Endless Summer Nights

by Ellie Hall

She's barely bottled sunshine in a pair of flip-flops. He's a grump with walls higher than the tide. Will these opposites find love while trying to shore up their futures?

Shelly
The rental booking website promises “A perfect vacation getaway," but delivers my worst nightmare. I arrive at my beachfront dream house, arms full of party supplies and pool floaties, only to find it already occupied by the most irritatingly handsome grouch in Palisade Shores. Now we're stuck sharing two bedrooms, one kitchen, and absolutely zero patience with each other for two whole weeks.

Dune
After my divorce, the only relationship I need is with my research. I book a quiet beach house to finish my marine conservation proposal in peace, not to play roommate with a sunshine-radiating twenty-something who thinks six a.m. smoothie blending is acceptable behavior. Her optimism is disturbing and distracting. Worst of all, I'm starting to look forward to her interruptions.

Shelly
When a surprise storm hits the coast, forcing us to protect both our dreams under a leaking roof, something changes, and not only that, we learn we're co-chairing the beach cleanup event.

Dune
My research needs focus, not distraction, and she deserves someone who isn't scarred by the past.
But will we discover that the wrong house could lead to the right heart?

Escape to sun-soaked Palisade Shores in this sweet beach romcom where age gaps close, grumpy hearts melt, and love washes in with the waves!

Tropes
•Grumpy/Sunshine
•Age gap
•Small town
•Found family
•Just kisses

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2025

About the author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

♥

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/elliehallauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elliehallauthor

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Series and suggested reading order:

The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
•these billionaires have everything, but will they find love...?•

1. Only a Date with a Billionaire
2. Only a Kiss with a Billionaire
3. Only a Night with a Billionaire
4. Only Forever with a Billionaire
5. Only Love with a Billionaire
6. Only Christmas with the Billionaire
7. Only New Year with the Billionaire

♥

The Hawkins Family Clean Romance Series

•five brothers, torn apart and the women who help put them back together...•

1. Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

2. Finding Forever in Hawk Ridge Hollow

3. Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard

4. Going Home to Hawk Ridge Hollow

5. Christmas in Hawk Ridge Hollow

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The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series

•a small-town restaurant, a dating dare, and happily ever afters...•

1. Summer with the Marine

2. Summer with the Rock Star

3. Summer with the Billionaire

4. Summer with the Cowboy

5. Summer with the Carpenter

6. Summer with the Doctor

♥

Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series

•Cowboy hats & kisses with small-town charm•

1. Rustling the Cowboy’s Heart

2. Lassoing the Cowboy’s Heart

3. Trusting the Cowboy’s Heart

4. Kissing the Christmas Cowboy

5. Loving the Cowboy’s Heart

6. Charming the Cowboy’s Heart

7. Saving the Cowboy’s Heart

8. Wrangling the Cowboy’s Heart

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Falling into Happily Ever After Rom Com

• Sweet, heartwarming & uplifting romantic comedy

1. An Unwanted Love Story

2. An Unexpected Love Story

3. An Unlikely Love Story

4. An Accidental Love Story

5. An Impossible Love Story

6. An Unconventional Christmas Love Story

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Forever Marriage Match

• Five friends have to find true love or else...romcom

1. Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

2. Dare to Love the Guy Next Door

3. Dare to Love My Fake Husband

4. Dare to Love the Guy I Hate

5. Dare to Love My Best Friend

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Home Sweet Home Small Town Romantic Comedy Series

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Designing Happily Ever After

The DIY Kissing Project

The True Romance Renovation

Extreme Heart Makeover

Building What's Meant to Be

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The Costa Brothers Cozy Christmas Comfort Romance Series

Tommy & Merry and the 12 Days of Christmas

Bruno & Gloria and the 5 Golden Rings

Luca & Ivy and the 4 Calling Birds

Gio & Joy and the 3 French Hens

Paulo & Noella and the 2 Turtle Doves

Nico & Hope and the Partridge in the Pear Tree

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The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

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Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

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On the Hunt for Love

The Grump and the Girl Next Door

The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The Secret Son and the Sweetheart

The Ex Best Friend and the Fake Fiancé

The Best Friend’s Brother and the Brain

Select titles are available in audiobook, paperback, hardcover, and large print formats. Happy reading!♥

Reviews

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! A cute, quick read with a grump & a ball of sunshine! Loved Dune & Shelly together! I also loved that it’s reverse age gap! Fun wrap up to this summer collection.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

– this is told from Shelly & Dune’s points of view

– there is an age gap of about 10 years between them

-it is mentioned that a character left an abusive relationship (one that tried closing them off from others & controlling every aspect of their life; events/relationship occurred & ended before the beginning of the story)

Review:

This is such a sweet ending to this series! I’m really glad that Ellie Hall decided to add in Shelly’s story after we got to see her in other books.

I loved the forced proximity these two had to endure in a few places during their time together. I loved that we could tell it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows between them (beyond Dune’s grumpiness 😂) and their idiosyncrasies, but that they chose to try and make things work anyways. I also loved that we got to see/hear a bit more about the other couples in the series and where they are currently at at this point!

Summary:

Shelly has grown into herself since retreating to her godmother’s home in Palisade Shores. With new changes on the horizon, Shelly is excited for her godmother’s retirement and wants to show her the town’s appreciation. In need of some space to plan, Shelly rents a beach house to make preparations without the secret getting out. Only when she gets there, Shelly discovers that someone else is already moved in. And he’s the grumpiest guy Shelly’s ever met.

Dune is focused on getting his marine conservation proposal completed with all the research he’s going to gather. Finding a beach house nearby is serendipitous and gives him space from the town he’d never wanted to come back to. But when a random woman comes into the beach house claiming to have booked it, things start to look less quiet than Dune had hoped. With no other place to go and both of them determined not to leave, Dune will have to get used to the bright noise Shelly brings. And with every little new things Dune learns about her, he hopes that he’ll keep his focus on his work over the woman now sharing his space…

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelly and Dune ,were they destined to honeymoon before they’ve even met? It’s a different proposal he has in mind ,the conservationist kind. Well you see they both end up booking the same rental . And she’s a bit temperamental at best and he just wants to give it a rest. I think that’s best Dune ,but don’t worry she’ll soon be over the moon and sure to swoon . Beachfront dream house ,the perfect place full of Grace unless you got a grouch of a man in your face ! Full of party supplies and floaters in hand she doesn’t expect this misunderstand. Zero tolerance is correct because with these two opposites what did we expect. She’s sunshine to his grouch but soon he looks forward to the interruptions to his work and he stops being quite such a jerk. Suddenly like a lightning strike a storm rolls in ,yikes they have to hold tight in their two bedrooms one kitchen delight. But under that leaky roof something changes ,the gears shift and instead of adrift they’re together in part .This then is where the fun and beach cleanup starts ,where they become close and it’s not gross…Ellie Hall is the best at these short Grease punned stories an ideal summer reading . You could say Summer Loving ,it happened so fast …and with this story ,I had me a blast ! A blissful read indeed . I devoured with greed. Is this maybe the next book title Ellie lass? It’s a sure thing and makes my heart sing that’s one hundred percent true cause Ellie Hall I love everything you do with that brain pen and wit . So what you waiting for ? The next book please now ,get on with it! Please ….

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's exciting to pick up the SoCal Summer Kisses series that began last summer with a fourth book. These stories are short and complete and have a wonderful laid back summer feel to them.

This story is fun when two very different people rent the same home for a few weeks. Somehow the booking agent rented the two bedroom house to both of them and with nothing else available to rent they will have to figure out how to live together.

Shelly has a history with a controlling boyfriend that had her move across the country from Alabama to California. She moved in with her godmother Pinky who gave her a job and place to live. Now Pinky is planning to retire and she is giving her the coffee shop. Shelly wants to give her a wonderful retirement party. With lots of planning to do, she doesn't need an unexpected grumpy roommate, Dune. The one thing she would like to make happen while she shares the house with Dune is to get him to smile.

Dune is working on an important proposal to help keep the beaches he loves safe. He rented a house back in his hometown and is not happy when a woman who has a sunny personality has rented the same house. With this mix up and nothing available to change the situation, he must figure out how to deal with all her sunshine. Before he knows what's happening, Dune is actually looking forward to being around Shelly.

It seems like they are supposed to be around each other because they are both volunteered to co-chair the beach clean-up event.

Will Shelly's sunny personality help Dune to let down the walls he put up around his life?

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelly, who is all sunshine, works at Pinky’s Squeeze, her godmothers drink shop and is planning her retirement party. Dune, a grump who after his divorce and just wants to do his research on marine conservation and ride the waves in peace. When the two are stuck sharing a rental house and both heading up a community beach clean event, something changes between the two. While the wrong double booking of the beach house end up leading to something more.

I really enjoyed being back in Palisade Shores, with some of my favorite tropes, sunshine vs grumpy with a side of forced proximity. The banter between Shelly and Dune was funny and sweet. Funny with a sweet HEA ending . Just a cute, fun summer rom com, beach read,

This is book four in the SoCal Summer Kisses series, a novella series. This is a fast, sweet read that can be read in one sitting. All books can be read as a standalone, characters from previous books are mentioned.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endless Summer Nights is the first book in - So Cal Summer Kisses and is a wonderful start to Ellie Hall’s series. I always enjoy her books because the characters are so well written and truly come to life. In this story, Shelly is on vacation in Palisade Shores, expecting a peaceful stay in a beach house—only to find the grumpy (but charming!) Dune staying in the same building. What follows is a sweet, romantic, and well-paced love story that had me smiling the whole way through. The setting is perfect, the romance is clean and heartwarming, and the characters have great chemistry. A lovely read that I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys feel-good summer romances!

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Easy-to-read

Entertaining

Happily Ever After

Page-turner

Romantic

Realistic

Wonderful characters

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful forced proximity tale sure to make you smile
Take one grump, one sunshine and happiness, mix with the ocean and sunshine for wonderful fun. When Shelly temporarily can’t stay in her godmother’s house, she arranges to rent a beach house few weeks. Only when she arrives, it is already occupied by Dune, the town grump and a research scientist. With nowhere else to go they decide they can make it work even if they don’t like each other. A severe storm strikes the area and soon they are working together to prepare the house for the storm as well as making sure Dune’s research sites are safe. Now they find themselves not only working together but drawn to each other but they still face many hurdles to make things work. A wonderful story to enjoy.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endless Summer Nights is a clean, heartwarming, grumpy/sunshine, beachy, romantic comedy. Both Shelly and Dune need a place of quiet - her to plan a party; him to finish his marine conservation proposal. In this well written, forced proximity novella, her sunshine personality meets his grumpy one. After a storm, they end up co-chairing the beach clean up. You do not want to miss this entertaining read. I loved watching Shelly break through Dune's walls and actually help him with his conservation efforts. There are many hurdles, of course, on their way to an HEA. I love how Ms. Hall brings everything to a very satisfying conclusion!

[Kaci Bonar · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Palisade Shores, California for this novella and let me tell you it was worth the wait!  If you haven’t read the others, it will make this quaint beachy town feel even more homey. 

Shelly is the epitome of all things sunshine, happiness and joy!  Her infectious personality radiates of the page and while she has things that have taken away her smile, Shelly has made a fresh start for herself!  With her godmother, Pinky, helping her find her footing, but now her responsibilities will shift at the famous coffee shop.  To prepare for this newest transition in her life, she must also find a new temporary residence until Pinky heads out on her grand adventure – this is where the story really begins!  Armed with party supplies, clothes and Neville (her house plant), she attempts to settle into her SkyBnB only to find a man has already taken to living in it!  What?!

Dune is just as grumpy as his name exudes!  He’s bearded, moody, driven and annoyed – even more now that his rental is being invaded by energetic enigma.  He’s there to do his research for the grant proposal and submit said proposal in a short window of time.  He has no need or time for any distractions, no matter how attractive she may be.  Yet, they are stuck with each other and ultimately are co-chairs of the annual beach clean up day!  While they encounter a few hiccups besides being forced to stay in the same cottage, these two realize they may not be as different as they originally expected.

This novella is a perfect lazy afternoon read, while I would love to say I read it in a hammock because that would have been more atmospheric I didn’t. Whether you live near the beach or not, this will story will give you all the vibes minus the sharks!  I loved how Shelly and Dune were able to come together in an unexpected way and that they really were a united front when it mattered the most!  Job well done Ellie!

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun romantic comedy with such loveable characters. Shelly and Dune both end up staying at the Concha Cottage in Palisade Shores for two weeks together because of a computer glitch double booking the cottage and there are no other places for them to stay. I liked they were total opposites in most ways. Holly was full of sunshine, glitter, and happiness and Dune was full of being a grumpy guy, set in his ways, and he had a dry sense of humor. That made for a fun, sweet, interesting book. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, my this swoony story will get your blood pumping. A double booking at a beach house puts Dune and Shelly in the same house, and one of them has to go, or least that's what Dune says. Mr. Grumpy Pants does not realize just how much his world is about to rocked with sunshine, glitter and constant chatter.

I loved both of these characters. Shelly was so full of life, and I just knew that Dune would be able to fully resist her sunshiny charm.

This bite sized nugget is the perfect thing to get you in the mood for summer reading.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun quick read. I loved the humor in this sweet story. The meet-cute surprise is so fun. Shelly is a ray of sunshine and an optimist and has just become the owner of Pinky’s coffee. When they are forced to occupy the same rental house, the fun begins. I enjoyed this story so much, it made me laugh, smile and swoon. Such a sweet story with a happily ever after and a fun summer read you don’t want to miss.

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful fun grumpy sunshine romance. Shelly is optimistic, fun loving and definitely opposite of grumpy Dune but when they have to live and work with each other, they find their personalities actually complement each other. This is such a fun summer rom com and a delightful quick read.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grumpy / sunshine, opposites attract, fun and flirty summer beach read. A wonderful and clever story line that's interesting and entertaining. It's well written with just enough drama and sweeteness to keep you hooked to the end.The characters were a delight. I loved how the heartwarming story unfolded and what a wonderful ending to this series. Highly recommend!

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upbeat Shelly is doubled booked on a rental cottage with grumpy surfer and marine biologist Dune while she plans a retirement party for her godmother Pinky and cochairs a beach cleanup event with him. He doesn’t agree with her optimism at first but she gets a lot more volunteers to sign up for the event than he ever could and he quickly falls for her yummy food and kissable smiling lips.

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick read. I loved Shelly’s personality and how she brought positive light to every situation. Dune hides behind a beard and a grumpy exterior. I love how he slowly begins to crawl out of the funk he has been in and learns there is more to life than just work.
This is a dual pov, clean romance. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone novel.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun small town attraction story from two completely different personalities.
*Shelly is an optimist who is vibrantly outgoing like rays of sunshine on a perfect day. She has rented a beach cottage for two weeks and is planning a city-wide shoreline clean-up and a retirement party for her godmother who is signing over her coffee shop to Shelly in a few weeks. Problem is, there's a grumpy big guy who is already there and insisting he has rented the cottage for two weeks as well.
*Duane is a surfer/marine environmental scientist writing a research proposal. He views Shelly as a "glitter-bomb and sing-along" woman...and definitely not his type.
When the rental company has no other options to offer, they declare a truce, ad Shelly moves into the second bedroom. And then it gets interesting.

Fun characters with great values and definitely different focuses, the story unfolds pulling in similarities and differences as well as a variety of townspeople. I loved the comradery and uniting people for the community and costal preservation as well as social interaction. My one complaint? It was over far too soon! (I've been informed there's more to come about this gem of a town!) Whether you do or don't go to the beach regularly, if you pause and close your eyes mid-read, memories of ocean shore fun will surface, and the joy of the story will be even more real. Engaging and delightful read for us all!

[Meg (thyme.for.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelly is looking for the perfect beach getaway. Dune needs a quiet place to work. Both end up booked into the same rental house with nowhere else to go.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Endless Summer Nights is the fourth book in the SoCal Summer Kisses but it can be read as a stand-alone.

I don’t see a lot of the forced proximity trope in closed-door romance as it’s normally a “one bed” type situation. These MCs, however, end up stuck together in the last available rental. I always love to see the moment the sweet, sunny MC works their magic on the grumpy character.

This bite-size (124 pages) grumpy/sunshine is the perfect little treat for a pool outing or a beach day. All of the books in this closed-door series are on the shorter side so you could probably read the whole series in one trip.

[Wendy Droke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun sweet quick read as a revisit to Palisade Shores for the cutest age gap book of the summer. Shelly and Dune are a fun couple to root for as they find each other in ways they never thought would be possible. A stand alone, this book is enjoyed as part of the four book series as well.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of humor

I enjoyed the situations that brought the characters together as well as their first reactions to one another. I also liked that each of them grew over the course of the story.

[Beatriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping for this book since I Heard from Shelly and Dune in the other books and I enjoyed reading It! Its a pity this is the last book in the series and I would like more of this reads.
Waiting to read more from Ellie!

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Dune and Shelley. Their story is so sweet and fun to read; Shelley is so upbeat unlike Dune who is grumpy. Loved the characters and the setting being at the beach. Well worth reading.

[Kari Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy and Sparkles

I enjoyed all of the beach reads books, but this is my favorite. I love how Shelly's sparkle and intelligence pulls Dune out of his grumpiness. This is a winner.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute summer rom-com.. Funny and sweet, with adorable characters..

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute light hearted opposites attract beach read!

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly clean and wonderful romance! Perfect if you love grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity! Very funny and entertaining read!!

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun and quick summer read. I loved the grumpy/sunshine vibes and their HEA was so sweet!

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Dune & Shelly's grumpy, sparkly, sweet, caring, loving swoony happily ever after!!

[September Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mini Review

Endless Summer Nights by Ellie Hall is the fourth novella in the SoCal Summer Series. However It can be read as a standalone. This is such a cute romance. Dune is so very grumpy and Shelly is all kinds of sunshine. Shelly works at Pinky’s Squeeze, the go-to place for coffee, smoothies, and more. One of their specialties is coffee with your choice of Ice Cream. Coincidentally, I love coffee with ice cream.

Things I loved

Shelly’s bubbly personality
The grump she has a crush on.
I loved their interactions with one another

Some Tropes included in this one are grumpy/sunshine, age gap, small town, found family, and a bit of forced proximity. If you like cute but grumpy surfers, bubbly characters, fun meet-cutes, and sweet small towns I’d grab this one up. Or better yet just grab the whole series you can get all four novellas in one cute book. This one is available in ebook, paperback, and KU