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Kip Island #1
The Edge of Summer
Delilah Delacroix is doing the best she can. Eight months after losing her parents and taking guardianship of her younger siblings, moving halfway across the country to a small island town is just what they need. Too bad this only seems to make her brother hate her more.
Fire Chief Luke Bowman can count on one hand the number of people he trusts. After what happened with his ex, he certainly isn't going to let another woman get inside his head. But when Delilah comes to town, this proves to be difficult.
As summer burns and things between Delilah and Luke start to heat up, trouble lingers. Delilah's brother seems to be drifting further away and she doesn't know how to get him back. Meanwhile, Luke is trying desperately to keep history from repeating itself.
When a casual arrangement starts feeling like a whole lot more, Delilah knows she needs to walk away, but it's easier said than done when Luke has seen all her jagged edges. Luke knows that he can't give Delilah what she needs and letting her go is the right thing to do. So why does it feel so wrong?
Fire Chief Luke Bowman can count on one hand the number of people he trusts. After what happened with his ex, he certainly isn't going to let another woman get inside his head. But when Delilah comes to town, this proves to be difficult.
As summer burns and things between Delilah and Luke start to heat up, trouble lingers. Delilah's brother seems to be drifting further away and she doesn't know how to get him back. Meanwhile, Luke is trying desperately to keep history from repeating itself.
When a casual arrangement starts feeling like a whole lot more, Delilah knows she needs to walk away, but it's easier said than done when Luke has seen all her jagged edges. Luke knows that he can't give Delilah what she needs and letting her go is the right thing to do. So why does it feel so wrong?
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2024
51 people are currently reading
875 people want to read
About the author
Bobbi Maclaren
5 books49 followersBobbi Maclaren is an indie author from a small town in Ontario, Canada. When she isn't writing, she can be found reading, wrangling her mischievous black cat, or booking her next trip to a new country. She also loves fall, dresses with pockets, and her emotional support water bottle. To stay up to date, follow her on social media @bmaclarenwrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
December 9, 2024
A great debut novel from Bobbi!
This was such an easy read! The characters Bobbi has created were great.
I loved the small town setting especially being on a small island.
I feel like the insta attraction between Luke & Delilah made sense for their characters. Yes they were instantly attracted but they didn’t fully give in to their feelings & commit till much later in the book.
Both Delilah & Luke had their own battles to overcomes & it was lovely to see them both support each other while doing so.
The friendships & the found family in this book were really lovely!
I’m excited for the next book in the series!🫶🏼
This was such an easy read! The characters Bobbi has created were great.
I loved the small town setting especially being on a small island.
I feel like the insta attraction between Luke & Delilah made sense for their characters. Yes they were instantly attracted but they didn’t fully give in to their feelings & commit till much later in the book.
Both Delilah & Luke had their own battles to overcomes & it was lovely to see them both support each other while doing so.
The friendships & the found family in this book were really lovely!
I’m excited for the next book in the series!🫶🏼
August 9, 2024
⭐️2.75⭐️
March 27, 2024
4 stars !! arc review <3
TROPES:
✧ single guardian
✧ waitress x fire chief
✧ small town romance
✧ “i hate that i want you”
what an amazing debut book !!! i know bobbi because of an author reposting about the book and i’m so glad that i saw it <3
“this island feels right.“
after a terrible car accident, delilah and her siblings are devastated, they’re grieving their parents which is tough and delilah is also grieving a relationship. a couple of months pass by and delilah, as the older sibling and guardian, decides to make a huge change by leaving everything behind and moving to kip island but it’s just for the summer, right?
their first day on the island? a mess! her brother doesn’t talk to her unless he has to and her little sister wants to see their parents again but at least she’s happy with the move ! it was an eventful day because it envolves another car accident ! but nothing huge, just a moment in which they meet luke bowman, the fire chief who has trust issues after his ex’s choices that left consequences. luke didn’t expect to fall for delilah but sometimes we can do nothing about it and the tension is always there, even when he doesn’t wanna see her, she’s everywhere including at his sister’s work because she’s the new waitress !
poor luke wasn’t expecting to fall but this man fell from a huge cliff and i couldn’t be happier for them !!! after a lot of talks and miscommunication about being in a real relationship THEY’RE FINALLY TOGETHER !!!! but most of all, i’m so glad that delilah is working with what she loves and that parker is communicating with her as her brother. i had so much fun reading the edge of summer and i wish it was summer and that i would be in a pink house <3
“you’re confident.”
“in you and me? of course i am. we’re a sure thing, baby.”
i believe that kip island is a trilogy and the other couples are gabriel & hallie but also clara with an actor maybe? i would say hudson lefort since a movie is being shoot in the island but we will have to wait to find out ! and to think that gabe and hal will probably have the last book… but i’ll wait patiently ! my real wish was for parker to have his own book… i love him so much <3 can you imagine parker boy coming back to the island after four years at college? my dream !!!!!
“that’s not how this works. i’m supposed to look out for you.”
“why? because you’re older? that’s bullshit. you didn’t ask for this any more than we did. we’re family, so we take care of each other the best we can. the way i see it, you’ve spent a long time taking care of me and soph. it’s about time someone took care of you.”
thank you so much bobbi for sending me an arc <3
TROPES:
✧ single guardian
✧ waitress x fire chief
✧ small town romance
✧ “i hate that i want you”
what an amazing debut book !!! i know bobbi because of an author reposting about the book and i’m so glad that i saw it <3
“this island feels right.“
after a terrible car accident, delilah and her siblings are devastated, they’re grieving their parents which is tough and delilah is also grieving a relationship. a couple of months pass by and delilah, as the older sibling and guardian, decides to make a huge change by leaving everything behind and moving to kip island but it’s just for the summer, right?
their first day on the island? a mess! her brother doesn’t talk to her unless he has to and her little sister wants to see their parents again but at least she’s happy with the move ! it was an eventful day because it envolves another car accident ! but nothing huge, just a moment in which they meet luke bowman, the fire chief who has trust issues after his ex’s choices that left consequences. luke didn’t expect to fall for delilah but sometimes we can do nothing about it and the tension is always there, even when he doesn’t wanna see her, she’s everywhere including at his sister’s work because she’s the new waitress !
poor luke wasn’t expecting to fall but this man fell from a huge cliff and i couldn’t be happier for them !!! after a lot of talks and miscommunication about being in a real relationship THEY’RE FINALLY TOGETHER !!!! but most of all, i’m so glad that delilah is working with what she loves and that parker is communicating with her as her brother. i had so much fun reading the edge of summer and i wish it was summer and that i would be in a pink house <3
“you’re confident.”
“in you and me? of course i am. we’re a sure thing, baby.”
i believe that kip island is a trilogy and the other couples are gabriel & hallie but also clara with an actor maybe? i would say hudson lefort since a movie is being shoot in the island but we will have to wait to find out ! and to think that gabe and hal will probably have the last book… but i’ll wait patiently ! my real wish was for parker to have his own book… i love him so much <3 can you imagine parker boy coming back to the island after four years at college? my dream !!!!!
“that’s not how this works. i’m supposed to look out for you.”
“why? because you’re older? that’s bullshit. you didn’t ask for this any more than we did. we’re family, so we take care of each other the best we can. the way i see it, you’ve spent a long time taking care of me and soph. it’s about time someone took care of you.”
thank you so much bobbi for sending me an arc <3
March 30, 2024
4.25/5 ⭐- ARC REVIEW
First of all, BEAUTIFUL dedication! The eleven-year-old you is definitely proud of you.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. A small town (island) romance was refreshing and unique for a change. My favorite character has to be Sophie! She's officially the cutest fictional munchkin.
As for the book, the plot was surprisingly even paced (a lot of debut novels lack this) and the narrative was very descriptive yet easy to understand. I like the breaking point of chapters, the rewind of the other character's POV before reaching to the previous chapter's cliffhanger.
The fact that the MMC is a firefighter made it all the better. I am IN LOVE with Lucas Bowman! He was caring, sweet, always looking out for everybody. Just the perfect man all in one.
Delilah, however, is fire in my opinion (fire of the firefighter iykyk). The way she handled everything after her parent's death with her siblings and the job and her passion was very inspiring. I love how she was always clear of what she wanted and stood up for it, never settling for less. I loved the progress in her relationship with Parker, her other instincts with Sophia and how she and Luke complemented eah other very well. A strong FMC is a major win for me.
The Bowman family, whenever appeared in scenes filled it with overwhelming love. I could feel the bond though the words, a healthy loving family. The spice level was moderate which, personally, LOVE it. I like how half the book is in concern with her siblings and his family and yet it's never too much or too less.
As for the negatives- I HATED THE NICKNAME 'SHUTTERBUG'. Ok hate might be an exaggeration but everytime it was mentioned, I felt an ick honestly. I'm all for a cute nickname but Shutterbug ain't it for me. Her nickname for him though, 'Chief' was obviously his title but sounded flirty from her side; loved that. I'd have much preferred the nickname to be 'Lilah' or 'Lily' for that matter. Unique for 'Dee' (other people call her that) and still cute yet related to her.
Y'all better have this book in your TBRs right now before you regret it. I can't wait until Delilah and Lucas and out in the world for you to love as much as I have.
Congratulations Bobbi! This is a banger debut. Thank you for the arc. And I sure as hell hope the series follows with books with Clara and Gabe! That Epilogue was a TEASE!
My guesses-
Clara x Finn??
Gabe x Hallieh
First of all, BEAUTIFUL dedication! The eleven-year-old you is definitely proud of you.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. A small town (island) romance was refreshing and unique for a change. My favorite character has to be Sophie! She's officially the cutest fictional munchkin.
As for the book, the plot was surprisingly even paced (a lot of debut novels lack this) and the narrative was very descriptive yet easy to understand. I like the breaking point of chapters, the rewind of the other character's POV before reaching to the previous chapter's cliffhanger.
The fact that the MMC is a firefighter made it all the better. I am IN LOVE with Lucas Bowman! He was caring, sweet, always looking out for everybody. Just the perfect man all in one.
Delilah, however, is fire in my opinion (fire of the firefighter iykyk). The way she handled everything after her parent's death with her siblings and the job and her passion was very inspiring. I love how she was always clear of what she wanted and stood up for it, never settling for less. I loved the progress in her relationship with Parker, her other instincts with Sophia and how she and Luke complemented eah other very well. A strong FMC is a major win for me.
The Bowman family, whenever appeared in scenes filled it with overwhelming love. I could feel the bond though the words, a healthy loving family. The spice level was moderate which, personally, LOVE it. I like how half the book is in concern with her siblings and his family and yet it's never too much or too less.
As for the negatives- I HATED THE NICKNAME 'SHUTTERBUG'. Ok hate might be an exaggeration but everytime it was mentioned, I felt an ick honestly. I'm all for a cute nickname but Shutterbug ain't it for me. Her nickname for him though, 'Chief' was obviously his title but sounded flirty from her side; loved that. I'd have much preferred the nickname to be 'Lilah' or 'Lily' for that matter. Unique for 'Dee' (other people call her that) and still cute yet related to her.
Y'all better have this book in your TBRs right now before you regret it. I can't wait until Delilah and Lucas and out in the world for you to love as much as I have.
Congratulations Bobbi! This is a banger debut. Thank you for the arc. And I sure as hell hope the series follows with books with Clara and Gabe! That Epilogue was a TEASE!
My guesses-
Clara x Finn??
Gabe x Hallieh
April 29, 2024
I don’t typically write reviews but this book will forever hold a special place in my heart. Genuinely such a wonderful read and a great story 🥺❤️
April 4, 2024
Bobbi Mclaren’s debut novel The Edge of Summer was a great quick read. Thank you for the ARC!
- single guardian
- small town romance
- minor age gap (5 years)
- fire chief x waitress
Loved Delilah & Luke! “I can’t help but marvel at the way we fit together, like I was always meant to be here doing this.” Ugh my heart 🥹💙
- single guardian
- small town romance
- minor age gap (5 years)
- fire chief x waitress
Loved Delilah & Luke! “I can’t help but marvel at the way we fit together, like I was always meant to be here doing this.” Ugh my heart 🥹💙
March 24, 2024
bobbi did so good with this!! i was so happy when i got the arc bc i really wanted to see how bobbi would write delilah. i feel like single guardian stories can be tricky but bobbi didn’t disappoint!! she made delilah, parker, and sophia’s story easily relatable, even if you’ve never experienced what they have
delilah & luke had a wonderful dynamic. they were characters with different backgrounds, but their lives intertwined really well and they were great together <3
i cannot wait for more kip island books! i know they’re gonna be great!
thank you bobbi for the arc!!
delilah & luke had a wonderful dynamic. they were characters with different backgrounds, but their lives intertwined really well and they were great together <3
i cannot wait for more kip island books! i know they’re gonna be great!
thank you bobbi for the arc!!
May 8, 2024
Typical small town grump versus sunshine with a history of drama and a few kids involved in the mix.
Consider me sold.
Sweet straight to the point story that will capture your heart at any moment.
Bobbi Maclaren did an amazing job with her debut book. Can’t wait for Book 2 in the series.
I only have one comment, more like criticism. I just cannot understand why one would think that it is not a sibling’s or a family member’s obligation to take care of younger kids in the family when and if tragedy happens. It should go beyond comprehension that this is what family is all about. Sticking with each other. Taking care of each other. And make worthy sacrifices that will guarantee the happiness of the family as a whole.
This should never ever be questioned.
Consider me sold.
Sweet straight to the point story that will capture your heart at any moment.
Bobbi Maclaren did an amazing job with her debut book. Can’t wait for Book 2 in the series.
I only have one comment, more like criticism. I just cannot understand why one would think that it is not a sibling’s or a family member’s obligation to take care of younger kids in the family when and if tragedy happens. It should go beyond comprehension that this is what family is all about. Sticking with each other. Taking care of each other. And make worthy sacrifices that will guarantee the happiness of the family as a whole.
This should never ever be questioned.
July 21, 2025
An absolutely FANTASTIC start to a new found family, small island town, dual POV romance that has Luke, the Chief of the fire department falling for Delilah, the new arrival who is struggling in the role of caregiver for her orphaned siblings.
This was so well written, with tons of spice, lots of emotional depth and is perfect for fans of authors like Katie Golightly. Highly recommended and I can't wait for Gabe's story next!!!
A perfect book to bring on your beach or cottage vacation this summer!!
This was so well written, with tons of spice, lots of emotional depth and is perfect for fans of authors like Katie Golightly. Highly recommended and I can't wait for Gabe's story next!!!
A perfect book to bring on your beach or cottage vacation this summer!!
March 24, 2024
4.5 Star Read! Might as well count it as a 5!
The Edge of Summer - Bobbi Maclaren
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Fire Chief x Waitress
Single Guardian
Age Gap
Small Town Romance
When Delilah Delacroix decides it’s time for her and her siblings to move across the country after their parents death, she doesn’t realize she was finding her way home. Kips Island is the epitome of small town where everyone knows everyone so when Delilah & Co. comes into town lost, she ends up rear ending the towns beloved Fire Chief. Luke Bowman knows this girl who hit him is trouble just by the fact that his heart feels a little pull and his thoughts can’t leave her. The more time passes, the two begin to interweave their daily lives and they find it impossible to stay away from each other. In the midst of trying to raise her siblings and find herself, she finds herself falling for the guarded Fire Chief.
This was such a good read and it’s Bobbi’s debut novel! I loved the complexity behind each character. I’m usually very critical of Fire Fighter MMCs because it’s very real to me LOL but Luke did the profession justice. He was caring and kind but reserved and man did he find his ways to take care of Delilah and her siblings. Delilah was so strong as a FMC taking on the guardianship of her 2 siblings. She tried so hard to hold everything together all the time and I felt for her. The found family aspect made me so happy and I was so happy that everyone welcomed Delilah and her family with open arms as small towns should. Thank you so much to Bobbi for giving us the chance to be an ARC reader for this! ✨Stay tuned for it’s official release on April 5th✨
The Edge of Summer - Bobbi Maclaren
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Fire Chief x Waitress
Single Guardian
Age Gap
Small Town Romance
When Delilah Delacroix decides it’s time for her and her siblings to move across the country after their parents death, she doesn’t realize she was finding her way home. Kips Island is the epitome of small town where everyone knows everyone so when Delilah & Co. comes into town lost, she ends up rear ending the towns beloved Fire Chief. Luke Bowman knows this girl who hit him is trouble just by the fact that his heart feels a little pull and his thoughts can’t leave her. The more time passes, the two begin to interweave their daily lives and they find it impossible to stay away from each other. In the midst of trying to raise her siblings and find herself, she finds herself falling for the guarded Fire Chief.
This was such a good read and it’s Bobbi’s debut novel! I loved the complexity behind each character. I’m usually very critical of Fire Fighter MMCs because it’s very real to me LOL but Luke did the profession justice. He was caring and kind but reserved and man did he find his ways to take care of Delilah and her siblings. Delilah was so strong as a FMC taking on the guardianship of her 2 siblings. She tried so hard to hold everything together all the time and I felt for her. The found family aspect made me so happy and I was so happy that everyone welcomed Delilah and her family with open arms as small towns should. Thank you so much to Bobbi for giving us the chance to be an ARC reader for this! ✨Stay tuned for it’s official release on April 5th✨
April 5, 2024
Binge read in under an hour and oh my god I am obsessed🥺
Being a single parent is no easy feat, but playing the role of both parents to your younger siblings must be a million times harder and my goodness Bobbi I feel you’ve encapsulated that impeccably. The constant worrying if you’re doing enough, the weight on your shoulders, the struggle. Truly incredibly written.
As for our main characters Luke and Delilah, you’ve also blown it out of the water! The big grumpy firehouse chief has a heart somewhere under that hard exterior. The tension. Their bond. The spice. The unrequited love.
Without a doubt one of my favourite reads this month so far!
Now let’s talk about Hallie and Gabe…👀
Being a single parent is no easy feat, but playing the role of both parents to your younger siblings must be a million times harder and my goodness Bobbi I feel you’ve encapsulated that impeccably. The constant worrying if you’re doing enough, the weight on your shoulders, the struggle. Truly incredibly written.
As for our main characters Luke and Delilah, you’ve also blown it out of the water! The big grumpy firehouse chief has a heart somewhere under that hard exterior. The tension. Their bond. The spice. The unrequited love.
Without a doubt one of my favourite reads this month so far!
Now let’s talk about Hallie and Gabe…👀
March 16, 2024
After the tragic loss of their parents, Delilah packs up and moves herself and her two younger siblings to Kip Island for a fresh start. Struggling to stay strong and care for her siblings, Delilah can’t help but feeling like she is failing. Thankfully the kindness of people on Kip Island and a certain family in particular help Delilah to see that she deserves to enjoy life despite working through her grief. She keeps bumping into a certain grumpy fire chief, Luke, and can’t seem to get him out of her head. Little does she know, he also has been hung up on her even though he’s trying to avoid feeling that way.
I love how sweet Luke is and seeing the little things he does for Delilah. Like when he sent that coffee to her, I absolutely smiled at how cute it was! Overall, this book was a cute summer read! There are mentions of death and also includes managing grief, but I think that makes the story and struggles that Delilah faces more relatable.
It releases on April 5th, so be sure to check it out! Its a fast paced read and I read it in one sitting.
Thank you to Bobbi Maclaren for the chance to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
I love how sweet Luke is and seeing the little things he does for Delilah. Like when he sent that coffee to her, I absolutely smiled at how cute it was! Overall, this book was a cute summer read! There are mentions of death and also includes managing grief, but I think that makes the story and struggles that Delilah faces more relatable.
It releases on April 5th, so be sure to check it out! Its a fast paced read and I read it in one sitting.
Thank you to Bobbi Maclaren for the chance to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
July 17, 2025
This was such a sweet and emotionally satisfying read! The Edge of Summer had me completely wrapped up in Delilah and Luke’s story. Delilah felt so real—her grief, her strength, and her love for her siblings came through on every page. She’s doing her best in an impossible situation, and it made her such an easy character to root for.
Luke, the fire chief with a guarded heart, was the perfect counterbalance to Delilah’s warmth. Their dynamic—quiet, simmering tension and undeniable pull—was so fun to watch unfold. I’m a sucker for a good grumpy/sunshine romance, and theirs hit all the right notes.
The small-town setting brought such a comforting sense of community, and I loved the way that sense of found family grew around them. Delilah and Luke’s journey felt grounded and realistic, with just the right blend of emotional depth and romantic tension. And while there is spice (chapters 18, 21, and 26), it’s spaced out and never overshadows the heart of the story.
If you love heartfelt romances with dual POVs, emotional healing, and characters you just want to root for, The Edge of Summer is absolutely worth the read.
Luke, the fire chief with a guarded heart, was the perfect counterbalance to Delilah’s warmth. Their dynamic—quiet, simmering tension and undeniable pull—was so fun to watch unfold. I’m a sucker for a good grumpy/sunshine romance, and theirs hit all the right notes.
The small-town setting brought such a comforting sense of community, and I loved the way that sense of found family grew around them. Delilah and Luke’s journey felt grounded and realistic, with just the right blend of emotional depth and romantic tension. And while there is spice (chapters 18, 21, and 26), it’s spaced out and never overshadows the heart of the story.
If you love heartfelt romances with dual POVs, emotional healing, and characters you just want to root for, The Edge of Summer is absolutely worth the read.
April 9, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
-Small town
-Waitress x fire chief
-Single guardian
-Age gap (5 years)
-I hate that I want you
This book was a page turner for me! I devoured it! And for a debut!? Amazing! I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet!
I loved both MCs, I think Bobbi was able to perfectly balance two traumatic pasts without overdoing it and without overshadowing the new love! And the spice! Wowee, so well done! Plus a book based in Ontario? I swoon for any mention of a toonie haha!
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
-Small town
-Waitress x fire chief
-Single guardian
-Age gap (5 years)
-I hate that I want you
This book was a page turner for me! I devoured it! And for a debut!? Amazing! I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet!
I loved both MCs, I think Bobbi was able to perfectly balance two traumatic pasts without overdoing it and without overshadowing the new love! And the spice! Wowee, so well done! Plus a book based in Ontario? I swoon for any mention of a toonie haha!
July 28, 2024
Ok as a debut novel this was pretty solid.
I loved the premise:
Delilah gets custody of her siblings after their parent’s deaths. A little extra drama in there, an ex pops up.
Luke, love a fire Chief. He’s got the whole big Brady brunch happy family going here.
No real major icks.
Loved the small town island vibe.
There were a few things that felt off, like where were the kids at some points in time. His little internal issue had me wanting to shout at him at times.
I’ll read future books of hers.
I loved the premise:
Delilah gets custody of her siblings after their parent’s deaths. A little extra drama in there, an ex pops up.
Luke, love a fire Chief. He’s got the whole big Brady brunch happy family going here.
No real major icks.
Loved the small town island vibe.
There were a few things that felt off, like where were the kids at some points in time. His little internal issue had me wanting to shout at him at times.
I’ll read future books of hers.
April 6, 2024
4.75 ⭐️
This is a debut author you immediately need to follow!
Delilah is running, from her past, from her feelings, from her mistakes, from it all. Her parents just passed away, and she is now the some guardian of her two siblings. She feels it’s best to start over across the country. So she finds herself in the small coastal town of Kip Island, renting a small pink house, and waitressing. She is trying to keep it all together for her brother and sister, but it she is cracking. And to top it all off, the fire chief is giving her all kinds of mixed signals. One second Luke acts like he hates her, the next he’s shoving her on the bar top and kissing her like she’s never been kissed before. Neither of them have time for anything serious, but maybe a casual relationship would work. But suddenly he’s showing up for movie nights at her house, and holding her hand under the table at dinner at his parent’s house. Feelings get confusing, and she’s so good at running from everything, maybe that’s what she should do here?
This debut romance had me so immersed from the get go!!! I loved Delilah and Luke and their families. I loved the small coastal town. And I LOVED the stories Bobbi is setting up for!
This book is higher angst, so much tension, delicious grumpy/sunshine, and plenty of tears and emotional healing.
I can’t recommend this enough, and I can’t wait to see what you do next Bobbi!
This is a debut author you immediately need to follow!
Delilah is running, from her past, from her feelings, from her mistakes, from it all. Her parents just passed away, and she is now the some guardian of her two siblings. She feels it’s best to start over across the country. So she finds herself in the small coastal town of Kip Island, renting a small pink house, and waitressing. She is trying to keep it all together for her brother and sister, but it she is cracking. And to top it all off, the fire chief is giving her all kinds of mixed signals. One second Luke acts like he hates her, the next he’s shoving her on the bar top and kissing her like she’s never been kissed before. Neither of them have time for anything serious, but maybe a casual relationship would work. But suddenly he’s showing up for movie nights at her house, and holding her hand under the table at dinner at his parent’s house. Feelings get confusing, and she’s so good at running from everything, maybe that’s what she should do here?
This debut romance had me so immersed from the get go!!! I loved Delilah and Luke and their families. I loved the small coastal town. And I LOVED the stories Bobbi is setting up for!
This book is higher angst, so much tension, delicious grumpy/sunshine, and plenty of tears and emotional healing.
I can’t recommend this enough, and I can’t wait to see what you do next Bobbi!
April 9, 2024
Read this book if you like:
✨celebrity romance
✨fake dating
✨POC MCs/ Brazilian MMC
✨ Taking care when sick
✨slow burn
✨hate to love
✨one bed/ nightmare
This is my first book by Stephanie and I can tell you it won’t be my last. The way the entire story was woven and the characters/ supporting characters were created in such an amazing way that I got sucked into this fictional world. The whole paparazzi catching the wave and them fake dating because it will be beneficial to both was enjoyable. But what had a grip on my heart more was things Madeline went through and how Lucas patiently stood with her and helped her. The twist I had seen it coming but it didn’t deter me.
God the spice was perfect and so were the cute moments, this book is perfect to be your next read because trust me fake dating lovers, you won’t be disappointed.
Arc Review
✨celebrity romance
✨fake dating
✨POC MCs/ Brazilian MMC
✨ Taking care when sick
✨slow burn
✨hate to love
✨one bed/ nightmare
This is my first book by Stephanie and I can tell you it won’t be my last. The way the entire story was woven and the characters/ supporting characters were created in such an amazing way that I got sucked into this fictional world. The whole paparazzi catching the wave and them fake dating because it will be beneficial to both was enjoyable. But what had a grip on my heart more was things Madeline went through and how Lucas patiently stood with her and helped her. The twist I had seen it coming but it didn’t deter me.
God the spice was perfect and so were the cute moments, this book is perfect to be your next read because trust me fake dating lovers, you won’t be disappointed.
Arc Review
May 12, 2024
DNF @ 52%
This is waaaaay too insta attraction and also their attraction never evolves into an emotional one. It’s all about the skirts and the muscles.
The characters had NO personalities which made it impossible to connect with them and get attached.
I kept trying to pick the book back up but I felt no urge to and whenever I did I just didn’t care about the characters.
This is waaaaay too insta attraction and also their attraction never evolves into an emotional one. It’s all about the skirts and the muscles.
The characters had NO personalities which made it impossible to connect with them and get attached.
I kept trying to pick the book back up but I felt no urge to and whenever I did I just didn’t care about the characters.
August 8, 2025
3,5⭐️
solid debut, lovely story!
solid debut, lovely story!
March 29, 2024
I loved this book! I love how grief was portrayed in three different ways between Delilah and her siblings. I think it’s important for people to see that grief is dealt with in many different ways. I also loved the small town vibes and how everyone is connected in some way! I loved how I loved the growth that Like and Delilah went through together and on their own! This is a perfect little summer read!
April 5, 2024
the edge of summer was such a sweet, comforting debut that tugged at my heartstrings. our story follows delilah delacroix, who moves to kip island with her siblings after her parents deaths and luke bowman, the kip island fire chief with a rough past. when they cross paths, things might seem normal, but as time passes their relationship gets a little more complicated.
delilah works so hard for her siblings but still struggles to communicate with them. the way delilah's relationship with her siblings was portrayed was so accurate, and I found myself thinking of my own siblings when reading. watching delilah find her place on kip island as she meets new friends and acquaintances warmed my heart. but her dynamic with luke is something completely different, which adds a brand new aspect to the story.
luke has a troubled history, but that doesn't stop him from being kind to every single person in town. he cares so much about everyone, even if he pretends not to, and it's so refreshing to see someone who goes to incredible lengths for anyone, no matter who the person is. it's what makes his dynamic with delilah so interesting. they bounce off each other so well, and they can push through their struggles and trauma. one of my favorite things about their relationship was luke's dynamic with delilah's siblings. he puts in the effort to get to know them, and even helps her brother through a difficult time. I was uncontrollably giggling and smiling every time luke and sophia joked around or played silly games. it was so cute, and it made this book even better.
one of the biggest things about this book was the fact that in my eyes, the edge of summer is so much more than just a romance. yes, there's a love story but to me, that's not all what it's about. I see the story of a girl who was forced to grow up way too fast, two younger siblings who had to cope with a huge loss and learn how to deal with one "parent." I see a small community who cared for three siblings who have gone through too much. I see a man who struggles with trust issues because of a previous partner, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't get past it. grief and heartbreak were such big themes in this book, and bobbi planted these aspects so well within the story that it was so heartwrenching to read about. i was sobbing by the end of this book y'all, it really hit hard. it was beautifully written and the perfect thing to make this book one of my favorites.
the edge of summer was an incredible debut, and i'm so grateful to bobbi for allowing me an arc of this book. I can't wait to see the next!! <3
the edge of summer is out now on amazon and KU!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5
˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
tropes:
𓇼 || small town romance
𓇼 || “it’s casual”
𓇼 || dual pov
𓇼 || waitress x fire chief
delilah works so hard for her siblings but still struggles to communicate with them. the way delilah's relationship with her siblings was portrayed was so accurate, and I found myself thinking of my own siblings when reading. watching delilah find her place on kip island as she meets new friends and acquaintances warmed my heart. but her dynamic with luke is something completely different, which adds a brand new aspect to the story.
luke has a troubled history, but that doesn't stop him from being kind to every single person in town. he cares so much about everyone, even if he pretends not to, and it's so refreshing to see someone who goes to incredible lengths for anyone, no matter who the person is. it's what makes his dynamic with delilah so interesting. they bounce off each other so well, and they can push through their struggles and trauma. one of my favorite things about their relationship was luke's dynamic with delilah's siblings. he puts in the effort to get to know them, and even helps her brother through a difficult time. I was uncontrollably giggling and smiling every time luke and sophia joked around or played silly games. it was so cute, and it made this book even better.
one of the biggest things about this book was the fact that in my eyes, the edge of summer is so much more than just a romance. yes, there's a love story but to me, that's not all what it's about. I see the story of a girl who was forced to grow up way too fast, two younger siblings who had to cope with a huge loss and learn how to deal with one "parent." I see a small community who cared for three siblings who have gone through too much. I see a man who struggles with trust issues because of a previous partner, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't get past it. grief and heartbreak were such big themes in this book, and bobbi planted these aspects so well within the story that it was so heartwrenching to read about. i was sobbing by the end of this book y'all, it really hit hard. it was beautifully written and the perfect thing to make this book one of my favorites.
the edge of summer was an incredible debut, and i'm so grateful to bobbi for allowing me an arc of this book. I can't wait to see the next!! <3
the edge of summer is out now on amazon and KU!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5
˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
tropes:
𓇼 || small town romance
𓇼 || “it’s casual”
𓇼 || dual pov
𓇼 || waitress x fire chief
July 2, 2024
2.5⭐️
I want to start by saying that a 2.5⭐️ rating isn’t a bad thing for me. This is a debut novel for a new author and for that reason I feel like there needs to be a constructive explanation for why this book didn’t hit the mark for me.
The pacing for the first 50% felt really off for me. The MMC is basically avoiding the FMC for half the book, where the relationship building is lost. So when they finally do decide to rip that bandaid off, the interactions are as believable as they should be. The pacing or the second half or the book was a lot better where a lot of the interactions felt more organic in how they happened, but because the first 50% wasn’t paced as well it results in you scratching your head about how they got to this point.
What was trying to be done with the characters, their story, and their development felt like too much for the length of the book. It just scratched the surface in a really unsatisfying way, and it really should have been one or the other; as in, simplify the plot and characters OR make the book longer so you have an opportunity to get to know them better. The parents dying/guardianship/leaked nudes/new town/ex boyfriend who won’t leave her alone was a lot for what the length of the book was. Again, there is no issue for me with what was being done with the characters BUT there just wasn’t enough pages in the book to do it justice.
All in all, for a debut novel this wasn’t bad. I have read books from seasoned authors that have received worse reviews. I think with more time and more books, the style of writing and how these stories pan out will change greatly for Bobbi.
I want to start by saying that a 2.5⭐️ rating isn’t a bad thing for me. This is a debut novel for a new author and for that reason I feel like there needs to be a constructive explanation for why this book didn’t hit the mark for me.
The pacing for the first 50% felt really off for me. The MMC is basically avoiding the FMC for half the book, where the relationship building is lost. So when they finally do decide to rip that bandaid off, the interactions are as believable as they should be. The pacing or the second half or the book was a lot better where a lot of the interactions felt more organic in how they happened, but because the first 50% wasn’t paced as well it results in you scratching your head about how they got to this point.
What was trying to be done with the characters, their story, and their development felt like too much for the length of the book. It just scratched the surface in a really unsatisfying way, and it really should have been one or the other; as in, simplify the plot and characters OR make the book longer so you have an opportunity to get to know them better. The parents dying/guardianship/leaked nudes/new town/ex boyfriend who won’t leave her alone was a lot for what the length of the book was. Again, there is no issue for me with what was being done with the characters BUT there just wasn’t enough pages in the book to do it justice.
All in all, for a debut novel this wasn’t bad. I have read books from seasoned authors that have received worse reviews. I think with more time and more books, the style of writing and how these stories pan out will change greatly for Bobbi.
March 23, 2024
After losing her parents, Delilah takes guardianship over her brother and sister. 8 months later, she sells their house and moves to Kip Island. After a not so great fresh start, she collides with the fire chief, who she can’t get out of her head.
Luke, unable to trust anyone to give his heart to, learns real fast that fate has a funny way of presenting itself. He too, is unable to keep the new girl residing in his family’s tent house off his mind.
This book is very well written. Although she was worried about how well she’d portray the firefighter life, Bobbi did a fantastic job at describing the busy life of a firefighter and how much he loves and cares for his community.
Thank you for this ARC opportunity Bobbi! I’m excited to read more about what goes on on Kip Island!
Luke, unable to trust anyone to give his heart to, learns real fast that fate has a funny way of presenting itself. He too, is unable to keep the new girl residing in his family’s tent house off his mind.
This book is very well written. Although she was worried about how well she’d portray the firefighter life, Bobbi did a fantastic job at describing the busy life of a firefighter and how much he loves and cares for his community.
Thank you for this ARC opportunity Bobbi! I’m excited to read more about what goes on on Kip Island!
June 24, 2024
3.5 stars
The first 30% of the book had me completely intrigued, eagerly flipping through the pages. However, as the story progressed, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong, but I suspect it had something to do with the repetitive sentences and the lack of significant buildup in certain parts of the narrative. While I enjoyed watching Delilah and Luke navigate their feelings for each other, I couldn't help but feel that the story fell flat in some way.
One aspect of the story that kept me engaged was Delilah's character. Delilah's struggle as a single guardian for her siblings added an extra layer of depth to her character, making her journey all the more compelling.
The first 30% of the book had me completely intrigued, eagerly flipping through the pages. However, as the story progressed, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong, but I suspect it had something to do with the repetitive sentences and the lack of significant buildup in certain parts of the narrative. While I enjoyed watching Delilah and Luke navigate their feelings for each other, I couldn't help but feel that the story fell flat in some way.
One aspect of the story that kept me engaged was Delilah's character. Delilah's struggle as a single guardian for her siblings added an extra layer of depth to her character, making her journey all the more compelling.
October 17, 2024
This was such a cute book, especially loved the dual POV we got in this small town grumpy x sunshine story. It wasn’t just watching Delilah and Luke’s relationship develop - it was so great to see Delilah’s relationships with her younger siblings grow, as well as their relationships with the lovely people of Kip Island. Bobbi is such a great storyteller - it was fun, sad at times, so adorable, and just had the best time reading! Loved being an eARC Reader for this book 💕
April 5, 2024
⭐️ 4
🌶️ 3
Genre: Romance
What to expect:
🌷Small town
🌷Waitress x Fire Chief
🌷Single guardian
🌷Casual dating/fwb
🌷Dual POV
🌷Age gap (5 years)
Review:
I was so invested in this book from the start and breezed through it! The Edge of Summer was the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and emotional, and it is Bobbi’s debut book. I loved Kip Island and especially the Bowman family. I hope we get to see more of them in future books. This book follows Delilah and Fire Chief Luke as they navigate their traumatic past relationships and build their own relationship.
I had such a soft spot for Delilah. Throughout the book we get to see how compassionate and caring she is after having to uproot her life to care for her younger siblings after her parents’ tragic deaths. I resonated a lot with the weight and guilt she carries. It’s rough feeling like you are constantly letting people down and have to base your decisions on what makes others happy.
And then Luke 🥵. I love a man who is willing to help everyone around him. It’s about the little things, and Luke was the king of sweet and caring gestures. Not just for Delilah, but for her siblings and his family as well. Anyone who gets coffee delivered to me and fixes my car because I don't have time is daddy. And of course, I loved his filthy mouth!
There was so much tension throughout and I loved it! The barn scene was *chefs kiss*! I was so happy when they finally gave in because they really did bring out the best and happiness in each other. This was such a promising debut and I cannot wait to see more from Bobbi! Thank you for letting me read an ARC and provide an honest review.
Memorable quotes:
"I'm not naive enough to ask for forever, but I deserve someone who wants it anyway, even if it's futile."
"That lighthouse felt like a tether - something I could reach for to pull myself out of the fog like the ships of long ago."
"I hope you realize one day that you are deserving of love. The right kind of love. One without conditions."
"You have the power to ruin me. You already have. I am utterly wrecked for anyone else."
"It transforms his face and makes me want to be the reason he smiles every single day.”
"No one who really gives a damn about you will expect you to be perfect."
"I want it all, Delilah. Every cry, every moan. I won't be satisfied untill hear you calling out my
name.”
🌶️ 3
Genre: Romance
What to expect:
🌷Small town
🌷Waitress x Fire Chief
🌷Single guardian
🌷Casual dating/fwb
🌷Dual POV
🌷Age gap (5 years)
Review:
I was so invested in this book from the start and breezed through it! The Edge of Summer was the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and emotional, and it is Bobbi’s debut book. I loved Kip Island and especially the Bowman family. I hope we get to see more of them in future books. This book follows Delilah and Fire Chief Luke as they navigate their traumatic past relationships and build their own relationship.
I had such a soft spot for Delilah. Throughout the book we get to see how compassionate and caring she is after having to uproot her life to care for her younger siblings after her parents’ tragic deaths. I resonated a lot with the weight and guilt she carries. It’s rough feeling like you are constantly letting people down and have to base your decisions on what makes others happy.
And then Luke 🥵. I love a man who is willing to help everyone around him. It’s about the little things, and Luke was the king of sweet and caring gestures. Not just for Delilah, but for her siblings and his family as well. Anyone who gets coffee delivered to me and fixes my car because I don't have time is daddy. And of course, I loved his filthy mouth!
There was so much tension throughout and I loved it! The barn scene was *chefs kiss*! I was so happy when they finally gave in because they really did bring out the best and happiness in each other. This was such a promising debut and I cannot wait to see more from Bobbi! Thank you for letting me read an ARC and provide an honest review.
Memorable quotes:
"I'm not naive enough to ask for forever, but I deserve someone who wants it anyway, even if it's futile."
"That lighthouse felt like a tether - something I could reach for to pull myself out of the fog like the ships of long ago."
"I hope you realize one day that you are deserving of love. The right kind of love. One without conditions."
"You have the power to ruin me. You already have. I am utterly wrecked for anyone else."
"It transforms his face and makes me want to be the reason he smiles every single day.”
"No one who really gives a damn about you will expect you to be perfect."
"I want it all, Delilah. Every cry, every moan. I won't be satisfied untill hear you calling out my
name.”
April 14, 2024
Title: The Edge of Summer (Kip Island Book 1)
Author: Bobbi Maclaren
Hero/Heroine: Luke & Delilah
Tropes: Small Town, Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Single Guardian,
tw/cw: death of parents (off page but described), revenge porn (not done by a main character), grief, mention of a house fire (on page in dreams/flashbacks,
✨the good ✨
The fact that this was the author’s first book had me shooketh. Well written, and an engaging storyline with characters who you can’t help but love, The Edge of Summer was hard to put down (which is the truth considering I finished it in less than a day).
After the loss of their parents, Delilah moves her and her siblings to Kip Island, a small island in Ontario, Canada. Their first day on the island, Delilah crashes into the back of the fire chief’s car. Did I also mention this fire chief was hot enough to start a five alarm fire? Well he was. And Delilah noticed.
Luke and Delilah were incredibly hard not to like. Even though Luke spent the first half of the book being a grumpy arse, I couldn’t help but love his protective nature and his need to take care of those he loved. Delilah was sassy, smart and constantly put Luke in his place, I loved this about her.
Grief and guilt were prominent themes throughout this book, and I felt that the author dealt with them in a very sensitive manner. Delilah, having lost her parents and constantly trying to do the best by her siblings, struggled with her feelings of grief. Luke, still feeling guilt about a house fire that nearly took his niece’s life, refused to get into another relationship for fear of someone else he loved getting hurt. These two characters had so many feelings to unpack, I loved seeing them finally realise that accepting support and love from those closest to you made you stronger, not weaker.
Loved, loved, loved this debut romance, I’m so happy that it’s a series as I know those other Bowman siblings have stories to tell.
✨ the bad ✨
Mitchell. Can’t say his name without wanting to gag.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
✨overall thoughts: seriously impressive debut, cannot wait to read more about these wonderful characters
✨ 3rd act break up: yes
✨ heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Bobbi Maclaren
Hero/Heroine: Luke & Delilah
Tropes: Small Town, Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Single Guardian,
tw/cw: death of parents (off page but described), revenge porn (not done by a main character), grief, mention of a house fire (on page in dreams/flashbacks,
✨the good ✨
The fact that this was the author’s first book had me shooketh. Well written, and an engaging storyline with characters who you can’t help but love, The Edge of Summer was hard to put down (which is the truth considering I finished it in less than a day).
After the loss of their parents, Delilah moves her and her siblings to Kip Island, a small island in Ontario, Canada. Their first day on the island, Delilah crashes into the back of the fire chief’s car. Did I also mention this fire chief was hot enough to start a five alarm fire? Well he was. And Delilah noticed.
Luke and Delilah were incredibly hard not to like. Even though Luke spent the first half of the book being a grumpy arse, I couldn’t help but love his protective nature and his need to take care of those he loved. Delilah was sassy, smart and constantly put Luke in his place, I loved this about her.
Grief and guilt were prominent themes throughout this book, and I felt that the author dealt with them in a very sensitive manner. Delilah, having lost her parents and constantly trying to do the best by her siblings, struggled with her feelings of grief. Luke, still feeling guilt about a house fire that nearly took his niece’s life, refused to get into another relationship for fear of someone else he loved getting hurt. These two characters had so many feelings to unpack, I loved seeing them finally realise that accepting support and love from those closest to you made you stronger, not weaker.
Loved, loved, loved this debut romance, I’m so happy that it’s a series as I know those other Bowman siblings have stories to tell.
✨ the bad ✨
Mitchell. Can’t say his name without wanting to gag.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
✨overall thoughts: seriously impressive debut, cannot wait to read more about these wonderful characters
✨ 3rd act break up: yes
✨ heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 22, 2024
Thank you Bobbie Maclaren for sending me an arc of your amazing wonderful book!! This book was an immediate ten out of ten for me! I don’t think anyone understands how upset I am that I finished this book😭😭 I tried so hard to stretch it out but I physically couldn’t because I just wanted to keep reading! Reading this book felt like watching a movie. It was so insanely well written. Everything was so descriptive and captivating. I loved the character, the story, and plot!! Everything about this was perfection for me. I might be slightly biased because this book is Canadian book and my province got mentioned a couple of times 🤭 (shoutout to the Canadian girlies!!) I loved how the book wasn’t only focused on the romance aspects. It dealt with grief, and trauma/pain, that I honestly felt through the book. The romance we did get to see though ughhh soooo good!!! I was sooo invested with Luke and Delilah’s non relationship 🙈 Again the characters were soooo good!!! No one get me started on Luke because I’m already on a search for my own fire chief 😩 he was sooo stinkin cute guys like omg I need himmmmm. That man was love struck and didn’t want to admit it 😂 he held so much love for Delilah, you could see that though all the little things he did. I couldn’t get over how sweet he really was under all that gruff! Delilah really went through the wringer, you could tell she was a fighter. I loved how despite things did end up going bad for her and her siblings she continued to push through it all and continue to see the good and be there for her siblings! She was such a strong character and you could really tell how much she was struggling when reading about her, and I loved how much Luke was able to help with that. They fit each other so well! I loved all the other characters we got to read about. (Hoping we get a book about Luke’s siblings?!?!) This book was just perfection to me and I’m so devastated I finished it, like I’m currently in really bad denial right now😭😭😭 I can’t wait to read more from Bobbie!!!! There’s so much more I wanna say but this review is already wayy to long but I loved loved loved this book!!!!!
March 19, 2025
Review
5 ⭐️ Stars
Delilah Delacroix is such a sweet person but she doubts herself so much. I want to give her a hug and tell her she’s doing the best she can. I wish she’d let those around her help her more so she can grieve her parents and her past.
I can relate to Delilah’s lack of confidence in her own art. She’s unsure if she’s good at what she does, even after many people have told her she’s incredible.
I feel like I know a Luke Bowman. I went to high school with boys like Luke. He keeps his heart close to his chest, he's fiercely loyal to those who deserve it but when mistakes get made, he takes them to heart and makes them his problem, whether they are or not. Due to him taking on other people’s problems, he’s also a fixer. He takes on so much. He’s someone who needs to slow down and let himself feel without shame of the past.
I appreciate how Luke truly sees Delilah when she gets upset and lets her be. I also truly appreciate how he interacts with
Parker.
Luke and Delilah are like mirrors for each other, they show each other what they need in the reflection. He tells her not to be so hard on herself when he needs the same thing (and vice versa). Sometimes they look in that mirror and they don’t like what they see because it’s scary to see it, but it’s there whether they like it or not. They’re mirrors, but they also try to support each other through their pain and frustrations.
The end had me laughing and crying and wanting more. I will impatiently wait for the next one.
This wasn’t nice. I didn't want to cry in the first few chapters, but I did. Bobbi Maclaren writes characters, that you may know irl and that you may have grown up with. Maclaren writes real people who you can connect to and care for. Bobbi Maclaren is a writer and a damn good one.
This is one book that should be put into Canada Reads and stand along side Carley Fortune in being one of the many books that should represent Canada as a must read.
5 ⭐️ Stars
Delilah Delacroix is such a sweet person but she doubts herself so much. I want to give her a hug and tell her she’s doing the best she can. I wish she’d let those around her help her more so she can grieve her parents and her past.
I can relate to Delilah’s lack of confidence in her own art. She’s unsure if she’s good at what she does, even after many people have told her she’s incredible.
I feel like I know a Luke Bowman. I went to high school with boys like Luke. He keeps his heart close to his chest, he's fiercely loyal to those who deserve it but when mistakes get made, he takes them to heart and makes them his problem, whether they are or not. Due to him taking on other people’s problems, he’s also a fixer. He takes on so much. He’s someone who needs to slow down and let himself feel without shame of the past.
I appreciate how Luke truly sees Delilah when she gets upset and lets her be. I also truly appreciate how he interacts with
Parker.
Luke and Delilah are like mirrors for each other, they show each other what they need in the reflection. He tells her not to be so hard on herself when he needs the same thing (and vice versa). Sometimes they look in that mirror and they don’t like what they see because it’s scary to see it, but it’s there whether they like it or not. They’re mirrors, but they also try to support each other through their pain and frustrations.
The end had me laughing and crying and wanting more. I will impatiently wait for the next one.
This wasn’t nice. I didn't want to cry in the first few chapters, but I did. Bobbi Maclaren writes characters, that you may know irl and that you may have grown up with. Maclaren writes real people who you can connect to and care for. Bobbi Maclaren is a writer and a damn good one.
This is one book that should be put into Canada Reads and stand along side Carley Fortune in being one of the many books that should represent Canada as a must read.
April 8, 2024
4.5 rounded up
First things first.. you eleven year old self is jumping and screaming because you definitely made her proud.. what a great debut book! I’m glad this was book one of the series, because I need more of the Bowman siblings, because what do you mean Gabes wife? But back to why we’re here lol
I went into this book expecting it to completely destroy me emotionally, and the author came pretty close. While both Delilah and Luke both were a bit sad and damaged, my heart truly broke for Parker.
After a really bad breakup and then her parents passing Delilah randomly sees a postcard for Kip Island and decides to move her brother and sister away from the only home they have ever known kip Island for the fresh start. Luke was born and raised on Kip island and after ending his engagement because his ex was very reckless, he has sworn off relationships..
So we follow Delilah as she tired to navigate becoming a guardian to her siblings, and naturally it isn’t an easy task, and then we have Luke coming into the picture and now they have explore their feelings for each other while also trying to deal with their traumatic past relationships and figure out what they want with each other. With that being said, this book was a perfect I mean really mean prefect mix of romance and spicy…I absolutely loved the fact that the author didn’t overdo the spice, because the romance between these two was everything!!!
Overall I enjoy the pacing of this book, I don’t feel like I had any unanswered questions.. the only thing I wish was different was that, I wish Delilah and Parker would’ve read the letter together from their dad together but also I appreciated how the author handled dealing with grief, especially with the FMC her having to take care of Sophie and Parker and their emotions and feelings about everything. while also still trying to move on with her life.
First things first.. you eleven year old self is jumping and screaming because you definitely made her proud.. what a great debut book! I’m glad this was book one of the series, because I need more of the Bowman siblings, because what do you mean Gabes wife? But back to why we’re here lol
I went into this book expecting it to completely destroy me emotionally, and the author came pretty close. While both Delilah and Luke both were a bit sad and damaged, my heart truly broke for Parker.
After a really bad breakup and then her parents passing Delilah randomly sees a postcard for Kip Island and decides to move her brother and sister away from the only home they have ever known kip Island for the fresh start. Luke was born and raised on Kip island and after ending his engagement because his ex was very reckless, he has sworn off relationships..
So we follow Delilah as she tired to navigate becoming a guardian to her siblings, and naturally it isn’t an easy task, and then we have Luke coming into the picture and now they have explore their feelings for each other while also trying to deal with their traumatic past relationships and figure out what they want with each other. With that being said, this book was a perfect I mean really mean prefect mix of romance and spicy…I absolutely loved the fact that the author didn’t overdo the spice, because the romance between these two was everything!!!
Overall I enjoy the pacing of this book, I don’t feel like I had any unanswered questions.. the only thing I wish was different was that, I wish Delilah and Parker would’ve read the letter together from their dad together but also I appreciated how the author handled dealing with grief, especially with the FMC her having to take care of Sophie and Parker and their emotions and feelings about everything. while also still trying to move on with her life.
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