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Our Secret Summer
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Expected 5 May 26Escape to Ibiza in this sparkling summertime romance about a young woman determined to complete her late sister's bucket list, from USA Today bestselling author R. S. Grey, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Abby Jimenez.
At twenty-six, Isabel De Vere already has her whole life mapped out. With a degree from a good school and a closet full of blazers, she is climbing the corporate ladder in her family business, knowing everything will fall into place from there. But Isabel’s paint-by-numbers life falls apart when her vivacious and beloved sister dies, leaving behind an unfinished bucket list.
Isabel escapes to Ibiza for the summer where she becomes free spirited Elle, working at a club by night, checking off items on the bucket list by day. Surfing? Check. Dance till dawn? Check. Get a tattoo? Check. Fall in love? Working on it.
Enter millionaire club owner Cristiano Moreno Winthrop…Isabel's boss. Handsome face permanently marred by his scowl, she can't quite manage to stay away from him. And soon, between late night talks and afternoons on his yacht, Isabel discovers there's more under the surface than she expected…and she might have found the way to finish this bucket list after all.
Equal parts swoony destination romance and a celebration of life after loss, this sun-soaked story is a perfect summertime getaway.
At twenty-six, Isabel De Vere already has her whole life mapped out. With a degree from a good school and a closet full of blazers, she is climbing the corporate ladder in her family business, knowing everything will fall into place from there. But Isabel’s paint-by-numbers life falls apart when her vivacious and beloved sister dies, leaving behind an unfinished bucket list.
Isabel escapes to Ibiza for the summer where she becomes free spirited Elle, working at a club by night, checking off items on the bucket list by day. Surfing? Check. Dance till dawn? Check. Get a tattoo? Check. Fall in love? Working on it.
Enter millionaire club owner Cristiano Moreno Winthrop…Isabel's boss. Handsome face permanently marred by his scowl, she can't quite manage to stay away from him. And soon, between late night talks and afternoons on his yacht, Isabel discovers there's more under the surface than she expected…and she might have found the way to finish this bucket list after all.
Equal parts swoony destination romance and a celebration of life after loss, this sun-soaked story is a perfect summertime getaway.
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 5, 2026
4 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
R.S. Grey
51 books11.9k followersR.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty-five romantic comedies. She loves books, chocolate, reality TV, and cold weather. She lives in Texas with her husband, two daughters, and dog. Visit her at rsgrey.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 26, 2026
Just like any R.S. Grey book I’ve read, you can’t help but fall head over heels in love with the main characters and their love story. The character development for the mains as well as the side characters is so well executed. I would love to continue reading stories about the characters in this Ibiza life. The slow burn in this book is soooo good. Has you begging for more time to read. The will they or won’t they energy is top notch.
Thank you author and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!
Thank you author and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Star Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Heat Scale: 3 out of 5 (there are 3-4 steamy scenes in the book; open door)
Tropes:
grumpy & protective mmc
millionaire romance
office romance
Summary:
Isabel De Vere has always been the more practical and serious sister in contrast to her sister’s adventurous and free-spirited nature. But after her sister’s death, Isabel abandons her blazers in exchange for a bikini and boards a plane to Ibiza to complete her sister’s bucket list. Skinny-dipping? Get a tattoo? Fall in love (but only if the man is smoking hot)? While some of these activities are outside Isabel’s comfort zone, she challenges herself to check off each one while grappling with her grief over her sister’s death. Along the way, Cristiano, her hot boss, becomes her unexpected partner-in-crime in both helping her cross off her items on the list and discovering a chemistry that she never expected having.
Review:
Our Secret Summer is the perfect book for a vacation or reading poolside. It’s light and fun while also touching on some more serious topics, such as grappling with the death of a sibling, pursuing your own path outside of your family’s expectations, and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
I enjoyed the pacing of the book. I think it balanced the fun moments of checking off the bucket list with the more emotional moments of processing her grief well.
It is easy to root for Isabel’s character. Her deep love for her sister, her desire for a fresh start, and her fear of disappointing her parents make her relatable. I also loved Isabel’s relationship with her friends from the club… it was so refreshing to read a book with supportive female friendships! I like how they pushed Isabel out of her comfort zone but also supported her through her more emotional moments.
On the other hand, Cristiano’s character felt a bit undeveloped and surface-level in comparison with Isabel’s character. The balance of perspectives felt a little off since only 5 of the 24 chapters are from Cristiano’s perspective. Since he had such fewer chapters than Isabel, I didn’t quite get the emotional depth with his character as I did hers. Cristiano had such an interesting back story, and I wish it had been explored in more detail so I could connect with his character more.
As for the relationship between Isabel and Cristiano, I have mixed feelings. There were several sweet and romantic moments between the characters, and I liked how the author developed their emotional connection before their physical one. However, Cristiano is overprotective, and at times, his actions go a little too far and become more overbearing for me.
Conclusion:
If you enjoy the summer vibes of Carley Fortune books or sweet romances like in Sarah Adams books, I think you’ll like this one!
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review this ARC!
Heat Scale: 3 out of 5 (there are 3-4 steamy scenes in the book; open door)
Tropes:
grumpy & protective mmc
millionaire romance
office romance
Summary:
Isabel De Vere has always been the more practical and serious sister in contrast to her sister’s adventurous and free-spirited nature. But after her sister’s death, Isabel abandons her blazers in exchange for a bikini and boards a plane to Ibiza to complete her sister’s bucket list. Skinny-dipping? Get a tattoo? Fall in love (but only if the man is smoking hot)? While some of these activities are outside Isabel’s comfort zone, she challenges herself to check off each one while grappling with her grief over her sister’s death. Along the way, Cristiano, her hot boss, becomes her unexpected partner-in-crime in both helping her cross off her items on the list and discovering a chemistry that she never expected having.
Review:
Our Secret Summer is the perfect book for a vacation or reading poolside. It’s light and fun while also touching on some more serious topics, such as grappling with the death of a sibling, pursuing your own path outside of your family’s expectations, and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
I enjoyed the pacing of the book. I think it balanced the fun moments of checking off the bucket list with the more emotional moments of processing her grief well.
It is easy to root for Isabel’s character. Her deep love for her sister, her desire for a fresh start, and her fear of disappointing her parents make her relatable. I also loved Isabel’s relationship with her friends from the club… it was so refreshing to read a book with supportive female friendships! I like how they pushed Isabel out of her comfort zone but also supported her through her more emotional moments.
On the other hand, Cristiano’s character felt a bit undeveloped and surface-level in comparison with Isabel’s character. The balance of perspectives felt a little off since only 5 of the 24 chapters are from Cristiano’s perspective. Since he had such fewer chapters than Isabel, I didn’t quite get the emotional depth with his character as I did hers. Cristiano had such an interesting back story, and I wish it had been explored in more detail so I could connect with his character more.
As for the relationship between Isabel and Cristiano, I have mixed feelings. There were several sweet and romantic moments between the characters, and I liked how the author developed their emotional connection before their physical one. However, Cristiano is overprotective, and at times, his actions go a little too far and become more overbearing for me.
Conclusion:
If you enjoy the summer vibes of Carley Fortune books or sweet romances like in Sarah Adams books, I think you’ll like this one!
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review this ARC!
February 1, 2026
I absolutely loved Our Secret Summer. From the start, the story pulled me in and held my attention all the way through. If I had to compare it, I’d say it feels like a blend of A Walk to Remember and Fifty Shades of Grey—minus the dominatrix element 😄. It has emotional depth, romance, and just the right amount of intensity without feeling overwhelming.
What really stood out to me was the emotional journey of the main character. The way the author explores healing, growth, and finding strength again is both heartfelt and inspiring. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel deeply connected to the characters and invested in their outcomes.
I also loved how the author brought important relationships to life in such a vivid way. Even characters who aren’t directly present feel real and meaningful, which speaks to how well the story is written and woven together.
Overall, Our Secret Summer is a beautifully written, heartwarming novel that balances romance and emotion perfectly. It’s the kind of book that stays with you after you finish it—and one I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a touching, unforgettable read.
What really stood out to me was the emotional journey of the main character. The way the author explores healing, growth, and finding strength again is both heartfelt and inspiring. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel deeply connected to the characters and invested in their outcomes.
I also loved how the author brought important relationships to life in such a vivid way. Even characters who aren’t directly present feel real and meaningful, which speaks to how well the story is written and woven together.
Overall, Our Secret Summer is a beautifully written, heartwarming novel that balances romance and emotion perfectly. It’s the kind of book that stays with you after you finish it—and one I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a touching, unforgettable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Isabel llega a Ibiza con una maleta llena de vestidos, dinero, muchas ganas de hacer algo distinto por primera vez en su vida y cumplir los deseos de su hermana. No le dice a sus padres que está ahí, se hospeda en hostales dudosos y tiene claro que ese verano es para vivirlo sin pensar demasiado. El plan se complica rápido cuando la roban, no consigue trabajo y se da cuenta de que la isla no es solo fiesta y libertad, también puede ser dura si estás sola. Todo cambia cuando conoce a Cristiano, un hombre serio, poderoso y completamente fuera de su mundo, alguien que parece tenerlo todo menos tiempo y ganas de sentir. Lo que empieza como un cruce inesperado en medio del caos se va convirtiendo en algo que ninguno tenía planeado para ese verano.
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Le falta más desarrollo en el principio, sobre todo en Cristiano.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
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Le falta más desarrollo en el principio, sobre todo en Cristiano.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
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January 29, 2026Our Secret Summer was a quick and enjoyable read. The Ibiza setting was fun to read about on a cold day. This will be a good summer book. I liked Elle’s character and thought R.S. Grey did a wonderful job creating a likable, easy-to-root-for main character. I especially adored her relationships with Simone and Annika. Their friendship felt supportive and genuine. Elle and Cristiano’s relationship was fine, though I wasn’t the biggest fan of how Elle treated Cristiano at the beginning. I did like that Cristiano helped Elle with the bucket list. Cristiano's character did feel a little underdeveloped. Even though we got a few chapters from his perspective, they were too far and few between, which made it harder to fully connect with him. I’ve been reading R.S. Grey for years and can always count on her books for a fast and fun read. Our Secret Summer was no exception. Thank you to Edelweiss and Hachette Book Group for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a heartwarming story about grief, healing, and self discovery.
The book follows Isabel, a retail princess from California, to Ibiza where she is determined to carry out her late sister Winnie’s bucket list. She leaves behind her life of wealth and finds herself working in one of the Islands most prominent night clubs. With the help of her swoon worthy boss Cristiano, Isabel begins working through Winnie’s bucket list.
I loved that this book FELT like a summer vacation to Ibiza. It was fun, warm, and a breath of fresh air. Just know if I ever met a man like Cristiano on my travels, I would never return home. 🤭
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
The book follows Isabel, a retail princess from California, to Ibiza where she is determined to carry out her late sister Winnie’s bucket list. She leaves behind her life of wealth and finds herself working in one of the Islands most prominent night clubs. With the help of her swoon worthy boss Cristiano, Isabel begins working through Winnie’s bucket list.
I loved that this book FELT like a summer vacation to Ibiza. It was fun, warm, and a breath of fresh air. Just know if I ever met a man like Cristiano on my travels, I would never return home. 🤭
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Our Secret Summer is a gentle, heartfelt story about love, loss, and healing. The premise of a sister completing her late sister’s bucket list is a lovely idea, and it adds emotional meaning to the journey.
I found this to be a quick and easy read, finishing it in about three days, which I appreciated. While the story is sweet and well-intentioned, I didn’t fully connect with the characters and found the development fairly surface-level. The romance and emotional growth are slower and more understated than my personal taste, which kept me from becoming deeply engaged.
Overall, it’s a soft, reflective read that will likely appeal to readers who enjoy gentle pacing and emotionally quiet stories about grief and moving forward.
I found this to be a quick and easy read, finishing it in about three days, which I appreciated. While the story is sweet and well-intentioned, I didn’t fully connect with the characters and found the development fairly surface-level. The romance and emotional growth are slower and more understated than my personal taste, which kept me from becoming deeply engaged.
Overall, it’s a soft, reflective read that will likely appeal to readers who enjoy gentle pacing and emotionally quiet stories about grief and moving forward.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Our Secret Summer.. what can I say! I loved all the elements in this book: grief, adventure, banter, love, friendship, taking chances.
I was sucked it in from the beginning. I could see the summer playing out before my eyes and wanted to be there. The main character Isabel and Cristiano had emotional depth and honestly which I loved.
The female friend group who rallied made the story even better. We all need our girl gang.
Without any spoilers, in the end this book took me for a summer ride that I couldn’t put down.
*I received this ARC and promise an honest review!”
I was sucked it in from the beginning. I could see the summer playing out before my eyes and wanted to be there. The main character Isabel and Cristiano had emotional depth and honestly which I loved.
The female friend group who rallied made the story even better. We all need our girl gang.
Without any spoilers, in the end this book took me for a summer ride that I couldn’t put down.
*I received this ARC and promise an honest review!”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Our Secret Summer by R.S. Grey is a heartfelt, emotionally grounded summer read. Centered around a bucket list left behind by the heroine’s late sister, the story beautifully explores grief, healing, and honoring love in quiet, meaningful ways. I especially loved the friendships she forms—the girlhood felt natural, warm, and authentic. The romance is a gentle slow burn that develops organically, with tender chemistry that complements the emotional journey rather than overshadowing it. A comforting story about love in all its forms.
January 31, 2026
3.5 stars- my first ARC!! What a fun little vacation romance book :) I liked the main characters n the fun of being in Ibiza and the drama. It felt like it was lacking depth at some points and the main character's romance also felt a little lacking in depth. I feel like it couldve been longer maybe and have more plot and conflict so we could have known the characters better. But fun and enjoyed reading :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
RS Grey stays one of my favorite authors with her ability to write fun, easy to read romance novels that hook you from the first chapter. Our Secret Summer is the perfect summer beach read, filled with adventure on the island of Ibiza and a heart-warming romance that will leave you swooning. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a quick read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Our Secret Summer was a phenomenal read filled with healing, adventure, growth, friendship, and love. I absolutely enjoyed this read.
Isabel embarks on a summer that will change her life forever. This is a perfect summer book by R.S. Grey.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC!
Isabel embarks on a summer that will change her life forever. This is a perfect summer book by R.S. Grey.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC!
February 4, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book. The main heroine while very rich is not entitled which I admired. There were some very steamy scenes but not to access. Beautiful story, very romantic. Recommend to anyone who likes a good romance.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun read perfect for the summer.. A bucket list summer in Ibiza? yes please..
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews