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Summer #2
Summer at Sunset
***The long-awaited sequel to Beth Labonte’s novel - Summer at Sea!***
For Summer Hartwell, holding her and Graham’s wedding a thousand miles from home seemed like a good idea. Even if it is at a retirement community. How else could she avoid planning the wedding with her neurotic, anxiety-ridden mother? But with one week left to go and Summer’s parents arriving on the scene, things begin to quickly unravel. Between the swingers parties, the Viagra jokes, and the copious amount of alcohol, Summer’s not so sure her parents will make it out of there alive. Then there’s the matter of Graham being Grade A top choice meat to every woman over sixty-five, a few of whom Summer suspects of trying to sabotage the wedding!
Can Summer and Graham hold things together long enough to make it down the aisle?
“Mom! Dad! They’re here!” yells Graham, in a voice loud enough to wake all the residents of Sunset Havens who have died over the past fifty years. Now John and Babette are running down the driveway and everybody is hugging and shaking hands and The Duffle is being unloaded from the trunk like a coffin from a hearse, and it’s all really happening now. I take a deep breath and watch everybody file into the house from the safety of the driveway. The front door shuts with a satisfying thud. I stand there alone for a good minute and a half, relishing the fact that they are all in there and I am alone out here. Maybe I should make a run for it. I could steal a golf cart and be at the airport in, like, three days.
For Summer Hartwell, holding her and Graham’s wedding a thousand miles from home seemed like a good idea. Even if it is at a retirement community. How else could she avoid planning the wedding with her neurotic, anxiety-ridden mother? But with one week left to go and Summer’s parents arriving on the scene, things begin to quickly unravel. Between the swingers parties, the Viagra jokes, and the copious amount of alcohol, Summer’s not so sure her parents will make it out of there alive. Then there’s the matter of Graham being Grade A top choice meat to every woman over sixty-five, a few of whom Summer suspects of trying to sabotage the wedding!
Can Summer and Graham hold things together long enough to make it down the aisle?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2016
178 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Beth Labonte
14 books369 followersBeth Labonte received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She worked as an administrative assistant for fourteen years, turning to writing as her creative outlet in an excruciatingly mundane corporate world. Beth now writes full-time and resides in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 9, 2017
HUGE Disappointment After Book #1 - Not Funny, Just Ridiculous
Such a disappointment after the first hilarious book. I may have let out a short little unenthusiastic "ha" here or there after reading the forced writing and a few far and between supposedly funny moments in this book, but that's all. Definitely a bummer, as last time was such a riot.
The situations in this story, as other reviewers have noted, are absurd. I can put aside reality when reading of course, but these situations were just so out there and unrealistic as to pull me right out of the story. Maybe one or two, but all of them??
And the ending, again as others have noted, just bizarre?? Not even a cliffhanger (especially as evidenced by the start if the next book) - just weird. Leaves the reader wondering with an alarmed and uneasy feeling. Terrible way to end a book.
Finally, Summer, our neurotic heroine. I was able to roll my eyes at her annoying ways during the first book because the humor was so fantastic, but this time around there was no hiding behind her no longer funny parents. She is spoiled, immature, blames everything that happens in her life on everyone else, paranoid beyond reality, bitchy, unappreciative, jealous to a fault, and controlling. I will say she did mature an ounce by the end of this book, but her character is still nails on a chalkboard annoying. If this was real life I would be urging Graham to run for the hills! But then again, if this was real life no one in their right mind would be in a relationship with someone like Summer Eve. An almost 30 year old brat.
So -- do yourself a favor and skip it. Poke around and find a better book. This one is just a giant, annoying, waste of time.
Such a disappointment after the first hilarious book. I may have let out a short little unenthusiastic "ha" here or there after reading the forced writing and a few far and between supposedly funny moments in this book, but that's all. Definitely a bummer, as last time was such a riot.
The situations in this story, as other reviewers have noted, are absurd. I can put aside reality when reading of course, but these situations were just so out there and unrealistic as to pull me right out of the story. Maybe one or two, but all of them??
And the ending, again as others have noted, just bizarre?? Not even a cliffhanger (especially as evidenced by the start if the next book) - just weird. Leaves the reader wondering with an alarmed and uneasy feeling. Terrible way to end a book.
Finally, Summer, our neurotic heroine. I was able to roll my eyes at her annoying ways during the first book because the humor was so fantastic, but this time around there was no hiding behind her no longer funny parents. She is spoiled, immature, blames everything that happens in her life on everyone else, paranoid beyond reality, bitchy, unappreciative, jealous to a fault, and controlling. I will say she did mature an ounce by the end of this book, but her character is still nails on a chalkboard annoying. If this was real life I would be urging Graham to run for the hills! But then again, if this was real life no one in their right mind would be in a relationship with someone like Summer Eve. An almost 30 year old brat.
So -- do yourself a favor and skip it. Poke around and find a better book. This one is just a giant, annoying, waste of time.
September 15, 2017
So I found this book rather disappointing... I really hated Summer this time around which is sad since I really enjoyed her internal monologue in the first book.
I absolutely loved the chapters from Graham's point of view, I would have loved to read more from him. Like Summer walking down the aisle, and the reception...
I did like the fact that Jon saved the day multiple times throughout the book and I'd live to see the dress she picked out after the alligator incident... It sounds amazing.
Sadly I won't be reading the next book in the series, but I will definitely be picking up more books by Beth :)
I absolutely loved the chapters from Graham's point of view, I would have loved to read more from him. Like Summer walking down the aisle, and the reception...
I did like the fact that Jon saved the day multiple times throughout the book and I'd live to see the dress she picked out after the alligator incident... It sounds amazing.
Sadly I won't be reading the next book in the series, but I will definitely be picking up more books by Beth :)
July 6, 2020
This book is fantastic. Better than the first-Summer at Sea. This book picks up two years after where Summer at Sea left off.
Summer and Graham are getting married. She won a free wedding at the Sunset Havens Retirement Community in Florida, where Grahams parents live. This free wedding also comes with a semi-qualified elderly wedding planner. Summer is sure she is trying to sabotage her wedding, along with some of the other senior women who just love Graham. The odd location, interfering senior citizens, anxiety-filled parents makes for one really funny book.
Summer's parents are a mess. They get themselves in silly predicaments, such as driving a golf cart into a lake at the golf course...and not just any golf cart...A golf cart that Graham spent $20,000 to get beefed up for his dad. Or when Summer thought her parents were invited to a Swingers party...
One obstacle after another keeps happening, but Summer found the person she least expected to save the day multiple times. I really enjoyed the growth of the characters. The supporting characters were brilliant. I also enjoyed reading the different POV's. It was nice to get to know Grahams personality, as well as Summers.
This book made me laugh out loud multiple times. I enjoyed the romantic gestures and thoughtfulness, such as the Beauty and the Beast at Magic Kingdom chapter. So sweet.
This was very entertaining and highly recommended if you like romantic comedies.
Summer and Graham are getting married. She won a free wedding at the Sunset Havens Retirement Community in Florida, where Grahams parents live. This free wedding also comes with a semi-qualified elderly wedding planner. Summer is sure she is trying to sabotage her wedding, along with some of the other senior women who just love Graham. The odd location, interfering senior citizens, anxiety-filled parents makes for one really funny book.
Summer's parents are a mess. They get themselves in silly predicaments, such as driving a golf cart into a lake at the golf course...and not just any golf cart...A golf cart that Graham spent $20,000 to get beefed up for his dad. Or when Summer thought her parents were invited to a Swingers party...
One obstacle after another keeps happening, but Summer found the person she least expected to save the day multiple times. I really enjoyed the growth of the characters. The supporting characters were brilliant. I also enjoyed reading the different POV's. It was nice to get to know Grahams personality, as well as Summers.
This book made me laugh out loud multiple times. I enjoyed the romantic gestures and thoughtfulness, such as the Beauty and the Beast at Magic Kingdom chapter. So sweet.
This was very entertaining and highly recommended if you like romantic comedies.
December 31, 2016
A bit over the top
Got to be a bit of a tedious read after awhile. Book seemed to try too hard to be entertaining, like trying to fit in every imaginable snafoo that could occur. First book in the series had me looking forward to reading this one but after this I think I'm done with the series.
Got to be a bit of a tedious read after awhile. Book seemed to try too hard to be entertaining, like trying to fit in every imaginable snafoo that could occur. First book in the series had me looking forward to reading this one but after this I think I'm done with the series.
July 5, 2024
I read the first book in the series, Summer at Sea, in 2022. I remembered it being funny and easy to read. I bought the second book, Summer at Sunset, when prompted at the end of finishing the first via Amazon. It's been sitting in my kindle so I figured I would read it since I'm a seasonal reader.
Summer at Sunset is like a chick-lit combination of Bridget Jones's Diary and Golden Girls. It has a lot of funny laugh out loud parts, but it also has some raunchy humor that some may not like and didn't make me laugh. I did not remember the first book having that kind of humor but it's also been two years since I read that one.
Overall, it is easy to read. You can visualize poor Summer trying to survive her wedding week at a senior community in Florida with her in-laws who live there and her parents who come visit from up north. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong with Summer and Graham just wanting to get married.
I think the book could have ended right after the wedding rather than keep going into more hiccups at the reception and afterwards. I was ready for it to end there and usually, the wedding signals the end of the story.
If you like romantic comedies a la chick-lit (which I used to inhale in my twenties and early thirties), and don't mind the raunchy humor, you will find this a great poolside read. Like many other reviewers, the humor just fell flat for the most part for me along with the ending.
Not sure if I will read the next story, Summer Baby, but might look into reading something else by this author. She does have a great writing style and I'd love to read more of her other books!
Summer at Sunset is like a chick-lit combination of Bridget Jones's Diary and Golden Girls. It has a lot of funny laugh out loud parts, but it also has some raunchy humor that some may not like and didn't make me laugh. I did not remember the first book having that kind of humor but it's also been two years since I read that one.
Overall, it is easy to read. You can visualize poor Summer trying to survive her wedding week at a senior community in Florida with her in-laws who live there and her parents who come visit from up north. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong with Summer and Graham just wanting to get married.
I think the book could have ended right after the wedding rather than keep going into more hiccups at the reception and afterwards. I was ready for it to end there and usually, the wedding signals the end of the story.
If you like romantic comedies a la chick-lit (which I used to inhale in my twenties and early thirties), and don't mind the raunchy humor, you will find this a great poolside read. Like many other reviewers, the humor just fell flat for the most part for me along with the ending.
Not sure if I will read the next story, Summer Baby, but might look into reading something else by this author. She does have a great writing style and I'd love to read more of her other books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2023
Summer is getting married and she's tried to make sure the day is as stress free as possible by giving her overbearing parents as little involvement as possible. But now they're here in a Floridian retirement village and the wedding is in a couple of days - but as all family gatherings go with Summer, disaster soon strikes and her wedding is being threatened by OAP's determined to steal away the groom, a disastrous bachelor party in Epcot and a dress-eating alligator.
This series is always funny, and I do very much enjoy a lot of the dynamics between characters. Summer and Graham's relationship in this is a lovely one, and we see all the ways they complement each other - and again, how maybe Graham is slightly unrealistic with how easy going he is around all of Summer's weird family. I don't think her parents were as annoying in this book as the first one in which they were insufferable, this time they were just funny and I liked how they became the saviours of the day at the end as well.
I think a lot of what happened in this book was just that bit too over the top and ridiculous for me, with a sinkhole really topping it all off. I also felt a bit uncomfortable seeing Summer really have it in for a bunch of old ladies.
This series is always funny, and I do very much enjoy a lot of the dynamics between characters. Summer and Graham's relationship in this is a lovely one, and we see all the ways they complement each other - and again, how maybe Graham is slightly unrealistic with how easy going he is around all of Summer's weird family. I don't think her parents were as annoying in this book as the first one in which they were insufferable, this time they were just funny and I liked how they became the saviours of the day at the end as well.
I think a lot of what happened in this book was just that bit too over the top and ridiculous for me, with a sinkhole really topping it all off. I also felt a bit uncomfortable seeing Summer really have it in for a bunch of old ladies.
August 9, 2020
So good!
Another fantastic book from Beth Labonte.
Loved this series and can’t wait to read the next one! Perfect summer read!
Another fantastic book from Beth Labonte.
Loved this series and can’t wait to read the next one! Perfect summer read!
February 19, 2017
The fun continues in this follow-up to one of my favorite reads of 2016. A few years have passed and our beleaguered heroine is about to wed the man of her dreams . . . at his parents' retirement community. The odd and continuously problematic location, plus a spacey wedding planner and a bunch of interfering seniors, add up to one comical situation after another and a lot of headaches for the bride and groom.
Sunset Havens is about the least likely place I can imagine for a young couple to get married, so kudos to the author for her originality and delightfully warped sense of humor. The obstacles Graham and Summer encounter on the road to getting hitched are increasingly hilarious, but I really felt for the poor bride-to-be as it seemed like nothing was ever going to go her way. It was nice to see that her parents, who were such a neurotic handful in the first book, had grown and were supportive of Summer throughout this story. Her mom even comes to the rescue like a champ on more than one occasion! I liked that there were several chapters written from Graham's POV so that the reader gets to see what's going on in his head during all of these calamities. He and Summer aren't always on the same page, but he really does love her and wants her to be happy.
Although things don't go as Summer hoped or planned, I think they pan out in exactly the right way for her and Graham. Their relationship started out very quirkily, so why wouldn't them tying the knot be the same? The ending of this book left some loose threads hanging, so I think there may be another Summer story in the offing. I would love to see Summer and Graham with a baby. I'm sure Joan and Richard would be a riot as grandparents. (I can totally see them carrying Graham, Jr. around in The Duffle!)
This was another very entertaining read from Beth Labonte that I recommend to Chick Lit lovers. You're in for a few surprises with this one!
Sunset Havens is about the least likely place I can imagine for a young couple to get married, so kudos to the author for her originality and delightfully warped sense of humor. The obstacles Graham and Summer encounter on the road to getting hitched are increasingly hilarious, but I really felt for the poor bride-to-be as it seemed like nothing was ever going to go her way. It was nice to see that her parents, who were such a neurotic handful in the first book, had grown and were supportive of Summer throughout this story. Her mom even comes to the rescue like a champ on more than one occasion! I liked that there were several chapters written from Graham's POV so that the reader gets to see what's going on in his head during all of these calamities. He and Summer aren't always on the same page, but he really does love her and wants her to be happy.
Although things don't go as Summer hoped or planned, I think they pan out in exactly the right way for her and Graham. Their relationship started out very quirkily, so why wouldn't them tying the knot be the same? The ending of this book left some loose threads hanging, so I think there may be another Summer story in the offing. I would love to see Summer and Graham with a baby. I'm sure Joan and Richard would be a riot as grandparents. (I can totally see them carrying Graham, Jr. around in The Duffle!)
This was another very entertaining read from Beth Labonte that I recommend to Chick Lit lovers. You're in for a few surprises with this one!
August 1, 2022
Is it the best thing I’ve ever read? No. Does it make me giggle and laugh out loud and give me second hand embarrassment (which I love)? Yes! Did it also leave me saying “wtf just happened” at the very end (and not in a good way)? Also, yes
I started writing this review before I finished the book and at first I said this was my guilty pleasure series. It’s cute, quirky, has tons of shenanigans and I love it. Then I read the end and was like… wtf did I just read? Seriously the last chapter and the epilogue killed it for me.
I love the idea of this series. There are so many ridiculous events where all you can think is “how did that even happen?!”
We get to live out our wildest dreams in a very ACTIVE (if you know what I mean….) retirement community, a trip to Disney World and some mystery as Summer tries to figure out who is attempting to sabotage her wedding.
—— If you haven’t read book 1, just know there are spoilers for that book below this ——
That’s right, I almost forgot to mention what the heck this book is about! This book picks up 2 years after the first one. Summer and Graham are just 1-2 weeks away from their wedding. Summer won a free wedding package at her soon-to-be in laws retirement community, Sunset Haven but nothing seems to be going right. Summers mom and dad come into town and they’re a mess all on their own. Add in some wedding festivities and you’ve got a recipe for disaster with trips to the ER, alligators, golf carts gone crazy! It’s a wild ride. And the punches keep coming all the way to the last page of the book.
I LOVE that we get Graham’s POV with this book. What I didn’t love was how Summer thinks all the old people are out to get her and ruin her wedding. Yes yes yes there are some dubious things happening BUT she’s a paranoid wreck 80% of the time and that takes away some of the fun of the book. So -1 ⭐️ for that because that’s pretty much what drives the story and it’s exhausting.
—spoiler for the ending—
And then the ending was soooo bizarre!!!! This big HUGE impactful thing happens and they just roll off into the sunset like NOTHING HAPPENS! Literally a sinkhole just took out your wedding 3 people might be trapped in it and you just roll off in a gold cart to your honeymoon? Huh?! -1⭐️ because it literally made no sense. Give us some honeymoon scenes in the epilogue with a recap of the cleanup or something! Don’t leave us on a cliffhanger with possibly dead senior citizens crushed in a sinkhole after a wedding!
— end of spoiler —
I did love all the book references though! Our FMC is a book nerd / librarian and she drops in scenes from books to compare to her own life throughout the book! Harry Potter, lord of the rings, Star Wars, beauty and the beast, Dune…. Every time a new reference popped up I was in love!
“She particularly loves stories that take place outside of our world, be it the Shire or Hogwarts or the Planet of the Apes”…”and seriously, Summer, it’s a lot of pressure always having to compete with Time Lords and wizards and beasts with intimidatingly large libraries—” I think our IRL significant others can all related to Graham in this instance 😂
The first book had a lot more tension (no spicy scenes, it’s fade to black) where as this one was definitely focused on the wedding shenanigans and bonding between Summer and her mom.
I say, if you’re looking for a cute quirky fun book to read, read book 1 Summer at Sea and pass on this one.
I started writing this review before I finished the book and at first I said this was my guilty pleasure series. It’s cute, quirky, has tons of shenanigans and I love it. Then I read the end and was like… wtf did I just read? Seriously the last chapter and the epilogue killed it for me.
I love the idea of this series. There are so many ridiculous events where all you can think is “how did that even happen?!”
We get to live out our wildest dreams in a very ACTIVE (if you know what I mean….) retirement community, a trip to Disney World and some mystery as Summer tries to figure out who is attempting to sabotage her wedding.
—— If you haven’t read book 1, just know there are spoilers for that book below this ——
That’s right, I almost forgot to mention what the heck this book is about! This book picks up 2 years after the first one. Summer and Graham are just 1-2 weeks away from their wedding. Summer won a free wedding package at her soon-to-be in laws retirement community, Sunset Haven but nothing seems to be going right. Summers mom and dad come into town and they’re a mess all on their own. Add in some wedding festivities and you’ve got a recipe for disaster with trips to the ER, alligators, golf carts gone crazy! It’s a wild ride. And the punches keep coming all the way to the last page of the book.
I LOVE that we get Graham’s POV with this book. What I didn’t love was how Summer thinks all the old people are out to get her and ruin her wedding. Yes yes yes there are some dubious things happening BUT she’s a paranoid wreck 80% of the time and that takes away some of the fun of the book. So -1 ⭐️ for that because that’s pretty much what drives the story and it’s exhausting.
—spoiler for the ending—
And then the ending was soooo bizarre!!!! This big HUGE impactful thing happens and they just roll off into the sunset like NOTHING HAPPENS! Literally a sinkhole just took out your wedding 3 people might be trapped in it and you just roll off in a gold cart to your honeymoon? Huh?! -1⭐️ because it literally made no sense. Give us some honeymoon scenes in the epilogue with a recap of the cleanup or something! Don’t leave us on a cliffhanger with possibly dead senior citizens crushed in a sinkhole after a wedding!
— end of spoiler —
I did love all the book references though! Our FMC is a book nerd / librarian and she drops in scenes from books to compare to her own life throughout the book! Harry Potter, lord of the rings, Star Wars, beauty and the beast, Dune…. Every time a new reference popped up I was in love!
“She particularly loves stories that take place outside of our world, be it the Shire or Hogwarts or the Planet of the Apes”…”and seriously, Summer, it’s a lot of pressure always having to compete with Time Lords and wizards and beasts with intimidatingly large libraries—” I think our IRL significant others can all related to Graham in this instance 😂
The first book had a lot more tension (no spicy scenes, it’s fade to black) where as this one was definitely focused on the wedding shenanigans and bonding between Summer and her mom.
I say, if you’re looking for a cute quirky fun book to read, read book 1 Summer at Sea and pass on this one.
March 10, 2017
This review was originally posted on karaneleni.com
While listening to SUMMER AT SUNSET by Beth Labonte, four openings to my review popped into my head. All were equally awesome and I couldn't decide between them. So you're getting all below. :)
#1
It's rare to find a fellow Whovian who shouts their slight obsession from the rooftop also. Or the pages of all of their books! So when an author mentions your fandom within the first chapter of their new novel, one who doesn't normally "squee" finds themself, in fact, squeeing loudly. Thankfully, said "one" was in the car so no one heard me--I mean, "them." Oh who am I kidding? It was me. Definitely me. #Whovianforlife #mykitchenistardisthemed #actuallymywholehouseis
#2
Imagine that you've read a book that you instantly fell in love with. The author's writing, the characters, and the hilarious story sucked you in and spit you out wanting more. Hoping for more. Dreading that more might ruin the story for you. Sequels are rarely as good as the first, right? I mean, yes, sometimes they're just below the original, and sometimes they just suck. I always go into the next book in a series with reservation and a slight expectation that this book will not be as funny or perfect (yeah, I said it) as its predecessor. Then there's that moment. You get through the first chapter and breathe a sigh of relief. So far, so good! You continue reading (or listening, in my case) and are pleasantly surprised to find that you're laughing more than you have in a long time. Possibly more than the first book in the series. Is that possible? Can the second book be even more hilarious than the first? Am I just in a better mood now so the laughing comes more easily? Could be, but I'm willing to bet that it's the story itself.
#3
I'm working on a blog post about book boyfriends and book best friends. I was 90% sure I knew where I stood on each, but Graham Blenderman might have changed my mind. Or maybe I change the blog post to Book Boyfriends, Book Besties, and Book One-and-Onlys? Do men like this really exist? It's no secret that I'm single. My dating history isn't too lengthy and the guys that graced my presence with their doucheness...well..."doucheness" should cover anything I need to say.
#4
Audiobooks are a glorious invention. I work a LOT so there isn't much time to read. Enter Audible (and talking iPhones, but that's another blog post that's coming). Most audiobooks that I've listened to have one narrator. Beth wrote SUMMER AT SUNSET in dual POV and hired TWO narrators. And I'm freaking in LOVE!!!
See? Couldn't decide. Lol! All of that said, Beth Labonte's sequel to her novel, SUMMER AT SEA, has quickly jumped to one of my top ten books. Ever. Ok, I don't actually have a list, but I should make one. On it, you would see SUMMER AT SEA right next to her new little book sister SUMMER AT SUNSET. I'll write a blog post soon about the rest of the list. While you're waiting, head over and buy ALLLLLL of Beth's books. You won't be disappointed. If you are, I'll...ok, I won't do anything other than try to convince you that you really do like her books. Because, you've got to. Who wouldn't?
Edit: I wrote the above when I had about two hours left in the audiobook. I wanted to make sure I was able to get my thoughts out before I got to the end so I couldn't spoil anything. Now I have an hour left and have to add, "Damnit, Beth! Did you really have to go an make me cry? At work?!?" Yes, I totally just teared up. A lot. But completely happy tears. This is just your warning to make sure you have a tissue available. ;)
May 17, 2017
After meeting Graham Blenderman on a cruise ship two years ago, Summer Hartwell is dreading her upcoming nuptials which are only weeks away. With a free wedding won by Summer and Graham, to be hosted at the luxury retirement complex where Graham’s parents reside, followed by a honeymoon in Jamaica, Summer’s nerves are pushed to the absolute limit while witnessing flirtatious behavior from the elderly residents towards her betrothed. Unapproved alterations have been made to her wedding dress, the wedding plans have been sabotaged, and strange accidents seem to be constantly happening to her family, but it is not until a direct threat comes crashing through the window that Summer realizes somebody has her in their crosshairs. Investigations bring shocking results, as Summer follows the clues to the culprit behind it all.
Beth Labonte’s second book in the Summer Series really had me scratching my head, as a simple wedding turns into a shocking, yet hilarious, game of cat-and-mouse which left me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Summer’s incredible sense of humor was well honed and in perfect form throughout Summer at Sunset, causing raucous amounts of laughter in my home causing the cats to hide. Beth Labonte has a real knack of telling an exciting and entertaining story which keeps her audiences captivated from the first page to the very last. The hidden clues throughout the text made me want to re-read the book over and over, not only in case I had missed something during the first read, but so that I can relive all of the hilarity once more. I thoroughly enjoyed Summer at Sunset and cannot wait to get my hands on the third book in the series, after having read and enjoyed the first book, Summer at Sea, so long ago. I wholeheartedly recommend this fine tale to all fans of comedy-romance, mystery and suspense, and personally cannot wait to read it all over again... and again and again.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
Beth Labonte’s second book in the Summer Series really had me scratching my head, as a simple wedding turns into a shocking, yet hilarious, game of cat-and-mouse which left me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Summer’s incredible sense of humor was well honed and in perfect form throughout Summer at Sunset, causing raucous amounts of laughter in my home causing the cats to hide. Beth Labonte has a real knack of telling an exciting and entertaining story which keeps her audiences captivated from the first page to the very last. The hidden clues throughout the text made me want to re-read the book over and over, not only in case I had missed something during the first read, but so that I can relive all of the hilarity once more. I thoroughly enjoyed Summer at Sunset and cannot wait to get my hands on the third book in the series, after having read and enjoyed the first book, Summer at Sea, so long ago. I wholeheartedly recommend this fine tale to all fans of comedy-romance, mystery and suspense, and personally cannot wait to read it all over again... and again and again.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
May 26, 2021
3.5 stars
Light and easy to read just like the first book. There was just too much going on that it makes me cringe at times. The characters are quirky, funny and mostly adorable except for one, who happens to be the protagonist in this story.
One of the things that makes me fall in love with a book is the main character, flaws and all, their evolution/maturity and their depth, which Summer lacks big time. She's supposedly in her late 20's and a girl ten years younger than her can be more mature and confident. She's jealous, a pessimist, and paranoid all the time that she feels everyone is out to get her. Her immaturity to a slight maturity story was tolerable in the first book but two years after? Still the same annoying and immature character if not worse.
As for the story line, it revolved more on the events that happened a week or so before the wedding and on the wedding itself. At first, the mishaps were funny but as more and more of them happened, I felt like all ideas of anything that could go wrong in a wedding prep to the wedding were just thrown into this book. Like I said, too much going on.
However, I enjoyed the characters of Graham, the couple's parents especially Summer's mom, and all the other supporting characters including the villains.
Also, Sunset Haven, where the story takes place most of the time, sounds incredible and a great place to live in. Then, there's Disneyland as well.
Light and easy to read just like the first book. There was just too much going on that it makes me cringe at times. The characters are quirky, funny and mostly adorable except for one, who happens to be the protagonist in this story.
One of the things that makes me fall in love with a book is the main character, flaws and all, their evolution/maturity and their depth, which Summer lacks big time. She's supposedly in her late 20's and a girl ten years younger than her can be more mature and confident. She's jealous, a pessimist, and paranoid all the time that she feels everyone is out to get her. Her immaturity to a slight maturity story was tolerable in the first book but two years after? Still the same annoying and immature character if not worse.
As for the story line, it revolved more on the events that happened a week or so before the wedding and on the wedding itself. At first, the mishaps were funny but as more and more of them happened, I felt like all ideas of anything that could go wrong in a wedding prep to the wedding were just thrown into this book. Like I said, too much going on.
However, I enjoyed the characters of Graham, the couple's parents especially Summer's mom, and all the other supporting characters including the villains.
Also, Sunset Haven, where the story takes place most of the time, sounds incredible and a great place to live in. Then, there's Disneyland as well.
August 14, 2025
So this is the second book in this rom-com series. Summer and Graham got together at the end of the first book and are getting married in this one. They won a fully paid for wedding in the retirement community where his parents live in Florida (which seemed to be very much so based off a notoriously well-known community in Central Florida), which had thrilled Summer since she decided it would be easier without her parents (who lived in Massachusetts) involved in all the planning. Of course anything that could possibly go wrong does so there is a ton of ongoing chaos constantly happening throughout the book. But despite all of the drama, there are also some sweet moments and realizations, and they do get their happy ending, though the book ends a lil oddly without really explaining why. While this book was definitely comical and enjoyable, the first book was a lot better. There's a third book that I'll still read just since there's no real reason not to since they're all short and light reads.
September 8, 2017
I love Summer. Nothing ever goes right for her despite every effort she goes through to ensure a peaceful life. The antics of the retirement village is hilarious, although I could happily smack Graham for his incessant flirting when he knows it is winding Summer up.
Good to have more of Eric, Summer's brother, in this story. He is so laid back he makes Graham look like a worrier.
There are some very sweet and romantic scenes in this book. Graham shows his love for Summer and stands by her when she starts to fall apart. And the Disney experience is wonderful.
Lovely story, funny and emotional. Same great characters with a few additions. If you have read and enjoyed 'Summer at Sea' then you are guaranteed to love this sequel.
Good to have more of Eric, Summer's brother, in this story. He is so laid back he makes Graham look like a worrier.
There are some very sweet and romantic scenes in this book. Graham shows his love for Summer and stands by her when she starts to fall apart. And the Disney experience is wonderful.
Lovely story, funny and emotional. Same great characters with a few additions. If you have read and enjoyed 'Summer at Sea' then you are guaranteed to love this sequel.
April 16, 2020
I genuinely enjoyed this one. Though not quite *as* good as book one, Summer at Sea (which honestly had me in stitches on occasion), Summer At Sunset is still a great read. Book two continues about a year or so after book one, when Summer and Graham are about a week out from their wedding. At a retirement village. Full of amorous retirees. Most of whom want Graham all for themselves. Then of course there’s Summer’s parents, as clueless and irritating as always...
A fairly good follow up!
A fairly good follow up!
May 23, 2020
Great book. I like Beth's writing. Funny, warm and with purpose. The story flows well with nothing dragging from beginning to end. This book was just as good as book one. I look forward to reading more!
March 15, 2018
Funny
Another get adorable installment in the Summer Hartwell series.
Summer and Graham are getting married. In a retirement community. What could go wrong? Only everything!
Hilarious!
Another get adorable installment in the Summer Hartwell series.
Summer and Graham are getting married. In a retirement community. What could go wrong? Only everything!
Hilarious!
February 10, 2020
Meh...definitely not as good as the first book in the series. Everything was so far-fetched. I think the author was trying way too hard to be funny. Even more annoying was her constant misuse of "me, myself and I" and overuse of "to be honest" in Summer's dialogue.
March 31, 2020
More of the sane and crazies
This family makes me laugh out loud and cringe. Poor summer is planning a wedding thinking she is in the clear to only get sideswiped. Even through all the crazy, some people deep down have good in them.
This family makes me laugh out loud and cringe. Poor summer is planning a wedding thinking she is in the clear to only get sideswiped. Even through all the crazy, some people deep down have good in them.
September 11, 2020
Summer st Sea literally had me laughing out loud. SUMMER AT sunset was a little disappointing because it was so far-fetched. But if you are looking for a very light, easy read to escape reality of this time, this book will keep you entertained for sure.
July 9, 2021
I loved the first book in this series but this book felt...cheesy. A lot of the drama was just a little unbelievable. I still enjoyed the seeing what happened with the characters but the epilogue of the book kind of ruined it for me. Just a little to dramatic..
September 23, 2021
Funny madcap adventure
While I liked the 1st book better. The continuing story of Summer and Graham is like a screwball comedy. The wedding is to take place at a retirement , in Florida where Graham's parents reside and nothing is going according to plan.
While I liked the 1st book better. The continuing story of Summer and Graham is like a screwball comedy. The wedding is to take place at a retirement , in Florida where Graham's parents reside and nothing is going according to plan.
June 3, 2017
Chick lit
December 4, 2017
It was too much of a conundrum book - I couldn't finish it.
December 30, 2017
LOL
Funny how you c an make lemonade out of all the humorous mishapes that occur. Love a book that makes you laugh out loud.
Funny how you c an make lemonade out of all the humorous mishapes that occur. Love a book that makes you laugh out loud.
July 11, 2018
So much fun
Summer and her family just keep getting better. I laughed so hard I cried. One of best series ever. Looking forward to more.
Summer and her family just keep getting better. I laughed so hard I cried. One of best series ever. Looking forward to more.
August 9, 2018
I actually liked this book more than the first one. It was a cute and funny read.
October 29, 2018
was good
March 6, 2019
Laugh out loud fun
I love the characters in this book and the crazy things you know are going to happen. I read it on the bus and had to stop laughing out loud
I love the characters in this book and the crazy things you know are going to happen. I read it on the bus and had to stop laughing out loud
June 30, 2021
Fun read
Lots of fun to read. The author has a great sense of humor and a nice writing style. Can’t wait for book 3
Lots of fun to read. The author has a great sense of humor and a nice writing style. Can’t wait for book 3
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