From New York Times bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a new laugh-out-loud summer rom-com.
He clicked "yes" on a dare. She bought a failing candy shop. Now they're neighbors for the summer―and neither is ready for what comes next.
Renley Gossage has one shot to prove she's more than Cape Meril's favorite cautionary tale: restore her favorite candy shop before the town writes her off like they did her father. No help, no shortcuts, and definitely no rich men wielding engagement rings and making things messy.
Theo Williams never planned on ending up in Cape Meril. A drunken game of truth or dare turned into a botched online engagement, and now he's across the ocean, escaping his father's control with nothing but designer shoes, misplaced confidence, and a rental next door to Renley.
She's practical, stubborn, and covered in paint. He's posh, persistent, and willing to use a sander if it means earning her trust.
Between collapsing drywall, gossiping neighbors, and the chaotic schemes of Renley's aunt, their forced proximity turns into something dangerously close to real.
But Renley's future depends on standing on her own two feet, and Theo's past isn't done with him yet. By the time the candy shop doors open, they'll have to decide if this is just a summer fling―or the happily ever after neither of them saw coming.
When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.
You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.
I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.
4.5 stars—-this book had me laughing out loud almost each chapter! Aunt Kitty and Rupert are now 2 of my favorite side characters. This truly it the perfect summer read ♥️
I saw this newly released book on Kindle Unlimited with its gorgeous, eye-catching bright cover and instantly downloaded it and moved it to the front of my TBR. The main character restoring a candy shop sounded so fun and I thought this would be a perfect little summer romcom. Nope, this was a FLOP! I’m so disappointed because I really wanted to love this book. The characters and storyline were subpar and boring. Aunt Kitty was so annoying and immature. All the characters and their dialogue were corny, and I cringed so many times. Everything was a bit too far-fetched that it was unenjoyable. I keep forcing myself to keep reading but it was a chore and I ended up skimming after 35% to get this finished and over. Should have DNFed at the beginning, unfortunately. Also, this book was almost 600 pages!! That is wayyy too much for this book and not necessary at all. I really wanted to love this book, but it was such a bummer. I love rom coms, but this is just a big no. Do yourself a favor and skip this one!
If you’re looking for absolute chaos + that MQ charm, then this is your book! The story is one of Meghan’s more lighthearted tales, based on a rather wacky concept but extremely entertaining. It is essentially a strangers to lovers, opposites attract romance set in small-town America. Between meddling family members, a candy shop renovation, and some forced proximity, we have a front row seat for a fun-filled, feel good tale between a strong-willed candy shop owner and a flirty soon to be lord Brit.
This one is SURE to make you laugh out loud and make your heart melt 🥰💖✨
“It’s written all over our story.” “We don’t have a story.” “Oh we do.” 🤭
2 worlds collide when he said yes to a dare and she bought a failing candy store. Now, they’re neighbours for the summer and you wouldn’t believe what they are in for…
Renley Gossage wants to prove herself to the residents of small town Cape Meril by restoring her favorite candy shop before the town writes her off. No extra help or funding required. Except, all was not as it seemed, and Aunt Kitty didn’t have the restoration money she promised…so after a few hours commiserating with one too many margaritas, she looks online for a financer.
Enter: Theo Williams 💰
After a drunken game of truth or dare, Theo ends up across the ocean, in Cape Meril, proposing to a stranger to escape his father’s control.
She comes from a world where they’re scraping every penny to make ends meet and picking up odd jobs to gain just an ounce of respect from the town’s people. While he is from high-society world England where money is a bottomless pit.
She needs his money. He needs a wife. By the time the candy shop doors open, they'll have to decide if this is just a summer fling - or the happily ever after neither of them saw coming…
Renley was a fantastic FMC! She's practical, stubborn, independent, and extremely determined. I adore a strong female lead, and Renley totally carried this story from start to finish. While Theo also had a strong presence, I feel like Renley had the power to take this storyline one way or the other. She didn’t let Theo walk all over her and she definitely didn’t make his job easy, but that’s what I loved about her. I can’t help but rooting for a strong female presence, especially when she is sweet and thoughtful too.
Theo, on the other hand, had some growing to do. In the beginning, he is painted as a posh, entitled rich boy. He is naturally flirty but he is nothing if not persistent. Overtime, his character goes through some serious self-development and he proves to be more than just a pretty face. He is fun, quick-witted, and surprisingly sincere. By the half way mark, he had me in the palm of his hand 🙂↕️
"A man so expertly put together on the outside but slowly cracking and breaking on the inside. He’s been so full of life, so full of joy and excitement, that I didn’t identify the hurt he’s been feeling. I’ve almost looked past it given what I’ve been dealing with. But sitting here with him and pushing past his lighthearted facade, I can see it. I can see the hurt in his eyes. I can see the weariness, the exhaustion, the uncertainty." 🥺💖✨
There were also 2 major side characters that deserve a mention: Theo’s best friend Rupert and Renley’s Aunt Kitty. They definitely helped make the book the success it was. Theo and Rupert together were such a chaotic duo. More like brothers than friends, I loved the honesty and ridiculousness they brought to the plot. As for Aunt Kitty, she was a meddler 🤭 Put her and Rupert together…🤐 ensue craziness 🤪
I loved this romance so much. It was fairly simple but executed well. Theo’s character growth and his open communication made all the difference to this sweet romance. I loved how persistent he was and how he always showed up for Renley. He was the true definition of an anchor ⚓️ His strength gave Renley the confidence and courage she needed and I loved how she slowly warmed up to him and opened up. They were both so vulnerable with each other, it was the sweetest thing 🥲 Alongside the emotional support, there was also a lot of hilarious banter thrown back and forth constantly; it was extremely entertaining!
“You bring light and joy to my days. You’ve taught me how to relax, how to enjoy the small parts of my day. I’m going to miss that, terribly. Everything about it I’m going to miss. But most importantly, I’m going to miss this, us. The way you hold me, cherish me, look at me. You’ve made me feel like so much more than I’ve ever seen in myself." 🥹💖✨
Overall, this was a VERY enjoyable read. It was so close to being a 5 🌟 but I had to take 1/2 a 🌟 off because it was a little too spicy for my liking 🥵 and 1/2 a 🌟 because of a minor 3rd act break-up 🙄 HOWEVER, it was still well worth reading and I’m going to have a hard time letting these loveable characters go 😢 Thankfully, the book was rounded of with an eventful and FABULOUS ending! 👏🏽
I've listened to around 23 of Meghan's books and have rated most of them 4-5 stars. They are typically my favorite reads. This one however felt like a chore to get to the end. The characters were unremarkable and the plot & dialogue was way too slapstick. I'd take the Cane brothers and saving the pigeons any day over this.
Unfortunately, I think I may have outgrown Meghan Quinn. I used to love her books but haven’t liked the last few I’ve read. It was way too long. It had no business being almost 600 pages. I found myself skimming a lot. It’s over a couple hundred pages before the characters kiss and then once they have sex they’re going at it like bunnies.
I know it’s fiction but I feel like the whole plot line is super far fetched. The MMC having to travel to America to secure a bride (all on a bet and mission to prove his father wrong). The FMC not realizing she’s on a fiancé finder site and NOT a financier finder site. And I refuse to believe anyone thinks DTF means down to finance 😑
There was lots of forced sexual innuendo and overall I felt like the story was trying too hard to be funny. I wasn’t laughing. Is it normal these days to talk publicly, in detail, with your friends and your relatives about your sex life as if you’re discussing the weather? It’s weird to me.
And there was 10 pages of a car ride conversation that adds nothing to the story. It’s literally 10 pages of them trying to figure out how to strike up conversation.
I didn’t really like the characters either. While Theo, Renley (pet named Gossy 🤢)and Rupert had some profound moments, the primary overall vibe was childish. I’d expect the characters to be early 20s at most, not 30 ish. And don’t get me started on Kitty. Her hobby horse hobby was the least of my concerns. She’s obnoxious and even at the end I still didn’t like her.
I always know when I pick up a Meghan Quinn book, I’ll be in for a good laugh - and Rules for the Summer was no exception 😍
Thank you Meghan Quinn for the ARC & ALC, all opinions are my own.
This book was such a fun time! I went in without reading the blurb & I was laughing out loud in chapter 1 🙃
After a miscommunication where Theo is dared to join a website to find a fiancé, & Renley drunkenly joins the same website to find a financier (for her candy shop), they meet in her small town. Theo is determined to win her over, and Renley just wants to prove to her entire town that she’s more capable than they believe.
Both turn out to be exactly what the other needs. Theo needs to learn about living in the real world, after growing up privileged. Renley needs someone in her corner, after so many in her life have proven themselves unreliable.
I adored Theo, this somehow felt like “his” book (vs a more typical romance feeling like it revolves around the fmc). I struggled a bit to connect with Renley, I felt her character to be a bit overshadowed by all the rest, and it took me more time to know her better.
Rupert (Theo’s best friend) & Aunt Kitty (Renley’s aunt) were so amusing with all of their antics, and what they brought to the MCs.
🎧 narrated in duet by Stella Hunter & Shane East, with Melissa Metcalf & Gary Furlong as the side characters all of the narrators brought so much to the story, infusing even more humor into a hilarious story!
✦ tropes & more: ☀️ summer romance 🙃 opposites attract 🏠 neighbors 🍭 candy shop owner 👑 future lord 💙 he falls first 🔗 forced proximity 🌳 small town 💞 dual 1st person pov
🎧 audio + ebook | ⭐️: 4.5 | 🌶️: open door |
📖 Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn 💜: contemporary romance (mf) 🎙 narrated by: Stella Hunter & Shane East, with Melissa Metcalf & Gary Furlong
I always look forward to Quinn’s summer books because they’re guaranteed to be a little chaotic, completely over the top, and ridiculously hilarious in the best way. They’re the kind of stories that just feel like summer, and this one absolutely delivered.
I genuinely couldn’t stop listening because I needed to know what was going to happen next. The pacing kept me hooked, and every time I thought things couldn’t get more unhinged, they somehow did.
We’ve got a guy who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the girl to fall for him, and a girl who is so standoffish that it honestly makes their dynamic even better. The push and pull between them was so entertaining, and somehow they end up feeling like a perfect match.
If you’re looking for a light, laugh-out-loud romance to throw on your summer TBR, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Неймовірно чудова, прекрасна, легка та весела книжка 😍🫶 Гумор підкорив з першої ж сторінки 🤭 Тітка Кітті - це щось з чимось) її ексцентрична і інфантильна поведінка викликає щирий сміх з нотками невіри, що доросла людина може так себе поводити🤣 З плином прочитання деінде, через думки ЖГГ, ставлення до неї дещо змінюється, але у підсумку все рівно Кітті лишається чудовим персонажем 😁 У авторки такий легкий, чудовий гумор, що я, мабуть, з жодної книжки так не хіхікала 🤭 Звичайно, під час читання є чітке враження, що це все така дурацька вигадка, далека від реальності, але це не заважає отримувати колосальне задоволення від поглинання кожної сторіночки ❤️ Сюжет не просідає ні на хвилину, хоч і обсяг доволі величенький, але читається швидко і хочеться ще і ще... 🤗💖 Стільки цікавих подій, налагодження взаємовідносин планомірне та логічне ❤️🔥 Ніхто з головних героїв не дратував, просто кайф 💞 А сексі гра "Правда чи Дія" у ставку - це взагалі просто захват.. Так чуттєво, пристрасно та "наживо", що я просто отримувала неймовірне задоволення разом з ними 🔥🔥🔥дуже гаряче!!! А потім і їх ночівля з продовженням гри.. ух, тримайте мене .. *обдмухується віялом* Звичайно, підвезли трохи драми і тут стався момент з "чувааааааак, ти серйозно???!" Я випала з фрази Тео "Він більше зі мною не заговорить. Мати теж. Мене позбавлять затишку мого котеджу." Але списала це все на драму задля сюжету і закрила на це очі, бо все сталося, у підсумку так, як і мала закінчуватися ця чудова історія 😍🫶 Обожнюю цю книжку! Для літнього роману і настрою - саме те!!! 🥰
Rules for the Summer is an opposites attract, neighbors, forced proximity, he falls first, summer romance. Meghan Quinn’s books don’t always work for me but the last handful of releases definitely have, so I had some hopes for this one. Sadly though it did not work for me and was a big miss. That said, she writes so many books all the time that I know one in the future will work for me again even if this one wasn’t my cup of tea.
This is a romance where she thinks she’s on a website looking for future financiers to invest in her business but it was actually a fiancé finder…AND now he’s on his way from England to meet her! Aunt Kitty and a lot of the characters and conversations in this one just felt juvenile and cringey. Very over the top levels of romcom. I had purchased the audiobook so I stuck with this one but omg why was it soo dang long?! A romcom almost 600 pages, pleasssse stop with this.
Книжка ідеально доповнила мою відпустку - літня романтична історія + гарячий британець = гарно проведений час 😈 Мені неймовірно сподобався цей ромком. Звичайно історія до абсурдного наївна, передбачувана, але від того вона легка та комфортна. Будьте готові до доволі великого обсягу сторінок. Але нудно і затягнуто не було абсолютно. Навпаки, в епілозі мені хотілось ще їх історії стосунків, як почав своє американське життя Тео, як знайшов себе Руперт, як розвивалась крамниця Ренлі. 💕👩❤️👨 Герої та лл дуже комфортні. Тео неймовірний чоловік. Його сарказм, його турбота, усе це склалось в дуже гарного продуманого чоловічого героя. А Ренлі така собі чорна кішечка. Але особисто я люблю таких жіночих персонажок. Також хочу відзначити гумор авторки. Він легкий, наївний, але я чесно сміялась в голос над багатьма ситуаціями. Ще одна особливість Меган, що її історії легкі, а ось spicy сцени гаряченькі🥵🫠. Чоловіки мають дуже брудні розмови, тож було доволі цікаво. Конкретно тут мені сподобалася їх гра у "правда чи дія"😈. Моя оцінка 4.5/5 ⭐️. Уже друга книга авторки і повне попадання 🤗
Meghan Quinn by far has the best humor on the planet. She is just so funny and it's translated through her over the top hilarious books that is bound to put a smile on your face. With that being said, I am a firm believer that Meghan Quinn's books are best consumed in audio form. There is just something about listening to the over the top scenarios that Meghan puts her characters through in audio that will have you rolling around on the floor laughing your booty off.
And guess what ladies and gents? Meghan Quinn did it again! She straight delivered another book that had me laughing starting in the prologue. Renley and Theo's meet cute is so dang funny and sets the tone for the whole book. The whole premise of the book, I have no clue how Meghan comes up with this things but I hope she never loses that spark because he books truly bring me joy when I need a little light humor in my life.
I also need to give Aunt Kitty and Rupert a huge shout out bc these side characters only added to the story. Aunt Kitty with her hobby horse obsession and Rupert's side commentary had me laughing my booty off.
Now remember what I said, you need to listen to Meghan Quinn's books in audio, please do yourself a favor and listen to this one because Theo is in fact British and the audio is to die for! Rules for the Summer is DUET NARRATION by Shane East and Stella Hunter with Cassandra Medcalf as Aunt Kitty and Gary Furlong as Rupert. And when I tell you this audio was perfection! Shane East and his delicious British accent truly brought the story to life. Listening to spicy truth or dare made my whole year!
Now THIS is why I love Meghan Quinn. This book is a close second to Till Summer Do Us Part. I laughed out loud multiple times and genuinely had the best time reading this.
Also the communication in this book ATE. DOWN. Genuinely the healthiest relationship ever. 🫠
This book felt like getting trapped in an Uber with two drunk theater kids flirting in British accents for 400 pages. Theo would say things like “bloody hell, love 😩” and everybody in the room would act like he reinvented comedy.
The aunt genuinely spoke like a wine mom Facebook repost came to life. Every time she entered a scene I felt my lifespan decrease. Hobby horses. Margaritas. Feet pics. Mark Cuban. I was fighting for survival.
Also this man being British was treated like a personality trait, a career, a disability, and a military rank all at once. The romance had potential for approximately seven minutes before it drowned in 85 page banter scenes where nobody shuts the hell up. By the end I wasn’t rooting for the couple. I was rooting for a power outage 🙁
This book was so good! It had me laughing out loud crying while also being so sweet and swoony! Hands down the funniest MQ book that I’ve read! The audio was phenomenal 10/10 the narrators were fantastic. Shane East was perfect for Theo! The banter between Theo and Renley was top tier😭And the slow burn was delicious😮💨🥵
Renley is independent but a little chaotic and is trying to buy and save the local candy shop. She goes on an app trying to find a financier to help her. In comes Theo who is looking for a fiancée for an arranged marriage to save his title for the British lord. The mixup and miscommunication brings them together and it will have you absolutely rooting for them!
You get the best side characters in this one with Aunt Kitty and Rupert who will have you laughing until you’re in tears! This is the perfect book to kick off summer! Definitely add this to your tbr immediately!
Thank you to team Meghan Quinn for sending me this ALC! This releases on May 5th