Summer Sweetheart

by L.M. Ransom

All Kayla Marsh wants is one last carefree summer before senior year. Having a boyfriend is definitely not part of her plan, but that all changes when a little white lie turns into a big, big problem.

To get rid of a boy who has been relentlessly asking her out, Kayla asks her long-time friend, Logan, to be her pretend boyfriend. Now she and Logan have to keep fake dating until summer is over!

She doesn't know it yet, but Logan couldn't be happier about their situation. He's had a crush on Kayla since they were kids. Fake dating or not, this is his chance to win her heart.

Can a lie turn into love? If so, is that love strong enough to weather the tragedy that Kayla is about to face?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance

473 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2024

About the author

L. M. Ransom lives in a place called Blooming Valley, located not too far off the shores of Lake Michigan. She is married to her best friend, and they have two adult children. She shares her home with an older black merle Jackshund, who always keeps things interesting. L. M. works at the library in her hometown, mostly behind the scenes in the back room. She would love to have a real-life AT-AT from Star Wars, but is settling for her collection of Walkers in her home office (for now). She enjoys watching TV and movies with her family. She adores The Big Bang Theory, Brooklyn 99, and The Middle, and she absolutely loves writing young adult romance. You can find L. M. on Instagram, Threads, and X at @lmransomwrites.

Reviews

[Bri Dickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so sweet! If you love childhood crushes and fake dating turning into something more, this story is definitely for you!

You will fall in love with this couple as they fall for each other, will cry with them when they struggle through life (we all know how hard it can be), and will cheer them on when they get their wins!

Also! Clean and no spice! 🥰

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I received this book from the author. This is a Young Adult Romance book. The main characters are Logan and Kayla. Logan is a football player and Kayla is a cheerleader. They both will be seniors. They start off fake dating for the summer to keep a guy away from Kayla. Will they continue fake dating or will it turn into something more. I love the fact Logan had loved Kayla since kindergarten so he knew what he wanted and how to treat her right. So much happened in this book. My heart broke for Kayla and Bel. Then my sweet boy Cameron. I will say I did tear up while reading this book. It is such an amazing book. I will say this is the longest book I have ever read but it was worth it.

[Victoria Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan is such a good guy. Perfect for Kayla who goes through some pretty tough stuff. I really liked how consistently the two of them looked out for each other and their younger siblings, Logan even being a protective and caring older bro to Kayla’s younger sister. See? Good guy material. But. You know. He might have to be more than a good guy a couple times in defense of his girl.

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok, but it was LONG, especially considering not a ton happened to justify it stretching out so much. There was a lot of repetition between Kayla and Logan’s POV’s, and it seemed like every chapter ended with 100-200 words reiterating their feelings for each other, their determination to be there for each other, their happiness together, etc. It needed some streamlining and some pruning, and it was SO dramatic, like an episode of One Tree Hill or something. I did like Logan and Kayla’s relationship, though, and how supportive and understanding and patient they were of each other.

[Shana Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Summer Sweetheart” is a YA sports romance that tells the heartfelt love story of Kayla Marsh and Logan Young. Set against the backdrop of a high school summer, the book explores themes of love, friendship, and resilience. When Kayla needs help with an annoying situation, she enlists her friend Logan, leading to a fake dating scenario. Unexpected feelings and emotional growth unfold as a simple favor leads to a challenging journey.

The strength of “Summer Sweetheart” lies in its well-developed characters. Logan is a charming and determined character who has had a crush on Kayla for a long time. His persistence and genuine care for Kayla make him incredibly endearing. Kayla, on the other hand, is relatable in her desire for a carefree summer and her initial reluctance to enter a relationship. Their natural chemistry slowly develops, enhancing the satisfaction of their romance.

By combining light-hearted moments and emotional depth, the story maintains a captivating pace that keeps readers engaged. The well-written scenes beautifully capture the essence of young love and navigating personal loss. The book also does an excellent job of portraying the supportive role of friends and family, adding layers to the characters and their experiences.

“Summer Sweetheart” is a delightful read that will especially appeal to fans of YA romance, sports-themed stories, and the fake dating trope. It's a perfect book for readers of all ages looking for a mix of romance, drama, and emotional growth.

[Lisa M Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first young adult sports romance I have read in a while, because honestly, the genre is known to revolve around spice. Nothing against readers who gravitate toward that, (but at this point in my life, I lean to stories of emotional growth and meaningful connections.) I felt this story accurately depicted what it feels like not only to fall in love for the first time, but to be loved and respected by someone for the first time. This was a very sweet, relatable romance that hooked you into the story, which had plenty of football action and smalltown rivalries that kept you on your toes. I enjoyed reading the book from both Kayla and Logan’s side, with the dual narration. Personally, I would like to see more books like this one that show the inner monologue of a teenage boy, being more than just dirty thoughts of girls around him or superficial daily life. This book gives you a look in the mind of someone who also deals with hard times, family stress, and the urge to be strong for everyone around him. Logan has a protectiveness that shines through because of his nature and Kayla has a matching strong determination that makes them a great team. Though the book doesn’t contain spice, it has plenty of passion and emotion to keep you wrapped up in the pages. I will definitely be reading more from this author and would recommend her work!

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is the start of the Montblance Bobcats Series, which is companion series to the Sullivan Cougars Series so those who have read it may recognize familiar characters. The book's blurb gives you a good idea of what to expect. Summer Sweetheart is told through Kayla and Logan's pov and is a sweet YA fake dating romance.

CW: cancer, references to emotional and physical abuse, loss, and talks about boundaries
Spice: descriptive kisses that aren't steamy

Right from the start, I loved how Logan wanted to help Kayla however he could. Though he had a crush on her since they were young kids, he didn't try and push his feelings onto her but rather wanted to be someone that she could count on. After her last relationship ended and other things were going on in her life, Kayla didn't want a relationship and wanted to focus on school. Yet, as she begins to face some challenges, it's impossible for her not to rely on Logan and see him in a different light. I liked the honesty that they shared and how it made the transition from friends to lovers natural. While I do think the story could've been shorter, and have less focus on side characters, and less of them too, I like the topics explored and think this is a good book for young adult readers who want a heavy story with a happy ending.

[Brittany Landrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚ARC Review 📚


Summer Sweetheart⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Logan has always had a crush on Kayla since they were little, so when the moment comes he can pretend to be her boyfriend he jumps to the occasion. Kayla just wanted a care free summer before her senior year, now she’s fake dating her friend to keep away another annoying guy. What started as a lie turns into more. Kayla may not know it yet, but Logan is the perfect person for her.

This was such a sweet YA romance. Logan is such a great MMC. He is honest, protective and always there for Kayla. You get to see them deal with life and the struggles it brings but always having each other to lean on. I love how this was a dual point of view, so we get to see both of the characters and what they were thinking/feeling. I also liked that the chapters were short and the writing style was great. This is also a closed door romance, with just a few swoon worthy kisses. So, If you love a sweet, clean young adult romance, be sure to check this one out! It’s perfect for summer vibes!

Thank you to L.M. Ransom for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Anastasia Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!! It was such a fun, cute book.

It's got such sweet, cute, summer vibes! I love this author's writing because she tackles real life, serious issues, while allowing the characters keep some of the lightness of adolescence. This story was no exception!

Logan is such a sweetheart of a MMC. All of his interactions with Kayla were too stinking cute and gave me all of the warm fuzzies. There were so many moments where he came to Kayla's rescue or defense, and they were all wonderful! Any time a MMC stands up for the FMC I am here. For. It. And this story totally delivered.

It is on the longer side, but was the perfect read if you’re in the mood for something to make you smile and bring you back to the feelings of first love! This story pulled me from a reading funk and was one that I didn't want to put down.

We also get a peek into the lives of some of the other side characters, which only makes me more excited for the upcoming releases!

Overall, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend this book (and the others from this author) to lovers of sweet or young adult romance!

[grace hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I debated what to rate this book. There were moments I loved and there were moments that made me almost stop reading. But I would say as soon as I was starting to get board with it something would happen that changed the story in a good way. It was more than a cute little romance book, it definitely had levels and some really sad ones at that. I love the emotional range this book has. But all the pet names definitely made me cringe.

[Karen Tucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan is a tough football player who is sweet on Kayla. The teen's lives have struggles similar to real-life, but they don't let those problems tear them apart or keep them down. This is the perfect book for teen girls to see how a boy should treat them! All the swoon and none of the spice; this is just right!

[Luci Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kayla and Logan were such a cute couple! I really enjoyed reading their story. Fake dating isn't usually at the top of my list of favorite tropes, but Kayla and Logan may have changed my mind.... Definitely recommend this book!

[Kaitlyn fuelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always love a good romantic love story! I enjoyed reading this book but it was so long. It was never ending. I felt like the story could have been concluded in probably 100+ less pages. But overall l did enjoy the love story and that it was very clean.

[Evie Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this, and it was just as good as the first time i read it. I enjoyed it so much. It gave me butterflys and just made me so happy when i read it!! Definitely would read for a third time and would definitely recommend!!

[Shelby Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book!

[Melissa Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Logan & Kayla!

This is was so sweet and adorable! Logan & Kayla are everything!!! I’m so excited to read more and see more of the Bobcats and their stories!!!