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Star-Crossed Summer
When a Hollywood starlet is unexpectedly reunited with the costar who broke her heart, their chemistry has her questioning what’s reel and what’s real in this heartfelt summer romance about first loves and second chances.
It’s been ten years since the fateful summer Scarlett Everhart filmed The Lost Letter, the tearjerking romantic drama that catapulted her to worldwide fame and set her on a collision course with Ryder Perry, the movie’s intense, irresistible leading man. The pair’s fiery onscreen chemistry captured audiences' hearts—while their whirlwind affair offscreen shattered Scarlett’s into a million pieces. Determined to move on, she made a to focus on her career, leave Ryder in her past, and never, ever look back.
A decade later, Scarlett’s kept that promise. She’s become one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading ladies and is on the cusp of the biggest role of her career. And if she’s been unlucky in love, at least she’s managed to put her ill-fated relationship with her former costar—and the public’s obsession with the pair’s star-crossed romance—behind her. That is, until a sudden twist of fate thrusts her and Ryder back together in the seaside South Carolina town where they first fell in love, then fell dramatically apart.
As old sparks reignite, Scarlett is swept back into the love story that once defined her life, forcing her to reckon with the choice that tore them apart…and the devastating secret she’s been keeping since their breakup all those years ago.
It’s been ten years since the fateful summer Scarlett Everhart filmed The Lost Letter, the tearjerking romantic drama that catapulted her to worldwide fame and set her on a collision course with Ryder Perry, the movie’s intense, irresistible leading man. The pair’s fiery onscreen chemistry captured audiences' hearts—while their whirlwind affair offscreen shattered Scarlett’s into a million pieces. Determined to move on, she made a to focus on her career, leave Ryder in her past, and never, ever look back.
A decade later, Scarlett’s kept that promise. She’s become one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading ladies and is on the cusp of the biggest role of her career. And if she’s been unlucky in love, at least she’s managed to put her ill-fated relationship with her former costar—and the public’s obsession with the pair’s star-crossed romance—behind her. That is, until a sudden twist of fate thrusts her and Ryder back together in the seaside South Carolina town where they first fell in love, then fell dramatically apart.
As old sparks reignite, Scarlett is swept back into the love story that once defined her life, forcing her to reckon with the choice that tore them apart…and the devastating secret she’s been keeping since their breakup all those years ago.
Audible Audio
Published July 7, 2026
About the author
Devon Daniels
4 books724 followersDevon Daniels is a born-and-bred California girl whose own love story found her transplanted to the Maryland shores of the Chesapeake. She loves writing contemporary rom-coms with all the witty banter & slow-burn tension readers can handle. Her debut novel Meet You in the Middle was chosen as one of the Best Books of 2021 by USA Today. When she's not writing, you'll find her clinging to her sanity as mom, chef, chauffeur, and referee to four children, or sneaking off with her husband for date nights.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
July 15, 2026
“I will love him until the waves stop crashing on shore, until the tide forgets how to come back in.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
"sᴛᴀʀ ᴄʀᴏssᴇᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs" x ᴊᴏʀᴅᴀɴ ʀᴀᴡsᴏɴ
0:33 ──♥──────── 2:57
The second I saw this cover I KNEW i had to read it. I was instantly reminded of The Notebook, and that’s always been one of my all-time favorite love stories. 🥹
Ten years after a devastating breakup, two former costars find themselves back in the seaside town where they first fell in love while celebrating the anniversary of the movie that launched their careers. Being back where it all began forces them to face the past they left behind... and the feelings neither of them ever truly escaped.
I was so excited going into this one… and somehow it still exceeded every expectation I had.🥹 the dual timeline absolutely made this story. Every time I thought I had a better understanding of what happened between Ryder and Scarlett, another piece would fall into place, and suddenly I had to keep reading. I fell victim yet again to the, “just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, I was completely consumed by it 😭
The tension between Scarlett and Ryder after all those years was unreal. You could feel every unspoken word, every lingering look, every ounce of hurt they were carrying. It constantly felt like something was about to break, and I was sitting there completely emotionally invested, just waiting for it to happen. Both of them were carrying so much pain, and peeling back those layers honestly hurt my heart 😭
But can we PLEASE talk about Ryder?? 😭🤍 I absolutely adored him. Watching the man he became after ten years was one of my favorite parts of this book. Even though Scarlett was the one who walked away, he never treated her with bitterness or resentment. Instead, he met her with so much patience, kindness, and understanding that it honestly made my heart melt. You could tell that he had grown so much, but his love for her had never disappeared. He wasn’t trying to punish her for the past or make her earn his forgiveness 🥺 he just wanted the chance to understand what happened and hoped there was still a future for them. There was something so beautiful about the way he loved her so gently after everything they had been through. He completely stole my heart 🫶🏼💞
And Scarlett’s secret… I genuinely wasn’t prepared for that. It completely shocked me, and once everything came together, it made my heart ache in the best and worst ways at the same time.😭😭😭
This story has so much angst, heartbreak, longing, and emotional weight, but it’s also incredibly tender and full of so much love. It somehow balances all of those emotions perfectly. It’s the kind of summer read you can fly through because it’s impossible to put down, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s light because this book absolutely drags your heart through every emotion before putting it back together. 🥺🥺🥺
favorite quotes ↓
“She came in for the audition, and it was like the wind changed. She woke me up. She made colors brighter.”
“I’ve never experienced anything like it, before or since.”
“He seemed to steal another sliver of my soul with each press of his lips, like he was collecting pieces of me one kiss at a time—and I was powerless to stop him.”
“I realize with sudden clarity that fighting to resist Ryder was a battle I was always destined to lose. I’ve been lying to myself for ten years, trying to outrun my feelings, bury them, anything to convince myself I’d moved on, but I can no longer deny the truth that’s coursing through my veins: I’m still in love with Ryder. I’ve never stopped.”
“I hate how much time I’ve wasted, but maybe I needed it to grow up some, to be the best version of myself for you.”
things to know about the book ↓
💫 first love
💫 second chance
💫 actor x actor
💫 “it’s always been you”
💫 forced proximity
💫 summer vibes
💫 fade to black
💫 dual timeline
💫 single POV (hers)
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️
→ chapters: 14, 17
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 💫 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
june 24th-THIS IS SO "THE NOTEBOOK" CODED
THE POSE AND EVERYTHINGGGGG *SCREAMS*
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
"sᴛᴀʀ ᴄʀᴏssᴇᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs" x ᴊᴏʀᴅᴀɴ ʀᴀᴡsᴏɴ
0:33 ──♥──────── 2:57
The second I saw this cover I KNEW i had to read it. I was instantly reminded of The Notebook, and that’s always been one of my all-time favorite love stories. 🥹
Ten years after a devastating breakup, two former costars find themselves back in the seaside town where they first fell in love while celebrating the anniversary of the movie that launched their careers. Being back where it all began forces them to face the past they left behind... and the feelings neither of them ever truly escaped.
I was so excited going into this one… and somehow it still exceeded every expectation I had.🥹 the dual timeline absolutely made this story. Every time I thought I had a better understanding of what happened between Ryder and Scarlett, another piece would fall into place, and suddenly I had to keep reading. I fell victim yet again to the, “just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, I was completely consumed by it 😭
The tension between Scarlett and Ryder after all those years was unreal. You could feel every unspoken word, every lingering look, every ounce of hurt they were carrying. It constantly felt like something was about to break, and I was sitting there completely emotionally invested, just waiting for it to happen. Both of them were carrying so much pain, and peeling back those layers honestly hurt my heart 😭
But can we PLEASE talk about Ryder?? 😭🤍 I absolutely adored him. Watching the man he became after ten years was one of my favorite parts of this book. Even though Scarlett was the one who walked away, he never treated her with bitterness or resentment. Instead, he met her with so much patience, kindness, and understanding that it honestly made my heart melt. You could tell that he had grown so much, but his love for her had never disappeared. He wasn’t trying to punish her for the past or make her earn his forgiveness 🥺 he just wanted the chance to understand what happened and hoped there was still a future for them. There was something so beautiful about the way he loved her so gently after everything they had been through. He completely stole my heart 🫶🏼💞
And Scarlett’s secret… I genuinely wasn’t prepared for that. It completely shocked me, and once everything came together, it made my heart ache in the best and worst ways at the same time.😭😭😭
This story has so much angst, heartbreak, longing, and emotional weight, but it’s also incredibly tender and full of so much love. It somehow balances all of those emotions perfectly. It’s the kind of summer read you can fly through because it’s impossible to put down, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s light because this book absolutely drags your heart through every emotion before putting it back together. 🥺🥺🥺
favorite quotes ↓
“She came in for the audition, and it was like the wind changed. She woke me up. She made colors brighter.”
“I’ve never experienced anything like it, before or since.”
“He seemed to steal another sliver of my soul with each press of his lips, like he was collecting pieces of me one kiss at a time—and I was powerless to stop him.”
“I realize with sudden clarity that fighting to resist Ryder was a battle I was always destined to lose. I’ve been lying to myself for ten years, trying to outrun my feelings, bury them, anything to convince myself I’d moved on, but I can no longer deny the truth that’s coursing through my veins: I’m still in love with Ryder. I’ve never stopped.”
“I hate how much time I’ve wasted, but maybe I needed it to grow up some, to be the best version of myself for you.”
things to know about the book ↓
💫 first love
💫 second chance
💫 actor x actor
💫 “it’s always been you”
💫 forced proximity
💫 summer vibes
💫 fade to black
💫 dual timeline
💫 single POV (hers)
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️
→ chapters: 14, 17
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 💫 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
june 24th-THIS IS SO "THE NOTEBOOK" CODED
THE POSE AND EVERYTHINGGGGG *SCREAMS*
Read
June 14, 2026Dear readers,
Confession: I’ve been waiting twenty years to write this story (hint: it’s inspired by a certain iconic on-set romance you might know). Star-Crossed Summer was my opportunity to explore two tropes I’ve been dying to tackle: second-chance romance and the classic beach read. Writing Scarlett & Ryder’s love story completely consumed me. It’s my most romantic book yet, and definitely the angstiest thing I’ve ever written (the pining!) Turns out there’s nothing more delicious to write than two people who never quite got over each other.
Star-Crossed Summer is set in the fictional town of Seafolly, inspired by the South Carolina Lowcountry, one of my favorite places on earth. Think cotton-candy sunsets, salt marshes glowing at golden hour, pelicans skimming the water at dusk, and boat rides through winding creeks. (With a setting this romantic, my characters never stood a chance.) I wanted this book to feel like summer in story form, the kind you toss in your beach bag and escape into for an afternoon as the tide rolls in. I hope you love it.
A bit of housekeeping:
• I’ve partnered with Park Books to offer signed & personalized copies of Star-Crossed Summer (I'll also sign any copies of Meet You in the Middle or The Rom Con as well). Order a signed copy here.
• Preorder from Amazon here
• Preorder from all other retailers here
Thanks in advance for preordering! It’s the #1 gift you can give an author (besides a 5-star review, I suppose 😉).
Book Signings
• I’ll be doing a release event hosted by Barnes & Noble Huntington Beach on July 7, with additional signings at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, DE on July 31 and Bethany Beach Books on Aug. 2. Reserve your spot & get more information about all my in-person events here: devondanielsauthor.com/events
• I love creating Spotify playlists for my books. If you’d like to hear the music that helped inspire me while writing, you can listen here.
Thank you for your support! I can’t wait for you all to fall in love with Scarlett & Ryder. See you in Seafolly! 🌊
Confession: I’ve been waiting twenty years to write this story (hint: it’s inspired by a certain iconic on-set romance you might know). Star-Crossed Summer was my opportunity to explore two tropes I’ve been dying to tackle: second-chance romance and the classic beach read. Writing Scarlett & Ryder’s love story completely consumed me. It’s my most romantic book yet, and definitely the angstiest thing I’ve ever written (the pining!) Turns out there’s nothing more delicious to write than two people who never quite got over each other.
Star-Crossed Summer is set in the fictional town of Seafolly, inspired by the South Carolina Lowcountry, one of my favorite places on earth. Think cotton-candy sunsets, salt marshes glowing at golden hour, pelicans skimming the water at dusk, and boat rides through winding creeks. (With a setting this romantic, my characters never stood a chance.) I wanted this book to feel like summer in story form, the kind you toss in your beach bag and escape into for an afternoon as the tide rolls in. I hope you love it.
A bit of housekeeping:
• I’ve partnered with Park Books to offer signed & personalized copies of Star-Crossed Summer (I'll also sign any copies of Meet You in the Middle or The Rom Con as well). Order a signed copy here.
• Preorder from Amazon here
• Preorder from all other retailers here
Thanks in advance for preordering! It’s the #1 gift you can give an author (besides a 5-star review, I suppose 😉).
Book Signings
• I’ll be doing a release event hosted by Barnes & Noble Huntington Beach on July 7, with additional signings at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, DE on July 31 and Bethany Beach Books on Aug. 2. Reserve your spot & get more information about all my in-person events here: devondanielsauthor.com/events
• I love creating Spotify playlists for my books. If you’d like to hear the music that helped inspire me while writing, you can listen here.
Thank you for your support! I can’t wait for you all to fall in love with Scarlett & Ryder. See you in Seafolly! 🌊
July 16, 2026
a second chance romance inspired by rachel mcadams' and ryan gosling's hate to love relationship during the notebook era? say less. when i first heard about this book, that description is what grabbed my attention the most. this had all the hollywood/celebrity vibes that i love, with scarlett and ryder reuniting ten years after falling in love while filming a movie in the charming beach town of Seafolly, and i loved every bit of the flashback chapters; the chapter that explained what broke them apart had me in actual tears. i need devon to pay my therapy bill because i will never recover from that.
i loved the behind the scenes filming moments, the chemistry that never really went away, and all the little nods to rachel's and ryan's relationship back in the day that made the story feel extra fun. ryder really won me over, and i found myself rooting for them to finally get their timing right after everything that pulled them apart. i would have liked for scarlett's reveal in the present time to get a little more attention but overall, this was a sweet summer romance and the ending made me so happy.
i will be needing a follow up novel about jase and kendall because i just know i will be swooning.
i loved the behind the scenes filming moments, the chemistry that never really went away, and all the little nods to rachel's and ryan's relationship back in the day that made the story feel extra fun. ryder really won me over, and i found myself rooting for them to finally get their timing right after everything that pulled them apart. i would have liked for scarlett's reveal in the present time to get a little more attention but overall, this was a sweet summer romance and the ending made me so happy.
i will be needing a follow up novel about jase and kendall because i just know i will be swooning.
August 2, 2026
Star-Crossed Summer feels like the quintessential summer romance, filled with buried feelings, swoony moments, witty banter, and second chances. I absolutely loved this combination of tropes and how it added to the underlying tension bubbling just beneath the surface.
Devon Daniels writes characters with depth, and although the overall vibe of this story felt different, her ability to write multifaceted characters remained. Scarlett and Ryder (inspired by the off-camera love story between the stars of The Notebook) were each dynamic characters who played very well off one another. All in all, this was a fun read perfect for those warm pool days.
Read if you like:
▪️second chance romance
▪️lovers to enemies
▪️forced proximity
▪️coastal South Carolina
▪️emotional depth
▪️Hollywood romance
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Berkley Romance for the advanced copy.
Devon Daniels writes characters with depth, and although the overall vibe of this story felt different, her ability to write multifaceted characters remained. Scarlett and Ryder (inspired by the off-camera love story between the stars of The Notebook) were each dynamic characters who played very well off one another. All in all, this was a fun read perfect for those warm pool days.
Read if you like:
▪️second chance romance
▪️lovers to enemies
▪️forced proximity
▪️coastal South Carolina
▪️emotional depth
▪️Hollywood romance
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Berkley Romance for the advanced copy.
March 9, 2026
This one felt like a bit of a pivot from Devon's previous 2 books (which I loved both!). There was more emotion and story behind the characters, maybe a bit more like a Carley Fortune book? I missed Devon's signature wit and banter though. I'm not sure why she didn't have the characters be more enemies to lovers especially at the beginning since they hadn’t seen or spoken either each other in 10 years. I liked it, but didn't feel as connected to the page as I have previously felt with her other books. I think if you like contemporary romances which lean a bit more women’s fiction, you’ll love this on.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars.
"Star-Crossed Summer" by Devon Daniels is the perfect summertime beach read. I definitely got "The Notebook" vibes while reading this one because of the setting, the characters, their relationship, and the time away from one another. This is a dual-timeline second-chance romance that tells the story of Ryder (MMC) and Scarlett (FMC), who starred together in a very popular movie called "The Lost Letter." In addition to their fiery on-screen chemistry, Ryder and Scarlett also simultaneously fell in love in real life, too. Something happened between them, and they stopped talking to one another. In the decade since, Scarlett has become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. After a horrible hurricane nearly decimated the South Carolina town where the movie was filmed, fundraising efforts are set to reunite the entire "Lost Letter" cast to fundraise to help the people of the town rebuild. This will be the first time Scarlett and Ryder have seen each other in a decade. Because of the nature of this story, the way the characters left things undisclosed, the second-chance aspect is full of angst and unspoken yearning, which I very much appreciated. This is also an "it's always been you" tale if only Ryder and Scarlett can stop running from their feelings and can get out of their own way to actually have a conversation about what went wrong lo those many years ago. I enjoyed this book quite a bit! I am usually not the biggest 'celebrities-in-romance-novels' fan, but I think the chemistry between the characters, the way things were left undetermined between them, the growth they both exhibit over their decade apart, and the manufacturing of their ultimate reunion for maximum emotionality make this worth reading. I found this to be a quick read, mostly because I wanted to know where it was going. I did, ultimately, see the ending coming, but that didn't make it any less interesting to me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Devon Daniels, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Star-Crossed Summer" by Devon Daniels is the perfect summertime beach read. I definitely got "The Notebook" vibes while reading this one because of the setting, the characters, their relationship, and the time away from one another. This is a dual-timeline second-chance romance that tells the story of Ryder (MMC) and Scarlett (FMC), who starred together in a very popular movie called "The Lost Letter." In addition to their fiery on-screen chemistry, Ryder and Scarlett also simultaneously fell in love in real life, too. Something happened between them, and they stopped talking to one another. In the decade since, Scarlett has become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. After a horrible hurricane nearly decimated the South Carolina town where the movie was filmed, fundraising efforts are set to reunite the entire "Lost Letter" cast to fundraise to help the people of the town rebuild. This will be the first time Scarlett and Ryder have seen each other in a decade. Because of the nature of this story, the way the characters left things undisclosed, the second-chance aspect is full of angst and unspoken yearning, which I very much appreciated. This is also an "it's always been you" tale if only Ryder and Scarlett can stop running from their feelings and can get out of their own way to actually have a conversation about what went wrong lo those many years ago. I enjoyed this book quite a bit! I am usually not the biggest 'celebrities-in-romance-novels' fan, but I think the chemistry between the characters, the way things were left undetermined between them, the growth they both exhibit over their decade apart, and the manufacturing of their ultimate reunion for maximum emotionality make this worth reading. I found this to be a quick read, mostly because I wanted to know where it was going. I did, ultimately, see the ending coming, but that didn't make it any less interesting to me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Devon Daniels, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
May 5, 2026
Devon Daniels is easily one of my favorite romance authors. Her stories have depth, which I feel like is lacking with a lot of romances lately. I have been anticipating this book since 2023 and it did not disappoint!
This was a refreshing take on a second chance romance between two movie stars-Scarlett and Ryder. It’s told through dual timelines 10 years apart. The dual timeline was done SO WELL and added so much depth to their story. I was wrapped up in the storylines for both timelines, which isn’t always the case for me. I often tend to favor the present, but the switch between past and present came together seamlessly.
I’ll admit I’m not big on celebrity romances, but this one worked well for me. It was more about the making of a movie vs the fame part of a lot of celebrity romance books. I truly felt like I was behind the scenes on a movie set. I loved all of the side characters and I’m really hoping we get a story about Jase and Kendall! 🥺
Devon has said that her inspiration behind this story was Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling and their filming of The Notebook and relationship afterwards. It made my millennial heart happy. 🩷 You will immediately want to watch The Notebook! My brother and sister-in-law are both actors and met playing love interests in a play so this storyline was special for me!
This story felt a bit different than Devon’s previous two novels. Heavier themes and less banter, but still so many lighthearted and tender moments throughout. This one is a perfect beach read! Prepare to be swept away to coastal South Carolina!
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content rating: R
Spice rating: 🌶️.5 (mild to slightly moderate)
Language: some strong language (handful)
⚠️Some definite possible triggers. Don’t want to state any because it would be spoilers.
This was a refreshing take on a second chance romance between two movie stars-Scarlett and Ryder. It’s told through dual timelines 10 years apart. The dual timeline was done SO WELL and added so much depth to their story. I was wrapped up in the storylines for both timelines, which isn’t always the case for me. I often tend to favor the present, but the switch between past and present came together seamlessly.
I’ll admit I’m not big on celebrity romances, but this one worked well for me. It was more about the making of a movie vs the fame part of a lot of celebrity romance books. I truly felt like I was behind the scenes on a movie set. I loved all of the side characters and I’m really hoping we get a story about Jase and Kendall! 🥺
Devon has said that her inspiration behind this story was Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling and their filming of The Notebook and relationship afterwards. It made my millennial heart happy. 🩷 You will immediately want to watch The Notebook! My brother and sister-in-law are both actors and met playing love interests in a play so this storyline was special for me!
This story felt a bit different than Devon’s previous two novels. Heavier themes and less banter, but still so many lighthearted and tender moments throughout. This one is a perfect beach read! Prepare to be swept away to coastal South Carolina!
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content rating: R
Spice rating: 🌶️.5 (mild to slightly moderate)
Language: some strong language (handful)
⚠️Some definite possible triggers. Don’t want to state any because it would be spoilers.
July 30, 2026
4.5 stars— Loved it. This author deserves more attention. This was great. ❤️
June 18, 2026
5⭐️ I think Devon Daniels wrote this book just for me so thank you. This was a second chance romance, dual timeline, summer beach read, and had enough depth to make me tear up multiple times. Pretty much all I've ever asked for in a romance novel.
Scarlett and Ryder are actors who met on set ten years ago and became infamous for their roles in an emotional romantic drama. Their on-screen roles turned into an off-screen affair that ended with the pair not speaking to eachother for a decade. Now they are back in town for a reunion to raise money for the beach town their movie was filmed in after it is severely damaged by a hurricane. As they are forced back together to raise money, Scarlett must also face being back with Ryder again and what led to their years of silence.
This was emotional yet witty and funny. I couldn't have read it faster.
Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted finished copy! All thoughts are my own.
Scarlett and Ryder are actors who met on set ten years ago and became infamous for their roles in an emotional romantic drama. Their on-screen roles turned into an off-screen affair that ended with the pair not speaking to eachother for a decade. Now they are back in town for a reunion to raise money for the beach town their movie was filmed in after it is severely damaged by a hurricane. As they are forced back together to raise money, Scarlett must also face being back with Ryder again and what led to their years of silence.
This was emotional yet witty and funny. I couldn't have read it faster.
Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted finished copy! All thoughts are my own.
July 7, 2026
Notebook fans? This one’s for us ☺️
Thank you so much to Berkley for my ARC!
4/5 ⭐
Thank you so much to Berkley for my ARC!
4/5 ⭐
July 27, 2026
4 ⭐️
I found myself invested in Scarlett and Ryder from the very beginning. Their reunion was filled with so much history and unresolved emotion that I couldn’t wait to learn what had pulled them apart.
I loved the way the story moved between the past and present. Watching their relationship develop while slowly uncovering everything that led to their breakup made their journey feel emotional and believable. By the time the pieces came together, I understood both of them and the choices they had made.
One thing I appreciated was that neither Scarlett nor Ryder was portrayed as perfect. They both had flaws, they both made mistakes, and they both had to take responsibility for the role they played in the end of their relationship. That made their second chance feel earned instead of rushed.
There was a nice balance of heartfelt moments, unresolved tension, and lighter scenes that kept the story engaging. I also enjoyed the small nods to The Notebook. They added a fun layer without taking away from Scarlett and Ryder’s story.
Even though the reunion unfolds over the course of a week, the years of history between these characters gave their relationship the emotional depth needed to make the ending feel satisfying. This was a sweet, nostalgic romance that left me smiling, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Devon Daniels.
I found myself invested in Scarlett and Ryder from the very beginning. Their reunion was filled with so much history and unresolved emotion that I couldn’t wait to learn what had pulled them apart.
I loved the way the story moved between the past and present. Watching their relationship develop while slowly uncovering everything that led to their breakup made their journey feel emotional and believable. By the time the pieces came together, I understood both of them and the choices they had made.
One thing I appreciated was that neither Scarlett nor Ryder was portrayed as perfect. They both had flaws, they both made mistakes, and they both had to take responsibility for the role they played in the end of their relationship. That made their second chance feel earned instead of rushed.
There was a nice balance of heartfelt moments, unresolved tension, and lighter scenes that kept the story engaging. I also enjoyed the small nods to The Notebook. They added a fun layer without taking away from Scarlett and Ryder’s story.
Even though the reunion unfolds over the course of a week, the years of history between these characters gave their relationship the emotional depth needed to make the ending feel satisfying. This was a sweet, nostalgic romance that left me smiling, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Devon Daniels.
July 12, 2026
✨When I heard that the author of this book was inspired by the real-life enemies-to-lovers story of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams on the set of The Notebook, I knew this was a must-read for me. I'm happy to report that it didn't disappoint. There’s so much to love here from the charming small-town beach setting to the emotional second-chance romance and all the swoony The Notebook vibes. It’s the perfect summer love story to pack in your beach bag.
🎧You already know if Brittany Pressley narrates it, it’s going to be fabulous. As usual, she knocked it out of the park and brought the story right off the pages for me.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Second-chance romance
✨Beach reads
✨Summer stories
✨Hollywood romance
✨Small beach-town setting
✨Dual timelines
✨Low spice
✨The Notebook
🎧You already know if Brittany Pressley narrates it, it’s going to be fabulous. As usual, she knocked it out of the park and brought the story right off the pages for me.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Second-chance romance
✨Beach reads
✨Summer stories
✨Hollywood romance
✨Small beach-town setting
✨Dual timelines
✨Low spice
✨The Notebook
July 28, 2026
cute & impactful towards the end, but I wish it had a little more substance throughout!
May 21, 2026
This book was so cute. It’s the perfect romance beach read. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. Scarlett and Ryder are such a an interesting couple. The story is told between two timelines. The past and the current time. Some of the twists I did see coming but overall it was a great read and really kept my attention. I’m hoping there’s a Kendall and Jace sequel coming.
February 22, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 Check on your geriatric millennial friends right now because we are not only facing the fact that we probably live with a heating pad nearby at all times but our childhood icons are dying. There is a yearning sense for nostalgia and our comfort items. Devon Daniels brings this desire to life in her latest novel that is perfect for a summer read.
It’s been ten years since Scarlett rose to fame in her debut film cast alongside Hollywood heartthrob Ryder. Star-Crossed Summer follows two summers, a decade apart, with the chance to change everything for a couple as fated and flawed as this one. This is the escape I did not know I needed to coastal South Carolina with my new favorite fictional movie star couple. Sometimes all the tiny little signs in the universe align and a reunion for a good cause in the little town that started it all brings hope that lightning can indeed strike twice when it comes to love. Devon Daniels once again reminds us why romance is such an enduring force in our hearts. Star-Crossed Summer is one sweeping story that absolutely delivers a five-star read.
📖 Book Review 📖 Check on your geriatric millennial friends right now because we are not only facing the fact that we probably live with a heating pad nearby at all times but our childhood icons are dying. There is a yearning sense for nostalgia and our comfort items. Devon Daniels brings this desire to life in her latest novel that is perfect for a summer read.
It’s been ten years since Scarlett rose to fame in her debut film cast alongside Hollywood heartthrob Ryder. Star-Crossed Summer follows two summers, a decade apart, with the chance to change everything for a couple as fated and flawed as this one. This is the escape I did not know I needed to coastal South Carolina with my new favorite fictional movie star couple. Sometimes all the tiny little signs in the universe align and a reunion for a good cause in the little town that started it all brings hope that lightning can indeed strike twice when it comes to love. Devon Daniels once again reminds us why romance is such an enduring force in our hearts. Star-Crossed Summer is one sweeping story that absolutely delivers a five-star read.
June 20, 2026
Scarlett Everhart, a successful Hollywood star, faces her past when reuniting with Ryder Perry. A decade ago Scarlett and Ryders film “The Last Letter” came out. On top of being previous co-stars the on-screen chemistry made fans swoon. This developed into an off-screen romance that took a painful turn. Ending with Scarlett heartbroken, vowing to focus on her career and never see Ryder again. They have managed to avoided each other for 10 years. However, an opportunity comes up brining them back together stirring up old feelings and has her thinking about the past.
Unpopular opinion but I love second chance romances, they’re always so angsty and hit me right in the feels. I also love when we’re able to get chapters from the past, we’re able to get a glimpse into the past versions of the characters, how they met and the relationship develop. Then in the modern time how the floodgate of memories from filming and Ryder fill Scarlett’s mind. We were really able to see how the past decade had shaped Scarlett and Ryder, it added so much depth to the story. The yearning from Ryder oh my god I was floored. It was so fun to get to see both versions of Scarlett and Ryder. How we got to see their flaws and then grow as people. The way their love story paralleled “The Last Letter” absolutely broke my heart. The past and present povs were perfectly done and added so much to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Unpopular opinion but I love second chance romances, they’re always so angsty and hit me right in the feels. I also love when we’re able to get chapters from the past, we’re able to get a glimpse into the past versions of the characters, how they met and the relationship develop. Then in the modern time how the floodgate of memories from filming and Ryder fill Scarlett’s mind. We were really able to see how the past decade had shaped Scarlett and Ryder, it added so much depth to the story. The yearning from Ryder oh my god I was floored. It was so fun to get to see both versions of Scarlett and Ryder. How we got to see their flaws and then grow as people. The way their love story paralleled “The Last Letter” absolutely broke my heart. The past and present povs were perfectly done and added so much to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 20, 2026
the issues i have with this book are insurmountable. everything resolution in this book is a reflection of things that we aren't shown and just told, so it doesn't really work or make me feel satisfied when the book is about another thing altogether. It's like okay, I'm gonna give you the smell of biryani, but the dish I'll serve you will just be a pizza. It doesn't work like that. it just cannot work like that. If you want to give me pizza, give me the SMELL of pizza and NOT biryani. the open ending sort of resolution would have been fitting if we saw this couple THROUGH the very hard time they had and that's what this book has been about. But no that very hard time is just really a plot twist at about 80% and the book isn't really going deep into all of that so like what gives!!! change SOMETHING??
All that said, it's probably the most lashings and criticism I have for a 4 star read. It's genuinely been such a great time but I just cannot bring myself to agree with a lot of things here and how they were executed and the perfomative glaze I see some characters get.
All that said, it's probably the most lashings and criticism I have for a 4 star read. It's genuinely been such a great time but I just cannot bring myself to agree with a lot of things here and how they were executed and the perfomative glaze I see some characters get.
July 9, 2026
3.5 / 5 ⭐
First Person, FMC POV 👀
Ryder (MMC) and Scarlett (FMC)
I will start by saying that this novel is beautifully written. I'm a fan of the author's previous two books, however this one didn't exactly hit the mark for me. I miss the humor, and whitty dialogues of Denvon Daniels previous published work.
I just felt like there was too much drama, and not really justified. I also didn't love the fact that we as readers don't find out the reason that the MC's stop seeing/speaking to each other until almost the end, and when we do it felt anticlimactic.
I'm personally not a fan of the following:
Miscommunication trope
Second chance romance
Dual timeline
So perhaps this is why I didn't click with the story or the characters in this book. But perhaps you'll love it :)
Happy reading 📚
First Person, FMC POV 👀
Ryder (MMC) and Scarlett (FMC)
I will start by saying that this novel is beautifully written. I'm a fan of the author's previous two books, however this one didn't exactly hit the mark for me. I miss the humor, and whitty dialogues of Denvon Daniels previous published work.
I just felt like there was too much drama, and not really justified. I also didn't love the fact that we as readers don't find out the reason that the MC's stop seeing/speaking to each other until almost the end, and when we do it felt anticlimactic.
I'm personally not a fan of the following:
Miscommunication trope
Second chance romance
Dual timeline
So perhaps this is why I didn't click with the story or the characters in this book. But perhaps you'll love it :)
Happy reading 📚
July 10, 2026
4.25⭐
Captivating and emotional, this book is the perfect example of "just one more chapter," as you just have to know what is happening in the next chapter. Two young actors poised for success in the WWII tearjerker, also fall in love ten years ago in the Carolina beachtown where they are filming. What happened back then caused a ten-year estrangement, but what was it? Told in two timelines that enmesh perfectly. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Captivating and emotional, this book is the perfect example of "just one more chapter," as you just have to know what is happening in the next chapter. Two young actors poised for success in the WWII tearjerker, also fall in love ten years ago in the Carolina beachtown where they are filming. What happened back then caused a ten-year estrangement, but what was it? Told in two timelines that enmesh perfectly. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
July 24, 2026
This was romance perfection. Inspired by the true story of the filming of the notebook, it is also a story all its own. Second chance romance, set beautifully in the low country. It's character driven and not over written or bogged down by too many character or subplots. It was a classic love story worthy of the Allie and Noah's (or Ryan and Rachel's) inspiration. The subtle nods to romance super fans are what us long time book to screen girlies live for.
August 8, 2026
A moving, second chance romance between two movie stars who reunite for a new film only to find themselves rehashing their past and falling in love all over again. This was good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Christina Lauren. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. It was especially good on audio narrated by one of my favs, Brittany Pressley.
August 3, 2026
This book is for everyone whose romance obsession was shaped by Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling’s sizzling chemistry in The Notebook era, during our formative years. Lots of nods to the movie's infamous scenes, with its own unique touch. The author explicitly admits that inspiration, and I was 100% here for it!
August 2, 2026
A very cute ode to millennial culture with the nod to The Notebook and a fan-fiction re-telling of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams’ relationship. Not my typical read but a good palette cleanse from the heavier stuff I’ve been reading lately.
July 13, 2026
*3.5 stars
it wasn’t bad it just wasn’t very good. but readable
it wasn’t bad it just wasn’t very good. but readable
July 17, 2026
4.5 I really liked this one!
July 23, 2026
4.25/5
July 28, 2026
If you loved The Notebook (movie) then drop everything and go read this!!!! My millennial heart ate it up
July 16, 2026
Such a fun summer read!! Loved hearing the lore behind the notebook filming, and this was a fun re-imagining.
July 24, 2026
Started off as a fun nod to Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams on the set of The Notebook but was not expecting the emotional damage that came at the end. Most of it felt pretty predictable but I found myself bawling my eyes out as Ryder & Scarlett finally came to terms with their past.
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