Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis Narrator: Erin Mallon
Series: Wildstone #5
Published by HarperAudio on June 2, 2020
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Life Fiction
Length: 7 hours, 58 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Brynn Turner desperately wishes she had it together, but her personal life is like a ping-pong match that's left her scared and hurt after so many attempts to get it right. In search of a place to lick her wounds and get a fresh start, she heads back home to Wildstone.
And then there's Kinsey Davis who, after battling serious health issues her entire 29 years of life, is tired of hoping for...well, anything. She's fierce, tough, and pretty much the opposite of Brynn except for one thing: They're half-sisters. Kinsey is keeping this bombshell, and a few others as well. Long-time frenemies from summer camp, there's no way she's going to tell Brynn they're related.
But then, Brynn runs into Kinsey's lifelong best friend, Eli, renewing a childhood crush. He's still easy-going and funny and sexy as hell. When he gets her to agree to a summer-time deal to trust him to do right by her, no matter what, she never dreams it'll result in finding a piece of herself she didn't even know was missing. She could have a sister, love, and a future - if she can only learn to let go of the past.
As the long days of summer wind down, the three of them must discover if forgiveness is enough to grasp the unconditional love that's right in front of them
The books in the Wildstone series don’t seem to have much connection as far as characters or even locations, so you don’t really have to read them in order. There is a romance or two in each, with much more of a life fiction feel.
The start is a common one where a lady is down on her luck, almost broke, lost her job/ boyfriend / apartment and comes home to a small town to regroup. Brynn always felt a bit different with two Moms and no sports ability. She was picked on at camp by Kinsey who was good friends with Eli. Eli was her crush. He was always nice to her. Brynn runs into Eli and she ends up renting a room at his house for the summer, until she finds out Kinsey will be another roommate.
Brynn was always a good friend and a kind person. I love seeing her efforts with teaching kindergarten children. However, Brynn needs to have a bit more confidence in her choices. I loved watching her grow as she learned to do stand up for herself a bit more with Kinsey who borders on rude at times. I cried with her when one of them helped her or did something for her since usually that would only be her parents.
It isn’t easy to like Kinsey, but I can’t imagine I would be too cheery if I was sick as much as she was. It is easy to admire how tough she is. It was great to see her open up and be vulnerable with those she loved.
Eli is a gem. He is, not unlike Brynn, kind and supportive of his collection of strays Unlike the guys Brynn has dated, he has her back. If Eli says he will do something he does. He does sometimes get into a jam between Brynn and Kinsey with secrets which aren’t his to tell.
The characters were well developed and I enjoyed their progression. They had all been hurt so trust came slowly. There was plenty of heart, with some humor and heat which are usual for this author. Jill Shalvis is a favorite.
Narration:
Erin Mallon is a popular narrator and I have heard her throughout this series. I find her female voices a bit sharp. The male and female voices are distinct but sometimes I think a voice is someone from another book. I really enjoy the husky quality of her male voices. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Erin Mallon
Erin Mallon is an actor, writer and voice artist in NYC. Her naturally warm personality and youthful sound have proven excellent tools for the many young adult and romance titles she narrates. She has originated roles in the theater with Ensemble Studio Theater’s Youngblood Company, The Drilling Company, Mabou Mines, Incubator Arts Project and many more. Erin is a devoted volunteer at The 52nd Street Project, the voice of many TV and radio commercials, and was one of BACKSTAGE’s “Career Dispatch” columnists for 2012.
About Jill Shalvis
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I always have a good time with her books and I really should try this series as well
I try to read/listen to everything from this author. She’s a goto for contemporary romance.
This sounds like such a good set up! Glad you enjoyed it?
I’ve gotten fussier about romance but Shalvis is a favorite.
i want to dive right in 🙂
I hope you get a chance to enjoy this one.
Very nice review. Thank you for sharing!
She’s a favorite romance author
I got Kinsley’s prickliness even if it wasn’t easy to like her.
yes it totally makes sense. I wish she / others could find ways to build themselves up without hurting others. She knew what it was like to hurt and she even had Eli. Brynn had no one but herself.
I have not tried one of Shalvis’ books yet, but I’ve been meaning to for ages because I always hear such good things about them.
Definitely one of my favorite romance authors. The Lucky Harbor series is classic. I’m really fond of the Animal Magnetism series. This Wildstone series borders on Life fiction and the books in the series aren’t closely related.
I definitely need to try this author. I love humor and heart in my stories. Fab review, Anne!
Thank you! I hope you do try her and enjoy her. I always have loved her books.
Anne, what is Kinsey’s illness? If it’s cancer, then I need to skip the book. Email me if please if answering here would be a spoiler.
Thanks!
It is NOT cancer. She is rejecting a kidney transplant.
Thanks!
I really love the sound of this one here. and I like Jill Shalvis and definitely an interesting premise here.
I always enjoy Jill Shalvis.
She writes such relatable characters. I need to get to more of her books.
Absolutely! She’s a favorite for me. You might really like the Animal Magnetism series which is a favorite of mine.