One More Summer

by J. Collette Smith

A heartwarming, second-chance romance about the importance of family, finding one’s path, and the power of once-in-a-lifetime love. Prepare to be whisked away to picturesque Falls Hollow in Texas Hill Country, where neighbors are like family and sunsets are an event. Perfect for fans of RaeAnne Thayne, Jenny Hale, and Denise Hunter.

It’s been twelve years since Emery St. Claire left home, but as maid of honor and official wedding planner for her little sister, it’s time for her to revisit the place she left so long ago. Even if it means facing her past, which includes the biggest hurdle of all— seeing Nick again.

Nick Rivers: high school sweetheart, all-star athlete, and the one she left behind.

With college and a career in front of her, Emery had high hopes for a big, bold life, even if that meant walking away from the boy she’d loved for three years. Leaving without saying goodbye wasn’t fair to him, but facing him could have changed her mind, and the last thing she wanted was to get stuck in a forgotten town while her dreams of a bigger life faded away. It wasn’t her finest moment, but there was a whole world out there, and this was her chance to see it.

Besides, no one finds true love in high school, right?

Nick Rivers’ life is going just fine. With a successful marketing company, he’s built a long list of happy clients, a nice home for him and his daughter, and the ability to work remotely. A must for a single dad. With the unexpected loss of his wife, time with his daughter is at the top of his list. Romance, however, is not. But when Emery St. Claire returns to Falls Hollow, old feelings resurface, and with him as best man for her sister’s fiancé, he finds himself caught up in her orbit once again.

Will Emery and Nick be able to bury their painful past, or will they be forever known to each other as the one who got away? Sometimes life gives you second chances, but the path you want to take and the one that’s easy aren’t always the same.

An uplifting, sweet romance that will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for love. If you’re looking for a feel-good, small-town romance, look no further!

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

Collette is a romance and fantasy author who grew up reading fantastical tales filled with happily-ever-afters. She turned her love of reading into a love of writing, and now spends her time creating stories of her own.

For updates on her books and promotions, check out her website at https://jcollettesmith.com. You can also follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jcollettesm... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjcolle... and Twitter: https://twitter.com/JColletteSmith

Reviews

[J.]

A heartwarming, second-chance romance about the importance of family, finding one’s path, and the power of once-in-a-lifetime love. Prepare to be whisked away to picturesque Falls Hollow in Texas Hill Country, where neighbors are like family and sunsets are an event.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! I am not a big romance reader and I need more to the story then just boy meets girl, etc. This book gave me that and more! The characters and their conversations were so real and so relatable that I felt like I knew them. It’s the perfect spring or summertime read, and I guarantee you’ll finish this book with a smile on your face!

[Florence Joyce Dongael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to J. Collette Smith and also P.S. I Love You PR for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm truly grateful to receive this copy ahead of the release date. By the way, I hope I'm not way too early in posting my thoughts about this book. But I can't help it, so here I am.

This is a 4.5 ⭐ for me, and to think this is an entirely romance story I've read in a long while that is not connected to light novels. To be honest, this is a refreshing break for me from all the light novels and even the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew stories that I've been reading for a long while. And I'm glad I got to read this.

To be honest, the plan was for me to read one chapter a day until the end since receiving this. But it didn't happen that way during the last three days. Now I finished reading it and so, it's time for me to write this book comment (as I'd like to call my book reviews) for this book before I forget both the feeling from finally finishing this and what I wanted to say about this.

Simply put, the story is lovely. I love every bit of it, especially the fact that this is a second chance romance with a first love. My kind of story with the "second chance" theme. Every bit of it really spells the word "tranquil" inside my head, even when things about our main characters were going south. Not gonna lie, Emery's internal conflict frustrated me from time to time, even more so when it gets in the way of what she really needs to do to fix things with everyone she left behind. Get yourself together, girl! Seriously...

Honestly, I'm kind of hoping to read Nick's perspective in everything that was going on since Emery returned, though. Oh, well. I guess I'll just leave that as a mystery. 😁✌️

This book is mainly in Emery's perspective and it's been a really long while since I've read any romance books like that. Same goes to reading clean romance and I'm glad I got to read something like this. Even as I decided to read one chapter a day (which eventually didn't happen during the last three days), I still enjoy every bit of it.

[Queen-Esther Babagbale · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW✨️
"Relationships aren’t perfect. Sometimes they get messy and hard and frustrating even. Just like life. But when you find the right person, the one person on the whole planet meant for you, they’re worth fighting for."

This book follows the story of Emery and Nick and how one decision Emery made out of fear spiraled into years of distance and regret. This book really highlights how we can make rash, life-altering choices and then keep justifying them until we’re finally forced to confront their impact, whether good or bad.

Emery, with her perfectly structured life and her always on hand planner that left no room for spontaneity, returns home after 12 years thinking it’ll be a quick in-and-out trip to plan her sister’s wedding. Instead, she’s faced with truths she’s been avoiding, a love she never truly let go of, and a sister whose wedding plans change as wind blows.

And then there’s Nick 🥹 He was just so undeniably sweet. Even when you could tell he was hurting, you could still feel his love for her. And honestly, you can tell how amazing he is just by looking at Mia... I mean, can she be my main character please?? 😭😂

I also really loved the glimpses we got of the St. Claire family. Their bond was beautiful. Yes, they had misunderstandings, but at the end of the day, they showed up for each other. And when we saw more of Emery’s dad, my heart melted 🥹

I loved how everything had its own moment. Nothing felt rushed, and every big conversation happened exactly when it needed to. I especially appreciated that they didn’t gloss over the neglect issues, they actually sat with them, and it made the story feel so real and intentional.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emery St. Claire, with dreams beyond high school, left her small town of Falls Hollow to pursue opportunities in London and UNC Chapel Hill. After accepting a summer program in London and being accepted at UNC Chapel Hill, she embarked on a new chapter in her life. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she returned to Falls Hollow for her sister Lila’s wedding. As the maid of honor and wedding planner, Emery faced a mix of emotions, especially when her high school sweetheart, whom she had ghosted with a note, was chosen as the Best Man. With her sister’s last-minute changes, Emery wondered if the wedding would go off without a hitch. As she prepared for the wedding, she couldn’t help but wonder how things would unfold when she faced Nick again.

This heartwarming and entertaining story revolves around second chances, family, friends, and new beginnings. From the captivating characters to the engaging narrative, this book will keep you turning the pages. It’s a delightful and entertaining read that’s perfect for a beach day. With the right balance of drama and romance, it’s an ideal choice for those who enjoy a romantic and heartfelt read. A perfect book to add to your pool or beach bag!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Yvette Jarrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
One More Summer by J. Collette Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Small-town charm, second chances, and all the feels! 💛

Set in the dreamy Falls Hollow, this story follows Emery as she returns home for her sister’s wedding only to come face-to-face with the high school sweetheart she left behind. Between wedding chaos and unresolved feelings, sparks definitely fly.

This was such a sweet, uplifting read with lovable characters, emotional moments, and the perfect touch of romance. I laughed, teared up, and rooted for their happily ever after the whole way through.

The setting is vivid, the writing is smooth and immersive, and the story strikes the perfect balance between drama and romance. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you long after the final page, and the perfect cozy read for a beach or pool day. I absolutely loved it!

Perfect for your beach or pool bag, don’t miss this one! 📚✨

One More Summer is available on May 12, 2026. Thank you so much to J. Collette Smith and P.S. I Love You PR for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#ARCReview #bookrecommendations #PSILoveYouPR #Bookstagram #sweetromance

[blush_and_bookmarks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely stole my heart.

It’s such a sweet second-chance romance with all the longing, history, and emotional tension done SO well. They were high school sweethearts who loved each other deeply, but life pulled them in different directions when she left to chase her career without saying goodbye. Years later, they reconnect at a wedding where she’s the maid of honor and he’s the best man… and the feelings never really went away.

What made this story hit even harder was the maturity and tenderness between them. He’s gone through loss, become a father, and still quietly carries love for her after all those years. Their reconnection felt emotional, believable, and genuinely healing.

The chemistry, the nostalgia, the small moments with his daughter, the wedding setting… all of it just worked. If you love heartfelt second-chance romances with yearning, emotional depth, and a really satisfying happily ever after, this one is absolutely worth read!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One More Summer by J. Collette Smith took me into a story that was filled with small town charm and second chances. This is the perfect type of romance book that I can read and feel the story as I read so much that I wanted to stay with the characters and find out what happens after the last word was read.
Emery had tried to get through her sister’s wedding without having to see Nick. He was her high school sweetheart, but their relationship did not end without having my heart torn apart. This was not how things were supposed to happen. I was pulled in so many directions as I read and was glad to be able to read this book.
Thank you NetGalley and J. Collette Smith for the copy of One More Summer. This is my personal review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a sweet, uplifting, feel-good, second chance, small-town romance, look no further! The setting description was wonderful and pulled me into the story from the very beginning. This heartwarming and entertaining romance brought tears and laughter in equal measure while cheering for these former high school sweethearts to get their HEA. Excellent writing that was interesting and enjoyable with relatable and realistic characters. This is the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the final page., the perfect cozy beach read. I loved it!

[Kashish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you psiloveyoupr for providing the arc.

A sweet, cozy second-chance romance with strong small-town vibes. I really liked Nick as a single dad. Emery and Nick’s history had good emotional potential, but I wished their conversations dug a little deeper.
It’s predictable, but in a comforting way. Overall, a warm, easy read.

[Amanda Burbank-oates · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Thank you so much to J. Collette Smith and P.S. I Love You PR for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved and devoured this book. A sweet second chance romance that will leave you feeling like you have been wrapped in a warm hug at the end. This will be a book I read again!

[theenchantedalibi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this one. The premise was a cute second-chance romance with a single dad. I ended up dnf'ing this one very early on due to the fact that I just really disliked the fmc. Her decisions in the past and present just led me to dislike her very much and I just didn't foresee me enjoying the book because of that.

[bookloverjb123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a second chance romance with lots of Hallmark vibes. Great read for summer as well.

Emery returns home to plan her sister’s wedding and runs into her ex who happens to be the best man while she is the maid of honor. Lots of ups and downs between the two occur but is it too late to reconnect or the perfect time to start again?

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and heartwarming story showing that second chances can bring hope and joy. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. Family, love, and more. A great read. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

[Rian Eidson ~ Literary Luna Moth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet, cozy, endearing read; the kind that leaves your heart feeling all warm with the HEA.

Thank you to J. Collette and PS I Love You PR for the opportunity to read and review this story.

[Liza Rangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: One More Summer
Author: J. Collette Smith
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5⭐️

One More Summer was such a lovely read. J. Collette Smith’s writing was engaging from the start, and I really enjoyed the combination of small-town charm, second-chance romance, and the friends-to-more dynamic. Emery and Nick were both so easy to root for, and their relationship felt tender, genuine, and emotionally grounded.

What stood out to me most was the character development. I loved seeing both of them reflect on their past and grow from it, which made their story feel even more meaningful. If you enjoy sweet romances with heart, charm, and emotional growth, this is definitely one to pick up.

Thank you to Author J. Collette Smith and PSILoveYouPR for the early copy of One More Summer—I’m so grateful for the chance to read this story ahead of release. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.