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Stand Tall #1
The Fourth Summer
THE ENDLESS SEASON
Freelance graphic artist Caitlin McGraw is living the hipster life in San Francisco when a jury summons brings her home to North Carolina. But doing her civic duty wasn’t supposed to include a reunion with Seth Street, the celebrity Olympic medalist—and Caitlin’s teenage love. She fell hard for Seth at thirteen, only to lose him when he left in the middle of that third summer . . . when everything changed between them.
You never forget your first love, and a decade of fame and fortune as the face of professional snowboarding hasn’t dimmed Seth’s memory of seemingly endless, perfect summers. Now, sequestered with Caitlin on a high-profile case, this could be his chance to rekindle those feelings and discover if what they once shared was meant to last. Amid family conflicts and hard-hitting revelations in and out of the courtroom, Seth and Caitlin face some tough hurdles. With so much at stake, can they trust in what they’ve reawakened in each other and turn this season of change into a lifetime of love?
Freelance graphic artist Caitlin McGraw is living the hipster life in San Francisco when a jury summons brings her home to North Carolina. But doing her civic duty wasn’t supposed to include a reunion with Seth Street, the celebrity Olympic medalist—and Caitlin’s teenage love. She fell hard for Seth at thirteen, only to lose him when he left in the middle of that third summer . . . when everything changed between them.
You never forget your first love, and a decade of fame and fortune as the face of professional snowboarding hasn’t dimmed Seth’s memory of seemingly endless, perfect summers. Now, sequestered with Caitlin on a high-profile case, this could be his chance to rekindle those feelings and discover if what they once shared was meant to last. Amid family conflicts and hard-hitting revelations in and out of the courtroom, Seth and Caitlin face some tough hurdles. With so much at stake, can they trust in what they’ve reawakened in each other and turn this season of change into a lifetime of love?
- GenresRomanceContemporary
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2018
18 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 4, 2018
I’m biased. I love Kathy’s books. However I will advise that her books are more often centered on the personal growth of the leads as well as their interpersonal relationships outside the relationship than a romancey romance. And I just don’t care. I would read her grocery list if published.
July 18, 2018
Review also found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.com...
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
To start with, I feel the need to mention that the cover of this book seems to suggest that the story is much steamier than it actually is. For the most part, this is a pretty clean read. While there is some sex scenes, they are few and far between and they skip the details that you would read in other stories.
The focal point of the story is actually the on the members of the jury and the complex relationship between Caitlin and Seth. It takes the reader back to the past when Caitlin was fifteen and Seth sixteen and the reader sees how their relationship developed over three summers. It then skips forward to the present and how they are trying to deal with these unresolved feelings as adults, mixed in with the complexity of serving on jury duty together. I liked this about the story.
For those who are not big fans of courtroom drama's, you need not fear. Everything is from the point of view of the jury members mainly when they are sequestered and the court case not does not play out within the pages (for the most part).
While I feel that the relationship between Caitlin and Seth was way more complex than it needed to be, I was still in their corner to see how their issues would be resolved.
This story was refreshingly different from a lot of other in the genre and I appreciated the change of pace. Overall a good read!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
To start with, I feel the need to mention that the cover of this book seems to suggest that the story is much steamier than it actually is. For the most part, this is a pretty clean read. While there is some sex scenes, they are few and far between and they skip the details that you would read in other stories.
The focal point of the story is actually the on the members of the jury and the complex relationship between Caitlin and Seth. It takes the reader back to the past when Caitlin was fifteen and Seth sixteen and the reader sees how their relationship developed over three summers. It then skips forward to the present and how they are trying to deal with these unresolved feelings as adults, mixed in with the complexity of serving on jury duty together. I liked this about the story.
For those who are not big fans of courtroom drama's, you need not fear. Everything is from the point of view of the jury members mainly when they are sequestered and the court case not does not play out within the pages (for the most part).
While I feel that the relationship between Caitlin and Seth was way more complex than it needed to be, I was still in their corner to see how their issues would be resolved.
This story was refreshingly different from a lot of other in the genre and I appreciated the change of pace. Overall a good read!
July 24, 2018
The Fourth Summer by Kathleen Gilles-Seidel
Standing Tall #1
Thrilled to see a new book by this author! That said, I think this book is rated on it being a NA genre rather than a contemporary romance. The story flips between the time the H/h were in their teens and their present ages of mid-twenties. So, my feeling is that it should be geared and advertised to that age reader.
Seth is a snowboarder who won the bronze medal at the Olympics in a clean sweep for America. He has been living a public life and also advertising his family’s board and other products for a decade. Caitlin is a graphic designer who works predominately on video games and book covers. The two spent summers together for a few years then suddenly were apart and have not seen each other for over a decade. When Seth and Caitlin are called home to sit on a jury they reconnect, talk, work together on issues that come up and try to decide if there is a relationship to pursue between them or not. The families of both Seth and Caitlin make appearances but the main story is the jury trial and the interaction between the jury members.
I felt both Seth and Caitlin were interesting characters with perhaps Caitlin the more mature of the two. Both did grow during the book and I can see them together as a couple.
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I like to read more by this author? Definitely
Was it my favorite book by this author? Probably not
What was my favorite book by this author? Don’t Forget to Smile
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Shine for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
Standing Tall #1
Thrilled to see a new book by this author! That said, I think this book is rated on it being a NA genre rather than a contemporary romance. The story flips between the time the H/h were in their teens and their present ages of mid-twenties. So, my feeling is that it should be geared and advertised to that age reader.
Seth is a snowboarder who won the bronze medal at the Olympics in a clean sweep for America. He has been living a public life and also advertising his family’s board and other products for a decade. Caitlin is a graphic designer who works predominately on video games and book covers. The two spent summers together for a few years then suddenly were apart and have not seen each other for over a decade. When Seth and Caitlin are called home to sit on a jury they reconnect, talk, work together on issues that come up and try to decide if there is a relationship to pursue between them or not. The families of both Seth and Caitlin make appearances but the main story is the jury trial and the interaction between the jury members.
I felt both Seth and Caitlin were interesting characters with perhaps Caitlin the more mature of the two. Both did grow during the book and I can see them together as a couple.
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I like to read more by this author? Definitely
Was it my favorite book by this author? Probably not
What was my favorite book by this author? Don’t Forget to Smile
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Shine for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
July 20, 2018
Where have you been, Kathleen Gilles Seidel, and would you please promise to not stay away so long? As a longtime reader and fan of Seidel's novels -- I remember buying THE SAME LAST NAME when first published during my sophomore year of college -- it's been far too long since her last novel. The fact THE FOURTH SUMMER is billed as the first novel in the "Stand Tall" series gives me hope that another book is on the horizon.
THE FOURTH SUMMER follows Caitlin and Seth through the meeting at a jury selection pool after an eleven-year separation. First love has come and gone, and what remains are some good, albeit bittersweet at times, memories.
Seidel follows a tried-and-true formula that has worked successfully with prior novels. Characters are treated as though they are real. There's no feeling that Caitlin and Seth are living some romantic fantasy, safe in some bubble that eventually gets popped in order to create drama. They have flaws and they disappoint each other and those around them more than once. And as much time is spent telling Seth's story as Caitlin's.
If there is a flaw in the storytelling, and there is one, it is in the use of profanity. For the first 75-80 percent of the book, the word "s#!t" was used less than a handful of times. But in the final 20-25 percent, the F-bomb was used a half-dozen times, more or less. Except for the first time when it almost made sense to use it, the word was totally unnecessary. As I was reading an advance review copy, this may or may not change in the final release. I felt almost like I should deduct from the rating but the appearance of a new Kathleen Gilles Seidel book kept bringing the rating back to five stars.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Caitlin and Seth in THE FOURTH SUMMER -- and have already preordered a copy for my library -- and hope Seidel follows up with another new novel soon. Highly recommended!
I received a copy of the book from Lyrical Shine/Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
THE FOURTH SUMMER follows Caitlin and Seth through the meeting at a jury selection pool after an eleven-year separation. First love has come and gone, and what remains are some good, albeit bittersweet at times, memories.
Seidel follows a tried-and-true formula that has worked successfully with prior novels. Characters are treated as though they are real. There's no feeling that Caitlin and Seth are living some romantic fantasy, safe in some bubble that eventually gets popped in order to create drama. They have flaws and they disappoint each other and those around them more than once. And as much time is spent telling Seth's story as Caitlin's.
If there is a flaw in the storytelling, and there is one, it is in the use of profanity. For the first 75-80 percent of the book, the word "s#!t" was used less than a handful of times. But in the final 20-25 percent, the F-bomb was used a half-dozen times, more or less. Except for the first time when it almost made sense to use it, the word was totally unnecessary. As I was reading an advance review copy, this may or may not change in the final release. I felt almost like I should deduct from the rating but the appearance of a new Kathleen Gilles Seidel book kept bringing the rating back to five stars.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Caitlin and Seth in THE FOURTH SUMMER -- and have already preordered a copy for my library -- and hope Seidel follows up with another new novel soon. Highly recommended!
I received a copy of the book from Lyrical Shine/Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
July 24, 2018
It's such a treat to get a new Seidel out of nowhere, after all this time. One of my absolute favorite romance novels is her Summer's End. In a lot of ways, this new book feels like deja vu - from the Olympic athlete (the hero this time), the parent in the Navy, the troublesome sibling, all the way to the "summer" in the title.
This new one doesn't quite reach the heights of Summer's End, for me. Part of it was because Seth is so young - barely out of the selfishness of one's teenaged years. He annoyed me a fair number of times throughout the story. Part of it was the context: the stakes are higher for a new blended family than for a bunch of strangers brought together for a trial. And part of it was the length. The ending felt abrupt and rushed. Why couldn't Seidel have had another 10,000 words for Seth and Caitlin to really grow into their relationship as adults?
So why the four stars? Because Seidel delivered a good helping of what I like best about her writing - the perceptiveness about group psychology and this warm glow of empathy, reminiscent to me of Jane Austen. Aside from two straight-up terrible people, Seidel took the time to let us into each character's head, to see their potential in spite of their shortcomings. You get to see characters asking questions of themselves, and reacting to the answers. It's such a cut above the flat cardboard characters that so often populate romance novels.
I do have a disclaimer for pure romance readers: this book reads more like a bildungsroman or general women's fiction, than a genre romance. If you're coming just for that, you may be disappointed. But if you loosen up your requirements, this is a great book that I devoured in a single day.
I'll read another Seidel any time. Is this the start of a new series? Can we get Ben and Colleen? Pretty please?
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an unbiased review.
This new one doesn't quite reach the heights of Summer's End, for me. Part of it was because Seth is so young - barely out of the selfishness of one's teenaged years. He annoyed me a fair number of times throughout the story. Part of it was the context: the stakes are higher for a new blended family than for a bunch of strangers brought together for a trial. And part of it was the length. The ending felt abrupt and rushed. Why couldn't Seidel have had another 10,000 words for Seth and Caitlin to really grow into their relationship as adults?
So why the four stars? Because Seidel delivered a good helping of what I like best about her writing - the perceptiveness about group psychology and this warm glow of empathy, reminiscent to me of Jane Austen. Aside from two straight-up terrible people, Seidel took the time to let us into each character's head, to see their potential in spite of their shortcomings. You get to see characters asking questions of themselves, and reacting to the answers. It's such a cut above the flat cardboard characters that so often populate romance novels.
I do have a disclaimer for pure romance readers: this book reads more like a bildungsroman or general women's fiction, than a genre romance. If you're coming just for that, you may be disappointed. But if you loosen up your requirements, this is a great book that I devoured in a single day.
I'll read another Seidel any time. Is this the start of a new series? Can we get Ben and Colleen? Pretty please?
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an unbiased review.
July 24, 2018
Delighted KGS is writing again!!!!!!
Interesting characters, interesting story, insights about people, the courts, politics, and boarding.
Lovely story that celebrates decent people and relationships.
Please write more and more and more.
Interesting characters, interesting story, insights about people, the courts, politics, and boarding.
Lovely story that celebrates decent people and relationships.
Please write more and more and more.
April 5, 2022
4 stars
My joint review with Jennie at DA can be found here: https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
My joint review with Jennie at DA can be found here: https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
May 29, 2018
DNF 25%
Unfortunately the author lost me with the constant back and forth from past to present. I don't typically mind it, but when you go back to when they're 13/14 and concentrate there you lose me.
Unfortunately the author lost me with the constant back and forth from past to present. I don't typically mind it, but when you go back to when they're 13/14 and concentrate there you lose me.
May 22, 2018
I will have a full review to come.
July 17, 2018
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
The premise of the book is a good one, but the jumping back and forth - from past to present - made the book hard to read. At one point, I started skipping the "past" portions and only reading the current story line.
I think the romance was there between the characters and the trial with the sequestered jury gave them both time to get to know each other again, but at the same time, I think it detracted from the romance of the story.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
The premise of the book is a good one, but the jumping back and forth - from past to present - made the book hard to read. At one point, I started skipping the "past" portions and only reading the current story line.
I think the romance was there between the characters and the trial with the sequestered jury gave them both time to get to know each other again, but at the same time, I think it detracted from the romance of the story.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
September 1, 2018
This is a tolerable second chance romance where our H and h, former childhood friends, find themselves on a jury together.
That being said, I think this book is a lot more about the juror experience than a romance. While we saw the main characters work together, and flirt with intimacy, it’s not actually romantic until the last chapter. Because of this, I wish there had been another chapter to deal with them admitting their feelings for one another, deciding to move forward, and really basking in the decision to stop running and grab their HEA.
The heroine seems like a much stronger character. She knows who she is and what she really wants. The hero seems like he’s been playing a part (since forever). Because his love of skateboarding actually created a livelihood for his family, his career decisions have a greater impact, placing him at a crossroads about his position in the company and in the sports world. I wish we’d been able to see him pick a direction and get going with it. I think how he approaches his career and his family will determine a lot about how successful his relationship to the heroine will be because he seems to have a problem with making her a priority.
The book's lack of focus on the main characters' intimacy and connection with one another and the hero's inability to think beyond himself make me think that at best this is a HFN story, rather than a HEA. Moreover, the author leaves us hanging as it relates to crucial resolutions such that I think it is best for me to give this author a wide berth and avoid future disappointment.
On a side note, I wish that Teddy, one of the jurors, had gotten his comeuppance. He was a weaselly little man.
I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review
That being said, I think this book is a lot more about the juror experience than a romance. While we saw the main characters work together, and flirt with intimacy, it’s not actually romantic until the last chapter. Because of this, I wish there had been another chapter to deal with them admitting their feelings for one another, deciding to move forward, and really basking in the decision to stop running and grab their HEA.
The heroine seems like a much stronger character. She knows who she is and what she really wants. The hero seems like he’s been playing a part (since forever). Because his love of skateboarding actually created a livelihood for his family, his career decisions have a greater impact, placing him at a crossroads about his position in the company and in the sports world. I wish we’d been able to see him pick a direction and get going with it. I think how he approaches his career and his family will determine a lot about how successful his relationship to the heroine will be because he seems to have a problem with making her a priority.
The book's lack of focus on the main characters' intimacy and connection with one another and the hero's inability to think beyond himself make me think that at best this is a HFN story, rather than a HEA. Moreover, the author leaves us hanging as it relates to crucial resolutions such that I think it is best for me to give this author a wide berth and avoid future disappointment.
On a side note, I wish that Teddy, one of the jurors, had gotten his comeuppance. He was a weaselly little man.
I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review
July 25, 2018
I was asked by the author for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read by Kathleen Gilles Seidel. I would have liked to give it 4.5 stars. I thought the setting was very unique (a sequestered jury) and I liked that the story alternated between the past and present.
I didn't entirely like the characters. They definitely weren't perfect, but that did make them more realistic. Also, I rarely have opinions on book covers, but I was not a fan of this cover. That wasn't how I imagined the main character to look and if I were choosing the book based on the cover, I wouldn't have picked it up.
Despite that, I enjoyed the story overall and I had trouble putting the book down. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next.
This is the first book I've read by Kathleen Gilles Seidel. I would have liked to give it 4.5 stars. I thought the setting was very unique (a sequestered jury) and I liked that the story alternated between the past and present.
I didn't entirely like the characters. They definitely weren't perfect, but that did make them more realistic. Also, I rarely have opinions on book covers, but I was not a fan of this cover. That wasn't how I imagined the main character to look and if I were choosing the book based on the cover, I wouldn't have picked it up.
Despite that, I enjoyed the story overall and I had trouble putting the book down. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next.
May 14, 2018
It’s been far too long since we’ve heard the richness of Kathleen Gilles Seidel’s writing voice, since we’ve fallen in love with the men she’s introduced us to or thought hopefully, “Yes, I could do that,” about the heroines in her books. Since we’ve become invested in every single one of a story’s secondary characters and been fascinated by things we never even thought we’d be interested in but suddenly can’t learn enough about.
The Fourth Summer is about the reunion of Seth Street and Caitlin McGraw. You learn their story not only when they are sequestered together on a high-profile jury in their home state of North Carolina, but in scenes from three summers from their adolescence. The changes are never confusing, and they make the character arcs soar seamlessly.
If I am to be honest, I will admit that this is not my favorite book of Ms. Seidel’s. Firstly, because I’ve only read it once instead of the dozen or so times I’ve read every one of her others. Secondly, because my personal preference tends away from protagonists in their twenties. That being said, The Fourth Summer is still the best book I’ve read this year (I’m writing this review on May 14) and after another half-dozen or so readings, it might well be a favorite.
The Fourth Summer is about the reunion of Seth Street and Caitlin McGraw. You learn their story not only when they are sequestered together on a high-profile jury in their home state of North Carolina, but in scenes from three summers from their adolescence. The changes are never confusing, and they make the character arcs soar seamlessly.
If I am to be honest, I will admit that this is not my favorite book of Ms. Seidel’s. Firstly, because I’ve only read it once instead of the dozen or so times I’ve read every one of her others. Secondly, because my personal preference tends away from protagonists in their twenties. That being said, The Fourth Summer is still the best book I’ve read this year (I’m writing this review on May 14) and after another half-dozen or so readings, it might well be a favorite.
July 23, 2018
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
The cover of this book doesn’t go with this story at all. Not that there’s anything wrong with the cover, but it’s just the wrong cover for this story in my mind. This story has way more to do with interpersonal relationships between all ages and backgrounds than a sexy guy laying on a bed.
The flashback to the relationship that Caitlyn and Seth had as young teens is amazingly sweet. The innocent friendship that is their first summer had a wonderful nostalgia for me. Especially when I learned the reason Caitlyn was initially sent to her grandmother’s that summer. Not that I could relate with exactly what she was going through, but haven’t we all had that feeling of being pushed aside for other family members at that age?
From the way this one began I thought it may end up being a coming of age story. Although there are some elements of that here and there, that’s not what this book is at its core. Seth and Caitlyn are selected for a jury for a high-profile case that goes awry. Don’t worry though, it’s also not a courtroom drama. The author does a great job of giving us enough information so the reader understands how confusing the trial is for the jurors without going so deep it takes away from the story. Because again, this is not a courtroom drama.
This is a story about human interaction. The way we are perceived by others and the way we think we are coming across. It’s about how we want to be viewed as opposed to how we are viewed. I was impressed by the cast of characters that made up the jury. When you have such a large cast of non-main characters it can sometimes be hard to remember who’s who. These jurors all had distinct enough characters that I was never confused as to who the author was referencing in any scene. From the shy and meek young lady to the brass and egotistical middle-aged jerk, I got them all down pretty quickly.
Ultimately, this is a love story between Caitlyn and Seth. I liked their connection and connected with Caitlyn, but never truly understood Seth’s motivations for the way things played out in their third summer. Was he just immature or was he as selfish as he seemed? The author never really makes that clear, and maybe that’s by design. Now, I don’t agree with Caitlyn on holding Seth’s decision against him. It was actually selfish of her to think that he should have made a different choice. But the way things played out from there was all on Seth.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m a bit on the fence. While I enjoyed the story and was impressed with how well she developed even her side characters, her writing is a bit stilted for me. This could just be my own preference, but it just seemed the style was more middle-grade while the content definitely wasn’t. I’m sure I’ll pick something up by her again if I get the chance since the story did engage me quite a bit. And since this is the first in the series I am interested enough in Seth’s buddies that I’d pick up another of this series if they’re about them.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
The cover of this book doesn’t go with this story at all. Not that there’s anything wrong with the cover, but it’s just the wrong cover for this story in my mind. This story has way more to do with interpersonal relationships between all ages and backgrounds than a sexy guy laying on a bed.
The flashback to the relationship that Caitlyn and Seth had as young teens is amazingly sweet. The innocent friendship that is their first summer had a wonderful nostalgia for me. Especially when I learned the reason Caitlyn was initially sent to her grandmother’s that summer. Not that I could relate with exactly what she was going through, but haven’t we all had that feeling of being pushed aside for other family members at that age?
From the way this one began I thought it may end up being a coming of age story. Although there are some elements of that here and there, that’s not what this book is at its core. Seth and Caitlyn are selected for a jury for a high-profile case that goes awry. Don’t worry though, it’s also not a courtroom drama. The author does a great job of giving us enough information so the reader understands how confusing the trial is for the jurors without going so deep it takes away from the story. Because again, this is not a courtroom drama.
This is a story about human interaction. The way we are perceived by others and the way we think we are coming across. It’s about how we want to be viewed as opposed to how we are viewed. I was impressed by the cast of characters that made up the jury. When you have such a large cast of non-main characters it can sometimes be hard to remember who’s who. These jurors all had distinct enough characters that I was never confused as to who the author was referencing in any scene. From the shy and meek young lady to the brass and egotistical middle-aged jerk, I got them all down pretty quickly.
Ultimately, this is a love story between Caitlyn and Seth. I liked their connection and connected with Caitlyn, but never truly understood Seth’s motivations for the way things played out in their third summer. Was he just immature or was he as selfish as he seemed? The author never really makes that clear, and maybe that’s by design. Now, I don’t agree with Caitlyn on holding Seth’s decision against him. It was actually selfish of her to think that he should have made a different choice. But the way things played out from there was all on Seth.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m a bit on the fence. While I enjoyed the story and was impressed with how well she developed even her side characters, her writing is a bit stilted for me. This could just be my own preference, but it just seemed the style was more middle-grade while the content definitely wasn’t. I’m sure I’ll pick something up by her again if I get the chance since the story did engage me quite a bit. And since this is the first in the series I am interested enough in Seth’s buddies that I’d pick up another of this series if they’re about them.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
July 24, 2018
Ben, Seth, and Nate were all hanging out at the chalet they shared on the grounds of the Endless Snow Resort in Oregon. All three were snowboarders and grew up training together. Seth had won a bronze medal in the Winter Olympics. On the mountain three men were disciplined, dedicated, and determined as snowboarding was dangerous. The rest of the time they had fun. Fans expected snowboarders to be the pirates of winter sports: brash, reckless, and a little weird. That came naturally to these men. Seth was being called to jury duty in North Carolina where he was still registered to vote. The other two men had already changed their addresses but not Seth. He was still registered to vote in North Carolina thus the call for jury duty from there. Seth had already went through two postponements during the winter competition season but now he was stuck he either faced contempt of court or he went home and reported for jury duty. Seth went home. While at the courthouse and in the jury assembly room Seth sees Caitlin Mcgraw from the summers when Seth was a teen. Seth remembered her and how she said she wouldn’t play games. It had been eleven years since Seth and Caitlin had seen each other. When Seth went up to Caitlin and they were talking Seth brought up how he had kinda disappeared on her and Caitlin said he hadn’t disappeared she’d seen his face on a Wheaties box and he did send her form replies when she emailed him. Seth said he wished he hadn't done that but it was a bad time for him. Even though she brought up how he had just won an olympic medal. Then Seth asked Caitlin about herself. And Caitlin said she was a freelance graphic artist living in San Francisco. Seth was the public face of his family’s company- Street Boards. The company manufactures skateboards and snowboards. The company supported his parents, his sisters, and his brother in law. Seth had to always act like a good citizen even if it was driving him nuts. When Caitlin and Seth had been a lot younger they had been in love and eventually made love. They had three summers together he had been 14-16 and she had been 13- 15. At fourteen Seth had been professional for a few years. Seth had met Caitlin at the park. She had been waiting watching him on his bike at the skateboarding park and showing off a little. And she watched him and then wanted to learn. Seth says he will give Caitlin a ride home from the courthouse and then invited her out to dinner but it was early so they went to the lake where they decide to become friends with benefits.
This was an okay read. I guess it was just too much jumping back and forth between past and present for me. I did finish this book as I wanted to see how things would end up. I am glad I finished this but it wasn’t a favorite of mine
This was an okay read. I guess it was just too much jumping back and forth between past and present for me. I did finish this book as I wanted to see how things would end up. I am glad I finished this but it wasn’t a favorite of mine
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August 28, 2025Caitlin McGraw and Seth Street were best friends when they were younger and eventually became a couple. That was just before Seth was offered a spot training for the US Olympic snowboarding team in Oregon and he left her behind after their third summer together. It's ten years later and Caitlin is a freelance graphic artist living the hipster life in San Francisco. Seth is the face of Street Boards, his family's company and still living in Oregon. Caitlin and Seth never changed their addresses, so both are still listed as living in North Carolina. They both receive a jury summons and head home. Caitlin had no idea Seth would also be home, so they are both taken by surprise. When memories crowd in, they have a steamy reunion, which ends abruptly when they are both selected for the jury. It is even more difficult when they are sequestered. They say you never forget your first love, and although ten years has separated the third and fourth summer, Seth and Caitlin have to fight the chemistry and feelings that they never dealt with.
As this story began, I was a bit worried about the steam and open door romance, but after the opening situation, things were very different. With the jury being sequestered, they didn't get to spend time alone together. I enjoyed seeing them resist what was between them. The characters on the jury were quite a varied group. They had their moments at each other's throats, then finally became a cohesive unit thanks to Seth. There is humor in parts of the book, but also some was quite emotional. Being away from family and loved ones. Not being able to watch TV, having phones and computers confiscated and terrible water and fast food definitely had everyone's nerves on end. The story flips between the past where we see them as teenagers meeting and spending time together and the present. They do spend time together, but most of the time others are around. There is chemistry sizzling underneath and I was rooting for them to get together, but they had several situations where they were butting heads. There is also a lot of personal growth and new beginnings. This is a romance, so I knew they would get together, but I enjoyed the journey towards it. I've had this book on my TBR shelf for several years and I'm glad I finally read it.
As this story began, I was a bit worried about the steam and open door romance, but after the opening situation, things were very different. With the jury being sequestered, they didn't get to spend time alone together. I enjoyed seeing them resist what was between them. The characters on the jury were quite a varied group. They had their moments at each other's throats, then finally became a cohesive unit thanks to Seth. There is humor in parts of the book, but also some was quite emotional. Being away from family and loved ones. Not being able to watch TV, having phones and computers confiscated and terrible water and fast food definitely had everyone's nerves on end. The story flips between the past where we see them as teenagers meeting and spending time together and the present. They do spend time together, but most of the time others are around. There is chemistry sizzling underneath and I was rooting for them to get together, but they had several situations where they were butting heads. There is also a lot of personal growth and new beginnings. This is a romance, so I knew they would get together, but I enjoyed the journey towards it. I've had this book on my TBR shelf for several years and I'm glad I finally read it.
June 24, 2021
This book felt… painfully awkward, honestly. Teenage kids talk about “rainbow parties” (not actually a thing! Caitlin Flanagan lied!) and twenty-somethings living in San Francisco talk about their “feminist creds” (yes, creds) and make frequent references to being hipsters. The core is good, the feelings are good, but the time/place (usually Seidel's strength) feels askew, like my mom is writing this. (Sorry, mom.) The hero and heroine agree to have a friends-with-benefits relationship but then the heroine’s father (a retired judge) tells her that she’s not allowed to see the hero while they’re both on the jury and they both meekly acquiesce. For a pro snowboarder and a mildly embittered freelance graphic designer, they are extremely respectful of authority at all times (and I do mean ALL TIMES; their sole motivation half the time is “are we allowed to do this? probably not? then I guess we won’t”). There are lots of incredibly detailed descriptions of the trial and the lawyers and how boring everything is (although none on what the trial’s actually about, because God forbid we have anything interesting happening), giving the impression that Seidel wrote it while she was doing jury duty. The jurors all have to get together to get along. Caitlin’s mother points out how small her San Francisco apartment is and Caitlin agrees that she wonders why she lives there. Like, neither hero nor heroine reads as plausibly young, much less plausibly young and hip. They are both sixty-seven-year-old women stuffed into Young Person Suits. This is, as the hero thinks disgustedly at one point, beyond wack. Such a disappointment coming from Seidel.
September 13, 2018
I was beyond elated when I realized there was a new novel out by this author. I started reading her way back when she wrote category romances. This book reminded me of her vintage novels as well as her more recent WF books.
The book deals with teenage sweethearts who reconnect in their mid-twenties when they are sequestered during jury duty. The author gives a rounded view of their past relationship, the tensions that being "imprisoned" can have on a group of strangers and the way young adults realize their transition to full maturity. The romance was more in the background than I like. The author explored more that transition period after college before settling into adulthood more fully.
I would have liked a bit more towards the end, which was abrupt for my taste. Other than that, I look forward to seeing more from this author.
The book deals with teenage sweethearts who reconnect in their mid-twenties when they are sequestered during jury duty. The author gives a rounded view of their past relationship, the tensions that being "imprisoned" can have on a group of strangers and the way young adults realize their transition to full maturity. The romance was more in the background than I like. The author explored more that transition period after college before settling into adulthood more fully.
I would have liked a bit more towards the end, which was abrupt for my taste. Other than that, I look forward to seeing more from this author.
December 19, 2025
This is the least romantic romance I’ve ever read. They spend the whole book tied up in a frustrating trial as sequestered jury members and with people who are seriously difficult to get along with. There’s a bunch of memories of when they were kids, leaving out ANY of the relevant bits where they became more than friends. They never once discussed why he ghosted her afterwards. So suddenly at the end of the book they’re in love without ever having any relevant conversations? And it ended abruptly with that realization too! Gah! If this were a paperback instead of an ebook I would have thrown it across the room! Deleted!
June 14, 2019
Received from Silver Dagger Tour
Such a sweet and well-written story. I enjoyed reading every page. :) It's just one of those stories that make you laugh and warms your heart and make you fall in love with characters. :)
Caitlin and Seth just to spend summers together, first as friends and later as a couple, but it all stopped in the third summer. Not faith brought them back together, in the form of jury duty. The path to happiness is not all straight forward - I loved it!
Such a sweet and well-written story. I enjoyed reading every page. :) It's just one of those stories that make you laugh and warms your heart and make you fall in love with characters. :)
Caitlin and Seth just to spend summers together, first as friends and later as a couple, but it all stopped in the third summer. Not faith brought them back together, in the form of jury duty. The path to happiness is not all straight forward - I loved it!
January 20, 2021
The cover art is terrible.
But generally a pretty solid book, although I feel like the plot would have worked better if Seth and Caitlin were both older. The whole ‘woe is me I will never find another love’ schtick and general ennui would have been a lot more compelling if they weren’t twenty five.
But generally a pretty solid book, although I feel like the plot would have worked better if Seth and Caitlin were both older. The whole ‘woe is me I will never find another love’ schtick and general ennui would have been a lot more compelling if they weren’t twenty five.
September 17, 2018
I enjoyed Caitlin and Seth's story. They grew up spending summers together as kids and lost touch as they grew up. Years later they meet up at the courthouse when they were summoned for Jury Duty. This is a wonderful friends to lovers romance.
July 31, 2021
Love this book.
I love, love,love all of Ms Seidel's books and this is no exception. I am always immediately drawn into the story and her characters. I hadn't checked for new books for awhile and was delighted to find this series. I'm looking forward to the next two.
I love, love,love all of Ms Seidel's books and this is no exception. I am always immediately drawn into the story and her characters. I hadn't checked for new books for awhile and was delighted to find this series. I'm looking forward to the next two.
June 18, 2018
Enjoyed reading the story of Seth and Caitlin. Recommended reading.
June 21, 2018
This book was a fast read. It was okay, but I didn't love it. Kept me entertained enough to keep reading to find out what happened.
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads.
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads.
July 25, 2018
O frabjous day - a new book by Kathleen Gilles Seidel!
May 22, 2021
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Seidel and after finishing it, my first thought was, "Will I ever read another of this author's books after barely finishing this one?"
I know that's not something an author wants to read in a review, but I found this story really difficult to get into. The way it bounces back and forth between the past and the present made it hard to follow, although I liked the main characters in Seth and Caitlin and everything that happens in the present. That's what kept me reading really. My need to discover how things would turn out for them when it came to whether they'd have a future together and how the court case would turn out.
Overall, I enjoyed the end of this book and am glad I did finish this story. It's also why I ended up giving this story three stars instead of the two I was going to give when I first started reading.
I know that's not something an author wants to read in a review, but I found this story really difficult to get into. The way it bounces back and forth between the past and the present made it hard to follow, although I liked the main characters in Seth and Caitlin and everything that happens in the present. That's what kept me reading really. My need to discover how things would turn out for them when it came to whether they'd have a future together and how the court case would turn out.
Overall, I enjoyed the end of this book and am glad I did finish this story. It's also why I ended up giving this story three stars instead of the two I was going to give when I first started reading.
August 11, 2018
Check out our
The Fourth Summer
post on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
The premise of the book is a good one, but the jumping back and forth – from past to present – made the book hard to read. At one point, I started skipping the "past" portions and only reading the current storyline.
I think the romance was there between the characters and the trial with the sequestered jury gave them both time to get to know each other again, but at the same time, I think it detracted from the romance of the story.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Fourth Summer (Stand Tall #1) by Kathleen Gilles Seidel to read and review.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
The premise of the book is a good one, but the jumping back and forth – from past to present – made the book hard to read. At one point, I started skipping the "past" portions and only reading the current storyline.
I think the romance was there between the characters and the trial with the sequestered jury gave them both time to get to know each other again, but at the same time, I think it detracted from the romance of the story.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Fourth Summer (Stand Tall #1) by Kathleen Gilles Seidel to read and review.
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March 4, 2019A favorite author from the 80-90’s so I had to read her new novel. It’s really a harlequin romance and for that genre it’s good. Not rating it as I don’t really read that genre so wouldn’t be fair. Wish it had more depth (maybe my reading had evolved in the past decades 😉). Still nice to see Seidel writing.
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