴𝖪 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝖼𝗈𝗉𝗒. 𝖬𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗏𝗈𝗅𝗎𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗒.

Jade travels from the UK to Nantucket to manage a book store for three month, but all is not as she expected. Can she save the book shop? A fun group of characters and a great setting. I liked that it was told from both points of view.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy, unfortunately DNF’d at 25%.

The premise had promise and the potential to make a good summer read a la Tessa Bailey but it just wasn’t for me. There were too many pain points that I couldn’t overlook and which stopped me from enjoying the book or even wanting to continue reading.

Firstly, the writing style was so chaotic with a too-long run-on sentences when the FMC was speaking. I can handle a clumsy quirky overthinker type but this was unnatural and cringe more often than it was relatable or endearing. This, twinned with dialogue that was genuinely hard to distinguish who was talking at times meant that the writing just didn’t flow for me.

The characters were really so unlikeable. Jade, our FMC, does little to actually try and prove she’s not every bit of the bimbo stereotype she’s trying to escape. Additionally, the bar must be in hell for her to be so smitten with Liam as he is doing the bare minimum - literally - there’s a reference in Chapter 9 about “a few thrusts later” that inspires little confidence in the fictional man written by a woman for women. Liam is a one dimensional, shallow millionaire who really only seems interested in sex.

To be clear, I’ll persevere through a fluffy beach read that may not be the most well written piece or original plot… if the banter and/or spice is good but the comedy was lacking and the steamy scenes missed the mark here too.

While I enjoyed the story line, I was not a fan of the writing style. It felt a little choppy at times.

2 ⭐️

Thank you so much to Netgalley, One More Chapter and the author for providing me with an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jade is a book lover, and when she gets the opportunity to spend her summer in Nantucket managing a bookstore she immediately takes it. Liam is the billionaire that owns the resort just next door to the bookstore.

Unfortunately this wasn't for me. The premise was interesting, I'm usually very fond of books about books and I wanted to enjoy this so much. I didn't like the way the story developed, it felt a bit rushed but at the same time it felt dragged. I didn't care about the characters, so it was even harder for me to get fully into the story.
4 likes

Booked for Summer was a great read and I really enjoyed it. The characters chemistry was great to read and see flourish on the page, the sweet romance vibes were present throughout the novel and I really enjoyed the characters as well as the writing style.

This book was a sweet romance that had a plot I enjoyed and characters that had me hooked on their connection, which was perfectly written and I loved how they interacted with each other.