Summer Bound

Wicked Lovely #5.2

by Melissa Marr

After centuries of frolicking as a Summer Girl, Siobhan isn't sure she's ready for her new life. Promoted to Summer Court advisor alongside Tavish, Siobhan suddenly has responsibilities and a chance at romance--until she and Tavish are at odds as they help guide their queen through a life-changing revelation.

Aislinn, former mortal and current Summer Queen, thought she'd already faced the most difficult obstacles fate could throw her way. Losing her humanity, becoming a queen, loving someone who spends fifty percent of his time in another world, facing the embodiment of war in a battle, Aislinn is ready to make sense of her new "normal."

No one is prepared when the former Dark King, Irial, arrives with a secret that could challenge the delicate balance between the Faery Courts.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fae, Urban Fantasy, Fairies, Romance, Short Stories

69 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2020

About the author

Melissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.

In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).

An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.

If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.

Reviews

[Analeise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost there :’)

[Shriji Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great bridge from one book to the next, filling the need for more content as secrets are revealed and side characters get the spotlight. Siobhan and Tavish are two of my favorite Summer Court members and it’s great to see their perspective. Meeting Urian is a great set up for the next release in the series. Seeing the reveal play out from the revelations of Cold Iron Heart was fun.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

To really understand an aspect of this one you need to read Cold Iron Heart first. The things that happen in that book play heavily in this one. Aislinn and Irial have quite the conversation. With Irial involved you know there are layers to things, but you don't quite see them all til things are revealed. I have a feeling there is more to come with Urian.

Things with Siobhan and Tavish were interesting. I'm glad that both of them got what they have wanted for a long time.

[Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book, but didn't realize where it was in the series. I do find Siobhan and Tavish interesting characters, but I think I missed something because I read the books out of order. I did find the book interesting. Now I need to go back and start at the beginning.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was pretty good, I liked that we finally got to see Urial tell Aislinn that he's her great-grandfather! It looks like her new-great-uncle could be trouble.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story carrying on after Love Hurts, of what the revelations from that book means for the Summer court! Can't wait to read more!

[MandyViolete · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love dipping back into this world. This book is right up there with the original books in the set and will grab you within the first few pages, submerging you in the world until you’re begging for more at the end. There could be a hundred books and stories in this world and if they were all as well written as this I would devour them all.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, another set up. I wish these short stories were more stand alone vignettes and less set ups for the next thing.

[Debby Tiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Marr’s books, but I was glad I had already read Cold Iron Heart, as it provides some very useful context.

Like every book in the series, the cover is stunning.

There were a lot of typos for such a short story, which was disappointing.

The hangup between Tavish and Siobhan seems silly, and personally I didn’t have enough interest in the characters to need a short story about them. At least Siobhan wasn’t so silly: “… he was going to ignore his feelings and hers-as if denial romantic somehow.”

When Tavish was drunk on sunlight, he was quite funny though: "I shall compose a sonnet for each breast," Tavish declared, voice low enough that only she heard. “Two sonnets. One for the left, and one for the right. Perhaps a Rondeau on your apple cheeks, though."

Loved this phrasing: “…with an innocent smile that was about as convincing as kelpie claiming to be a vegetarian.” Marr’s world building is always so fantastic and engrossing.

I love that Marr’s books are so sex-positive and full of women’s choice, highlighting that women can and do how their own desires: “They had their charms, and she was a woman who'd appreciated those charms. Often.”

Favorite character: Irial, always. And the tigers were so cute!

[Lenore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved being with some of my favorite characters again. The setting starts in a sparring match which is much like the rest of the story i suppose. The Summer court is the focus; shown after the big war and how they are adjusting at the micro queen and advisor level.
Irial came a calling with all of the best lines of the story. While Tavish and Siobhan flirted around duty and desire.

I feel like the meeting after Urial felt choppy and the lust was more graphic and less YA level than previous stories. It felt more novella then short story length with a new character introduced with new problems, but no resolutions.

Overall I would still recommend to fans of the series.

[Cathy Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author and really liked this novella. The writing style was good however, I probably would have loved it even more had I read the previous Wicked Lovely books first. I loved the romance between Siobhan and Tavish. Their characters were already well-developed and there was definitely some heated chemistry between them. The other characters were intriguing, and I know I will be reading the rest of the series to get their complete backstories, especially Aislinn and Irial! All-in-all, it was an enjoyable read!

[Rachel Sperber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great bridge from one book to the next, filling the need for more content as secrets are revealed and side characters get the spotlight. Siobhan and Tavish are two of my favorite Summer Court members and it’s great to see their perspective. Meeting Urian is a great set up for the next release in the series. Seeing the reveal play out from the revelations of Cold Iron Heart was fun.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Marr has done it again! This short novella was the follow-up to Cold Iron Heart and Love Hurts that I desperately needed. It answered the one burning question I still had after reading both. I think this story sets up what is to come in the WL world in a tantalizing, yet satisfying way. Something big is coming to the fearie courts and I cannot wait to see how it plays out.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

I will start out by saying, more. I need more to this story. I was not disappointed when I opened my kindle to continue the wicked lovely story. Who doesn’t want a kitten...
I cannot wait to read what happens next, and to see where the characters go from here.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was great but i wish it was a fully fledged novel. there could've been a whole arc with ash's uncle being a new villain and siobhan/tavish being super instrumental in stopping him. i love irial giving ash tiger cubs though and niall covering his mouth with shadows.they're hilarious.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was confused and this is on me. I saw a review today that said this book was a bridge between 2 stories. The world is interesting. There are politics and secrets; players and advisors; and something between love and hate is happening between Tavish and Siobhan.

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the additional stories, they answer questions that you didn't know you had about some of your favorite characters.
I need more to this story.
I cannot wait to read what happens next!!!

[Gisela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely needs to be read after Cold Iron Heart. What a treat these characters are. Just can’t get enough.

[Emily Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything in the Wicked Lovely series gets 5 Stars. I first read Wicked Lovely 9 years ago, and then devoured the series. Melissa Marr is a Fairy Queen and I want to be a Summer Court fairy!

[Reaves Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

SummerBound

Excellent read. Was on the edge of my seat with this one. Also, Irial is still awesome. Love his character. Love all the characters. They just click well together.

[Carole-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an aside story with Siobhan and Tavish, both advisors to Aislinn; and Irial making his usual interfering presence known :)

[Paige Pruett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Jesus!! This freaking ending made me cry and want more. Ash is back along with Irial and Leslie and I cannot believe it. Now there's another threat and I can't wait to see this team up!

[Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean, what exactly was Tavish’s reason for not wanting to be with her at first anyway? And then they’re in love all of a sudden?? Idk mannnn.

[Sabrina Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short read. Wish I remembered more about the series and read it right after I read that.

[Jacob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looks like the author was just BOUND to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

IRIAL I JUST LOVE YOU TO BITS

[Shayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ew. Who thought this was a good idea? The summer girls were always side chicks for Keenan and now all of a sudden Siobhan is head over heels for tavish. Make it make sense , Melissa.

[George · Rating 1 out of 5]

Instalove as always.

I don’t think the author really knows what she’s doing.

[Tammy ~Witching Hour Reads~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful fantastic short story that is technically a continuation of Love Hurts, both Love Hurts and Summer Bound are wonderful tie ins, not only to the Wicked Lovely series but also a most read of you are going to be reading Cold Iron Heart.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining Wicked Lovely Novella

This Wicked Lovely novella is a fun read that provides more insight into the Wicked Lovely world. In addition to getting to see Irial's playful side and answers to some questions, other character stories are highlighted. I recommend first reading the series followed by the prequel Cold Iron Heart, then Love Hurts (included at the end of Cold Iron Heart), then Summer Bound.

NOTE:
5 stars = a well crafted story that has stood the test of time and I find myself coming back to it again and again.
3 stars = a good read. Worthwhile.
4 stars = a cut above, well crafted story, characters, skilled writing, and story that captures the imagination.