Summer Loving

Ocean Shores #2

by Barbara Freethy

In a vibrant southern California coastal town, sparks fly when Gabe Herrera, the charismatic owner of a beloved food truck, finds himself at odds with Madison Baldwin, the meticulous chef of a prestigious fine dining restaurant. Their rivalry escalates when they both set their sights on the same coveted restaurant space, setting the stage for a culinary showdown that sizzles as much as their signature dishes.

For Madison, food is a refined art, and each meal is a meticulously orchestrated symphony of flavors. She's determined to succeed in her first head chef position, but with Gabe's food truck parked across the street and stealing her potential customers, her dreams are at risk. Meanwhile, Gabe, a self-taught chef from an immigrant family, believes food is a celebration of life, meant to connect people and bring joy to everyday moments, but he needs more than a food truck to support his family.

As their rivalry intensifies, Madison and Gabe find themselves competing head-to-head in a cooking competition for a prize that could change both their lives. But as the competition heats up, so does the attraction between them. Can they set aside their differences and blend their flavors to create a recipe for love? Or will their conflicting styles and opinions prove to be insurmountable obstacles?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Slow Burn, Enemies To Lovers, Emotional

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2024

About the author

Barbara's love of writing developed out of a love of reading. Growing up in an all-boy neighborhood, she spent quite a bit of time reading through her mother's large library, many of which were romantic novels. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, she went into Public Relations, but soon discovered that writing was her true passion.

Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.

Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.

When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!

For a complete list of her books, visit her website!

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 JOYFUL STARS!

Summer Loving is a true DELIGHT! Ocean Shores has become one of my FAVORITE places. I get so much joy and pleasure from reading this series. It was a true treat watching these characters come together.

Barbara Freethy writes remarkable and rememberable characters. You can't help but fall in love. These pages are filled with charm, humor and heartfelt moments. A truly FANTASTIC story.

This is book 2 in a series, but can be read as a standalone! Although, you can double your pleasure by reading both books! 😉

I am so excited for book 3 and another trip to Ocean Shores!

[Kendall Hullinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having a ton of duds this month, this was the book I needed

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody warned me, so consider this a public service announcement..... You are going to get hungry from reading this book. I was starving by the end of this, and had to go make myself some enchiladas!! The food descriptions are *chefs kiss*

Ok, on to the story!! I loved it! It was a really fun opposites attract, enemies to lovers story. Well, flirtation to enemies to lovers!! Madison is so determined to succeed with her restaurant but is running out of time. Gabe is pushing himself as hard as he can but can never seem to get to the next step.

I really enjoyed the sparks between these two, and I loved the cooking competition. I especially loved the way these two managed to balance the competition with being themselves.

I was a little frustrated with the family dynamics on both sides. I feel like neither really got resolved and I wanted them both to have more of an epiphany on boundaries and such.

Overall, an amazing second book in the series and I cannot wait for more!!

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabe and Madison had such different experiences growing up. I personally would have loved to have been in Gabe’s family. He had a big loving family that supported each other. I felt so bad for Madison because she may have grown up with money and privileges, but her father was hard on all of them especially Madison with never a good word for her. I loved how Gabe and Madison met, but the two were both chefs and had very different styles. It was good and bad that they were pitted against each other in a cooking contest. I felt they gave each other confidence and was able to get to know each other better to support the other. I have to say that I didn’t like Larry who was her father’s good friend and hired Madison at his new restaurant but did all he could to control her and her menu. I encourage you to read this love story.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an advanced copy for the review team and I have to say that I have read “every” book that Barbara Freethy has ever written and I Loved the new series Ocean Shores - I want to live there with all the friendly people who reside there! The romance of Gabe and Madison and their competitive as Chefs that turn in to full blown Love affair is a great read! I highly recommend this book! ❤️

[Patti Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Barbara Freethy has done it again! I absolutely loved Summer Loving, the second book in her Ocean Shores series! I can truly say that Summer Loving is an incredible love story, which filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions, and was impossible to put down. I loved every moment on every page. Barbara Freethy continues to deliver incredibly written love stories that I LOVE to read and continues to be one of my favorite authors to read. Summer Loving was one of the most enjoyable books that I have read recently. Barbara Freethy definitely does not disappoint her readers with all the feels in Summer Loving and has once again delivered an amazing story filled with everything that I have come to love about and expect from her books. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong, passionate females, big loving families, and caring friends, who always support each other? Summer Loving is an incredible enemies to lovers love story between Madison Baldwin, chef and manager of La Marée restaurant and Gabe Herrera, chef and owner of the Picante Express food truck. Madison and Gabe meet at Maverick Bar and Grill where Madison has been abandoned by her friend and employee, Drea. Madison decides not to exchange names with Gabe, they have fun dancing and eventually kiss only to have it interrupted by a phone call from his brother. Gabe soon discovers that Madison is the chef at a restaurant that he had been interviewing for, Madison got the job because the owner, Larry Shaw, was doing a favor Madison’s father. Immediately, Madison does not like Gabe because the line for his food truck runs in front of her restaurant. Madison ends up moving into the Ocean Shores apartment complex, on the same floor as Gabe. Unknowingly, Madison and Gabe both enter the San Diego Cook-Off competition. Madison wants the exposure that winning the competition can bring her and Gabe wants to prize money to fulfill the dream of opening his own restaurant. As Madison and Gabe compete against one another it brings them closer together and each one helps the other during the competition. As Madison and Gabe begin to spend time together, things change between them starting with stolen kisses. Conversation between Gabe and Madison flows so easily, I love their playful banter. I love the chemistry between them. I love the ways that Gabe and Madison spend time together. I love that they open up to one another and Madison shares how Larry has only given her an ultimatum. Madison and Gabe ultimately compete against each other in the final competition. An unexpected plot twist puts their relationship in jeopardy, but Madison puts her trust in Gabe. I love the heart-to-heart conversation that Madison has with her mother following the competition. I love the changes the Madison and Gabe are willing to make to have a relationship with each other. I love the changes that Madison made in her life and how she stands up for herself to Larry and her father. Another favorite part is the epilogue and how it beautifully wraps up their love story. I love Gabe’s family, especially his grandmother, Ana. I love how Barbara develops her characters in such a way that you fall in love with them and care about them much like a good friend. I love how Barbara Freethy always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. Barbara Freethy continues to deliver all that and so much more. I am not sure how she does it, but Barbara Freethy has once again given her readers another remarkable book. Summer Loving is filled with all the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments and plot twists that I have come to love and expect in a Barbara Freethy love story, I especially loved the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Barbara Freethy continues to prove that she is an incredible storyteller. I love that she writes her stories from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting inside their minds and knowing their thoughts and how they really feel. Summer Loving was an amazing love story; I am so glad that Madison and Gabe got the happily ever after. I loved all the surprises that filled the pages of this love story. I loved meeting all the residents in the Ocean Shores apartment complex and cannot wait to read their stories. I enjoy all the interactions among the residents, it feels like real family love. I loved catching up with Ava and Liam. I love the descriptions of the Oceanside, California setting in Summer Loving. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I loved every moment. I cannot wait to read the other books in the series. Highly recommend this beautifully written story. Received an advanced copy from the author.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can’t get enough of this amazing new series by Barbara Freethy! Summer Loving is the second book in the Ocean Shores series and it’s filled with some amazing characters! In this story, we learn more about Gabe, who owns his own taco truck, and Madison, who recently opened a fine dining establishment called La Meree. These two couldn’t be more different other than both enjoying food. Gabe is such a sweet guy who has big dreams for himself and his cooking, way beyond the Mexican food truck he currently owns. While he’s made a great name for himself and always has a huge line of customers, he wants more. Plus he has a wonderful, vibrant family who all love him, but also rely on him financially, which doesn’t help with Gabe’s dream of running his own restaurant. Then one day he meets a beautiful mystery woman that he really hits it off with and who makes him forget all his worries for awhile. But then she’s gone and he’s left wishing he would’ve at least gotten her name.

Madison has recently been given the opportunity to run her own restaurant, thanks to her father’s friend. Unfortunately, it’s a fine dining establishment in the Ocean Shores community and she’s struggling to bring in the customers she needs to make the place a success. And her investor isn’t willing to give her much time to turn a profit. One day after going to work and having a huge line of people blocking her door as they waited in line for a taco truck, Madison has decided to give the owner a piece of her mind and make him move. However, when she arrives at the truck, who does she see? No other than the incredible man she met at the bar! Madison is too determined to make her restaurant a success to let Gabe’s taco truck mess with her plans, no matter how hot he is. When her friend tells her about a cooking contest in the area that could help get Madison’s name out there and bring in more customers she feels like she has to do it. Little does she know, Gabe is also trying to win the $25,000 grand prize.

Throughout the competition, Gabe and Madison learn a lot more about each other and realize that they really do work well together. And while Madison wants to dislike Gabe and his food truck, she really does think he’s an incredible guy. Could they find a way to make a relationship work? Can they put their differences aside and give their relationship a chance?

This story is so well written. It’s got such heartfelt characters that you’ll want to learn more about and in a beautiful location that you’ll want to visit! I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series and getting to know more about the tenants of Ocean Shores!

[Debbie Oliphant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am thoroughly enjoying the Ocean Shores Series because all of the characters are so likeable. This is the second installment of the series and can be read alone, but it be more enjoyable to read the other book so you can enjoy the supporting characters that make an appearance in the stories.

Gabe loves to cook and his dream is to have his own restaurant. He is making do with a food truck that is successful but he feels limited with his goals. He meets Madison at the Mavericks bar, and they have an instant connection. Their connection is cut short before they can exchange names and depart with that feeling of "what-if".

Madison is the chef for a new high-end restaurant that was just opened. She is hoping to showcase her culinary skills, but disappointed that the restaurant is not at high capacity with reservations. She believes the culprit is a long line of hungry customers in front of her restaurant but waiting to order food from a food truck nearby. She approaches the truck as she wants them to move the line and that's when she is reunited with the man that she can't stop thinking about. But he is now her nemesis as she discovers that Gabe had applied to be the top chef at her restaurant and informed that the owner chose someone else. Their feelings towards each other are now complicated with their intensity to succeed in the culinary world.

Madison decides to enter into a food competition to try to bring attention to the restaurant and hopefully fill more seats so the restaurant can succeed. She learns that Gabe is also in the competition, too. At first, their interaction is awkward, but since they are working close together, their initial attraction from the bar begins to rekindle again.

Let me just add that Madison has moved to Ocean Shores where she finds that Gabe is a resident, and they navigate around each other and the friendships that are overlapped. Their friends are supporting both chefs in the competition and as Gabe and Madison are getting closer, they are also supporting each other.

The competition challenges the two and a reminder of how passionate they feel about food. It also pushes them out of their comfort zones as both already have tremendous expectations from their families and have felt tethered to those expectations which limited their dreams, but this story's ending will put a smile on your face and also add excitement for the next installment.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Loving is book two in the Ocean Shores Series and can be read as a standalone. I love the characters in this series. Ocean Shores is definitely a fun place to live as the residents are so welcoming and supportive. Gabe and Madison meet each other at Mavericks Bar. They spend the night dancing and drinking. Madison leaves before Gabe can get her name and number.

Gabe is a chef who learned how to cook from his abuela. He has a close knit family who relies on him to help financially since his father died. He owns a popular Mexican food truck and has dreams of opening his own restaurant.

Madison is a classic trained Chef who is managing the newly opened fine dining LaMeree Restaurant. She has an overbearing father and a family that is not supportive of her dreams. The owner of LaMaree has given her two months to make the restaurant a success.

Gabe meets Madison again when she tries to get him to move his food truck line that is blocking her restaurant door. They meet again when Madison moves into Ocean Shores. Sparks start to fly. Both Gabe and Madison enter the same cooking competition. Gabe needs the winnings to open a restaurant and Madison needs to win to bring customers into the restaurant. The competition puts them out of their comfort zones and they feel the pressure from their families to win. I like how Gabe and Madison supported one another in the competition. This enemies to lovers story has a happy ending and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you Barbara Freethy for the gifted book and this is my honest opinion

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Ocean Shores series! Gabe is an owner of a local taco truck who is at Maverick’s bar letting off steam after another day of being frustrated he’s not living his dreams and supporting his family enough. While at the bar he meets a mystery woman (Madison), who lights him up and lightens his worries for a little bit, but then she disappears. Madison is a chef at the recently opened fancy La Meree restaurant. She should be living her dream, but she’s feeling the stress of opening a new restaurant and managing her father and her investors extremely high demands and expectations. Madison is shocked to find out that the busy taco truck outside her restaurant that is blocking her restaurant and mocking her with its success, is the guy she kissed the night before. And Gabe is irritated the restaurant he wanted to run but lost out on is run by his mystery kisser. After a blow out fight they hope to never run into each other again. Yet much to their surprise, they end up living near each other, and competing in the same cooking competition, both desperately wanting to win. As they get to know each other there is an undeniable attraction, but what can happen when they are being forced to compete against each other. This book was filled with suspense, romance, beautiful scenery and delicious food. I loved revisiting all the characters and atmosphere of Ocean Shores again, and can’t wait for the next book in this series!

[R J Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ocean Shores once again brings magic to the lives of two people who couldn’t be more different. Gabe Herrera comes from a loving, fun and outgoing family. Madison Baldwin’s family is structured, competitive, and cold. Gabe owns and runs a hugely popular food truck. Madison is head chef at a struggling high-end restaurant. But when these two met, the sparks flew. Both are driven to succeed, but at what cost. Gabe wants the restaurant that Madison is running. And to prove how popular his food is, he’s parked his food truck right next to Madison’s restaurant. His long lines soon become a problem. Both have personal problems that they must cope with, so as a result, both end up entering a local cooking contest that will challenge their skills as professionals. But will it bring happiness to their hearts?

It isn’t until they talk to each other and really listen with their hearts that they discover how much they have in common. And they find out that they are much better together than apart.

Summer Loving is a story about personal growth. It’s about learning to let go in order to soar. It’s a story about two people who use food as their love language. The story is beautifully told with characters that are immensely relatable. Ocean Shores is a place I want to live. Where neighbors quickly become friends.

[Mary Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two strangers meet in a bar, have instant chemistry & make a toast to escape - no worries, no problems, no family. And they do just that for an evening…they don’t exchange names or careers, they have a great time just drinking & asking each other questions. But when Gabe has to take a call from his brother, Madison calls for a ride home & leaves without a trace.
That’s the set up for this great second book in talented author Barbara Freethy’s Ocean Shores series, stories that center around an apartment complex and the people who live there. Turns out Gabe & Madison have a lot more in common than they knew that first night. Gabe is a chef who lives at Ocean Shores, running a very successful food truck but dreaming of opening his own restaurant. Madison is a chef at a brand new restaurant struggling to attract customers. When she ends up moving into Ocean Shores, the two are thrown together again. Other than their passion for food, they are opposites in many ways. Barbara Freethy weaves a great story of these two characters coming together, competing against each other in a cooking competition & finally realizing that what’s really important in their lives is each other. I fell in love with Gabe and Madison and I think you will too.

[Gwen Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ocean Shores is filled with family vibes
After reading a series of suspense titles, my return to Ocean Shores was a delightful change of pace, perfect for my summer reading.
“Summer Loving” is Barbara Freethy’s second title in the new world she has built in which the community of an apartment complex becomes a new family for its residents. In “Summer Loving,” hero Gabe Herrera is already part of the community. He runs a successful taco truck. Madison Baldwin is our newcomer, a chef newly relocated from New York to manage a new fine dining restaurant.
The pairs first meeting brings sparks — and anonymity that causes complications. You can find more details in the book description.
What I found was deep characters dealing with forks in their respective career paths while also navigating their attraction to each other. Because one of my pet peeves is authors who use pages of internal monologues to explain their characters, I have always loved Freethy’s writing. She excels at using situations/action/conversations to introduce and explain her characters.
“Family” is a recurring theme in Ocean Shores. Both of the main characters feel pressure from their families in different ways. In the end, I love that they create their own family within the community of Ocean Shores.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Ocean Shores series, but it can be read as a standalone. It's a fun enemies-to-lovers story that also features a cooking competition. Both Madison and Gabe are different types of chefs, and there's some initial hostility between the pair. But as the competition heats up, they put their differences aside and learn to appreciate each other for who they are.

For those who have read the first book in the series, there are also appearances from the other residents at Ocean Shores who were introduced there. It was great to see them again, and to once again see how supportive they are of all the residents in the complex.

My only issue is that neither Madison nor Gabe had any boundaries with their families. Madison's father is downright mean, and Gabe's family seems to take advantage of his generosity. I would have expected both of them to put up some boundaries by the end of the book, yet neither one of them does. It felt like the issues that existed would continue to exist because neither one of them could put their foot down and say enough is enough.

Despite that, I thought this was a good addition to the series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC provided by the author**

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabe and Madison meet by chance at a local hotspot and share "a moment", they don't exchange names and she leaves before Gabe can try and get her name or number. Imagine the surprise they each feel when Madison goes to confront the owner of the food truck that is parked outside her restaurant and blocking the entrance! Gabe had hoped to be the chef at that restaurant, but the owner went a different way and gave the opportunity to a good friend's daughter, Madison. While these two seem quite different, they really have quite a bit in common. Both are chefs, one has a restaurant, and one strives to have one, one is classically trained, and one isn't, but both are passionate about cooking, serving people and being successful. Gabe enters the cooking show contest to make contacts to get to the step and Madison is trying to get a following to help save her job at the restaurant. Fate intervenes again when the two are forced to cook together in the first challenge. They start to learn alot about each other and realize they aren't so different after all. Who will win the contest and, in the end, will it make a difference in their careers and what about the chemistry between them, is there a future? I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Sandra Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the unique premise of this book, centered around a cooking competition—an uncommon yet refreshing backdrop for a romance novel. The narrative is both sweet and heartwarming, making for a delightful and quick read.

From the moment Gabe and Madison meet, the chemistry between them is undeniable. However, their journey is far from smooth, with numerous obstacles challenging their budding relationship. I found it particularly enjoyable to see how they navigated the pressures of the competition without letting it undermine their connection.

Gabe's unwavering support and encouragement play a crucial role in Madison's development, helping her gain the confidence to assert herself and pursue her own dreams, rather than simply trying to please her father. In turn, Madison's influence helps Gabe embrace and showcase his culinary talents, deeply rooted in his cultural heritage. Their mutual support and growth add depth to their characters and make their story even more engaging.

This is a great addition to the series, and I eagerly anticipate its continuation.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

[Michele A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabe and Madison meet by chance one night when he stops in for a drink after getting off work from his taco truck. She is very cagey and didn't come off as very nice at first glance. Gabe realizes that he wants more of her and she wants to just not get involved with anyone it seems. They don't realize that their lives are more entwined than they first thought. Gabe still has it in his head that he needs to prove to Larry that he made a mistake not hiring him to run his restaurant. Madison is now running the restaurant. Their cooking could not be any different. He is good casual good and she is fine entertainment. On the outside it looks as if Madison is pretentious. Gabe quickly realizes that she has a lot more going on in her life than he first thought. Her father was horrible and Larry wasn't much better. The good competition could have driven a wedge between them. Gabe wanted them both to stick it out and want the best for each other. I will say that the book was good. It was told in dual POV's but Madison's was told a lot more than Gabe's. I guess we shall see what the future has in store for them.

[Leslie Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trope of chefs and cooking contests is not one I usually choose in a book, but because of my love of Barbara Freethy’s writing and stories, I was willing to read it and loved it. It was great story of Madison and Gabe’s journey through the cooking and contest and towards their happily ever after. Barbara did not disappoint. The story also takes place in Oceanside, CA where I lived for 11 years. Barbara’s descriptions of the area and the Ocean Shores apartment are right on and take me back to being on the beach there. I loved it. Some of the characters from the first book (“Hopelessly Romantic”) in this series make a reappearance. It was like visiting old friends. I highly recommend this book, please read the series in order. A blurb at the end of Summer Loving gives a hint what the next book in the series will be about and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks, Barbara for your wonderful writing. I wish I could live at the Ocean Shore Apartments and enjoy the friendships that are there.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison and Gabe have great chemistry and an instant attraction. After a stolen kiss they soon realize they are not going to be anything, not even friends. Gabe has a food truck that he parks near Madison's fine dine restaurant and Gabe's lines are always blocking the door to the restaurant.

They both decide to enter into a cooking competition and along the way the two of them become close and sparks fly. They are competing against each other and try their best to be there for each other but both are after the grand prize. One to get his own restaurant up and going and the other to try and save her restaurant.

Madison and Gabe connect so deeply that it is impossible for them to walk away from each other after the competition and that maybe what they have is more than either anticipated.

All the food talk and mention of all of these wonderful dishes had my mouth watering and wanting to try all the delicious food!

Such a great read and it is always a pleasure to go back to Ocean Shores and revisit previous characters. I can't wait for the next one!

[Marcie Pomper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when two people meet, both instantly attracted, but think they’ll never see each other again? Yep, they instantly become enemies when they meet up again and find out who the other one is. Both have mistaken ideas about the other. Gabe runs a successful food truck but dreams of one day running his own restaurant. Madison, classically trained, has worked hard her whole life in various restaurants trying to one day run her own restaurant. When she uses a connection through her father to run her own restaurant she thought her dreams had been answered. They each are trying to make their dreams come true and enter a cooking competition. As the competition heats up, so do their feelings towards each other. Throw in the amazing group of people at Ocean Shores apartment complex, and you have an amazing story. Loved seeing their connection grow and each one trying to help the other get through the competition. Can’t wait to read the next installment in this wonderful series.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you bake or cook or both? I do both and was taught by my mother and grandmother. Gabe Herrera, our hero in Summer Loving by Barbara Freethy was taught by his grandmother. Madison Baldwin was taught by her nanny and went to cooking school in France.
Tacos against roast duck. Where’s the romance in that? Can you even call it a contest? Well there ends up being a huge contest when both of our people join the San Diego Cook-Off.
so there’s always a winner and a loser in a contest, right? Can both people lose or win? Is that the only thing that comes out of a contest? Or do the contestants learn things about who they really are and what they really want? And where does romance fit in?
If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you know I don’t like spoilers so you are going to have to read the book.
As for me, Grandmother and I were going to open a restaurant when I was five. We were going to serve vegetable soup and apple pie. No restaurant for me, but I still make one of the best apple pies you will ever eat!

[Perrin Larton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is a classically trained chef. She has been give a chance to showcase her skills at a new restaurant opening in Oceanside. Her dad knows the owner...oops...now she wonders if she got the job due to parental influence or her own outstanding culinary talent!

Gabe is a home trained chef. After emigrating from Venezuela, his grandparents had a well received café in San Diego. He is walking in their footsteps and now has a food truck with lines a block long. He wants to move up in the restaurant world.

A chance meeting in a local bar, a food line issue, close apartment proximity, and a culinary competition throw Gabe and Madison together and the issues behind the stove take second place to the issues of the heart.

Although this is book 2 in the Ocean Shores series, it can be read as a standalone. However, don't deprive yourself from the fun of reading book 1. Very worthwhile and fun!

I love this series and I want to find an apartment complex like Ocean Shores!

[Bonnie Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison meets Gabe one evening when she has had a few drinks too many. He is attracted to this fiery lady who doesn’t want to share too much information about herself. Later, they find they have both entered a contest where only one of the participants can rise to the top. As these two chefs battle to win, they discover their similarities and differences and learn to value their relationship even as the competition grows.
I love the way Gabe nurtures his family and shows his love for all its members as well as the care he shows to his friends. Through what she experiences working with Gabe throughout the cooking contest, Madison learns to draw strength from the challenges and thrive.
I loved this second book in the Ocean Shores series. It is my “happy place” where I can watch the friendships grow as the residents of the apartment complex connect with each other. After enjoying the first two books, I am now looking forward to reading the next one.

[ROBIN RUIZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Ocean Shores

Gabe Herrera runs a food truck and he dreams of being able to run his own restaurant
Madison is the head chef of the restaurant that’s in the space that Gabe wanted to put his restaurant restaurant in.
Madison needs to bring customers into her existing restaurant. They both wind up applying to be on a cooking reality show.
Rivals, friends, competition, colleagues, so much between them.

These two had chemistry from the minute they met, I absolutely love this series and I cannot wait for the next book.
I could not put this book down, it was fast paced, filled with all the characters from the previous book, so I got to catch up with them, and Gabe and Madison were so good together
This can be read as a standalone, but you were going to want to start with book one and enjoy every minute of your trip to Ocean Shores

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Summer Loving. It was very interesting to read how chefs go about their job. Gabe Herrera owns a food truck making simple but delicious food. Gabe learned how to cook working with his grandparents in their restaurant. He never went to formal school for chefs but he loves what he does and it shows in the delicious foods he makes. Madison Baldwin is a fine dining chef. She has gone to Paris to master her cooking skills. Madison got the head chef job at the restaurant where Gabe applied for the same job. They end up both competing in a cooking competition with a prize that could change both their lives. You have to read it to see who wins the competition. Always good to read about other characters in the story. This is the second book in the series. Treat yourself to a fun read - I am glad I did

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Loving is a summer vacation in a book! I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to Barbara Freethy’s wonderful series. She has once again crafted a delightful romance with charming characters set in an idyllic location, reintroducing some favorite characters from the first book. Madison and Gabe’s story is a case of opposites-attract tale, with their different upbringings and cooking styles adding an engaging twist. Watching them support each other while still competing was a highlight. Gabe's interactions with his family and their warm welcome to Madison were heartwarming. The ending provided the perfect resolution for both Madison and Gabe. This is a relaxing book with its companionable storylines and absence of intense issues. Summer Loving is a must read for anyone looking for a light, enjoyable romance. I’m looking forward to the next installment of the series!

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Loving is book 2 in the Ocean Shores series by Barbara Freethy about two chefs who are totally opposite in the food world.

Madison has trained in Paris, runs her own high end restaurant which recently opened and Gabe a self taught chef who owned a food truck. Sparks fly when they meet up at a bar, decide no names and just spend time together but the next day they discover she runs the restaurant he was trying to run…

Competing against each other, sparks a plenty, enemies to lovers, family issues, twists, turns, new friends, and the Ocean Shoes complex where everyone living there seems like family!

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! A nice romantic story between Gabe and Madison. Gabe and Madison meet in a bar and have an instant spark, but they don’t share names or any personal information. Then Gabe finds out that Madison is the chef of a restaurant that he interviewed for to become the chef. He now runs a food truck that’s parked right outside her restaurant. Madison is frustrated that the food truck has long lines and her restaurant is not doing very well. She needs to determine how to bring people in. So she enters a food contest in San Diego and so does Gabe. The book explores their relationship as they go through this contest and they can’t deny the feelings they have for each other. It’s a great read and I highly recommend it.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ocean Shores journey continues with current resident Gabe and new arrival Madison.
Gabe would like to run a restaurant and misses out to the new one opened in town that just happens to be run by Madison. Gabe and Madison meet in a bar and immediately are attracted to each other when they don't know who each other are.
Sparks fly when they find out they are competing in the same area, her in the restaurant and him in his food truck, and competing on a cooking show.
Their upbrings are different and as they compete together and get to know each other they their attraction grows. Both want to win the competition for their own reasons, can their attraction weather the competition storm?
Can't wait to revisit Ocean Shores again soon.

[Norma Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is a chef in a fine dining restaurant. Gabe is a self-taught chef who owns a very popular food truck which just happens to generate long lines of customers that block the entrance to Madison’s restaurant. Both have dreams of owning their own restaurants. When they compete in a cooking competition they find that they have a lot in common and they each start to look at the other in a different light.

Summer Loving captured my interest from the first chapter and kept me reading till the end. I really enjoyed the interactions between Madison, Gabe and the other residents of Ocean Shores. Summer Loving is the second book in the Ocean Shores series. I enjoyed both books and recommend them to anyone who enjoys light hearted fiction.