surprisingly, this book started off with some spice that I did not expect. I thought it was just gonna be a small cutesy read without spice but I wasn’t disappointed in the end. The only thing I wish was different would be a longer ending. More of their story when they got back to Nantucket. The lack of an epilogue was a miss but overall not bad.

Thank you NetGalley and one more chapter for this ARC

Thank you, @netgalley and @harpercollins, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a perfect cosy read, especially if you're on holiday (which I am, so brownie points for that).

This is a cute lovers to frenemies to lovers story, I tend to prefer my romances with builed up tension, but this is way more realistic, to be honest.

Jade has her dream job for the summer, manage a little bookshop in a small town; but what she doesn't know, is that the owner just sold out to the millionaire resort boss, Liam, who has every intention to demolished it to extend the resort.

When Liam and Jade meet, they have no idea who each other are, they are both attractive people, and they follow through with said attraction. Is not until after they slept together, that Liam realises that Jade is working in the bookshop he wants to tear down, but he doesn't tell her this info, sleeping with her again before the big reveal is done. Obviously, Jade is hurt. With the help of some islanders who don't agree with all the changes Liam is making, she devises marketing strategies to improve the bookshop sales and prove that it can be an asset to Liam. Liam is very reserved, having being hurt in the past, he keeps everyone at an arms length, but he can't keep Jade away.

Even though this isn't winning any romance awards, I still found the chatacters funny and relatable. I liked the small town, and bookshop, setting (Obviously!). Also enjoyed the found family aspect very endearing.
And we know we all like a broody MMC with a troubled past that can only be "fixed" by our goofy, very hot, blonde with brains FMC 🤣 (no shame, that's exactly the point, stereotypes are stupid).
The sex is also not too explicit, it's on page but I wouldn't consider this smut. So if you're looking for a lighthearted romance, especially for a holiday read, I would definitely recommend this one 👌.

Booked for Summer by Kathryn Freeman is the story of a book lover who takes a quick job to help run a bookstore at the beach only to find out that the store is about to be sold, leaving Jade to try and convince the new owner, Liam, not to demolish the bookstore.

Jade takes a leave of absence from her publishing job for the summer to help manage a book store on Nantucket Island, hoping to shake things up in her life for a couple of months. Jade soon meets Liam, a gorgeous local with an equally gorgeous yacht, and spends a few days (nights) 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. Jade is determined to show him the store's worth in town and convince him to leave it alone.

I thought this was going to be a quick and easy summer fluff read, but I struggled with getting into the story, connecting with the characters, and didn't really feel the connection between Jade and Liam. I know it explained that they were both hurt in past relationships and found it hard to trust or open up to one another. I guess this is why it seemed like Liam was super closed off and there wasn't any substance between the two other than a physical relationship.

The last bit of the book was okay and Liam's grand gesture was kind of nice and I also liked that Liam had a good relationship with his grandmother and that he eventually opened up more to Jade.

I think that if you enjoy summer reads, books about books, or books set in beachy locations you'll like Booked for Summer. While this wasn't my favorite romance, it was my first by Kathryn Freeman and I will probably give another one a try in the future.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I really really wanted to love Booked for Summer. I mean the premise is right up my alley. Fun summer read, grumpy boss, Nantucket location, immediate attraction. It’s all right there.

But…. The connection between the two main characters, for me, just wasn’t there. Liam was the poor boy who held grudges, and turned in to the multi millionaire. Jade was the blond who was looking to prove she was more than just the color of her hair. Instant attraction, instant sex, and then the storyline. Liam does show growth throughout the story and does eventually open up.

Booked for the Summer also includes a cast of characters including Jeremy (Liam’s friend and co-worker) and quite frankly I would have loved to have seen more of him. He was witty, funny, and sassy!

Thank you to One More Chapter for this ARC - all opinions are my own.

The premise of this sounded like a great summer read but I just couldn't get into it. I had no connection with anything and the dialogue left a lot to be desired. Liam was just beyond terrible.

The blurb made this book sound like a perfect summer read and I was excited to give it a try. And I was initially enjoying the book but I found it hard to be able to relate with the main characters. Sure, they were brave, fun and interesting but they were also self sh , closed off and irrational, so I just couldn't find the charm in the book. The push and pull between them was too much and some of Jade's actions were really annoying. I felt like only the first and last half of this book was enjoyable. I wanted to like it but this just was not my cup of tea tbh.

I received an ARC from Nrtgalley in exchange of an honest review

A cute, quick, summer rom-com that is light hearted and well written. Can easily be read in one sitting.

**ARC Review: *Booked for Summer* by Kathryn Freeman**

Kathryn Freeman delivers the ultimate bookish summer romance in *Booked for Summer*—a heartwarming, sun-drenched love story set on the idyllic shores of Nantucket Island. With a charming bookstore, a fiercely determined heroine, and an infuriatingly irresistible billionaire, this novel is a swoon-worthy escape for romance readers everywhere.

### **The Story:**
Jade Taylor lives for books. So when she lands the job of managing the **Little Bay Book Shack** for the summer, she’s ready to spend her days surrounded by stories—*not* fighting off a corporate takeover. Enter Liam Haven, a billionaire resort owner who sees the bookshop as just another piece of prime real estate to add to his empire.

Jade is determined to change his mind, one book at a time. But as their witty battles turn into something much more complicated, Jade realizes that beneath Liam’s cool, business-like exterior is a man who just might need a happily ever after of his own.

### **What Makes It Special:**
📚 **Bookish Bliss** – A cozy seaside bookshop, literary references, and a heroine who believes in the magic of stories? Say no more!
🔥 **Enemies-to-Lovers Tension** – Sparks fly as Jade and Liam go toe-to-toe over the fate of the shop—and their growing feelings.
🌊 **Perfect Summer Vibes** – Sunlit beaches, salty breezes, and a small-town setting that feels like a warm hug.
💘 **A Grumpy Billionaire with a Soft Side** – Liam may be all business, but Jade slowly unravels the man beneath the power suits.

**Final Thoughts:**
*Booked for Summer* is a delightful mix of bookish passion, sizzling chemistry, and heartwarming romance. Fans of *Beach Read* by Emily Henry and *The Bookshop on the Corner* by Jenny Colgan will absolutely adore this one.

📖 **Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)**
A must-read for book lovers, beach readers, and anyone who believes that love—like a great story—is always worth fighting for.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. I just couldn’t connect with the characters and the story in general.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for this book. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

Jade is excited to start her summer job of managing a bookstore on Nantucket Island. For the next three months she will be surrounded by books and perfect scenery. On the drive there she runs into Liam, a rich resort owner, who will soon become her new book.

They have an instant connection, but he is determined to close the shop and she will do anything to keep it open.

I wanted to love the book; from the synopsis, it sounds like a perfect fit for me. However, I couldn't get into it. The dialogue was... let's just say not it, and I couldn't like any of the characters.
He was arrogant and obnoxious and she was over the top. Then there is the plot... why would she try so hard for a job she had for a day?

Unfortunately, I couldn't continue to read this one. I got to about 15% and stopped due to lack of character connection.

Some people may enjoy the beginning of this book, but having the characters instantly hooking up and spending a good chunk of that in the beginning, just ain't for me.

📖 Booked for Summer – Kathryn Freeman
📚 Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the early copy!

A sun-soaked island, a fight to save a beloved bookstore, and a billionaire who definitely needs a lesson in romance—Booked for Summer is a delightful, heartwarming rom-com packed with charm, witty banter, and a love story straight out of a beachy bestseller. If you love grumpy/sunshine, bookish heroines, and enemies-to-lovers tension, this one is for you!

📚 THE STORY:
Jade Taylor is living her dream—spending a summer managing the Little Bay Book Shack on Nantucket Island. For a book lover like her, nothing could be more perfect. That is, until Liam Haven, billionaire resort mogul and notorious non-reader (he only reads contracts), becomes her boss.

Jade’s mission? Save the bookshop from being absorbed into Liam’s ever-growing empire. But to do that, she’ll have to convince the business-minded, emotionally unavailable Liam that stories matter—both in books and in real life.

As the summer heat intensifies, so does their chemistry. But can a woman who believes in happily-ever-afters convince a man who only believes in bottom lines?

🔥 TROPES:
✔ Grumpy x Sunshine – She’s all heart and stories; he’s all logic and business deals.
✔ Bookish Heroine – A woman who loves books? Instant win.
✔ Enemies to Lovers – Their initial clashes are everything.
✔ Forced Proximity – He’s her boss, and the tension is delicious.
✔ Small-Town/Island Romance – Nantucket’s charm practically leaps off the page.
✔ Saving the Bookstore – Because who doesn’t love a heroine fighting for books?

✨ WHAT I LOVED:
📖 Bookshop Setting – A summer spent surrounded by books? Yes, please!
💋 Sizzling Chemistry – Jade and Liam’s push-and-pull dynamic is so satisfying.
😂 Witty Banter – Their dialogue is sharp, funny, and full of tension.
🏖 Perfect Summer Vibes – The island setting makes this the ideal beach read.
💖 Emotional Growth – Watching Liam slowly get it is beyond rewarding.

💙 FINAL THOUGHTS:
Kathryn Freeman delivers a smart, swoony, and utterly charming romance with Booked for Summer. If you’re looking for a feel-good beach read with bookshop magic, slow-burn romance, and just the right amount of sass, this one is a must-read!

This is such a delightful read - it has everything from travel to romance to steamy scenes to budding friendships to heartfelt conversations. Jade travels to Nantucket for a 3 month job at a bookstore when she encounters Liam who owns the bookstore and wants to tear it down. The sparks fly on so many levels! This should be a definite addition to your summer beach read list!

A great romance with some raunchiness thrown in for good measure. A traditional will they, won't they which ended as expected.

A light summer read, an enemies to lovers romance, light hearted and easy read. Love the setting of a bookstore on Nantucket and the characters were very cute.

I cannot recommend this book. If you’re looking for a romance/romcom, this isn’t it. Liam is not your next book boyfriend. Why? This guy is a giant red flag. I understand the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, but he is just a vengeful, rich bastard. After being bullied as a kid, he becomes rich to bully the guys who bullied him as a kid. Very little redemption arc. As for Jade, she’s seen as a blonde bimbo and wants to make a career for herself in books. She takes a job running a book store on a wharf that Liam newly owns. They had lust at first site and hooked up a few times. Then she starts a mission to convince him to not demolish the book store. I actually liked Jade for the most part. She was young and still learning to adult. The issue is what does she get out of the relationship with Liam? He was mostly focused on her looks (and constantly talking about her tits (verbatim from the book)) and generally cheapening her after they would hook up. He received all the benefit by being with her as she was well liked and was trying to steer him right. Book would have been better if it was more focused on Jade growing and not getting with Liam.

Thank you HarperCollins UK One More Chapter for providing book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Jade and Liam: I was cheering them on from the start! Jade is trying to find her place in the world and Liam is solidifying his, and then the universe throws them together. I devoured this book in a single day. A strong focus of the book is the flaws of the characters and this created such a great depth to the story. This book gave the messages of not losing yourself in the process and being worthy of love and support just as you are, alongside a stunning backdrop and a gorgeous bookshop. It was a pretty hot tale so be prepared for some fun!

- [ ] This is an ARC review. I want to thank Kathryn Freeman and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day! I truly loved the idea that Jade spent a summer and Nantucket and happened to fall in love with Liam. However, I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. Even though I wasn’t able to connect with them this book overall was a super easy read that would be perfect to read during summer. It felt as though something was missing for me. I couldn’t say what exactly but just something. What wasn’t missing was the sexual intimacy between them! The quick comebacks and banter is what I lived for in this book. It was nice to see throughout the book both of them open up slowly to each other and to the knowledge they were falling for each other. Overall the book was okay good and light hearted.

A sun drenched romance where desire quickly turns to dislike and then re-ignites. A glorious five star resort paradise combined with some quirky characters and centred with a bookshop. Glorious.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read the ARC of Booked for Summer in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wanted to like this book. The premise for this book was very cute but it was a bit problematic for me. The insta lust, Liam giving up his celibacy so fast after meeting Jade, the way the characters had so many overreactions and and unnecessary miscommunications throughout the story, and focusing so much on the physical part of their relationship and not emotional. It just wasn’t for me unfortunately.