What do you think?
Rate this book
Monhegan Summers
Summer People
A swoon-worthy romance novel set in the picturesque small-town charm of Monhegan, Maine, where a former child star seeks a second chance at life and love, only to be swept off her feet by a grumpy, handsome sheriff, his adorable niece, and a past that just won’t stay buried.
Monhegan, a picturesque island located twelve miles from the mainland.
sixty-eight. Well, sixty-nine if you count Elizabeth Sweet, Monhegan’s newest resident and retired child star.
When Elizabeth steps off the boat, she’s ready to be charmed by the island that holds the sweetest memories from her childhood. A place so remote that even the relentless media wouldn’t think to follow her here. Instead, she’s met with nothing but exasperation.
“Summer people.” The words are muttered like a curse, almost a growl. No one seems particularly thrilled about her arrival, least of all the grumpy sheriff, who acts as if her presence is a personal offense.
Stupidly handsome and never seen without his loyal golden retriever, Bing, Sheriff Fisher Jones communicates mostly in grunts. Unfortunately for him, Elizabeth isn’t going anywhere. They’re neighbors, after all, and his niece, Sutton, like every other eight-year-old in America, is utterly obsessed with her.
Summer on Monhegan isn’t anything like Elizabeth expected, and neither is Fisher. She hasn’t figured out why he’s so surly, just as she isn’t ready to share what she’s running from.
But as the days pass, Elizabeth finds the islanders burrowing deeper into her heart. And Fisher may not be far behind. Still, it might all be for nothing if her past finally catches up with her. Because, in the end, she might be destined to be nothing more than one of the summer people.
Monhegan, a picturesque island located twelve miles from the mainland.
sixty-eight. Well, sixty-nine if you count Elizabeth Sweet, Monhegan’s newest resident and retired child star.
When Elizabeth steps off the boat, she’s ready to be charmed by the island that holds the sweetest memories from her childhood. A place so remote that even the relentless media wouldn’t think to follow her here. Instead, she’s met with nothing but exasperation.
“Summer people.” The words are muttered like a curse, almost a growl. No one seems particularly thrilled about her arrival, least of all the grumpy sheriff, who acts as if her presence is a personal offense.
Stupidly handsome and never seen without his loyal golden retriever, Bing, Sheriff Fisher Jones communicates mostly in grunts. Unfortunately for him, Elizabeth isn’t going anywhere. They’re neighbors, after all, and his niece, Sutton, like every other eight-year-old in America, is utterly obsessed with her.
Summer on Monhegan isn’t anything like Elizabeth expected, and neither is Fisher. She hasn’t figured out why he’s so surly, just as she isn’t ready to share what she’s running from.
But as the days pass, Elizabeth finds the islanders burrowing deeper into her heart. And Fisher may not be far behind. Still, it might all be for nothing if her past finally catches up with her. Because, in the end, she might be destined to be nothing more than one of the summer people.
Audible Audio
Published July 8, 2025
698 people are currently reading
4139 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,087 reviews
July 24, 2025
The audio made this book for me. I love a full cast and duet narration it always feels so vivid!!
This was a fast burn hate-to-love small town romance and was pretty predictable. It feels like a good palate cleanser. It’s not anything groundbreaking but I found it enjoyable enough!!
actual rating 3.75.
This was a fast burn hate-to-love small town romance and was pretty predictable. It feels like a good palate cleanser. It’s not anything groundbreaking but I found it enjoyable enough!!
actual rating 3.75.
June 14, 2025
3.5 ⭐ (Spoilers below...)
➼ Libby (25)
She's a Hollywood actress who just wanted to escape her life for a bit. Thanks to the rumors and lies that her co-star and their management have been spreading about her. She decided to visit this little town where her parents owned a house, the last place that holds memories of her late mother.
➼ Fisher (34)
He's looking after his 8-year-old niece. His brother and sister-in-law, who both passed away three years ago, named him as the guardian for their daughter, Sutton. His brother was the sheriff in town, so when he got custody of his niece, everyone figured he’d take on the sheriff role too. So, he's been living on that island for three years now, but he still keeps his job in the city as a hacker. He’s the go-to guy around here, always trying his best to help everyone out. He's really not happy here, but he feels like he can't leave because he believes Sutton would have loved growing up on this island.
➼ Story:
So they officially met because he’s going to help her move her things to the house next door—yup, they’re actually neighbors. Fisher thinks that Libby will only stay for the summer, and he doesn’t want to deal with her right from the start. He has some prejudices about her due to what he’s seen in the news and magazine outlets. He was grumpy toward her, and his responses were usually short and came off as growls. 😐
Libby was bothered by this at first, but then she realized she actually enjoys provoking him. She also sees it as a challenge, as her personality is adept at making people like her. So she thinks that she might get Fisher to like her eventually. 🤷♀️
He's the typical grump who's actually really attracted to her, even though he would prefer to ignore it. No matter how hard he tries, he just can't avoid her, and somehow, he always finds himself close to her. The sudden shift from wanting to keep his distance to wanting to stick by her side is head-scratching, ngl. 🤔
Like I said, he's hellbent not to engage with Libby because she's a "summer person," a term used for tourists who visit their island temporarily. However, after he gives her a piggyback ride—rescuing her from a scare with a spider—it's as if a complete 180 happens, and he suddenly craves more time near her. 🤔 This sudden change solidified even more when a few tourists tried to hit on Libby. He can't stand the idea of her entertaining other men, so he pushes them away. Ever since, he's made up his mind to stick with her and to get involved in her life.
I wouldn’t really say it’s a slow burn since the spice kicked in around the halfway point. Maybe it’s more like a medium burn? These two took a while to really get to know each other. Even though Fisher comes off as grumpy, he’s actually very protective of Libby all the time. And in spite of Libby keeping insisting she’s not looking for a relationship, it’s funny how she still finds herself hoping every day to run into Fisher and hang out with him and his niece. 🤭
When they're finally on the same page, they communicate most times. But ngl, when it comes to the most important conversation—which is the reason why she's on the island—this didn't happen until the later part. They could talk about everything and nothing, but Libby surely took her sweet time opening up to Fisher. He wasn't bothered by it at first, but of course, he wanted her to trust him completely so that he could protect her. Then again, if Libby opened up earlier, then we wouldn't have much of a story, no? 😅
I'm just glad that when she finally did, Fisher stood by her side and took revenge for her (not in a dark romance way, but he's a hacker, so… 🤭) They were also honest and willing to put in effort to make their relationship work. I really, really love that there's no third-act breakup or separation. We need more of this, really: couples that communicate and compromise. 🥰
As for Sutton, her and Fisher's relationship was cute. She was only eight, but with her attitude, you’d think she was eighteen. This girl is so sassy; I really love how she knows just how to play her cards with him. She definitely had her uncle wrapped around her little finger. 🤭
I really love the relationship between Sutton and Libby as well. Sutton made Libby feel welcome, and she always puts in the effort to spend time with her (even though her uncle wasn't okay with it in the beginning 😅). Sure, at first it’s because she’s a celebrity and she really likes her. But as they spend more time together, they slowly start to fall in love with each other. Their shared experience of losing their parents also brings them closer. Libby really made Sutton feel seen, and she's kind of taken on this maternal role in her life. 🥹
I love the small town aspect and the nosy locals; there's just something about it that's really charming. 😂 I like that most of them welcomed Libby, although a few did not. I think some potential storylines for the upcoming books were hinted at in this one. I'm not sure if I will read them, though.
Okaaay, I'm rambling too much. 😂 Overall, I liked it, but I feel like all the problems in Libby's life were resolved too quickly. It seems everything was tied up too neatly, and the ending felt rushed. I wanted to see more comeuppance for those people who wronged her. 😅 She's a good person who didn't deserve what happened to her, and while Fisher dealt with the villains in her story, I could have used more punishment for them. 😂
Also, I didn't like the HFN ending (epilogue and bonus ep from newsletter). I'm not a fan of marriage in real life, but I want it for my fictional characters. 🫣 I want to live vicariously through them. However, reading that they have been in a relationship for a year already and are perfectly content with their situation—without any intention of changing it anytime soon—will not do it for me. Libby even said that she's perfectly fine with calling Fisher her boyfriend, but isn't her husband much better? They mentioned the concept of "forever" and the idea of having children (from Fisher's POV), but wouldn't it be even sweeter if marriage were part of that? Anyway, that's just my personal take, but to each their own. 🤷♀️
Book info:
- Small town romance
- Age gap (9)
- Celebrity x Sheriff/Hacker
- Loss of loved one
- Mention of grooming
- Grief
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Single parent (guardian)
- Small town shenanigans
- No cheating, real OM/OW, separation
- No V (last: h - no info, H - 2 yrs)
- No protection (h said she's on BC)
- HFN (in a relationship 🤷♀️)
Notes:
- OM. Two tourists tried to hit on Libby, but she wasn't interested. When Fisher saw them approaching her, he came to her side right away and scared off the guys. His friend (Wilder) tries to rile him up by flirting with Libby; she plays along because she knows it was just to piss off Fisher.
- OW. Fisher's late SIL's cousin couldn't get a freaking hint that he was not interested in her—not before, nor ever will. He tolerates her, I think because she's connected to his niece's parents, but that's basically it. This OW was a piece of something, and maaan, did she cause lots of trouble (but never in the MC's relationship). I wish he had been firmer in standing his ground with her and maybe even shut her down rudely, because that witch deserved it. Especially at that scene when she humiliated Libby. But then again, I partially understand why he didn't, because running after Libby and making sure she's okay was his priority. Also, this OW is nuts and delusional, so I doubt she would understand even if he talked to her.
PS. It's definitely a no for the second book. For some of the tropes, it's best friend's brother, playboy, and shy/meek teacher (and for the love of God, I hope she's not a freaking virgin, because ugh). Anyway, Maggie's been best friends with Wilder's sister, and she has a crush on him. But I don't think he ever saw her in the same way. I mean, his reputation for having different tourists every week kind of speaks for itself (gross 🤮). Maggie's aware of this; it's a small town, after all, and she has a front-row seat watching this unfold time and time again. So, in this story, Wilder hooked up with a tourist who turned out to be a total stage five clinger. In the epilogue, it was mentioned that the woman decided to extend her stay on the island, and he needed to cut her loose. But since she wouldn't get the hint, I think he resorted to fake date Maggie to push the other woman away. Anyhoo, if that's your jam, I hope you enjoy their story.
PPS. These authors are going to write a series with three single dads. I think it's MomCom in reverse. 😅
➼ Libby (25)
She's a Hollywood actress who just wanted to escape her life for a bit. Thanks to the rumors and lies that her co-star and their management have been spreading about her. She decided to visit this little town where her parents owned a house, the last place that holds memories of her late mother.
➼ Fisher (34)
He's looking after his 8-year-old niece. His brother and sister-in-law, who both passed away three years ago, named him as the guardian for their daughter, Sutton. His brother was the sheriff in town, so when he got custody of his niece, everyone figured he’d take on the sheriff role too. So, he's been living on that island for three years now, but he still keeps his job in the city as a hacker. He’s the go-to guy around here, always trying his best to help everyone out. He's really not happy here, but he feels like he can't leave because he believes Sutton would have loved growing up on this island.
➼ Story:
So they officially met because he’s going to help her move her things to the house next door—yup, they’re actually neighbors. Fisher thinks that Libby will only stay for the summer, and he doesn’t want to deal with her right from the start. He has some prejudices about her due to what he’s seen in the news and magazine outlets. He was grumpy toward her, and his responses were usually short and came off as growls. 😐
Libby was bothered by this at first, but then she realized she actually enjoys provoking him. She also sees it as a challenge, as her personality is adept at making people like her. So she thinks that she might get Fisher to like her eventually. 🤷♀️
He's the typical grump who's actually really attracted to her, even though he would prefer to ignore it. No matter how hard he tries, he just can't avoid her, and somehow, he always finds himself close to her. The sudden shift from wanting to keep his distance to wanting to stick by her side is head-scratching, ngl. 🤔
Like I said, he's hellbent not to engage with Libby because she's a "summer person," a term used for tourists who visit their island temporarily. However, after he gives her a piggyback ride—rescuing her from a scare with a spider—it's as if a complete 180 happens, and he suddenly craves more time near her. 🤔 This sudden change solidified even more when a few tourists tried to hit on Libby. He can't stand the idea of her entertaining other men, so he pushes them away. Ever since, he's made up his mind to stick with her and to get involved in her life.
I wouldn’t really say it’s a slow burn since the spice kicked in around the halfway point. Maybe it’s more like a medium burn? These two took a while to really get to know each other. Even though Fisher comes off as grumpy, he’s actually very protective of Libby all the time. And in spite of Libby keeping insisting she’s not looking for a relationship, it’s funny how she still finds herself hoping every day to run into Fisher and hang out with him and his niece. 🤭
When they're finally on the same page, they communicate most times. But ngl, when it comes to the most important conversation—which is the reason why she's on the island—this didn't happen until the later part. They could talk about everything and nothing, but Libby surely took her sweet time opening up to Fisher. He wasn't bothered by it at first, but of course, he wanted her to trust him completely so that he could protect her. Then again, if Libby opened up earlier, then we wouldn't have much of a story, no? 😅
I'm just glad that when she finally did, Fisher stood by her side and took revenge for her (not in a dark romance way, but he's a hacker, so… 🤭) They were also honest and willing to put in effort to make their relationship work. I really, really love that there's no third-act breakup or separation. We need more of this, really: couples that communicate and compromise. 🥰
As for Sutton, her and Fisher's relationship was cute. She was only eight, but with her attitude, you’d think she was eighteen. This girl is so sassy; I really love how she knows just how to play her cards with him. She definitely had her uncle wrapped around her little finger. 🤭
I really love the relationship between Sutton and Libby as well. Sutton made Libby feel welcome, and she always puts in the effort to spend time with her (even though her uncle wasn't okay with it in the beginning 😅). Sure, at first it’s because she’s a celebrity and she really likes her. But as they spend more time together, they slowly start to fall in love with each other. Their shared experience of losing their parents also brings them closer. Libby really made Sutton feel seen, and she's kind of taken on this maternal role in her life. 🥹
I love the small town aspect and the nosy locals; there's just something about it that's really charming. 😂 I like that most of them welcomed Libby, although a few did not. I think some potential storylines for the upcoming books were hinted at in this one. I'm not sure if I will read them, though.
Okaaay, I'm rambling too much. 😂 Overall, I liked it, but I feel like all the problems in Libby's life were resolved too quickly. It seems everything was tied up too neatly, and the ending felt rushed. I wanted to see more comeuppance for those people who wronged her. 😅 She's a good person who didn't deserve what happened to her, and while Fisher dealt with the villains in her story, I could have used more punishment for them. 😂
Also, I didn't like the HFN ending (epilogue and bonus ep from newsletter). I'm not a fan of marriage in real life, but I want it for my fictional characters. 🫣 I want to live vicariously through them. However, reading that they have been in a relationship for a year already and are perfectly content with their situation—without any intention of changing it anytime soon—will not do it for me. Libby even said that she's perfectly fine with calling Fisher her boyfriend, but isn't her husband much better? They mentioned the concept of "forever" and the idea of having children (from Fisher's POV), but wouldn't it be even sweeter if marriage were part of that? Anyway, that's just my personal take, but to each their own. 🤷♀️
Book info:
- Small town romance
- Age gap (9)
- Celebrity x Sheriff/Hacker
- Loss of loved one
- Mention of grooming
- Grief
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Single parent (guardian)
- Small town shenanigans
- No cheating, real OM/OW, separation
- No V (last: h - no info, H - 2 yrs)
- No protection (h said she's on BC)
- HFN (in a relationship 🤷♀️)
Notes:
- OM. Two tourists tried to hit on Libby, but she wasn't interested. When Fisher saw them approaching her, he came to her side right away and scared off the guys. His friend (Wilder) tries to rile him up by flirting with Libby; she plays along because she knows it was just to piss off Fisher.
- OW. Fisher's late SIL's cousin couldn't get a freaking hint that he was not interested in her—not before, nor ever will. He tolerates her, I think because she's connected to his niece's parents, but that's basically it. This OW was a piece of something, and maaan, did she cause lots of trouble (but never in the MC's relationship). I wish he had been firmer in standing his ground with her and maybe even shut her down rudely, because that witch deserved it. Especially at that scene when she humiliated Libby. But then again, I partially understand why he didn't, because running after Libby and making sure she's okay was his priority. Also, this OW is nuts and delusional, so I doubt she would understand even if he talked to her.
PS. It's definitely a no for the second book. For some of the tropes, it's best friend's brother, playboy, and shy/meek teacher (and for the love of God, I hope she's not a freaking virgin, because ugh). Anyway, Maggie's been best friends with Wilder's sister, and she has a crush on him. But I don't think he ever saw her in the same way. I mean, his reputation for having different tourists every week kind of speaks for itself (gross 🤮). Maggie's aware of this; it's a small town, after all, and she has a front-row seat watching this unfold time and time again. So, in this story, Wilder hooked up with a tourist who turned out to be a total stage five clinger. In the epilogue, it was mentioned that the woman decided to extend her stay on the island, and he needed to cut her loose. But since she wouldn't get the hint, I think he resorted to fake date Maggie to push the other woman away. Anyhoo, if that's your jam, I hope you enjoy their story.
PPS. These authors are going to write a series with three single dads. I think it's MomCom in reverse. 😅
June 6, 2025
Ok I loved this!
This is the perfect summer read (or honestly really any season).
Libby & Fisher 💕
Hollywood princess x island “sheriff”
Grumpy x sunshine
Single guardian to a cute little girl
Island small town setting
I loved Fisher, y’all know I love the grumpy broody man that uses grunts as a language. But in turn is super possessive and protective.
This also had so many fun side characters!!
Solid found family vibes.
I feel like I smiled through most of this book.
Cackled at times.
But it also delves into some tougher topics.
Done so well.
And it had a little mystery aspect to it.
These two authors sure know how to write books together.
Arc review ✨
This is the perfect summer read (or honestly really any season).
Libby & Fisher 💕
Hollywood princess x island “sheriff”
Grumpy x sunshine
Single guardian to a cute little girl
Island small town setting
I loved Fisher, y’all know I love the grumpy broody man that uses grunts as a language. But in turn is super possessive and protective.
This also had so many fun side characters!!
Solid found family vibes.
I feel like I smiled through most of this book.
Cackled at times.
But it also delves into some tougher topics.
Done so well.
And it had a little mystery aspect to it.
These two authors sure know how to write books together.
Arc review ✨
June 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
Holy moly… I devoured this book in one sitting. I could not put it down! The setting is absolute perfection: a charming little island off the coast of Maine where everyone knows each other, supports each other, and makes you wish you could pack your bags and move there immediately.
Libby, our FMC, is just trying to outrun her past and start over, and this island feels like the perfect escape. That is, until she meets Fisher. He’s the grumpy neighbor raising his sweet-as-pie niece Sutton, and their dynamic? Top-tier grumpy sunshine energy. The tension, the banter, the slow-burn? Chef’s kiss.
On top of the romance, there’s a layer of suspense woven throughout with someone trying to sabotage Libby’s fresh start. The mystery kept me flipping pages and the emotional growth, both individually and together, was so satisfying. This is a story about healing, trust, and the power of letting others in.
I loved this book and I am counting the days until book two. If it’s not Wilder’s story, I might riot.
Holy moly… I devoured this book in one sitting. I could not put it down! The setting is absolute perfection: a charming little island off the coast of Maine where everyone knows each other, supports each other, and makes you wish you could pack your bags and move there immediately.
Libby, our FMC, is just trying to outrun her past and start over, and this island feels like the perfect escape. That is, until she meets Fisher. He’s the grumpy neighbor raising his sweet-as-pie niece Sutton, and their dynamic? Top-tier grumpy sunshine energy. The tension, the banter, the slow-burn? Chef’s kiss.
On top of the romance, there’s a layer of suspense woven throughout with someone trying to sabotage Libby’s fresh start. The mystery kept me flipping pages and the emotional growth, both individually and together, was so satisfying. This is a story about healing, trust, and the power of letting others in.
I loved this book and I am counting the days until book two. If it’s not Wilder’s story, I might riot.
June 30, 2025
* 3⭐️3🌶️
* Elizabeth Sweet, a retired child actress seeking refuge from the media on Monhegan Island, Maine. She hopes to find peace and reconnect with memories of her late mother in this remote location. Instead, she's met with hostility from the island locals who refer to her as "summer people". The story unfolds as Elizabeth encounters the grumpy sheriff, Fisher Jones, who lives next door and seems particularly displeased by her presence. Despite his initial grumpiness, a connection forms between them, particularly as Elizabeth bonds with his eight-year-old niece, Sutton, who is a huge fan of hers.
* Grumpy sunshine, Small town summer romance, Single guardian, fish out of water
* Elizabeth Sweet, a retired child actress seeking refuge from the media on Monhegan Island, Maine. She hopes to find peace and reconnect with memories of her late mother in this remote location. Instead, she's met with hostility from the island locals who refer to her as "summer people". The story unfolds as Elizabeth encounters the grumpy sheriff, Fisher Jones, who lives next door and seems particularly displeased by her presence. Despite his initial grumpiness, a connection forms between them, particularly as Elizabeth bonds with his eight-year-old niece, Sutton, who is a huge fan of hers.
* Grumpy sunshine, Small town summer romance, Single guardian, fish out of water
August 26, 2025
Tropes-
Summer romance
Small town
Single guardian
Age gap
Celebrity FMC
Forced proximity
Found family
✨️Thank you so much to the authors and Simon Maverick for this ALC for my honest review. This was the perfect read for the summer, or anytime of year! I feel like this would be a good book to get you out of a slump. It's not too long and can easily be read or listened to in a day! This book had it all. Humor and fun but also had some darker topics and mystery added in. I thoroughly enjoyed it the entire time. I loved the characters and the town and I hope that we will get another book in a series 🤞. I highly recommend that if you read this book, you listen to the audio. It is performed in duet by a full cast of amazing narrators!
Summer romance
Small town
Single guardian
Age gap
Celebrity FMC
Forced proximity
Found family
✨️Thank you so much to the authors and Simon Maverick for this ALC for my honest review. This was the perfect read for the summer, or anytime of year! I feel like this would be a good book to get you out of a slump. It's not too long and can easily be read or listened to in a day! This book had it all. Humor and fun but also had some darker topics and mystery added in. I thoroughly enjoyed it the entire time. I loved the characters and the town and I hope that we will get another book in a series 🤞. I highly recommend that if you read this book, you listen to the audio. It is performed in duet by a full cast of amazing narrators!
June 20, 2025
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Fisher and Libby were absolutely everything! I loved them so much, and I ate this one up. Also, this is my petition to plan a vacation to Moneghan Island…
This is the perfect beach read because it has everything, spice, plot, suspense… and a heroine that gets a pink golf cart and names it Putt Putt.
✨ Summer Romance
✨ Actress x Sherriff
✨ Single Guardian
✨ Grumpy Sunshine
✨ Protective MMC
I am a sucker for a single guardian romance, and this one was perfect. Fisher and Sutton had the sweetest relationship to start, but they both needed Libby so bad.. and she needed them right back. The bond they all formed really was the heart of this story.
Also Fisher and Libby had so much chemistry I thought my book was going to catch on fire! 🔥 He was just so grumpy, but so obsessed that he could only communicate in growls and rushing to her rescue. Cause this man was protective and I was a puddle on the floor.
Honestly these two authors never miss, and this book is just another reason why I will read absolutely anything they write.
Definitely add this to your summer TBR.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Fisher and Libby were absolutely everything! I loved them so much, and I ate this one up. Also, this is my petition to plan a vacation to Moneghan Island…
This is the perfect beach read because it has everything, spice, plot, suspense… and a heroine that gets a pink golf cart and names it Putt Putt.
✨ Summer Romance
✨ Actress x Sherriff
✨ Single Guardian
✨ Grumpy Sunshine
✨ Protective MMC
I am a sucker for a single guardian romance, and this one was perfect. Fisher and Sutton had the sweetest relationship to start, but they both needed Libby so bad.. and she needed them right back. The bond they all formed really was the heart of this story.
Also Fisher and Libby had so much chemistry I thought my book was going to catch on fire! 🔥 He was just so grumpy, but so obsessed that he could only communicate in growls and rushing to her rescue. Cause this man was protective and I was a puddle on the floor.
Honestly these two authors never miss, and this book is just another reason why I will read absolutely anything they write.
Definitely add this to your summer TBR.
May 28, 2025
Listen, anything Brittanee Nicole or Jenni Bara write are usually an instant download and read on release day for me. So I was thrilled to receive an ARC of my most anticipated June read courtesy of The Smuthood, and this did NOT disappoint.
I’m a certified Bennett Langfield girl through and through, but the impossible has happened, and Fisher has taken over the #1 spot. The act of service for Libby, omg I was squealing. This book was so good, and the bit of mystery was a fun twist to what I thought would just be a sweet rom-com. I loved Libby’s journey from the time she got to the island through the end. We get cameos from some of our favorites, and I’m PRAYING this becomes a series because I want to know more about Fisher’s friends on Monaghan Island.
I’m a certified Bennett Langfield girl through and through, but the impossible has happened, and Fisher has taken over the #1 spot. The act of service for Libby, omg I was squealing. This book was so good, and the bit of mystery was a fun twist to what I thought would just be a sweet rom-com. I loved Libby’s journey from the time she got to the island through the end. We get cameos from some of our favorites, and I’m PRAYING this becomes a series because I want to know more about Fisher’s friends on Monaghan Island.
June 10, 2025
Summer People by Brittanee Nicole & Jenni Bara
4/5⭐
2/5🌶️
This book is perfect for a summer read! I enjoyed the charming small-town island setting. The vibe of a found family and the close-knit community made it all the more heartwarming. But what I loved the most was the chemistry between the main characters, Libby and Fisher. Libby is a well-known actress who has been in the spotlight since childhood. She decides to visit a little island filled with cherished memories of her late mother to take a break from the spotlight. There, she meets Fisher, a grumpy but caring single guardian to his niece, who doesn’t warm up to her right away. Fortunately, his niece, Sutton, immediately takes a liking to Libby and enjoys hanging out with her!
Libby is a bright and positive person! Even when some people gossip about her, she keeps smiling and stays kind. At first, she felt a bit out of place in the town and lonely, which made me feel for her. But I loved how Sutton and Maggie always make an effort to welcome her. Fisher, who initially sees her as just a spoiled rich girl, slowly realizes there’s so much more to her than what the media portrays. It broke my heart when I learned why she wanted to escape from the spotlight, and I admired her bravery when she finally shared her story.
Fisher might come off as grumpy and closed off since he rarely speaks or smiles, but he has such a big heart! He’s always there to help people in town, even if he grumbles about it. He goes above and beyond to make Sutton happy and becomes fiercely protective of Libby once he realizes she’s dealing with some heavy stuff. The way he drops everything to support her and make her feel safe is just swoon-worthy!
There are so many funny and heartwarming moments throughout the book, and the suspense is woven in perfectly. Both Libby and Fisher have their own struggles that add depth to their characters. By the end, I loved seeing their growth and development. The ending was so satisfying and felt right for their journey!
4/5⭐
2/5🌶️
This book is perfect for a summer read! I enjoyed the charming small-town island setting. The vibe of a found family and the close-knit community made it all the more heartwarming. But what I loved the most was the chemistry between the main characters, Libby and Fisher. Libby is a well-known actress who has been in the spotlight since childhood. She decides to visit a little island filled with cherished memories of her late mother to take a break from the spotlight. There, she meets Fisher, a grumpy but caring single guardian to his niece, who doesn’t warm up to her right away. Fortunately, his niece, Sutton, immediately takes a liking to Libby and enjoys hanging out with her!
Libby is a bright and positive person! Even when some people gossip about her, she keeps smiling and stays kind. At first, she felt a bit out of place in the town and lonely, which made me feel for her. But I loved how Sutton and Maggie always make an effort to welcome her. Fisher, who initially sees her as just a spoiled rich girl, slowly realizes there’s so much more to her than what the media portrays. It broke my heart when I learned why she wanted to escape from the spotlight, and I admired her bravery when she finally shared her story.
Fisher might come off as grumpy and closed off since he rarely speaks or smiles, but he has such a big heart! He’s always there to help people in town, even if he grumbles about it. He goes above and beyond to make Sutton happy and becomes fiercely protective of Libby once he realizes she’s dealing with some heavy stuff. The way he drops everything to support her and make her feel safe is just swoon-worthy!
There are so many funny and heartwarming moments throughout the book, and the suspense is woven in perfectly. Both Libby and Fisher have their own struggles that add depth to their characters. By the end, I loved seeing their growth and development. The ending was so satisfying and felt right for their journey!
June 11, 2025
Tam yaz kitabıydı.😍🌊🌸🎀
Ben çok eğlendim. Hızlı okunan bir kitaptı. Fisher tam bir huysuz herkesten nefret ediyorum sen hariç kişisi ve yeğenine karşı bebek gibi birisiiii. Abinin ölümünden sonra onun sorumluluğunu üstleniyor ve aslında baba-kız gibi oluyorlar. Buraları çok tatlıydı. 🥹
Libby’e sarılmak istediğim bir çok nokta oldu özellikle de en başta Ada halkı ona ters davranırken yine de pes etmemesi ve her şeye rağmen o gün ışığı karakterini koruması. Fisher’in hayatında güneş oldu diyebiliriz o ve pembe takıntısıyla.😁
Ben çok eğlendim. Hızlı okunan bir kitaptı. Fisher tam bir huysuz herkesten nefret ediyorum sen hariç kişisi ve yeğenine karşı bebek gibi birisiiii. Abinin ölümünden sonra onun sorumluluğunu üstleniyor ve aslında baba-kız gibi oluyorlar. Buraları çok tatlıydı. 🥹
Libby’e sarılmak istediğim bir çok nokta oldu özellikle de en başta Ada halkı ona ters davranırken yine de pes etmemesi ve her şeye rağmen o gün ışığı karakterini koruması. Fisher’in hayatında güneş oldu diyebiliriz o ve pembe takıntısıyla.😁
July 16, 2025
this one made me so emo 🥺🥺🥺
September 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
September 19, 2025
*3 TINY STARS*
“Then again, when a man acts like a grump, he’s considered broody and desirable. Someone to win over. If a woman tried it? She’d be labeled a bitch.”
Aaand this officially marks the end of my 2025 summer reading!
While this was a cute story, and I loved the tiny island setting, I kind of expected more from this. I feel like there wasn't really a climax, and while Fisher and Libby's grumpy x sunshine romance was nice, I could basically predict everything from the start.
It took me a while to get through this because I was a little bored and I kept wondering if anything exciting was going to happen. And when it did, being able to predict who the culprit was from the moment the character was introduced, was a bit of a bummer.
“Then again, when a man acts like a grump, he’s considered broody and desirable. Someone to win over. If a woman tried it? She’d be labeled a bitch.”
Aaand this officially marks the end of my 2025 summer reading!
While this was a cute story, and I loved the tiny island setting, I kind of expected more from this. I feel like there wasn't really a climax, and while Fisher and Libby's grumpy x sunshine romance was nice, I could basically predict everything from the start.
It took me a while to get through this because I was a little bored and I kept wondering if anything exciting was going to happen. And when it did, being able to predict who the culprit was from the moment the character was introduced, was a bit of a bummer.
October 26, 2025
5
Elizabeth Sweet is a Hollywood starlet…or she was until a PR scandal. Desperate to escape the inauthenticity of LA and looking to find out who she truly is, she runs to the place she last remembers happiness with her mother (who has since passed) - a small island off the coast of Maine.
Upon arrival, “Libby” is faced with the grumpiest, broodiest man she's encountered. Fisher Jones turns out to be her new neighbor and is the uncle to a a charmingly obsessed eight year old niece.
As she attempts to ingratiate herself into the community, someone is doing their best to chase her away. Despite the scorn of many of the residents, she does make great friends and discovers that Fisher does have a loving and soft side for his niece…and eventually her.
With her past catching up to her, Libby needs to decide who she is and wants to be - the Elizabeth Sweet of the flashy film industry or the Libby Sweet she uncovers on the island? Fisher needs to determine whether living on Monhegan Island is the best choice for him and Sutton, and decide how he and Libby will move forward from here.
I loved this book. And while I've adored everything I've read by Brittanee Nicole, this collaboration with Jenni Bara hit differently. The story arc of the characters grabs you immediately. Fisher is the quintessential 'grumpy MMC' and when you find out the reason, you realize he’s not a grump at all; he’s just a man, who wants to do right by his niece, but feels stuck in his current circumstances. Brittanee and Jenni wrote Fisher’s story so well that you can’t help but be annoyed by his stubbornness, melt a little at his love for Sutton, and get hearts eyes over his protectiveness of Libby.
I cheered for Libby’s independence and resilience in the face of the townspeople’s ire (I have Kelly Clarkson running through my head!) However, Libby’s journey before coming to the island is even more gripping. What she endured during her acting career, and the strength it took to overcome it, evoke heartbreak, anger but, most of all, pride.
You can’t help but want to protect these characters, hoping they finally find the happily ever after they long for—and, of course, deserve.
Elizabeth Sweet is a Hollywood starlet…or she was until a PR scandal. Desperate to escape the inauthenticity of LA and looking to find out who she truly is, she runs to the place she last remembers happiness with her mother (who has since passed) - a small island off the coast of Maine.
Upon arrival, “Libby” is faced with the grumpiest, broodiest man she's encountered. Fisher Jones turns out to be her new neighbor and is the uncle to a a charmingly obsessed eight year old niece.
As she attempts to ingratiate herself into the community, someone is doing their best to chase her away. Despite the scorn of many of the residents, she does make great friends and discovers that Fisher does have a loving and soft side for his niece…and eventually her.
With her past catching up to her, Libby needs to decide who she is and wants to be - the Elizabeth Sweet of the flashy film industry or the Libby Sweet she uncovers on the island? Fisher needs to determine whether living on Monhegan Island is the best choice for him and Sutton, and decide how he and Libby will move forward from here.
I loved this book. And while I've adored everything I've read by Brittanee Nicole, this collaboration with Jenni Bara hit differently. The story arc of the characters grabs you immediately. Fisher is the quintessential 'grumpy MMC' and when you find out the reason, you realize he’s not a grump at all; he’s just a man, who wants to do right by his niece, but feels stuck in his current circumstances. Brittanee and Jenni wrote Fisher’s story so well that you can’t help but be annoyed by his stubbornness, melt a little at his love for Sutton, and get hearts eyes over his protectiveness of Libby.
I cheered for Libby’s independence and resilience in the face of the townspeople’s ire (I have Kelly Clarkson running through my head!) However, Libby’s journey before coming to the island is even more gripping. What she endured during her acting career, and the strength it took to overcome it, evoke heartbreak, anger but, most of all, pride.
You can’t help but want to protect these characters, hoping they finally find the happily ever after they long for—and, of course, deserve.
July 16, 2025
Audio:
5 stars for Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais, with special appearances from Angelina Rocca, Avery Crais, and Teddy Hamilton. This is a duet narration!
Book: 3 stars
The narration was great, but I think about 50% in I was getting bored… and the relationship didn’t flow as well as I would want. But it was a decent summer read.
5 stars for Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais, with special appearances from Angelina Rocca, Avery Crais, and Teddy Hamilton. This is a duet narration!
Book: 3 stars
The narration was great, but I think about 50% in I was getting bored… and the relationship didn’t flow as well as I would want. But it was a decent summer read.
August 19, 2025
this was so adorable
November 1, 2025
Çok tatlıydı. Sesli kitap olarak dinledim ve çok beğendim! 🍡 Karakterler kalbimde yer aldı ve beraber kurdukları bu küçük aile beni çok duygulandırdı 🥺
August 23, 2025
Such a good book. I really enjoy it. Major Gilmore girls vibes without trying to hard.
September 28, 2025
˖°𓇼🌊⋆🐚🫧 A summer romance between a Hollywood darling and the grumpy man who becomes her next-door neighbor ˖°𓇼🌊⋆🐚🫧
I had a good time reading Summer People. It's definitely my type of book so I'm not surprised I loved it. It had a city girl who is a celebrity, a grumpy single dad who hates her at first sight, an adorable girl who obviously adores her and wants to be her friend, a town who shuns her as soon as she touches ground. LIKE! All those aspects, I'm bound to love the book lmao.
I especially adore whenever the hero realizes that everyone is shunning her and she basically has no one, is doing nothing for the town to shun her, misunderstanding her, etc., and changes his perspective 180 lmao like I love that he realizes he has been in the wrong and regrets it immediately! YES BE SORRY YOU MADE HER FEEL BAD FOR A MOMENT she didn't deserve that ૮(˶ㅠ︿ㅠ)ა
Definitely give it a read if you love the sound of that!
I had a good time reading Summer People. It's definitely my type of book so I'm not surprised I loved it. It had a city girl who is a celebrity, a grumpy single dad who hates her at first sight, an adorable girl who obviously adores her and wants to be her friend, a town who shuns her as soon as she touches ground. LIKE! All those aspects, I'm bound to love the book lmao.
I especially adore whenever the hero realizes that everyone is shunning her and she basically has no one, is doing nothing for the town to shun her, misunderstanding her, etc., and changes his perspective 180 lmao like I love that he realizes he has been in the wrong and regrets it immediately! YES BE SORRY YOU MADE HER FEEL BAD FOR A MOMENT she didn't deserve that ૮(˶ㅠ︿ㅠ)ა
Definitely give it a read if you love the sound of that!
May 26, 2025
Dedication: “To starting over as many times as it takes to get it right.”
📚:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was the perfect almost Summer read!
Brittanee Nicole and Jenni Bara are authors I will automatically buy books from. I’m so giddily happy that they co wrote Summer People.
I’ve been in a reading funk lately from overbooking myself and this got me out of it. It was an easy read but in the best way and as a reader I felt like I could envision the places the story took place.
The story starts with Libby taking some time away from her busy actor life and going to a small town in Maine to find herself (but that doesn’t include someone trying to make her stay miserable).There she meets the grunting grump hacker mmc Fisher and his adorable niece/daughter Sutton. Fisher is trying to do by right by Sutton and forgets to live for himself too. As always Brittanee & Jenni’s books end in an HEA but not without drama, spice, meddling found family, and a villain or two. I loved the character development and the realistic life problems the main 3 characters deal with.
Also, if you’re a fan like me you have probably read their Boston Bolts and Boston Rev’s series-if you have-get excited because there might be some cameos included!!! 🤫 😉
Summer People can be read as a standalone though.
Tropes:
🩷Small town romance
🖤Grumpy/sunshine
🩷found family
🖤Single guardian
⚠️as always-please make sure to read their content warnings at the beginning because it does include sensitive content having to do with underage SA and death of a parent
📚:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was the perfect almost Summer read!
Brittanee Nicole and Jenni Bara are authors I will automatically buy books from. I’m so giddily happy that they co wrote Summer People.
I’ve been in a reading funk lately from overbooking myself and this got me out of it. It was an easy read but in the best way and as a reader I felt like I could envision the places the story took place.
The story starts with Libby taking some time away from her busy actor life and going to a small town in Maine to find herself (but that doesn’t include someone trying to make her stay miserable).There she meets the grunting grump hacker mmc Fisher and his adorable niece/daughter Sutton. Fisher is trying to do by right by Sutton and forgets to live for himself too. As always Brittanee & Jenni’s books end in an HEA but not without drama, spice, meddling found family, and a villain or two. I loved the character development and the realistic life problems the main 3 characters deal with.
Also, if you’re a fan like me you have probably read their Boston Bolts and Boston Rev’s series-if you have-get excited because there might be some cameos included!!! 🤫 😉
Summer People can be read as a standalone though.
Tropes:
🩷Small town romance
🖤Grumpy/sunshine
🩷found family
🖤Single guardian
⚠️as always-please make sure to read their content warnings at the beginning because it does include sensitive content having to do with underage SA and death of a parent
July 12, 2025
1.75 stars. I’m BEGGING romance writers to slow down and put a little more time and research into their works. This was a great first draft of a novel and a really disappointing final product.
Listen, I wasn’t going into this expecting a life-altering read. I thought it would be a fun, summery good time. Something fluffy and cute and spicy and it had the potential to be just that but the irks just started to pile up for me until I couldn’t go on. DNF’d at 45% or so…
1) our FMC Libby has been acting since she was 4, so WHY does she call rehearsal “practice,” MULTIPLE times in the same paragraph?! And why do the authors refer to the area with a stage as a theater (where one watches movies) and not a theatre (where one watches plays?). I know if you aren’t involved in theatre, it’s an easy mistake but the lack of any real background research into a characters back story just took me OUT of the book entirely.
2) our FMC goes from thinking the MMC hates her to a chapter later her being convinced that “he wants me.” Why? Because his pupils dilated. Reader, she had noted the same thing THREE other times before this and yet was CLUELESS.
3) The MMC is a hacker…like into banks and airlines. On an island. Off the coast of Maine…with a population of 69. They don’t get Amazon deliveries to their homes and they note that all tv is by satellite but you’re telling me he has good enough bandwidth to run multiple security protocols, encryptions, and coding programs? With what? Invisible fiber? I don’t really know enough about what it would actually take to be a hacker in this setting but you know who should? The authors. It just wasn’t believable for me.
4) There are too many side characters. Only Blue is memorable. I get that this is probably setting up a series but it was a lot to keep track of…and I read a lot of fantasy so multiple characters are usually not an issue. This was sloppy.
5) The spice was cringy. And not like “oh that’s so real, it’s cringy.” But like cheeeeeesy. Also, the MMC doesn’t like or interact with people (something he hammers us over the head with) but then he wants to talk in bed like that? I’d rather him maintain his stoic character than spout some Quinn app bs. It just didn’t fit AT ALL. Not to mention it came out of NOWHERE. No build up. Just straight loathe to lust to “I have to protect her because she’s mine,” without letting any tension simmer.
It was all just SO all over the place with inconsistent characters, repetitive dialogue (when they actually bothered talking to each other instead of just internally monologuing about how the other one was hot and probably wouldn’t be interested) and the lack of research into their respective jobs that were major plot drivers just made this book a mess. None of the story was unique or interesting and there was a LOT of telling and very little showing.
Listen, I wasn’t going into this expecting a life-altering read. I thought it would be a fun, summery good time. Something fluffy and cute and spicy and it had the potential to be just that but the irks just started to pile up for me until I couldn’t go on. DNF’d at 45% or so…
1) our FMC Libby has been acting since she was 4, so WHY does she call rehearsal “practice,” MULTIPLE times in the same paragraph?! And why do the authors refer to the area with a stage as a theater (where one watches movies) and not a theatre (where one watches plays?). I know if you aren’t involved in theatre, it’s an easy mistake but the lack of any real background research into a characters back story just took me OUT of the book entirely.
2) our FMC goes from thinking the MMC hates her to a chapter later her being convinced that “he wants me.” Why? Because his pupils dilated. Reader, she had noted the same thing THREE other times before this and yet was CLUELESS.
3) The MMC is a hacker…like into banks and airlines. On an island. Off the coast of Maine…with a population of 69. They don’t get Amazon deliveries to their homes and they note that all tv is by satellite but you’re telling me he has good enough bandwidth to run multiple security protocols, encryptions, and coding programs? With what? Invisible fiber? I don’t really know enough about what it would actually take to be a hacker in this setting but you know who should? The authors. It just wasn’t believable for me.
4) There are too many side characters. Only Blue is memorable. I get that this is probably setting up a series but it was a lot to keep track of…and I read a lot of fantasy so multiple characters are usually not an issue. This was sloppy.
5) The spice was cringy. And not like “oh that’s so real, it’s cringy.” But like cheeeeeesy. Also, the MMC doesn’t like or interact with people (something he hammers us over the head with) but then he wants to talk in bed like that? I’d rather him maintain his stoic character than spout some Quinn app bs. It just didn’t fit AT ALL. Not to mention it came out of NOWHERE. No build up. Just straight loathe to lust to “I have to protect her because she’s mine,” without letting any tension simmer.
It was all just SO all over the place with inconsistent characters, repetitive dialogue (when they actually bothered talking to each other instead of just internally monologuing about how the other one was hot and probably wouldn’t be interested) and the lack of research into their respective jobs that were major plot drivers just made this book a mess. None of the story was unique or interesting and there was a LOT of telling and very little showing.
July 28, 2025
I have found the perfect summer read. I am still thinking about this book a month later. I was luckily enough to get an early copy of an audiobook and these narrators nailed it. They were the perfect duo! Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais were the perfect casting for these two.
Fisher is the grumpiest of grumps and I am obsessed with him. He tried so hard to not fall Libby but when that tension broke it was 🔥🔥🔥. Their chemistry was top notch, literally made me a puddle.
Sutton was seriously the cutest little girl. Her relationship was Fisher was seriously the sweetest.
Not only did these two need Libby but they were exactly what Libby needed. She was such a bright and positive FMC. I just loved her!
There were so many moments in this one that will forever be engrained in my head. I will never stop recommending this one.
Overall: 5
Spice: 3.5
Tropes:
Summer Romance
Small Town
Single Guardian
Age Gap
Celebrity FMC
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Fisher is the grumpiest of grumps and I am obsessed with him. He tried so hard to not fall Libby but when that tension broke it was 🔥🔥🔥. Their chemistry was top notch, literally made me a puddle.
Sutton was seriously the cutest little girl. Her relationship was Fisher was seriously the sweetest.
Not only did these two need Libby but they were exactly what Libby needed. She was such a bright and positive FMC. I just loved her!
There were so many moments in this one that will forever be engrained in my head. I will never stop recommending this one.
Overall: 5
Spice: 3.5
Tropes:
Summer Romance
Small Town
Single Guardian
Age Gap
Celebrity FMC
Forced Proximity
Found Family
October 14, 2025
Read with my students who selected this as their September BOTM club book. Here is their cleaned up teen review: “Great Maine setting.” “Female main character was annoying and terrible!” “Could not root for characters in any capacity.” “The writing/dialogue was mediocre at best.”This was a resounding “would not recommend this book and HOW is it rated 4+ ⭐️?!” collectively rated it 2/5 and this is rounded up!
August 9, 2025
Kindle Read
322 Pages
New Series
Small Town Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Single Guardian
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Mystery
Found Family
Libby has gone back to the remote island she lived with her parents as a child before she found stardom. She's running and needs a place to find herself... but what she finds is so much more. Her arrival isn't welcomed by some locals, but she toughs it out with the help of her brooding neighbour, Fisher, and his niece Sutton.
Fisher acts as island Sherriff and general go to guy while raising his young niece and living a life that was never meant to be his. He's been alone all this time and is as unsociable as they come, but the sunshine princess next door has more than caught his attention, and he feels protective of her from the get-go.
But is Libby here for the long run, or is she just another one of the summer people who comes here for the season? Does Fisher want her to stay? Would he follow if she leaves? What secrets is she keeping?
322 Pages
New Series
Small Town Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Single Guardian
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Mystery
Found Family
Libby has gone back to the remote island she lived with her parents as a child before she found stardom. She's running and needs a place to find herself... but what she finds is so much more. Her arrival isn't welcomed by some locals, but she toughs it out with the help of her brooding neighbour, Fisher, and his niece Sutton.
Fisher acts as island Sherriff and general go to guy while raising his young niece and living a life that was never meant to be his. He's been alone all this time and is as unsociable as they come, but the sunshine princess next door has more than caught his attention, and he feels protective of her from the get-go.
But is Libby here for the long run, or is she just another one of the summer people who comes here for the season? Does Fisher want her to stay? Would he follow if she leaves? What secrets is she keeping?
August 4, 2025
Cute at first but I reallyyyy wanted to dnf halfway through. I suffered through listening to them say “my man and my girl/my princess” over and over and finished 😵
June 6, 2025
5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
🕶️ Single Guardian
💕 Grumpy X Sunshine
🕶️ Small town romance
💕 Found family
🕶️ Celebrity FMC
💕 Fun cameos 🤩
📖 When retired child actress Elizabeth Sweet flees to Monhegan Island for the summer, she’s expecting some peace, sun and solitude. What she’s NOT expecting? Her hot, grumpy neighbor (who also is the guardian for his niece Sutton and sheriff of their small town) to invade her every thought!
💭 This is the epitome of a swoony summer romance!! From the unique small town island vibes, to the push and pull and amazing tension between Libby and Fisher, to ALL the feels and healing and even some suspense tied in!
You know I absolutely adore Jenni Bara & Brittanée Nicole’s writing, and when they get together it’s just pure magic. This was such an incredibly beautiful, funny, and feel good story with so many awesome cameos from some of our favorite Revs & Bolts family members!
🎧 AUDIO REVIEW 🎧
Narrated duet style by Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais, with a full cast including Angelina Rocca, Avery Caris, and Teddy Hamilton.
Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais are one of my fibrous narrating duos, and they executed the humor as well as Fisher’s grumpy personality PERFECTLY! You absolutely need to hear Fisher calling Libby Princess with your ears 🫠.
The full cast made the quirky small town characters come to life and I had so much fun listening.
I truly cannot recommend adding Summer People to your TBR enough!! The perfect book to enjoy while sitting poolside or even at your desk at work wishing you had a grumpy neighbor to bring you donuts!
Thank you so much to Brittanée Nicole and Jenni Bara for the opportunity to read Summer People as an arc/alc!
🕶️ Single Guardian
💕 Grumpy X Sunshine
🕶️ Small town romance
💕 Found family
🕶️ Celebrity FMC
💕 Fun cameos 🤩
📖 When retired child actress Elizabeth Sweet flees to Monhegan Island for the summer, she’s expecting some peace, sun and solitude. What she’s NOT expecting? Her hot, grumpy neighbor (who also is the guardian for his niece Sutton and sheriff of their small town) to invade her every thought!
💭 This is the epitome of a swoony summer romance!! From the unique small town island vibes, to the push and pull and amazing tension between Libby and Fisher, to ALL the feels and healing and even some suspense tied in!
You know I absolutely adore Jenni Bara & Brittanée Nicole’s writing, and when they get together it’s just pure magic. This was such an incredibly beautiful, funny, and feel good story with so many awesome cameos from some of our favorite Revs & Bolts family members!
🎧 AUDIO REVIEW 🎧
Narrated duet style by Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais, with a full cast including Angelina Rocca, Avery Caris, and Teddy Hamilton.
Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais are one of my fibrous narrating duos, and they executed the humor as well as Fisher’s grumpy personality PERFECTLY! You absolutely need to hear Fisher calling Libby Princess with your ears 🫠.
The full cast made the quirky small town characters come to life and I had so much fun listening.
I truly cannot recommend adding Summer People to your TBR enough!! The perfect book to enjoy while sitting poolside or even at your desk at work wishing you had a grumpy neighbor to bring you donuts!
Thank you so much to Brittanée Nicole and Jenni Bara for the opportunity to read Summer People as an arc/alc!
May 31, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
The perfect summer read! Yes I know summer is in the title but it’s more than just that lol. This was sweet, fun and had a little bit of mystery that kept me on my toes.
Libby is a Hollywood actress trying to escape the spotlight. She runs to a little island off the coast of Maine that she loved as a child. Her character was so fun and just a ray of sunshine even though she’s been through some shit.
Someone on the island doesn’t want her there and basically torments her to try and force her to leave. Of course her neighbor who is also the town Sheriff appoints himself as her protector.
Fisher is the town sheriff and local errand boy. He’s a little mysterious and so dang grumpy. He was also a very complex and interesting character. His life before he became sheriff intrigued me. I don’t want to say much about it because it’s an important part of the story but it’s juicy! He is the guardian of his niece Sutton after his brother & sister in law passed away. They are buddies and their relationship is adorable.
I really enjoyed reading this. It was light hearted, but did deliver some tender moments between characters and a hint of mystery that kept everything interesting. I would love to read more from this author duo. Such a fun and easy read.
Thank you Brittanée Nicole, Jenni Bara and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!
•grumpy sheriff
•Hollywood actress
•small town
•grumpy x sunshine
•single dad (guardian)
The perfect summer read! Yes I know summer is in the title but it’s more than just that lol. This was sweet, fun and had a little bit of mystery that kept me on my toes.
Libby is a Hollywood actress trying to escape the spotlight. She runs to a little island off the coast of Maine that she loved as a child. Her character was so fun and just a ray of sunshine even though she’s been through some shit.
Someone on the island doesn’t want her there and basically torments her to try and force her to leave. Of course her neighbor who is also the town Sheriff appoints himself as her protector.
Fisher is the town sheriff and local errand boy. He’s a little mysterious and so dang grumpy. He was also a very complex and interesting character. His life before he became sheriff intrigued me. I don’t want to say much about it because it’s an important part of the story but it’s juicy! He is the guardian of his niece Sutton after his brother & sister in law passed away. They are buddies and their relationship is adorable.
I really enjoyed reading this. It was light hearted, but did deliver some tender moments between characters and a hint of mystery that kept everything interesting. I would love to read more from this author duo. Such a fun and easy read.
Thank you Brittanée Nicole, Jenni Bara and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!
•grumpy sheriff
•Hollywood actress
•small town
•grumpy x sunshine
•single dad (guardian)
November 21, 2025
From the very first book I read by both these authors, I was smitten. I really enjoyed both of their styles so of course I had to see what they would come up with as a team and I am ridiculously happy with the outcome!
At first, this story comes across as being maybe more of a rom-com, and although extremely entertaining, this rom-com has hidden pockets of unexpected emotion, life circumstances and a sprinkle of mystery that adds depth to the story and elevates it to much more than “comedy”. That is, in my opinion. LOL
I love the small-town found-family vibes that this story carried, and the side characters weren’t just props; they had a purpose and a role in moving the story forward. The journey showed growth for both Fisher & Libby as individuals and also how impactful they were for each other. It was like seeing two sides of one coin with them. They were each other’s match perfectly! Such a pleasure to get lost in their story at all points.
I’m looking forward to getting lost in these two authors’ words whether as a team or as individuals. They really do make a great team!
At first, this story comes across as being maybe more of a rom-com, and although extremely entertaining, this rom-com has hidden pockets of unexpected emotion, life circumstances and a sprinkle of mystery that adds depth to the story and elevates it to much more than “comedy”. That is, in my opinion. LOL
I love the small-town found-family vibes that this story carried, and the side characters weren’t just props; they had a purpose and a role in moving the story forward. The journey showed growth for both Fisher & Libby as individuals and also how impactful they were for each other. It was like seeing two sides of one coin with them. They were each other’s match perfectly! Such a pleasure to get lost in their story at all points.
I’m looking forward to getting lost in these two authors’ words whether as a team or as individuals. They really do make a great team!
August 5, 2025
Seeing this as a 4+🌟 rated read is giving me trust issues. This was wild and corny. The premise could have worked? But the story did not, it was all over the place. Seems like the author is liked by many, I just won't be a repeat reader.
Want to read
July 5, 2025Need safety info
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,087 reviews