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The Endless Seasons Series #1
Endless August
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26Savanna Davis thought that night in August six years ago—and Dalton Hayes—were nothing more than memories that haunted her dreams. He was her childhood crush, her brother’s best friend, and the one man who walked away without warning, leaving her to raise their secret alone.
Now, years later, Savanna’s blast from her painful past is back in town visiting from the military—moody, guarded, and dare she say looking incredibly delicious? Tempted by the one guy she never stopped thinking about, Savanna must make a keep her distance and her secret away from him? Or reveal the truth while reaping the benefits? Because now that she’s older, she knows better than to get attached—it’s all just temporary, anyway.
Dalton Hayes has never stopped thinking about Savanna Davis—or that one passion-filled night they spent together on the beach the night before he left for the military. Now, six years later, he’s reluctantly back home in his hometown—the one place he’s avoided like the plague.
But when Dalton comes face-to-face with the smoking hot blonde he’s tried so desperately to steer clear of—it’s obvious the feelings he’s tried to suppress come roaring back. When Dalton realizes Savanna is a single mom—to a spunky, familiar, blue-eyed little girl—and isn’t happily settled like he originally believed, the narrative of the last few years gets completely flipped upside down.
Now with a second chance, what Dalton wants with Savanna is permanent.
The only thing he has to do is convince her he’ll stay.
Now, years later, Savanna’s blast from her painful past is back in town visiting from the military—moody, guarded, and dare she say looking incredibly delicious? Tempted by the one guy she never stopped thinking about, Savanna must make a keep her distance and her secret away from him? Or reveal the truth while reaping the benefits? Because now that she’s older, she knows better than to get attached—it’s all just temporary, anyway.
Dalton Hayes has never stopped thinking about Savanna Davis—or that one passion-filled night they spent together on the beach the night before he left for the military. Now, six years later, he’s reluctantly back home in his hometown—the one place he’s avoided like the plague.
But when Dalton comes face-to-face with the smoking hot blonde he’s tried so desperately to steer clear of—it’s obvious the feelings he’s tried to suppress come roaring back. When Dalton realizes Savanna is a single mom—to a spunky, familiar, blue-eyed little girl—and isn’t happily settled like he originally believed, the narrative of the last few years gets completely flipped upside down.
Now with a second chance, what Dalton wants with Savanna is permanent.
The only thing he has to do is convince her he’ll stay.
- GenresRomanceSecond Chance
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
Shelby Rae
1 book18 followersShelby Rae is a lover of all things romance books and writing. Endless August is her debut novel in the Endless Seasons Trilogy. When she isn't thinking up swoon-worthy MMC's and fun tropes to write, you can find her enjoying the sunny Southern California weather with her husband and three children. When she isn't glued to her computer writing, you can find her sitting on the sidelines and cheering on her kids at their baseball games, or at the local library, stocking up on way too many books. Her hope is to write romance novels that leave the reader immersed in the story and rooting for the characters’ happily-ever-after as if it were their own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 12, 2026
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NETGALLEY for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
GUYS. I SHREDDED this book.
honestly i think the heroes here are the characters, Savannah, Hudson, Dalton, Drew and Hailey; all of them felt so real and kept me in it.
I was hesitant towards Dalton but he won be over very quickly tbh he’s very well written, i would definitely say he is a soft squishy boy inside of his rugged exterior. LOVED him.
I am not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope but i found this book tackled it really well and i found the reconciliation made sense. Overall really impressed with this plot dynamic being used but believe that the author did a good job with it!
Overall really enjoyed this, definitely recommend this to people who like beachy second chance romances.
GUYS. I SHREDDED this book.
honestly i think the heroes here are the characters, Savannah, Hudson, Dalton, Drew and Hailey; all of them felt so real and kept me in it.
I was hesitant towards Dalton but he won be over very quickly tbh he’s very well written, i would definitely say he is a soft squishy boy inside of his rugged exterior. LOVED him.
I am not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope but i found this book tackled it really well and i found the reconciliation made sense. Overall really impressed with this plot dynamic being used but believe that the author did a good job with it!
Overall really enjoyed this, definitely recommend this to people who like beachy second chance romances.
April 11, 2026
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!
Endless August is a cozy second-chance romance filled with lovable characters and many sweet moments.
Dalton completely won me over as the MMC. I wasn’t totally sure about him at first, but I ended up loving him. He’s naturally protective of Drew even before he knows she’s his daughter and it was so touching to read.
Drew was adorable from the start. The way she instantly attached herself to Dalton when he came into her life was so heartwarming and honestly, it felt so natural that I kept thinking he had to know on some level that she was his.
I enjoyed Savanna and Dalton’s relationship. Their connection felt genuine, and I loved seeing them find their way back to each other after six years apart.
Hudson, even as a side character, really stood out to me. I loved how protective and dependable he is, and how he shows up for the people he cares about. I really hope he gets his own book.
The ending although it was predictable it was adorable and wrapped everything up in a really satisfying way.
My only criticism is that I’m not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope just in general. That said, I do think it was handled well here and it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
Final rating: 3.75 stars (rounded up to a 4 ⭐️)
Endless August is a cozy second-chance romance filled with lovable characters and many sweet moments.
Dalton completely won me over as the MMC. I wasn’t totally sure about him at first, but I ended up loving him. He’s naturally protective of Drew even before he knows she’s his daughter and it was so touching to read.
Drew was adorable from the start. The way she instantly attached herself to Dalton when he came into her life was so heartwarming and honestly, it felt so natural that I kept thinking he had to know on some level that she was his.
I enjoyed Savanna and Dalton’s relationship. Their connection felt genuine, and I loved seeing them find their way back to each other after six years apart.
Hudson, even as a side character, really stood out to me. I loved how protective and dependable he is, and how he shows up for the people he cares about. I really hope he gets his own book.
The ending although it was predictable it was adorable and wrapped everything up in a really satisfying way.
My only criticism is that I’m not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope just in general. That said, I do think it was handled well here and it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
Final rating: 3.75 stars (rounded up to a 4 ⭐️)
April 18, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the Arc.
3.5 stars. I am rounding up. Second chance romance, brother’s best friend, accidental pregnancy.
Savanna has had a crush on her brother’s best friend for year.
He has had a crush one her. They finally hook up before he leaves for boot camp. Fast forward six years he is coming home to help his mom move out of his childhood home, and get reconnected with his best friend Hudson. He lays eyes on Savanna and all of those old feelings come rushing back.
My favorite character in this book is Drew. A spicy little six year old, who you just fall in love with.
3.5 stars. I am rounding up. Second chance romance, brother’s best friend, accidental pregnancy.
Savanna has had a crush on her brother’s best friend for year.
He has had a crush one her. They finally hook up before he leaves for boot camp. Fast forward six years he is coming home to help his mom move out of his childhood home, and get reconnected with his best friend Hudson. He lays eyes on Savanna and all of those old feelings come rushing back.
My favorite character in this book is Drew. A spicy little six year old, who you just fall in love with.
March 11, 2026
This book was very very good. You follow a single mom with a 6 year old navigate doing what she thinks is best for her daughter and also finding the love of her life. This is a second chance story with family dynamics and a miss-communication trope done well. I stopped my other books I was reading and couldn’t put this down. I can’t wait to see what the next books in this series gives us!!!
May 6, 2026
my first ARC🤭🫶🏻
🌟🌟🌟,5 Endless August by Shelby Rae
This is a second chance romance between Savana and Dalton, with a brother's best friend trope, and it was such a fun and emotional ride 🥹✨I loved the history
between them and the tension that built up throughout the story, you could really feel everything they went through together.
The chemistry between Savana and Dalton was so good, and I especially loved the emotional moments and the way their relationship developed over time 💖It felt real and heartfelt, and I found myself really rooting for them.
That being said, some parts felt a bit slow or slightly dragged out, which is why it wasn't a 5-star read for me. But overall, it was still a really enjoyable book that kept me hooked ✨If you like second chance romances, brother's best friend trope, and emotional love stories, I'd definitely recommend this one.
🌟🌟🌟,5 Endless August by Shelby Rae
This is a second chance romance between Savana and Dalton, with a brother's best friend trope, and it was such a fun and emotional ride 🥹✨I loved the history
between them and the tension that built up throughout the story, you could really feel everything they went through together.
The chemistry between Savana and Dalton was so good, and I especially loved the emotional moments and the way their relationship developed over time 💖It felt real and heartfelt, and I found myself really rooting for them.
That being said, some parts felt a bit slow or slightly dragged out, which is why it wasn't a 5-star read for me. But overall, it was still a really enjoyable book that kept me hooked ✨If you like second chance romances, brother's best friend trope, and emotional love stories, I'd definitely recommend this one.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A sweet & spicy contemporary romance? Say less. Where do I sign?
Endless August by Shelby Rae is a phenomenal start to what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy. And listen — you will not convince me that Dalton isn’t Channing Tatum in my head. Nor will you convince me that, despite his preference for beautiful blondes, in some alternate universe, he would absolutely fall for me.
Dalton is a military man on leave, back in his hometown of Tybee Island (which also happens to be one of my favorite places, so this setting hits different). He’s there for one reason and one reason only: help his mom pack up her house so she can move. That’s it. He’s going back to California after that.
Or so he thought.
Savanna is a single mom with zero desire to get tangled up with the man who broke her heart. Especially when she’s carrying a secret she absolutely cannot let him uncover.
The story moves between present day and short glimpses of the past. Savanna and Dalton were childhood best friends who secretly loved each other for years. And then — one fateful night. A bonfire on the beach. Mere hours before Dalton ships out. They finally give in and become each other’s first love.
The scene where Savanna slips her seashell bracelet onto his wrist? The way everything feels infinite for just a moment? I was so done for. And then watching it all take a sudden, “white rabbit” turn? That scene will live in my head rent-free for a long time.
What follows is the kind of miscommunication trope that usually makes me feral — but DAMNIT, Shelby Rae did it perfectly. She could write a miscommunication in every single book, and I’d still devour it.
Savanna finds out she’s pregnant after that night and waits for Dalton to come home so they can tell everyone together. But Dalton calls his best friend Hudson — who also happens to be Savanna’s brother and a total standout character — to surprise him with the news that he’s coming back. Instead, Dalton gets the shock of his life when Hudson, drunk and slurring, tells him Savanna is pregnant by some guy.
I physically felt that scene. Dalton is standing outside, phone pressed to his ear, as the world is crashing down around him. It was like someone reached into my chest and squeezed my heart.
Dalton never comes back. He never calls. He convinces himself she moved on. He can’t bear the thought of seeing her with someone else when it was supposed to be him.
Savanna, meanwhile, can’t believe he abandoned her. Can’t believe he broke his promise.
So when their worlds collide again, years later? Nothing is the same.
Now they’re forced to navigate a love that never died, a secret baby, and a deployment looming in the background.
If you love the small-town, emotionally rich writing style of Elsie Silver, the aching military romance vibes of Dear John, or the hometown second-chance tension of Sweet Home Alabama, you will absolutely love this.
The emotional tension. The small-town setting. The second-chance angst. The spice that feels earned. The found family vibes. I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut novel.
Bravo.
Thank you to Olive Press Publishing and the author for the ARC.
Endless August by Shelby Rae is a phenomenal start to what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy. And listen — you will not convince me that Dalton isn’t Channing Tatum in my head. Nor will you convince me that, despite his preference for beautiful blondes, in some alternate universe, he would absolutely fall for me.
Dalton is a military man on leave, back in his hometown of Tybee Island (which also happens to be one of my favorite places, so this setting hits different). He’s there for one reason and one reason only: help his mom pack up her house so she can move. That’s it. He’s going back to California after that.
Or so he thought.
Savanna is a single mom with zero desire to get tangled up with the man who broke her heart. Especially when she’s carrying a secret she absolutely cannot let him uncover.
The story moves between present day and short glimpses of the past. Savanna and Dalton were childhood best friends who secretly loved each other for years. And then — one fateful night. A bonfire on the beach. Mere hours before Dalton ships out. They finally give in and become each other’s first love.
The scene where Savanna slips her seashell bracelet onto his wrist? The way everything feels infinite for just a moment? I was so done for. And then watching it all take a sudden, “white rabbit” turn? That scene will live in my head rent-free for a long time.
What follows is the kind of miscommunication trope that usually makes me feral — but DAMNIT, Shelby Rae did it perfectly. She could write a miscommunication in every single book, and I’d still devour it.
Savanna finds out she’s pregnant after that night and waits for Dalton to come home so they can tell everyone together. But Dalton calls his best friend Hudson — who also happens to be Savanna’s brother and a total standout character — to surprise him with the news that he’s coming back. Instead, Dalton gets the shock of his life when Hudson, drunk and slurring, tells him Savanna is pregnant by some guy.
I physically felt that scene. Dalton is standing outside, phone pressed to his ear, as the world is crashing down around him. It was like someone reached into my chest and squeezed my heart.
Dalton never comes back. He never calls. He convinces himself she moved on. He can’t bear the thought of seeing her with someone else when it was supposed to be him.
Savanna, meanwhile, can’t believe he abandoned her. Can’t believe he broke his promise.
So when their worlds collide again, years later? Nothing is the same.
Now they’re forced to navigate a love that never died, a secret baby, and a deployment looming in the background.
If you love the small-town, emotionally rich writing style of Elsie Silver, the aching military romance vibes of Dear John, or the hometown second-chance tension of Sweet Home Alabama, you will absolutely love this.
The emotional tension. The small-town setting. The second-chance angst. The spice that feels earned. The found family vibes. I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut novel.
Bravo.
Thank you to Olive Press Publishing and the author for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5⭐
Before you start this book understand that the main trope is miscommunication. Shelby did a great job explaining everything and making it a true second chance. Yes, most of us hate the trope but in this case it is something that would actually happen. Remember they are 18yrs old so please give them some grace. Give Savannah, Dalton, and Drew a chance even if you don't like the trope.
What to expect:
🩵 Brother’s Best Friend
🐚 Second Chance
🩵 Marine MMC
🐚 Secret Pregnancy
🩵 It’s always been you
🐚 6yr old banter
🩵 Coastal Georgia setting
🐚 He would do anything for his girls
Savanna Davis was 18yrs old when she finds out she is going to be a mother. The only issue is no one knows that the father just happens to be her brothers best friend. It was a secret she was going to take to the grave because he never returned like he was suppose to when he got out of basic training. She goes on with her life because she was going to be the best mother she could be. I am telling you right now I think this was the best written mom and daughter duo. Savannah was amazing with Drew and you could just feel that they were a team and I don't know I just loved them together.
Dalton Hayes has been a marine since he was 18yrs old. That was the only future he knew he wanted. The night he was suppose to leave he finally got the nerve to tell his best friend little sister that he wanted to be with her. He promised he would be back in 13wks after he finished basic training. His called his best friend the night before he was suppose to leave for home when he finds out Savanna was pregnant with someone else's baby. The only thing left for him now is to stay away from the love of his live.
Now lets get to the good part. I can tell you this: My heart was beating so fast when they saw each other for the first time. Could you imagine the feeling you would have if this happened to you. Watching the two of them grow together and then the 3 of them. It was really refreshing.
The night Dalton finds out the secret I think it was a true reaction. The whole chapter gave me goosebumps because I could feel all of the emotions coursing through him. It was hard but also a true feeling.
I just want more of their story. I need like 2-3 more chapters and an extended epilogue with Dalton freaking out. IYKYK.
The one thing that drove me nuts was everyone in this book winked all the freaking time. That word was used 53xs. I will for sure continue with this series.
Thank you Shelby Rae, NetGalley, and Olive Press Publishing (Olive Press) for the early copy. Above is my honest thoughts
Before you start this book understand that the main trope is miscommunication. Shelby did a great job explaining everything and making it a true second chance. Yes, most of us hate the trope but in this case it is something that would actually happen. Remember they are 18yrs old so please give them some grace. Give Savannah, Dalton, and Drew a chance even if you don't like the trope.
What to expect:
🩵 Brother’s Best Friend
🐚 Second Chance
🩵 Marine MMC
🐚 Secret Pregnancy
🩵 It’s always been you
🐚 6yr old banter
🩵 Coastal Georgia setting
🐚 He would do anything for his girls
Savanna Davis was 18yrs old when she finds out she is going to be a mother. The only issue is no one knows that the father just happens to be her brothers best friend. It was a secret she was going to take to the grave because he never returned like he was suppose to when he got out of basic training. She goes on with her life because she was going to be the best mother she could be. I am telling you right now I think this was the best written mom and daughter duo. Savannah was amazing with Drew and you could just feel that they were a team and I don't know I just loved them together.
Dalton Hayes has been a marine since he was 18yrs old. That was the only future he knew he wanted. The night he was suppose to leave he finally got the nerve to tell his best friend little sister that he wanted to be with her. He promised he would be back in 13wks after he finished basic training. His called his best friend the night before he was suppose to leave for home when he finds out Savanna was pregnant with someone else's baby. The only thing left for him now is to stay away from the love of his live.
Now lets get to the good part. I can tell you this: My heart was beating so fast when they saw each other for the first time. Could you imagine the feeling you would have if this happened to you. Watching the two of them grow together and then the 3 of them. It was really refreshing.
The night Dalton finds out the secret I think it was a true reaction. The whole chapter gave me goosebumps because I could feel all of the emotions coursing through him. It was hard but also a true feeling.
I just want more of their story. I need like 2-3 more chapters and an extended epilogue with Dalton freaking out. IYKYK.
The one thing that drove me nuts was everyone in this book winked all the freaking time. That word was used 53xs. I will for sure continue with this series.
Thank you Shelby Rae, NetGalley, and Olive Press Publishing (Olive Press) for the early copy. Above is my honest thoughts
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 4/5⭐
Tropes
🩷Brother's Best friend
🩷Second chance romance
🩷Secret Pregnancy
🩷Military MMC
🩷Miscommunication
🩷Its always been you
First and foremost i would like to thank Author Shelby Rae and Oliver Press Publishing for giving me the ARC copy of the book truly grateful
Never have I ever loved a kid in a book more than the main characters… and yet Drew exists, so here we are.
Don’t get me wrong—I really liked Dalton and Savanah. But Drew? She owned my whole heart.
This book is the definition of cozy, cute romance with all the elite tropes: military MMC, single mom FMC, and brother’s best friend??? Yeah… immediate yes. And then you add a sassy, adorable daughter into the mix? I was locked in.
Dalton and Savanah were so painfully down bad for each other—especially Dalton. Like sir??? The pining??? This man has been in love with her for years and it SHOWS. The yearning just keeps building in the best way possible. And his slightly possessive energy? Yeah… sign me up, no questions asked.
And Savanah Davis??? Girl. I envy you fr. Where is my brother’s best friend who’s been secretly in love with me his entire life?? 😭
But honestly, she was amazing. Teen pregnancy is not easy in any way, and the way she handled everything with so much strength and grace—and raised Drew so beautifully—was genuinely heartwarming. I also loved how she just knew he was it for her, no matter what life threw at them.
What really made this book hit was the mutual pining. They never loved anyone the way they loved each other, and I will eat that trope up every single time. GIVE ME THE LONGING. GIVE ME THE YEARNING.
The humor? Actually funny.
The romance? Soft but intense.
The spice? Yeah… I wouldn’t mind a magical portal into this book for personal reasons 🫠
That said, I do wish the friendship dynamics were a bit stronger—something felt slightly missing there. And I would’ve loved more depth when it came to the parents too, it felt a little underdeveloped.
But overall? Such a comforting, swoony read.
⭐️ 4 stars — highly recommend if you love pining, soft angst, and found family vibes.
Tropes
🩷Brother's Best friend
🩷Second chance romance
🩷Secret Pregnancy
🩷Military MMC
🩷Miscommunication
🩷Its always been you
First and foremost i would like to thank Author Shelby Rae and Oliver Press Publishing for giving me the ARC copy of the book truly grateful
Never have I ever loved a kid in a book more than the main characters… and yet Drew exists, so here we are.
Don’t get me wrong—I really liked Dalton and Savanah. But Drew? She owned my whole heart.
This book is the definition of cozy, cute romance with all the elite tropes: military MMC, single mom FMC, and brother’s best friend??? Yeah… immediate yes. And then you add a sassy, adorable daughter into the mix? I was locked in.
Dalton and Savanah were so painfully down bad for each other—especially Dalton. Like sir??? The pining??? This man has been in love with her for years and it SHOWS. The yearning just keeps building in the best way possible. And his slightly possessive energy? Yeah… sign me up, no questions asked.
And Savanah Davis??? Girl. I envy you fr. Where is my brother’s best friend who’s been secretly in love with me his entire life?? 😭
But honestly, she was amazing. Teen pregnancy is not easy in any way, and the way she handled everything with so much strength and grace—and raised Drew so beautifully—was genuinely heartwarming. I also loved how she just knew he was it for her, no matter what life threw at them.
What really made this book hit was the mutual pining. They never loved anyone the way they loved each other, and I will eat that trope up every single time. GIVE ME THE LONGING. GIVE ME THE YEARNING.
The humor? Actually funny.
The romance? Soft but intense.
The spice? Yeah… I wouldn’t mind a magical portal into this book for personal reasons 🫠
That said, I do wish the friendship dynamics were a bit stronger—something felt slightly missing there. And I would’ve loved more depth when it came to the parents too, it felt a little underdeveloped.
But overall? Such a comforting, swoony read.
⭐️ 4 stars — highly recommend if you love pining, soft angst, and found family vibes.
April 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Olive Press Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️ dreamy, small town vibes
Endless August by Shelby Rae is a small town, second chance romance. We follow Savanna and Dalton in a dual POV and dual timeline story. Savanna and Dalton have been childhood friends and crushes, and just before Dalton leaves for Marines training camp, the two have a magical night on the beach. This results in an accidental pregnancy, and miscommunication/lack of communication means no one but Savanna knows who the baby daddy is. 6 years later, Dalton is back in town to help his mum out and of course crosses paths again with Savanna.
Oh I absolutely loved this! The vibes were immaculate, it felt like such a good summer read. So few books manage to evoke those feelings in me. This book is like the song August by Taylor Swift. Summer, second chances and steamy!! I was rooting so hard for our MCs! This was a very easy read and the dual timeline makes you want to just keep reading so you can find out what caused the miscommunication. Would I recommend this book? YES. Even though the miscommunication trope is kind of hated amongst readers, I think it’s handled brilliantly in this book. The chemistry between Savanna and Dalton makes it totally worth it.
There’s very little I didn’t like, however I would have loved the book to be longer and to delve further into the emotions of the characters. I still really enjoyed this and eagerly await book 2 of the series!
📚Tropes:
- second chance romance
- brother’s best friend
- accidental pregnancy
- small town
- secret baby
4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️ dreamy, small town vibes
Endless August by Shelby Rae is a small town, second chance romance. We follow Savanna and Dalton in a dual POV and dual timeline story. Savanna and Dalton have been childhood friends and crushes, and just before Dalton leaves for Marines training camp, the two have a magical night on the beach. This results in an accidental pregnancy, and miscommunication/lack of communication means no one but Savanna knows who the baby daddy is. 6 years later, Dalton is back in town to help his mum out and of course crosses paths again with Savanna.
Oh I absolutely loved this! The vibes were immaculate, it felt like such a good summer read. So few books manage to evoke those feelings in me. This book is like the song August by Taylor Swift. Summer, second chances and steamy!! I was rooting so hard for our MCs! This was a very easy read and the dual timeline makes you want to just keep reading so you can find out what caused the miscommunication. Would I recommend this book? YES. Even though the miscommunication trope is kind of hated amongst readers, I think it’s handled brilliantly in this book. The chemistry between Savanna and Dalton makes it totally worth it.
There’s very little I didn’t like, however I would have loved the book to be longer and to delve further into the emotions of the characters. I still really enjoyed this and eagerly await book 2 of the series!
📚Tropes:
- second chance romance
- brother’s best friend
- accidental pregnancy
- small town
- secret baby
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. 5 Stars for me, because I just vibed with this book and had a great time. I read this in one sitting. Before going into this, you need to know the miscommunication trope, tropes in this one. While that sometimes can be a tough trope to read, it worked for me in this case.
Shelby did a beautiful job writing a book with so many tropes that often go wrong in books. Her take on brother’s best was so refreshing and I really think it was a realistic take. As someone with an older brother, I do think the way she writes Hudson is how a brother would react - especially if there is a close relationship between the siblings.
The secret baby can also be a tough trope, but it’s done SO WELL, and I love that the 6 year old sounded and acted like a six year old. She was the CUTEST, and I loved the interactions she had with all the characters.
Dalton and Sav had me swooning. The “it’s always been you” trope gets me every time. I was in Shelby’s DM’s laughing so hard at how smart this man is, but couldn't do the math with Drew. BUT I could see where he was coming from. I loved how they were true soulmates (in the contemporary world) and how Dalton’s mindset changed. I highlighted soo many of his lines. He was a man who yearns and the ending is perfect and I would have read 100 more pages.This was a slow burn in the sense of the two of them figuring themselves out and navigating their feelings and hurt from the past. Once that happens. Yall. The spice… spices.
Shelby is now a must read author and I am so excited for book 2!
Shelby did a beautiful job writing a book with so many tropes that often go wrong in books. Her take on brother’s best was so refreshing and I really think it was a realistic take. As someone with an older brother, I do think the way she writes Hudson is how a brother would react - especially if there is a close relationship between the siblings.
The secret baby can also be a tough trope, but it’s done SO WELL, and I love that the 6 year old sounded and acted like a six year old. She was the CUTEST, and I loved the interactions she had with all the characters.
Dalton and Sav had me swooning. The “it’s always been you” trope gets me every time. I was in Shelby’s DM’s laughing so hard at how smart this man is, but couldn't do the math with Drew. BUT I could see where he was coming from. I loved how they were true soulmates (in the contemporary world) and how Dalton’s mindset changed. I highlighted soo many of his lines. He was a man who yearns and the ending is perfect and I would have read 100 more pages.This was a slow burn in the sense of the two of them figuring themselves out and navigating their feelings and hurt from the past. Once that happens. Yall. The spice… spices.
Shelby is now a must read author and I am so excited for book 2!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Endless August had so many things working in its favour for me. Small town summer vibes, second chance romance, brother’s best friend, and a secret child.
The strongest part of this book for me was definitely the emotional history between Savanna and Dalton. You could feel how much unresolved hurt and lingering feelings existed between them right from the start, and Dalton being painfully gone for her for basically his entire life? Yeah…. that worked on me. Drew also completely stole scenes anytime she showed up.
I also really liked the overall vibe of the book. It had that soft, nostalgic, coastal small town feeling that makes you want to sit outside in the sun and read for hours. Shelby Rae’s writing style was super easy to get through, and the story flowed really well.
That said, I think I wanted the emotional moments to hit a little harder than they did. Some of the conflict felt like it wrapped up too quickly, and I kept waiting for a little more tension or emotional depth before certain resolutions happened. I also think some side characters and relationships had potential for more development.
Overall, this was still a really enjoyable read for me. If you like emotional romances with lots of pining, yearning, and “it’s always been you” energy, this one will probably really work for you.
Hoping we get more from Shelby Rae in the future and dare I say I can't wait for book 2 of The Endless Seasons Series.
Thank you to Olive Press Publishing and Author Shelby Rae for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
The strongest part of this book for me was definitely the emotional history between Savanna and Dalton. You could feel how much unresolved hurt and lingering feelings existed between them right from the start, and Dalton being painfully gone for her for basically his entire life? Yeah…. that worked on me. Drew also completely stole scenes anytime she showed up.
I also really liked the overall vibe of the book. It had that soft, nostalgic, coastal small town feeling that makes you want to sit outside in the sun and read for hours. Shelby Rae’s writing style was super easy to get through, and the story flowed really well.
That said, I think I wanted the emotional moments to hit a little harder than they did. Some of the conflict felt like it wrapped up too quickly, and I kept waiting for a little more tension or emotional depth before certain resolutions happened. I also think some side characters and relationships had potential for more development.
Overall, this was still a really enjoyable read for me. If you like emotional romances with lots of pining, yearning, and “it’s always been you” energy, this one will probably really work for you.
Hoping we get more from Shelby Rae in the future and dare I say I can't wait for book 2 of The Endless Seasons Series.
Thank you to Olive Press Publishing and Author Shelby Rae for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
April 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. Endless August by Shelby Rae is a heartfelt second-chance romance with a secret pregnancy storyline.
I really enjoyed the emotional depth of this story and Shelby Rae’s writing style. The connection between Savanna and Dalton is layered with history, and their journey carries a strong emotional pull throughout.
Savanna was a standout for me. I loved seeing her portrayed as a thriving woman who became a single mom at a young age. She owns her past, stands confidently in her choices, and has raised an incredible daughter. Her strength and growth added so much heart to the story.
Dalton, on the other hand, truly shines in the way he connects with Drew. One of my favorite aspects was how he forms an immediate bond with her—falling in love with her before he even knows she’s his daughter. That connection felt genuine and heartfelt, and the way he cares for both Savanna and Drew, believing Drew is someone else’s child, was especially touching.
At times, the central miscommunication felt a bit prolonged for my personal preference, and I found myself hoping Dalton would piece things together a little sooner given their shared history. That said, the tension this creates will absolutely work for readers who enjoy a slower, more drawn-out reveal.
Overall, this is an emotional and engaging romance with strong character work and a tender, heartfelt core.
I really enjoyed the emotional depth of this story and Shelby Rae’s writing style. The connection between Savanna and Dalton is layered with history, and their journey carries a strong emotional pull throughout.
Savanna was a standout for me. I loved seeing her portrayed as a thriving woman who became a single mom at a young age. She owns her past, stands confidently in her choices, and has raised an incredible daughter. Her strength and growth added so much heart to the story.
Dalton, on the other hand, truly shines in the way he connects with Drew. One of my favorite aspects was how he forms an immediate bond with her—falling in love with her before he even knows she’s his daughter. That connection felt genuine and heartfelt, and the way he cares for both Savanna and Drew, believing Drew is someone else’s child, was especially touching.
At times, the central miscommunication felt a bit prolonged for my personal preference, and I found myself hoping Dalton would piece things together a little sooner given their shared history. That said, the tension this creates will absolutely work for readers who enjoy a slower, more drawn-out reveal.
Overall, this is an emotional and engaging romance with strong character work and a tender, heartfelt core.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had the absolute pleasure of ARC reading Endless August by Shelby Rae, and from the very first page, I was completely captivated. What started as an intriguing prologue quickly unfolded into something deeply emotional, beautifully written, and impossible to put down.
Following Savanna and Dalton’s journey felt incredibly real, tender, intense, and at times heartbreakingly raw. This story didn’t just entertain me, it pulled me in completely. I laughed, I cried, and found myself completely swept up in those soft, swoon-worthy moments. It even stirred up familiar emotions from my own past, making the experience feel that much more personal and impactful.
The character development was exceptional. Both Savanna and Dalton were layered, authentic, and beautifully flawed, making their growth feel genuine and rewarding. And the spice? Easily one of my favorite elements. It was written with intention and balance, adding to the emotional depth rather than overshadowing it. What truly stood out was how this book embraces real struggles and emotions with honesty and heart. There’s a sincerity woven throughout that lingers long after the final page.
I absolutely loved Endless August and cannot recommend it enough. It’s the kind of story that stays with you—I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. I’m already wanting more and counting down the days until book two.
A huge congratulations to Shelby Rae on such a stunning and unforgettable debut.
Following Savanna and Dalton’s journey felt incredibly real, tender, intense, and at times heartbreakingly raw. This story didn’t just entertain me, it pulled me in completely. I laughed, I cried, and found myself completely swept up in those soft, swoon-worthy moments. It even stirred up familiar emotions from my own past, making the experience feel that much more personal and impactful.
The character development was exceptional. Both Savanna and Dalton were layered, authentic, and beautifully flawed, making their growth feel genuine and rewarding. And the spice? Easily one of my favorite elements. It was written with intention and balance, adding to the emotional depth rather than overshadowing it. What truly stood out was how this book embraces real struggles and emotions with honesty and heart. There’s a sincerity woven throughout that lingers long after the final page.
I absolutely loved Endless August and cannot recommend it enough. It’s the kind of story that stays with you—I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. I’m already wanting more and counting down the days until book two.
A huge congratulations to Shelby Rae on such a stunning and unforgettable debut.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Endless August was such an emotional and engaging second-chance romance—I’d give it a solid 4 stars.
I’m always a fan of the brother’s-best-friend trope, and this one adds even more tension with the secret child storyline. Savanna and Dalton’s history is full of unresolved feelings, and you can really feel that lingering connection from the start. Their reunion has that mix of chemistry, hurt, and “what could have been” that makes it hard to put down.
Savanna was easy to root for—she’s been carrying so much on her own, and I appreciated her strength as well as her hesitation to let Dalton back in. Dalton, on the other hand, definitely has some making up to do, but I liked seeing his perspective and how determined he is to set things right.
The emotional moments really shine, especially when the past and present start to collide. And of course, the little girl adds a sweet (and sometimes heart-tugging) layer to the story.
At times, I did wish for a bit more depth in certain conflicts, but overall it was a satisfying, heartfelt read with plenty of romance and tension.
If you enjoy second-chance love stories with a bit of angst and a lot of heart, this is definitely worth picking up.
I’m always a fan of the brother’s-best-friend trope, and this one adds even more tension with the secret child storyline. Savanna and Dalton’s history is full of unresolved feelings, and you can really feel that lingering connection from the start. Their reunion has that mix of chemistry, hurt, and “what could have been” that makes it hard to put down.
Savanna was easy to root for—she’s been carrying so much on her own, and I appreciated her strength as well as her hesitation to let Dalton back in. Dalton, on the other hand, definitely has some making up to do, but I liked seeing his perspective and how determined he is to set things right.
The emotional moments really shine, especially when the past and present start to collide. And of course, the little girl adds a sweet (and sometimes heart-tugging) layer to the story.
At times, I did wish for a bit more depth in certain conflicts, but overall it was a satisfying, heartfelt read with plenty of romance and tension.
If you enjoy second-chance love stories with a bit of angst and a lot of heart, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to @olivepresspublishing & Shelby Rae for this ARC. This is a second chance romance, with miscommunication trope, and probably alot more but, emotionally traumatic lol but does end on a HEA.
Endless August starts out with the FMC Savanna who has always had the hots for her brothers best friend Dalton.
Things be happening, then we timejump to 6 years ahead, Savanna has a daughter called Drew, who quinedentally is named after Dalton. So, at this stage of the book. My mind kinda started ticking. Is Drew, Dalton's and he never knew ?! 👀🤯 Dalton hasn't came home in those 6 years, but he now does.
The story moves from past to present, from Savanna's POV & Dalton's throughout the book, of the night they both declared they were each others first love. Which - isnt a surprise when you read it, her brother Hudson (who is also an awesome main side character) is Dalton & Savanna's best friend throughout childhood.
The way Shelby uses the miscommunication trope in this, killed me! I always dislike that trope as im like "man/woman up" lol.. but that being said Shelby did do it exceptionally well!
I highly recommend this if you enjoy second chance romances / small town vibes.
Endless August starts out with the FMC Savanna who has always had the hots for her brothers best friend Dalton.
Things be happening, then we timejump to 6 years ahead, Savanna has a daughter called Drew, who quinedentally is named after Dalton. So, at this stage of the book. My mind kinda started ticking. Is Drew, Dalton's and he never knew ?! 👀🤯 Dalton hasn't came home in those 6 years, but he now does.
The story moves from past to present, from Savanna's POV & Dalton's throughout the book, of the night they both declared they were each others first love. Which - isnt a surprise when you read it, her brother Hudson (who is also an awesome main side character) is Dalton & Savanna's best friend throughout childhood.
The way Shelby uses the miscommunication trope in this, killed me! I always dislike that trope as im like "man/woman up" lol.. but that being said Shelby did do it exceptionally well!
I highly recommend this if you enjoy second chance romances / small town vibes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Shelby Rae, Olive Press Publishing and NetGalley, All information below is based off my own opinion of the book! I also like to keep my reviews short and simple as someone who looks at the short reviews before reading books. 💕⭐️
Book rating: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Level Of spice: 🌶️🌶️
Favorite characters: Drew/Hudson
This is definitely a slow burn. I found myself getting annoyed a little bit yelling to just tell him now! I loved Dalton so much though! It had brothers best friend, friends to lovers, secret pregnancy. I love Hailey as well and can’t wait for their book! I found myself wanting more from that last 20% of the book but overall it was a super good read. I found it emotional! It was almost 5 stars for me. I felt like they forgave each other way too easy and there could of been more there but other than that it was a good there was a few spelling mistakes like chapter 40 it says through Hudon’s cracked voice loc 4393 on kindle when it should say Hudson same chapter it says from under this breath when it should say his breath. Those are the ones that stood out to me so hopefully those will get fixed before the actual book comes out (:
Book rating: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Level Of spice: 🌶️🌶️
Favorite characters: Drew/Hudson
This is definitely a slow burn. I found myself getting annoyed a little bit yelling to just tell him now! I loved Dalton so much though! It had brothers best friend, friends to lovers, secret pregnancy. I love Hailey as well and can’t wait for their book! I found myself wanting more from that last 20% of the book but overall it was a super good read. I found it emotional! It was almost 5 stars for me. I felt like they forgave each other way too easy and there could of been more there but other than that it was a good there was a few spelling mistakes like chapter 40 it says through Hudon’s cracked voice loc 4393 on kindle when it should say Hudson same chapter it says from under this breath when it should say his breath. Those are the ones that stood out to me so hopefully those will get fixed before the actual book comes out (:
April 25, 2026
A captivating debut novel by Shelby. Drew was the star with her feisty, fun personality and having everyone wrapped around her finger. Followed by Dalton and Savanna and the group of friends in this small coastal town. It would be a good beach read.
These two both made some not so smart choices in their youth. This was listed as as a miscommunication and that is always a hit or miss but it was honestly bad decisions and not following through. For me it is just sad to see all the time missed out on.
I enjoyed the mutual longing they both have for each other and the time and distance didn’t change that. This was both sweet with just the right amount of spice and a touch of angst. The relationship/connection that Dalton and Drew have from the beginning was so heartwarming.
I can’t wait for Hudson and Hailey.
If you enjoyed Sweet Home Alabama or Dear John you may enjoy Endless August.
Brothers Best Friend
Second Chance
Single Mom
Miscommunication
Secret Child
Small Beach Town
Marine Returning Home
Thank you to NetGalley and Olive Press Publishing for the e-galley. This is my honest review
These two both made some not so smart choices in their youth. This was listed as as a miscommunication and that is always a hit or miss but it was honestly bad decisions and not following through. For me it is just sad to see all the time missed out on.
I enjoyed the mutual longing they both have for each other and the time and distance didn’t change that. This was both sweet with just the right amount of spice and a touch of angst. The relationship/connection that Dalton and Drew have from the beginning was so heartwarming.
I can’t wait for Hudson and Hailey.
If you enjoyed Sweet Home Alabama or Dear John you may enjoy Endless August.
Brothers Best Friend
Second Chance
Single Mom
Miscommunication
Secret Child
Small Beach Town
Marine Returning Home
Thank you to NetGalley and Olive Press Publishing for the e-galley. This is my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Endless August by Shelby Rae completely swept me away. From the very first page, I was pulled into a story that felt both tender and emotionally charged, with a writing style that was effortlessly immersive and beautifully paced.
The characters were the true standout for me—so well-developed and real that I felt every high and low right alongside them. The chemistry between the main characters was undeniable, filled with that perfect mix of tension, longing, and heartfelt moments that made it impossible to stop reading. Shelby Rae has a real talent for creating connections that feel authentic and deeply affecting.
What I loved most was the atmosphere of the story—it had that almost nostalgic, end-of-summer feeling that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. It was emotional without being overwhelming, romantic without feeling forced, and left me with that satisfying ache you only get from a truly great love story.
Overall, Endless August is a beautifully written, captivating romance that I would absolutely recommend. I’ll definitely be looking forward to reading more from Shelby Rae in the future.
The characters were the true standout for me—so well-developed and real that I felt every high and low right alongside them. The chemistry between the main characters was undeniable, filled with that perfect mix of tension, longing, and heartfelt moments that made it impossible to stop reading. Shelby Rae has a real talent for creating connections that feel authentic and deeply affecting.
What I loved most was the atmosphere of the story—it had that almost nostalgic, end-of-summer feeling that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. It was emotional without being overwhelming, romantic without feeling forced, and left me with that satisfying ache you only get from a truly great love story.
Overall, Endless August is a beautifully written, captivating romance that I would absolutely recommend. I’ll definitely be looking forward to reading more from Shelby Rae in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩
Endless August is one of the sweetest second chance love stories I’ve read in such a long time. The warm fuzzy feelings this book gave me made me an instant fan of Shelby's writing.
Savanna Davis lost her virginity to Dalton Hayes the night before he shipped out to the military. He promised to call, he didn’t. Shortly after, two pink lines appeared. Years later, Savanna is still home in Tybee Island raising her daughter when she comes face to face with the man that broke her heart all those years ago.
I loved this book. I loved every single character, the small coastal town feel, and the “𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚” yearning. The dual timelines gives you a front row seat to the very beginning and adds so much emotional depth to their story.
"𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣'𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖, 𝙬𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜."
It was impossible not to cheer for Savanna and Dalton. The “𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶” tension was so sweet and wholesome. They were perfect together.
Is this book perfect, no. There were times the “truth” was painfully obvious but in the end the story played out perfectly. Their reunion felt a bit rushed but my romance loving heart did not mind it. The miscommunication trope is usually not a favorite of mine but was done very well here. The cozy heartfelt emotions in this story truly make it so special and memorable. I can’t wait to continue this series and read more by Shelby.
𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥
𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯
𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶
𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘺
𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘯
𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴
Huge thanks to Shelby Rae, NetGalley, and Olive Press for the gifted ARC.
𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩
Endless August is one of the sweetest second chance love stories I’ve read in such a long time. The warm fuzzy feelings this book gave me made me an instant fan of Shelby's writing.
Savanna Davis lost her virginity to Dalton Hayes the night before he shipped out to the military. He promised to call, he didn’t. Shortly after, two pink lines appeared. Years later, Savanna is still home in Tybee Island raising her daughter when she comes face to face with the man that broke her heart all those years ago.
I loved this book. I loved every single character, the small coastal town feel, and the “𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚” yearning. The dual timelines gives you a front row seat to the very beginning and adds so much emotional depth to their story.
"𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣'𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖, 𝙬𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜."
It was impossible not to cheer for Savanna and Dalton. The “𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶” tension was so sweet and wholesome. They were perfect together.
Is this book perfect, no. There were times the “truth” was painfully obvious but in the end the story played out perfectly. Their reunion felt a bit rushed but my romance loving heart did not mind it. The miscommunication trope is usually not a favorite of mine but was done very well here. The cozy heartfelt emotions in this story truly make it so special and memorable. I can’t wait to continue this series and read more by Shelby.
𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥
𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯
𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶
𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘺
𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘯
𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴
Huge thanks to Shelby Rae, NetGalley, and Olive Press for the gifted ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5✨️
For this absorbing debut book!
I can not resist a secret baby/child book and this delivered on so many levels for me. It kept me falling into a potential slump and also robbed me of some sleep! (Not complaining 😄)
Marine MMC that comes back home to help his mom and ends up being reunited with his best friend and his sister (with whom he shared a passionate encounter with before leaving for the Marines).
Six years later and the chemistry is still there, only now there's a sassy sweet girl too who Dalton cannot resist falling in love with too and has no idea how they are connected (dummy😄).
I enjoyed this so much because well, not only is there angst of the truth finally spilling out on who darling Drew's daddy is but the side characters also made this so entertaining. Hudson! I'm looking at you Unc!
I love standalones but I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Many thanks to Netgalley, author and Olive Press Publishing for the opportunity to read in advance and share my thoughts.
For this absorbing debut book!
I can not resist a secret baby/child book and this delivered on so many levels for me. It kept me falling into a potential slump and also robbed me of some sleep! (Not complaining 😄)
Marine MMC that comes back home to help his mom and ends up being reunited with his best friend and his sister (with whom he shared a passionate encounter with before leaving for the Marines).
Six years later and the chemistry is still there, only now there's a sassy sweet girl too who Dalton cannot resist falling in love with too and has no idea how they are connected (dummy😄).
I enjoyed this so much because well, not only is there angst of the truth finally spilling out on who darling Drew's daddy is but the side characters also made this so entertaining. Hudson! I'm looking at you Unc!
I love standalones but I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Many thanks to Netgalley, author and Olive Press Publishing for the opportunity to read in advance and share my thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Savanna and Dalton's dual timeline of the past developing in snippets alongside the present was done so well it felt tangible every time we saw further into the night that changed everything. The catalyst to the six year time jump.
The tension and yearning was PEAK contemporary romance - lust filled smiles, eyes roaming every piece of each other, flirty banter, the collision when they inevitably cave. Ate it all up and left no crumbs! I could not get enough of it and it felt like a fast moving lust train towards the looming secret that would burst the rose colored bubble their reunion had created.
I will say Dalton is dumb as hell with math - MY GUY REALLY?! Thank god he didn't need that in the military. The way everyone around them (her brother, her bestie, their moms) were like GUYS WE SEE YOU TWO. It was actually funny every time someone was like WELL DUH you love each other.
All that to say it was the sweetest, spiciest unraveling and the ending was PERFECTION! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
The tension and yearning was PEAK contemporary romance - lust filled smiles, eyes roaming every piece of each other, flirty banter, the collision when they inevitably cave. Ate it all up and left no crumbs! I could not get enough of it and it felt like a fast moving lust train towards the looming secret that would burst the rose colored bubble their reunion had created.
I will say Dalton is dumb as hell with math - MY GUY REALLY?! Thank god he didn't need that in the military. The way everyone around them (her brother, her bestie, their moms) were like GUYS WE SEE YOU TWO. It was actually funny every time someone was like WELL DUH you love each other.
All that to say it was the sweetest, spiciest unraveling and the ending was PERFECTION! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Read
April 28, 2026ARC Review - NetGalley
First, this novel has readability and is absolutely a beach read. I flew through it and Rae's writing style is pleasant. The tropes automatically hook you in and I appreciated that the flashbacks never took away from the primary timeline. If you are looking for a secret baby, second chance romance, then this may be the book for you.
Savanna and Dalton have great chemistry. That is never in doubt and there are plenty of spicy scenes for fans of open-door romance. Dalton's relationship with Drew (his daughter that he isn't aware of) is very sweet. They instantly bond and their interactions were some of the best parts of the book.
Where the book fell short for me is that the entire thing is predicated on Dalton never taking a step back to think about whether or not Drew could be his. He had complete blinders on and it felt implausible. How do you not have any suspicions based on the timeline? If there would have been some instances where he at least questioned it, then it would have connected more for me.
First, this novel has readability and is absolutely a beach read. I flew through it and Rae's writing style is pleasant. The tropes automatically hook you in and I appreciated that the flashbacks never took away from the primary timeline. If you are looking for a secret baby, second chance romance, then this may be the book for you.
Savanna and Dalton have great chemistry. That is never in doubt and there are plenty of spicy scenes for fans of open-door romance. Dalton's relationship with Drew (his daughter that he isn't aware of) is very sweet. They instantly bond and their interactions were some of the best parts of the book.
Where the book fell short for me is that the entire thing is predicated on Dalton never taking a step back to think about whether or not Drew could be his. He had complete blinders on and it felt implausible. How do you not have any suspicions based on the timeline? If there would have been some instances where he at least questioned it, then it would have connected more for me.
May 9, 2026
🅰🆁🅲 🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
🩵 𝓔𝓷𝓭𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓐𝓾𝓰𝓾𝓼𝓽 🩵
✍🏼 𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚋𝚢 𝚁𝚊𝚎
🗓️ 𝟶𝟾.𝟸𝟻.𝟸𝟼
“𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙎𝙖𝙫.”
This was a cute, easy read. As a debut novel, I definitely see so much potential in Shelby Rae and this series. I did find this one to lean a little insta-love at times, with a lot of popular tropes and spicy moments woven throughout. Occasionally, some of those moments felt a bit rushed or slightly overdone for me personally.
I think building a little more tension and prolonging the “get together” moment would have made the payoff even stronger. I also feel like narrowing down a few of the bigger moments and giving them more room to build could have added even more depth to the storyline. Overall though, I’m excited to see where Shelby Rae goes from here because there’s definitely a lot of promise.
🪖ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ
🪖ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴄʏ
🪖ᴍᴀʀɪɴᴇ ᴍᴍᴄ
🪖 ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ
🪖ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’ꜱ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ
🩵 𝓔𝓷𝓭𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓐𝓾𝓰𝓾𝓼𝓽 🩵
✍🏼 𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚋𝚢 𝚁𝚊𝚎
🗓️ 𝟶𝟾.𝟸𝟻.𝟸𝟼
“𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙎𝙖𝙫.”
This was a cute, easy read. As a debut novel, I definitely see so much potential in Shelby Rae and this series. I did find this one to lean a little insta-love at times, with a lot of popular tropes and spicy moments woven throughout. Occasionally, some of those moments felt a bit rushed or slightly overdone for me personally.
I think building a little more tension and prolonging the “get together” moment would have made the payoff even stronger. I also feel like narrowing down a few of the bigger moments and giving them more room to build could have added even more depth to the storyline. Overall though, I’m excited to see where Shelby Rae goes from here because there’s definitely a lot of promise.
🪖ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ
🪖ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴄʏ
🪖ᴍᴀʀɪɴᴇ ᴍᴍᴄ
🪖 ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ
🪖ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’ꜱ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ
April 27, 2026
First I want to thank the author & NetGalley for sending me this ARC.
Endless August had me hooked from page one. This is a beautiful story about second chances and trusting that history won’t repeat itself. We follow Dalton, who left home to join the marines, he comes home hoping that his leave will be quick and he can go back to his military life. When the past comes walking back into his life he knows he has to stay, but how can he convince her he will?
I couldn’t get enough of our main characters, their story, the banter, the romance … all of it was so much fun and addicting to read. Shelby Rea really just draws you in with her writing, making you feel like you’ve walked into a movie. like I said I couldnt put this book down! I know this is book 1 to a series and I’m am here for it ! This is a perfect summer time read by the beach!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 star read! 🌶️🌶️🌶️ spicy.
Endless August had me hooked from page one. This is a beautiful story about second chances and trusting that history won’t repeat itself. We follow Dalton, who left home to join the marines, he comes home hoping that his leave will be quick and he can go back to his military life. When the past comes walking back into his life he knows he has to stay, but how can he convince her he will?
I couldn’t get enough of our main characters, their story, the banter, the romance … all of it was so much fun and addicting to read. Shelby Rea really just draws you in with her writing, making you feel like you’ve walked into a movie. like I said I couldnt put this book down! I know this is book 1 to a series and I’m am here for it ! This is a perfect summer time read by the beach!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 star read! 🌶️🌶️🌶️ spicy.
April 15, 2026
ARC NetGalley
I truly appreciated the author acknowledging the overused miscommunication trope, and although I am not usually a fan, the author acknowledging this automatically gave her an extra star. In this story we do see the miscommunication be the pivotal issue causing the conflict between Dalton and Savanna. However, as all true love stories with an adorable little girl, they got the happy ending anyhow. I love Drew and she was a necessary character to make this the happy story it was meant to be. This was an easy quick read and I will be reading book two as well. The introduction of the next two main characters in this book had me enjoying them enough to already have me looking forward to their romance as well. Well done!
I truly appreciated the author acknowledging the overused miscommunication trope, and although I am not usually a fan, the author acknowledging this automatically gave her an extra star. In this story we do see the miscommunication be the pivotal issue causing the conflict between Dalton and Savanna. However, as all true love stories with an adorable little girl, they got the happy ending anyhow. I love Drew and she was a necessary character to make this the happy story it was meant to be. This was an easy quick read and I will be reading book two as well. The introduction of the next two main characters in this book had me enjoying them enough to already have me looking forward to their romance as well. Well done!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2 stars.
Thankyou Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc. Expect an honest, unbiased review from me, always.
Accidental pregnancy but occurs before the story.
MMC is a Marine who comes back, after 6 years away, to help his mum pack up childhood home and sell.
MFC is a mum of a 6 year old.
There's a case of missed opportunities here with big assumptions being made and could've been cleared up real quick to be honest open communication that was actually possible which was annoying to myself, just elongated the unnecessary you know?
The MMC was hot and cold, one second full on flirting and then with a flip the next he was uncertain and wary. It was very frustrating.
Yes it's a gpod book but I'd say it's more on a YA scale despite the characters being in their 20s.
May 6, 2026
Thank you to Olive Press Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!
Second chance, brother’s best friend, miscommunication, accidental/secret pregnancy
This was definitely a light and easy read which was just what I needed. I flew through it and loved all of the characters, especially Drew.
It was a bit predictable and I feel like Dalton should have been able to put it two and two together on his own. Sav also had plenty of chances to tell him about Drew and it kind of dragged on in that aspect for me.
I am not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope and the ending seemed a little rushed so it wasn’t a five star for me but I definitely thought this was a heartfelt and cute read!
Second chance, brother’s best friend, miscommunication, accidental/secret pregnancy
This was definitely a light and easy read which was just what I needed. I flew through it and loved all of the characters, especially Drew.
It was a bit predictable and I feel like Dalton should have been able to put it two and two together on his own. Sav also had plenty of chances to tell him about Drew and it kind of dragged on in that aspect for me.
I am not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope and the ending seemed a little rushed so it wasn’t a five star for me but I definitely thought this was a heartfelt and cute read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2026
Although I appreciate receiving this as an ARC I can’t help but feel like it was missing something. The dialogue and tension between the two main characters is well written but I found the stakes too low for me to fully be invested.
If your plot can crumble by having two characters have a conversation then you need to establish why they can’t have that conversation early on. By chapter 10 I found myself wondering why they can’t just talk about it.
I also think adding savannahs reasoning for not telling him about Drew should be stated early on. There needs to be a reason otherwise it just makes her seem like a bad person? Even if he didn’t come back he still had the right to know.
The book has potential but I feel like stakes need to be raised!
If your plot can crumble by having two characters have a conversation then you need to establish why they can’t have that conversation early on. By chapter 10 I found myself wondering why they can’t just talk about it.
I also think adding savannahs reasoning for not telling him about Drew should be stated early on. There needs to be a reason otherwise it just makes her seem like a bad person? Even if he didn’t come back he still had the right to know.
The book has potential but I feel like stakes need to be raised!
Read
May 15, 2026Shelby Rae brought to us a small town summer romance that transports you back to the beach town of the show revenge, at least from the atmosphere (there is a bit less drama but also an iconic bar).
Savannah is a single moment of a 6 year old who after 6 years (and a night both if them never forgot) meets her brother's best friend, Dalton, again as he comes home from the Marines. They swiftly continue their complicated thing but he is in the unknown regarding his daughter.
The characters felt real and lovely as well as silly. Drew immediately had my heart.
Can recommend for anyone who is looking for a summer read that is fun and easy but be aware might take a moment for Dalton to realise what is at stake for him.
Thank you netgalley for the arc
Savannah is a single moment of a 6 year old who after 6 years (and a night both if them never forgot) meets her brother's best friend, Dalton, again as he comes home from the Marines. They swiftly continue their complicated thing but he is in the unknown regarding his daughter.
The characters felt real and lovely as well as silly. Drew immediately had my heart.
Can recommend for anyone who is looking for a summer read that is fun and easy but be aware might take a moment for Dalton to realise what is at stake for him.
Thank you netgalley for the arc
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 STARS, rounded up for Goodreads.
For a debut novel, this was such a great story! Drew is definitely the star of the show, but Dalton was such a great MMC and Savanna's strength and vulnerability was amazing to read. I loved their circle of friends, I loved the small island setting, and I loved the yearning and protectiveness they felt for each other both in the past and present. The miscommunication trope was done well (even if it was heartbreaking to go through while reading) and of course the HEA was the cherry on top (IYKYK hehe).
Great job Shelby and thanks for the opportunity to read this sweet romance Olive Press Publishing. I CANNOT wait for Hudson and Hailey!!!
For a debut novel, this was such a great story! Drew is definitely the star of the show, but Dalton was such a great MMC and Savanna's strength and vulnerability was amazing to read. I loved their circle of friends, I loved the small island setting, and I loved the yearning and protectiveness they felt for each other both in the past and present. The miscommunication trope was done well (even if it was heartbreaking to go through while reading) and of course the HEA was the cherry on top (IYKYK hehe).
Great job Shelby and thanks for the opportunity to read this sweet romance Olive Press Publishing. I CANNOT wait for Hudson and Hailey!!!
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