One Hot Summer Wedding

Summer Lovin' #3

by Falon Ballard

A surprise invitation from her estranged bestie whisks one woman away to a destination wedding, where her past and possible future collide, in this forced-proximity short story from USA Today bestselling author Falon Ballard.

It’s been ten years since Lucy last saw her childhood friend, but when she’s invited to Sara’s Costa Rica wedding, she can’t say no. She starts wishing she had, though, after running into Beckett, Sara’s still-hot older brother. He and Lucy are stuck sharing a hotel room. It doesn’t take long for old feelings—and old wounds—to resurface. But maybe this time, something new will blossom too.

Falon Ballard’s One Hot Summer Wedding is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Summer, Short Stories, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction

53 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

Falon Ballard is a Los Angeles native who has been writing stories her whole life. After graduating with a degree in Creative Writing, Falon embarked on an eight-year teaching adventure before opening her own event planning business. When she’s not trolling Etsy for the latest merch from her favorite fandoms, she’s hanging out at Disneyland with a pretzel and beer in hand.

Reviews

[R.R.R · Rating 3 out of 5]

𖤐⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ 2.5 stars ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆𖤐

it fine ig her bestfriend is shit though

[labibliofille · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the best of the three I've read/listened to so far, but not by much. I'm so irrationally angry for these MCs and IDK how they moved past the betrayal of the third party so quickly. Maybe it's the petty in me, but I'd need more than a day, give or take, haha.

[angelpompom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her best friend is a real piece of work

[Lia Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I liked the ex best friend and ex best friend’s brother angle. I don’t fully see why the FMC would want to go to the wedding but I guess if I don’t think too hard about her reasoning it works.

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! A spicy novella to add to your tbr!

[Hare Llow · Rating 3 out of 5]

-1 star because what a terrible friend 💀

[Lisa Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Melissa]

NR ⭐️
I do not rate novellas unless invited to ARC read. 🙂

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

An invitation to her estranged best friends Costa Rica destination wedding has one woman enjoying a hot summer vacation romance while trying to mend fences with her friend before the wedding. I enjoyed the setting, the characters and that there was a bit of spice in this one. It was also good on audio.

[Larareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.25 ⭐️

[Nikki Bogard · Rating 4 out of 5]

“One Hot Summer Wedding” was such a fun, tension-filled summer romance that somehow managed to feel both lighthearted and emotional at the same time. The story immediately throws Lucy back into a world she hasn’t touched in years after receiving an invitation to her estranged best friend’s wedding in Costa Rica, and you can feel the awkwardness, nostalgia, and unresolved hurt from the very beginning. There’s something so relatable about returning to people who once meant everything to you and realizing how much has changed—and how much hasn’t.

The chemistry between Lucy and Beckett was honestly the highlight for me. Forced to share a hotel room during an already emotionally charged wedding weekend, they’re constantly pushed into close quarters where old feelings start resurfacing whether they want them to or not. Their dynamic had the perfect balance of playful teasing, lingering tension, and vulnerability. You could tell there was years of history sitting beneath every conversation, which made their connection feel believable even in such a short format.

I also loved the atmosphere of the story. The Costa Rica setting added so much warmth and escapism to the romance. Between the wedding festivities, tropical backdrop, and late-night conversations, everything felt cinematic and summery in the best way. But underneath all of that, the story still takes time to explore friendship breakups, emotional distance, and the fear that comes with reopening old chapters of your life.

For a short story, this packed in a surprising amount of heart. It was swoony, emotional, and effortlessly readable—the kind of romance that leaves you smiling by the end while also wishing you had a little more time with the characters.

[casey ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

tropes
💕 childhood friend’s brother
🗝️ only one hotel room
✈️ forced proximity

honestly this would have been such a fun full novel! the setting? the sloths? 🦥 the back story?

[Sarah Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

probably the best one so far, good mix of spice and drama

[Liz | lizzuplans]

But is there only one bed, though??? 🤩

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️

I’m sorry. What do you mean, he also liked her when they were younger yet he didn’t even RECOGNISE her?

Her best friend LIED to both of them and the recovery for that was like “I don’t forgive her yet but like I also wouldn’t miss this moment for the world” yet she let you miss what could’ve been a completely different 10 years. A whole DECADE.

Something about this novella just felt off and not giving one hot summer wedding…

I immersive read both this and Summer Thaw (another novella in this summer collection) but honestly didn’t want to be immersed in either of them. I don’t really recommend either but especially this one! unlikeable characters and bad plot.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for forced proximity, even more so when there’s a tropical destination involved. Also, for those asking, yes there is only one bed. It just happens to be a bunk bed??? At a fancy resort? lol okay then.

Side note, the reason for the friendship estrangement was so ridiculous and I felt horrible for all the crap the FMC had to go through with her childhood ‘bestie’. What a b.

Regardless, this was such a fun novella - my fave of the collection so far.

[Bianca Swart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this trope. They were cute but Sara? When I catch you. WHO DOES THAT TO THEIR BEST FRIEND AND BROTHER. NO MAN. JUSTICE FOR LUCY.

"I never thought I would find myself on my knees before you, Lucy, but I can't think of any other place in the world I would rather be."

"I could've waited a hundred more years, and it still would've been worth it."

[Kayla | Kayla Reads Smut · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was the chemistry in the room with us? I’m confused how this man supposed back in the day wanted to date her and then when he sees her again he doesn’t recognize her? Huh 🤔 and the reasoning why her and her best friend fell apart was dumb. Like yall aren’t friends but she randomly emails you to be a bridesmaid? Like I get this was a novella but the plot was all over the fucking place

[Tracy Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Loved! Such a cute story of a second chance romance. This plot was 100% believable and was so well written. So much so I’m mad this won’t happen to me. This one got bonus points for having a spicy scene. 🤭

[lauren ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

you want me to believe this man was in love with her his whole life but didn’t even recognise her 😭 also her friend was such an awful person and like she just didn’t care ? girl GET UP

also the 16/19 thing and him waiting for her to turn 18 (when he would have been 20/21) me the ick so bad

[Brenda's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick fun read about childhood best friends who lose touch for ten years and reconnect at her Wedding including her teenage crush on her best friend’s brother!!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

[Cesilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Summer Lovin’ Collection #3 of 6

I really enjoyed this one and I am looking forward to reading more from Falon Ballard!

Also, Sara can go eat rocks. She’s the worst!

[J.B. Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me brother's best friend and a wedding and I am almost certainly sat for the duration. This short story had good heart and an entertaining plot.

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I didn't like the reason they've been separated for 10 years. Kind of juvenile.
The rest was fine!

One open door.

[Autumn Saige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute Second Chance rom com novella

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

This was a great story about missed opportunities and second chances. Really sweet. But something I wish romance writers would realize......eye contact....is.....CRINGEY. Really really bad 🤮

[LollyDolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ Second chance but he didn't recognise her and the one bed was bunk beds 🤨.