Feels Like Summer

by Wendy Francis

For three sisters, this Memorial Day weekend is a much-anticipated reunion—and a sizzling escape—where secrets, lovers, and betrayals collide in a small coastal town.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the annual kickoff to summer for the Lancaster sisters. But the festivities take a deep dive when a mysterious boating accident occurs off their seaside town, sparking questions about how well the sisters know their neighbors—and each other.

Kate, whip smart and rich, lives a charmed life—if only her lawyer husband wasn’t always disappearing for his next big case. Older sister Shelby, when not selling houses, is falling hard for an on-again, off-again lover. He’s perfect for Shelby in many ways, and so wrong in others. And Bree, the youngest, is reeling from a recent breakup and in desperate need of her sisters. They’ve always been there for each other, but as secrets arise and gossip spreads like wildfire, the idyllic weekend takes a dramatic tailspin. Will this summer’s troubles change their bond before their sisterhood is righted again?

Genres: Fiction, Summer Reads, Summer, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Drama, Mystery

303 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2024

About the author

Wendy Francis is a former book editor (Houghton Mifflin Co.) and the author of Feels Like Summer, Summertime Guests, Best Behavior, The Summer Sail, The Summer of Good Intentions, and Three Good Things. Her new book, Betting on Good, will be out in May 2025. Her essays have appeared in Good Housekeeping, The Washington Post, YahooParenting, The Huffington Post, and WBUR's Cognoscenti. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and 16-year-old son. For events and updates, check out her webpage at www.facebook.com/wendyfrancisauthor or follow her on Instagram @wendyfrancisauthor.

Reviews

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read.

I really did enjoy this book, although there were times that it dragged. I do love a book that is based around family and beaches and Feels Like Summer covers both. I totally recommend it.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at this you already know it’s a perfect summer read but I have to say, it would be absolutely ideal to bring on your summer vacation. It’s light and gossipy, plenty of drama and intrigue and has a pretty summer setting that makes you feel like you’re already on vacation anyway. This is a family drama that follows three sisters who are all at pivotal moments in their lives. I love a story about sisters and Kate, Bree and Shelby were entertaining and relatable at times. Besides an interesting family dynamic there is also a mystery sub plot that was a pleasant surprise. If you want an escapist read with all the summertime vibes this was really enjoyable.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Erin Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book as an ARC reviewer. I would honestly say at first the timeline jump between current day of Robins POV and jumping back to the past switching between all 3 sisters POV took a bit of time to get used to but once I got into their characters I very much enjoyed their storylines and the character development occurring.

There was beautiful family dynamics surrounding life choices and hardships that brought reality to a fun loving American holiday.

I was a bit surprised that the culmination of the mystery, was a nominal character who had little to do with the plot of the story. However there were a few twists thrown in I was not expecting which made everything wrap up nicely.

Overall this was an intriguing build to 3 sisters lives coming together as they find new pathways after hardship. I would recommend for a good beach read.

[Maggie Van Ningen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read the ARC of this book. I LOVED this book. I loved the relationship between the 3 sisters, the huge plot twist at the end of the story, and how the plot progresses throughout the book. I loved the setting, I loved the multiple points of views for the sisters, and I loved how well the pace of the story was. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read!

[Candi Grzegorczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Starts a little slow but picks up and then I couldn’t put it down! It reminded me a bit of an Elin Hilderbrand novel with the beach town setting and the mystery element added in. I really enjoyed the 3 different sister’s POV as well as the police officer which I thought was going to be confusing at first but it ended up being pretty easy to keep straight. I absolutely didn’t see the ending coming. It’s the perfect summer read for specially if you love a beach mystery!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Sydney Wiggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow in the beginning. Finally picked up in the last 15% or so but ending felt rushed with not a ton of closure.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

[Val Wallich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summer read

Enjoyable beach/summer read.

I enjoy Elin Hildebrand and consider her the top author of these sorts of books. This author is right there with Elin.

I’ll be looking to read more by her.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shelby, Kate and Bree are sisters.

Shelby is divorced, with a teenage son, and is in a relationship she can’t tell her sisters about.

Kate is the middle sister but feels like the oldest. She’s married, she’s wealthy, she has a toddler and she’s a stay at home mom.

Bree is the youngest by a significant margin. She’s free spirited and an artist. But she’s not making enough money as an artist to pay the bills.

When Kate finds out her husband is cheating, she heads to her summerhouse early. Soon she meets up with Shelby and Bree. And here is where I admit that I would have enjoyed the book more if I liked Shelby.
Shelby is involved with a married man. And when she finds out her sister’s husband is having an affair, she is not supportive of Kate leaving him. She actually tries to talk her into staying. And it’s entirely because of the guilt that she herself feels for being involved with a married man.

For me to really enjoy a book I usually gave to like the characters. The exception is when someone is so over the top that it’s intentionally funny. It’s difficult when I’m supposed to like the character. And I just did not like Shelby.

I was also surprised by the storyline about a potential drowning victim. I was even more surprised by the conclusion of that storyline because it felt kind of rushed and less relevant than I was expecting.

I love this author’s books. I loved the setting. And I appreciated the storyline of the three sisters trying to help each other through some difficult things. But my dislike of Shelby affected my overall enjoyment of the story. I feel like she didn’t really want her sisters to be happy and I sold t say that about either Bree or Kate.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thank you!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good summer beach read. It’s a mystery masquerading as a family drama or vice versa. At first it was a little hard to understand the 4 different narrators telling the story from their point of view. Once you got to know each character it was easy and enjoyable. I did feel the ending was a little rushed and I would have liked to find out more and get more closure for Shelby. I also would have loved an epilogue that told you what happened to the veterinarian and his marriage. The sister relationship was very believable and relatable. So, in these regards, the story did leave me thinking about it afterwards, so I appreciate that.

I enjoyed the story and read it pretty quickly. There were a few weird references to Greek and Roman gods that felt out of place for a book that centered on a Massachusetts sister drama with infidelity and maybe a murder. There were enough twists and turns to make it an enjoyable quick read.

[Tonya | The Cultivated Library Co · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5

While reading Feels Like Summer by Wendy Francis, I kept wishing I was actually in Hull, the dreamy coastal town where the Lancaster sisters get together every summer. A vacation at the beach hanging out with friends and family sounds perfect right about now!

Feels Like Summer has dual timelines just days apart. One with a missing person. The other with Bree, Shelby, and Kate doing their best to live their lives and carry on family traditions after the passing of their parents.

It was so easy to get lost in the sisterly drama! I wasn't particularly happy about one of the sisters though. Her choices and justifications for those choices just got under my skin. Other than that, I loved the mystery aspect of the story! If you're in the mood for a drama-filled story that will suck you in, Feels Like Summer would be great for your summer vacay!

Read this if you like:
•  sister drama
•  secrets, lovers, and betrayals
•  a beach read with mystery

[Elyse Mason · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not. It. It was not moving. It was not thrilling. This book just was not good.

Bonus points: I’ve never hated ANYTHING in this life like I hated Clara’s audiobook voice in this read. 🙃

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book as an ARC reviewer. I would honestly say at first the timeline jump between current day of Robins POV and jumping back to the past switching between all 3 sisters POV took a bit of time to get used to but once I got into their characters I very much enjoyed their storylines and the character development occurring.

There was beautiful family dynamics surrounding life choices and hardships that brought reality to a fun loving American holiday.

I was a bit surprised that the culmination of the mystery, was a nominal character who had little to do with the plot of the story. However there were a few twists thrown in I was not expecting which made everything wrap up nicely.

Overall this was an intriguing build to 3 sisters lives coming together as they find new pathways after hardship. I would recommend for a good beach read.

[Becca Wilder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one’s for the beach! Set on the Massachusetts coast, Feels Like Summer follows three sisters who are all at crossroads in their lives. Older sister, Shelby is a divorced, single mom with a great career and good friends but is having an affair with the coveted local vet (who turns out to be a dog!); middle sister Kate has the perfect life as a stay-at-home mom married to a wealthy attorney, until she finds him cheating and lying and the life she knows starts to fall apart; youngest sister Bree is a floundering artist who shows promise but has yet to hit her stride, and her break-up with an older and more mature girlfriend sheds light on the fact that she has yet to really launch into responsible adulthood. The sisters convene in Hull, MA for Memorial Day when secrets and betrayals come to light, throwing their world into chaos until tragedy brings them together to realize what is most important.

I enjoyed the setting of this book—it made me want to steal away and spend some time on Shelby’s stretch of beach. Toes in sand, book in hand!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Feels Like Summer" is the perfect summer read, offering a captivating blend of romance, suspense, and drama set in a picturesque coastal town. The story follows the Lancaster sisters—Kate, Shelby, and Bree—whose much-anticipated Memorial Day reunion takes a dramatic turn following a mysterious boating accident. As secrets unravel and relationships are tested, the sisters navigate love, betrayal, and their deep bonds, making for a compelling and heartfelt narrative. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC; this book beautifully captures the essence of summer and sisterhood.

[Kellie Stroud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Wendy Francis’s books and was thrilled when I discovered she had a new book out!! This story did not disappoint! She has always written rich, complex characters and this story was no exception. Focusing on families and the complex relationships that develop within families is another feature of her writing. This book had both of those elements along with a bit of mystery and a twist at the end. I enjoyed the addition of that third element. This story focuses on the Lancaster sisters. Each girl is going through her own struggle. As the story progresses, the reader gets to see the sisters come together to support one another and overcome each girl’s struggle. This story is interesting, thought provoking, and well worth the read❣️

[Samantha Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not love the story lines of the other two sisters. I feel like this story would have been more intriguing if it had followed Shelby and her life with the mention of Kate’s scenario. Bree seemed thrown in for no added value. Also, I listened to the audiobook and the moments where they do the child’s voice is hard to listen to.

[Mylissa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting mix of family drama, women's fiction and mystery/suspense. Infidelity is a large part of this novel and that isn't my favorite theme for a book

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline is excellent and the characters are interesting and well described. Thank you to Wendy Francis, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc of this book

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sisters Shelby, Kate and Bree are very different, but still have that sibling bond despite their different lifestyles. Shelby is a single mom to teenage Noah, and has struggled to build a successful career as a realtor on Hull, on the coast of Massachusetts. Kate is married to a millionaire attorney, and has a quite demanding 3 year toddler Clara. Bree is the baby of the sisters, and is an aspiring artist, but is quite broke. When they all get together at Shelby’s for the pre-Memorial Day party, they discover each has secrets that is upending their lives. With drama, humor and romance thrown in, this is an enjoyable quick read emphasizes again that relationships with family comes before anything else. Despite anyone’s opinions, each of them realizes they deserve happiness, even if it means making major life changes. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book; all opinions are my own.

[Natalie Scibetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really have to get used to chapters dedicated to characters. I must say it's not the best from my POV. Once you get thru that the story picks up with a twist.

[Rae Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

to me this did not feel like summer??? 😭😭😭 like it took place during summer and there was a boat scene but nothing about this gave summer to me. but the DRAMAAAAAA!!!!! sooo scandalous!! i was getting heated reading this i was so invested!

[Deana Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Sisterly bonds
Marriage
Divorce
Affairs
And you guessed it - a dead body

A middle of the road read. Not blah but not 😲 either. I felt the end was a tad flat. The scenarios in my head made for a better ending

[Jane Lump · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for the 4th of July weekend. Maybe a little predictable, but the characters and their motivations are well thought out. It kept my attention.

[Lisa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed. Needed something on audio book so I would clean my closet. Nice surprise.

[Lucy Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns in a saga of family love, loss and tension.

This is the first book I've read by Wendy Francis and it won't be the last....well plotted twists and turns featuring the lives of 3 sisters who have dealt with tragedy and betrayal and think they know each other inside out.

Set on the east coast of the USA it features a cast of recognisable characters who are not all they seem to be at first glance. At the heart of the story is the sometimes strained relationship between the three siblings who struggle to see things from anyone else's point of view. But when tragedy and drama hit their small coastal town over the Memorial Day weekend, they finally realise they're stronger together than they are when they're fighting.

If you like 'real life' drama and lots of ups and downs, you'll enjoy this book!

[Kelly Eastham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly so good the title is corny but gives elin hilderbrand beachy family drama with a twist

[Krissy Koz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick easy read. The twists kept book interesting and I think author did a good job with making who the victim was suspenseful. Ending felt kind of rushed.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, easy read about three sisters who gather at their beach house during particularly difficult times in their lives. I enjoyed the relationship between the three, the drama, the gossip, and the mystery surrounding a body found in the water.