This Summer

This Summer #1

by Katlyn Duncan

Before college, before responsibilities, Hadley Beauman and best friend Lily are determined to have a summer to remember. There will be all the usual dramas - ex-boyfriends who don't seem to know what 'ex' means, pesky younger brothers with unrequited crushes, but what Hadley didn't anticipate was the out-of-the-blue return of the seriously hot boy-next-door, Will Carson. The boy who broke her heart when he skipped town two years ago.

Will may have shot up a foot and filled out (oh yes), but inside he carries the weight of guilt - for leaving, for coming back... Now he's just passing through to tie up loose ends but it's clear the old chemistry still crackles between him and Hadley. Trouble is, it's built on two years of lies...

This summer might just be the best time of their lives, but is Hadley ready for everything to change - again?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, New Adult

288 pages, ebook

First published July 9, 2014

About the author

Katlyn Duncan is a multi-published author of adult and young adult fiction, and has ghostwritten over 40 novels for children and adults.

When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’, and hanging out on YouTube where she shares her writing process and all the bookish things.

Keep up with Katlyn by subscribing to her newsletter: www.katlynduncan.com/newsletter.

Reviews

[Sandee is Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm tired of running in the wrong direction. I've made so many mistakes and I will spend a lifetime regretting them. And if I stayed there, I'd add more to the pile. I want to run with you now. You're the only home I've ever wanted."

I would like to than the author for providing me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This Summer is a good contemporary Summer read. At first, I thought it was just going to be simple, fun read, but its not. It dealt with relationships, not just between the main characters, but also with their friends and family. It also touched the topic of forgiveness, and letting go of past hurt.

THE GIST

Hadley was fine. She thought she's gotten over losing her best friend, Will. It took her a while, but after a year of nursing her broken heart, she decided it was time to move on, and start a relationship with Carter.

Before heading to college, Carter and Hadley, separated ways. Hadley thought the long distance relationship would not work. She wanted to start a new. She was finally leaving their small town, moving to her next adventure in New York for college.

What she wasn't expecting was Will. He came back to town 2 years after he left without saying anything. It took her a year to finally get the courage to date with someone else, now after she finally got herself together, he comes back.

Will she finally know why he left? Will she finally find closure and move on? Or will there be just more secrets?

WRITING

I gave the writing 17 points. I couldn't give it a perfect 20 because there were some parts that doesn't seem necessary to me. But all in all, I found the writing style very much my type in a contemporary novel.

PLOT

This book is not one of those books that have a very complicated plot line. It was simple, but it still tackled relationships with family, friends, and bf/gf. It started pretty good, but then I kind of felt that Will's struggle to not tell Hadley about what happened went to him on for too long. Then towards the ending, it just went all too perfectly for me.

I liked the fact that the story is not just about Hadley and Will's relationship. There's also Will's relationship with his parents, then Hadley, with her best friend, Lily.

CHRARACTERS

I loved all of them. I gave this 18 points.

Hadley: She's a great character. Very real and flawed. She's not a virgin (Thank God for that! If I ever read about a naive good girl on another book, I'm going to vomit on it first, and then throw it out the bin, where it should be!!) but she is a nice girl. She was an obedient daugher, a loving sister, and a good friend (most of the time).

I did kind of got annoyed about her reason for splitting up with Carter. She said, that since they were going to college, might as well stop this relationship now. I mean, sure, but isn't there cellphones to communicate? Isn't it why there's skype so people could get in touch from a distance?? I kind of got put off with that at first, then I realized, it was maybe because she didn't really love Carter to begin with. Her heart really belonged to Will, after all that time and she was just making some sort of excuse. That's just a maybe though.

Will: The Golden Boy, as Carter called him. I liked Will. He was the best friend, I've never had. He's good with kids, and with anyone actually. That's the reason why he came back to town, everyone was excited. He made that impression on them, that he was a good person, and he was.

I know what happened to him and his parents were not good. It was totally unacceptable. I get his anger towards his mom, and his disappointment towards his dad. I wouldn't blame him. But what I don't get it, why couldn't he tell Hadley? They've been really close ever since, but he just chose to leave without even saying anything. THAT was a VERY DICK MOVE. If I was Hadley, i probably wouldn't speak him ever again.

He totally redeemed himself towards the end though.

Secondary Characters: I wanna start with the other best friend, Lily. I really loved her, and how understanding she was with the entire thing. She's always been there for Hadley, even when Hadley wasn't for her. She had her reason for doing the stuff she did, I wouldn't judge her on that.

Then there's Carter. I hated his guts right from the first page he appeared. There was just something about him. He was the type, who would show you what you want to see. He hides his doucheness inside where no one could see, aside from the people he wanted to show it to. It's a good thing Hadley split up with him. But I could also see, he got really hurt. But still, I don't pity him too much.

UNPREDICTABILITY

I give this book 15 points. It was predictable on some parts, then most part just surprised me. I knew that stupid Savannah was going to appear at some point. Will's secret was not something I anticipated. And also what Lily did, that was a real surprise.

PACING

It was a little too slow towards the first and middle part, but then went too fast in the end. There was too much angst, on Will's part, on like 60% of the book. Everything was a bit too hurried for me, on the last part. Would have preferred it to be a little faster towards the first few parts, then a gradually slows down towards the ending, to give us a feel, on what it feels for them to finally have everything falling into place.

ENJOYABILITY

I really enjoyed it. I like bestfriend-becomes-lovers type of stories. I fell in love with my best friend too so I could really relate to what they're going through.

MY FINAL RAMBLING

All in all this book was good. I really liked the story and the characters. Like I said, I just had a bit of a problem with the pacing, and how everything just wrapped up too quickly for me. I wanted more towards the ending, not the beginning.

As I was reading this, I was listening to Ed Sheeran's Photograph and I kind of thought it fits Hadley and Will's story.

I'll be looking forward to more of Katlyn Duncan's books in the future!

Highly recommended for people looking for a quick and moving story about two bestfriend, falling in love, losing each other, and finding their way back together.

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this was an "it's not you, it's me" kind of dislike or not. I struggled to get into this story for a couple of reasons... the main one being that the writing was just way too stilted for me. Let me tell you, when you're writing dialogue, I will forever notice when you don't use contractions. It makes conversations awkward and unnatural feeling to me. Add to that the many passages that just felt overburdened with details that had no impact on the story... and it was a struggle for me to get through this.

I absolutely did not feel the connection between these two main characters. Will and Hadley were best friends but he just up and left one day because of family issues that we don't even find out about until the very end of this story. When he did so, he crushed Hadley because it turns out the night before he leaves was the first time she ever expressed her feelings for him. She was crushed for almost a year, until she decides to move on. Then a year after that he returns as a favor to her father and while things are a bit awkward, no one ever digs deep enough to find out why he actually left in the first place, simply letting him hide what was really happening.

I struggled to understand a few of the plot points. When Will returns, Hadley's Ex-Boyfriend, Carter, is someone he obviously has issues with, yet we never ever find out why he has such a dislike for him. Sure, Carter seemed a bit weasel-like, but it didn't make sense that Will didn't like him as much as he did. And when Will returns to get his home ready for sale... I don't know how he could have even signed any of the contracts to do this... I mean, knowing what I know of the secrets he was harboring, I assume the deed is not in his name, or is it? We just didn't get enough explanation on certain things.

Additionally, something happens at the end with Hadley's best friend that came completely out of left field for me. [ Lily actually accuses Hadley of being self-centered and secretive and in all honesty, I never ever felt that she was at all. But Lily fucks around with Carter to make a point and basically screams and yells at Hadley and then kicks her out of her house. (If you guys could have seen my face when all this was going down you would have laughed.) I can forgive a lot, but the things Lily said and did... no way- not going to happen. She was vindictive and mean and as an outsider reading the things she accused Hadley of, I didn't agree with at single thing. (hide spoiler)]

I thought the end was just wrapped up way too neat. I get it... we want our HEA, but everything just seemed to fall right into place perfectly in this story.

I did like the setting for this story... having it revolve around the day camp was a nice touch, but that was pretty much it for me.

Fans of coming of age stories that highlight forgiving and making amends might enjoy this one. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me.

Thanks to netgalley for the copy in exchange for my honest thoughts

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first saw This Summer on netgalley I thought it would be a great book to bring me out of my reading slump, and also a different genre to what I have been reading lately. Hadley works at summer camp run by her Dad during summer, Will, her old neighbour and used to be friend, has come back home to lend a hand at the camp and finish off the updates to his house so he can get it sold and go back to Texas. What follows is a tug of war of feelings, ups and downs, and a lot of hurt feelings.

Honestly I couldn't really get into this book too much until about 80% of the way through. I felt like the story was just a bit too slow for me, and it want until feelings were shared that it really picked up. I thought that occasionally the characters were a bit too childish for me, talking to someone else, or agreeing to go on dates to make the other one jealous, ending a relationship with someone only to be in their space all the time and agreeing to things that would make it look like you wanted to get back together.

Lily was someone who I didn't really like, her thoughts felt like she constantly thought about boys, boys, boys, boys, and her friendship with Hadley occasionally made an appearance. What she did to Hadley was uncalled for and is not something I could easily forgive, but also brings back again how childish they act on occasion.

There were obviously things I liked about This Summer or I would not have finished reading, I enjoyed the plot, the summer romance, and also not knowing what would really happen in the end. It was a nice read but I wouldn't say I was emotionally invested in the characters.

[Key R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

This Summer was a cute light read. It could be read in a day, which I really liked. It’s something that you could bring to the beach with you. It’s definitely a summer read. This book won’t send you into an ugly sobbing mess, but it will help you complete that reading goal and witness a cute relationship.

This book did tackle some serious issues. I don’t want to say too much because it would be spoilers, but the author did do it justice. However, the book wasn’t overly dark.

The main complaint that I have is that the Hadley and Will’s POV sounded similar. At some points, I was confused about whose voice I was reading. I had to really pay attention to the chapter heads.

I didn’t really have an issue with the pacing. It wasn’t overly slow or fast. There were a few things that felt out of place, but not too many.

Characters

The characters were likable. I liked Hadley and Will’s relationship. They were cute. Some of their issues could have be solved earlier with a little communication, but the drama between them didn’t last too long. It was a healthy relationship; and it wasn’t boring. There was just the right amount of angst thrown in there.

I do wish that there was more description/backstory to Will and Hadley’s relationship from when they were younger. In general, I wish the author had included more backstory.

I did have a few issues with Hadley and Lily’s friendship. I didn’t really see the friendship between them. I wish that it had been showcased a little bit stronger. And I didn’t really agree with Lily’s actions towards the end.

I absolutely did not like Carter. I wish that he would have not been as prominent in the book as he was. I was extremely happy that Carter and Hadley’s relationship had been over before the book started.

This is random but I wish that Hadley’s mother had been in the book a little more.

Final Analysis

This Summer was a quick and easy read. It was predicable at most times, but that didn’t take away from the experience. It showed healthy relationships and a nice relaxing summer. One of the biggest issues, is that the POV’s of the two main characters were a little bit similar, which in turn, could possibly cause the reader to be confused about who’s POV they were in. All and all, it was an enjoyable summer read and the happy ending could leave the reading feeling as if the story was complete.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the cover and title suggest, This Summer is a fun and fabulous book for summer. It takes place mostly at a summer camp, and I loved the setting for this second chance romance. Hadley had a huge crush on her best friend and next door neighbor, Will. And she was starting to think that he liked her too when he just up and left town. That was 2 years ago, and This Summer he is back...

That is how the book starts out. Well, the book starts out with Hadley and her ex breaking up, and I was really happy that the ex was out of the picture before she even knew Will was coming back into town. Not because the ex was the biggest jerk in the world, but because I know that it would have colored my impression of Will if she just dropped someone else for him. But luckily, she was free and single from page one. Not that Will runs back to town and they picked up right where they left off. No the build up between them was slow and a total one step forward, two steps back kind of deal. There are major secrets on Will's part holding him back, and we don't find out what they are for a good chunk of the book.

The book is told in dual narrative between Hadley and Will and even though they don't rush right into each others arms, you can clearly see that each one likes the other. It made their romance all that much sweeter and more satisfying to see both of their thoughts and feelings. I loved seeing this classic new adult contemporary romance setup used in a young adult contemporary. I really enjoyed the secondary characters as well. Everyone in this book seemed both age appropriate and at the same time mature. Hadley's best friend Lily was adorably protective over Hadley, and her younger brother Ethan was great. I want to see Ethan get his own book!

This Summer is exactly what you would expect it to be. A fun summer romance. There are ups and downs for all of the characters, sure, but you will get what you want out of this book. It will make you happy, make you smile and make you awh over Hadley and Will. I really enjoyed This Summer, and I know you will too. The summer camp setting is perfect for this summer romance. So grab a cold drink (or a smore) and sit back by the pool (or campfire) and enjoy.

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I don't understand what happened. This one started off so strong and then devolved so quickly. Most of my problems stemmed from the way sex was treated in this one, tbh. But to all you: if you have a friend who says they aren't comfortable with hearing about your sexcapades, don't continuously send them detailed texts about that. That is so rude. And second, DO NOT SLEEP WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND'S EX-BOYFRIEND. WTF.

On top of this, there were so many instances of "I'm a girl so this should happen" and "I'm a guy so I should be doing this" and it was very Gender Role Conforming which was weird. And please, please, please don't ever say to a gay male that he is the "girlfriend you never had." Like that isn't cool man. Not cool at all.

And finally there were so much that had nothing to do with the "romance" aspect of this one. Like we learned so much about the day-to-day of the main characters without anything really interesting happening. All the heat and the "romance" happened at like 80% of the book but the stuff before that was super boring.

I'm just. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to think about this one. There are like no redeeming qualities for me for this one and I'm kinda sad about it. I was anticipating a summer romance story with a couple awkward moments but a lot more heat (especially since a lot of people have this shelved as "new adult"); yet instead all I got was ... nothing? Some weird interactions where a girl who waited six months to sleep with her boyfriend decided she would then sleep with anyone? And a "best friend" who has sex with an ex-boyfriend even though that's a really crappy thing to do? Idk nothing really worked here for me. And here I thought this would end the string of bad books I have been reading lately.

Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'

[Bèbè ✦ RANT ✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"After that night, you left me without another word. And from the moment you arrived I'm thrown back to the life we had before. As best friends and maybe more. I just need to know if you feel the same..."

A fun and perfect for summer contemporary read, This Summer is a lot deeper than I expected it to be. After Will left Hadley without a word, she has been heartbroken ever since. Then he comes back for summer to work at a camp and fix up the house. With their relationship left unstable, they try to work out both of their issues and go back to the place where they were.

"I'm tired of running in the wrong direction. I've made so many mistakes and I will spend a lifetime regretting them. And if I stay there, I'd add more to the pile. I want to run with you now. You're the only home I've ever wanted..."

I loved Will and Hadley. Even though her personality seemed immature sometimes, I cheered for both of them because that's what you just do in books like these. I wish Hadley wasn't jumping emotionally from one guy to the next but with her being heartbroken, I can understand how insecure she became. This Summer really reminded me of Colleen Hoover's Hopeless that I loved and even though it wasn't as intense, the writing itself was incredible.

[Resch Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know when you have been reading too many dark, deep moody books and you need something light and refreshing to read, that’s this book. This book was so nice and such a change up, taking you back to high school where your only concerns are boys, college, and enjoying the summer. It reminded me of high school where the little things seem like the end of the world!

Let me dive in, Hadley was sweet and kind and I loved Will. Can I have a Will of my own? He has his troubles but when everything is out in the open, nothing seems to great to overcome. I have a love hate relationship with Lily. You know that friend of yours who is a bad influence, yeah, that’s Lily in this book. She is a horrible influence in my opinion…and kinda slutty but I guess Hadley and Lily balance each other well.

This book is about growing up, finding out who your friends are, and more importantly finding out who you are.

[Samantha Tonge · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely, light summer read, which will take you right back to your school crushes when you are just on the cusp of adulthood. Best mates Hadley and Lily and determined to enjoy their last summer together, working at camp. But things become complicated when Hadley's best childhood friend - and object of her affection - Will returns, having disappeared mysteriously two years earlier and breaking her heart. Throw Hadley's jealous ex, Carter, into the mix and there's a recipe for fireworks.
A lighthearted read that is sensual at times and written with panache. Duncan really gets into the head of young adults. Interest is piqued throughout by Will's unexplained past and the reason for his sudden departure. With its satisfying ending, this is the perfect beach read!
Thanks to the publisher for a free copy, in exchange for an honest review.

[Fiona Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this authors The Life After series, so was interested to read something totally different from her. I wasn't disappointed.

I always wanted to do a kids camp in America as a teenager, it's something I regret now not ever taking the chance and doing. This book is based around a kids camp so I immediately felt drawn into the story.

The characters in the story are exactly how teenagers should be - not sure of their futures, focusing only on the here and now, and worrying about what other people think of their choices and actions.

Throw into the mix a lost love whose return only complicates matters even further, and you have a story worth reading.

[Kate H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this story and the main characters Will and Hadley were great but it had an ending that just wrapped up too easily and perfectly for me. Lately I seem to be reading a great deal of these books that have good characters and an engaging story line but that resolve too neatly. If major problems exist I just don't buy that they can be solved in the end. However, I was engaged by this book and would definitely read more by this author.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun summer read. Love boy next door romances. The middle starting dragging and repeating a lot of the same misunderstandings and drama but it was cute overall.

[SheReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for YA Books Central

A sweet romance highlighting the fragile hearts of youth.

The story:
Hadley is determined to have a good summer before leaving for college. She breaks up with her boyfriend to spend her time with her best friend working at the summer camp her father runs. All her plans are thrown out the window when her old neighbor, ex-best friend, and once crush returns with no explanations as to why he left in the first place. Two years have passed but some feelings never go away and they're no longer kids playing at love. This time it's real.

What I loved:
Hadley is a sweet an easy to root for character. I loved how strong she was in the face of a persistent ex-boyfriend and a conniving best friend. She doesn't let Will get away with his secret keeping especially when it could affect her father's camp. Even with all of that, she drops everything the moment she thinks something has happened to him.
Hadley's family was a huge bright spot in the book. Her parents were supportive and loving and her brother was probably the best boy inside the pages. The story moves along at a fast clip, leaving no room for boredom.

What was just okay:
This isn't a criticism, more of a warning. This book isn't YA. It's more NA with an explicit scene.
Lily was a really horrible character. Even when she apologized, I wasn't sure if I was supposed to like her or not. I just didn't. The ending was convenient, but it served its purpose in getting us where we needed to be.

Final Verdict:
A solid romance that'll appeal to older YA and adults with enough drama to keep the reader flipping pages and an ending that'll leave them satisfied.

[Lovely Loveday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Summer is the perfect beach read! I really enjoyed getting to know the main characters, Will and Hadley and all the drama that comes with them. Duncan writes a lovely story that takes place during summer that is full of love, hope, heartache and laughter. I love the setting and feel that it is perfect for this young adult love story. This book will have you reliving your old high school crushes and first loves. Overall, this is a beautiful and charming romance novel that I enjoyed reading. I look forward to more from this author and this series.

[Rovi Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

ahhh!! young love!!

[Three Chicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review by Trinette Dungee

Hadley Beauman is determined to have the best summer as it’s her last summer before college. She’s broken up with her ex-boyfriend who doesn’t quite get that they are broken up and she and her best friend Lily decide to throw caution to the wind and just enjoy themselves. Before her plans for the perfect summer can even start they are derailed by the return of her childhood crush Will Carson. Two years ago Will broke her heart and mysteriously disappeared. To add insult to injury, Will is even hotter than he was two years ago.
Will has some plans of his own this summer; sell his family home and move on with his life. Unfortunately for Will he has to struggle with the guilt he still carries for leaving Hadley the way he did and keeping so many secrets from her. Even worse Will discovers that the old feelings have not died, they’ve actually intensified.



Okay so Will and Hadley were neighbors and best friends for years. Unknown to Will, Hadley had always had a secret crush on him. The morning after she expresses her feelings to him, Will mysteriously disappears without a word and is not heard from for two years.

Heartbroken and confused Hadley has no idea why Will left or if it had anything to do with her. She is continuously haunted by him as she is forced to look at his childhood home daily, which still remains empty. Hadley has decided that her last summer before college she will be free. She has broken up with her boyfriend, Cater who constantly tries to continue their relationship. Hadley, her best friend Lily, her younger brother Ethan and Carter are all signed up to work at summer camp headed by Hadley’s dad. As they are waiting for their first team meeting at the camp in walks Will. Needless to say Hadley is shocked to the core… suddenly after two years with no communication with him, Will just returns.


Understandably Hadley is pretty angry with Will but after the initial shock of his return has worn off Hadley’s attraction to Will out weights her anger and before you know it the two have fell back into the old best friend relationship…sort of. Will explains to Hadley that he has simply returned to make repairs on, pack up and sell his childhood home; and to repay a debt to Hadley’s father, he has agreed to work at the camp for the summer. Simple enough, right? Wrong. Just to make things even more awkward, who has Hadley’s dad paired her up with for the summer? Will. Hadley seems to take on the attitude that she’s not going to be bitter towards Will, she wants answers but she’s not going to push. She’s just going to have fun with Will and let the chips fall where they may. Then there is the issue with Hadley and her ex-boyfriend Carter. Hadley has broken up with Carter and he seems to not accept this. In my opinion Hadley gives off mixed-signals. One minute she wants Carter to move on but the next minutes she interacts with him like they are still a couple.



Will is not without his own drama and confusion. Throughout the book he drops hints as to why he left town and why he is living with his aunt in Texas (just tell us what happened already). He leads Hadley to believe that his dad is in Texas (but it’s clear by the conversations with his aunt we learn that he’s not). Then there is the random girlfriend (or not…so Will says), Savannah, from Texas that just kind of shows up and decides to blackmail him (Oh yeah, Will’s been telling her that his dad is dead). Will is definitely attracted to Hadley but he’s convinced they can’t or shouldn’t be together.

There are some added complications, and some drama and secrets regarding Will's family. At one point his mom does something pretty heartless and tells him to just get over it. (blank stare)


There was quite a bit of confusion and many unanswered questions for me with this book. Neither Will nor Hadley can forget nor bring up their last night together. So what actually happened on that special night?

Everyone close to Hadley seems to know about her feelings for Will including her parents…soooo why doesn’t Hadley’s dad mention to her that Will is coming back? Will and Carter apparently hate each other but you never find out why and then there’s the whole Lily and Carter thing….completely confused me.


There is a bit of a passive aggressive attitude in the main characters that muddled the story a bit. Honestly, I would have to recommend this book based on the reader's personality. While I didn't love this book, I was a little indifferent to it.

[Ella Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer fling romance was never my favorite. Instead of seeing it as a beautiful and charming romance, I see it as sad, heartbreaking, and full of regrets kind of thing because nobody knows what will happen after summer’s gone. So this is why I didn’t put my hopes up when I started reading This Summer. But what surprised me is despite of what I thought would be a book full of blah, this book became something more. Something a romance fan can look forward too.

The story starts with the reunion of estranged bestfriends Hadley and Will. They have been bestfriends since they were little because they live next door. Window to window, they spent every moment almost together, school, summer camp, even slumber parties. They were inseparable and almost started a relationship that is more than just friends, until Will suddenly left their neighborhood and Hadley, with no goodbyes or explanations. But after two years, with Hadley’s last year at summer camp (headed by her father and where she works as a counselor) and before her college life begins, destiny brought back Will, and both of them are back again to before everything between them started falling apart.

Hadley and Will’s story is not new to those who loves to read contemporary books. Childhood bestfriends who almost stepped up their relationship to something more until something drove them apart and left them and their relationship hanging. Then time pass and suddenly destiny brings them back together. With unresolved misunderstandings and their relationship uncertain because they both know whatever happened to them two years ago didn’t end with Will leaving. What I liked in This Summer is the uncertainty if these lovers will make it, or will everything be just this summer.

Their story may not be new but Katlyn Duncan had her way of bringing out the feelings and emotions of the characters. What I thought would be just a cheesy romance book turned out to be something that touched my heart. These two people may have flaws but you won’t mind them as you read the book because they were both realistic and reasonable. Will’s way of staying away from Hadley might be annoying for some people but his reason for leaving and keeping distance justified his actions. Rather than feeling annoyed at him, I felt sad and I wanted to comfort him. They weren’t just two people attracted to each other. It took years to develop their relationship into something more, and being apart just proved them both how much they mean to each other. They were friends and lovers. Hadley was understanding and wasn’t this whiny and pushy heroine. She knows when to press for answers and when to be a friend.

Honestly, I didn’t like what Will did. Leaving without any goodbyes, even to his bestfriend, was kind of a jackass move. He knows Hadley will be hurt and yet he didn’t bother calling or telling her his whereabouts. Seriously, you could have called dude. I dislike characters who does this and when they return they expect people to treat him normally, as if nothing happened. Luckily, this wasn’t the case with Will. He even intended of just being civil with Hadley. Of course it didn’t work.

I like how the author incorporated a lot of factors in the story that made me doubt if these two will end up together in the end. I even got to a point where I felt okay even if they don’t end up with each other, as long as they stay friends. None of the added conflict seemed unnecessary, rather, it added more drama and strength to the story. I can’t believe this book managed to touch my heart and even made tear up a bit.

Overall, this book is beautiful. I imagine this book would be loved by people who likes stories about bestfriends falling for each other. This book showed me that even if change is scary, it is something that will lead our lives into something better. Taking a step may be hard but without moving on and change, how will we know what’s beyond there. That summer is just a step to an even brighter and full of love season.

[Cyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

GENRE: New Adult
THEME: Contemporary Romance
RECEIVED: NetGalley
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
Oh the fond memories of summer camp, it was like a trip down memory lane with this story, except I didn’t get the excitement and drama of romance. I had some love hate moments with this story, mostly in the beginning because the pace was a bit slow for my liking. This being the main reason I didn’t get five stars, I need to be hooked and I had to wait until almost the middle of the book to get there. The characters and their side stories were what will hook any reader that is a hopeless romantic like me, I always root for the underdog or the sad story just hits me, it just works.

This Summer follows Hadley, who is about to spend her last summer before college helping at her dads summer camp. This is the usual routine except that now she is single and has to deal with her ex working at summer camp with her. But the major difference is her best friend Will is back in town, he broke her heart and took off without a word years ago. Needless to say she has a lot of drama and tension to get through with her last summer camp.

Hadley is just an average sweet girl who is helping out as a counselor at her father’s summer camp. She is dealt with many problems right of the bat, with her ex steal wanting to be with her, her best friend Will coming home for the summer and her best girl friend being seriously over protective, all in all a very eventually summer is ahead for her. I liked Hadley’s character as the story moves forward; at the beginning I didn’t really understand why she broke it off with her boyfriend until Will was introduced. Her relationship with her best girl friend Lily was hilarious; they were trouble together, mostly because Lily is a wild child. But the major focus was on Will and Hadley, I liked that their relationship wasn’t instantly fixed; they had issues to figure out. Plus Will’s life is in a downward spiral, his family isn’t in a good place and his secrets are the real problem with Hadley. The parts of the story written from Hadley’s POV were sweet and I really felt for her, Will confuses her with his hot and cold moments and her heart is still hurting.

Will is a twenty year old who was forced to grow up fast, dealing with his unstable father and the impact of his mother’s absence. Will is much happier being back to his hometown and near the one person who made everything better, Hadley. Their relationship was always close, being best friends for so long. But after a kiss and his fathers shift, he had to make a life change by moving away. Now being back he is getting a much-needed break from his father and realizing the mistake of leaving the love of his life. The best bits for me were reading from Will’s POV, he has the most character development and the poor guy has a lot on his shoulders. But the best were every moment with Hadley, the way she made him feel and the protectiveness he still felt for her. Overall their relationship was challenged and grew stronger, they must come to terms with what both of them want and make it their choice.

Overall, this was a great summer read, as I said before all hopeless romantics will eat this book up with a bowl of ice cream. There are strong secondary characters with Hadley’s brother Ethan and her best friend Lily, as well as Will’s father who adds some major tension. I look forward to more stories from Duncan and hope that maybe Will and Hadley’s story will continue.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel with some minor sexual content for mature readers. Fans of Jennifer Armentrouts Wait for You and Abbie Glines Sea Breeze Series will enjoy This Summer by Katlyn Duncan.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

This Summer is an enjoyable young adult contemporary book from Katlyn Duncan. This is the first book I have ever read by Katlyn Duncan, and I liked it. I thought that it was a really cute story and would make a great beach read. I did have a few issues with it, but I thought that overall it was pretty good. I will look for more from Katlyn Duncan in the future.

The last summer before Hadley heads to college she is determined to make the best of it with her best friend Lily. They are both working at a summer camp that Hadley's dad runs, and Hadley is expecting to have some drama since she is supposed to be working with her ex-boyfriend that she just broke up with. Carter has been sending her messages and trying to get back together, but Hadley knows that they would have to break up soon anyway because she will be heading to NYC for college and the distance is too far. When Hadley finds out that Carter asked to be reassigned so that he is no longer her partner, Hadley is shocked to find out that her crush and the guy that broke her heart when he left town without a word two years before is now back and will be her partner for the summer. While Will deals with selling his family's home and working with Hadley for the summer, the two realize that the two years apart didn't change much between them. They were best friends before, and on the night that Will left their friendship had started to change into more. They both still like each other and want more, but will they be able to make it through the summer without getting their hearts broken?

I really liked Will and Hadley. I thought that they both had a lot of growing up to do, and they acted immature at times. But honestly that was just their age and it didn't bother me that much. I thought that Will was sweet and was a really great guy. He worked so hard to help out his family, and he had been through a lot at a really young age. He really cared for Hadley, and I loved that they had a history together. Hadley was great also, and I really liked her personality. She was great with the kids that she worked with, and I thought that she seemed to have a pretty great head on her shoulders for such a young age even with the brief moments of immaturity. I liked that she didn't lead Carter on and that she had always been honest with him about her feelings for Will. I thought that Will and Hadley had a ton of chemistry and were really great together. They had such a great foundation for a relationship because of their long time friendship.

Overall, this book was really cute and I liked Will and Hadley a lot. But I have to say that I really did not like the best friend Lily. I thought that she was pushy and I didn't like her personality at all. She also did something that I thought was really horrible and then proceeded to blame it all on Hadley pretty much. The fact that Hadley then apologized and took part of the blame for it I thought was awful. It really irritated me, and it was hard to get over it. I think that this was a good story and that young adult fans will enjoy this book. I will say that while this one was enjoyable, it wasn't anything really new or different. It was a bit predictable, but I did enjoy the friends to lovers trope and it was good because of the characters. I liked Katlyn Duncan's writing style, and I thought that it was a light and easy read.

**ARC Provided by Rockstar Book Tours**

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Posted originally http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2014...

The cover of This Summer really appealed to me – it gives off a sweet, romantic vibe and I do love those kind of young adult summer romance stories – ones which are typically just cute and even though you can probably guess where they’re going before they’ve started, you don’t mind because it just makes you smile. I loved the summer camp setting here – it was a setting I’ve not really read too many times before and it made this book feel like something refreshingly new (to me, at least). I thought the portrayal of summer camp was built really well with all the different groups and roles and I could really picture and buy into the location in this book.

With the plot, I was a little confused at the beginning. We learn that Hadley has split up with her boyfriend Carter and I liked that that had happened before the book begins because from the plot we know Will is the main love interest, so this way I assumed no time is wasted with the long break-up and then the countless attempts to get back together. But then as soon as Hadley arrives at summer camp, and discovers Carter will no longer be working with her there, she seemed to completely dramatically blame Carter for ruining everything. I didn’t really understand that considering I would have thought it was fairly reasonable for Carter to not want to spend all summer camp with his ex when she doesn’t want him back. So the beginning of this novel was a little slow and it took me a while to warm to Hadley’s character. I did find her a lot more bearable as the book went on although it was Will’s character that I enjoyed the most.

This Summer is told in alternative chapters between Hadley and Will. I liked that this gave us a better understanding of Will, especially considering there was a lot Hadley had to find out and if I hadn’t have found out anything from Will’s perspective beforehand, it would have been hard to really connect with him. His story was really interesting and I was fascinated with seeing things unveil and learning the impact it all would have. I would love to have seen it developed further because it was all done at a very fast pace. The supporting characters in the novel could also have been built upon further – I enjoyed reading Hadley’s relationships with her best friend Lily and her brother Ethan and would have liked to have seen more. The novel was short but not that short so I felt like the author had room for a little more character development.

The plot was made up of all the components I love reading in teen books – secrets, drama, romance and friendship. It felt like a believable portrayal of that stage in a young person’s life – full of mistakes and parties and a journey to finding yourself and finding happiness. I could really buy into this. My only problem with the plot was how quick it all was. In particular, there was one twist which I didn’t see coming but I also had no real understanding of the reason behind it and it felt like it was over too quickly for it to ever make much sense to me. Parts of it did just feel a little too rushed but as This Summer approached the end, I grew to like it a lot more. The ending was perfectly fitting and satisfying and I loved the style in which this book finished.

*Book gifted for honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book, holy smokes. I was CRYING in the last few chapters, and that wasn't expected at all. I love when a a romance takes your heart <3

Review to come soon :)

I’ve noticed over the past few months I’ve really been looking for “summer reads”. Light hearted, romantic contemporaries that give me the warm fuzzies inside so This Summer immediately caught my interest…

I adored the main character Hadley. There was just something about her that I immediately liked and I also really loved her relationship with her family. I think the reason I was drawn to her was that she really knew what she wanted. In a lot of contemporaries you see the girl trying to cling to a high school relationship even though one or both of the people are moving away for college but in This Summer, Hadley broke it off with her high school boyfriend because they would be moving away in September to start college. I liked that she wasn’t clingy about it, and was actually the one who was trying to fend off her ex’s advances. Lily, I liked immediately as well although I explain below how I didn’t like her by the end of the book. She was really in Hadley’s court with the whole Will leaving situation and was constantly looking out for her, which I suppose made the end situation even worse for me, because I really liked her at first. And Will… well of course I liked Will. Did anyone not like this sexy cowboy? He lived on a horse farm, had a sexy accent, nice body… what was to not like? I loved him. And I loved him for Hadley.

The romance was lovely. I liked that it wasn’t an instant love type of situation because there was a back story between Hadley and Will. It was nice to see them try to work out their feelings from two years prior. Also, the back story about Will was heart wrenching but really added to the punch of the story. It was a slightly unbelievable in the fact that he just took off overnight as a teenager but nevertheless, I still liked that story angle.

The main thing that really turned me off about the whole story was the ‘incident’ with Lily towards the end. I’m not going to go into a great amount of detail, to prevent spoilers, but I really, really did not agree with that entire scenario at all. I wish Hadley had said a big, “Screw you!” to her and ran off because in all actuality, no matter what Lily thought that Hadley did it didn’t even come close how terrible that thing that Lily did to her. Ugh… that was my major dislike about the entire book but luckily This Summer wasn’t a story about Hadley and Lily so I was more interested in how the rest of the story would play out :P

The ending had me in TEARS, which I really didn’t expect at all. That final scene at the camp, oh my gosh… I could just imagine it so well, and it was so perfect and amazing I couldn’t help but just cry and cry. Definitely one of the those warm, gushy moments.

I definitely recommend This Summer if you are looking for a great romance but that’s not completely light and fuzzy. The writing is fantastic and the romance PERFECT <3

[Jordin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts
This Summer was a cute summer read, and my first New Adult book! I have been meaning to try out the new "genre" for awhile, but I just needed to find a book that didn't seem to sexcapade-y.
Things that were meh:
The Dual Perspectives weren't all that different. While I appreciated both Hadley and Will's POVs, if the beginning of the chapter didn't list who POV we were in, I would have been a bit confused. There voices were very similar. But I think the story overall benefited from being told this way because the insight to Will made him much more loveable.

It was a bit slow at first. This is a super quick read, but man was it dragging at the beginning. Things finally did start to pick up towards the end. While the set up for Hadley and Will's relationship was necessary... no INSTA-LOVE HERE FOLKS... it wasn't super thrilling. Though there is this one hand holding scene that was VERY SWOONY. It took awhile, but the slow burn romance was definitely worth it.
What I liked:
Safe sex can still be sexy. I'm not 100% sure if I'm completely ready to read crazy explicit sex scenes in my books, but this was a nice safe intro. I'm typically I YA reader, so it was slightly more explicit then I'm used to, but I give the author props for including this steamy scene and showing that safe sex can still be sexy :)

Setting = Camp! Summer camp is the best, and it was super fun to read about Hadley and Will as co-counselors. And the end scene with the talent show.... WAS WONDERFUL!!! I just watched Dirty Dancing and it made me so happy how this book hailed back to the movie's ending.

The love interest had a bit more going on then usual. Honestly, Will's story line is almost more interesting then Hadley's. He has a lot to figure out whereas Hadley's future is pretty much set in stone. It was nice though, getting a well-rounded love interest as opposed to just swoon-worthy object of lust and desire.
Bottom Line:
It's the type of summer read that will make you swoon and bring you back to what it felt like the summer after high school/before college. When everything seems to be changing. I would definitely recommend this book for lovers of YA Contemporaries (though beware if you don't appreciate a sex scene in your reads). Perfect to read while lounging around by a pool or lake :)This review was originally posted on A Bottomless Book Bag

[Gabbie (Rampant Readers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more of this review and others like it, check out my blog, Rampant Readers.

Plot

This Summer was definitely a novel that gave me my contemporary drama fill. Hadley and her best friend Lily want to have a great summer before college, Hadley is finally free from a relationship even though her ex still wants her. But nothing will get in the way of the summer to remember. That is, until Will Carson appears back in town. Will, Hadley’s ex-best friend and crush. The Will that left two years prior with no goodbyes. So when Hadley and Will get paired as co-counselors at camp, drama ensues.

This Summer kept me interested and reading. I loved uncovering the secrets that Will was hiding and I enjoyed seeing Hadley flounder with his reappearance. There was some deep things going on with Will that I wasn’t expecting going into the novel but I thought it brought on a nice touch. The novel had me constantly cracking up with the events that took place in the novel. It also had me feeling sad at points as well. The pacing was great and I was engaged from the beginning until the end of the novel.

Leading Lady

Hadley wanted a summer to remember and that is definitely what she got. Hadley was one of those characters who were easy to relate to. She was a pretty simple girl–she wanted to enjoy summer with her friends before she left for college. She loved kids and was a great counselor. She was caring, kind, funny, and overall relatable. I was rooting for her throughout the entire novel. She had been hurt by Will and I wanted her to get closure and her HEA.

Leading Male

Will was dealing with some tough stuff which is why he left for Texas without a word to his best friend two years prior. Will’s character irked me a bit because he refused to let Hadley in but was trying to become best friends with her again. It seemed like he was going to play her for a bit there. He could have dealt with some things better. He was caring, though, and loyal for the most part. You could really see that in his relationship with his aunt.

Romance

The chemistry between Hadley and Will was there from before the novel began, back to two years prior the night before Will left. It was one of those sweet and slow romances instead of hot and heavy which I enjoyed. I have a thing for best friends romance and this one was done brilliantly. They had some communication issues in my opinion, but I was definitely rooting for them.

Conclusion

This Summer was a sweet best-friends romance with a large dose of drama. It is an ideal summer read.

[Lisa (lifeinlit) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit, I’m a total sucker for contemporary summer reads… especially ones with such cute covers! When I saw this one on Netgalley I requested it immediately and started it soon after receiving it.

Hadley and her best friend, Lily, have their hearts set on having a fantastic summer to remember. While helping out at Hadley’s father’s summer camp, as they do every year, they decide to make this the best summer ever! It’s their last summer helping out at the camp since college starts in the fall. Hadley breaks up with her boyfriend, deciding it’s inevitable since they’re going to separate colleges, and she sets off to spend this summer just having fun.

In walks Will. The dreamy, handsome boy that broke Hadley’s heart in the past. After up and leaving, he returns to fix up his house and get it sold before the summer is up. He agrees to help out Hadley’s father at camp while fixing up the house in his free time. Will has a pretty rough home life. I liked how this was all slowly revealed throughout the story, rather than all at once. It really made me care about Will and the struggles he was facing.

I’m always up for a good second-chance romance, so the premise of This Summer really appealed to me. I think many that enjoy cute, fun summery reads will also enjoy this one. I think I was hoping for a tad more in the depth department, both with these characters as a whole, as well as the romance between Will and Hadley. View Spoiler »

I would say this is a cute summer read if you’re looking for something to get you through a warm day of relaxing. Aside from the lack of depth, overall this story was entertaining and really adorable at times. I’m definitely looking forward to more from Katlyn Duncan in the future.

(Thanks to Carina UK for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

[Rachel]

THIS SUMMER is a light, fun and sweet romance with a dash of heat. It’s a love story that reignites a spark that had only just begun to burn between Hadley and Will before his sudden departure from Hadley’s life. Told from both Hadley and Will’s perspectives, readers will get to see just what Will’s secrets are, whether Hadley has the “summer to remember” she wanted, and whether they’re both looking for a summer fling or hoping for something more.

When Will left two years ago, with no explanation and no calls, texts or emails since, Hadley was nearly destroyed. And just when she thought she’d picked up the pieces of her shattered self, as suddenly as he left he comes back into her life threatening to tear her apart all over again.

But she’s not the same girl he left behind. She’s not about to let her heart get broken again. She planned on having an amazing summer, creating memories to last a lifetime. And it’s still what she intends to do, no matter how good he looks, how easy it is to reconnect with him or how electric that connection is.

THIS SUMMER was a super quick and delightful read that made me smile. I enjoyed the dual POVs as it gave me insight into both characters about their pasts together and separately, their presents, and what they thought and felt about one another. I loved that the author used the camp setting as the backdrop to her story as it made it a little different, made it feel very much like a summer romance, and provided another connection between the characters’ presents and their pasts. And I adored the romance. It was charming and a little bit sexy and a little bit heartbreaking.

All the major loose ends are tied up at the end of the story, though I was left with a few questions about some of the secondary characters and wished a few pages were dedicated to fleshing out their stories. But Will and Hadley’s story ended on just the right note… what that note is, I won’t reveal.

For readers looking for an engaging, lightning fast and heartwarming love story, THIS SUMMER is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This summer by katlyn duncan
The blurb
Before college, before responsibilities, Hadley Beauman and best friend Lily are determined to have a summer to remember. There will be all the usual dramas - ex-boyfriends who don't seem to know what 'ex' means, pesky younger brothers with unrequited crushes, but what Hadley didn't anticipate was the out-of-the-blue return of the seriously hot boy-next-door, Will Carson. The boy who broke her heart when he skipped town two years ago.
Will may have shot up a foot and filled out (oh yes), but inside he carries the weight of guilt - for leaving, for coming back... Now he's just passing through to tie up loose ends but it's clear the old chemistry still crackles between him and Hadley. Trouble is, it's built on two years of lies...
This summer might just be the best time of their lives, but is Hadley ready for everything to change - again?
WHAT I SAY
I enjoy this book a great summer book Hadley and lily are going to have a fab summer together working on the summer camp but thing got a bit complicated will Hadley old boyfriend just disappeared about 2 years ago he suddenly there at the camp but will he break her heart again i think so i may be wrong what he keeping from her it a very fun read you get to read what young girls think what in their minds we got to hear all about will why he just when what happened to him the book or i should say story did get a bit sensual at times but it very well written into the plot the character are very much like any young boy or girl they only seem to care what happing now they do not seem to worry what people thing of them they just do what they want not all kids are like that it was nice to read about will first kiss with hadley it was very good how she deals with him just being there it makes a nice read i got to say i think is more a young adult read the story very good very well written
3 stars borrow read i wouldnt read again
I like to thank net gallery for letting me review this book

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I love Will! He is sweet and mysterious two things I find irresistible. Hadley has recently decided to breakup with her boyfriend Carter since she is moving out of state for college. Hadley and her best friend Lily decide this will be their summer of fun and just to hang out together…no boys. It all sounds good until Will comes back into town after nearly two years since he left without a word.

Hadley and Will have been friends and neighbors since they were kids. When Will comes back to help out at the summer camp her dad runs she is shocked but wants to know why he left without telling her. As much as they both try to stay away from one another they can’t deny the feelings are still there. While they still care for one another they both have their reasons for why they don’t want to go down that road again. Hadley simply because she doesn’t want to be hurt again and Will he doesn’t want Hadley to know the real personal reason why he left. Needless to say they both fall for each other again but decide not to tell anyone until they are sure of that will happen as far as the future goes.

Of course things can never go as planned. A girl from Will’s new hometown in Texas comes to stalk find him and Hadley is hurt and feels like a fool. Will tries to explain but she is not having it. She goes looking for Lily and instead finds her and her ex Carter making out. Personally I didn’t care for Lily, plus she broke the girl code…you NEVER mess with an ex!

After some misunderstandings everything comes out and Will goes back to Texas to help his aunt on the ranch. He’s an honest to god good guy; though I feel he takes care of everyone but himself. Back in Texas he is told he needs to live his life and to do what makes him happy. You know where this is going…right? I won’t totally spoil the ending but it is SUPER cute maybe a little cheesy ...but definitely in a good way.

[Heather A · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I received a copy from Netgalley.


A lighthearted, fun summer romance. Main character Hadley has graduated from high school and is looking forward to her last summer before college in her home town set to have some no regrets fun with her best friend Lily. They have jobs at the local summer camp and all looks to be going swimmingly....until Hadley's former next door neighbour and best friend (epic crush) Will turns up unexpectedly.

Its a a roller coaster of summer time fun and will they wont they get together with other drama thrown in. A fast enjoyable read with not much to read into the plot, it's told in first person from Will and Hadley's POVs as they work together and figure out their feelings. Drama from ex boyfriends and girlfriends showing up. Will left suddenly and is hiding the reason why. Hadley can't decide what do with her feelings for Will.

It did get a little repetitive on the whole will they won't they theme but it was a good story, with mostly likeable characters. The best friend is kind of flakey and makes an ass of herself towards the end in a way I didn't like much, but the way the story builds....it's actually kind of understandable. Still don't like what she did though.

Believable characters, and also I enjoyied the summer camp setting because the kids actually weren't annoying brats. They seemed like a good bunch of well behaved kids. And the counsellors did a great job.

Nicely written, decent story which I wrapped up with a definite ending, everything fit together a little too well for my tastes, but it was I suppose nice to see everything concluded properly with no loose ends.

A very enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Carina UK for approving my request to view the title.

also so crosses off a square for my summer bingo card - set during Summer

[Sharrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hadley has one more summer before she heads off to college in New York City. She’ll be far away from her family, her best friend, and the summer camp she worked at with her father for so long. She has one more summer to enjoy everything the summer has to offer and everything seems perfect. Then her neighbor, her best friend, and her first everything show up again and he’s everywhere. Will works at the camp as her partner, he’s at her house, and he’s right next-door. Suddenly the summer is moving too fast because while Will and Hadley are falling in love all over again, the summer is all they have.

Hadley hasn’t been able to get over Will since he left and she never heard from him again. Seeing him again is hard on her since she thought she was moving on only to have him show up hotter than ever with a country accent and southern manners. Hadley deals with growing up and falling in love over a summer.

After the night Will’s father lost it, Will left and never looked back. Now he’s putting up his house for sale, but he needs to fix it up first. While he’s back Hadley’s dad asks him to work at the camp.

Honestly I didn’t really feel too much for these characters. I liked them okay but they weren’t anything special, much like the whole story to me. The story just seemed over done and really nothing happened in it that I hadn’t expected. Hadley is spoiled and can’t see that other people have problems. Will has a lot of issues with his dad and he’s in love with Hadley, which is really the main focus of this story.

Overall, I think This Summer is a cute story but there isn’t anything special about it. The drama and story line have been done numerous times and This Summer did nothing to give the plot a twist. The characters were just “alright” but I think this book just wasn’t for me.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Summer is about Will and Hadley. Hadley has always loved her next door neighbor. He was her best friend. Then he was gone and her heart went with him. Hadley had a boyfriend, Carter, and she decided (although she says it was mutual) that they needed to break up because in the fall they would be going in different directions after the summer is over with College.
Will left and was totally embarrassed and didn’t say goodbye or tell anyone about his messed up family. His dad is in rehab. His mom dumped them both. Will is left being the responsible one and comes back to fix the house and sell it to pay for his father’s rehab. While there for the summer, he goes back to his summer job being a counselor where Hadley’s dad is the boss and pairs the two together for the tween age kids at the camp.
It’s obvious there is still chemistry between them. Both keep secrets though and make it difficult for either to move forward in any kind of relationship. This is where I was a little annoyed with Hadley. She has a great family and just seems a little selfish to me. Even her best friend gets annoyed with her because of it. Hadley is more me me me than really helping others. Maybe it’s just me. I liked Will and understood his situation and wanted him to be happy.
Anyway, as the summer goes on and Will and Hadley go hot and cold on each other, it boils down to who will make the first move.
The last part of the book, you know the part where they are together and then something really tests the relationship and they aren’t together and you try to figure out what will happen to put them back together. (This happens in most books) That was a bit of a twist and a shocker for me.
Anyway, I am now off to read This Christmas to see what will become of them at Christmas!