Summer Reading - by Jenn McKinlay (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

For Samantha Gale, a summer on Martha's Vineyard at her family's tiny cottage was supposed to be about resurrecting her career as a chef, until she's tasked with chaperoning her half-brother, Tyler. The teenage brainiac is spending his summer at the local library in a robotics competition, and there's no place Sam, who has dyslexia, likes less than the library. And because the universe hates her, the library's interim director turns out to be the hot-reader guy whose book she accidentally destroyed on the ferry ride to the island.

Bennett Reynolds is on a quest to find his father, whose identity he's never known. He's taken the temporary job on the island to research the summer his mother spent there when she got pregnant with him. Ben tells himself he isn't interested in a relationship right now. Yet as soon as Sam knocks his book into the ocean, he can't stop thinking about her.

An irresistible attraction blossoms when Ben inspires Sam to create the cookbook she's always dreamed about and she jumps all in on helping him find his father, and soon they realize their summer fling may heat up into a happily ever after.

Review Quotes

"Summer Reading is a pure delight! Has all the elements of a perfect story: small island setting, a feisty yet vulnerable heroine, and a nerdy hero who stole my heart."
--Jennifer Probst, New York Times bestselling author of Our Italian Summer

"In turns poignant and amusing, Summer Reading belies its title to tackle serious issues with aplomb, exploring essential definitions of self, friendship, family, and love while maintaining a breezy wit and pleasing pace. McKinlay's writing is sure to charm."
--Shana Abe, New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor

"McKinlay's fresh spin on a favorite trope is as frothy and pleasing as a piña colada, delivering both laughs and poignant tugs on the heartstrings. Perfect summer beach read."
--Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author of The Moonglow Sisters

"With lovable characters and swoon-worthy moments, this heartwarming tale has it all."
--Woman's World

"Humor wrapped up in late nights are involved in Jenn McKinlay's new book. Trust me, from page one to the end, this one is a keeper."
--Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Bride For A Day

"Everything felt real with the emotions relatable, and yet it was loads of fun, too... Summer Reading is a winner all the way around!"
--Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author of The Honeymoon Cottage

"McKinlay writes with compassion and heart-breaking bravery, and with a truly unique voice--captivating, hilarious, and supremely romantic. This is exactly what we dream of in a summer read--an instant relationship with the characters, a propulsive plot, a tumultuous series of decisions, and the perfect ending that brings tears to our eyes."
--Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of The House Guest

"[A]n opposites-attract summertime fling that will quite literally have you flinging around with joyous glee."
--The Everygirl

"Add to this McKinlay's flair for capturing just how family and friends can make us feel both vulnerable and strong, conveyed in breezy writing buoyed by quippy banter and sizzling sexual chemistry, and you have a book that is pure reading bliss in any season."
--Booklist (Starred Review)

"With a picturesque setting and plenty of entertaining storylines and well-developed characters, this fast-paced, steamy rom-com from McKinlay will enchant book lovers and foodies looking for an upbeat beach read."
--Library Journal (Starred Review)

"McKinlay's charming latest opens with a meet-cute no reader will forget and blooms into a multifaceted story replete with lovable characters, mouthwatering descriptions of food, and a vicarious vacation to Martha's Vineyard.... The well-developed emotional growth between the protagonists makes their connection feel real. This is a keeper."
--Publishers Weekly

"Jenn McKinlay's writing sparkles in this wonderfully beachy summer romance. A tale of family, self-discovery and love, Summer Reading is one literary escape you don't want to miss!"
--Kate Bromley, author of Here for the Drama and Talk Bookish to Me

"Pairing a snarky dyslexic chef with a sunshiny 'hot librarian guy', Summer Reading is the perfect blend of sweet, heat, and just pure fun."
--Cathy Yardley, author of Ex Appeal

"[An] immensely enjoyable rom-com... Is it possible to identify, retrieve, and restore missing pieces in life? And if so, how do such discoveries change relationships? McKinlay's breezy, pleasure-filled escape probes these questions and more, while happily entertaining romance readers along the way."
--Shelf Awareness

Praise for Jenn McKinlay's romance novels

"Both fans and readers who are not already smitten with McKinlay's zingy prose and effervescent wit will soon find themselves happily succumbing to this author's many literary charms, including the effortless way in which she deftly pivots from moments of comic absurdity to heartfelt emotion without missing a beat."
--Booklist (starred review)

"Overall, this book was incredibly enjoyable and very engaging. I would definitely recommend Wait For It to friends who enjoy reading romance novels that deal with more serious topics."
--The Nerd Daily

"A playful breezy read that I couldn't put down!"­
--Abby Jimenez, USA Today bestselling author of The Friend Zone

"A delightful romance with characters I adored! Jenn McKinlay takes readers along on a fun and charming adventure in Paris Is Always a Good Idea."
--Emily March, New York Times bestselling author of Teardrop Lane

"Eat Pray Love meets Mamma Mia! I devoured this clever novel in one sitting!"
--Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

"Delivers a fun, feel-good, stand-alone novel that will delight readers. [They] will savor the feisty, adventurous journey of McKinlay's self-deprecating protagonist as she re-examines her past in order to chart her future. Navigating many complications and bumps in the road, Chelsea finds romance and enlightenment over the course of her travels, and discovers how living life can change people--altering destinies, dreams and priorities for the better."
--Shelf Awareness

"McKinlay spins a funny yet poignant tale."
--Jen DeLuca, author of Well Met

"A funny and charming romp of self-discovery.... You'll feel like you've been on a European vacation even if you didn't make it out of your own back yard."
--Kwana Jackson, USA Today bestselling author of Real Men Knit

"Sparkles with wit yet is profoundly humane at its core. You will be rooting for Chelsea through all her travels."
--Jenny Holiday, USA Today bestselling author of Mermaid Inn

"Paris Is Always a Good Idea made me smile, cry, swoon, and cheer. It's a beautiful, funny, and relatable story about finding yourself."
--Sarah Smith, author of Faker

"This book ticked so many of my boxes: a perfectly imperfect protagonist on a bittersweet journey of self-discovery, relatable family tensions, vividly portrayed international settings, and an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers subplot that made me smile from ear to ear. A thoroughly satisfying read that tugged at my heart and made me happy-sigh when I reached the end!"
--Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man

"Jenn McKinlay writes sexy, funny romances that will leave you begging for more!"
--Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author of Almost Just Friends

"Paris Is Always A Good Idea is the must-have summer read of the year."
--Fresh Fiction

"An entertaining romance along with a story with ever changing scenery makes this the perfect summer read."
--Parkersburg News

"Readers will have no trouble investing in Chelsea and Jason's enemies-to-lovers romance. This flawless rom-com is sure to delight."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"McKinlay proves she is also a master at romantic women's fiction with this dazzling novel that delivers everything McKinlay's fans expect--deliciously acerbic wit, delightfully relatable characters, and deeply funny dialogue--all deftly poured into a plot that also thoughtfully examines what true happiness really means."
--Booklist

About the Author