Summers on Lemondrop Lane

by Phoebe Moss

She'd hated him (and loved him in secret) her whole life.

Charlie had been obsessed with Fitz Whitmore since childhood. Her older brother's best friend, Fitz had been there for every summer vacation to Bellwater Cove -- and had always treated her like a nuisance.

Now, at 29, she's returned to the Cove for good to open up a bakery and start a new life for herself. The only problem is that her brother Jack and his fiance, along with Fitz and his girlfriend Sloane, will be returning to the house on Lemondrop Lane for the summer.

Will Charlie get through another summer under Fitz's withering contempt?

Imagine Jane Austen had a bit too much bubbly, binged some reality romance TV, and wrote Elizabeth and Darcy into a spicy beach romance? With characters who offer a modern twist to the Pride and Prejudice classics, Summers on Lemondrop Lane will quench a stale TBR and leave you swooning. Happily Ever After guaranteed.

Genres: Romance, Forced Proximity, Small Town Romance, Brothers Best Friend, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Grumpy Sunshine

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2025

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love summer romances especially when the MCs are meant to be together but it takes some time and overcoming an obstacle to get their HEA and Summers on Lemondrop Lane was all that and so much more. I loved that it was very steamy, there was plenty of banter, the MMC was her brother’s best friend and that I felt I knew the best parts about being at their vacation home. I also loved how everyone wanted the best for Charlie, that Charlie was accomplishing her dreams and that Fitz made sure nothing got in her way. Thank you to author Phoebe Moss and BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to read it early.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️/5

🍋 Small Town Romance
🏝️ Brothers Best Friend
🍋 Grumpy x Sunshine
🏝️ Forced Proximity
🍋 She’s Off Limits

Review: Charlie and Fitz, where do I start with you two? A true frenemies to lovers that all started when they were kids? I was swooning over these two from the first word until the last. This book has it ALL - slow burn, delicious dirty talk, and some spicy open door scenes. Trust me, you’ll want to read this purely for the lemon custard scene (when you read it DM me and thank me) 🍋 I enjoyed the banter between Charlie and Fitz, he very much gives out touch her and die vibes. I even enjoyed the little twist with Charlie’s bakery and rude fling Thatcher.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bailey Peloquin(Baileys.fully.booked) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I stumbled upon this author and read her book blurb, I just knew I had to get my hands on this romance novel! Brother’s best friend? Check! Off-limits tension? Absolutely! Open-door spice? Yes, please! A beach house setting? Heck yeah, count me in! That’s my kind of story.

Synopsis:
Charlie has been head over heels for Fitz Whitmore since she was young. As her older brother's best friend, Fitz has always been around during their summer vacations at Bellwater Cove, but he’s never seen her as anything more than an annoying little sister. Fast forward to age 29, and Charlie is back in the Cove for good, ready to chase her dreams of opening a bakery and starting anew. But there’s a catch: her brother Jack and his fiancée, along with Fitz and his girlfriend Sloane, will be staying at the house on Lemondrop Lane for the summer.

Can Charlie survive another summer under Fitz's icy demeanor, or will the heat of the season ignite something unexpected between them? With all the tension and delicious possibilities, dive into this tale of love, longing, and maybe a little bit of baked goodness! 🍰💖

Grab your sun hat and prepare for some serious beachside shenanigans, because this story is about to get a whole lot more complicated—and a whole lot spicier!

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books of the year so far! A lot of what I read is darker in nature. This has all the warmth and sunshine of a summer day. The characters, the idyllic beach town and the relationships are all equally delightful. The genre might be typical brother's best friend, but nothing Phoebe Moss writes is typical. If you want something that glows and leaves you glowing, read Summers on Lemondrop Lane!

[Natasha Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect easy summer read but lacked a little on the actual relationship

[Zairobe25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅Book Sirens Book Tour
@booksirens
@phoebemossbooks

My thoughts:
“Keep your heirloom tucked away, Whitmore, and we’ll be fine.” Fritz nearly choked on his next breath, coughing into his hand, eyes widening.”

Summer on Lemondrop Lane was a 🌶️ and 🥵 read! It certainly is a fun and spicy summer/beach read.
I loved getting to know the main characters,Charlie and Fritz. The chemistry between the two of them is off the charts!
✅Sexual tension galore
✅Humorous banter galore
✅Gentle beach romance galore
I did not want the book to end….I wanted it to go on and on and on. I literally read non-stop, silently wishing the end wouldn’t come too soon.
This is the first book I have read by author Phoebe Moss. And, I can’t wait to read more books from her!
If you enjoy reading 🌶️ 🥵 this is the book you definitely need to read this summer!
#shortbookthyme
@shortbookthyme

[Libromancelover · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🫑

I’m saying it now, without reservation: this is the PERFECT summer read. It is the Stefan of summer romance. It’s got everything! Humor, brother’s best friend, grumpy/sunshine, SPICE, summer beach house, flashbacks done super well, forced proximity, pastries, sass, dessert used for *other* reasons, deep romantic connection. I could go on.

The writing is captivating from the start and Charlie and Fitz absolutely keep you hooked all the way through. I did not want to stop reading this book. It is a slow burn romance wise, but the spice is spicin here and there throughout the book, and then once they get going…. 😮‍💨🥵

I know there are a lot of great summer reads out there, but I implore you to add this one to the top of your TBR, and then come back and tell me I was right 🤩

Thank you to Phoebe Moss for the ARC. I wrote this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Chelsi Langdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you still honor a pack that goes back to when you were 16 years old? As childhood acquaintances, Fitz knows he can’t have Charlie as she is Jack’s sister. Jack and Fitz have been friends since they were young and created a pack that neither of them could date their younger sister. Flash forward to adulthood, does this pack still apply?

This was such a cute, early Summer read! Bring on all the ocean breeze, sand between your toes and lemon everything. I really enjoyed the banter and all the open door spice this book had to bring…oofda! Man is it spicy 👏🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
🍋Grumpy to sunshine
🍋Forced proximity
🍋Small town
🍋Brothers best friend
🍋She’s off limits

[Julie WB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is tough for me to rate. It was not the light summer romcom I was expecting, but I did end up enjoying it and found it hard to put down. The characters were flawed and messy, which I appreciate, but I had a tough time with the MMC. The way he spoke about women early on (yes, I know he was young) gave me an icky feeling. Also, while there’s technically no cheating there’s cheating-adjacent behavior and I thought he was pretty disrespectful to his long-term girlfriend. I guess I’m supposed to get over it bc he’s been in love with Charlie forever, but I found it off-putting. I did warm to them as a couple eventually, but they had their toxic moments. Also this is just a bit steamier than I am used to. Overall, well-written and engrossing and the issues I had were personal preference. Would definitely read more from this author.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read summer book!

I have been seeing Phoebe Moss tease this book for weeks and have been dying to get my hands on it. Yesterday, I started it. And today, I finished it. It was THAT GOOD that I could not put it down. I don’t know what in the lemon-custard she put in these pages, but I couldn’t stop.

I loved every second of this, from reading Charlies childhood flashbacks, to the goofiness of Jack and Jazz, to the sweet (and very spicy) scenes between Fitz and Charlie.

The only thing that would have made this even better, is if I was reading it on a beach myself! Everyone needs to add this to their summer TBR! Seriously, it is that good!

🍋 🌿 🍋 🌿 🍋 🌿

Charlie and Fitz have been in each other’s lives since childhood. Spending their summers at the family beach house on Lemondrop Lane, Charlie, the younger sister always tried to keep up with her older brother Jack and his best friend Fitz. Like all younger sisters have since the dawn of time, she was pushed aside and seen and the annoying tagalong.

As adults, they return to Lemondrop Lane, Charlie with a dream of opening a bakery, and Fitz on a mission to ignore his attraction to his best friends younger sister. Fueled by summer nights, salty air, and lemon-sugar, Fitz and Charlie find themselves drawn closer and closer.

Tropes:
🍋 Brother’s Best Friend
🩵 Forced Proximity
🍋 Childhood Crush
🩵 Beach/Summer Romance
🍋 Longing
🩵 “F*ck It”

Overall Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 6 stars, I would in a heartbeat! It just hits on so many levels! It’s a fantastic beach read for those hot summer days spent lounging at the pool or beach. You won’t want to put this book down! And I am putting this book in my favorite’s rotation because it’s a story that I want to enjoy over and over again! The story is great, entertaining, and full. It was a fantastic journey to be on. Fantastic ending! The characters are lovable, fun, and relatable. They are realistic and seem like the type of friends I would have in real life. The setting comes alive and makes you feel like you are right at the beach with everyone. Very picturesque and descriptive. And the spice, swooning and romance is on fire. We are talking about those type of relationships everyone wants and strives for. The kind that burn hot and forever and make everyone else jealous. The kind that will make you take a dip in the pool because you are so warm. I really can’t say enough good things about this book! Just read it, you won’t be disappointed!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Forever, Charlie. Forever and then some." 🍋✨

Pride and Prejudice meets a modern beach romance with plenty of spice? Say less. I absolutely loved it! The slow-burn, Charlie's sassy attitude, and Fitz's agonizing yearning kept me completely hooked.

I was obsessed with the setting. I adore small-town tropes with picturesque, rustic businesses where people genuinely do what they love, and Charlie doing exactly that was beautiful to read. Their love story is top-tier; the tension between them is palpable right from the first page. The inclusion of flashbacks was a major plus, giving so much context to their dynamic and showing how they’ve actually loved each other since they were teenagers, but were simply too proud to admit it.

And Fitz... honestly, stop. I need this man in my life. The moment he tells her that he knows she can take care of herself, but asks her to let him help and support her because he wants to build a world for her, with her... I melted! He is officially one of my favorite book boyfriends ever, and that is saying a lot.

Unfortunately, not everything can be perfect. What didn't work for me?

I wanted MORE DRAMA with the reveal. I expected Jack to find out in a different way. While I respected Fitz for being man enough to tell him directly, Jack took it way too well. I was expecting at least some initial anger or shock; it felt a bit too smooth, even if he knows his best friend and just wants his sister to be happy.

I absolutely DETESTED their first sexual encounter. I mean... putting lemon custard down there?! NOOO, that is a medical hazard! And then she doesn't even shower for the rest of the night? Girl, the discomfort must have been unreal. I refuse to accept it; I want to block that specific scene from my memory forever (the rest of the spicy scenes were actually great, I can't deny it).

A marriage proposal at someone else's wedding? Fuck that! Please don't try this at home. Let the newlyweds have their spotlight, you can wait a bit. Was it romantic? Sure, but unless you have explicit permission from the bride and groom, it’s a hard pass for me.

Aside from those gripes, the book strikes a perfect balance of humor, spice, yearning, ache, and drama. It’s a quick, breezy read. I would have loved to read it on a beach soaking up the sun, but I’m perfectly content with having thoroughly enjoyed it in the warmth of my home during the winter.

A very solid 4 stars! ⭐️

[Jackie Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIX STAR BOOK ALERT!! 👏🏼🎉
Spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Okay let me just start off by saying I have not stopped thinking about this book, I lost sleep wanting to keep reading. @phoebemossbooks you are a genius, I love this story. The unexpected love story that is perfect for summer and we didn’t know we needed.

This is a first for me but ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This deserves a 6 star rating, yes 6 starts out of 5! INCREDIBLE!! Favorite book of the year thus far! This is everything you are looking for the romance, summer vibes, small town and All the swoon! The development of the relationship of the years was done to perfection!!

What would happen if you actually got to be with the one you swooned over for the past 10 years? The one who you haven’t been able to stop thinking about?
Who would have thought that someone who you thought hated/despised you actually was wild about you.
All of this would come unraveling on a summer vacation and without knowing….

This book releases tomorrow do yourself a favor, GO BUY THIS PERFECT SUMMER READ!!!

I may have already ordered the pre-order signed copy 😉 it’s on her website. Thank me later 😘🥹❤️🫶🏻🌶️

Favorite quote: “Forgive me if I prefer someone who doesn’t give me frostbite or third-degree burns.”

Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC reader. I am truly excited to see what you come out with next!
So when’s the next book? 😏

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, this was more of a 3-star read for me, but I’m rounding up because it’s a debut and a strong one at that. The writing is engaging, the pacing works, and I can see a lot of potential in this author’s future books.

My main issue was the OW/OM drama... it’s just not my thing. Without giving too much away: the 33-year-old MMC, not in love with his current girlfriend (Sloane is probably the most mature character of them all tbh), decides to have loud sex with her so the FMC (who he *is* into) hears it through the wall and gets jealous… all because he *thinks* he heard her having sex with her boyfriend. Spoiler: she wasn’t. The (insufferable) boyfriend was just doing yoga. I like messy, but this crossed into too messy for me.

That said, I’ll happily read whatever this author releases next. There’s something here that makes me think her best work is still ahead.

[marialetto.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.00 ✨

Overall: I loved this from top to bottom!! This is a MUST read this summer! 🥰💛 Charlie and Fitz have rewired my brain and I’m so in love with their story!! The plot and spice were excellent!

Tropes:
🩵 brother’s best friend
🍋 dual POV
🩵 flashbacks to past summers
🍋 grumpy x sunshine
🩵 no third-act break up
🍋 small town, beach romance
🩵 forced proximity
🍋 frenemies to lovers
🩵 slow burn

Bookish Thoughts: Expect to hear me talking about this book every day for the foreseeable future!!!

Charlie was such a fun, sassy FMC. I loved her free spirit, her goals, her strength, and how she carried herself. Fitz was the perfect grumpy, put-together MMC. He exuded confidence, snark, and was the human equivalent of the word smirk. Both of their personalities gave way to the most amazing banter! 💕

The slow burn of Charlie and Fitz coming together was so delicious and satisfying! I positively loved getting the flashbacks of summers past, showing how Charlie and Fitz interact, how they needled (and supported!) each other, and how they grow together and have hopes and dreams for their future.

I really liked the plot surrounding Charlie and her bakery. It felt new and unique, and I was invested throughout. Our leads displayed again and again how they’re just better together! 👫🏻

Oh, and did I mention this is SPICY spicy?! This is easily one of the spiciest books I’ve ever read! I thought it was incredibly well done, and didn’t detract from the plot or the budding romance!

Do not miss this one! Add to TBR, pre-order, and read as soon as you can! 😍 Can’t wait to yap with everyone about this one! 🩵🍋💜

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie has moved to the small coastal town where her family used to vacation. She plans to put down toors and open a bakery after years of training and traveling around the world. Fitz is doing everything he is supposed to. Partner in a law firm, trophy girlfriend and always presentable. The two grew up together, spending summers in the cottage on Lemondrop lane. Charlie was the annoying little sister while Fitz was the older and intriguing brother’s best friend.

I loved this book. I kept thinking about it after I closed it and waited a day before I started a new one. I loved how it did chapters of flashbacks so you could see how Charlie and Fitz’ lives had intertwined and how it was impacting present day. I love how Charlie was finally going after what she wanted in her professional life and it was helping her be bold in her private life. Fitz was broody and always watching because she was off limits. He snaps and when he does the fireworks begin. The Spice was SPICY but it fit into the story.

I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see what happens next in the series. 5/5⭐️ 5/5🌶️

I was given an advanced copy of this book.

[Casey Helming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Bailey….Phoebe Moss is coming for your smut crown! HOLY 🍋 y’all. This book not only had me wishing that Lemondrop Lane was a real place but that Fitz had a brother 😉 There is so much I loved about this book besides the smut, the picture telling and story building the author made really could get me to picture the beach house in my head and what each character might look like. The banter between Charlie and Fitz in the first half of the book was class A and got me thinking I need to take some lessons in Sass from miss Charlie girl. Jack as the over protective brother but still a goofball was a perfect supporting character. Seriously pick this book up if you’re interested in hot lawyers and lemon treats 😉 I can’t wait to see what comes out of bellwater cove next!! 💛💛💛

[Amanda hercozybookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect summer romance! This book felt like sunshine, lemon bars and a little bit of spice all rolled into one sweet escape. I absolutely loved Charlie and Fitz—brother’s best friend is one of my favorite tropes and this book nailed it.

Charlie was funny, flawed, ambitious and so relatable (especially the baking obsession!). Fitz? Broody, loyal and secretly soft, a total swoon. Their chemistry and banter had me smiling the whole way through, and the setting made me feel like I was right there in Bellwater Cove soaking up the sun.

Full of heart, humor and heat, Summers on Lemondrop Lane is a small-town romance with big feelings. Loved every minute!

[Florencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7 ⭐️
This book was INSANE. I loved it from the beginning until the end. At first, I didn't really like Fritz (MMC) but as chapters went on he changed my mind. I genuinely believe he is one of the best book bf I've read so far. Very confident and so well put-together.
I absolutely loved the angst, the love story, the yearning from both sides, the flashback chapters and the spice (of course lol). Charlie's character was great too! She reminded me a lot of Belly from "The Summer I Turned Pretty" but Charlie was funnier, sassy and actually worked to accomplish her goals eventhough her love life seemed to be caught up in between.
I'm not giving it 5 ⭐️ only because I thought there was going to be more angst with Jack, something more with Thatcher, or more issues? I felt like everything was solved too quickly but it was a great quick read.

[Dessie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give more stars I would! This is one of those don't judge a book by its cover books. I was reluctant to give this one a shot because the cover just didn't appeal to me at all but man the story is chefs kiss amazing! The characters are wonderfully written, the storyline is fantastic and the spice phew man it's definitely there. I definitely recommend this dual POV book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[bria (cozyybookvibes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely EVERYTHING!! It’s the most perfect summer romance read with the beach setting and salty air. But the love story between Charlie and Fitz? OMG. I did not expect to fall in love with these two but here I am, head over heels and wanting more!!

I was honestly hooked from the first page until the last, desperately wishing for it not to end. Their sassiness towards each other had me laughing out loud and their love had me saying “awhhh” every other page I swear! Plus the Darcy references had me SWOONING!! (I love pride and prejudice so much.)

And the spice?? Holy mother of god 🥵 I was not expecting this cute summer romance to be so dang filthy but here we are and I have zero complaints!

This is an absolute masterpiece and needs to be read by everyone!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
3🌶️

you guysssss!
I’ve had the pleasure of recently working with phoebe on graphics stuff and wow… not only is she so sweet, but her writing is beautiful and this story is the perfect, spicy, summer, beach read!!! ☀️🍋🌊💋

when you’re packing for vacay this summer, make sure you pack this book or download it on KU!🙌🏼

Charlie and Fitz are everythinggggg! the banter, the tension, the chemistry - OFF THE CHARTS!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pure perfection! I loved every minute of it!!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words. Perfection. 🔥❤️⭐️

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooo good!!! Pulled me right out of my reading slump because I needed to know if Charlie and Fitz were going to stop loving one another in silence!!!!

[Salem Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. The banter, the flashbacks, the secretive flirtatiousness, the yearning. GODDD 😭 What a fun, easy, lovely read. I giggled and kicked my feet the entire time. By the time it came to an end, I still wanted more. I'd happily read a thousand chapters of Charlie and Fitz. Definitely one of my favorite books this year!

[Annemieke Westerbeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining summer read, love and beach old friends and family in a holiday environment, great characters head butting a little suspense and a happy ending.

[Nic Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had so much potential but didn’t quite grip me until the end.

[drea · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

"And for the first time in years, I didn’t feel in control. I just felt wrecked. And completely, irrevocably hers."

Wow wow wow. I absolutely loved this book. I was in a little bit of a reading slump and it completely took me out of it. There was something about the author's writing that just scratched my brain in the best way lol. It was witty, clever, and addictive. I was completely immersed in this story and felt like I was spending the summer on Lemon Drop Lane with the rest of the characters - it was so fun.

The flashback chapters gave it a nostalgic vibe and I thought they added so much to the story. I loved the way the flashbacks slowly revealed the history between Charlie and Fitz. It was masterfully outlined and gave just enough context in all of the right places.

I think one of my favorite parts of this book was Fitz. Like, not only him as the mmc because oh my god, top book boyfriend for sure, but also just the way his character development was written. I won't lie and say that his front of pretentious, rich douchebag had even me fooled at the beginning, but I can't begin to describe how much I loveddddd getting to see the real him come through. The depth to his love for Charlie??? Completely caught me off guard but it was one of the most precious things in this book. The way he loved her, fought for her, and made sure she knew how much he loved her cannot be matched. The flashbacks were a gem because they showed just how long he had loved her. It was beautiful.

Charlie was such a fun fmc. She was so quick with her wit and I loved how she could keep up with Fitz. They were so entertaining together. I admired the hell out of Charlie for going after her dreams and the things that she wanted in life. Also, one of the hottest fmcs I've read to date??? When she took control during some of the spice scenes, I was sat!! Didn't know if I wanted to be here or be with her lmao.

I was completely enraptured with Charlie and Fitz's romance. They were electric together and I think their relationship was that much more special because of the years they both spent loving from afar and really knowing each other.

If you're looking for a spicy (so spicy and so good), witty summer romance with all of the yearning and the most immaculate vibes - definitely pick this one up on release day: June 13!!