One Hot Summer

by Heidi McLaughlin, Katy Regnery, Melanie Moreland

Seven brand new novella's to finish off your summer!

Melanie Moreland - The Summer of Us
She was the light in my dark life. The sunshine that warmed me and made me smile.
We had one summer. One perfect summer, until the day it ended.
Years later, she walked back into my life. Older. Sadder. More beautiful than ever.
How can I prove to her that summer was real?
How do I make her see that boy that loved her then, still loves her now?
How do we get back to the summer when we were us?

Amy Briggs - The Inheritance
In the affluent seaside town of Port Henry, New York, Riley Maxwell inherits a house with more than one surprise she doesn’t intend to keep. When the local veterinarian meets her, he can’t resist pursuing a new summer fling. But, when secrets are revealed, they find themselves in more than just a summer affair.

Caisey Quinn - Summer Seduction
Emersyn Tyler is having one rough summer.

When her mom’s violent temper and recent diagnosis send her dad packing, she’s left to take care of her little brother alone.
Forget basking in the sunshine, she’s busy working full-time and taking summer classes at the local college so she can graduate high school. Until her friend drags her to a carnival where she runs smack into him.

The blue-eyed Adonis from her art history class.

Aiden Singleton isn’t looking for anything more than a meaningless hook-up. Finishing his graduate degree so that he can teach history and coach hockey in the fall, he’s got plenty on his plate without any added complications. But when a blond-haired beauty needs his help, all he can say is yes.

Heidi McLaughlin - By the Seaside
Dr. Danny Weatherly never had planned to take over his dad’s practice but when everything changedafter one awful day, the summer before college, he really didn’t think about much of anything at all — because his life was over. His true love hated him. . . and for good reason.

Kelly Taft is moving back to her hometown, Gray, North Carolina. Back to her family, back to her friends — back to some good memories and back to some memories that were not so good. In fact, she’s never gotten over that one horrible day that sent her running in the first place.

Danielle Pearl - Love’s a Beach
Liza Farrell is a townie and she has no qualms about it. It’s her quasi-boyfriend who has issues with the “summer people” and at this point she wishes he wasn’t her boyfriend at all.

With college looming just a couple of months away, she couldn’t be more eager to begin the next stage of her life. That is, until Noah Reed returns to town, shaking up both her present, and her future.

Katy Regnery- Single in Sitka
A single Dad. A personal ad. What could possibly go wrong?

When Seattle journalist, Amanda McKendrick, pitches a new story about the increase of bear attacks in Sitka, her newspaper sends her north for two weeks. While there, she answers the personal ad of single dad, Luke Kingston, looking for a little no-strings-attached fun to pass the time.

But the sweet, widowered father of three—who just happens to be a smokin’ hot state trooper—turns out to be a lot more than Amanda bargained for. As the days go by, she wonders if it’ll be possible to return to Seattle without leaving her heart behind.

Shari J. Ryan - The Secret at Sunset

When a girls’ weekend getaway turns into more than Alexa Cale bargained for, she sets off alone on a sunset stroll, seeking a small cove nestled in the ocean’s

Genres: Anthologies, Novella, Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Second Chance

606 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2019

About the author

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.

To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Hot Summer is an anthology comprised of seven amazing authors and seven novellas. I read The Summer Of Us by Melanie Moreland. I am in shock right now at the impact this little story had on me. The story is filled with so much emotion. I didn’t want it to end in one way but I also needed to read as fast as I could to make sure these two were going to be okay.



Linc is seventeen years old and lives with a cold and manipulative father. Linc is nothing like his father. He is filled with warmth and compassion and love for one particular young girl he’s known for most of his life. The only light that shines upon his days.



Sunny Jenson lives on the wrong side of the tracks so to speak. She, her mother and two sisters struggle every day to make ends meet. Sunny has known Linc since they were very young. They went from playmates to best friends to more. Now he is the center of her universe. Only they have to be so careful. If his father knew, there was no telling what he might do.



Linc and Sunny have one perfect summer while working at a summer camp. Their days are filled with sunshine, laughter, freedom, and each other. Until everything is ripped away.

Now, ten years later, Linc and Sunny have had no contact since that summer ended. Linc is no longer the young boy afraid of his father. And Sunny is no longer that naïve young girl that believed in happy ever afters. After all these years, they are brought back together. Is there any chance for them to recapture what they once had? Can Linc convince Sunny to give them another chance?



From the very first page this story captivated me. My heart was pounding. I couldn’t put it down. Melanie Moreland has such a talent for weaving her characters into our hearts. These two grabbed on and didn’t let go.

Besides this wonderful story there are six more to experience. This is most definitely worth picking up. I hope you’ll give it a chance and fall in love just as I did.

“I was finally home.”

For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...

[Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read The Summer Of Us by Melanie Moreland and I liked it a lot. It’s short, but emotional and sweet. I won’t mind if there would be more about Sunny and Linc someday. Sunny and Linc are very lovable characters. They are sweet, kind hearted, hardworking and innocent. Linc and Sunny both don’t have the easiest home situation, but they definitely find support and love with each other. Linc is always there to help Sunny and her family. Linc and Sunny are a beautiful and loving couple.

-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland

Favorite Quote:

The past shaped us, made us who we are. It will always be a part of us, but I would rather face the future looking forward.

My Review:

I inhaled this quick and satisfying read, I adored it! Ms. Moreland packed an astounding amount of craft into a mere sixty-five pages as her clever writing instantly pulled me into her characters’ vortex and didn’t let go until well after I had finished their tale. Written in my favorite dual POV, the emotive storylines featured dual timelines with a coming of age tender and steamy first love that was defiled by a vile and abusive parent, followed by a vindicated second chance romance ten years later. Despite the heartbreak- it was an absolute pleasure to read.

[MELISSA *Mel Reader* · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 "My Heart Is Yours" Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
*Read The Summer Of Us by Melanie Moreland*



Lincoln Thomas grew up in the small tourist town of Mission Cove where his wealthy, controlling father owned and ruled just about everything. He was counting the days until he would get his trust fund, and get as far away as possible. The only bright spot in his life was Sunny Jenson. They’d been best friends since grade school, and he’d liked her for as long as he could remember. As they got older their relationship turned into so much more. She was the light in his dark life, and the sunshine he looked forward to seeing. They share one perfect summer together when their seventeen, and then things abruptly ended.

Ten years later their paths cross again when he returns to his hometown to take care of some loose ends. All his good memories have always been tied to her, and he still has unresolved feelings for her that never went away. He wants another chance. A chance to prove everything between them that summer was real.



-You're my world, Linc.

-He was my first everything.

-There was only him. Me. Us.

-We became more, and I knew I would follow him to the ends of the earth.



I reviewed The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland. It’s part of the One Hot Summer anthology featuring seven sexy novellas by seven different authors. The Summer of Us is a fantastic second chance romance about true love and soulmates. A story about a connection so strong that even time and distance can’t break it. I really enjoyed this short, sweet novella!



***NOW AVAILABLE***
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[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Hot Summer is a collection of seven novellas featuring entertaining and heartwarming summer romances.  I enjoyed each of the stories in the anthology; however, the focus of my review will be on Single in Sitka by Katy Regnery.


I enjoyed this story for what it was, short, fun, flirty and entertaining. 

Amanda and Luke proved an interesting pair.  Amanda’s relationship ended 5 months ago, while Luke has been a widower and single father of three for two years. From the moment they met sparks flew. They both wanted a no strings attached relationship, which should not be a problem as Amanda would only be in Sitka for two weeks. If only life was that simple. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets them to maintain their arrangement.


Although the relationship between them developed rather quickly, I found their connection believable. They made an ideal match. The entire time I was rooting for their happily ever after. So you can imagine my disappointment when the ended so abruptly. However, after reading the author’s explanation for the abrupt ending, my level of disappointment has decreased to an extent.


Conclusion / Recommendation

Single in Sitka is a testament to the writing skills of Katy Regnery. Although this was a short story, there was enough substance to keep me engaged from start to finish.   Now that I know the full story is releasing in October, I am eager to get my hands on a copy. That is how invested I am in the story and in the lives of Amanda and Luke. 

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Single in Sitka by Katy Regnery:

Short, sweet, and so so sexy - Single in Sitka, as it appears in this anthology, is just the tip of the iceberg of what Katy Regnery has in store for us with Luke and Amanda, and in this new Alaska-based series in general.

There's a whole lot of insta-lust going on here and that by itself might not have been enough to hook me, but throw in some adorable children and some healing emotional wounds and I was drawn in enough to want to know where this goes from here. Especially after the cliffhanger Ms. Regnery left us on. I feel like things are just about to go into some kind of emotional explosion, and I am on board for that, 100%. I can't wait!

We're off to a fun, sexy, promising start here, and I can't wait to see what comes next! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars

[Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers)]

The summer of us
By MM

Short! Very short novella. This needed to be full length. Hero and heroine were each other firsts but there’s literally no mention of them being celibate during the 10 years of separation. Both pined for each other. I guess I could see the heroine being celibate because authors like to write their heroines very much pathetic and without any sexual life. I totally could see hero moving on because well you already know how authors like to write their heroes. I guess it’s open to interpretation. Since I don’t trust authors anymore not even safe ones so I’ll do my own interpretation!

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: My review covers novellas by Heidi McLaughlin, Melanie Moreland and Caisey Quinn

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2019

Melanie Moreland - The Summer of Us
She was the light in my dark life. The sunshine that warmed me and made me smile.

We had one summer. One perfect summer, until the day it ended.

Years later, she walked back into my life. Older. Sadder. More beautiful than ever.

How can I prove to her that summer was real?

How do I make her see that boy that loved her then, still loves her now?

How do we get back to the summer when we were us?

•••••••••

REVIEW: THE SUMMER OF US by Melanie Moreland is a contemporary young adult to adult novella focusing on childhood sweethearts Lincoln Thomas Webber, and Sunny Jenson.

THE SUMMER OF US follows Linc and Sunny as they embark on a summer camp romance that will be destroyed by Linc’s abusive and controlling father. At seventeen year old, Lincoln and Sunny were in love but life behind closed doors was a nightmare for Lincoln Thomas. Controlled by an abusive father Linc would find himself alone, without the girl that he loved, until it was time to come home and claim what was his. Fast forward ten years, and Lincoln Webber returned to the small town he once called home, a town he began to reshape one business at a time. After his father’s death, Lincoln knew that to complete his life, he would have to be forgiveness from the only woman he had ever loved.

THE SUMMER OF US is a quick read; a tale of young love destroyed by abuse and power; of one man’s battle to take it all back. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the characters are broken and alone.
_____________

Caisey Quinn - Summer Seduction

Emersyn Tyler is having one rough summer.

When her mom’s violent temper and recent diagnosis send her dad packing, she’s left to take care of her little brother alone.

Forget basking in the sunshine, she’s busy working full-time and taking summer classes at the local college so she can graduate high school. Until her friend drags her to a carnival where she runs smack into him.

The blue-eyed Adonis from her art history class.

Aiden Singleton isn’t looking for anything more than a meaningless hook-up. Finishing his graduate degree so that he can teach history and coach hockey in the fall, he’s got plenty on his plate without any added complications. But when a blond-haired beauty needs his help, all he can say is yes.

Aiden knows he and Emersyn share something special. What he doesn’t know is that they also share a secret, one that could fracture both of their futures forever.

••••••••

REVIEW: 3.75 stars—SUMMER SEDUCTION is the introductory novella in Caisey Quinn’s young adult to new adult story line focusing on twenty-four year old Aiden Singleton, and soon to be eighteen year old Emersyn Tyler.

NOTE: SUMMER SEDUCTION can be found in the multi-authored anthology ONE HOT SUMMER.

Told from three first person perspectives (Aiden, Emersyn and Drew) SUMMER SEDUCTION follows the summer romance between twenty-four year old Aiden Singleton, and soon to be eighteen year old Emersyn Tyler. Forced to look after her younger brother for most of her life due to her mother’s chronic illness, Emersyn takes some down time for herself, only to come face to face with a young man she met in one of her summer school classes. But a night together ends with a trip the hospital when her best friend Drew is found beaten and barely alive. Struggling with her life at home, and the attack against Drew, Emersyn goes in search of Aiden Singleton, to finish the night that had barely begun.

SUMMER SEDUCTION is a quick story of forbidden romance; of secrets, betrayal, family and friendships; of whispers in the dark, and a taboo relationship. The premise is engaging; the romance is passionate; the characters are colorful and energetic. SUMMER SEDUCTION ends on a cliff-hanger. Aiden and Emersyn’s story continues in STUDENT SEDUCTION.

_________

Heidi McLaughlin - By The Seaside

Dr. Danny Weatherly never had planned to take over his dad’s practice but when everything changedafter one awful day, the summer before college, he really didn’t think about much of anything at all — because his life was over. His true love hated him. . . and for good reason.

Kelly Taft is moving back to her hometown, Gray, North Carolina. Back to her family, back to her friends — back to some good memories and back to some memories that were not so good. In fact, she’s never gotten over that one horrible day that sent her running in the first place.

•••••••••

REVIEW: 4 stars— BY THE SEASIDE by Heidi McLaughlin is a contemporary,adult stand alone novella following the rekindling romance and relationship between former high school sweethearts Dr. Danny Weatherly, and cafe owner Kelly Taft.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Kelly and Danny) BY THE SEASIDE focuses on second chances. Fifteen years earlier Kelly’s life spiraled out of control. Embarrassed by the action of Danny Weatherly, Kelly left the seaside town of Gray, North Carolina, never looking back.Fast forward to present day wherein, Kelly, now a divorcee and mother of a five year old daughter, returns to Gray in an effort to start anew. But seeing Danny Weatherly brought too many memories of the past, memories that continued to pick at her still broken heart. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Kelly and Danny, as Danny makes amends for sins of the past.

BY THE SEASIDE is a story family, friendship, betrayal and love; a story of second chances and forgiveness. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sweet; the characters are real and colorful.

Copy supplied for review

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Diane Plourde TDC Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally don’t read anthologies with novellas but I couldn’t resists because some of my favourite authors were part of it.

I read The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland. Linc and Sunny where young love but got separated by circumstances beyond their control. Now years later they get a second chance. It was a great short story. It does have an HEA.


I read Heidi McLaughlin, By The Seaside. Kelly returns to Gray, the town she grew up. A second chance, single parent novella. Great story with an HEA.

I read Katy Regnery, Single in Sitka. An originally written story about a reporter who uses her story connection to write one up while going to meet Luke whom she met on line. A single father of 3 who’s being forced by his sister to date again. This story is the beginning of another story so it does end with a cliffhanger.

I loved these short stories that made me swoon and fall in love with great characters. The perfect summer read.

[Janet Taggart Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Hot Summer is an anthology of steamy summer novellas that are sure to bring some heat to to your summer and a smile to your face. I am reviewing The Summer of Us by one of my favorite authors, Melanie Moreland.

Lincoln lives a solitary life. He may have a rich father and the appearance of wealth but he is abused and lives a dire existence. The one bright spot in his life is Sunny; beautiful, loving, sweet, from the wrong part of town Sunny. She is his world and as long as his dad doesn't find out about her, she will be safe. He only has to wait 2 years before he will come into his own fortune and free himself to live his own life.

When they have a summer together, it is a treasure they didn't expect but they both embrace it whole heartedly. It is more than they could have imagined and their love blossomed. I loved their innocence and optimism that they would prevail. Unfortunately, life doesn't happen as we dream it and as it shatters it leaves behind longlasting scars. When they meet up years later, can they revert back to who forget were that summer, or has life changed them too much?

This tale of a magical summer is a wonderful read and if this is any example of what the rest of the stories in this anthology are like, you will have many hours of enjoyment. This is one you need to snatch up and settle in a cozy seat and relax. You will LOVE it!

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Melanie Moreland's Summer of Us:
With an overbearing father and his future already planned out for him, Linc hides the fact that he is in love with Sunny as his father does not approve. When they both find themselves working at the same summer camp their romance blooms. But Linc's dad is onto their secret and whisks Linc away - never to have contact with Sunny again. Will Linc be able to win her heart again after being away for ten years? Or will Summer always connect him with his hateful father and walk away for good? This story was heartbreaking. Melanie Moreland packs a punch in a short story that has everything a huge novel would have. Great characters, a storyline you do not want to put down and so a depth of emotion you will feel like you are on a rollercoaster. This was an awesome story.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland that is a part of this anthology and I’m still a little speechless from it. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this strongly about two characters in a novella before. But Linc and Sunny’s story reached in and grabbed me by the heart and abruptly yanked me into the deep end within the first couple of pages. I was fully invested and swooning, then devastated, only to be put back together again all within a few thousand words. Fantastic storytelling. Now...I need more of their story! Pretty please!?

[Jamie Schlosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland and I loved it! I was surprised a shorter story could have so many feels. It was angsty and heartbreaking at times, but the love between these two young characters was so swoony. I read this in one sitting because once I started it, I HAD to know what happened for Linc and Sunny. You can't go wrong with a Melanie Moreland book!

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland



A sweet story of first love and a second chance for Lincoln and his Sunny - 4 sunny stars.

Lincoln is a young man whose father is the richest man in their town. But his father didn't get to be that rich by legitimate means, nor is he the well-meaning, nice person he portrays to the rest of the town. Nope, he's evil with no soul and he will ultimately tear these two apart. But, can they have a second chance when Lincoln comes back to right his fathers wrongs?

The Inheritance by Amy Briggs



Another sweet story, a prequel apparently, to the full length novel, The Inheritance - 3.5 stars.

Riley has been completing a writing job for Jameson for over a year now. She's found him to be kind and lovely, a friend even. Then he goes away to Switzerland and never returns, and she finds out when his lawyer contacts her regarding her new inheritance...she's now a very wealthy heiress and owner of a huge, but still a puppy, Great Dane named Scrappy. She has never had a dog, never wanted one either, but he brings Donovan, the town's vet, into her life, so she is pretty grateful.

If I hadn't read that this was a prequel to an upcoming full length novel, I would have been really disappointed, because it's so short and incomplete. But as a prequel, it's just fine. It sets up the relationship between Riley and Donovan in a sweet fashion, and makes me impatient to read what's next for the two and for Scrappy!

Summer Seduction by Caisey Quinn



This one is much hotter than the previous stories in the anthology - 5 stars!

Emersyn takes care of her ailing mother and her younger brother so much that she rarely has time for anything other than school and taking care of them. But when her best friend Drew convinces her to go to the local carnival with him and their other friend, it changes her life and brings someone into her life that has the potential to either break her heart or give her the love she deserves. Unfortunately, she withholds a huge part of her identity from him, and when he finds out...let's just say them being together is so forbidden and taboo that it's almost illegal!

I'm waiting very impatiently for the full length novel to come about Aiden and Emersyn, Student Seduction. I've gotta find out what happens between them!

By the Seaside by Heidi McLaughlin



A sweet first love, second chance love story - 4 stars.

When Kelly moves back to her hometown with her young daughter in tow, she doesn't know her first love, and the boy who tore her heart to pieces, is back in town and is the town's resident doctor. She doesn't know until he steps foot into her new coffeeshop and asks her if she recognizes him. Does she recognize him?! How could she not recognize the boy who humiliated her, then stood her up on prom night. Ouch...

Danny's never gotten over Taffy, so seeing her back in their hometown hits him in the gut. He's determined to not only get her to forgive him, but to give him a second chance at the first love they shared so many years ago. The only question is, will she let him back in?

I liked this story. Though short, it feels complete and I was rooting for Danny and Kelly to have the second chance at love they so obviously deserved.

Love's a Beach by Danielle Pearl

A sweet prequel to a new series - 4 stars.

Liza is an 18-year-old diving into the last summer before college when her boyfriend (although they've never labeled it that way) puts his hands on her in an unforgivable way. She's tough, and defends herself, but it's Noah, a guy she's known for years, one of the summer guys, who comes to her rescue and makes sure Jonah doesn't lay his hands on Liza again.

Liza's noticing now how much Noah's grown into himself. He's not a boy, nope, he's an 18-year-old man. But when he ghosts her after having spent a wonderful day together doing her favorite beach thing - fishing, she knows Noah's just like all the other guys, and she's not about to put herself out there for yet another asshole to take advantage of her. Will Noah be apologize and have an explanation for disappointing her? Or will they be starting college without being in each other's lives?

Love's a Beach is a great prequel. Noah and Liza, especially Liza, are interesting, vibrant characters, and I can't wait for more of them in the new series, Summer Souls.

Single in Sitka by Kate Regnery



Whew! 4 sexy single dad stars!

When Amanda gets sent to Sitka, Alaska for a story for her newspaper, she's already got the idea of Luke in the back of her mind. Luke, the single dad who placed an ad in his paper seeking companionship. But when she actually goes on her first date with Luke, she's very surprised to find he's the hot cop who gave her a ride back to her apartment on her first day in Sitka. The hot cop who shut down after she told him she was a reporter. But both are on the rebound. She from her cheating ex, and he from losing his wife to a car accident, so a no-strings attached fling seems like a very good idea for two people not looking for a serious relationship, just some hot sex and some companionship while she's in town. A rebound of sorts before both meet the person they're supposed to spend the rest of their lives with.

I loved Single in Sitka. It's sweet, it's a tad emotional, it's really sexy, and I didn't even mind that it ended abruptly, because Kate Regnery promised at the end that it's just the first half of Luke and Amanda's story, that the full-length story is coming next month. YES, I can't wait!!

The Secret at Sunset by Shari J. Ryan

A sweet summer fling turned more - 3.5 stars.

Alexa and her friends Grace and Macy are headed to Mexico for Grace's bachelorette weekend. Once there, she starts feeling a bit left out considering that Macy has a new man, too, and she and Grace start spending all their time talking about their men. So it makes sense that Alexa heads out to get away from all the lovey dovey talk. That she meets a hot guy trying to get her to take one of the hotel's excursions makes her escape even better. And when she ends up on Lovers Beach (by herself) and gets rescued by Lincoln, she had no idea he'd come to mean so much to her. But it's just living life in the moment like he says, right?

This one is sweet, but felt a tad incomplete, like maybe it's a prequel or something, but I didn't see anything indicating it's a prequel or anything but a short story. I did like both Lincoln and Alexa, though, and it's sweet so 3.5 stars seems fair.



One Hot Summer is a great summer collection. There's a little something for everyone - from first love to second chances to hot and steamy and forbidden. So 1-click today if you are all about those summer flings.

ARC via Buoni Amici Press for an honest review.

Full review ---> Live Through Books Blog.

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[Amber Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One Hot Summer anthology is packed full of fun! A great way to wind down the official Summer season. I am reviewing 3 of the 7 brand new shorts included, from Heidi McLaughlin, Melanie Moreland and Amy Briggs.

Heidi McLaughlin brings us By the Seaside, a second chance romance that brings Kelly back to her hometown to a fresh start after an ugly divorce. Opening a business with the support of her parents and best friends, Kelly is surprised to find the guy that broke her heart in high school. Danny is just as surprised to see Kelly once again, and he's determined to make it right this time and get the girl back. It was sweet, funny and totally enjoyable (the Friends references were pretty awesome too!). I wanted to be in Gray with the way Heidi described this beautiful little seaside town. There's nothing I love more than a second chance romance too! All in all a lovely little short story. 4.5 Stars

Melanie Moreland's contribution opens the anthology with The Summer of Us. This short tells the story of Lincoln and Sunny, who are in high school and dealing with the cruelty that is Lincoln's abusive father. Finding a way to be together is what their Summer is all about, and they get that chance at a camp. For a bit it's perfect. And then it all goes terribly wrong. Ten years later we find Lincoln a totally different person than the boy his father tried to control. What started as a story of young love, becomes a second chance at forever. This may have been a short, but it felt like such a full, lovely story. Despite that I would love more, and will definitely be seeking out more of Melanie's storytelling! 5 Stars

Amy Briggs brings us The Inheritance, a novella that is launching a new series from her. Told from the dual point of views of Riley and Donovan. Riley is a city girl, well she's really a social introvert living in the city. When she inherits a fortune and a dog from her friend and boss, Riley is more than a little taken aback. Donovan is the town veterinarian and somewhat of a playboy. Their meeting is less than cordial the first time, and their second is made comical by the uber hyper Great Dane puppy named Scrappy, who I absolutely adore btw! I can't wait to see where the full novel will take Donovan and Riley, because this short set up both romance and a maybe a bit of mystery too! 4.5 Stars

[Joli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review based on stories read as of 9/2/19:
By the Seaside by Heidi McLaughlin
Love's a Beach by Danielle Pearl

I'm not quite ready to let go of summer, so the ONE HOT SUMMER Anthology is perfect for a reader like me. There is a feeling of freedom and possibility and change in the summer and I felt for the characters in the novellas that I've read so far.

This anthology caught my attention because it includes new novellas by Heidi McLaughlin and Danielle Pearl, and it is a great way to get introduced to some authors whose books I haven't read yet. So, these novellas are just the way to go.

I've read just a couple of novellas so far and I'm happy to share my thoughts about them here.

BY THE SEASIDE by Heidi McLaughlin - I sure do love a second chance story and Heidi writes them well. She can just conjure up these feelings of longing and capture the love that makes you cheer for the characters and hope that they will figure it out. And there are kids and a dog (!!!), which is always a plus. I'm looking forward to reading more about the people in this seaside town.

LOVE'S A BEACH by Danielle Pearl - I have been waiting and waiting for something new from Danielle Pearl and it's here! This short novella by Danielle is full of heartache and pain and sadly what too many women experience in their lives. But Liza is tough and she's not putting up with her controlling, abusive boyfriend any longer. She's ready for change. This story wasn't quite what I expected for a summer read, but it has the depth that I expect from this author. I can't wait to see where she takes these characters in her upcoming series.

While I've only read two novellas so far, I'm going to hold onto summer a little bit longer and enjoy the five other novellas just waiting to be read.

[Kahea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Katy Regnery- Single in Sitka

***5 Stars***

I got sucked in.
I loved all the characters.
And was totally down with all that was going on…
And then that ending that isn’t really an ending...okay it’s a cliffy, but it wasn’t meant to be..UGH…I’m getting a tinsy bit ahead of myself here…
Rewind.
Okay, so I really enjoyed Single in Sitka. It’s only part one, but it packed a punch and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the book!
I loved Amanda and Luke. They are both good people with good hearts who have found themselves in situations where they are stuck and can’t/won’t look for away out of them...at least not until their respective friends and family shove them out of their comfort zones. The way Amanda and Luke first collide was definitely one for the books, but the spark was there and I really enjoyed watching as they became more to each other than either had expected.
As I rambled in the beginning, their story isn’t complete ~ the author does give an explanation which makes perfect sense and if you follow her on her social media you’ll already know what happened ~ but where she left things off is a real doozy. I swear the evil eye came out because that just wasn’t cool, but it definitely has me wanting to get my hands on the book when she releases it in a couple months...so here’s to practicing patience!

~ Copy provided by Buoni Amici Press & voluntarily reviewed ~

[Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Perfect Anthology to end the summer. My reviews are based on two of the stories contained int he collection. I do look forward to reading more of the entries as well.

Single in Sitka

Single dad stories are my favorite. I also love this author. She gives us such a tantalizing dip in this romance pool. It's almost cruel to cut this story short. Amanda and Luke will leave you begging to find out what happens. So steamy together from the start. No strings arrangement. Yep. You know their hearts are getting tangled.

Can't wait for October to find out where these two end up. Loved all the characters in this one.

By The Seaside.

Terrific second chance romance. Danny and Kelly were high school sweethearts that parted ways abruptly. Much of the story is figuring out what exactly tore them apart. Sadly, it seems like both of them could have handled the situation better. Or even more-maybe and adult could have stepped in to help???

Regardless, life has brought them back to their home town and their hearts have never given up on what could have been. Loved the small town quirkiness. I would read more of these town folks that we meet in the story. Perfect summer read!

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star Review The Summer of Us (One Hot Summer) by Melanie Moreland

Part of the One Hot Summer Anthology, this review is for The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland

Wow for such a short story, this one really packed a lot into it. This was a beautiful, well written story that tugged on my heartstrings and pulled my emotions all over the place.

Linc and Sunny were teenager lovers but thanks to his manipulative and violent father they were torn apart and forced to separate. Fast forward 10 years and oh how the world has changed. A second chance at love story with so much feeling, love and emotion that you will be hard pressed to put it down.

Both Linc and Sunny are strong characters whom I found easy to relate too and very likeable. I really fell hard and fast for both Linc and Sunny and my heart just about broke several times reading The Summer Of Us.

I read this in one sitting as it is a quick novella but truly I would have loved if this had been a full length novel. I was absolutely gripped in the story that Ms.Moreland wove.

[Island Girl Romance Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Hot Summer is an anthology consisting of 7 stories by some amazing authors and this is my review of One Hot Summer by Melanie Moreland.

Love second chances romance and this novella was beautiful and also emotional.
Lincoln is a 17 and son of a wealthy man that is a cold, violent and manipulative
His only light in that dark cold world is Sunny.
Sunny is a girl living in the other side of town. She lives with her mother and two sisters and they struggle to make ends meet. But they are happy.
Lincoln and Sunny are two teenagers in love. But they will be separated by Linc’s father and will meet again after 10 years.
Will they finally get their HAE?
For a novella it had everything and so many emotions. Loved it very much.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hot, steamy end of summer treat to heat up the nights!!

The Summer of Us: sweet hot second chance romance. Lincoln and Sunny are childhood friends who became each other's first love, only to have life get in their way. Mostly told from Linc's POV, full of feels, first love, that timeless quality summer love has, and thwarted plans and a reconnection 10 years later. Loved it!!

All of the stories are fantastic. I received a review copy of The Story of Us. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland

A summer secret romance between the downtrodden rich boy and the gentle, sweet girl from the wrong side of the tracks. The romance between these youngsters was absolutely perfect in the way it developed. 10 years later Lincoln returns and he and Sunny have a second chance. I would have loved more of the second half, I was just getting captivated by their story.

[Dawn Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, Summer Heat ***** Review of The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland *****

Linc and Sunny's story is bittersweet and emotional with a HFN. I say HFN because I hope that Ms. Moreland decides to give us more of these two characters. The Summer of Us is a quick, steamy, and stirring love story. I was immediately enamoured with Linc and Sunny's connection. Their relationship felt innocent, yet arousing. I was swept up in young love and felt every moment of joy, heartache, and hope.

[Karrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Moreland's The Summer of Us is short, but sweetish! Lincoln or Linc called my Sunny is not your typical rich boy. He thought that they would have the whole summer together, but his father had other ideas after seeing Lincoln with Sunny one day. They eventually find their way back together to have many more summers together or at least I hope they do...

[Jessica Lezama a · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland is part of the One Hot Summer Anthology. It's a super sweet story about 2 teenagers fighting Lincon's dad to be together one day. Even at their short age they know what they want and work together to get it. This is about the joy and hurt of the first love. I loved both characters and their story.

[Diane (Books and Tequila Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Summer Of Us by Melanie Moreland and enjoyed this short, sweet coming of age novella.
Lincoln and Sunny know their young love is true love. They are innocents and life throws some difficult hurdles at them.
I loved reading of their journey back to each other and really hope we will get more of this story in the future.
-4.5 Stars!!-

[M L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland and it is amazing! This is the story of Linc and Sunny that will leave you believing in second chances! It was full of emotion and I absolutely didn’t want it to end!! Loved it!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Us
I loved this short story in One Hot Summer. Linc is a child whose mother passed and he is left with a very abusive and uncaring father. His father is a very ugly man. He is greedy and conniving. All he wants from Linc is his trust fund.

Sunny is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She is a wonderful girl in love with Linc. She works hard and takes care of her family. All Linc and Sunny wants is to love each other. But Lincs father is not having it.

This book is a story of true love and the perfect revenge. A story of a lonely young man becoming an amazing, caring and giving man, despite his rough upbringing. This is a short but sweet story, that has amazing characters and a beautiful story plot. I really enjoyed reading this book and think that you will love it too.

A truly beautiful story of overcoming even the darkest and most horrible obstacles to find love, forgiveness and happiness.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Hot Summer is full of heartache, humor, hope and love. From the first hello to the last goodbye this group of authors delivers captivating emotion and tempting romance.


The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland -Take a walk down memory lane and find a new beginning. Melanie Moreland proves a powerful presence with a heartbreaking tale of lost and found love. Linc and Sunny blend dark times and beautiful moments inside a breathtaking love story.


By the Seaside by Heidi McLaughlin - Mclaughlin knows how to engage emotions. Danny and Kelly gave their hearts to each other and paid the price with tragedy. Can a painful ending guide them to toward a happy ending?


Single in Sitka by Katy Regnery - Count on Regnery to dream up a tale that brings the best parts of romance. Single in Sitka will make you laugh, cry and hope. Amanda and Luke are an adventure that every heart needs to experience.

[Jill M (Embrace the Romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inheritance by Amy Briggs
This was a different and intriguing story. I was pleasantly surprised and invested in the characters and story. It was well written and moved along smoothly. Well too smoothly because then it was over and I was a little disappointed. I hadn’t realized it would be a continuation in a full novel. But I like the story so much I will be reading that book when it comes out.

Single in Sitka by Katy Regnery
It was fun and flirty with insta chemistry and lots of sensual moments. I loved the story and characters and was a little sad with the abrupt ending but Katy smoothed it over with her reader letter. I look forward to the continuation of this story.