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The Summer That Changed Everything
A burlesque dancer pretends to be a rich widower for an all-access pass into the belly of the wealthy and privileged for the summer—the Hamptons—and to seek revenge on one billionaire in particular in this romance from #1 Amazon bestselling author Dani Ryan.
He’d never been brought down to his knees by anyone…except her.
Minnie Mills has an intolerance for bratty trust fund babies…especially a privileged Lyons man who turned up his nose at her younger sister. So, one evening when a man walks into the club she works at with a shared axe to grind, she’s intrigued. Even more so when he offers her an opportunity to enter the world of billionaires and egos, all-expenses-paid. On one condition—she spends the summer in the Hamptons, teaching the serial jerk a lesson.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel Lyons is dissatisfied with his role at Lyons Enterprises and wants his father to reconsider him for CEO. Enter Minnie, who his father uses as a bargaining chip. The next thing Nathaniel knows, he’s wagering he is capable of doing what’s right by the family by promising to make the newcomer to the Hamptons his. She’s high society and philanthropic, so together they would be a golden couple and exactly what the Lyons name needs attached to it.
But deceit is a dangerous game, and secrets tend to come out. Even if Minnie and Nathaniel form a genuine connection in the middle of clambakes and yacht rides, the footprints in the sand were already made.
He’d never been brought down to his knees by anyone…except her.
Minnie Mills has an intolerance for bratty trust fund babies…especially a privileged Lyons man who turned up his nose at her younger sister. So, one evening when a man walks into the club she works at with a shared axe to grind, she’s intrigued. Even more so when he offers her an opportunity to enter the world of billionaires and egos, all-expenses-paid. On one condition—she spends the summer in the Hamptons, teaching the serial jerk a lesson.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel Lyons is dissatisfied with his role at Lyons Enterprises and wants his father to reconsider him for CEO. Enter Minnie, who his father uses as a bargaining chip. The next thing Nathaniel knows, he’s wagering he is capable of doing what’s right by the family by promising to make the newcomer to the Hamptons his. She’s high society and philanthropic, so together they would be a golden couple and exactly what the Lyons name needs attached to it.
But deceit is a dangerous game, and secrets tend to come out. Even if Minnie and Nathaniel form a genuine connection in the middle of clambakes and yacht rides, the footprints in the sand were already made.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2026
About the author
Dani Ryan
16 books235 followers#1 Amazon bestselling author duo Dani Ryan is the author of contemporary billionaire romances featuring high-stakes settings and flawed, emotionally relatable characters. When they aren’t penning fictional characters, they are probably with their Iggy, or adding more stunning books to their shelves.
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May 31, 2026
I won an ARC of this book, but I had already pre-ordered it. If you haven’t read the Morelli sisters books by Dani Ryan, you’re missing out. The male lead in this book, Nate, was a side character in Let Me Say it Again. Not a nice one either. Fans questioned making him the male lead…but they were wrong. Just like first impressions can be wrong. Sometimes someone’s past has damaged their present. Nate is definitely like that. Minnie is brought in to trick Nate into a relationship, but he tricks her into one first. Both going in under deceit… what could go wrong? In true Dani Ryan fashion, they pull you in from the beginning. I read this book in one day. Both characters grow with the other so unexpectedly that you are routing for them to come out with the truth before it’s too late, but will they? You’ll have to read to find out!
June 12, 2026
Book Review
The Summer That Changed Everything
A Novel Written By Dani Ryan
Fiction - Romance
Published June 2026
362 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
They met as a result of a revenge plot and a bet. They weren’t suppose to fall in love. Sometimes the heart wants what it wants. She is a burlesque dancer. He comes from a rich family. A summer in the Hamptons changed everything for both of them.
This is a sexy story involving rich people trying to get what they want.
I liked Millie and Nate, the two main characters. They both have flaws, but unexpectedly found everything in each other. I was cheering them on despite the obstacles.
This is a great story of personal growth for two people who owe it all to love.
“I think building character is a journey. Sometimes it takes people a whole lifetime to achieve it.”
The Summer That Changed Everything
A Novel Written By Dani Ryan
Fiction - Romance
Published June 2026
362 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
They met as a result of a revenge plot and a bet. They weren’t suppose to fall in love. Sometimes the heart wants what it wants. She is a burlesque dancer. He comes from a rich family. A summer in the Hamptons changed everything for both of them.
This is a sexy story involving rich people trying to get what they want.
I liked Millie and Nate, the two main characters. They both have flaws, but unexpectedly found everything in each other. I was cheering them on despite the obstacles.
This is a great story of personal growth for two people who owe it all to love.
“I think building character is a journey. Sometimes it takes people a whole lifetime to achieve it.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This summer novel took place in the Hampton with wealthy, affluent families doing what they do best, socializing, networking and throwing the most lavished parties one could only image.
Enter the FMC, Minnie Mills. Minnie is not rich, not a socialite, nor a philanthropist. She is a dancer, a burlesque dancer as a matter of fact. Minnie is an independent, confident, strong woman with strong bond to her sister, Kitty. When Kitty gets humiliated by a trust fund baby Minnie is not happy and decides to step in, and make things right. She just has to wait for the right time.
So, when she is approached at the club by a man that not only looks but smells of money and has a plan for revenge that pays well, with endless benefits, Minnie couldn’t refuse. Giving her a chance to become one of the elite and live a life she could only dream if she accepted his plan? This gave her the perfect time to make things right as well.
Nathaniel Lyons, the MMC, has a plan of his own- to overthrow the CEO of the family’s company and take the title for himself which he feels he deserves. However, this trust fund baby doesn’t know the secrets and lies that are woven to keep him from just that title.
Nathaniel is self confident, driven, intensely focused, with high emotional control, and an ego that’s off the charts. The Lyons name comes with all the benefits and prestige, that of a billionaires status, and he knows it. He is handsome, suave, very sophisticated, and athletic. He is a polo player and has expensive toys, like a yacht called the Mistress. Nathaniel Lyons has never had a problem getting attention from the opposite sex. Making him one of the sexiest bachelors of his social circles.
This novel has everything you would expect from a contemporary romance. It is well written. The characters are vividly illustrated throughout the book and draws you into their story. I enjoyed not only the twisted tale of deceit and the layers of lies, but seeing Minnie and Nathaniel’s story unfold. What starts out as revenge turns into mutual understanding of life and fate. You watch the HEA build as the two characters spend time together and explore their feeling and desires. This book also includes some of the characters from their Morelli Sisters series, which is an added bonus.
I give this book 5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. It was a great start to my summer collection. If you haven’t preordered or put it on your TBR, do it soon. It’s a must-read! 🔥❤️
Thank you, Dani Ryan, you did not disappoint!
Enter the FMC, Minnie Mills. Minnie is not rich, not a socialite, nor a philanthropist. She is a dancer, a burlesque dancer as a matter of fact. Minnie is an independent, confident, strong woman with strong bond to her sister, Kitty. When Kitty gets humiliated by a trust fund baby Minnie is not happy and decides to step in, and make things right. She just has to wait for the right time.
So, when she is approached at the club by a man that not only looks but smells of money and has a plan for revenge that pays well, with endless benefits, Minnie couldn’t refuse. Giving her a chance to become one of the elite and live a life she could only dream if she accepted his plan? This gave her the perfect time to make things right as well.
Nathaniel Lyons, the MMC, has a plan of his own- to overthrow the CEO of the family’s company and take the title for himself which he feels he deserves. However, this trust fund baby doesn’t know the secrets and lies that are woven to keep him from just that title.
Nathaniel is self confident, driven, intensely focused, with high emotional control, and an ego that’s off the charts. The Lyons name comes with all the benefits and prestige, that of a billionaires status, and he knows it. He is handsome, suave, very sophisticated, and athletic. He is a polo player and has expensive toys, like a yacht called the Mistress. Nathaniel Lyons has never had a problem getting attention from the opposite sex. Making him one of the sexiest bachelors of his social circles.
This novel has everything you would expect from a contemporary romance. It is well written. The characters are vividly illustrated throughout the book and draws you into their story. I enjoyed not only the twisted tale of deceit and the layers of lies, but seeing Minnie and Nathaniel’s story unfold. What starts out as revenge turns into mutual understanding of life and fate. You watch the HEA build as the two characters spend time together and explore their feeling and desires. This book also includes some of the characters from their Morelli Sisters series, which is an added bonus.
I give this book 5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. It was a great start to my summer collection. If you haven’t preordered or put it on your TBR, do it soon. It’s a must-read! 🔥❤️
Thank you, Dani Ryan, you did not disappoint!
May 14, 2026
The Summer That Changed Everything is a good book overall. The romance and attraction between Nate and Minnie was apparent right away despite their original intentions of wanting to get to know each other. What I struggled with the most while reading was the first half when Minnie befriended Nate's family and friends. The conversations that Minnie had to get closer to Nate's family and friends were a bit dry for my taste, but they did provide context into the kind of person Nate was. I also felt that some of the internal thoughts Minnie had were a bit repetitive when it came to her intentions for getting to know Nate in the first place. Despite this, the second half of the book was so much better, especially when it came to Nate and Minnie actually spending time together. You could tell that both of them genuinely liked each other despite other's impressions of them. I thought that despite the first half of the book, everything came together in the end and truths were revealed in a more civilized manner than what I thought would have happened. The one thing I would have liked to have seen more of was Kitty's role in all of this. Another take away from this book is that you can do everything right to improve your odds of earning what you deserve, but it still won't be enough. At that point, it's just best to take your pride and walk away.
Overall, this book is great for readers who enjoy women seeking revenge only to fall for the person they are seeking revenge on. Highly recommend to readers who enjoy high society, billionaire romance books.
Favorite Quotes:
"Every great family needed a great story and every great story needed a hero and a villain. Subsequently, I was aboard the boat that belonged to the villain."
"She personified something far better than sex or me. She personified opportunity."
"He was the forbidden fruit that I had to wrap my lips around and taste. If I didn't, it felt like I might die."
"I was the type of person who would take a bullet for my man. No questions asked."
Thank you to the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Overall, this book is great for readers who enjoy women seeking revenge only to fall for the person they are seeking revenge on. Highly recommend to readers who enjoy high society, billionaire romance books.
Favorite Quotes:
"Every great family needed a great story and every great story needed a hero and a villain. Subsequently, I was aboard the boat that belonged to the villain."
"She personified something far better than sex or me. She personified opportunity."
"He was the forbidden fruit that I had to wrap my lips around and taste. If I didn't, it felt like I might die."
"I was the type of person who would take a bullet for my man. No questions asked."
Thank you to the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
June 2, 2026
Millie is a burlesque dancer, and she’s out for revenge for her younger sister Kitty, who had the misfortune of encountering Nathaniel Lyons. If you’re wondering what Nathaniel did, you’re going to have a very long wait. Personally, I didn’t have a problem with that. Also, be advised there is explicit language in the book, as well as steamy scenes.
If you’ve been reading Dani Ryan’s books, you’ll recognize Nathaniel, or Nate as I will henceforth be calling him, from the book Let Me Say It Again. And he was the last person I expected to have a redemption story, but here we are.
To be fair, I spent a good two-thirds of the book despising him. And yet, I wasn’t all on board with Millie, either. Here’s the thing — almost no one is a hundred percent wonderful or a hundred percent awful, which makes this story more realistic than some, and I can appreciate that.
Millie disguises herself as the widow of a billionaire, and she definitely has the composure and grace to insinuate herself into the rich people world. She’s fully determined to do what has been asked of her, and will be paid handsomely for her efforts. Who is the unseen and unnamed benefactor? Well, I figured that out in chapter two, though the reveal in the book is much later. No disrespect to the authors; I’m just very good at figuring out mysteries, after decades of watching and reading them.
Nate doesn’t do himself any favors, either. His father comes to him and says he’ll make Nate CEO while his brother Reddington is on his honeymoon, but he has to romance the widow Millie and make her fall for him. No problem, he thinks. But I didn’t believe his dad for one second. Any man who pits his sons agains each other is not someone to be trusted.
I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t divulge more details. But these gals do happy endings, so you don’t have to worry on that front. Though I wasn’t really on board with these characters at first, the more I read, the more I understood them. So, come for the family drama, stay for the love story, and get the book.
If you’ve been reading Dani Ryan’s books, you’ll recognize Nathaniel, or Nate as I will henceforth be calling him, from the book Let Me Say It Again. And he was the last person I expected to have a redemption story, but here we are.
To be fair, I spent a good two-thirds of the book despising him. And yet, I wasn’t all on board with Millie, either. Here’s the thing — almost no one is a hundred percent wonderful or a hundred percent awful, which makes this story more realistic than some, and I can appreciate that.
Millie disguises herself as the widow of a billionaire, and she definitely has the composure and grace to insinuate herself into the rich people world. She’s fully determined to do what has been asked of her, and will be paid handsomely for her efforts. Who is the unseen and unnamed benefactor? Well, I figured that out in chapter two, though the reveal in the book is much later. No disrespect to the authors; I’m just very good at figuring out mysteries, after decades of watching and reading them.
Nate doesn’t do himself any favors, either. His father comes to him and says he’ll make Nate CEO while his brother Reddington is on his honeymoon, but he has to romance the widow Millie and make her fall for him. No problem, he thinks. But I didn’t believe his dad for one second. Any man who pits his sons agains each other is not someone to be trusted.
I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t divulge more details. But these gals do happy endings, so you don’t have to worry on that front. Though I wasn’t really on board with these characters at first, the more I read, the more I understood them. So, come for the family drama, stay for the love story, and get the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A summer romance full of deceit and gossip!
I enjoyed the double deceit on both of their parts. It felt very much like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with her trying to get revenge on him for her sister (and gets some money she desperately needed) while he was vowing to show he could win something (or rather someone) in order to sneak the CEO position out from his brother at the family company. While they both went into it initially with their ulterior motives, they quickly became charmed with one another and it was fun to watch the lines blur.
This was not our first foray with Nate; he was the jerk brother of Red and ex-boyfriend of Jade (my ultimate Dani Ryan girl) from the Morelli Sisters series. I absolutely loved Red and Jade in their book, which meant I hated Nate. I liked getting to see another side of Nate, especially with him actually falling for someone instead of breaking hearts and being a jerk. Getting to see his motives and what caused him to be who he was definitely made me feel bad for the guy and redeemed him a bit.
I enjoyed the deliciously gossipy setting of the Hamptons and all the esteemed families present. I enjoyed seeing and hearing about other Dani Ryan characters from past books I enjoyed, and seeing characters I’m sure are getting their own books soon!
Thank you to Dani Ryan for the eARC! The opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
3.25 stars
I enjoyed the double deceit on both of their parts. It felt very much like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with her trying to get revenge on him for her sister (and gets some money she desperately needed) while he was vowing to show he could win something (or rather someone) in order to sneak the CEO position out from his brother at the family company. While they both went into it initially with their ulterior motives, they quickly became charmed with one another and it was fun to watch the lines blur.
This was not our first foray with Nate; he was the jerk brother of Red and ex-boyfriend of Jade (my ultimate Dani Ryan girl) from the Morelli Sisters series. I absolutely loved Red and Jade in their book, which meant I hated Nate. I liked getting to see another side of Nate, especially with him actually falling for someone instead of breaking hearts and being a jerk. Getting to see his motives and what caused him to be who he was definitely made me feel bad for the guy and redeemed him a bit.
I enjoyed the deliciously gossipy setting of the Hamptons and all the esteemed families present. I enjoyed seeing and hearing about other Dani Ryan characters from past books I enjoyed, and seeing characters I’m sure are getting their own books soon!
Thank you to Dani Ryan for the eARC! The opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
3.25 stars
June 2, 2026
2.5⭐️
Minnie, a burlesque dancer, is made an offer she can’t refuse: pose as a wealthy widow for the summer in the Hamptons and ruin Nathanial Lyons life. Nathaniel has also made a bargain of his own to seduce Minnie in order to gain a CEO position. But as they get to know each other, they realize things are not always what they seem.
Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. I was immediately drawn in by the premise of two characters secretly trying to manipulate each other while inevitably falling for one another. The glamorous Hamptons setting filled with wealth, privilege, and social maneuvering created an intriguing backdrop for the story. However, the character motivations often felt flimsy or inconsistent, making it difficult for me to fully invest in their actions and decisions. The writing just did not pull me in. I think the author was aiming for a mysterious, suspenseful atmosphere, but instead of feeling intrigued, I often just felt confused. Rather than building anticipation, it left me feeling disinterested. That said, I think a lot of readers will enjoy this one and the twist at the end, which I did not see coming at all, but this one, sadly just wasn’t for me. I could see this being the perfect book for readers who enjoy more mysterious romances and a bit of a slower unraveling.
Thank you to Dani Ryan and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Minnie, a burlesque dancer, is made an offer she can’t refuse: pose as a wealthy widow for the summer in the Hamptons and ruin Nathanial Lyons life. Nathaniel has also made a bargain of his own to seduce Minnie in order to gain a CEO position. But as they get to know each other, they realize things are not always what they seem.
Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. I was immediately drawn in by the premise of two characters secretly trying to manipulate each other while inevitably falling for one another. The glamorous Hamptons setting filled with wealth, privilege, and social maneuvering created an intriguing backdrop for the story. However, the character motivations often felt flimsy or inconsistent, making it difficult for me to fully invest in their actions and decisions. The writing just did not pull me in. I think the author was aiming for a mysterious, suspenseful atmosphere, but instead of feeling intrigued, I often just felt confused. Rather than building anticipation, it left me feeling disinterested. That said, I think a lot of readers will enjoy this one and the twist at the end, which I did not see coming at all, but this one, sadly just wasn’t for me. I could see this being the perfect book for readers who enjoy more mysterious romances and a bit of a slower unraveling.
Thank you to Dani Ryan and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 16, 2026
Thank you to Dani Ryan and NetGalley for an eARC The Summer That Changed Everything!
3⭐️
Minnie Mills is looking to infiltrate the Hamptons and seek revenge on Nate Lyons after he breaks her sister’s heart. Meanwhile, Nate and his dad have hatched a plan of their own to have Nate replace Red as CEO of Lyons Enterprises. However, Minnie finds that Nate has more to him than meets the eye.
So here’s the thing: I did not love this one and it DEVASTATED me. I understand that Nate is supposed to be a reformed MMC and I think that was successful. However, I still didn’t love him and honestly didn’t like most of the characters in the book. Really and truthfully, the only person I loved was Jade. Even Red got on my nerves!
Also, maybe I missed it, but what happened with Nate and Kitty? AND I’m sorry. But if a man hurt my sister, I would NOT be able to fall in love with him. I would even put my friend’s ex in the do not date category. Kitty’s relationship with Nate is the reason why she wants to get back at him…so why is Kitty so removed from the story? It feels like it’s somehow a major part of the story, but also a complete afterthought.
OH and. We know that Robert is behind Nate’s lies, but I wish we had the reveal of Minnie’s partner a little bit earlier. I think that the reveal was nice, but I would’ve liked to watch them dance around each other while the plot is unfolding.
I think someone will like this, but it unfortunately wasn’t my cup of tea.
3⭐️
Minnie Mills is looking to infiltrate the Hamptons and seek revenge on Nate Lyons after he breaks her sister’s heart. Meanwhile, Nate and his dad have hatched a plan of their own to have Nate replace Red as CEO of Lyons Enterprises. However, Minnie finds that Nate has more to him than meets the eye.
So here’s the thing: I did not love this one and it DEVASTATED me. I understand that Nate is supposed to be a reformed MMC and I think that was successful. However, I still didn’t love him and honestly didn’t like most of the characters in the book. Really and truthfully, the only person I loved was Jade. Even Red got on my nerves!
Also, maybe I missed it, but what happened with Nate and Kitty? AND I’m sorry. But if a man hurt my sister, I would NOT be able to fall in love with him. I would even put my friend’s ex in the do not date category. Kitty’s relationship with Nate is the reason why she wants to get back at him…so why is Kitty so removed from the story? It feels like it’s somehow a major part of the story, but also a complete afterthought.
OH and. We know that Robert is behind Nate’s lies, but I wish we had the reveal of Minnie’s partner a little bit earlier. I think that the reveal was nice, but I would’ve liked to watch them dance around each other while the plot is unfolding.
I think someone will like this, but it unfortunately wasn’t my cup of tea.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⛴️ The Summer that changed everything - ARC Review ⛴️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay but this book was SO addictive 😭 The Hamptons setting, the wealthy elite drama, the tension, the secrets, the revenge plot… I devoured this in one sitting !
First of all, Minnie ? I loved her SO much. She’s confident, sharp, and honestly simply fascinating to follow because she slips into this world of old money and luxury so effortlessly while still staying completely herself. Beneath the glamour and confidence though, there’s also so much heart to her 🥺 I was rooting for her from page one.
And Nate ? Well he’s the kind of MMC you simultaneously want to slap and obsess over. Rich, arrogant, emotionally controlled, convinced he has everything figured out… except he absolutely does not. But seeing the layers slowly peel back? Watching him become softer with Minnie? I ate that up every single time.
And THEIR CHEMISTRY ? The tension was definitely there ! From the banter to the quieter moments on the yacht, everything between them felt so natural and addictive. I especially loved that while the romance was amazing, the story also had so much intrigue woven into it. The twists, the lies, the manipulation, the revenge aspect, it kept me completely hooked !
Thank so much to @authordaniryan and their team for this ARC !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay but this book was SO addictive 😭 The Hamptons setting, the wealthy elite drama, the tension, the secrets, the revenge plot… I devoured this in one sitting !
First of all, Minnie ? I loved her SO much. She’s confident, sharp, and honestly simply fascinating to follow because she slips into this world of old money and luxury so effortlessly while still staying completely herself. Beneath the glamour and confidence though, there’s also so much heart to her 🥺 I was rooting for her from page one.
And Nate ? Well he’s the kind of MMC you simultaneously want to slap and obsess over. Rich, arrogant, emotionally controlled, convinced he has everything figured out… except he absolutely does not. But seeing the layers slowly peel back? Watching him become softer with Minnie? I ate that up every single time.
And THEIR CHEMISTRY ? The tension was definitely there ! From the banter to the quieter moments on the yacht, everything between them felt so natural and addictive. I especially loved that while the romance was amazing, the story also had so much intrigue woven into it. The twists, the lies, the manipulation, the revenge aspect, it kept me completely hooked !
Thank so much to @authordaniryan and their team for this ARC !
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a messy, addictive, rich-people summer romance and I honestly devoured it 😭✨
Minnie, a burlesque dancer pulled into a revenge scheme, gets dropped straight into Hamptons high society—and the chaos that follows is SO fun to watch unfold. Fake identities, yacht parties, secrets, and billionaire drama? It fully delivered on that indulgent summer read energy.
Minnie was such a standout FMC for me. Confident, adaptable, and completely herself even while navigating a world built on wealth and privilege. And Nate? Arrogant, controlled, emotionally repressed… basically begging to have his entire life disrupted. Watching Minnie slowly chip away at that control was half the fun 😌
The chemistry between them was instant but also layered—what starts as tension and deception slowly turns into something that actually feels real, which made all the drama hit even harder.
The revenge subplot added just enough intrigue to keep everything moving without overshadowing the romance, and the Hamptons setting made it feel extra glamorous and chaotic in the best way.
✨ what to expect ✨
💎 Rich-people drama
🛥️ Yacht parties & summer chaos
🎭 Fake identity
🔥 Enemies-ish to lovers
🖤 Revenge subplot
🌴 Hamptons setting
💋 High tension romance
This is exactly the kind of book that feels like summer in novel form—messy, addictive, and impossible to put down 🌊💖
Minnie, a burlesque dancer pulled into a revenge scheme, gets dropped straight into Hamptons high society—and the chaos that follows is SO fun to watch unfold. Fake identities, yacht parties, secrets, and billionaire drama? It fully delivered on that indulgent summer read energy.
Minnie was such a standout FMC for me. Confident, adaptable, and completely herself even while navigating a world built on wealth and privilege. And Nate? Arrogant, controlled, emotionally repressed… basically begging to have his entire life disrupted. Watching Minnie slowly chip away at that control was half the fun 😌
The chemistry between them was instant but also layered—what starts as tension and deception slowly turns into something that actually feels real, which made all the drama hit even harder.
The revenge subplot added just enough intrigue to keep everything moving without overshadowing the romance, and the Hamptons setting made it feel extra glamorous and chaotic in the best way.
✨ what to expect ✨
💎 Rich-people drama
🛥️ Yacht parties & summer chaos
🎭 Fake identity
🔥 Enemies-ish to lovers
🖤 Revenge subplot
🌴 Hamptons setting
💋 High tension romance
This is exactly the kind of book that feels like summer in novel form—messy, addictive, and impossible to put down 🌊💖
Review of advance copy received from Author
OH this book was like a juicy gossip story! I loved the deceit, revenge and the wonderful redemption story in the end! Dani Ryan has NEVER disappointed me! My favorite series is the Morelli Sisters so I knew I had to read this since we were diving into more of Nathaniel, Red & Jade! This book will have you laughing, swooning at times, smiling, angry a few times, break your heart and melt it and then in the end you will get a wonderful ending!
Nathaniel Lyons is a hated man. No one like him even his family wants nothing to do with him. So when he gets the opportunity to try to prove his family wrong he takes it.
When Minnie has a chance to seek revenge for her sister and show a serial jerk a lesson she jumps at that opportunity. When Minnie and Nate start getting to know each other she realizes Nate isn't the man she thought he was. Things are not always what they seem.
This is a book that will take you on one heck of a ride. I loved getting to know Minnie and learning more about Nate. If you loved the Morelli series this book is a MUST!! I highly recommend this book and anything Dani Ryan writes!
Thank you Dani Ryan for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Nathaniel Lyons is a hated man. No one like him even his family wants nothing to do with him. So when he gets the opportunity to try to prove his family wrong he takes it.
When Minnie has a chance to seek revenge for her sister and show a serial jerk a lesson she jumps at that opportunity. When Minnie and Nate start getting to know each other she realizes Nate isn't the man she thought he was. Things are not always what they seem.
This is a book that will take you on one heck of a ride. I loved getting to know Minnie and learning more about Nate. If you loved the Morelli series this book is a MUST!! I highly recommend this book and anything Dani Ryan writes!
Thank you Dani Ryan for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Summer That Changed Everything was a fabulously messy rich people romance! In this one, Minnie is a burlesque dancer who gets pulled into a revenge scheme that lands her in the middle of Hamptons high society and the Lyons family, where she ends up way too close to Nathaniel Lyons. I loved the fake identity, yacht parties, secrets, and wealthy family drama.
Minnie is confident, smart, and slipped into this world of old money and privilege so naturally and still came across as herself the entire time. Nate was arrogant, emotionally repressed, and way too convinced he had everything under control. The entire time, Minnie was slowly destroying his composure and I completely ate that up. Nom Nom! The chemistry between them was SO good. The tension was there right away, but I really loved the moments where the relationship actually started feeling real underneath all the lies. The Hamptons setting, the revenge plot, and all the billionaire drama, made this such an addictive read for me. It's perfect for summer!
Minnie is confident, smart, and slipped into this world of old money and privilege so naturally and still came across as herself the entire time. Nate was arrogant, emotionally repressed, and way too convinced he had everything under control. The entire time, Minnie was slowly destroying his composure and I completely ate that up. Nom Nom! The chemistry between them was SO good. The tension was there right away, but I really loved the moments where the relationship actually started feeling real underneath all the lies. The Hamptons setting, the revenge plot, and all the billionaire drama, made this such an addictive read for me. It's perfect for summer!
June 6, 2026
Utterly addictive in the most unexpected of ways! This is a romance where the MMC is a guy you kinda love to hate, the FMC is playing him like a fiddle, and literally the only honest thing happening is the feelings they’re developing for each other because no one, and I mean not a single person, is fully honest about anything else. Of course, Nate turns out to be misunderstood and not nearly as bad as he seems and Minnie figures out she actually does believe in love, but only with Nate, this is a love story after all. It’s the people who turn out to be way more villainous than you would have guessed, the astuteness and shrewdness that Nate, Minnie, and all the others play the game with, and the choices Nate and Minnie make and how they rationalize them that captivate you and make this a tough read to put down for even a second. A well done and surprising read from Dani Ryan that makes you look at the bad guy and the good ones from a different angle and reminds you that the world is in fact at all times shades of gray depending on your motivation.
June 10, 2026
This is the perfect summer read, packed with revenge, gossip, and plenty of drama.
We remember Nate from the Morelli Sisters series. I wasn't a fan of him then, and those feelings didn't change at the start of this book. He's arrogant, a jerk, and disliked by everyone including his own family. So when he finally gets an opportunity to prove everyone wrong, he grabs it.
Minnie is a burlesque dancer determined to get revenge on behalf of her sister. When an opportunity comes to settle the score and take Nate down a peg, she's more than willing to take it.
This story will take you on an emotional roller coaster. One moment you'll be frustrated with the characters, the next you'll be laughing out loud, swooning, or having your heart broken before it's pieced back together again. I especially loved the character growth from both Nate and Minnie. By the end, I found myself wondering if maybe..just maybe Nate isn't such a terrible guy after all.
We remember Nate from the Morelli Sisters series. I wasn't a fan of him then, and those feelings didn't change at the start of this book. He's arrogant, a jerk, and disliked by everyone including his own family. So when he finally gets an opportunity to prove everyone wrong, he grabs it.
Minnie is a burlesque dancer determined to get revenge on behalf of her sister. When an opportunity comes to settle the score and take Nate down a peg, she's more than willing to take it.
This story will take you on an emotional roller coaster. One moment you'll be frustrated with the characters, the next you'll be laughing out loud, swooning, or having your heart broken before it's pieced back together again. I especially loved the character growth from both Nate and Minnie. By the end, I found myself wondering if maybe..just maybe Nate isn't such a terrible guy after all.
Did Not Finish
May 3, 2026Minnie is a burlesque dancer who is made an offer she can’t refuse: pose as a wealthy widow in the Hamptons and hook fish Nathaniel. The same Nathaniel who spurned her younger sister. What better way to get revenge? If only it weren’t for Nathaniel… who is also made an offer to catch Minnie and become CEO of his father’s company. Neither is aware of the bargain the other one has made but they may end up winning or losing a whole lot more in the end.
This was just not for me unfortunately. I’m giving up at 43%. I just couldn’t get invested in the characters, was not a fan of the MMC, and couldn’t tell you a lot of what happened in that first 43%. Only that it was like a Hampton’s version of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”. I’m not going to rate it, as it may get better, but for me, it just didn’t hit.
Thank you to the authors and NetGalley for the ARC.
This was just not for me unfortunately. I’m giving up at 43%. I just couldn’t get invested in the characters, was not a fan of the MMC, and couldn’t tell you a lot of what happened in that first 43%. Only that it was like a Hampton’s version of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”. I’m not going to rate it, as it may get better, but for me, it just didn’t hit.
Thank you to the authors and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited hearing that Nate from a previous book was getting a redemption story. I love a good redemption story and this book delivered an amazing one!
In this one we follow Minnie, a burlesque dancer, who is propositioned with an offer she can't refuse. Someone in Nate's life wants his reputation ruined and is willing to pay, so Minnie agrees. Nate is a stuck up rich guy who thinks way too highly of himself. He's rude to everyone and only cares about himself. In his pursuit to take over CEO of his family company and get his brother out of the way, he accepts a challenge to make a stranger, who happens to be Minnie, care about him and bring her to his brother's wedding.
The authors did a great job of making sure we still hate Nate throughout so much of the story. But I also slowly grew to really like him once Minnie brought out his good side. He's truly just misunderstood and has always been made to feel less than, so being outwardly awful is his defense. I loved the connection he and Minnie shared and how that grew between them. It was such a joy to get visits from past characters, most excitedly, the Morelli sisters! Also, the one who was behind the revenge plan shocked me! They truly led me in one direction thinking it was someone else and then had me gasping when the reveal happened. This book is the perfect read for those who love revenge and redemption story lines. Also for anyone wanting a read that will give you an escape to the fancy life of summer in the Hamptons.
Thank you so much Netgalley and Dani Ryan for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
In this one we follow Minnie, a burlesque dancer, who is propositioned with an offer she can't refuse. Someone in Nate's life wants his reputation ruined and is willing to pay, so Minnie agrees. Nate is a stuck up rich guy who thinks way too highly of himself. He's rude to everyone and only cares about himself. In his pursuit to take over CEO of his family company and get his brother out of the way, he accepts a challenge to make a stranger, who happens to be Minnie, care about him and bring her to his brother's wedding.
The authors did a great job of making sure we still hate Nate throughout so much of the story. But I also slowly grew to really like him once Minnie brought out his good side. He's truly just misunderstood and has always been made to feel less than, so being outwardly awful is his defense. I loved the connection he and Minnie shared and how that grew between them. It was such a joy to get visits from past characters, most excitedly, the Morelli sisters! Also, the one who was behind the revenge plan shocked me! They truly led me in one direction thinking it was someone else and then had me gasping when the reveal happened. This book is the perfect read for those who love revenge and redemption story lines. Also for anyone wanting a read that will give you an escape to the fancy life of summer in the Hamptons.
Thank you so much Netgalley and Dani Ryan for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
June 2, 2026
ARC Review ✨️
♡Perfect start to Summer Season🌞♡
Minnie & Nathaniel were so easy to adore!!! I had already loved Nate as a side character in the Morelli Sisters series, but getting to know him more was such a treat😝🙌
She's a burlesque dancer and he's a very wealthy man. She pretends to be someone she's not and gains access to the Hamptons. Secrets will unfold and feelings are going to come into play. The only question now is will it all work out?
Dani Ryan have such a strong dynamic when it comes to writing these books and I'm all for it!! If you're looking for a fun summer read, highly recommend reading this one asap!
♡Perfect start to Summer Season🌞♡
Minnie & Nathaniel were so easy to adore!!! I had already loved Nate as a side character in the Morelli Sisters series, but getting to know him more was such a treat😝🙌
She's a burlesque dancer and he's a very wealthy man. She pretends to be someone she's not and gains access to the Hamptons. Secrets will unfold and feelings are going to come into play. The only question now is will it all work out?
Dani Ryan have such a strong dynamic when it comes to writing these books and I'm all for it!! If you're looking for a fun summer read, highly recommend reading this one asap!
June 19, 2026
⭐️ 3.5–4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This was such a cute and entertaining summer read. The premise felt fresh and different from the typical contemporary romance, which immediately grabbed my attention.
I really enjoyed the characters and felt they had enough depth to keep me invested in their story. Watching their relationship develop was one of my favorite parts of the book. The romance was sweet, the story moved at a good pace, and overall it was just a fun book to get lost in.
If you’re looking for a light, enjoyable romance to read by the pool or on vacation, this one is worth adding to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This was such a cute and entertaining summer read. The premise felt fresh and different from the typical contemporary romance, which immediately grabbed my attention.
I really enjoyed the characters and felt they had enough depth to keep me invested in their story. Watching their relationship develop was one of my favorite parts of the book. The romance was sweet, the story moved at a good pace, and overall it was just a fun book to get lost in.
If you’re looking for a light, enjoyable romance to read by the pool or on vacation, this one is worth adding to your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not just a romance. I read it in one night. There was a touch of mystery and intrigue, a man who was a complete jerkwad who ended up becoming a decent human, and and alot of summer beachie stuff that had me wishing I vacationed to The Hamptons. I even liked how Minnie was a chameleon, it felt like I was walking on the yatchts with her, dancing with her, and just understood her and what made her tick. The notes on the revenge plot woven throughout made it fun and easy to follow the progress of the story too. Well done! Thank you to the authors Dani Ryan for my advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
Dani and Ryan, first of all, thank you so much for sending me the arc for this book, I had so much fun.
This book was so “how to lose a guy in 10 days”, which is one of my favorite movies of all times, so I was definitely very entertained.
I loved Minnie, our fmc, she had such a funny but elegant personality, you can’t help but root for her.
And our mmc, Nate, was “hateble” and likeble at the same time, which I think was what Minnie was thinking lol he was very complex, but giving his family you can understand where that came from and I loved his sweet character development.
They had so much chemistry together, and at the end, I liked how they solved the obvious problem between them.
This was an easy and fun read, the writing was so smooth and elegant, it was refreshing. I loved looooved this book.
💜
“You showed me that there are more important things."
"What's that?"
A grin played on my lips. "You."
<3
Dani and Ryan, first of all, thank you so much for sending me the arc for this book, I had so much fun.
This book was so “how to lose a guy in 10 days”, which is one of my favorite movies of all times, so I was definitely very entertained.
I loved Minnie, our fmc, she had such a funny but elegant personality, you can’t help but root for her.
And our mmc, Nate, was “hateble” and likeble at the same time, which I think was what Minnie was thinking lol he was very complex, but giving his family you can understand where that came from and I loved his sweet character development.
They had so much chemistry together, and at the end, I liked how they solved the obvious problem between them.
This was an easy and fun read, the writing was so smooth and elegant, it was refreshing. I loved looooved this book.
💜
“You showed me that there are more important things."
"What's that?"
A grin played on my lips. "You."
<3
June 4, 2026
This book is great to take on vacation, it is quick to read and full of drama, like the rich people kind. A burlesque dancer agrees to help out her sister by getting revenge (er, ruin his life) on a past boyfriend, a CEO trying to get out from under his family’s wings. Although the characters and plot felt a bit too chaotic for my personal preference and weren’t my favorites from these authors, (perhaps I still had a grudge on Nate?) I appreciated Minnie’s and Nate’s growth and opposites attract journey to a happily ever after. 3.75 stars
Thanks to the authors for the eARC via NetGalley.
Thanks to the authors for the eARC via NetGalley.
June 20, 2026
Dani Ryan has done it again! Nate and Minnie are the perfect power couple! They both have some secrets up their sleeves but little did they know the feelings they were pretending were going to turn 100% real! I wasn’t sure how I felt about either character at first but I ended up loving them! This is the perfect summer read as I got all the summer feels from this book! These characters show their ugly sides and true sides in more ways than one. Thank you Dani and Ryan for trusting me with Nate and Minnie! This is a book I will forever love and recommend for summer vacations!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a great novel! Minnie is a burlesque dancer when her husband Gage is found dead. Vowing revenge, she finds herself on a private yacht with wealthy socialites and isn't sure how to behave or who to suspect. It's one of those great, convoluted stories that have you turning pages faster and faster as there are so many twists you'll be gasping for air! Loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
June 2, 2026
Minnie is made an offer she can’t refuse. Spend the summer in the Hamptons among the elite posing as a widow and try to ruin Nathaniel’s life. She’s in it for the reward but the last thing she expects is to actually fall for him. These two both have very different lives but find similarities between them. The rich way of life and entitlement was a bit much. Everyone thinking they deserved the best. Not my favorite book by this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Dani Ryan and NetGalley for this ARC.
I really like Dani's books. This one was a mix for me. The premise was really entertaining and interesting however where the story failed me was writing.
This time the style did not suit me. It could be just me. I found the story bit confusing.
I really wanted to love this story but I am looking forward to more books by Dani Ryan.
I really like Dani's books. This one was a mix for me. The premise was really entertaining and interesting however where the story failed me was writing.
This time the style did not suit me. It could be just me. I found the story bit confusing.
I really wanted to love this story but I am looking forward to more books by Dani Ryan.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I feel bad but I really did not like this book. It kind of just felt all over the place. I almost didn’t finish it but I stayed with it…. Still left me just… confused? I really wanted to love it but I didn’t love the characters.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of the book!
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of the book!
July 25, 2026
Meh- kind of interesting but a bit contrived.
June 25, 2026
Thank you so much to Dani Ryan for the gifted early copy! I had the best time reading this book and seeing Minnie and Nate’s story unfold! I mean, with hidden agendas, high society crowds, and all the tension? The perfect recipe for a feel good summer romance, if you ask me! 😍
I loved getting glimpses of past characters from the Dani Ryan universe in this one (if you’ve read The Morelli Sisters series, you’ll appreciate the nods!) and who doesn’t love a redeemed villain MMC? ❤️🔥
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, @authordaniryan could send me their grocery list (yes, I’ve asked🤣) and I would binge read it to no end. There’s just something so special about the way they tell stories, the banter, and comedic lines while all coming together to create the perfect scene for a binge worthy contemporary romance! 🥹🩵 I’m always hanging on every single word!
If you’re looking for a summer read that would make a great pool-side companion, grab your copy NOW! You don’t want to miss out on experiencing the story of Minnie Mills and Nathaniel Lyons! 🤭
I loved getting glimpses of past characters from the Dani Ryan universe in this one (if you’ve read The Morelli Sisters series, you’ll appreciate the nods!) and who doesn’t love a redeemed villain MMC? ❤️🔥
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, @authordaniryan could send me their grocery list (yes, I’ve asked🤣) and I would binge read it to no end. There’s just something so special about the way they tell stories, the banter, and comedic lines while all coming together to create the perfect scene for a binge worthy contemporary romance! 🥹🩵 I’m always hanging on every single word!
If you’re looking for a summer read that would make a great pool-side companion, grab your copy NOW! You don’t want to miss out on experiencing the story of Minnie Mills and Nathaniel Lyons! 🤭
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