The Summer of No Attachments

The Summer Friends #2

by Lori Foster

“[A] satisfying page-turner, complete with adorable animals and an idyllic summer setting.”— Publishers Weekly on The Summer of No Attachments

Summer flings with no strings mean nobody gets hurt.
At least, that was the plan…

After putting the brakes on her dead-end relationship, local veterinarian Ivey Anders is ready to soak up this summer on her own terms. The way she sees it, no dating means no disappointment. Why complicate life with anything long-term? But when she meets Corbin Meyer—and his troubled young son, Justin—Ivey’s no-strings strategy threatens to unravel before she can put it into practice.

Trust doesn’t come easy for Ivey’s best friend, Hope Mage, a veterinary-clinic assistant who’s affected by an incident that’s colored every relationship she’s had. Though Hope’s happy for Ivey, she can’t quite open her own heart to the possibility of love. Not just yet… Maybe not ever. Soon, however, she’s faced with a dilemma—Corbin’s older brother, Lang. He’s charming, he’s kind…and he may just be the reason Hope needs to finally tear down her walls.

And as the sweet summer months unspool, the two friends discover love won’t give up on them so easily.

Don't miss The Little Flower Shop , an all new heartwarming summer read from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster about a 40-something florist who, with the help of her meddling small town, gets a second chance at life and love.

More charming contemporaries from Lori

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Adult, Audiobook

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2021

About the author

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN.

Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.

Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/

Career Highlights
•In 2001, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy.

•In 2002, Lori’s book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon books.

•In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for Waldenbooks.

•In 2004, Lori Foster was a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle.

•In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.

•In 2006, Jude’s Law was the “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2007, Lori launched a new “urban fantasy” series under the name L.L. Foster. See more on her “dark side” at www.llfoster.com.

•In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon’s Top Ten Editor’s picks in Romance.

•In 2008, Hard to Handle made #2 on The New York Times.

•In 2009, Servant: The Acceptance was Amazon’s #1 Editors’ Pick in Romance.

•In 2010, Lori was a clue in the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle.

Reviews

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

THE SUMMER OF NO ATTACHMENTS (The Summer Friends Book #2) by Lori Foster is a heartwarming and heart-wrenching women’s fiction story of friendship with two contemporary romance plots intertwined throughout. These characters pulled me in from page one and I could not put it down. While this is the second book in the series, it is easily read as a standalone.

Ivey Anders is the local veterinarian. She has unruly curly hair, a mouth with no filter and a huge heart filled with love. Ivey has decided to end her two-year-old dead-end relationship and enjoy a summer of no attachments. When she goes with her veterinarian assistant to check out a new rental, she meets the new man in town. Corbin Meyer is hot, sexy and a single dad who has just found out he has a son who is ten years old.

Hope Mage is Ivey’s best friend and her veterinarian assistant. Ivey has taken her under her wing since the incident that estranged her from her own family four years ago. Solitary and skittish around men and social situations, Hope is happy for her friend’s new relationship, but cannot see it happening in her own future until Corbin’s older brother, Lang comes for a visit. He is funny, sexy and kind and Hope realizes that she is attracted to a man for the first time in several years.

This is a perfect summer read! I love all the characters in this story, but especially Ivey. She made me laugh and cry with her big heart. Ivey and Hope’s friendship is the backbone of the story and then they each find what they need in the Meyer brothers. Corbin’s son, Justin broke my heart and yet also made me laugh. I loved his ability to love even with all the trauma in his young life before he was delivered to Corbin. The book has plenty of animals to fall in love with as well. This story had the perfect balance of love, friendship, family and emotional up and downs.

I highly recommend this wonderful women’s fiction/contemporary romance!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SUMMER OF NO ATTACHMENTS is a wonderful read that will pull you in from the very first page and never let you go. Lori Foster grabs the reader by the heart strings and reminds us all that you never really knows what goes on behind closed doors. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop. I was flipping the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to these women! I can’t believe I’ve never read Lori Foster before! If you need a cute summer read as a pick me up then THE SUMMER OF NO ATTACHMENTS is a good one to read! This has a couple of my favorite tropes: single dad and small town romance.

THE SUMMER OF NO ATTACHMENTS starts with a heck of a hook! THE SUMMER OF NO ATTACHMENTS is a charming book with a very sweet love story between Ivey and Corbin. It was primary, but there was also a love interest for Hope in Corbin’s brother, Lang. Hope and Ivey are great friends. They support each other and even are able to give a push to each other when needed. I like that both of them end up in a relationship at the same time. It allows them time to chat and work through issues. Ivey and Corbin are great characters, as are Hope and Lang, but young Justin completely steals the show! He is delightful.

If you are in a reading slump, THE SUMMER OF NO ATTACHMENTS will pull you right out! My emotions were all over the place and I had a very hard time liking one of the characters. He is very selfish and behaves like an idiot most of the time. THE SUMMER OF NO ATTACHMENTS is insanely good! More like a train wreck where you know that looking at it isn’t going to be good but you can’t tear your eyes away! I love romances that aren’t just about the relationship between the main characters but also the relationships between family and friends.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, feel good read. The family dynamics was wonderful. The closeness was like no other,
I would have loved to have spent time with Justin, he was the perfect kid.
This is a must read this summer so much family love on the lake!

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Summer of No Attachments by Lori Foster makes the perfect read for readers looking for a heartwarming story about family, friendship and healing.




This heartwarming story introduces Ivy Anders and Hope Mage, two friends who are as close as sisters. Ivey is a veterinarian, who owns her own clinic, while Hope is her assistant.  Ivey recently broke up with her boyfriend and has no plans to enter into another committed relationship. What she never counted on was the handsome Corbin Meyer entering her life. Soon her plans for a summer of no attachments were pushed aside.

Corbin recently discovered he fathered a ten year old boy, Justin, whose mother signed away her parental rights. Corbin relocated with the hopes of giving his son a better life.

Hope had a traumatic experience which led  to her leaving home at age seventeen and relocating to Sunset, Kentucky. Her past experience made her war and distrustful of men. The last thing she expected was to meet Lang, the man who would demolish her barriers leading to her to trust in the power of love.

The Summer of No Attachments was truly an inspiring and touching story.  It touched on topics such as abuse and addiction, but the lack of drama, the swoony romance and the humorous helped to keep things light.  I enjoyed getting to know the characters who demonstrated immense growth throughout the story.  Even Ivey's ex-boyfriend inspired me with the growth he demonstrated.

Although Corbin and Ivey were the principal couple  I preferred the romance that developed between Hope and Lang. It warmed my heart to see Hope coming out of her self imposed shell and finding happiness. The moments shared between her and Lang was sweet and it had me smiling each time they made an appearance.

Justin's story will break your heart. This aspect of the story shows how the devastation drug addiction can bring to one's life.  It made me happy to knowing he had family he could rely on.

Conclusion/Recommendation

Overall, a wonderful story and one I would highly recommend. Perfect for the summer. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Navjyot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got the ARC of this book from the author. I love Lori Foster and have read most of her books , this is the 1st one i had a difficult time getting thru. I thought that neither the characters or the book had any depth. I am generally not a fan of insta love but this book seemed to take that a little too far especially with a kid involved . With a name like summer of no attachments i was hoping for a little struggle/resistance , it is a romance novel so at the end we know they will get together

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet family story! Love it
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say I am a little envious of the locations in this book. The small-town storybook feel is in full affect as we dive into the story.

Foster has the perfect recipe for a cozy story that we crave. Wonderful atmosphere, well developed characters with interest and emotional connection, and a beautiful blend of fun and seriousness that balances everything out.

The story takes on multiple issues such as single parent struggles, family dysfunction, anxiety, moving forward, and trust. Foster tackles these in with grace using strong bonds of friendship, love, and care for each other in the steps towards healing.

The characters are blended together naturally and it seems like effortless friendship and romance builds strong connections with the family. Foster also throws in a little bit of disturbance and a ton of emotion in this heartwarming novel.

This is a sweet family romance that digs deep into your heart. The timid and fearful become strong and loved; free to become who they are meant to be. The Summer of No Attachments is Fosters specialty, offering a sweet, emotional connection all the way around.

* copy received for review consideration
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-summer-o...

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends Ivey and Hope work at the veterinarian clinic that Ivey owns. This summer brings some change for the friends. Ivey has broken up with her boyfriend of two years and Hope is looking to rent her first apartment; a cottage right on the lake. Corbin and his ten-year-old son have bought a lake house and are renting out the cottage. Corbin’s older brother Lang will soon join them. The weather is perfect for romance, puppy love and new beginnings….

Foster writes stories with characters that pull me in and I truly enjoyed this feel good lake romance. I loved the setting, the clinic, and swooned over the brothers. Low drama that touched on important issues gave the story depth and the romances and critters kept it light.

Ivey is confident, kind and someone everyone can relate to. Her love of pets, horror movies and her friends make her someone you’d like to spend time with.

Hope is in her early twenties. A past event has shattered her confidence. She is timid and afraid of men. Ivey has taken her under her wing as her best friend and protector. I loved watching Hope enjoy first moments, and gain confidence as she found her happy.

Corbin and Lang will make you swoon. They are good men, and the family has rallied around Corbin and his son Justin. The storyline involving Justin and his mother will tug at your heartstrings and shed light on addiction. Lang is a cool uncle. He is supportive of his brother and might be just what Hope needs to gain her confidence.

Foster delivered the perfect beach read with not one but two deliciously sweet romances. Toss in lots of cute pets and summer on the lake with family and friends and you’ve got the perfect beach/lake read. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this touching story of two friends who are as close as sisters, each find love, but it doesn't come easy for either of them as they each have baggage that might making finding love rather difficult.

In Ivey Anders's case, owner and veterinarian of a busy clinic, she had a bad breakup and had been prepared to swear off love. Enter Corbin Meyer and his troubled son Justin and and it looks like she just might have to rethink things. With regard to Corbin, he has just discovered that he is a father. What is more is that Justin's mother not only drops him into Corbin's life, she severs her parental rights. Corbin wants Justin to feel secure, and he works hard at that. Meeting Ivey brings Corbin life and light as he finds her impossible to resist.

Then we have Hope Mage, Ivey's best friend and coworker, who experienced trauma in the past. She finds herself rather drawn to Lang, Corbin's brother, who manages to break down her barriers and opens her up to the possibility of trust and love.

The Summer of No Attachments was a wonderful and touching story by Lori Foster and a nice second book in the Summer Friends series. Every story by Ms. Foster is a true delight, with wonderful characters and well-plotted storylines. The conflicts and resolutions are written quite smartly, with an emotional edge that is true Lori Foster style. All of the characters are endearing and I loved having the opportunity to read both love stories and watching them develop.

Many thanks to HQN and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 2 out of 5]

With its gorgeous summer cover, I wanted to love this one. While it had some great small-town elements and a wonderful blend of friendships and family, the romance didn’t excite me.

The tight-knit bond between Ivey and Hope was wonderful. Their friendship was such a beautiful aspect to this story and I loved seeing how supportive they were of each other. For entirely different reasons, both aren’t looking for love …. until they cross paths with the Meyer brothers.

The connection that develops with brothers Corbin and Lang was sweet but almost too perfect. This story includes serious subject matter (prior attempted rape, drug abuse, and child abandonment), yet the romance is very low-angst, with practically zero tension or conflict involving the developing relationships. Everything seemed to fall into place seamlessly—I wanted some push and pull.

I will say, Corbin was a wonderful single dad, especially being thrust into that role unexpectedly, and I loved the moments involving his ten-year old son. It was definitely a highlight of the story. I can see why others enjoyed this one, but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully emotional read! Lori Foster nails family relationships like a boss and this book was a joy to read! I loved the exploration of a variety of relationships-father/son, siblings, best friends, parent/children, etc-and when a menagerie of pets are introduced?! Sold! Daisy and her puppies along with Maurice, the grumpy cat (who actually loved dogs) just made the people bonding all the sweeter. Told from various povs, Ivey, Corbin, and his son Justin’s tale hit me with an emotional train wreck and props to Corbin for his handling of a touchy situation for Justin in the best way possible. Corbin’s brother, Lang, and Ivey’s best friend, Hope, had me cheering at Hope’s determination, while awing at their relationship goal sweetness. Overall, lots of positivity and goodness balanced out the heavier notes in the best way possible.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author/Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of No Attachments is the second book in the Summer Friends series. This works totally as a stand alone, so you won't be lost if you haven't read the first book, The Somerset Girls. This year has been struggle with reading slumps and searching for books that I can devour. I have found a few, but they have been few and far between. This book was just what I have been looking for and was a great way to kick off the summer. It's a beautiful story about love, friendship and finding family where you least expect it.

I loved this dual romance. Both couples were wonderful and I was rooting for them. There was little angst and the romance was easy and lovely between the couples. For Corbin and Ivey, love came as a surprise. So much for a "summer of no attachments". But how could Ivey resist little Justin and his handsome father Corbin? It was a bit slower for Hope and Lang. Hope's story was heartbreaking and I thought it was handled very well. Lang was amazing with the way took his time with Hope. This will be a great book to just get lost in the summer. I highly recommend it.

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of The Summer of No Attachments. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*

Such a sweet romance, that follows two best friends who work in a veterinary clinic, and two brothers, one who has recently found out he's the father of a ten-year-old son. A son that was kind of dumped in his lap as his mother abandoned him...

Hope and Ivey are both excellent characters, with no time for romance. Ivey has recently left her long-time boyfriend, and Hope has been single for the whole time Ivey has known her. Corbin and his son have moved to their little town, and Hope is looking to rent a small house on his property.

I'm not usually a fan of romances that follow two couples, however, this time, I loved it! Two best friends, and two brothers who are also close just really did it for me.

The Summer of No Attachments is a well-written contemporary romance that deals with some difficult themes, but that also resolves some of them through hard work, a lot of talking, and trying to forgive.

A definite recommendation from me.

[Grace Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible journey we are taken on. All I could do was sigh as I read the excerpt for the next book. Can't wait to read it. Highly recommend anything Lori writes.

[Ronda Barnes-Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Sweet romance, with animal, kids and two couples overcoming hardships to trust love. Received this arc for an honest review.

[Asheley T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Best friends Ivey and Hope work together at Ivey's veterinary clinic. Hope has had a difficult past including leaving her family behind after a bad thing happened and tore them apart. Ivey is like a sister and a mother to her. The book opens with Ivey and Hope working together on an injured dog.

I LOVE that the book opened up with these two women helping an animal. As the book begins, their work is the most important thing in their lives, right along with their friendship. So they were already established as close friends before they met the male love interests in the story. Corbin and his young son Justin moved to town recently, and Hope hoped to rent the small guest house on his lakeside property. Ivey went with Hope to check out the cottage, and this is how they all met. Perfect timing, really, since neither Hope is not in a relationship and Ivey just ended things with her previous boyfriend.

Like the previous book in this series The Somerset Girls, Ivey and Hope each have their own romance storyline. And I think they're both really good. The story does have a small amount of drama and angst with one of the side storylines, but it really is only a tiny amount, and it furthered the story for all of the characters. I'm learning that Lori Foster's women's fiction romances are a huge delight to read. Not stressful at all. They make me happy.

I love that the love interests, Corbin and Lang (brothers!) are so respectful of Ivey and Hope. I also love that they all became one big, closeknit family. It is such a joy to read about a group of people that love one another so much, and want to help one another, and have common goals. Justin, Corbin's young son, made me smile because of his love for animals and horror movies. His part of the story really tugged at my heart.

This book has been my most anticipated summer read since the very minute I first found out about it. I loved The Somerset Girls so much last year and it thrilled me so much to see that Ms. Foster would be writing another book set in the same place. It was an added bonus that Ember (from the first book) made a small appearance. And the animals included in the story made me smile. Daisy the dog and Maurice the cat made my heart swell. I loved every time they were on the page.

I've been meaning to go back and begin reading Ms. Foster's romance stories. I need to do that sooner rather than later. I love the way she writes relationships and I adore her settings and the inclusion of animals. I read this book in just a few hours, I couldn't put it down. I'm already looking forward to her next women's fiction/romance story.



Thank you to Harlequin publishing for sending me a free digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts in the form of a review!

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corbin, Lang, Ivey, and Hope are all a family, separate at first but as time goes on the women grow closer to the guys. Corbin moves to town with his newly discovered son, Justin. Justin is in need of stability and time to get to know his father.

Ivey is he town Vet and helps with the animal rescue, Hope is her Veterinarian technician and the two love each other like sisters. Hope is very standoffish due to something that happened to her when she was a teenager. As Ivey is getting to know Corbin, his brother Lang comes to town and is immediately drawn to Hope.

I say this a lot about Lori Foster's books, but this one was really cute. The writing style of this book reminded me a lot of Jill Shalvis which is also one of my favorite authors. The characters in this book were realistic, likeable, and made me break out the tissues a few times. I loved this book, it definitely gets a high rating in the cuteness category!

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is an odd little story. The cover screams Florida Spring Break. The blurb shouts sexy summer romance. The story itself? A slow-burn family values romance with too many characters and subplots.

A single novel with two separate romance storylines told from four perspectives was always going to be complicated. At times, there’s way too much going on. We’re told more than we’re shown and the result is characters whose stories feel distant - as if they are relayed by third hand gossip. I like Ivey. She’s a committed veterinarian with a big heart. Unfortunately, despite being the leading lady, I’m not sure we ever learn much more about her as a person. We see Ivey as a vet, a friend, a girlfriend and a step-mom - but we don’t see much of Ivey as herself. She’s admirable and likeable - but I found it difficult to invest in her because she seems quite superficially sketched. Similarly, Corbin is far too good to be true. These two are mostly perfect and slightly irritating with their perfections. Hope and Lang are a little more human and relatable, but they remain secondary characters and Hope’s problems resolve far too easily.

I’ll admit that I’m never a huge fan of kids in romance. Here, all the adults put Corbin’s son, Justin, at the center of their lives. He’s a sweet kid, but he’s not the reason I wanted to read a summer romance. Way too much heat and sexual tension is lost at the expense of the adults all attempting to care for Justin. The result is a book that is both tediously slow and weirdly practical. Neither of the couples really dates. Ivey and Corbin tiptoe around Justin. Hope and Lang dance around Ivey and Corbin tiptoeing around Justin. Romance is supposed to be an escape but this book is full of complicated realistic plans to facilitate dating that feel like more hard work than an actual relationship.

This book feels strangely dated and has a whiff of smug MAGA family values that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. This definitely isn’t the saucy summer romance promised by the cover. It didn’t work for me but it might work for a more conservative reader.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was expecting a light romance, but not the glurge-fest it turned out to be. On her quest to be wild and free, I expected the protagonist to have a series of humorously mismatched dates and entanglements before finding Mr. Right. But instead, she finds Mr. Right immediately, and gives up on her plan. Boring! Misleading title!

And Mr. Right is so right, that he never does anything wrong. He’s always looking out for her, sensitive to her every bodily movement, and always says the right thing or apologizes profusely. He doesn’t seem real at all. After awhile, their relationship got so cloyingly emotional that he didn’t seem like a man at all. More like another woman, which is perhaps what young women readers want and expect from men. IMHO men (and women) who have strong likes and dislikes are much more interesting, as are relationships where couples learn how to communicate and accommodate each others’ differences—just like real life.

In fact, his whole family is overly coddling and dripping with emotion and/or affection. It should be okay in any relationship for someone to spend time alone and work out a problem in their own way, not be forced into hugging and sharing with the whole fam-damily. In particular, those who have been abused, if they are to be truly free, need to work out how to regain their self esteem from the inside. It doesn’t come from another person. I don’t think the author has known many people like the abused and addicted characters of whom she writes. Her “rescuing” solutions for them wouldn’t really work.

From the other reviews it seems that this book is typical of author Lori Foster. Though I like her style of writing, her characters aren’t complex enough to hold my interest. I won’t be reading more.

[Madm007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, I loved this and it was rather like a twofer. A perfect summertime read, or anytime!
Ivey, a small-town veterinarian with a heart as big as the sun, open and outgoing, along with her bff aka assistant Holly, who is understandably introverted around men, don't have any plans for this summer. Holly is moving, however, to a sweet little cottage, and there's where it begins.
Fate is funny that way when she's running the show. All kinds of surprises pop up when you least expect them, and this journey covers them all so sweetly.
I really don't want to give anything away but I will say when both Littles and Furbabies are in a book, it's always just that much better. Have a few tissues, there's both sad and happy tears in here, a lot of laughs, and life's lessons as well. Big on family too. Did I mention there's a bit of heat as well, when they get alone time, or don't get interrupted, that is.
Excellent read and highly recommended by me!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a feel good romance where you fall in love with the characters from the get-go. The brothers Corbin and Lang, oh my word - they felt like the kind of guys you would want to know, want to spend time with, want to look at and want to love with all your heart. Lori Foster did such a wonderful job with the characters in this book - I felt like I was sitting in the vet clinic, catching up on the gossip in their lives, when reading about the interactions between Ivey and Hope. If all of that wasn't enough to make a fantastic read, there's the family element woven into this with the adorable Justin - a boy, basically dumped by his mother, to live with a father he has never known. The life of 5 individuals comes together in such a sweet way, each facing their own fresh starts, in different ways - leaving a stale relationship, building the foundation of a father/son relationship, learning to trust others after a horrible event in the past, and relocating for family. It was great to also see a nod to familiar characters - Autumn and Ember. I love when an author subtly ties stories together. If you're a fan of romance books, which is a genre that will always be number one in my heart, I highly recommend picking up The Summer of No Attachments as your next summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a little different then my usual Lori Foster read. This book took me on an incredible emotional journey I wasn't expecting. Ivey is the local vet who wears her feelings on her sleeve. Her more reserved best friend Hope has had a traumatic past and is looking to rent a quant guest house by a lake. When Ivey and Hope go to check out the house they meet Corbin and his son Justin. When you throw in Justin’s fun uncle Lang you have a well rounded group of characters. This group immediately starts forming a close bond. One thing I loved About this book was how layered it was. We have tarmac past, so many different types of new relationships forming, funny banter and heart wrenching stories. The many layers are interwoven into an amazing well written story that I truly enjoyed. The chemistry between Corbin and Ivey was sizzling hot from the beginning. But what pulled at my heart strings was the love, compassion and patience that Lang had for Hope. Let’s not forget the adorable pets, the older mature cat and the 4 year old dog and her 3 puppies! This book will definitely be with me for a while. As always with this author I can’t wait for the next one!

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderful and heartwarming, and I am so happy I bought into everyone else's hype about it. Loved it!


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[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really sweet, feel-good contemporary romance. Ivey is a veterinarian and her assistant is Hope. Ivey has declared that this will be a summer without a long and complicated relationship. At least, that is what she believes until she meets the new man in town, Corbin. Corbin is a single dad to his young son Justin and is struggling with being a single parent and trying to work. Enter Corbin’s older brother Lang, a character who is like a guardian angel who is always “johnny on the spot” for him. He has come to town to help Corbin take care of Justin. Naturally, Corbin and Ivey start hanging out together and Lang starts to woo Hope away from her trust issues. Although I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, Justin captured my heart because of his deep love for animals and his need to be wanted and loved. This is a great summer read because of the characters who steal the show and the animals who are so endearing, too. As the characters discovered their inner strength and the ability to juggle family and friendships, I discovered that I was totally absorbed in reading their story. The plot just naturally flowed and was easy to read. This is a book that I will long remember for its characters and its lessons about depending on others.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in the series and I loved this one just as much. I mean you can't go wrong with a book with such great animals. Not gonna lie Maurice stole my heart and Corbin won me over with how well he got along with him. This book is packed full with the feels. This book also pulled all the emotions out of me. I even teared up a few times. My heart just broke for Justin. It made my me so happy to see Justin flourish under his new found family. Ivey and Corbin were the main couple, but we also have Hope and Lang with their story. It just made this book twice as good. I give Hope so much props because she's so strong with what she went through. She deserves all the happiness. Be prepared to not want to put this book down. Ivey and Corbin along with Justin are going to steal your hearts. I just gobbled up this book. I was up way late into the night reading. I highly recommend this book!

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After ending her long-term relationship Ivey wants to take some time before she tries again and plans to spend the next couple of months focusing on the animals at her veterinary clinic and spending time with her best friend Hope. She never expected that Corbin, a single father, and Justin the ten-year-old son he just met to come into her clinic and have her second guessing her plan.

Due to her past Hope doesn’t allow many people close so when Corbin’s brother comes to town she is cautious. Not only does he draw her in, but he is patient and understanding as they get to know each other, and he tries to show her the life she could have rather than the life she has been living.

This story takes us on a heartwarming story filled with humor, romance and emotion as we get to see a relationship develop between both couples as they as well as Justin find the love and family they all need in their life.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story! It was full of fantastic, kind characters who captured my heart. The storylines were appealing and kept me completely interested all the way through.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of No Attachments was a great story filled with wonderful characters. Corbin and his brother Lang were the best! They were the perfect guys for Ivey and Hope, and it was heartwarming to see how much everyone loved and supported Corbin's son Justin. I loved every minute of their story and didn't want it to end.

[Anne Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corbin is a laid back guy who's just discovered he's a dad- to a 10 year old boy. Corbin and Justin move to the small town of Sunset and meet Ivey, a veterinarian with a huge heart for both animals and people. Having just broken up with her boyfriend, Ivey is planning on having a summer of no attachments- just casual, laid back fun. The biggest attachment she'll have is to a new dog, Daisy, and her pups that have come into the clinic. That plan goes out the window as soon as Ivey and Corbin meet. The two click perfectly. It isn't just a case of explosive chemistry- it is better than that. They click. They discover that together they are the better versions of themselves, that supporting one another makes them an incredible unit. Neither planned to find forever, both are worried about what too much change could do to Justin, but how do you ignore it when the perfect partner falls into your life?

It might sound sappy, but I loved Lori Foster's book because of how easily and nicely the people fit together. This wasn't a story of instant lust, chemistry and danger. It was a story of family and friends who are family, of support and discovering who you are and who you can be. Ivey didn't have to change anything about herself to fit into Corbin's life, they worked simply by being themselves. I loved how the character of Hope, Ivey's friend, was written- someone who's lived through trauma and is slowly becoming comfortable with herself and others again. Ivey supports her with friendship instead of pity and never suggests Hope can't or shouldn't do something because of her fears. The two women simply give it to each other straight and support whatever decisions are made. Hope gets to come out of her shell and still face some of her past, and we get to see her grow and move on as she does. Hope may be a 'secondary' character but she (and her relationship with Corbin's brother Lang) never feels secondary, and gets plenty of page time and development.

An overall lovely new book, this looks at family and friends, the bad as well as the good, and how we are all more able to face the bad when we have a solid core of good in our corner. And never have to change who we are to get it. A book of humor and fun, heart and heat, a perfect summer romance.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Anders is the local veterinarian in Sunset, Kentucky. She really loves her job even with the occasional sad endings. Everyone in the area knows she can be counted on in an emergency. For instance a local couple called her about a stray dog, who Ivy ended up naming Daisy, which had gotten caught and tangled up in their fence. Ivy and her best friend and vet assistant Hope Mage managed to free the very pregnant dog and got her back to their clinic just before she gave birth to three puppies. That little canine family will star significantly throughout the story.

Corbin Meyer and his son Justin recently moved to Sunset. Corbin is a new father to the ten-year-old son he never knew existed until Justin's mother showed up one day and turned him over to Corbin. She signed away her rights and that was that. Corbin is determined that Justin will eventually come to love and trust him. It was Corbin's effort in that direction that took him and Justin to Ivy's clinic. Justin saw Daisy there and they bonded. Corbin and Ivy saw each other and I guess you can say they bonded too.

Hope Mage and Ivy are as close as sisters. Hope experienced a traumatic event a few years earlier which led to her move to Sunset. Hope's family basically disowned her. Meeting and working with Ivy was Hope's salvation. Hope has rented a cottage on the property Corbin purchased. Her new residence made it easier for Ivy to get to know Corbin better and eventually easier for Hope to get to know Corbin's brother Lang better.

Lang Meyer sold his business and moved to Sunset to get to know his nephew and be there for his brother Corbin. It was fortunate that Corbin had rented the cottage to Hope Mage. Lang found himself attracted to Hope even though he sensed right away that Hope wasn't real comfortable around men. He didn't know why but he instantly gave Hope space. Sometimes slow works better than fast.

The Summer of No Attachments by Lori Foster is a charming, heartwarming story. I really liked all the characters and how everyone went out of their way to help Justin adjust to his new life. It was fun following along as Ivy and Corbin and Hope and Lang found their Happily Ever Afters. I really like Ms. Foster's voice and this is a great example of her talent.

I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Summer Friends series by Lori Foster, but it is a standalone story. I do recommend the first book, The Sommerset Girls, that came out in May of 2020. The Summer of No Attachments was a wonderful story of romance, friendship, family relationships and moving beyond out fears. Ivey Anders just ended a relationship that was going nowhere and decided that this summer she would date, with no strings and no plans for anything more than a casual fling. Her best friend and co-worker, Hope Mage, is also not looking for a relationship. She had something happen in her past that has caused her not to trust anyone. Plans change when Ivey and Hope meet brothers Corbin and Lang Meyer. Sometimes our hearts have a mind and plan of their own.

I loved this story. The characters were amazing. So relatable and people that I would love to meet and be friends with. As much as there are two romances in this book, Ivey's and Corbin's is the main one. As much as I liked these characters, it was Justin, Corbin's ten year old son that stole my heart. He had been through so much in his short life, but I was thrilled when he began to open up and show trust and love in his new family. Then there were the animals that were also integral to this story. I wanted one of those puppies. Hope and Ivey are wonderful friends, supporting one another, caring and also giving them the push they need to move forward. It was great to see them both find someone, and that they were brothers was great. This is a great story that has some tense moments when Hope has to deal with issues from her past, but it is done with sensitivity. There are a couple of descriptive intimate scenes, but not excessive. If you are looking for a wonderful, uplifting summer romance, then The Summer of No Attachments is for you. I did a read/listen with this book and I loved both formats. Marni Penning does a wonderful job with this story. The voices she gave the characters all worked well, especially young Justin. I do not hesitate to recommend this book to those who enjoy up-lit, contemporary romance and books that deal with family issues. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.