The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

After reading Susan's review of one of Jill Shalvis's books, I've wanted to try them. I decided to start with her newest beach read The Summer Deal. While it leaned more towards chick-lit than I was expecting, I did enjoy the book. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

June 2020; William Morrow; 978-0063007116
audio, ebook, print (384 pages); women's fiction

The Summer Deal is the 5th book in the Wildstone series, but there are absolutely no references to earlier books so it can easily be read on its own. 

With no job, nowhere to live, and in financial ruin thanks to a con artist boyfriend, Brynn Turner returns to her childhood home. She hopes to map out a better future, but first, she finds herself having to come to terms with her past. 

I really identified with Brynn. I was the awkward child who was often the target of the mean girls. Her thoughts and feelings were familiar ones and she felt like a realistic character. Her childhood nemesis, now adult roommate, Kinsey also felt like a believable character. I've heard mean girls are often that way because they are protecting themselves from being hurt first. If so, Kinsey embodied those qualities well. While I wanted to believe that there are guys like Eli, Max, and Deck in real life, I think they were more the stereotypical "chick lit" guy you wish you would find but will never find in real life. Eli especially seemed a little too good to be real.

When I could suspend belief regarding the guys, I really enjoyed the story about forgiveness, finding yourself, and letting others in. I can easily see spending lazy hours on the beach (or poolside) immersed in the book. 

Buy The Summer Deal at Amazon 

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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