XOXO, Summer

by S.L. Scott

I can’t decide if my new summer tenant—a devastatingly handsome hockey player and single dad—is the answer to my problems or the start of a new one.

When big-city developers threaten to buy up my small town, I need to save the rental cottage next door from demolition. I have a plan . . . until Daniel Sutton checks in.

Six-four, a face chiseled by the gods, and a body built by a career on the ice, I’m knocked sideways. He’s charming with me and adorable with his son. And when we touch, it’s electric.

But two things change everything. The pipes break in the cottage, and his agent calls. Before I can stop myself, I’m offering him a place to stay, and Daniel is offering me the answer to my problems. He’ll buy the cottage for me if I help him clean up his reputation.

Sounds simple enough. But when I start to fall in love with him, even though I know he’s leaving in a few months, it’s suddenly more complicated than ever.

I’m willing to take a chance on us and pour my heart into a letter. But with him skating on thin ice, he’s going to have to sacrifice something—me or his career.

I just hope XOXO, Summer isn’t the last thing I ever get to say to him.

Genres: Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romance

Paperback

Expected publication June 5, 2026

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, writes character driven, heart-racing suspense, and swoony romances that will leave you glued to the page. With stories ranging from witty beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, her stories are highly regarded as emotional, relatable, and captivating.

Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart that always come with a happily ever after reward at the end.


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Reviews

[Jo Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

XOXO SUMMER by S.L.SCOTT

XOXO Summer is the first book in the series

Summer Season’s first impression of six-four, handsome ice hockey player Daniel Sutton isn’t promising. He’s arrogant, egotistical and a rule breaker, but at least he’s a great dad to his young son.

When a water pipe bursts in the cottage she manages (though desperately wants to own) for a neighbour, she welcomes the two vacationers temporarily into her own home.

As the pair spend time together so their relationship develops but with everything seemingly against them, can Summer and Daniel fight their way to their HEA?….

—————————————

This was a delightful book in what I assume will become a series covering all the Season sisters.

I liked both the MCs, Summer is quite naive coming from a small town and Daniel is a famous, wealthy, city dwelling single father. They bring out the best in each other though Summer struggles somewhat with Daniel’s ‘world’.

There is obvious chemistry between the two and this is portrayed in open door spicy scenes as their relationship develops.

There is a small clue to a mystery that promises to continue in future books in the series.

I did think that they jumped into the relationship a bit fast, with Daniel offering her something when they hadn’t known each other very long, which I thought was a bit unbelievable but apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

I read an ebook copy of this delightful book, with around 350 pages, a bright illustrated cover and good editing.

With thanks to S.L.Scott and Hambright PR for an early copy of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.

☀️ Close Proximity
☀️ Sports Romance
☀️ Single Dad
☀️ Contemporary Romance
☀️ Spicy 🔥🔥🔥
☀️ Age Gap
☀️ Opposites Attract

[Anah Grindrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book, Summer and Daniel were so meant to be 🥰❤️

Summer our FMC is the eldest of 4 sisters and have lost their parents years before, rents Cove cottage in their small town out for the summer in hopes that the owner will sell her the property as there are big companies after the land. Also can’t leave out their Grandma Dolly!

Daniel our MMC is a hockey star who is also a single dad to a 7yr old Roman who have rented out the cottage for the summer to get away from the city and fans. When Daniel and summer met there is an instant connection and flirtation. Burst water pipes and they both go and move in with Summer, her sisters and Dolly while the cottage is fixed.

I loved watching them fall in love, it was so easy and they were each others home!

I loved the banter with summers siblings and Dolly, I can’t wait for more in this series.

Thank you S.L. Scott and The Author Agency for the ARC

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, XOXO, Summer was a super sweet summer romance between a renowned hockey player and the manager of the property he was staying at for the summer. It was a whirlwind romance which was great, but there were certain parts of it where I felt that the pacing was a bit too slow for me. I loved that Summer and Daniel were able to come together and help each other realize their goals and find happiness with each other. I also loved that Daniel's son, Roman, was a part of it all.

The Season sisters were a lot, but I do look forward to reading their own books. I also look forward to what CS #7 means in the next book :)

Overall, super cute romance with forced proximity, he falls first, and single dad vibes. Highly recommend to readers who like feel good, small town hockey romances.

Thank you Hambright PR and the Author Agency for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, it's just nice to read a book where both of the characters are all in from the beginning, are honest with one another, and while they know being together might be work, are also honest about both wanting to figure it out.

Yes, Summer and Daniel had some hurdles and had to figure things out along the way, but this was about two people who both knew the other wanted to figure it out, and that made this an easy and enjoyable read.

Add in that I genuinely liked both characters (and am looking forward to the next in the series) and this was a book I relaxed into and enjoyed as a perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon. The secondary characters are interesting and feel real, giving this a small town vibe that works because the setting doesn't ever overpower the characters, which can be a tough balance for a first book in a series, but this one was well balanced.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title from the Author

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.8 Stars)
Summer Season wants to keep her small town away from big wig developers. That is when she is hoping to get ownership of the little cottage next door. Renting it to Daniel Sutton & his son for the summer might have been more than she can handle though. Nothing goes right in the run down cottage so when she offers for him to move in while she fixes the pipes he also has a fix for her dilemma. Maybe he can help her get that cottage that she wants and she can help him clean up his public image. This is an adorable summer romance between strangers. Daniel’s son Roman is too cute and I really enjoyed this feel good romance. Told in first person and dual POV.

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer and Daniel’s story starts off hot and heavy and had me loving them instantly!

I loved the hilarious banter between these two and their fast comaderie! This little town is so charming and Summer Seasons family is the heart. I love this new little town and look forward to calling it home as I know the next book is going to be just as amazing as the last!

Daniel and Summer, I just can’t say enough about these two! Omg I love how these two just get each other and do what they can to not only help the other but to also just be there.

Such a beautiful story and one that made my heart truly a happy! A very fast and enjoyable read that is perfect to start your summer with!

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Hambright PR for a eARC of XOXO, Summer.

This book is a perfect single dad, hockey romance, for those after a quick and easy read! As much as I loved Summer & Daniel in this book - it was the Season Sisters, Dolly & the potential mystery to uncover left by their parents that left me wanting more from this story!
3.5 stars - I really enjoyed this book - some parts felt slowly paced, where as others made me go "wow, that happened". Daniel & Summer both had an insta-lust feel too them which I honestly didn't mind all that much, because for them, it worked, it felt like the right moment, right time etc...
I personally hope to see more from each of the Season Sisters!

[OM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to @LunaLiterary for the ARC!

XOXO, Summer by S.L. Scott was a low-stakes, quick read. For those who love single-dad romances, with small-town vibes, and a quirky family, wrapped up in a sports romance, then this is for you.

Daniel and Summer were cute. Their interactions were funny, almost immediately, which I appreciated. Summer’s interactions with Roman were super cute.

It’s a perfect quick beach read.

[Christina Manzanares · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cute and sweet book. There are topics of grief in this book, but the strength shown to overcome such a tragedy is beautiful. I love the relationship between Summer and Daniel. They might have a fake relationship to benefit each other in the beginning, but their communication skills is one to admire. I love also the relationship that Summer builds with Daniel's son Roman.

[Kalexreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sweet, love at first sight, spicy romance. I loved Summer and Daniel!!! They were flirty and funny from the beginning. She made him want to be a better man and want more from life than hockey. She fell in love with the man and his son…not the hockey player. They had some logistical things to work out, but it was a fun story and really easy to read. Loved it!!!

[NanaX8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and delightful romance that will bring you wit & banter and laughter & tears as Daniel and Summer navigate trying to blend their worlds. And what is life without Summers’s Grandma Dolly, the other Season sisters and Daniel’s son Roman to keep you on your toes!

Grab Summer & Daniel’s journey and enjoy!❤️

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy, small town romance! I enjoyed the chemistry and banter between Summer and Daniel. I also enjoyed the relationship Summer developed with Roman, he was a little cutie.

Thank you Luna Literary for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! Why can't a rich hockey player just fall into my lap? Hmph. I love the dynamics with all of the sisters. Cannot wait for Brandon's story!