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A Nantucket Fling: A Novel – A Delightful Age Gap Rom-Com about a Career Woman and the Single Dad Who Steals Her Heart
A casual summer fling between a businesswoman on vacation in Nantucket and a young single dad turns into something more in this delightful rom-com from the author of Booked for the Summer.
Olivia is a fiercely independent woman climbing the ladder of corporate finance. But when her family demands she take time off to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket, she reluctantly agrees.
On the island, she catches the eye of a handsome, cocky, playboy type—also ten years her junior. Olivia’s sisters egg her on, encouraging a summer fling, but she’s more interested in catching up on her finance reading. Except…he’s funny and sexy, and doing her ego a world of good.
Connor might come across as a playboy because he was one, eight years ago. That all stopped when he became a dad and found himself raising his daughter single-handedly. But this summer, she’s with her grandparents for a month while he’s in Nantucket, working in a restaurant with the hopes of opening his own one day. His time on the island also provides a rare to forget the struggles of being a single dad and become the carefree guy he used to be, who very much enjoyed flirting with the opposite sex. Especially when they’re cool, classy, probably older than him, and most definitely out of his league.
As their attraction steadily grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax her tightly held control and indulge in the fling she won’t admit she needs. But too soon, the holiday is over and they’re back home, living two very different lives. When Connor’s presented with an opportunity to see Olivia again, he leaps at it, but this time it’s different. He’s no longer a charming young playboy but a struggling single dad. A relationship, a family, is not what Olivia wants.
And yet, neither can ignore the intense chemistry that didn’t go away after the summer. Are they just a Nantucket fling... or something much more?
Opposites attractAge gapSummer flingNo strings attachedSingle dad
Olivia is a fiercely independent woman climbing the ladder of corporate finance. But when her family demands she take time off to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket, she reluctantly agrees.
On the island, she catches the eye of a handsome, cocky, playboy type—also ten years her junior. Olivia’s sisters egg her on, encouraging a summer fling, but she’s more interested in catching up on her finance reading. Except…he’s funny and sexy, and doing her ego a world of good.
Connor might come across as a playboy because he was one, eight years ago. That all stopped when he became a dad and found himself raising his daughter single-handedly. But this summer, she’s with her grandparents for a month while he’s in Nantucket, working in a restaurant with the hopes of opening his own one day. His time on the island also provides a rare to forget the struggles of being a single dad and become the carefree guy he used to be, who very much enjoyed flirting with the opposite sex. Especially when they’re cool, classy, probably older than him, and most definitely out of his league.
As their attraction steadily grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax her tightly held control and indulge in the fling she won’t admit she needs. But too soon, the holiday is over and they’re back home, living two very different lives. When Connor’s presented with an opportunity to see Olivia again, he leaps at it, but this time it’s different. He’s no longer a charming young playboy but a struggling single dad. A relationship, a family, is not what Olivia wants.
And yet, neither can ignore the intense chemistry that didn’t go away after the summer. Are they just a Nantucket fling... or something much more?
Opposites attractAge gapSummer flingNo strings attachedSingle dad
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
Kathryn Freeman
28 books455 followersI was born in Wallingford, England and have spent most of my life living in a village outside Windsor. A former pharmacist, former pharmaceutical industry employee I’m now a self-employed medical writer who also loves to write romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero…
I’ve two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to bother buying a card again this year (yes, he does) so the romance in my life is all in my head. Then again, my husband’s unstinting support of my career change goes to prove that love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes can come in many disguises
I’ve two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to bother buying a card again this year (yes, he does) so the romance in my life is all in my head. Then again, my husband’s unstinting support of my career change goes to prove that love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes can come in many disguises
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked this up expecting a light, summery romance, and for the most part, it was exactly that—Nantucket, sunshine, playful flirtation, and Connor, who really does deserve a medal for being this patient, kind, and quietly devoted.
Moments like this…
…genuinely made me smile. Connor’s heart is just so steady and giving in a way that makes you want to protect him. He truly elevates the story.
The book isn’t just romance, either. There’s a strong theme about career versus happiness. Olivia’s journey of learning to let go of rigid control and consider what really matters beyond work is meaningful.
That said… Olivia tested me. 😭😭 She’s very focused on her career, and it took a long time for her to show any real growth. For over half the book, I found her frustrating, self-focused, & so oblivious to Connor’s consistency and care. She does come around eventually, and the payoff works, but getting there felt slow and occasionally exhausting.
I will say, Connor’s devotion & persistence makes him impossible not to adore, and it’s clear the story works best when the focus is on him.
I really loved the epilogue. It felt warm, satisfying, and a perfect way to close the book after the slow build. It’s one of my favorite parts for sure. 👏🏼
Overall, this was a cute read with sweet moments and meaningful themes, but Olivia’s initial selfishness held it back from being truly exceptional for me. 😔 Connor carries the heart of the story, and the emotional payoff eventually does land… it just takes a bit to get there.
things to know about the book ↓
🦞 opposites attract
🦞 reverse age gap (she’s 39 / he’s 28)
🦞 single dad
🦞 vacation fling turned more
🦞 slow emotional growth
🦞 third person POV (hers)
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Moments like this…
“Livvy, I could go a week without sleep and still not be too tired to spend an evening with you”
“You should never not feel attractive, wanted, desired… Anyone who’s made you feel less than that didn’t deserve to share the same air as you.”
…genuinely made me smile. Connor’s heart is just so steady and giving in a way that makes you want to protect him. He truly elevates the story.
The book isn’t just romance, either. There’s a strong theme about career versus happiness. Olivia’s journey of learning to let go of rigid control and consider what really matters beyond work is meaningful.
That said… Olivia tested me. 😭😭 She’s very focused on her career, and it took a long time for her to show any real growth. For over half the book, I found her frustrating, self-focused, & so oblivious to Connor’s consistency and care. She does come around eventually, and the payoff works, but getting there felt slow and occasionally exhausting.
I will say, Connor’s devotion & persistence makes him impossible not to adore, and it’s clear the story works best when the focus is on him.
I really loved the epilogue. It felt warm, satisfying, and a perfect way to close the book after the slow build. It’s one of my favorite parts for sure. 👏🏼
Overall, this was a cute read with sweet moments and meaningful themes, but Olivia’s initial selfishness held it back from being truly exceptional for me. 😔 Connor carries the heart of the story, and the emotional payoff eventually does land… it just takes a bit to get there.
things to know about the book ↓
🦞 opposites attract
🦞 reverse age gap (she’s 39 / he’s 28)
🦞 single dad
🦞 vacation fling turned more
🦞 slow emotional growth
🦞 third person POV (hers)
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 12, 2026
I received a free copy of, A Nantucket Fling, by Kathryn Freeman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Olivia is in Nantucket for her niece's bachelorette party. This book was not for me. i did not like the characters at all. The setting was nice but they were not on Nantucket long at all.
June 5, 2026
1.5 ⭐️
So most of this book actually does not take place in nantucket. It doesn’t even mostly take place in new england! Instead we go back to old england and watch these two british assholes not communicate and fall in love for some reason.
The writing of this book was very odd, most of the titular fling was actually told almost in flashback like,
Connor: “oh i’m going to take you on a great date tomorrow “
*next chapter*
Olivia: “wow that week was great, we went parasailing and skinny dipping and did all this cool stuff”
Obviously this makes their connection fall pretty flat since we don’t actually get to see most of the bonding in nantucket stuff! There’s just so much of the characters eating dinner and talking about other more interesting scenes. This translates to the spice as well, it’s a very weird mix of kind of open door? But also kind of fade to black? Open door but the reader is standing in another room? I don’t have a preference either way for what a book does with spice but the mix in this book was very strange
My biggest problem with this book however, was that it’s not until the 50% mark (that’s right, HALFWAY THROUGH) that Connor tells Olivia he has a daughter?? And Olivia doesn’t want kids??? And then they just sort of, move on and move past that??? I knew this book wasn’t going to have a satisfying resolution bc there’s no way they should’ve stayed together after that.
I also hated both the characters. Connor is pushy, disorganized to the point of hurting people around him, and disrespecting of Olivia’s boundaries. Olivia is an insufferable workaholic who looks down on people who have hobbies and a life bc she just love spreadsheets so much. I’m fine with a career woman! Go get those spreadsheets girl! But she is so extraordinarily rude to her family at nearly every point in this book it made me wonder why they even still bother with her.
Then the book progresses and Olivia decides she’s changing what she wants and she actually does want kids and a husband, happily ever after the end. What did Connor give up, huh? Nothing! He has no equivalent growth or sacrifice in this book.
I’m giving the half star only for how cute the daughter, Ellie was. She deserves better parents
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book!
So most of this book actually does not take place in nantucket. It doesn’t even mostly take place in new england! Instead we go back to old england and watch these two british assholes not communicate and fall in love for some reason.
The writing of this book was very odd, most of the titular fling was actually told almost in flashback like,
Connor: “oh i’m going to take you on a great date tomorrow “
*next chapter*
Olivia: “wow that week was great, we went parasailing and skinny dipping and did all this cool stuff”
Obviously this makes their connection fall pretty flat since we don’t actually get to see most of the bonding in nantucket stuff! There’s just so much of the characters eating dinner and talking about other more interesting scenes. This translates to the spice as well, it’s a very weird mix of kind of open door? But also kind of fade to black? Open door but the reader is standing in another room? I don’t have a preference either way for what a book does with spice but the mix in this book was very strange
My biggest problem with this book however, was that it’s not until the 50% mark (that’s right, HALFWAY THROUGH) that Connor tells Olivia he has a daughter?? And Olivia doesn’t want kids??? And then they just sort of, move on and move past that??? I knew this book wasn’t going to have a satisfying resolution bc there’s no way they should’ve stayed together after that.
I also hated both the characters. Connor is pushy, disorganized to the point of hurting people around him, and disrespecting of Olivia’s boundaries. Olivia is an insufferable workaholic who looks down on people who have hobbies and a life bc she just love spreadsheets so much. I’m fine with a career woman! Go get those spreadsheets girl! But she is so extraordinarily rude to her family at nearly every point in this book it made me wonder why they even still bother with her.
Then the book progresses and Olivia decides she’s changing what she wants and she actually does want kids and a husband, happily ever after the end. What did Connor give up, huh? Nothing! He has no equivalent growth or sacrifice in this book.
I’m giving the half star only for how cute the daughter, Ellie was. She deserves better parents
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I ultimately landed on a 3-star rating for A Nantucket Fling, though if I’m being honest, that feels a bit generous. In my personal rating system, two stars usually means “not great,” and while this book wasn’t terrible, it never quite rose above average.
One of the strongest draws for me was the Nantucket setting. Having grown up in New England, I have a deep affection for coastal summers, and I was excited for a story that captured that atmosphere. Unfortunately, the setting ended up being more appealing than the story itself.
Much of the narrative centers on Olivia’s fixation on her age and Connor being “so young.” At 39, Olivia is hardly old. She’s still very much in the midst of her adult life, and the repeated emphasis on this age gap felt exaggerated rather than compelling. A larger age difference might have created more meaningful tension, but here it came across as forced and overly repetitive.
Neither main character fully worked for me. Olivia wasn’t a particularly engaging or sympathetic female lead, and Connor’s motivations felt shallow, often coming across as primarily physical rather than emotionally driven. The novel seems unsure of its own identity: it isn’t presented as a steamy romance, yet it frequently skirts that territory, while also lacking the warmth, humor, or emotional depth that would make it a satisfying romantic fiction.
Without strong romantic chemistry or comedic elements, the story struggled to find its footing. In the end, A Nantucket Fling sits in an awkward middle ground — not bad enough to dislike outright, but not memorable enough to truly recommend.
I ultimately landed on a 3-star rating for A Nantucket Fling, though if I’m being honest, that feels a bit generous. In my personal rating system, two stars usually means “not great,” and while this book wasn’t terrible, it never quite rose above average.
One of the strongest draws for me was the Nantucket setting. Having grown up in New England, I have a deep affection for coastal summers, and I was excited for a story that captured that atmosphere. Unfortunately, the setting ended up being more appealing than the story itself.
Much of the narrative centers on Olivia’s fixation on her age and Connor being “so young.” At 39, Olivia is hardly old. She’s still very much in the midst of her adult life, and the repeated emphasis on this age gap felt exaggerated rather than compelling. A larger age difference might have created more meaningful tension, but here it came across as forced and overly repetitive.
Neither main character fully worked for me. Olivia wasn’t a particularly engaging or sympathetic female lead, and Connor’s motivations felt shallow, often coming across as primarily physical rather than emotionally driven. The novel seems unsure of its own identity: it isn’t presented as a steamy romance, yet it frequently skirts that territory, while also lacking the warmth, humor, or emotional depth that would make it a satisfying romantic fiction.
Without strong romantic chemistry or comedic elements, the story struggled to find its footing. In the end, A Nantucket Fling sits in an awkward middle ground — not bad enough to dislike outright, but not memorable enough to truly recommend.
June 21, 2026
This was such a fun, feel-good read and officially my second book by Kathryn Freeman that I’ve really enjoyed. She has a knack for writing romances that feel light and entertaining while still giving the characters enough depth to keep me invested.
The plot centers around a successful, fiercely independent woman who reluctantly heads to Nantucket for a family wedding and ends up crossing paths with a younger single dad who is nothing like she expected. What starts as a no-strings-attached summer fling slowly evolves into something much more meaningful, and I loved watching the walls come down on both sides. The age gap, the different stages of life, and the push-and-pull between logic and emotion all made for a compelling dynamic.
Connor absolutely stole the show for me. His devotion to his daughter balanced perfectly with his charm, and the chemistry between him and Olivia felt natural from the very beginning. Add in the gorgeous Nantucket setting, plenty of humor, and just enough emotional weight, and it made for a romance that was easy to fly through.
If you’re looking for a sweet, breezy rom-com with heart, this one is definitely worth picking up. Kathryn Freeman is quickly becoming an author I’ll happily keep reaching for.
The plot centers around a successful, fiercely independent woman who reluctantly heads to Nantucket for a family wedding and ends up crossing paths with a younger single dad who is nothing like she expected. What starts as a no-strings-attached summer fling slowly evolves into something much more meaningful, and I loved watching the walls come down on both sides. The age gap, the different stages of life, and the push-and-pull between logic and emotion all made for a compelling dynamic.
Connor absolutely stole the show for me. His devotion to his daughter balanced perfectly with his charm, and the chemistry between him and Olivia felt natural from the very beginning. Add in the gorgeous Nantucket setting, plenty of humor, and just enough emotional weight, and it made for a romance that was easy to fly through.
If you’re looking for a sweet, breezy rom-com with heart, this one is definitely worth picking up. Kathryn Freeman is quickly becoming an author I’ll happily keep reaching for.
Did Not Finish
June 14, 2026I requested this book because I was in need for a cute romcom to start off my summer. And when I read the summary I thought this was going to be a good match. However I personally saw myself a lot in the MC and if the people around me were to act like her “friends” were acting I’d have cut a lot of people off. Also I cannot stand the love interest, how many times does she have to reject you before you respect it? I genuinely couldn’t feel any chemistry between them and I don’t want to read a romance that starts off with this dynamic.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2026
I really get what this book was trying to do. It wants to capture the Elin Hilderbrand/pumpkin spice café loving crowd and I think there were some opportunities to do so. Olivia is a corporate baddie who is on Nantucket for her sisters hen do when she runs across Connor, a bartender whose job is to flirt and earn tips. The two hook up and there are feelings. What Olivia doesn’t know is that Connor is also a young dad struggling to get by in the off season and Olivia is not looking for a relationship.
Connor is steadfast in his support, to a point where it’s almost nauseating how much he is willing to rearrange his life and be at Olivia’s beck and call. I also HATED the fact that it took him halfway through the book, after he is already head over heels and committing way too much time to someone who is saying she isn’t interested, to even tell Olivia that he has a daughter. She also got over that WAY too quickly. Olivia is also hard to get on board with, it’s not that she’s stubborn and set in her ways, it’s that she didn’t seem to have any growth for much of the book.
I also hated the epilogue because of how quickly Olivia gave up on some of the things that were so important to her- like not having kids.
A Nantucket Fling is due to be published June 9, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review. As this is an advanced copy, some facts in my review may differ from the final version.
Connor is steadfast in his support, to a point where it’s almost nauseating how much he is willing to rearrange his life and be at Olivia’s beck and call. I also HATED the fact that it took him halfway through the book, after he is already head over heels and committing way too much time to someone who is saying she isn’t interested, to even tell Olivia that he has a daughter. She also got over that WAY too quickly. Olivia is also hard to get on board with, it’s not that she’s stubborn and set in her ways, it’s that she didn’t seem to have any growth for much of the book.
I also hated the epilogue because of how quickly Olivia gave up on some of the things that were so important to her- like not having kids.
A Nantucket Fling is due to be published June 9, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review. As this is an advanced copy, some facts in my review may differ from the final version.
June 8, 2026
I give this a 3.75 rounded up
I love a good single dad trope. Throw in that the FMC of this is older. she's 39. and her love interest is younger by roughly 10 years. Olivia is a workaholic and trying to a get a promotion. But her family has her come to Nantucket to go to her niece's bachelorette party. Here she meets Connor. He seems like a playboy but there is more to him. I did like them together. As one would think with a "reverse" age gap trope you can imagine what the issue might be when it comes to a some of the discourse that comes up with her being a workaholic in the corporate world might be. That would be image. But I like how it all ends up playing out. I will say though the title says Nantucket Fling. only part of it takes place there as the rest of them building their relationship takes places elsewhere. I still enjoyed the interactions between both Connor and Olivia and also Ellie, Connor's daughter. It was a pretty fast read and a nice palette cleanser.
When it came to the audio we have Karen Cass narrating. I enjoyed her accent. I think her pacing was great and I was able to listen to her at higher rates of speed without any issues. She was able to do a variety of voices so that I could differentiate between characters. Overall a great production. I would defiantly listen to this again and I think that it actually elevated the writing.
Thank you to Avon for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love a good single dad trope. Throw in that the FMC of this is older. she's 39. and her love interest is younger by roughly 10 years. Olivia is a workaholic and trying to a get a promotion. But her family has her come to Nantucket to go to her niece's bachelorette party. Here she meets Connor. He seems like a playboy but there is more to him. I did like them together. As one would think with a "reverse" age gap trope you can imagine what the issue might be when it comes to a some of the discourse that comes up with her being a workaholic in the corporate world might be. That would be image. But I like how it all ends up playing out. I will say though the title says Nantucket Fling. only part of it takes place there as the rest of them building their relationship takes places elsewhere. I still enjoyed the interactions between both Connor and Olivia and also Ellie, Connor's daughter. It was a pretty fast read and a nice palette cleanser.
When it came to the audio we have Karen Cass narrating. I enjoyed her accent. I think her pacing was great and I was able to listen to her at higher rates of speed without any issues. She was able to do a variety of voices so that I could differentiate between characters. Overall a great production. I would defiantly listen to this again and I think that it actually elevated the writing.
Thank you to Avon for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2026
Single dad Connor is working in Nantucket for the summer while his daughter is back with his parents in England. Olivia is a workaholic whose family had to convince her to take some time out to come to Nantucket for a family wedding.
Olivia has her mind set on what she wants from her future and a relationship isn't in the cards for her because she doesnt have the time so when she meets Connor, who is quite a bit younger than her (a point that got repeated a lot more than necessary imo) the sparks fly and they agree to just have a fling for the time they are on the island. Of course they develop feelings and have to figure out how to navigate them in the real world and whether or not their future includes each other, especially since Olivia has said she doesn't want kids and Connor has Olivia, who is my favorite character in the book, btw.
If you're looking for you're next read that's women's fiction based on a career centered FMC, romance with a little steam and a whole lot of Friends references, this book is for you!
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review
Olivia has her mind set on what she wants from her future and a relationship isn't in the cards for her because she doesnt have the time so when she meets Connor, who is quite a bit younger than her (a point that got repeated a lot more than necessary imo) the sparks fly and they agree to just have a fling for the time they are on the island. Of course they develop feelings and have to figure out how to navigate them in the real world and whether or not their future includes each other, especially since Olivia has said she doesn't want kids and Connor has Olivia, who is my favorite character in the book, btw.
If you're looking for you're next read that's women's fiction based on a career centered FMC, romance with a little steam and a whole lot of Friends references, this book is for you!
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review
June 12, 2026
Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was excited for this one because I enjoyed book 1 in the series, but this one fell a bit flat for me. There were so many sisters and nieces in the beginning of the book it was a bit hard trying to keep track of who everyone was. Once I figured out who everyone was it was tough to buy into the romance between Olivia and Connor because it felt a little off to me. For most of their time on Nantucket he was kind of idly chasing her and almost begging her to sleep with him, which honestly just felt icky to me. And then there’s the fact that he withholds that he is a single dad to his daughter until half way through the book, that felt extremely off putting to me as well.
I did enjoy that by the end of the book Olivia seemed to grow and change her view on life and what it means to be successful to her, I just felt like the story could have come about in a more up front, honest, and realistic way.
So sadly this was a miss for me, but others may enjoy this as a summer beach read!
I listened to the audio and the narrator was great, I enjoyed the British accent to really bring the characters to life!
I was excited for this one because I enjoyed book 1 in the series, but this one fell a bit flat for me. There were so many sisters and nieces in the beginning of the book it was a bit hard trying to keep track of who everyone was. Once I figured out who everyone was it was tough to buy into the romance between Olivia and Connor because it felt a little off to me. For most of their time on Nantucket he was kind of idly chasing her and almost begging her to sleep with him, which honestly just felt icky to me. And then there’s the fact that he withholds that he is a single dad to his daughter until half way through the book, that felt extremely off putting to me as well.
I did enjoy that by the end of the book Olivia seemed to grow and change her view on life and what it means to be successful to her, I just felt like the story could have come about in a more up front, honest, and realistic way.
So sadly this was a miss for me, but others may enjoy this as a summer beach read!
I listened to the audio and the narrator was great, I enjoyed the British accent to really bring the characters to life!
July 7, 2026
This was my first book by this author and I liked her writing style. It was a quick read that flowed nicely.
Connor was by far the highlight of this book for me, especially in the second half. Olivia I really struggled to connect with and whilst I did warm to her a bit nearer the end, overall I wasn’t a fan. Her obsession with her job was pretty much her only personality trait and felt like it dominated so much of the storyline, at times feeling like it was just going round and round in circles. She was really quite standoff-ish and rude at times too and I thought Connor deserved better.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Connor was by far the highlight of this book for me, especially in the second half. Olivia I really struggled to connect with and whilst I did warm to her a bit nearer the end, overall I wasn’t a fan. Her obsession with her job was pretty much her only personality trait and felt like it dominated so much of the storyline, at times feeling like it was just going round and round in circles. She was really quite standoff-ish and rude at times too and I thought Connor deserved better.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
June 8, 2026
There aren’t many things more likely to put me in the mood for summer reading than a gorgeous escape from Kathryn Freeman. Always fun, Kathryn’s books never fail to have me turning the pages way past my bedtime.
In A Nantucket Fling, we meet the bold and determined professional powerhouse, Olivia. She has no time for romance or dating as she’s determined to land the big promotion and secure her position on the corporate ladder. While I have very little in common with Olivia, I completely understand what it’s like to work in a male-dominated sector and be constantly trying to prove that my place is earned and unassailable. However, it didn’t take much digging to discover that underneath her tough exterior, Olivia was family-oriented and perhaps ready for a little romance.
We then met Connor. It was immediately obvious that he would challenge Olivia, but I was unsure whether his intentions were purely for fun or if he could be serious. I liked him. He was witty and considerate, and seemed to exude raw masculinity without being toxic.
A Nantucket Fling is a light-hearted story with a generous sprinkling of spice and a fun approach to some of my favourite tropes. The flirtations between Olivia and Connor were rather delicious and I could feel the chemistry rising from the pages.
If you fancy a trip to Massachusetts in the sunshine, you’ll enjoy this gorgeous escape.
In A Nantucket Fling, we meet the bold and determined professional powerhouse, Olivia. She has no time for romance or dating as she’s determined to land the big promotion and secure her position on the corporate ladder. While I have very little in common with Olivia, I completely understand what it’s like to work in a male-dominated sector and be constantly trying to prove that my place is earned and unassailable. However, it didn’t take much digging to discover that underneath her tough exterior, Olivia was family-oriented and perhaps ready for a little romance.
We then met Connor. It was immediately obvious that he would challenge Olivia, but I was unsure whether his intentions were purely for fun or if he could be serious. I liked him. He was witty and considerate, and seemed to exude raw masculinity without being toxic.
A Nantucket Fling is a light-hearted story with a generous sprinkling of spice and a fun approach to some of my favourite tropes. The flirtations between Olivia and Connor were rather delicious and I could feel the chemistry rising from the pages.
If you fancy a trip to Massachusetts in the sunshine, you’ll enjoy this gorgeous escape.
Want to Read
July 3, 2026🌊☀️ A Nantucket Fling ☀️🌊
📖 Bookish Thoughts
Full ARC Review to come!
💛 What to Expect
• Opposites Attract
• Age Gap Romance
• Summer Fling
• Single Dad
• Vacation Romance
• Beach Town Setting
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
Full ARC Review to come!
💛 What to Expect
• Opposites Attract
• Age Gap Romance
• Summer Fling
• Single Dad
• Vacation Romance
• Beach Town Setting
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
June 18, 2026
What a sweet and thoughtful read!
Connor is the type of man every woman would willingly fall back on soft surface to sigh over.
My heart went out to him because he fell hard and fast first and showed up every time for Olivia.
Olivia was a hard nut to crack but finally she saw the numbers tallied on her spreadsheet that came out to the sum she needed.
Olivia’s family were stellar and Ellie a delight.
I loved the setting on Nantucket because the island works its charm on everyone.
Thanks Avon, NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advance copy.
Connor is the type of man every woman would willingly fall back on soft surface to sigh over.
My heart went out to him because he fell hard and fast first and showed up every time for Olivia.
Olivia was a hard nut to crack but finally she saw the numbers tallied on her spreadsheet that came out to the sum she needed.
Olivia’s family were stellar and Ellie a delight.
I loved the setting on Nantucket because the island works its charm on everyone.
Thanks Avon, NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advance copy.
January 11, 2026
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This started out slow, but then picked up for me towards the second half. I really adored Connor; he was charming and sweet and I loved getting to see his moments as a dad. I didn't really enjoy Olivia's character and found myself being annoyed at her at times. There was also moments I wasn't completely sold on the chemistry between the two specifically in the beginning, but then there was other moments where I felt myself enjoying their dynamic. Overall it was a cute and lighthearted read to start the year.
This started out slow, but then picked up for me towards the second half. I really adored Connor; he was charming and sweet and I loved getting to see his moments as a dad. I didn't really enjoy Olivia's character and found myself being annoyed at her at times. There was also moments I wasn't completely sold on the chemistry between the two specifically in the beginning, but then there was other moments where I felt myself enjoying their dynamic. Overall it was a cute and lighthearted read to start the year.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There is something deeply unwell about flying to Nantucket for a wedding and thinking, “Perfect, I’ll finally catch up on finance reports.” Olivia, babe… what are we doing. You are on an island. There is sand. There are cocktails. There is no reason for a spreadsheet to be involved in this narrative.
And then Connor shows up like the universe said, “What if we fix her, but in a hot, slightly cocky, chef-coded way?” This man is younger, charming, and way too good at zeroing in on Olivia like she’s a locked puzzle he’s decided to solve recreationally. Not in a creepy way, in a “I’m going to flirt with you until you accidentally feel something” way. Which, I regret to inform everyone, works.
The premise is elite rom-com nonsense in the best way. Opposites attract, age gap, meddling sisters who absolutely need to be stopped but also… kind of right. And of course, the classic lie we all tell ourselves: this is just a fling. Casual. No strings. Totally chill. Meanwhile I’m sitting there like, oh you sweet, emotionally repressed fools, you are about to ruin your own lives.
The Nantucket section? Inject it directly into my veins. It’s all banter, tension, and that very specific vacation delusion where you think you’ve become a different, hotter, more spontaneous version of yourself. Olivia starts loosening up, Connor is thriving, and the sisters are basically running a full-time matchmaking operation in the background. At one point I was like, are they on payroll? Do they get commission if this turns into a relationship?
But then… reality. And I actually respect this book for not just ending on the beach with a kiss and a vague promise. No, we go back to real life, where Olivia has her high-powered career and Connor has, you know, an entire child and responsibilities and a dream of opening his own restaurant. Suddenly it’s not just flirty beach walks, it’s logistics, timing, emotional availability, all the unsexy stuff that actually makes or breaks a relationship.
And Olivia… I need to talk to you for a second. I understand you. I do. Being a woman clawing your way up in a male-dominated field while everyone around you is like “but have you tried love?” is enough to make anyone want to throw a laptop. Her need for control makes sense. Her resistance makes sense. But there were moments I was fully pacing my living room like, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE A JOB AND ALSO KISS A MAN, THESE THINGS CAN COEXIST.
Connor, meanwhile, is out here doing the absolute most in a way that is mostly endearing. Single dad, chef, emotionally persistent without being a walking red flag. There are moments where he feels a little too driven by pure attraction, like sir, do you have a long-term plan or are you just vibing, but then he’ll have a sweet moment with his daughter or show actual patience with Olivia and I’m like… okay fine. You win. I get it.
Their chemistry is honestly chaotic. Sometimes it’s electric, like I was fully kicking my feet, giggling, having a great time. Other times I was staring at the page like… do you two actually like each other or are you both just obsessed with the tension? It never fully falls apart, but it does live in that weird in-between space where you want just a little more emotional depth to really sell the “this is worth upending my life” energy.
Also, the age gap spiral. We need to release Olivia from whatever internal crisis she’s having about being 39. You are not ancient. You are not a relic. The way this comes up over and over, I started feeling like I was trapped in her internal monologue, just gently whispering, “it’s fine, he’s just younger, not a time traveler.”
Still… there’s something about this book that works. It’s easy, it’s breezy, it’s giving “watching a slightly messy rom-com on a Sunday with snacks and no responsibilities.” You get family chaos, career angst, a man who cooks, and a woman who has to confront the horrifying idea that maybe she wants more than she planned. It’s predictable, but in a comforting way, like you know exactly what emotional beats are coming and you’re still happy to show up for them.
By the end, I was charmed. Not devastated, not spiraling, but satisfied. Like finishing a beach read and immediately wanting another drink. A solid 3.5 stars, living right in that space where I had fun, I rolled my eyes, I yelled at the characters a little, and I still rooted for them anyway.
Would I bring this to the beach? Absolutely. Would Olivia enjoy that beach without checking her email every six minutes? Be serious.
And a huge thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC, for letting me fall for a hot chef with feelings and a woman who needs to log off immediately… I had a great time, I was mildly stressed, and I would absolutely sign up for this chaos again.
And then Connor shows up like the universe said, “What if we fix her, but in a hot, slightly cocky, chef-coded way?” This man is younger, charming, and way too good at zeroing in on Olivia like she’s a locked puzzle he’s decided to solve recreationally. Not in a creepy way, in a “I’m going to flirt with you until you accidentally feel something” way. Which, I regret to inform everyone, works.
The premise is elite rom-com nonsense in the best way. Opposites attract, age gap, meddling sisters who absolutely need to be stopped but also… kind of right. And of course, the classic lie we all tell ourselves: this is just a fling. Casual. No strings. Totally chill. Meanwhile I’m sitting there like, oh you sweet, emotionally repressed fools, you are about to ruin your own lives.
The Nantucket section? Inject it directly into my veins. It’s all banter, tension, and that very specific vacation delusion where you think you’ve become a different, hotter, more spontaneous version of yourself. Olivia starts loosening up, Connor is thriving, and the sisters are basically running a full-time matchmaking operation in the background. At one point I was like, are they on payroll? Do they get commission if this turns into a relationship?
But then… reality. And I actually respect this book for not just ending on the beach with a kiss and a vague promise. No, we go back to real life, where Olivia has her high-powered career and Connor has, you know, an entire child and responsibilities and a dream of opening his own restaurant. Suddenly it’s not just flirty beach walks, it’s logistics, timing, emotional availability, all the unsexy stuff that actually makes or breaks a relationship.
And Olivia… I need to talk to you for a second. I understand you. I do. Being a woman clawing your way up in a male-dominated field while everyone around you is like “but have you tried love?” is enough to make anyone want to throw a laptop. Her need for control makes sense. Her resistance makes sense. But there were moments I was fully pacing my living room like, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE A JOB AND ALSO KISS A MAN, THESE THINGS CAN COEXIST.
Connor, meanwhile, is out here doing the absolute most in a way that is mostly endearing. Single dad, chef, emotionally persistent without being a walking red flag. There are moments where he feels a little too driven by pure attraction, like sir, do you have a long-term plan or are you just vibing, but then he’ll have a sweet moment with his daughter or show actual patience with Olivia and I’m like… okay fine. You win. I get it.
Their chemistry is honestly chaotic. Sometimes it’s electric, like I was fully kicking my feet, giggling, having a great time. Other times I was staring at the page like… do you two actually like each other or are you both just obsessed with the tension? It never fully falls apart, but it does live in that weird in-between space where you want just a little more emotional depth to really sell the “this is worth upending my life” energy.
Also, the age gap spiral. We need to release Olivia from whatever internal crisis she’s having about being 39. You are not ancient. You are not a relic. The way this comes up over and over, I started feeling like I was trapped in her internal monologue, just gently whispering, “it’s fine, he’s just younger, not a time traveler.”
Still… there’s something about this book that works. It’s easy, it’s breezy, it’s giving “watching a slightly messy rom-com on a Sunday with snacks and no responsibilities.” You get family chaos, career angst, a man who cooks, and a woman who has to confront the horrifying idea that maybe she wants more than she planned. It’s predictable, but in a comforting way, like you know exactly what emotional beats are coming and you’re still happy to show up for them.
By the end, I was charmed. Not devastated, not spiraling, but satisfied. Like finishing a beach read and immediately wanting another drink. A solid 3.5 stars, living right in that space where I had fun, I rolled my eyes, I yelled at the characters a little, and I still rooted for them anyway.
Would I bring this to the beach? Absolutely. Would Olivia enjoy that beach without checking her email every six minutes? Be serious.
And a huge thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC, for letting me fall for a hot chef with feelings and a woman who needs to log off immediately… I had a great time, I was mildly stressed, and I would absolutely sign up for this chaos again.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to HarperCollins UK, the author and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this book. I truly appreciate it.
Honestly I'm not sure what to say for this book, and it's not often that I get stuck on what to say for a book, but here I really don't know what to say. All around this is an enjoyable read, with some emotional moments that you really will enjoy reading for fun this summer when it releases. This reminds me a bit of Abby Jimenez' 'Part of Your World' but better in my opinion. They really share the opposites attract aspect, with an age gap where she's the oldest one and the hugely rich successful one going for a promotion (here she wants that). Here its a wedding/ vacation that leads to them meeting vs a car related one. They're both full of oh I shouldn't he's too young, with a man who's absolutely besotted with her. Alot of the elements throughout both are similar, however honestly in my opinion this one is better.
Olivia, actually tries to grow, and open herself up to new possibilities, she's not mean to Connor, she just really doesn't understand his attraction, she doesn't demean him or anything. She's just a hugely career focused woman, who just finds out age doesn't matter but time does and it goes by fast. I enjoyed her, she might come off as brash but it's just how she's created herself to be. She does grow immensely and I loved the perfect balance at the end! I really enjoyed Connor, he's always got Olivia's back, he's kind, considerate, absolutely instalove in love with her but backs it up to boot. He pushes her to follow her passions, and dreams and he's always there for her no matter what. He's going to be that absolute dream guy and he's a truly fantastic single dad, who's also warm and opening to everyone. I'm so far from a prude but his constant sexual inuendoes, adjusting himself .etc almost all the time, did become a lot. I get hyper-sexuality, but that's not this. It almost feels like its thrown in the story as proof of his attraction, but it's really not needed as often as it was used.
The story itself is a little long winded, mainly bueyed along by Olivia's promotion months in the making deadline, for it to end up being the climax at almost the end, and then briefly glossed over. The ending was fantastic, but it's such a big thing and then it's a blink and almost miss it thing. Alot of things are quickly wrapped up including the really short technically "second act breakup" that honestly didn't even feel like one. Ignoring the they're all from the UK but all somehow in Nantucket, most of this story isnt really a romance nor is it realistic when you think it through at the end, which bothers me a lot, but this story is more so a story of self-discovery and growth with an almost ya cute romance mixed in that is the catalyst for the self-discovery and growth and that in itself is beautiful. It's also what saves this rating for me.
So if you're looking for a cute, decently quick, for fun read I think you will really enjoy this book.
Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this book. I truly appreciate it.
Honestly I'm not sure what to say for this book, and it's not often that I get stuck on what to say for a book, but here I really don't know what to say. All around this is an enjoyable read, with some emotional moments that you really will enjoy reading for fun this summer when it releases. This reminds me a bit of Abby Jimenez' 'Part of Your World' but better in my opinion. They really share the opposites attract aspect, with an age gap where she's the oldest one and the hugely rich successful one going for a promotion (here she wants that). Here its a wedding/ vacation that leads to them meeting vs a car related one. They're both full of oh I shouldn't he's too young, with a man who's absolutely besotted with her. Alot of the elements throughout both are similar, however honestly in my opinion this one is better.
Olivia, actually tries to grow, and open herself up to new possibilities, she's not mean to Connor, she just really doesn't understand his attraction, she doesn't demean him or anything. She's just a hugely career focused woman, who just finds out age doesn't matter but time does and it goes by fast. I enjoyed her, she might come off as brash but it's just how she's created herself to be. She does grow immensely and I loved the perfect balance at the end! I really enjoyed Connor, he's always got Olivia's back, he's kind, considerate, absolutely instalove in love with her but backs it up to boot. He pushes her to follow her passions, and dreams and he's always there for her no matter what. He's going to be that absolute dream guy and he's a truly fantastic single dad, who's also warm and opening to everyone. I'm so far from a prude but his constant sexual inuendoes, adjusting himself .etc almost all the time, did become a lot. I get hyper-sexuality, but that's not this. It almost feels like its thrown in the story as proof of his attraction, but it's really not needed as often as it was used.
The story itself is a little long winded, mainly bueyed along by Olivia's promotion months in the making deadline, for it to end up being the climax at almost the end, and then briefly glossed over. The ending was fantastic, but it's such a big thing and then it's a blink and almost miss it thing. Alot of things are quickly wrapped up including the really short technically "second act breakup" that honestly didn't even feel like one. Ignoring the they're all from the UK but all somehow in Nantucket, most of this story isnt really a romance nor is it realistic when you think it through at the end, which bothers me a lot, but this story is more so a story of self-discovery and growth with an almost ya cute romance mixed in that is the catalyst for the self-discovery and growth and that in itself is beautiful. It's also what saves this rating for me.
So if you're looking for a cute, decently quick, for fun read I think you will really enjoy this book.
Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this book. I truly appreciate it.
June 15, 2026
A 4⭐ contemporary romance for those sizzling summer days when you find yourself craving a lobster roll and the sea breeze.
Forced by her family to take time off to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket, Olivia, an independent businesswoman, wishes she could slink away to catch up on finance reports. To her dismay, she catches the eye of a playboy-esque chef, 10 years her junior. Connor didn’t plan on a summer romance; he has a daughter at home and is in Nantucket to refine his cooking skills, but the polished (and so not interested) woman 10 years his senior is too big a challenge to pass up.
As their attraction grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax her tightly held control and indulge in the fling she won’t admit she needs. But in a whirlwind, their holiday is over, and they’re back home, living two very different lives. When Connor’s presented with an opportunity to see Olivia again, he leaps at it, but this time it’s different. He’s no longer a charming young playboy but a struggling single dad. A relationship, a family, is not what Olivia wants.
And yet, neither can ignore the intense chemistry that lingers after the summer. Are they just a Nantucket fling... or something much more?
I think an important aspect of Olivia’s character is her hyper-independence and the contrast this draws to her sisters. Olivia is, self-admittedly, a workaholic because she saw her mother give up a career to raise children and be a wife. Thus, she dove headfirst into climbing the corporate ladder and forewent the family route. However, predictably, she finds herself not completely fulfilled by her work once she begins to spend more time with Connor and Ellie. The unveiling of her mother not wanting to return to work, the realization that Olivia is more like the father she found absent in her formative years, and the deep character changes we see in the epilogue speak to the internalization of toxic feminist ideals rather than the adoption of intersectional ones throughout most of Olivia’s life.
The audiobook narrator, Karen Cass, delivers an amazing performance that makes you forget there’s only one narrator across a conglomerate of colorful characters. In fact, while it's one of my well-known pet peeves to throw your voice for a character of the opposite sex, I truly didn’t mind Cass’ characterization and voicing of Connor. Additionally, she captures the epilogue, as told from Ellie’s perspective, perfectly.
2 things knocked my rating down. First, I guess I couldn’t wrap my head around the sheer number of Europeans vacationing in the early season in Nantucket. Although I’m from New England, I never vacationed in Nantucket, but my family frequently visited the coast. I KNOW it’s so nitpicky, but lived experience just made this fact incredibly hard to believe. Second, Connor’s proclivity for violence and throwing borderline adult male temper tantrums would turn me off in the sweetest of scenes. I don’t want to hear that you’re going to punch a wall when I’m trying to have a conversation about my career regarding our relationship’s future!
🦞 Contemporary Romance
🦞 Single Dad
🦞 New England Summer
🦞 Age gap
🦞Fulfillment
Huge thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio Adult, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!
Forced by her family to take time off to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket, Olivia, an independent businesswoman, wishes she could slink away to catch up on finance reports. To her dismay, she catches the eye of a playboy-esque chef, 10 years her junior. Connor didn’t plan on a summer romance; he has a daughter at home and is in Nantucket to refine his cooking skills, but the polished (and so not interested) woman 10 years his senior is too big a challenge to pass up.
As their attraction grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax her tightly held control and indulge in the fling she won’t admit she needs. But in a whirlwind, their holiday is over, and they’re back home, living two very different lives. When Connor’s presented with an opportunity to see Olivia again, he leaps at it, but this time it’s different. He’s no longer a charming young playboy but a struggling single dad. A relationship, a family, is not what Olivia wants.
And yet, neither can ignore the intense chemistry that lingers after the summer. Are they just a Nantucket fling... or something much more?
I think an important aspect of Olivia’s character is her hyper-independence and the contrast this draws to her sisters. Olivia is, self-admittedly, a workaholic because she saw her mother give up a career to raise children and be a wife. Thus, she dove headfirst into climbing the corporate ladder and forewent the family route. However, predictably, she finds herself not completely fulfilled by her work once she begins to spend more time with Connor and Ellie. The unveiling of her mother not wanting to return to work, the realization that Olivia is more like the father she found absent in her formative years, and the deep character changes we see in the epilogue speak to the internalization of toxic feminist ideals rather than the adoption of intersectional ones throughout most of Olivia’s life.
The audiobook narrator, Karen Cass, delivers an amazing performance that makes you forget there’s only one narrator across a conglomerate of colorful characters. In fact, while it's one of my well-known pet peeves to throw your voice for a character of the opposite sex, I truly didn’t mind Cass’ characterization and voicing of Connor. Additionally, she captures the epilogue, as told from Ellie’s perspective, perfectly.
2 things knocked my rating down. First, I guess I couldn’t wrap my head around the sheer number of Europeans vacationing in the early season in Nantucket. Although I’m from New England, I never vacationed in Nantucket, but my family frequently visited the coast. I KNOW it’s so nitpicky, but lived experience just made this fact incredibly hard to believe. Second, Connor’s proclivity for violence and throwing borderline adult male temper tantrums would turn me off in the sweetest of scenes. I don’t want to hear that you’re going to punch a wall when I’m trying to have a conversation about my career regarding our relationship’s future!
🦞 Contemporary Romance
🦞 Single Dad
🦞 New England Summer
🦞 Age gap
🦞Fulfillment
Huge thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio Adult, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!
May 11, 2026
Kathryn Freeman’s A Nantucket Fling made me realize that apparently all it takes for me to spiral emotionally is one emotionally unavailable finance queen, one ridiculously patient younger chef with golden retriever energy, and an island full of salty air, summer wine, and terrible decisions disguised as “vacation flings.” Avon, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC because this book slid directly into my brain like a beach read wearing designer sunglasses and somehow left me questioning whether maybe spreadsheets really are the enemy of joy.
Listen… Connor might officially be added to the “fictional men who could ruin my life and I’d still thank them” list. A younger single dad chef who cooks, flirts, communicates, and looks at Olivia like she hung the moon? Sir. Be serious. Meanwhile Olivia is deeply committed to her career, emotionally locked down tighter than Fort Knox, and spends half this book trying to convince herself that wanting love somehow makes her weak. Which honestly made her frustrating at times… but also painfully real. Kathryn Freeman really leaned into that idea that successful women are constantly told they can “have it all” while quietly being expected to sacrifice pieces of themselves to get there.
And somehow beneath all the beachy flirting, spicy tension, and Nantucket summer vibes, this story becomes about burnout, loneliness, vulnerability, and what happens when someone sees through the polished version of you and still stays.
Connor absolutely carried huge emotional weight in this story for me. The man was steady. Kind. Patient to the point where I wanted to hand him a margarita and tell him to stand up. 😂 But every scene with his daughter Ellie softened the entire story in the best way. Those moments gave the romance actual heart instead of just chemistry.
“You should never not feel attractive, wanted, desired.”
Yeah. That line? Straight into the bloodstream.
The Nantucket setting felt breezy and escapist without overpowering the story, and once the book shifts back to England, the romance actually becomes stronger because suddenly this isn’t just vacation fantasy anymore. It’s real life. Real schedules. Real fears. Real compromises. And honestly? That second half worked so much better for me emotionally.
Was Olivia stubborn? Absolutely. Did I occasionally want to shake her by the shoulders while Connor stared at her like a sad golden retriever holding flowers in the rain? Also yes. But the payoff eventually lands, especially if you love romances where emotional growth matters just as much as the attraction.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And that epilogue? Oh Kathryn Freeman absolutely knew what she was doing there. Tiny emotional ambush. Completely rude behavior.
So tell me honestly: could you ever trust yourself to keep a vacation romance casual… or are we all one beach sunset away from making life-altering decisions? 🌊🍷
#ANantucketFling #KathrynFreeman #Bookstagram #RomanceBooks #SummerRomance #SingleDadRomance #AgeGapRomance #BeachReads #NetGalley #AvonBo
Listen… Connor might officially be added to the “fictional men who could ruin my life and I’d still thank them” list. A younger single dad chef who cooks, flirts, communicates, and looks at Olivia like she hung the moon? Sir. Be serious. Meanwhile Olivia is deeply committed to her career, emotionally locked down tighter than Fort Knox, and spends half this book trying to convince herself that wanting love somehow makes her weak. Which honestly made her frustrating at times… but also painfully real. Kathryn Freeman really leaned into that idea that successful women are constantly told they can “have it all” while quietly being expected to sacrifice pieces of themselves to get there.
And somehow beneath all the beachy flirting, spicy tension, and Nantucket summer vibes, this story becomes about burnout, loneliness, vulnerability, and what happens when someone sees through the polished version of you and still stays.
Connor absolutely carried huge emotional weight in this story for me. The man was steady. Kind. Patient to the point where I wanted to hand him a margarita and tell him to stand up. 😂 But every scene with his daughter Ellie softened the entire story in the best way. Those moments gave the romance actual heart instead of just chemistry.
“You should never not feel attractive, wanted, desired.”
Yeah. That line? Straight into the bloodstream.
The Nantucket setting felt breezy and escapist without overpowering the story, and once the book shifts back to England, the romance actually becomes stronger because suddenly this isn’t just vacation fantasy anymore. It’s real life. Real schedules. Real fears. Real compromises. And honestly? That second half worked so much better for me emotionally.
Was Olivia stubborn? Absolutely. Did I occasionally want to shake her by the shoulders while Connor stared at her like a sad golden retriever holding flowers in the rain? Also yes. But the payoff eventually lands, especially if you love romances where emotional growth matters just as much as the attraction.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And that epilogue? Oh Kathryn Freeman absolutely knew what she was doing there. Tiny emotional ambush. Completely rude behavior.
So tell me honestly: could you ever trust yourself to keep a vacation romance casual… or are we all one beach sunset away from making life-altering decisions? 🌊🍷
#ANantucketFling #KathrynFreeman #Bookstagram #RomanceBooks #SummerRomance #SingleDadRomance #AgeGapRomance #BeachReads #NetGalley #AvonBo
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this expecting a breezy Nantucket rom-com and instead found myself wondering if I had picked up the wrong book.
This wasn’t a bad read by any means, and I think plenty of readers, especially fans of women’s fiction, will enjoy it. My biggest issue is that it simply isn’t the story that the description promises.
It’s marketed as a rom-com, and I’m honestly baffled by that choice. The romance is there, but the comedy? Not so much. It’s not even the dry British humor that sometimes gets lost on American readers. There just really isn’t any humor to speak of.
My second challenge was the Nantucket setting. Yes, the couple meets there while on vacation, and we get the obligatory mention of the hydrangeas that somehow seem to be the universal shorthand for Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape Cod. But beyond that, the island itself barely exists on the page.
At least half of the story takes place elsewhere, and even when the characters are on Nantucket, it could just as easily be Anywhere, USA. Aside from a brief introduction, there is very little that captures the charm or personality of the island.
On the positive side, if you’re looking for women’s fiction with a thread of romance and a bit of random spice, this may be exactly what you’re after. The novel explores the pressures of being a woman determined to succeed in her career and the sacrifices and compromises that often come with ambition. I also appreciated the supportive friendships woven throughout the story.
I listened to the audiobook, which I received from Harper Audio via NetGalley, and the narration was a highlight for me. Karen Cass, whose work I’ve enjoyed before, delivers a soothing British performance that kept me engaged. She narrates at a naturally brisk pace, which I actually like, although increasing the speed even slightly seemed to make it disproportionately faster. As someone who typically listens at 2x, I found 1.5x was about my limit here.
One final issue I had was with the writing itself. The story frequently switched tenses and points of view, sometimes within the same paragraph, which disrupted the flow and occasionally left me rewinding sections.
If you’re hoping for a cozy, charming Nantucket escape filled with laughs, this probably isn’t the book you’re looking for. But if you enjoy women’s fiction centered on career ambitions, friendships, and a little romance with some spice mixed in, I think you’ll have a much better experience than I did.
This wasn’t a bad read by any means, and I think plenty of readers, especially fans of women’s fiction, will enjoy it. My biggest issue is that it simply isn’t the story that the description promises.
It’s marketed as a rom-com, and I’m honestly baffled by that choice. The romance is there, but the comedy? Not so much. It’s not even the dry British humor that sometimes gets lost on American readers. There just really isn’t any humor to speak of.
My second challenge was the Nantucket setting. Yes, the couple meets there while on vacation, and we get the obligatory mention of the hydrangeas that somehow seem to be the universal shorthand for Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape Cod. But beyond that, the island itself barely exists on the page.
At least half of the story takes place elsewhere, and even when the characters are on Nantucket, it could just as easily be Anywhere, USA. Aside from a brief introduction, there is very little that captures the charm or personality of the island.
On the positive side, if you’re looking for women’s fiction with a thread of romance and a bit of random spice, this may be exactly what you’re after. The novel explores the pressures of being a woman determined to succeed in her career and the sacrifices and compromises that often come with ambition. I also appreciated the supportive friendships woven throughout the story.
I listened to the audiobook, which I received from Harper Audio via NetGalley, and the narration was a highlight for me. Karen Cass, whose work I’ve enjoyed before, delivers a soothing British performance that kept me engaged. She narrates at a naturally brisk pace, which I actually like, although increasing the speed even slightly seemed to make it disproportionately faster. As someone who typically listens at 2x, I found 1.5x was about my limit here.
One final issue I had was with the writing itself. The story frequently switched tenses and points of view, sometimes within the same paragraph, which disrupted the flow and occasionally left me rewinding sections.
If you’re hoping for a cozy, charming Nantucket escape filled with laughs, this probably isn’t the book you’re looking for. But if you enjoy women’s fiction centered on career ambitions, friendships, and a little romance with some spice mixed in, I think you’ll have a much better experience than I did.
June 14, 2026
I knew Ms. Freeman’s delightful novel would challenge me, and it certainly delivered. Connor and Olivia are two opposites with different outlooks on life, yet somehow, they find their paths intertwined.
Connor is a hardworking single dad, doing his absolute best to juggle his role as a parent while pursuing his dream of becoming a chef and owning a restaurant. That’s what I love about him—he’s genuine, incredibly charming and sexy, and has this unwavering determination with a hint of vulnerability. Here’s the kicker. Connor thought he could handle a friends-with-benefits relationship with Olivia, but he falls hard, and the pain when she inevitably breaks his heart is devastating to watch.
Olivia is a powerhouse career woman so laser-focused on landing that desired CIO promotion that she dismisses any notion of a serious relationship. I get it that she wants to have her fun on vacation and then go back to climbing the corporate ladder. But good grief, the tension! Olivia is wound tighter than a drum, making her the perfect foil to Connor’s genuine warmth and humor. He manages to pull her out of that rigid mindset, taking her on a journey filled with laughter, food, and unexpected moments of connection. I mean, who doesn’t love a guy who brings home leftovers and genuinely asks about your day?
But when she breaks his heart, I could have strangled her! I mean, she warned him she wasn’t looking for anything serious, but how could she not see Connor’s worth? Yet as the story unfolds, Olivia realizes her mistake, and it was awesome to see everything wrap up nicely with a happy ending and a lovely epilogue to boot.
The supporting cast rounds out this story beautifully. Olivia’s sisters are always looking out for her, rooting for her happiness, while Connor’s daughter, Ellie, adds an adorable touch that really ties their lives together.
Overall, this novel is a charming blend of sweetness, spice, and the complexities of modern relationships that you just can’t put down. If you’re looking for a story that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for love’s triumph, you definitely want to pick this one up.
Thank you to Ms. Freeman for giving me the opportunity to read this story with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
Connor is a hardworking single dad, doing his absolute best to juggle his role as a parent while pursuing his dream of becoming a chef and owning a restaurant. That’s what I love about him—he’s genuine, incredibly charming and sexy, and has this unwavering determination with a hint of vulnerability. Here’s the kicker. Connor thought he could handle a friends-with-benefits relationship with Olivia, but he falls hard, and the pain when she inevitably breaks his heart is devastating to watch.
Olivia is a powerhouse career woman so laser-focused on landing that desired CIO promotion that she dismisses any notion of a serious relationship. I get it that she wants to have her fun on vacation and then go back to climbing the corporate ladder. But good grief, the tension! Olivia is wound tighter than a drum, making her the perfect foil to Connor’s genuine warmth and humor. He manages to pull her out of that rigid mindset, taking her on a journey filled with laughter, food, and unexpected moments of connection. I mean, who doesn’t love a guy who brings home leftovers and genuinely asks about your day?
But when she breaks his heart, I could have strangled her! I mean, she warned him she wasn’t looking for anything serious, but how could she not see Connor’s worth? Yet as the story unfolds, Olivia realizes her mistake, and it was awesome to see everything wrap up nicely with a happy ending and a lovely epilogue to boot.
The supporting cast rounds out this story beautifully. Olivia’s sisters are always looking out for her, rooting for her happiness, while Connor’s daughter, Ellie, adds an adorable touch that really ties their lives together.
Overall, this novel is a charming blend of sweetness, spice, and the complexities of modern relationships that you just can’t put down. If you’re looking for a story that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for love’s triumph, you definitely want to pick this one up.
Thank you to Ms. Freeman for giving me the opportunity to read this story with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
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July 14, 2026A Nantucket Fling is an age-gap romance, and one that I really enjoyed. Olivia is a workaholic, an independent, career-driven finance professional. She agrees to take time off to attend her niece’s bachelorette party and wedding on the island of Nantucket. Her sisters encourage her to let her hair down and enjoy herself while she is there, specifically to have a fling with the young bartender, Connor. Connor is on Nantucket working at an island restaurant to get experience to eventually open his own place. He is a single dad, whose daughter is spending the summer with her grandparents. The catch, he is ten years younger than Olivia. They decide that a weeklong fling is just what they both need, but their feelings develop quickly. The funny thing is, they are both there from England and they could continue their relationship once they both return home, couldn't they?
This was perfect summer book for me. I enjoyed the characters, the situation, and the romance. Yes, there are a few steamy scenes, but that didn't take away from the story at all. Olivia is a bit of a stick in the mud at times. She has one goal in mind, to get the promotion, and works hard to get it. When they return home, the plan is that the relationship has ended, but that isn't the way it pans out. Not only is Olivia a workaholic who had no plans to get into a relationship, but she is ten years older than Connor, and feels that is a problem, much more than he does. Connor used to be a playboy, but when he becomes a father, all that changes. He settles down quickly when Ellie's mother leaves them shortly after her birth. I loved Ellie. Connor has done a good job raising her with the help of both sets of grandparents. She is a bit precocious and she and Olivia quickly become friends. Overall, this was a good story of friends to more, single dad trope, holiday fling that becomes more and family dynamics. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karen Cass and enjoyed her performance. Her voices, tone and expression were perfect for this story. If you enjoy a summer romance with a few serious issues, then I recommend A Nantucket Fling in whichever format you prefer.
This was perfect summer book for me. I enjoyed the characters, the situation, and the romance. Yes, there are a few steamy scenes, but that didn't take away from the story at all. Olivia is a bit of a stick in the mud at times. She has one goal in mind, to get the promotion, and works hard to get it. When they return home, the plan is that the relationship has ended, but that isn't the way it pans out. Not only is Olivia a workaholic who had no plans to get into a relationship, but she is ten years older than Connor, and feels that is a problem, much more than he does. Connor used to be a playboy, but when he becomes a father, all that changes. He settles down quickly when Ellie's mother leaves them shortly after her birth. I loved Ellie. Connor has done a good job raising her with the help of both sets of grandparents. She is a bit precocious and she and Olivia quickly become friends. Overall, this was a good story of friends to more, single dad trope, holiday fling that becomes more and family dynamics. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karen Cass and enjoyed her performance. Her voices, tone and expression were perfect for this story. If you enjoy a summer romance with a few serious issues, then I recommend A Nantucket Fling in whichever format you prefer.
July 16, 2026
This book was so much fun. The most compelling part of this book was the writing style for me. I was never bored with this book and I enjoyed the flow of the story from beginning to end.
I love an age gap where she’s older and I love a single dad romance so this was a recipe for a great time. I loved how much vulnerability both Olivia and Connor showed throughout the book with each other. I thought it made both of them more interesting to read about.
Connor becoming a single dad at 20 years old has definitely affected how he views himself. He’s chaotic and trying to keep it all together but he’s still a loving father and takes time to be there for the people he cares about. I loved seeing him become more confident in his abilities as a chef. It was easy to see how much he cared for Olivia.
Olivia is a woman who knows what she wants and what she wants is a promotion in the man dominated field of finance. What she doesn’t want is to settle down with a family. I think her arc of falling for Connor and his daughter Ellie felt natural. Olivia’s primary desire was to get the promotion but at the end of the day she had to decide what she found most fulfilling in her life. I enjoyed seeing how she never backed down from getting what she wanted in life.
The reason this wasn’t a five star read for me was because of how adamant Olivia is that she doesn’t want kids. I found her arc to be a bit disappointing for that reason but I also can understand her changing her mind when she realized that it’s something she wanted with the right person. I would’ve liked to see more growth in Connors character too considering he’s often portrayed as being disorganized. I think seeing him put more effort into being more organized would have been nice for his story throughout the book.
Overall, I think this book was a fun one. It focuses a lot on themes of career versus social life. It’s a great reminder that there’s more to life than what you bring to a job that doesn’t care about you the way you do about it. It expresses the insecurities that come with not being perfect but also finding people that see you for who you are and wanting you for it anyway.
I love an age gap where she’s older and I love a single dad romance so this was a recipe for a great time. I loved how much vulnerability both Olivia and Connor showed throughout the book with each other. I thought it made both of them more interesting to read about.
Connor becoming a single dad at 20 years old has definitely affected how he views himself. He’s chaotic and trying to keep it all together but he’s still a loving father and takes time to be there for the people he cares about. I loved seeing him become more confident in his abilities as a chef. It was easy to see how much he cared for Olivia.
Olivia is a woman who knows what she wants and what she wants is a promotion in the man dominated field of finance. What she doesn’t want is to settle down with a family. I think her arc of falling for Connor and his daughter Ellie felt natural. Olivia’s primary desire was to get the promotion but at the end of the day she had to decide what she found most fulfilling in her life. I enjoyed seeing how she never backed down from getting what she wanted in life.
The reason this wasn’t a five star read for me was because of how adamant Olivia is that she doesn’t want kids. I found her arc to be a bit disappointing for that reason but I also can understand her changing her mind when she realized that it’s something she wanted with the right person. I would’ve liked to see more growth in Connors character too considering he’s often portrayed as being disorganized. I think seeing him put more effort into being more organized would have been nice for his story throughout the book.
Overall, I think this book was a fun one. It focuses a lot on themes of career versus social life. It’s a great reminder that there’s more to life than what you bring to a job that doesn’t care about you the way you do about it. It expresses the insecurities that come with not being perfect but also finding people that see you for who you are and wanting you for it anyway.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Nantucket Fling by Kathryn Freeman
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A Nantucket Fling is a fun, lighthearted, and fast-paced read that’s great for summer! The Nantucket setting is utterly charming and gives the story a perfect summer feel. The overall storyline is engaging and there are several sweet and heartwarming moments throughout.
Olivia, focused on her career in corporate finance, takes time off upon her family’s insistence to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket. While there, she meets Connor and her sisters encourage her to have a summer fling, but she’s more interested in work.
Connor comes across as a playboy, but he is actually a dad and is raising his daughter single-handedly. But this summer, his daughter is with her grandparents for a month while he’s in Nantucket. As their attraction and connection grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax and embrace a summer fling. The holiday is over soon though and they’re back home, living very different lives. When Connor’s presented with an opportunity to see Olivia again, he leaps at it, but it’s different now. Olivia doesn’t want a relationship or a family, but neither one of them can pretend the chemistry has went away and they wonder whether it’s something much more than a Nantucket fling.
A Nantucket Fling is charming, swoony, and so much fun! Olivia and Connor’s relationship feels genuine, with an emphasis on chemistry, navigating family dynamics, and several sweet moments that make their romance even more meaningful. The Nantucket setting is absolutely wonderful, the tension is so good, and the way the romance builds throughout the story is perfect. Overall, The Nantucket Fling is a feel-good and entertaining story full of heart, charm, and swoony moments. Perfect for anyone looking for a great summer romance read!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A Nantucket Fling is a fun, lighthearted, and fast-paced read that’s great for summer! The Nantucket setting is utterly charming and gives the story a perfect summer feel. The overall storyline is engaging and there are several sweet and heartwarming moments throughout.
Olivia, focused on her career in corporate finance, takes time off upon her family’s insistence to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket. While there, she meets Connor and her sisters encourage her to have a summer fling, but she’s more interested in work.
Connor comes across as a playboy, but he is actually a dad and is raising his daughter single-handedly. But this summer, his daughter is with her grandparents for a month while he’s in Nantucket. As their attraction and connection grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax and embrace a summer fling. The holiday is over soon though and they’re back home, living very different lives. When Connor’s presented with an opportunity to see Olivia again, he leaps at it, but it’s different now. Olivia doesn’t want a relationship or a family, but neither one of them can pretend the chemistry has went away and they wonder whether it’s something much more than a Nantucket fling.
A Nantucket Fling is charming, swoony, and so much fun! Olivia and Connor’s relationship feels genuine, with an emphasis on chemistry, navigating family dynamics, and several sweet moments that make their romance even more meaningful. The Nantucket setting is absolutely wonderful, the tension is so good, and the way the romance builds throughout the story is perfect. Overall, The Nantucket Fling is a feel-good and entertaining story full of heart, charm, and swoony moments. Perfect for anyone looking for a great summer romance read!
June 14, 2026
I went into this expecting a breezy Nantucket rom-com, and while I enjoyed the book overall, it wasn't quite the story the description led me to expect.
I don't typically gravitate toward age-gap romances, but this reverse age-gap dynamic was handled really well. I loved seeing so many traditional gender roles flipped, and the single-dad MMC completely won me over. The chemistry between the leads was strong, and I appreciated the themes surrounding ambition, career success, and the sacrifices that often come with it.
My biggest struggle was with the FMC. While I understood her drive and fears, it was frustrating to watch her repeatedly push away someone who genuinely cared for her. I found myself sympathizing with the MMC far more throughout the story.
I was also surprised by the marketing. This felt much more like women's fiction with a romantic storyline than a true rom-com. The romance is certainly present, but the humor was minimal. Similarly, the Nantucket setting wasn't as immersive as I had hoped. Aside from a few references, the island lacked the charm and atmosphere I expected.
I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Karen Cass. Despite being a single narrator for both POVs, she kept me engaged throughout and delivered a strong performance.
While this wasn't the lighthearted Nantucket rom-com I anticipated, it was an engaging story about career ambitions, friendship, love, and personal growth. Fans of women's fiction with a touch of romance and spice will likely enjoy this one more than readers seeking a traditional romantic comedy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the advance listening copy.
I don't typically gravitate toward age-gap romances, but this reverse age-gap dynamic was handled really well. I loved seeing so many traditional gender roles flipped, and the single-dad MMC completely won me over. The chemistry between the leads was strong, and I appreciated the themes surrounding ambition, career success, and the sacrifices that often come with it.
My biggest struggle was with the FMC. While I understood her drive and fears, it was frustrating to watch her repeatedly push away someone who genuinely cared for her. I found myself sympathizing with the MMC far more throughout the story.
I was also surprised by the marketing. This felt much more like women's fiction with a romantic storyline than a true rom-com. The romance is certainly present, but the humor was minimal. Similarly, the Nantucket setting wasn't as immersive as I had hoped. Aside from a few references, the island lacked the charm and atmosphere I expected.
I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Karen Cass. Despite being a single narrator for both POVs, she kept me engaged throughout and delivered a strong performance.
While this wasn't the lighthearted Nantucket rom-com I anticipated, it was an engaging story about career ambitions, friendship, love, and personal growth. Fans of women's fiction with a touch of romance and spice will likely enjoy this one more than readers seeking a traditional romantic comedy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the advance listening copy.
July 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wow…this cute little cover is SO deceiving!! I went into “A Nantucket Fling” expecting a sweet little summer romance, but y’all…this book is JAM PACKED with heat!! This isn’t a fling…it’s a freaking marathon!!
Successful, single workaholic Olivia heads to Nantucket for her niece’s wedding, and stuck in her ways she finally decides its time to let loose a little. Enter Connor the hot, younger chef at the resort who seems like the perfect person for a no-strings-attached vacation fling.
But what starts as a little Nantucket fun quickly turns into something neither of them was looking for…
I loved how Olivia and Connor balanced each other. They both challenged one another, pushed each other to grow, and slowly gave a little of themselves in ways neither expected. Their character arcs were so well done, and I loved watching them figure out what they actually wanted out of life…and each other.
And the side characters!! I found myself completely invested in everyone’s lives especially Olivia’s sisters!! I need to know EVERYTHING going on with that family….another book maybe?? I also absolutely loved the sweet father daughter bond.
Things I loved: -The STEAM…because yes, we need to talk about it -Olivia and Connor balancing each other -Their individual character growth -The sister dynamics and side characters -The sweet father-daughter bond -A fling that definitely forgot it was supposed to be a fling
If you like age-gap romance, vacation flings that catch feelings, lots of spice, and characters who unexpectedly push each other to grow…you might want to pack your bags for Nantucket!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wow…this cute little cover is SO deceiving!! I went into “A Nantucket Fling” expecting a sweet little summer romance, but y’all…this book is JAM PACKED with heat!! This isn’t a fling…it’s a freaking marathon!!
Successful, single workaholic Olivia heads to Nantucket for her niece’s wedding, and stuck in her ways she finally decides its time to let loose a little. Enter Connor the hot, younger chef at the resort who seems like the perfect person for a no-strings-attached vacation fling.
But what starts as a little Nantucket fun quickly turns into something neither of them was looking for…
I loved how Olivia and Connor balanced each other. They both challenged one another, pushed each other to grow, and slowly gave a little of themselves in ways neither expected. Their character arcs were so well done, and I loved watching them figure out what they actually wanted out of life…and each other.
And the side characters!! I found myself completely invested in everyone’s lives especially Olivia’s sisters!! I need to know EVERYTHING going on with that family….another book maybe?? I also absolutely loved the sweet father daughter bond.
Things I loved: -The STEAM…because yes, we need to talk about it -Olivia and Connor balancing each other -Their individual character growth -The sister dynamics and side characters -The sweet father-daughter bond -A fling that definitely forgot it was supposed to be a fling
If you like age-gap romance, vacation flings that catch feelings, lots of spice, and characters who unexpectedly push each other to grow…you might want to pack your bags for Nantucket!!
June 9, 2026
3 Stars
I went into A Nantucket Fling expecting a light, charming summer rom-com set against the backdrop of Nantucket, but what I found was something quite different.
The romance between Olivia and Connor was enjoyable, and I liked seeing two people from very different stages of life navigate their growing feelings for each other. Olivia's dedication to her career and Connor's responsibilities as a single father added depth to their relationship, and I appreciated the exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and personal growth.
That said, the book felt much more like women's fiction than a romantic comedy. While there were a few lighthearted moments, the humor promised in the description was largely absent. I was also hoping for a stronger sense of place. Nantucket serves as the catalyst for their relationship, but much of the story takes place elsewhere, and the island itself never felt fully developed as a setting.
The supporting relationships, particularly the family dynamics and friendships, were well done and added warmth to the story. However, the pacing occasionally felt uneven, and I found myself wanting more emotional tension and a stronger connection to the setting.
Overall, this was a decent read with relatable themes and a satisfying romance, but it didn't quite match the breezy Nantucket escape I was expecting. Readers who enjoy women's fiction with romance, career-focused characters, and family dynamics may enjoy this more than those looking for a traditional rom-com.
I went into A Nantucket Fling expecting a light, charming summer rom-com set against the backdrop of Nantucket, but what I found was something quite different.
The romance between Olivia and Connor was enjoyable, and I liked seeing two people from very different stages of life navigate their growing feelings for each other. Olivia's dedication to her career and Connor's responsibilities as a single father added depth to their relationship, and I appreciated the exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and personal growth.
That said, the book felt much more like women's fiction than a romantic comedy. While there were a few lighthearted moments, the humor promised in the description was largely absent. I was also hoping for a stronger sense of place. Nantucket serves as the catalyst for their relationship, but much of the story takes place elsewhere, and the island itself never felt fully developed as a setting.
The supporting relationships, particularly the family dynamics and friendships, were well done and added warmth to the story. However, the pacing occasionally felt uneven, and I found myself wanting more emotional tension and a stronger connection to the setting.
Overall, this was a decent read with relatable themes and a satisfying romance, but it didn't quite match the breezy Nantucket escape I was expecting. Readers who enjoy women's fiction with romance, career-focused characters, and family dynamics may enjoy this more than those looking for a traditional rom-com.
June 24, 2026
When career-focused Olivia arrives on the beautiful New England island of Nantucket for her niece’s hen week, and wedding, she is certainly not looking for romance, instead she is entirely focused on gaining a promotion at work and this time away from her office is nothing more than an inconvenience for her. However, putting that on one side, she is ill-prepared for the punch of desire she feels for the very handsome, and much younger, Connor, who is working at the hotel as a chef and barman.
What then follows isn’t a typical holiday romance, for a start there’s an age difference which Olivia finds difficult to rationalise and even whilst Connor offers her a sizzling opportunity to have a sexy and uncomplicated fling, she still finds lots of reasons why she shouldn’t consider having her head turned by a man ten years her junior. I enjoyed this light hearted summer romance and whilst it also considers some serious topics it doesn’t take itself too seriously and though I would have liked to have spent more time in New England I understand why the narrative had to move back to the UK in order to have the characters progress in their will they, won’t they relationship. I enjoyed observing both Connor and Olivia, especially Connor in his role as a single dad, however, it took me a while longer to warm to Olivia who is a bit prickly but as her story progressed she became much more likeable.
A Nantucket Fling does what this author does best, it’s a lighthearted, sexy, summer read which is perfect escapism for a long, hot afternoon in the sunshine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. For me, this was an ok book. It is a light romance, set first in Nantucket, then in England. Olivia is in Nantucket for her niece, Sophie's wedding and meets Connor. Connor is a chef working in Nantucket for a few weeks to learn from a chef and make some extra money. Olivia is a39 and a rising star at her financial firm. Connor is 29 and has a daughter from a previous relationship. They are attracted to each other and have a fling.That is the first part of the book, and reason for the title. The rest takes place in England as Connor and Olivia try to fight their attraction ( they fail) and work slowly towards building something together. It is complicated by her work, his daughter etc. The story is a bit formulaic and reminiscent of an episode of Friends( which Connor's daughter Ellie wants to watch despite Connor's concerns that it is not age appropriate.)As I said it is ok .It is a nice light beach read. The only lingering question I had was if Olivia and her whole family are living in England, and the wedding is in Nantucket because Sophie's husband(Steve) to be who is from Boston, used to summer there with his family, how did Sophie and Steve meet- did some one go to school in Boston, or England or what? It was a bit disconcerting to have this whole British family in Nantucket with any explanation .
June 12, 2026
Olivia is on Nantucket for her nieces wedding and it’s the first time she’s been away from work in ages. She lives for her job and nothing else and being away from work for a few weeks is out of her comfort zone. She’s thrown even farther out of her comfort zone when a younger man shows interest in her. Everything in her is telling her to stay away, but there’s something about Connor that is impossible to say no to no matter how hard Olivia tries. Giving in, Olivia swears it will just be a vacation fling, but when their paths cross again back home in London it might just be meant to be more. Will Olivia take the leap of faith or will she run away before Connor can prove they are worth fighting for?
This was the perfect summer read, full flirty banter, a great couple and sweet and spicy moments. The reverse age gap and single dad tropes were so good in this book and I was hooked on the story. I loved Olivia and Connor together and thought they were so good together once Olivia gave them a shot.
They complimented each other nicely and I love Connor as the single dad. He was so cute with his daughter and his devotion to her made him an amazing lead. Olivia was married to her job and convinced they could never make it work. Her stubbornness was a bit much at times, but it did lead to a great ending. I enjoyed this book all the way through and was hooked from the beginning. It was a good summer read and I’m glad I checked it out!
This was the perfect summer read, full flirty banter, a great couple and sweet and spicy moments. The reverse age gap and single dad tropes were so good in this book and I was hooked on the story. I loved Olivia and Connor together and thought they were so good together once Olivia gave them a shot.
They complimented each other nicely and I love Connor as the single dad. He was so cute with his daughter and his devotion to her made him an amazing lead. Olivia was married to her job and convinced they could never make it work. Her stubbornness was a bit much at times, but it did lead to a great ending. I enjoyed this book all the way through and was hooked from the beginning. It was a good summer read and I’m glad I checked it out!
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