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Summer in Hazel Bay: The Hazel Bay Series
Clara Bennett thought she left the past behind along with Hazel Bay a decade ago. But when her aunt leaves her a cottage and the local newspaper, Clara has no choice but to return to the island and settle the estate. But the longer Clara stays in Hazel Bay the more she finds herself getting entangled in local affairs.
Mason Rivera never thought he would see the day Clara Bennett returned to their childhood home. But after ten years apart, Mason can’t help but let his feelings grow for her again. He begins to wonder if this might be his second chance at a happily ever after with his first love.
When a resort threatens to take over the small community Clara used to call home, she finds herself trying to save the town. Along the way she is confronted with unresolved feelings for her first love, Mason Rivera, and faces the past that drove her out of the small town. Now Clara must choose if she wants to return to her life in New York City or stay in Hazel Bay.
Mason Rivera never thought he would see the day Clara Bennett returned to their childhood home. But after ten years apart, Mason can’t help but let his feelings grow for her again. He begins to wonder if this might be his second chance at a happily ever after with his first love.
When a resort threatens to take over the small community Clara used to call home, she finds herself trying to save the town. Along the way she is confronted with unresolved feelings for her first love, Mason Rivera, and faces the past that drove her out of the small town. Now Clara must choose if she wants to return to her life in New York City or stay in Hazel Bay.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Scarlett Rose
3 books9 followersScarlett Rose is an emerging romance author. Raised in the Midwest, Scarlett has lived all over but now resides in Georgia. When she isn’t daydreaming new characters and worlds, Scarlett enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dogs as well as traveling and meeting new people.
Scarlett is excited for the many adventures she plans to share with readers in the coming years.
Scarlett is excited for the many adventures she plans to share with readers in the coming years.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 24, 2026
Fans of small town romance should be following Scarlett Rose’s Hazel Bay Series. If you love Virgin River or Gilmore Girls this is right up your alley. The world of Hazel Bay pulls you into more than just the story between Clara and Mason, you’ll fall in love with all the townspeople. This is a clean, cozy love story for those eager to curl up into a picturesque world.
March 13, 2026
I practically begged for an arc from Scarlett because I thought the cover was so pretty!
This story is so cute and I am so excited for everyone else to read it!
This story is so cute and I am so excited for everyone else to read it!
July 20, 2026
I loved the residents of Hazel Bay. What a wonderful homecoming ❤️
May 12, 2026
2.5 ⭐️. This is your classic Hallmark movie on paper.
The story itself was cute, albeit predictable, but I could not stand the FMC inner dialogue 😖. How many times did we have to read these same inner thoughts from her. Honestly I got so annoyed a third of the way through. The other characters are loveable but lack enough substance to buy into them. If there was more time on character development and less time repeating the same questions I think this would’ve made a wonderful beach read!
The other issue I had with this book was the amount of spelling errors or missing words to complete the sentence properly. It took away from the story when you’d notice them as it is pulled you out. If these get fixed I’d bump my rating to a 3 ⭐️.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story itself was cute, albeit predictable, but I could not stand the FMC inner dialogue 😖. How many times did we have to read these same inner thoughts from her. Honestly I got so annoyed a third of the way through. The other characters are loveable but lack enough substance to buy into them. If there was more time on character development and less time repeating the same questions I think this would’ve made a wonderful beach read!
The other issue I had with this book was the amount of spelling errors or missing words to complete the sentence properly. It took away from the story when you’d notice them as it is pulled you out. If these get fixed I’d bump my rating to a 3 ⭐️.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for summer in hazel bay! This book gives you all of the feels from the very beginning! Summer in hazel bay follows Clara and Mason. Clara thought she left her small hometown behind for good. When Clara finds herself back in her hometown, she is having to navigate new feelings when she runs back into Mason. This is a second chance, found family romance, oh and did I mention a single dad 😉 this was such a fun read that left you wanting to visit Hazel Bay every summer!! ☀️
Review of advance copy
This was a nice read, it has no spice, but it was a coming of age for a nearly 30 year old, facing hard life moments. With the former ex who’s now a widower and single father, still head over heels for Clara. The older generation on Hazel Bay island that still is rooting and supporting Clara.
She may have been running from something, but when you’re running from your own thoughts and ideas, you won’t get far.
There was a lot of repetitive lines in the story, but would definitely translate to a great Hallmark movie.
She may have been running from something, but when you’re running from your own thoughts and ideas, you won’t get far.
There was a lot of repetitive lines in the story, but would definitely translate to a great Hallmark movie.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so excited to receive the arc from Scarlett! I absolutely adored every page. The quaint charm of Hazel Bay and its lovable characters pulled me in immediately.
You’ll definitely find me at Harbor Scoops on a hot summer day🍦☀️If you're looking for a delightful escape that will leave you feeling all the feels, this is the book for you. Highly recommend!
You’ll definitely find me at Harbor Scoops on a hot summer day🍦☀️If you're looking for a delightful escape that will leave you feeling all the feels, this is the book for you. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Summer in Hazel Bay was such a wonderful read. Reading it felt nostalgic as it took me back to all the happy memories I have at the beach. This book does an exceptional job showing how a place can be so full of memories and how healing it can be to back home.
The characters are easy to love, and their stories are all captivating. The little details really make the book such a fun read.
Clara and Mason’s story is uplifting, and a happy one. I absolutely adored this book. I can’t wait to re-read it at the beach this summer.
Scarlett Rose has a gift for writing, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.
Autumn in Hazel Bay is coming out August 4th, and I’m already counting down the days!
Favorite Summer in Hazel Bay Quote: “Love is the shining light in this world that always seems to bring us home.”
The characters are easy to love, and their stories are all captivating. The little details really make the book such a fun read.
Clara and Mason’s story is uplifting, and a happy one. I absolutely adored this book. I can’t wait to re-read it at the beach this summer.
Scarlett Rose has a gift for writing, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.
Autumn in Hazel Bay is coming out August 4th, and I’m already counting down the days!
Favorite Summer in Hazel Bay Quote: “Love is the shining light in this world that always seems to bring us home.”
Review of advance copy
3.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.✨️
I wish I could say it was a 5 star read for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Throughout the book I highlighted the miss spelled words... they weren't stacked up by any means but there was more than 4 times I noted them on the KU app. With that being said, the overall depth of characters, island life and expressing their grief due to loss of loved ones was put together well. I enjoyed the summer set up and absolutely fell in love with the characters that made Hazel Bay what it was. It made me miss my old home town even more. I could relate to Clara who is the FMC when it came to family separation, loss of community and loss of a hometown. There were times that I was rooting for her and loved the person she was but then more than not I was just annoyed at her for the way she was acting and thinking towards her life decisions and the choices she was going to have to make. It took most of the book for her to finally figure out what she truly wanted and where she belonged. I loved Mason who is the MMC. His story was so beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. But the relationship he had created with the community was so sweet. He was such a sweet and giving MMC. It's been awhile since I have read about a MMC like Mason that I rooted for so strongly. But this author had me rooting for all the right people. I probably will pick up the second book coming up, but as for this one, simply because of Clara, I don't think I would re-read this. I am glad I did pick this book up for it made me so excited for summer and made me think back to my own hometown and the community I had along with the sweet memories of my childhood that were good (I had a pretty crappy childhood, so when I can get a reminder of some good times, they're welcome!) And I loved the setup of the island and the people. I am sad that I didn't like or connect with the FMC like I had hoped, but I am still glad I got a chance to read this book.
I wish I could say it was a 5 star read for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Throughout the book I highlighted the miss spelled words... they weren't stacked up by any means but there was more than 4 times I noted them on the KU app. With that being said, the overall depth of characters, island life and expressing their grief due to loss of loved ones was put together well. I enjoyed the summer set up and absolutely fell in love with the characters that made Hazel Bay what it was. It made me miss my old home town even more. I could relate to Clara who is the FMC when it came to family separation, loss of community and loss of a hometown. There were times that I was rooting for her and loved the person she was but then more than not I was just annoyed at her for the way she was acting and thinking towards her life decisions and the choices she was going to have to make. It took most of the book for her to finally figure out what she truly wanted and where she belonged. I loved Mason who is the MMC. His story was so beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. But the relationship he had created with the community was so sweet. He was such a sweet and giving MMC. It's been awhile since I have read about a MMC like Mason that I rooted for so strongly. But this author had me rooting for all the right people. I probably will pick up the second book coming up, but as for this one, simply because of Clara, I don't think I would re-read this. I am glad I did pick this book up for it made me so excited for summer and made me think back to my own hometown and the community I had along with the sweet memories of my childhood that were good (I had a pretty crappy childhood, so when I can get a reminder of some good times, they're welcome!) And I loved the setup of the island and the people. I am sad that I didn't like or connect with the FMC like I had hoped, but I am still glad I got a chance to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews