Just for the Summer

by EmKay Connor

Whitley Pierce hasn't been home in fifteen years. When a family crisis brings her back to the small town where she grew up, she discovers nothing is as she remembers. The high school mean girls aren't so mean anymore, and the shy geek who took her to prom is now the town's most successful entrepreneur and its most eligible bachelor. When she's invited to extend her stay and help with the Seaside Festival, she agrees to remain in town...just for the summer.

As family misunderstandings are healed and old friendships renewed, Whitley discovers there's more to the tiny coastal community than she ever realized. The perspective of a grown woman is night and day different than that of a naive young girl, and all the reasons that prompted Whitley to run away may now convince her to stay.

Just for the Summer is a sexy, sassy romance about summer flings and second chances. It's about spreading your wings and finding your place in the world. It's about friends and family and community, love and passion and happy ever after.

57 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2024

About the author

USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author.

Reviews

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome story by Emkay Connor. Seaside is the place to be , why she stayed away for fifteen years is soon becoming a mystery. The mean girls? They’re not mean. The shy geek her prom date? An entrepreneur. .. need I say more? That’s all history…water under the bridge. Well as she found out people grow up and move on, but don’t have to move away to carry on. Well what d’ya know ?It makes your heart sing and causes a glow instead of a fridge. And what urgency calls? Finding a new love for the town , the beach and its squalls. Whitley Pierce had to return for a family emergency , and help her brother out, then when asked to extend her stay to help out with the Seaside Festival she stayed for the summer. Was it now great or was it even glummer? Lewis is her mainstay , and those things what sent her away, including her brother’s woes and those mean friends of course, are the very reasons she now yearns to stay and not with discourse. Home is where her heart lies and home she hopes to be , but this time around , happily and not in abject misery. What a difference a new perspective will bring…A wonder that gives you vim , vigour and zing. A perfect summer. A real thing. Now that’s profound… Great writing by Emkay Connor ,that … you know is always sound . I always know I’m going to enjoy reading one of her books . The story , the characters , the emotions and traits , the dates and their fates as it cooks. The immersive storytelling that grabs from the start , compelling you to enjoy their journey as it grasps at your heart . Bravo ! I’m leaving my review voluntarily and in my own words .

[Gwen Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to this amazing series from Seaside. Whitley Pierce is trying to live her own life away from Seaside and her family. She has gone through so much that she just wants to have her own life. But family calls and she is needed back in Seaside to help with her brother. Her brother is a very special person. He is dealing with something that he just can't control sometimes, and no one seems to understand. There is just not a lot of help out there for him. Whitley has no option but to go back to seaside and help. But will going back bring back all of the bad memories or will it finally give her some peace and a better understanding of her life?
I absolutely loved this one. It was a touching lovable story. It was wonderful written taking into account what families go through when they have someone with the condition her brother has. Emkay Connor did an amazing job writing this one. Highly recommend.

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Just for the Summer* is another captivating addition to *The Summers in Seaside* series, this time penned by EmKay Connor. This second-chance romance delivers an emotionally charged narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The story follows Whitley, who returns to Seaside to support her brother during a challenging time, only to find herself unexpectedly reunited with Lewis—the once-geeky prom date who has since become the town's most eligible bachelor. As old feelings resurface, Whitley faces a dilemma that makes leaving Seaside at the end of the summer more difficult than she ever imagined. Ms Connor masterfully weaves together themes of love, redemption, and the complexities of returning to a place filled with memories, making this novel a must-read for fans of heartwarming and emotional romances.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whitley was overlooked in her childhood since she had a brother who had problems so her parents were always consumed with him. The moment she was able to leave for college she did without looking back as she never wanted to come back to Seaside. Life had another plan for her when she had no choice but to come home for a bit to help out her grandfather with her brother, but she didn't intend to stay there long at all. Fate also had another plan for her when she runs into Lewis, the sweet nerd she went to prom with, only he's not a nerd anymore. They start spending a lot of time together quickly as he doesn't plan to let her go, however, she still feels like she has an expiration date in that town, or does she? I really enjoyed this sweet read, but I do wish there was more of it at the end of the day! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Kamila Mykhailiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this anthology. Amazing characters and wonderful plots. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

A family crisis brings Whitley Pierce back to her hometown for the first time in fifteen years. When opportunity arises to prolong her stay and help with the Summer Festival, she agrees to stay for the summer. Lewis is now not a shy geek that took Whitley to prom, now he’s the most eligible bachelor in town. I loved the chemistry and passion between Whitley and Lewis. They were made for each other.

Overall I loved this book very much. If you’re looking for a second chance, small town romance then you’re going to love it.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning Home

When Whitley is requested to come home to Seaside, she is reunited with Lewis who took her to prom years prior. Their connection is immediate and hot, but Whitley is hesitant to remain in town. Her behavior was a bit disappointing, especially towards those who care for her. I did appreciate the fact that her later decision helped to rectify that but more of epilogue could have helped to close it out. However, it was still a good read.

I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave this review.

[Jenn Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, quick read that kept me involved from the start. Whitley has been hurt by her family, and the struggles and sacrifices that had been made as she grew up. Her brother needs care, and it's something that she hasn't handled well. I had up and down feelings about her at times, but she's on a journey and even in this quick read, there was growth in her character. I loved Lewis, he's full of heart, and the connection he has to her is strong. Overall a read that I enjoyed!

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jennifer Painter Slotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read about Whitley who has to go home to deal with some family issues. While there, she reunites with Lewis from high school. Really enjoyed Lewis's character and his acceptance of Whitley and everything going on. Lots of things to deal with before these two can find their happy ending!

[Danielle Coon-Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, loveable story. Another great addition to the Summer in Seaside Collection and my first book from EmKay!

Whitley and Lewis are so sweet through this emotional book. Loved the second-chance trope in this one and just the care that Lewis shows for Whitley is truly admirable.

Thanks for the early read.

[Debbie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an emotional family story. It was very easy to sympathize with Whitley and how she felt growing up. I loved the positive changes in the people she got reacquainted with when she went back to Seaside to help out with her brother Adam and her grandfather. Lewis was always there for her in the past and it was wonderful to see them get their HEA!

[Teri Ruscak · Rating 5 out of 5]

EmKay Connor
Just for the Summer
Lewis and Whitley
Unbeknownst to each other, they crushed on each other in high school. After graduation Whitley left for college across the country without saying goodbye. Now 15 years later she's back. Can they make this relationship work?
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meli Raine]

Real life, real love

This isn't your typical reunion romance. Whitley and Lewis have big issues to work through before they find their HEA.

Great emotions packed into this sweet hope-filled story.

[Kathy Dryden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes life gives you lemons!

Families must often make tough decisions to care for their loved ones. This book gives us a great look at that and a little bit of romance to go with it. EmKay put such heart in this for me.

[Raeann Wolfley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whitley and Lewis‘s story will definitely give you all the feels and so many emotions. But… it will be all worth it when you get to the end!