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Crystal Coast #3
Island Summer
Award-Winning Book
When a betrayed young woman moves to a charming beach town to escape love, an unlikely matchmaker gets involved.
Physical therapist Emily McMillan broke off her troubled engagement to move to a charming, albeit tight-knit, seaside community for a new start. But will the locals accept her? She's too quiet, too reserved and wants to hole up in her apartment to write her latest novel. When she treats a spunky patient, popularly known as Gran, she finds herself agreeing to a date with Gran's handsome grandson.
Keith Stallings, a creative businessman who owns the local passenger ferry, tempts Emily with a dreamy island full of wild horses, an enticing beach laden with colorful sunsets, and a homecooked picnic under the stars. Heck, even a wild pelican named Sam loves him. Emily had declared men off-limits, but just when she believes this is the best island summer ever, the park service threatens Keith's livelihood.
Keith has a difficult decision to make, one that may not include Emily.
An emotionally complex beach read, this love story reaches just beyond the sand dunes where the sea turtles nest and where the tides can wash away dreams.
When a betrayed young woman moves to a charming beach town to escape love, an unlikely matchmaker gets involved.
Physical therapist Emily McMillan broke off her troubled engagement to move to a charming, albeit tight-knit, seaside community for a new start. But will the locals accept her? She's too quiet, too reserved and wants to hole up in her apartment to write her latest novel. When she treats a spunky patient, popularly known as Gran, she finds herself agreeing to a date with Gran's handsome grandson.
Keith Stallings, a creative businessman who owns the local passenger ferry, tempts Emily with a dreamy island full of wild horses, an enticing beach laden with colorful sunsets, and a homecooked picnic under the stars. Heck, even a wild pelican named Sam loves him. Emily had declared men off-limits, but just when she believes this is the best island summer ever, the park service threatens Keith's livelihood.
Keith has a difficult decision to make, one that may not include Emily.
An emotionally complex beach read, this love story reaches just beyond the sand dunes where the sea turtles nest and where the tides can wash away dreams.
336 pages, Paperback
Published June 8, 2021
14 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 4, 2021
From page one, “Island Summer” pulls you into the coastal atmosphere. You can smell the salt, feel the wind, hear the calming ocean. And not only that, the flowing writing style will carry you right alongside the characters, as they face real-life issues and heartbreak. If you’re looking for a romantic beach read, look no further! Keith and Emily’s story will certainly touch your heart!
August 27, 2021
Even though there was no mystery involved , I really liked it !!
The pelican Sam and the cat Tucker took me over the edge 💓
The continuation of wild ponies make it even more intriguing …..
The pelican Sam and the cat Tucker took me over the edge 💓
The continuation of wild ponies make it even more intriguing …..
June 8, 2021
This is the 3rd book I have read of Lori’s. She didn’t disappoint with this one! I could almost smell the salt air and feel the ocean breeze. I love the NC coast and could relate to many aspects of the story. Romance, horses and even a pelican named Sam will keep you turning the page. If you need to lose yourself in a great story, this is it! Anxiously awaiting her next book!
June 7, 2021
Do you believe in matchmakers?
Dive into the newest book out by author Lori Hayes and will see one at work. You will also find some twists and turns along the way. You know you are reading a book form Lori Hayes when it includes some wild horses! Head out on vacation with a copy of the book still warm off the press, You will be glad you did!
Dive into the newest book out by author Lori Hayes and will see one at work. You will also find some twists and turns along the way. You know you are reading a book form Lori Hayes when it includes some wild horses! Head out on vacation with a copy of the book still warm off the press, You will be glad you did!
June 2, 2021
I have really enjoyed this entire series! THE characters are endearing and their struggles are real. The relationships are deep. This is a great summer read!
June 5, 2021
I enjoyed the book very much.
I have been to Pony Island with the author. Lori brings it to life in a very dramatic way.
I could relive the fantastic experience all over again.
Island Summer is a great summer read.
I have been to Pony Island with the author. Lori brings it to life in a very dramatic way.
I could relive the fantastic experience all over again.
Island Summer is a great summer read.
June 14, 2021
I'm a romantic cynic, but this book is super precious. I love Keith and Emily's story, particularly how realistic their chemistry is after the pesky matchmaking setup by his adorable, spunky grandmother. It was nice to read about a woman with a heartbroken past following her dreams and refreshing for a man want to play a part. But one of my favorite aspects is Sam. Such a unique thing to have a pelican as a character! I love the deftly illustrated presence of other wildlife also, from crabs to frogs to horses; I will forever regard coastal wildlife in a different way. I read this before going to the beach, but I would pick up a copy to take with you this summer wherever you are going. Lori Hayes paints such a wonderful coastal environment, I really felt like I was there. Great read!
July 3, 2021
Island Summer was a magical summer read. The author created a very beachy dreamy scene. I felt every emotion the protagonist was feeling. She guided the unexpected romance along step by step with no rushing, just allowing it to happen. I had given up on love but found Keith irresistible in his approach to winning the heart of Emily. She was resistant to him but attracted to him in a gentle sweet way. The author made Keith just what every woman would want in a man, without urgency and expectations. I fell for him myself. The obstacles were seemingly unsolvable on both sides but the communication, loyalty, trust and authenticity brought them together. It's what every reader wants from a beach read, lots of sun and fun! Very satisfying! I hated to have it end.
September 13, 2021
One of the things I loved about this book was that even if you haven't previously read Lori's two other Crystal Coast Series books "High Tide" and "Coffee Break" it was just as good to read on it's own. (Though I DO recommend both of her other books as well...) I enjoyed the wholesomeness of the characters and the storyline. One of the things I loved the most was Emily's brave decision to pick up, move to the coast and start over. Every time I pick up one of Lori's books it takes me away to that special place... the beach! If you long to be carried away to salty air, wild island horses and romance, you will not be disappointed.
July 16, 2023
Finding family and the man of your dreams in a seaside town
I had difficulty relating to the characters.. Keith has issues he is dealing with but doesn't let them get in the way of moving forward. I love the way he cares for his family how sweet he is with Emily. I thought Emily was whiney and couldn't get past what she perceived as injustices in her life. Big Cat seems like a wonderful town to live in or even to visit. The stories about the nursing home patients were fun. Overall a good story even though I couldn't engage with the characters.
I had difficulty relating to the characters.. Keith has issues he is dealing with but doesn't let them get in the way of moving forward. I love the way he cares for his family how sweet he is with Emily. I thought Emily was whiney and couldn't get past what she perceived as injustices in her life. Big Cat seems like a wonderful town to live in or even to visit. The stories about the nursing home patients were fun. Overall a good story even though I couldn't engage with the characters.
March 16, 2022
I really enjoyed the fist two books in this series. I could’ve skipped this one and not felt like I missed anything. The main character Emily is negative and leads a glass half empty life. I didn’t want to ditch the book so I finished it but gosh the main character was a real “Debbie Downer.” I will give the fourth book a read and hope this character doesn’t make a frequent appearance.
February 15, 2022
This is such a charming coastal beachside read. The charcters are richly drawn, the setting is heavenly and the romance is sweet but not overpowering to the story The real star of this series is the coastal area and its described by the author with such beauty the reader feels transported.
August 19, 2023
Beautiful summer romance
Loved this change of pace for me. I stepped out of my usual historic fiction books for a lighter story and I found it here. Well written, great story line. The story flowed easily. I read it in two days. Delightful.
Loved this change of pace for me. I stepped out of my usual historic fiction books for a lighter story and I found it here. Well written, great story line. The story flowed easily. I read it in two days. Delightful.
July 31, 2025
This is a perfect beach read to have on vacation with you anywhere. I loved the characters and the small town that takes in new comers and helps get them out and about with residents that might need a push to get out and going again!
August 4, 2021
Ocean breezes, wild horses, and sweet romance.
If you're looking for a delightful summer read, look no further. This sweet island romance set along North Carolina's Crystal Coast captures your heart and refuses to let go. Island Summer's charming seaside setting, believable characters, and fascinating storyline filled with the unexpected adventure and an endearing pelican named Sam will keep you turning pages and longing for the next beach read by this gifted author.
If you're looking for a delightful summer read, look no further. This sweet island romance set along North Carolina's Crystal Coast captures your heart and refuses to let go. Island Summer's charming seaside setting, believable characters, and fascinating storyline filled with the unexpected adventure and an endearing pelican named Sam will keep you turning pages and longing for the next beach read by this gifted author.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews