That One Summer

Tuckaway Bay #0.5

by Madeleine Jaimes

A Tuckaway Bay Origin Story - Lia & Zach (a short story)
Lia Langston thinks she’s heading to the beach for one last summer fling with her girlfriends before jumping into the working world of Corporate America. She has a plan. One week with her five girlfriends, then a summer job at the cute dress shop at the beach mall.

That last part doesn’t happen.

Before she knows it, she is swept off her feet by a local guy named Zach and whisked into a summer job managing the front office of his Aunt Grace’s beach motel.

Summer flies. She and Zach fall in love. And come August, Aunt Grace offers her a full-time position working at the resort. Zach is thrilled, of course, because he wants Lia permanently in his life.

But this summer was only meant to be her last hurrah. Corporate America is waiting back in Chicago and Lia must choose. Can she have her beach life and Zach, and an exciting corporate job, too?

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2020

About the author

Madeleine Jaimes is a contemporary women’s fiction author whose emotionally charged novels explore the real-life social issues affecting women today. Her stories reflect powerful themes like addiction and recovery, domestic violence, LGBTQ+ identity, and family struggles. Her characters remind us that healing is never linear—and that strength comes in many forms. She believes the most important stories we tell are the ones we whisper to ourselves.

Set against emotionally rich backdrops, Madeleine’s stories invite readers to pause, reflect, and feel seen. Her popular Tuckaway Bay series reflects her passion for writing layered characters and small-town stories where every woman’s journey matters.

Also writing romance as Maddie James.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review..   


That One Summer was a 3 star read. I felt the story was begin rushed I wanted more. This is my first Madelaide James, I will give her a other try. 




Happy Reading 📚

Lisa 

[Lucinda Race · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters of Lia and Zach and wish I could go to the Sea Glass Inn- this was a sweet story and although it was a snip in time of Lia and Zach's romance I didn't feel like I missed anything with the story and look forward to reading the rest of the series. Well written by Ms. James

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute short story, I would’ve liked a bit more, it felt a bit rushed at the end to complete the tale., but still enjoyable

[Diane Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am new to Ms. James' writing and That One Summer: A Tuckaway Bay Short Novella is the first book I've read by her. I must say, This is a Prequel to the Tuckaway Bay Series and I just can't wait to read the first in the series. I can not wait to learn more about Lia and Zach's relationship.

Lia and her college girlfriends have been going to the same beach house all throughout their college careers. They went over spring breaks, long weekends and even one week every summer. They continued this tradition even after finishing at school and going on to various careers.

The summer after graduation, the girls went to the favorite Beach House called Tequila Sunrise the first week of June before heading home to start summer or even permanent jobs. Lia arranged to have a summer job in Tuckaway Bay that year and to stay for the entire summer. Early one morning, having just arrived, Lia got a flat tire on a seldom used rode and Zach Allen a local (of sorts) stopped and fixed her tire and so began their summer long romance.

Zach is technically from New Hampshire but spent every summer living with his Aunt Grace, the owner of the large resort in Tuckaway Bay from when he was only 5. Having spent so many summers there the locals considered him a local as well. Zach has worked helping Aunt Grace with the Resort since middle school. He is one semester away from earning his MBA with a minor in IT on line, but is unsure where he saw his life going after graduation.

Zach and Lia's summer story is so sweet, I was truly rooting for them and was disappointed when the summer was over. I was excited to see that they finally reconnected after 20 years and can't wait to read book 1 of the series Lia to see how things turn out and also to learn more about her friends who hopefully each get a book of their own.

While waiting for Lia's full length book, I look forward to reading more by Ms. James, even checking out her various pen names and sub-genres.

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, you can go back
When family expectations take her back home from a “summer" romance she returns. Often remembering the “love of her life", she returns each year in hopes of finding him with no luck. It takes 20 years of return visits before she sees him again. Will he forgive her for leaving him? Is the same “spark" still there? Will she leave him again?
Personally I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series, That One Summer was to read. Six college friends will meet the same time each year at a beach house in Tuckaway Bay. On the way there, Lia gets a flat and a handsome stranger comes to her rescue, Zach. It will be a memorable summer, but in the end Lia decides to leave Zach and the beach behind. She is committed to her new job in Chicago, but did she make the right decision.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young love..Zach and Lia fresh out if college and a future and career for each to build.to build. A summer romance and a meeting 20 years later. Different paths and lives, eventually coming together sets the scene for more .. short story prequel

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I love Lia and Zach I have to say I wasn't happy with the ending I was reading and excited about the possibilities and turned the page to find out the book ended. Starting the next book now. A very quick novella that makes you giggle and grin like the Cheshire cat. I absolutely loved Aunt Grace she is definitely an amazing character that knows what she wants.

[Liz Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice prequel!

Reading Maddie James is always a pleasure, and this is a great introduction to the Tuckaway Bay series. I loved the time I spent in this story.

[BookwormSally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This great little short story is a 4 chapter insight in to what you can expect to see in the first book proper in this series, Beach Therapy. If this isn't enough to draw you in then this series probably isn’t for you. Personally, I can't get enough of it. Outstanding writing by an outstanding author.

[MookNana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately this one left me unsatisfied. I understand it was meant as a prequel to add context to a future story, but by the end I didn't feel like I really knew much about these characters and the pacing was very rushed. Zach and Lia meet, have a spark, and literally one day later they're neatly swept into a work/live together situation. And then we just...skip their entire relationship, picking up two months later in the very next chapter.

I feel like I was supposed to believe Lia was "wrong" for making the choice she did, but to me it seemed pretty sensible and rational. She had a good opportunity to try out her intended career. They were both very young and had only been together for 9-10 weeks. I've had snacks in my pantry longer than that! It seemed like Zach had a pre-conceived idea about what would happen and rejected every reasonable compromise, which made him look immature and made Lia's choice seem even more prudent. Chicago is not exactly Outer Mongolia--if he was sooooo desperate to have it all right away, why couldn't he have finished his online grad program there? "My way or nothing" didn't leave me feeling terribly warm toward him.

Their reunion also takes place very quickly and directly. It moved so fast there wasn't much chance to explore any longing, anticipation, or hard-won personal growth.

This wasn't an unpleasant read, by any means, but it just didn't have the depth or nuance to really resonate much. I wouldn't write off the rest of the series, though. Maybe in a longer format there will be more opportunity to really develop a story.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review!

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable tale. The first half was exceptionally good. A whirlwind romance which, of course, led to the heart wrenching break up in the middle. The story did not end as strongly as it could have. Perhaps the sequel will correct that. Although nothing and no one can give Zach the family which Lia denied him. Overall a good story.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Haunting. Romantic. Tragic. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.

Merged review:

An enjoyable tale. The first half was exceptionally good. A whirlwind romance which, of course, led to the heart wrenching break up in the middle. The story did not end as strongly as it could have. Perhaps the sequel will correct that. Although nothing and no one can give Zach the family which Lia denied him. Overall a good story.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Haunting. Romantic. Tragic. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.

[Word Explorer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick summer escape novella to set up Lia's stand alone story. We are walked through the emotions and inner thoughts of the characters as their story develops laying a sturdy foundation for a more in-depth plot later to come in Lia's novel. While the second half of the novella is rather whiplash quick, we are given enough drama to hook us into anticipation for the full novel to debut. This novella also introduces us to Lia's group of friends who will likewise be getting their own novels.

[Cecly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clean and easy read prequel, and a nice segue into the Tuckaway Bay series.
Zac and Lia are wonderful characters and the perfect couple to impart the wisdom of the theme of this tragic yet romantic plot to the YA audience.
The setting, the Sea Glass Inn is whimsical and provides the perfect backdrop for this beautiful but haunting reminder that Summer romances linger on the periphery of memory, sometimes for a lifetime.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Madelaide James; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Tuckaway Bay Series; Lia’s been gone for twenty years, now she’s come back to Tuckaway Bay. She has written a fantastic start to a new series and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books. The story is well written with interesting characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Madelaide James and Sand Dune Books for That One Summer. This is my personal review.
I loved the novella, and I am excited to read more in the series by Madelaide James.
What a combination summer, first love, new jobs, new location, and every constant summer trip to the beach with her college friends. This is the perfect way to grab a reader’s attention.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about second chances. Entertaining characters that try to find love again. Like the small town and the intimacy of their friends. A yearly reunion that turns into a chance at love for the second time. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Lia & Zack's book. It was a sweet read. And a new author for me. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.