What do you think?
Rate this book
Boyfriend #8
The Summer Boyfriend
Can summer last forever?
Joy Wright has only two rules. Don't ask questions and don't get attached. So when Hayden Anderson comes into her life with a tempting proposition, she has a decision to make.
The plastic key card with the familiar hotel logo glared back at Joy. The only other item in the envelope was a tiny square of folded yellow paper. She reached for it, unfolding Hayden's unmistakable handwriting. Room 108.
One word.
Three numbers.
Two choices.
Stay or go?
So much hangs in the balance.
The decision could change Joy's entire future.
Surviving this summer romance won't be a walk on the beach.
A Fun, Fast, YA Romance Read, perfect for fans of Kasie West & Jenny Han!
(Note: Suggested reading age 16+ for mature language and content.)
Praise for The Summer Boyfriend:
The Summer Boyfriend joins one of the best series on the YA market. - Jennifer G.
I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't put it down until I finished it. - Angela L.
A heart warming story of love, loss, hope, and redemption! Five Stars! - Booksprout review
Hayden is the perfect book boyfriend. He was kind, caring, patient, and sweet. If you're tired of reading about bad boys and womanizers, you should pick up this book and fall for Hayden Anderson. - Booksprout review
Joy Wright has only two rules. Don't ask questions and don't get attached. So when Hayden Anderson comes into her life with a tempting proposition, she has a decision to make.
The plastic key card with the familiar hotel logo glared back at Joy. The only other item in the envelope was a tiny square of folded yellow paper. She reached for it, unfolding Hayden's unmistakable handwriting. Room 108.
One word.
Three numbers.
Two choices.
Stay or go?
So much hangs in the balance.
The decision could change Joy's entire future.
Surviving this summer romance won't be a walk on the beach.
A Fun, Fast, YA Romance Read, perfect for fans of Kasie West & Jenny Han!
(Note: Suggested reading age 16+ for mature language and content.)
Praise for The Summer Boyfriend:
The Summer Boyfriend joins one of the best series on the YA market. - Jennifer G.
I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't put it down until I finished it. - Angela L.
A heart warming story of love, loss, hope, and redemption! Five Stars! - Booksprout review
Hayden is the perfect book boyfriend. He was kind, caring, patient, and sweet. If you're tired of reading about bad boys and womanizers, you should pick up this book and fall for Hayden Anderson. - Booksprout review
422 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2018
171 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Christina Benjamin
67 books323 followersAward-Winning author, Christina Benjamin, lives in Florida with her husband, and character inspiring pets, where she spends her free time working on her books and speaking to inspire fellow writers.
Christina is best known for her wildly popular Young Adult romance novels, The Boyfriend series.
The Boyfriend series proves that book boyfriends are like Chocolate… you can never have enough. Check out the Boyfriend series for fast, fun, YA romance reads. These destination novels let you fall in love in a new city with new character every time.
Christina loves to read and write across genres. YA is her favorite but she's a sucker for a good love story. Don't miss her YA Fantasy, The Geneva Sommers series under her pen name CJ Benjamin as well as the multiple anthologies she's been a part of.
Christina is best known for her wildly popular Young Adult romance novels, The Boyfriend series.
The Boyfriend series proves that book boyfriends are like Chocolate… you can never have enough. Check out the Boyfriend series for fast, fun, YA romance reads. These destination novels let you fall in love in a new city with new character every time.
Christina loves to read and write across genres. YA is her favorite but she's a sucker for a good love story. Don't miss her YA Fantasy, The Geneva Sommers series under her pen name CJ Benjamin as well as the multiple anthologies she's been a part of.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 10, 2018
Joy Wright. This summer is important for her. She's been selected as Lead Tower Lifeguard for the ACE Swim Program. It's a well-deserved position that has a much-needed salary. Hayden Anderson is the son of a controlling billionaire and Olympic hopeful competing in ACE. Jo (Joy) and Hayden are both survivors, both broken, both closed off to the possibilities of an HEA. Everything changes with a dare, a kiss. But any relationship between staff and competitors is forbidden. Plus, these two come with more complications than can be imagined; tragic pasts, present demands, future threats, overprotective brothers, and a pushy best friend. Finally, this is summer and summer flings aren't meant to last. You can't allow yourself to become attached. Unfortunately, hearts don't follow rules. Sometimes summers are meant to last forever.
The Summer Boyfriend is set on a beautiful island in Hawaii. This backdrop must be mentioned because it sets the stage and the tone to such a degree that it's almost a character itself. The characters are shaped by the island; the attitudes, their closeness, shared history. They have few secrets. Family is important. History has a firm grasp on the day to day, on one's reputation, on one's expectations. Visitors are seen as outsiders. They come and they go. The island remains.
The Summer Boyfriend joins one of the best series on the YA market. It's a departure from the others. Jo and Hayden seem older. Their age is the same but they seem much older due to their lives. The topics in this book are more serious, more adult. I find it interesting that the most significant of the Boyfriend Series starts as a summer fling. There is no worry over the mean girl in class or picking the perfect dress for a party. Life has not been easy on either of these two characters and their focus is different. Both have survived loss, heartbreak. Both have survived but remain damaged. It's easy to fall in love with Jo and Hayden, to worry about them, fear for them. It's so easy to see how they each might be too bruised by life to remember to live. This is a story of family. A story of life. A story of second chances. Jo and Hayden must learn to trust, to feel, to live again. Jo offers Hayden everything he never dared to dream of and Hayden gave her back so much that she thought that she had lost forever. This is a story of fear, of letting go, being brave. It's a love story. It's beautiful and heartfelt. The best summer ever.
The Summer Boyfriend is set on a beautiful island in Hawaii. This backdrop must be mentioned because it sets the stage and the tone to such a degree that it's almost a character itself. The characters are shaped by the island; the attitudes, their closeness, shared history. They have few secrets. Family is important. History has a firm grasp on the day to day, on one's reputation, on one's expectations. Visitors are seen as outsiders. They come and they go. The island remains.
The Summer Boyfriend joins one of the best series on the YA market. It's a departure from the others. Jo and Hayden seem older. Their age is the same but they seem much older due to their lives. The topics in this book are more serious, more adult. I find it interesting that the most significant of the Boyfriend Series starts as a summer fling. There is no worry over the mean girl in class or picking the perfect dress for a party. Life has not been easy on either of these two characters and their focus is different. Both have survived loss, heartbreak. Both have survived but remain damaged. It's easy to fall in love with Jo and Hayden, to worry about them, fear for them. It's so easy to see how they each might be too bruised by life to remember to live. This is a story of family. A story of life. A story of second chances. Jo and Hayden must learn to trust, to feel, to live again. Jo offers Hayden everything he never dared to dream of and Hayden gave her back so much that she thought that she had lost forever. This is a story of fear, of letting go, being brave. It's a love story. It's beautiful and heartfelt. The best summer ever.
July 11, 2018
I think I'm seriously going to need intervention the next time I decide to read a Christina Benjamin book. In the same story, she manages to warm your heart to near-bursting, crush it into tiny pieces, then mould it back together perfectly...more than once. 'The Summer Boyfriend' makes you believe in the power of true love all over again. If you like your heroes strong, sexy, and marshmallow on the inside and your heroines even more so, then you will enjoy Joy and Hayden's story. Christina is an amazing romance writer with all the twists and turns and HEAs you want.
July 3, 2018
Okay now, this is the perfect book to get you in the mood for summer. It is set in Hawaii and it just really made me feel like I was there with them feeling the island breezes and smelling the salty ocean. I went to Hawaii a couple of years ago so I really enjoyed feeling like I was there again. The beach scenes always felt so romantic because there is something so romantic about a beach, even when you're covered in sand and salt you still get that dreamy feeling.
This book was so different from all of the other boyfriend books because it has real adult issues in it. There was no high school drama it was all very real things that some people have to deal with in the world. Not saying that the whole mean girl thing doesn't really happen but it was nice to get away from that kind of drama for a while. This book reminded me a lot of the book Confess by Colleen Hoover and the new Baywatch movie mixed together and I really liked it.
Joy was such a fun character that had a feistiness about her that made her fun to read. Not as much sass as her friend Kendall but that made them a great duo. I just wish there was more Kendall or better yet a book with Kendall as the main character because I think she has too much personality to never see again. Hayden was a sweet guy that had a lot happen to him in his twenty years on earth. Which is why I think him and Joy worked so well together. They both had rough lives and they tried to hide it from the world. It was nice when they finally laid it all out and didn't have to hide anymore. It was lovely to see.
Brock was awful and I want to push him off of a cliff. Not one of the fun ones that people dive off of in Hawaii either a high one with pointy rocks at the bottom. He deserved everything that happened to him. I really hate that guy. This author is really good at creating loving couples and people you hate at the same time. It was a good balance. I can't wait to read the next boyfriend book but I do think this one will be hard to top.
This book was so different from all of the other boyfriend books because it has real adult issues in it. There was no high school drama it was all very real things that some people have to deal with in the world. Not saying that the whole mean girl thing doesn't really happen but it was nice to get away from that kind of drama for a while. This book reminded me a lot of the book Confess by Colleen Hoover and the new Baywatch movie mixed together and I really liked it.
Joy was such a fun character that had a feistiness about her that made her fun to read. Not as much sass as her friend Kendall but that made them a great duo. I just wish there was more Kendall or better yet a book with Kendall as the main character because I think she has too much personality to never see again. Hayden was a sweet guy that had a lot happen to him in his twenty years on earth. Which is why I think him and Joy worked so well together. They both had rough lives and they tried to hide it from the world. It was nice when they finally laid it all out and didn't have to hide anymore. It was lovely to see.
Brock was awful and I want to push him off of a cliff. Not one of the fun ones that people dive off of in Hawaii either a high one with pointy rocks at the bottom. He deserved everything that happened to him. I really hate that guy. This author is really good at creating loving couples and people you hate at the same time. It was a good balance. I can't wait to read the next boyfriend book but I do think this one will be hard to top.
August 20, 2018
An amazingly well written story that has a great storyline and plot. Characters are well described and so likeable. They develop nicely through the story. Their chemistry is amazing and feels real. I am a big fan of Christina Benjamin and her Boyfriend series. All books are standalones but the are so captivating and real.
This story is written in dual POV which gives the reader a lot more insite in the feelings and thoughts of the main characters. It also has an epilogue to close the story of in a much better way.
I like the emotional moments in the story. They are so well written that they feel real and almost got tears in my eyes.
A must read to sum it up.
This story is written in dual POV which gives the reader a lot more insite in the feelings and thoughts of the main characters. It also has an epilogue to close the story of in a much better way.
I like the emotional moments in the story. They are so well written that they feel real and almost got tears in my eyes.
A must read to sum it up.
August 22, 2018
Ah man. I guess this had the potential to be a real cute little YA book. Except the language was too crass. And the inner dialogue of the boy was just horrible. Oh and the cliches in the plot, which I can forgive sometimes if everything else is great. In all honesty, I kind of wish I hadn’t bothered.
November 4, 2018
Hawaiian romance
I loved the characters, and the storyline. Needed better editing, and it had several cuss words. Love scenes we're mostly behind closed doors. For a YA book, I thought it was leaning into sexual behavior being ok if you're in love. Not a great message. But overall, I'd give it 3 1/3 stars if I could. 4 because it had a great pace.
I loved the characters, and the storyline. Needed better editing, and it had several cuss words. Love scenes we're mostly behind closed doors. For a YA book, I thought it was leaning into sexual behavior being ok if you're in love. Not a great message. But overall, I'd give it 3 1/3 stars if I could. 4 because it had a great pace.
April 22, 2020
I loved the ending of this book!!!! I'm so glad that Hayden got the love and family he needed, and I glad that Joy was able to heal. Them getting engaged and becoming a family was my favorite part of the book. It made me so happy when Kia called Hayden Daddy. I cant wait until their family grows with little baby Summer. They all deserve happiness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2018
Wonderful!
Christina Benjamin has done it again! Started reading and couldn't stop. She gives us little bits to create the story... just like teens do; give pieces until you get the entire story. There were twists to this one that I didn't see coming!
Christina Benjamin has done it again! Started reading and couldn't stop. She gives us little bits to create the story... just like teens do; give pieces until you get the entire story. There were twists to this one that I didn't see coming!
June 28, 2018
This book completely put my heart through the ringer. I might have been holding back tears while reading the book but I loved every minute of it. I highly recommend this author and this series.
July 25, 2018
This book was a super cute summer contemporary! It gave me all the feels, and that plot twist was unexpected and adorable!
August 31, 2018
On of the best books I’ve ever read!! This was definitely my favorite book of the series!!
September 6, 2018
NO
Hands down this is the worst book that I have ever read. And I have read some terrible books in my time. This book is for the weak minded woman who NEEDS a man and enjoys drama.
Hands down this is the worst book that I have ever read. And I have read some terrible books in my time. This book is for the weak minded woman who NEEDS a man and enjoys drama.
September 29, 2018
So sweet
Loved this. So many secrets and plot twists. But so good. Few tissues needed but so worth the read. 😊
Loved this. So many secrets and plot twists. But so good. Few tissues needed but so worth the read. 😊
January 21, 2019
Christina Benjamin is a such a good writer she manages to warm your heart I loved the book from the beginning ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2020
This book made my heart ache so much. How does Christina Benjamin manage to write the most sweet, tender, and heartbreaking stories about true love staring teenagers??
June 26, 2020
One of my favourite novels. A beautiful story written in a beautiful way and the suspense was worth it
August 5, 2024
There were a lot of proof reading errors in the book.
July 27, 2018
Christina has a way of writing that easily captivates me. The Summer Boyfriend has been the longest book I’ve read (400+ pages) in the series and I couldn’t put it down. More realisticly, I chose not to. I was invested in both the present and past timelines. I got frustrated and yelled at characters. I felt excited when good things happened. There was a bit I caught on to early but that didn’t impact my enjoyment of this installment. If you are looking for some fun reads The Boyfriend Series is a great place to start. (No need to read them in order)
February 2, 2020
Another good read in the series. Although, I think this one is my favorite so far. Joy was dealing with her and past and I was thankful by the end that she could let it go. I was happy that Hayden was there for her. I was also happy that he was able to be free too. They both deserved to be happy.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews