Love Uncovered: A Spicy Summer Holiday Rom-Com, Your Next Unputdownable Beach Read

by Sadie Aubry

Addison Taylor doesn’t do spontaneous. Or adventurous. Or anything that can’t be done in a hoodie with snacks and a streaming queue. But after a messy breakup—and five too many tequilas—she impulsively books a solo escape to a “nature resort” in the South of France.

The moment she arrives, it’s clear there’s been a colossal mix-up. She didn’t sign up for hikes and herbal tea; she’s landed at a naturist resort. As in: no clothes, no shame, no way out.

She hasn’t even unpacked when she runs into Jules, the resort’s perpetually bare, infuriatingly charming, and very easy-on-the-eyes resident DJ. Panicked and desperate not to seem like the uptight small-town Kansas girl her ex accused her of being, Addison blurts out a lie: of course she’s a nudist. Lifelong, in fact. Now all she has to do is convince Jules without dropping her towel.

But as sparks fly and her feelings for Jules deepen, the fibs begin to pile up, leaving one question: can she come clean without losing the one man who might love her exactly as she is?

A deliciously fun, sun-drenched rom-com about falling hard and learning to let go.

Genres: Romance

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2025

About the author

Sadie Aubry is a Kansas City native who swapped Midwest sunsets for life in the charming French town of Annecy, where she shares daily adventures with her husband, two spirited kids, and one very mischievous cat. Surrounded by mountain views, endless wine, and a steady stream of inspiration, this former marketing grad now spins love stories brimming with spice, sass, and happily-ever-afters you can count on.

Reviews

[Amanda Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Uncovered! Wow Wow Wow! This is my new favorite summer read! I have never read a book by Sadie before but, if this is how all her books are written I will gladly devour them all. Smart, funny, and spicy with an actual plot. Props to Addison for truly finding herself in the unusual journey. On a side note...I will never look at mashed potatoes the same way again lol Well done!

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read with Addison and Jules. I laughed so hard when she ended up at this nudist resort. She may want to put those tequilas down in the future lol. But meeting Jules has her totally telling little white lie after little white lie. But I was so glad that she got to the courage to try and do something she never would’ve done. This was fun and sweet I had quite the giggles and of choice was happy to see her find some happy in her life.

[Steve Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out to be a cute beach read. Addison and Jules worked well together, although I found the first part of the book to move along at a very slow pace.
The spice level was great, and a bowl of mashed potatoes will be forever changed in my mind!
I found myself rooting for Addison and Jules throughout their journey, and was happy when they finally worked things out, and got their HEA.
Treat yourself, and add this one to your reading list - highly recommend!!

[Alex Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I loved, loved, loved this book. You know when a novel hits that sweet spot between laugh-out-loud funny and fan-yourself spicy? That’s this one. Like if Tessa Bailey and Emily Henry had a flirty book baby and raised it in the South of France.

Addison, the FMC, is an interesting lead. She’s been stuck in people-pleasing mode most of her life, but she’s not some fragile pushover. She’s got sass and a relatable inner chaos. After a breakup, fight with her mom, and drunken night out with her best friend, she ends up booking a French resort that’s very much not what she expected, but she rolls with it in a really entertaining way.

Jules is the story's love interest. He’s got that whole French confidence/swagger thing going on, but there's also some depth to him, as he’s also messy and vulnerable. Their chemistry is sweet, and honestly, I was rooting for both of them to get it together.

So, the spice? 100% delivered. There are a couple scenes in here that had me straight-up blushing and reaching for a glass of wine (one particular scene I'm thinking of involved the creative use of mashed potato). 😅 I’m super picky about spice—it can so easily head into cringe territory or go the other way and end up just meh, but for me this hit a fun, steamy balance. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️

What I appreciated, though, is that Addison’s arc isn’t just about landing the guy (don't worry, she gets her happy ending). It’s about figuring herself out. The romance is a cherry on top of a self-discovery sundae.

At first, I wasn’t sure about a certain moment (won’t spoil it) in the third act, which is kind of OTT (though a bit of OTT is exactly what rom-coms do best, right?) but now I’m into it. I think it really works in terms of telling Addison's story of learning to live her life for herself, not what other people expect of her. Plus, it leans into the comedy of the moment, which was the right choice.

Overall, the writing has a breezy, bouncy rhythm. Definitely what you want for a poolside or beach read. Kind of like of a mini vacation with a steamy romance plot thrown in. On top of that, the South of France setting is absolutely dreamy. It's clear Sadie Aubry did her homework on nudism (which is treated with a lot of respect, rather than as a joke, which I thought was cool) as well as the location. I devour spicy romance, so I appreciated reading something with a fun take on the genre. Definitely keen to check out what she writes next. Meanwhile, please someone at Hulu or Netflix or whatever please buy the rights to this, because I can totally see this working as movie or series starring someone like Sidney Sweeny as Addison.

If you love rom-coms with emotional depth, some surprises, spicy scenes that actually work, and characters who grow while making you giggle—this one’s for you. 👏💋📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Leah Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and Funny

I’ll be honest, I almost refused to read this book. After all, the cover has a typo! But I’m glad I did. It was different, clever, funny, and swoony. A great combination. I’ll never look at the nudist community the same again!

[JP18267 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is everything I didn't know I needed! I instantly related to Addison, predictable, safe, Netflix... until she drunkenly books herself a vacation. I was laughing so hard I was in tears. And when she crashes into the charming and handsome DJ/model Jules, I knew I was in for a ride. The witty humor, hysterically awkward mishaps, endearing dates, and steamy hot moments had me staying up all night to finish it! I absolutely loved everything about this book, highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Blagica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Engaging Break with Room for Pacing

This book was my palette cleanser—a welcome, needed break from the deluge of strange thrillers and fantasy reads I usually pick up. In my commitment to nearing my 100-book goal this year, this contemporary novel served its purpose, though my final rating lands at a thoughtful 2.5 stars, happily rounded up to 3 because the core concept was so engaging I'd certainly try this author again.

The most engaging aspect of this novel was its central theme: the delightful confusion between nature and naturism. This premise is not only original but genuinely thought-provoking, instantly adding a layer of complexity that elevates the story beyond typical contemporary romance or general fiction. I was particularly drawn to the personal journey of the main character; her development showed a clear, satisfying arc of growth and self-awareness. The emotional and insightful way she navigates the central misunderstanding gives the entire story a meaningful depth that I truly appreciated.

Despite the compelling premise, I struggled with several plot decisions that felt somewhat illogical or forced. Certain moments stretched credibility, making it difficult to maintain full immersion in the narrative. While the chemistry between the two protagonists was undeniably palpable, their relationship evolved at an unusually rapid pace. The emotional rollercoaster they endure—experiencing numerous dramatic ups and downs all within the tight span of a single week—felt rushed and, frankly, unrealistic. This swift pacing undercut the development of what could have been a truly captivating connection.

Overall, the book offers a highly interesting premise and a genuinely character-driven storyline. I recommend it for readers looking for something unique, though I would have appreciated a bit more subtlety and a slower burn in certain parts of the plot. If you have Kindle Unlimited, this might absolutely be worth your time—it was worth mine.

[Trevin Sandlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Right up until the end.

Let's start with the positive. It is a fun story - maybe a tad unrealistic that she wouldn't have googled the place at all before getting there, but this is fiction and I'm willing to turn off my disbelief about that. The secondary characters all seemed real, the place seemed real and I liked the main character (Addison) quite a bit (not just because of the Kansas similarity, but...I've been to Abeline...it is as dreadful as described). The writing is good. The spicy scenes are...spicy!

But we need to talk about the end. It isn't bad - it just kind of jumped to some things. Addison makes a decision based on the miscommunication thing that seemed...very out of character. The scene in question with the two Germans seemed so out of place that it really pulled me out of the story. And then she and Jules are dropping the l-word after 5 days. I just...didn't buy it. I think everyone is different on that, but I kept wondering if these two people would be together in 5 years and I couldn't think they would be. Honestly, if there hadn't been the airport scene at the end and the love story had been regarding herself, I think the bit with the Germans works better. It doesn't work as well as it stands - particularly in a book this short. If they'd been at the beach a month, it works. A week? Eh. Maybe it works for other people.

I'm a tough grader. This is between 3 and 4 stars and GR makes you choose one. I think if I could give full decimals, this is a 3.4, because a 3.5 would make me round up. A solid start to her career, though.

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

[SusieQ · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most engaging aspects of this book was its central theme — the confusion between nature and naturism — which I found both original and thought-provoking. It added a layer of complexity that made the story stand out from typical contemporary novels. I was particularly drawn to the personal journey of the main character, whose development reflects a clear sense of growth and self-awareness. The way she deals with the misunderstanding is both emotional and insightful, and it gives the story a meaningful depth.

That said, there were several plot decisions that felt somewhat illogical or forced to me. Certain moments stretched credibility and made it harder to stay fully immersed in the narrative. The chemistry between the two protagonists was definitely there, and at times quite palpable, but their relationship evolved at an unusually fast pace. The emotional rollercoaster they go through — with numerous ups and downs all within the span of just one week — felt a bit rushed and unrealistic.

Overall, the book offers an interesting premise and a character-driven storyline, though I would have appreciated a bit more subtlety and pacing in some parts of the plot.

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

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of the quirky sense of fun and natural humour is evident in this story. We get Addison a young woman who has grown up and still lives in a small, unremarkable town in Kansas. She has just been dumped by her long term boyfriend because she is boring and lacks passion or spontaneity. After far too much to drink she does something spontaneous by booking a last minute holiday deal to what she thinks is a nature resort in France.

This turns out to be Cap d'Agde, a full blown naturist village and resort on the south coast of France. This is not created by Sadie's imagination it is an actual place just as she describes. Naturally Addison has never been faced with this level of uncovered flesh and struggles to adapt. She also runs into Jules, a handsome well built young man who is working as a DJ and is quite comfortable with the nudist way of life.

The humour is natural with Addison trying to pretend that nudity doesn't bother her and Jules tries to present a persona that is not natural to him. The intimacy is well handled with the plot flowing forward with great charm.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jonathan Pohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually, that’s not my type of reading—foam parties, shirtless DJs, spontaneous nudist volleyball? Hard pass. But Love Uncovered had me hooked before I realized I’d stopped judging it. What starts like a typical spicy rom-com quickly unravels into something sharper, funnier, and far more emotionally grounded.
Addison, recently dumped and declared “beige,” ends up in a chaotic French beach town where everyone’s hotter, freer, and naked-er than she is. She’s awkward, deeply self-aware, and quietly unraveling. But instead of transforming into some fantasy version of herself, she stumbles, retreats, fights back, and—finally—chooses.
Yes, there’s romance. Jules, the frustratingly magnetic French DJ, is equal parts fantasy and reality check. But the heart of this story isn’t about getting the guy—it’s about getting out of your own way. It’s sexy, yes, but also painfully relatable if you've ever felt invisible or stuck in your own life.
Come for the escapism, stay for the character arc. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at rom-coms but secretly wanted one to surprise you—this is it.

[Kristina Kamaeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, if anybody asks me for a good beach read, I have to recommend this book.
Addison Taylor, a self-aware, reserved girl from Kansas, by mistake books a holiday at a naturist resort in the south of France. People in swimsuits are not allowed on the beach. Many vacationers walk around the resort naked. Addison is traumatized and wants to leave this horrible place immediately, but then she meets Jules. So, she stays and navigates what the resort has to offer. Her adventures are absolutely hilarious. I couldn’t stop giggling as I read her thoughts and conversations with Jules, other nudists, and Harper, her friend from Kansas. “Textiles” is the word nudists use for people wearing clothes :)
A warning: sex scenes are very detailed and can be used as a manual. Not my bowl of mashed potatoes cup of tea, but I knew what I was getting into when I picked the book, so no complaints!
This book is worth reading for its tone and style, and the author’s wonderful sense of humor.
Well done!

[Anne Timm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really drawn to the premise of this book—it sounded so promising, which is why I picked it up in the first place.

The beginning (about the first 30%) felt a bit slow for me, but once things started moving, the pacing definitely improved. Still, I had a hard time connecting with Jules and the other characters. They felt a little flat, and I kept wishing for more depth because the potential was clearly there. For example, when Jules’s sister described him at one point, I almost thought I had missed something in the earlier chapters—those traits should have been hinted at in his actions before, but they weren’t (or maybe I just didn’t pick up on them).

The ending didn’t quite work for me either—it came across as a bit rushed and not entirely believable, which left me feeling a bit disconnected at the very end.

Overall, this was a book with an appealing concept that didn’t fully click for me, but I can still see it finding an audience.

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

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly delivered mixture of humour & emotions!

The basic concept of the book is simple yet everything is so well carried out that the book becomes exceptional.

The main characters (Addison, Jules, Harper) are each well-drawn and relatable to people we've all met (albeit not in these particular circumstances).

As might be expected from the subject matter, much of the humour cannot be quoted here without upsetting the site censors (I trust you will laugh out loud at some of the same places that I did!) but even the innocent bits are simply delightful from being natural - human behaviour at its best:

"Addison stumbled through the door of her apartment, kicking off her sneakers with the grace of a baby giraffe."

"Your English is really good."
Jules shrugged. "School And Netflix."
"Ah, the two great educators of our time"

In short: I loved the humour and the turn of phrase throughout the book - great!

[Sally A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Uncovered: A Spicy Summer Holiday Rom-Com, Your Next Unputdownable Beach Read by Sadie Aubry is a fun and flirty rom com set at a nudist resort in the south of France. Maybe I didn’t read the description enough before buying, but I was expecting a cute, totally predictable Hallmark-esque rom com, and whist there are elements of that for sure, in addition there is certainly a lot of spiciness and explicit content! I loved the setting in France, and that the main character is funny with all the usual hang-ups. Yes, you know how it is going to end before you are even half way through it, but the journey to the end is still a fun romp through misadventure, miscommunication, love, romance and more. I think the author has it right - it is your next beach read, nothing more, nothing less, but fun all the same for when you need a little easy to read escapism with a summer theme and some hotness thrown in.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful rom-com story that tickled my fancy. Our characters were wonderful and highly engaging. The antics, the drama, and the romance was entertaining, and storyline was well written. Addison/Addy a small-town girl gets dumped by her ex-boyfriend for being boring and dull. Going to the local bar to drink her friend Harper joins her and suggests she leave it all and take a trip. She looks online for beach resorts and finds a week special at Cap d'Agde, France and books it. After delay flights she arrives late at night tired and finds her room is run down and not like the pictures. Waking up she decides to go to the beach and realizes she on a nudist beach. Running back to her room she bumps into naked Jules. What ensues afterward as Addy uncovers was an enjoyable copy I'd received and volunteer to read and review.

[Jaafar Charafeddine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a fun, sexy, and breezy read. Readers who want a lighthearted, flirty holiday story with steam and laughs will find this a satisfying pick.

The story nails the summer holiday escapism, complete with witty dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and awkward yet endearing encounters.

The central romance is electric, balancing playful tension with genuine intimacy. Readers looking for spice will not be disappointed.

The sun-soaked holiday locale enhances the mood, making this perfect beach-read material.

The protagonist feels grounded, navigating modern love in ways that resonate with readers.

At times, the spice may feel more dominant than the plot progression, which could overshadow character development for readers who prefer a deeper emotional arc.

Some rom-com tropes lean into predictability, though they’re delivered with charm.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sadie Aubrey and consider her a solid five‑star author, but there were a couple of elements in this book that didn’t quite work for me — and unfortunately I can’t explain them without giving away spoilers.

This story is funny, sweet, and sprinkled with some spicy moments. The setting — a nudist resort — makes for plenty of hilarious internal commentary from our FMC, a conservative girlie from Kansas who is very much out of her comfort zone. Her POV is entertaining, and we get a clear sense of why she falls for the MMC. I just didn’t feel like I got an equally strong sense of why he fell for her, which left the romance feeling a bit one‑sided to me.

Even so, it was an enjoyable read. I’ll continue to pick up anything Sadie Aubrey writes, and while this wasn’t my personal favorite of hers, it’s still absolutely worth reading.

[BookishChic50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay first thing, when I first saw this book I did not want to read it I did not like the cover of this book it looked immature so it did not keep my attention. I'm so glad I finally gave this book a chance it was really good it was better than I thought it was going to be and I love the character development. it was so funny a girl from a small town in Kansas mistakenly books a fight for a naked resort in Paris, where she ends up meeting the man of her dreams. The book had me laughing out loud at times. it was really good I just hope that when this book is traditionally published that the cover gets changed into more of an adult looking characters for this story. overall really good books in a fun storyline

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Uncovered is an engaging, over-the-top, beach-vibes read that has its funny, laugh-out-loud moments but also some very relatable, introspective notes about liking yourself and allowing yourself to live your life to the fullest - regardless of what other people might think. I liked Addison and loved her metamorphosis from inside-her-head shy to I'm-going-to-give-myself-permission-to experiment. Jules was very likeable at first but lost his sparkle for a while for me before redeeming himself again. The happy ending is a bit fairytale-like, but still made me smile. I received an early copy and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.

[LaurenB · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book up until the 85% mark. The setting was fun and the first two spicy scenes weren’t overly cringey like I find a lot of them to be. The main characters were likable and I was invested in their love story. It moved at a good pace and didn’t get “stuck” anywhere, which I appreciate.

I fell off in the third act conflict and the decisions Chloe made based on emotions. It didn’t fit with the character, and the scene felt out of place. And she was so snarky… just didn’t fit the story. It also made it hard to buy into the ending.

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

[Vivien R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cute fun read. Homebody Addison is having a rough time after a bad break up. So she spontaneously books a trip to the south of France. But what she thought was a normal nature resort is actually a nudist resort! She meets a Frenchman named Jules, who actually is a nudist and they find themselves attracted to each other. She learns to let her guard down proving she's not as uptight as her ex said she was. The story was hilarious, romantic, and steamy all in one. The characters were fun, and I was really cheering for their happily ever after.

[Melissa Rollenhagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and entertaining read. Central theme was fun and new- tightly wound Addison booked a trip to a naturist (nudist) colony while she thought she was booking a trip to be in nature (birds, jokes, outdoors).
The chemistry was great between main characters, but rushed. Ending seemed really rushed and took a hard right and very out of character.

Recommend if you're looking for a palate cleanser or a quick beach read.

I was given an ARC for free for my honest review

[canadian_girlreadfeastrepeat Basra · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
This was hands down one of my favorite summer reads! Get ready for laugh out loud moments this is romcom gold.
After breaking up with her boyfriend of five years, having a blowout with her mom, and being rescued (and slightly over-tequila’d) by her best friend, Addison books a spontaneous adventure that changes her life and outlook forever. She steps out of her comfort zone, learns to stop being a people pleaser, and shows off a sassy side I adored.

Then there’s Jules with an S. On the surface, he’s your confident, charming Frenchman, but as the story unfolds, you see his layers vulnerabilities and insecurities that make him so much more than the stereotype.

What I loved most is that while it’s absolutely a romcom, both main characters have real moments of self-discovery alongside their romance. And those spicy scenes? Totally unexpected, but perfectly timed and fitting for the characters.

If you’re into romcoms with heart, humor, emotional depth, and some delightfully surprising spice, this one’s a must read

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addison books a trip to France, but it's not quite the vacation she envisioned… and hilarity ensues as she stumbles her way through the trip, faking it until she makes it. Plus, she meets the very handsome Jules and they have some awesome chemistry.

This was a really fun read and I hope to read more by this author in the future!

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

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aubry delivers in a well written and captivating summer holiday rom com. Well written and captivating from start to finish. Our main characters are Addison and Jules. While I enjoyed the storyline, the humor and the characters it does feel predictable but honestly, I'm okay with that for the most part. Sweet, with heat, heart and humor I thought this was a delightfully fun summer escape romance read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[De Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good mix of cute and heat and tension and sass. It had me intrigued and invested in the story. And kept my attention until the end. Addison was a character that easy to connect to. She feels very genuine and so relatable. Jules is such a charmer. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. This book is full of humor and awkwardness and tension. The journey they go on throughout the story was hilarious and heartwarming. And deliciously spicy. And the ending fit perfectly for our MCs.

[Suze82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

comfort zone

Addison´s story reminded me that I do not need to apologize to anybody for what I feel comfortable with or not. Meetin Jules made it easier for her to step out of her comfort zone and give new things a try, but in the end we should all listen to our inner voice telling us what is right or wrong for us - an entertaining read that also makes you think.

[Tawni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I related to it so much coming out of a 6yr relationship and having booked my first solo trip to Hawaii.. the spice 😩 the banter, the way the author takes us on the journey of Addison going from a shy southern girl to a woman who completely comes into her own.. and Jules… 🔥🔥 10/10 recommend this book.

[Annette Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun!

I loved reading this crazy romance /adventure. Even when faced with a major faux pas, Addison keeps trudging toward her breakthrough moment when she truly becomes herself in all her glory. I liked meeting Jules as well.