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Summerhaven
Hannah Kent and Oliver Jennings pledged their hearts to each other as children. Now, years later, Hannah is thrilled to receive an invitation to spend the summer at Oliver’s family’s country estate. The path to wedded bliss is clear—so long as Oliver’s highbrow older brother, Damon, has ceased his juvenile antics, Hannah’s future looks bright indeed.
But from the moment Hannah arrives at Summerhaven, nothing is as she expected. Oliver seems disinterested in renewing their acquaintance, and Damon is not the brutish boy she remembers but a man intent on avoiding marriage. Although she has loathed Damon her whole life, when he contrives a ruse designed to win them both what they desire, Hannah warily agrees. All she has to do to reclaim Oliver’s attention is pretend to be madly in love with Damon. But when Damon is surprisingly convincing in his role as a suitor, it proves difficult to discern the line between pretense and true love.
But from the moment Hannah arrives at Summerhaven, nothing is as she expected. Oliver seems disinterested in renewing their acquaintance, and Damon is not the brutish boy she remembers but a man intent on avoiding marriage. Although she has loathed Damon her whole life, when he contrives a ruse designed to win them both what they desire, Hannah warily agrees. All she has to do to reclaim Oliver’s attention is pretend to be madly in love with Damon. But when Damon is surprisingly convincing in his role as a suitor, it proves difficult to discern the line between pretense and true love.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2022
About the author
Tiffany Odekirk
8 books563 followersTiffany Odekirk is an Amazon Top Ten bestselling author, a 5-star Reader's Favorite medallion earner, and winner of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award. She has traditionally published three contemporary novels (Love on Pointe, Love Unscripted, and Love Sidelined) and two Regency novels (Summerhaven and Winterset) with Shadow Mountain. She also has two Regency novellas: The Making of an Earl (found in the collector's edition of Summerhaven) and Falling for Felicity (included in the Horses and Hounds Anthology).
Before becoming a writer, Tiffany earned her BA in Marriage, Family, and Human Development and worked in the social services. These days, you can find her reading or writing a book in her Southern California home, where she lives with her husband and four children. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Bookbub @AuthorTiffanyOdekirk.
Before becoming a writer, Tiffany earned her BA in Marriage, Family, and Human Development and worked in the social services. These days, you can find her reading or writing a book in her Southern California home, where she lives with her husband and four children. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Bookbub @AuthorTiffanyOdekirk.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,139 reviews
January 28, 2022
Summerhaven was a pleasure to write, but it certainly wasn't easy. Not only was this my first attempt writing a historical novel, but also, I began writing this book in 2019. Ya know, the year a Pandemic came into the world? Sigh. Yeah. That year.
Luckily, before the virus reached my Southern California community, I’d written approximately 75% of the rough draft. But when life as I knew it turned upside-down, writing had to be set on the back-burner. The thing is though, I could NOT leave Damon and Hannah in limbo. They deserved their happily-ever-after, and more than anything, I wanted to write it for them. So I started writing in the garage, in my mini-van, at parks (once they re-opened), in the middle of the night . . . pretty much any place--and any time--I could find a quiet moment. Little by little, my book came together.
Summerhaven required many drafts, and I had to fully re-write the ending several times over, but I did it! And I am so pleased with the final product. Damon and Hannah are a special couple; Summerhaven is a special place. My only hope is that I have done them justice. In an otherwise dark year, Summerhaven was my light. I hope it brings light and joy into your life too.
Happy reading!
Tiffany :)
Luckily, before the virus reached my Southern California community, I’d written approximately 75% of the rough draft. But when life as I knew it turned upside-down, writing had to be set on the back-burner. The thing is though, I could NOT leave Damon and Hannah in limbo. They deserved their happily-ever-after, and more than anything, I wanted to write it for them. So I started writing in the garage, in my mini-van, at parks (once they re-opened), in the middle of the night . . . pretty much any place--and any time--I could find a quiet moment. Little by little, my book came together.
Summerhaven required many drafts, and I had to fully re-write the ending several times over, but I did it! And I am so pleased with the final product. Damon and Hannah are a special couple; Summerhaven is a special place. My only hope is that I have done them justice. In an otherwise dark year, Summerhaven was my light. I hope it brings light and joy into your life too.
Happy reading!
Tiffany :)
January 29, 2022
Girls don't want flowers for Valentines Day, girls want a copy of Summerhaven.
Reading Summerhaven feels fresh and original but also feels just like coming home. Its one of the most lovely regency romances i've ever read….period. Its one you'll want to own a copy of so that you can re read it over and over again. I'm just shocked that this is Tiffany's first regency romance and I hope she writes in this genre again.
"I was pondering whether it was possible to miss something that never belonged to you."
"I know it it is."
Honestly I don't want to spoil a second of this book. Just know going in that it is somewhat of a "love triangle between brothers but done in a really great way. Hannah has great growth as a main character and her slow recognition of her feelings for what her heart wants most is a ride, and you are just THERE for it. It never feels overdone, and the choices made by the characters within the book are organic and feel emotionally real.
I was enchanted, enamored, romanced, felt gutted and emotionally connected to each of these characters at all times. The pacing was spot on and the romance was perfect. It was just full of these moments where you think, YES, this is why I love romance. They were quiet and understated yet bold and meaningful. I ate it up.
Also...a man has never been sexier playing the piano since Edward Cullen (you were there, and you get it so don't try to deny it)
I could go on and on but, this was incredibly good. Don't miss it when it drops this February.
You're welcome.
Reading Summerhaven feels fresh and original but also feels just like coming home. Its one of the most lovely regency romances i've ever read….period. Its one you'll want to own a copy of so that you can re read it over and over again. I'm just shocked that this is Tiffany's first regency romance and I hope she writes in this genre again.
"I was pondering whether it was possible to miss something that never belonged to you."
"I know it it is."
Honestly I don't want to spoil a second of this book. Just know going in that it is somewhat of a "love triangle between brothers but done in a really great way. Hannah has great growth as a main character and her slow recognition of her feelings for what her heart wants most is a ride, and you are just THERE for it. It never feels overdone, and the choices made by the characters within the book are organic and feel emotionally real.
I was enchanted, enamored, romanced, felt gutted and emotionally connected to each of these characters at all times. The pacing was spot on and the romance was perfect. It was just full of these moments where you think, YES, this is why I love romance. They were quiet and understated yet bold and meaningful. I ate it up.
Also...a man has never been sexier playing the piano since Edward Cullen (you were there, and you get it so don't try to deny it)
I could go on and on but, this was incredibly good. Don't miss it when it drops this February.
You're welcome.
February 14, 2022
I do believe I've found my new favourite book. Summerhaven is such a wonderful, magical read that I can't wait to hold in my hands so I can ruin the pages with my tears. Because oh, this book made me cry enough to fill a pond.
Our story starts with Hannah, who goes to Summerhaven with the hopes of marrying her childhood friend Oliver. As fate would have it, nothing goes to plan and Hannah ends up in a pretend courtship with his older brother Damon. And-I won't tell you any more, you'll have to read for yourself. Trust me, it's worth it.
THIS BOOK. T H I S B O O K. If one could marry a book, I'd very much like to marry this one, please and thank you.
Jokes aside, I'm in awe. Every once in a while I find a book that reminds me why I love to read, and now Summerhaven has joined their ranks. I wouldn't mind 700 more pages, or a full series, it's way too good to end now.
I love everything about this, the writing, the story, the characters, the time period, the setting...it all comes together perfectly.
It was clear to me, while reading, that the author put a lot of love into this book, it absolutely shows. I don't think it would be as amazing as it is if that were not the case.
The love story in particular is a very good example. I felt it in my bones when the characters merely looked at each other, let alone interacted. THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE ENEMIES TO LOVERS PEOPLE, TAKE NOTES.
I didn't want to put this book down, but I also didn't want it to end. And now that it has I fear I will never recover. So I am, once again (not so subtly), asking for a continuation. Dear author, you don't want me to suffer, do you? Of course not. Sequel then? Yes yes.
God has given Mrs. Odekirk the gift of phenomenal storytelling and I'm ever so glad she decided to share it with us.
*Huge thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Our story starts with Hannah, who goes to Summerhaven with the hopes of marrying her childhood friend Oliver. As fate would have it, nothing goes to plan and Hannah ends up in a pretend courtship with his older brother Damon. And-I won't tell you any more, you'll have to read for yourself. Trust me, it's worth it.
THIS BOOK. T H I S B O O K. If one could marry a book, I'd very much like to marry this one, please and thank you.
Jokes aside, I'm in awe. Every once in a while I find a book that reminds me why I love to read, and now Summerhaven has joined their ranks. I wouldn't mind 700 more pages, or a full series, it's way too good to end now.
I love everything about this, the writing, the story, the characters, the time period, the setting...it all comes together perfectly.
It was clear to me, while reading, that the author put a lot of love into this book, it absolutely shows. I don't think it would be as amazing as it is if that were not the case.
The love story in particular is a very good example. I felt it in my bones when the characters merely looked at each other, let alone interacted. THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE ENEMIES TO LOVERS PEOPLE, TAKE NOTES.
I didn't want to put this book down, but I also didn't want it to end. And now that it has I fear I will never recover. So I am, once again (not so subtly), asking for a continuation. Dear author, you don't want me to suffer, do you? Of course not. Sequel then? Yes yes.
God has given Mrs. Odekirk the gift of phenomenal storytelling and I'm ever so glad she decided to share it with us.
*Huge thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
December 27, 2021
This is a nice little romance. Hannah has always been in love with Oliver and ever since some childhood pranks has hated Dameon. Hannah goes to visit there home after a long absence and finds both brothers changed. This was a good story and well set up. The characters were my issue with this. They were very changeable and I just felt a little out of character often. Oliver does a complete 360 midbook and I never bought into the reasons he changed so drastically. Hannah is inconsistent throughout. She sometimes is strong willed and speaks her mind and other times gets completely run over. A good sit down conversation would have solved issues in this book. Overall a nice read that did keep me engaged.
Proper romance with a kiss and no religion.
Proper romance with a kiss and no religion.
June 25, 2023
It was a beautifully written HR. I loved the writing’s style and how the author portrayed the differences between peerage and common people.
I found it dragged a bit in the middle, coming again with the same issue, going backwards aaand going in circles with their romantic story. But I loved both main characters and their love story was beautiful.
I found it dragged a bit in the middle, coming again with the same issue, going backwards aaand going in circles with their romantic story. But I loved both main characters and their love story was beautiful.
February 9, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked and stayed up way too late. One of my new favorites!
The thing I loved most was how Hannah came to understand herself more as she got to know Damon. She had perceived him a certain way her whole life and he completely changed her perspective when he gives her the motivation behind his actions as a child. Seeing the whole story changed how she saw those around her, as well as how she saw herself. Such a powerful thought. I loved that he believed in her and that she could be a better stronger person with him by her side.
There were so many moments where I found myself smiling or laughing. Towards the end I was heartbroken, but it all works out in a way I didn’t see coming. This book made me feel so much. It was a rollercoaster that ended so perfectly.
I’m scared to give too much away, but my favorite parts were:
Fake relationship- and Damon’s reply to her about the idea
The piano scene
The chess game
All the dancing- the first dance and all the others after
Ginger candies
The tenant scene
Hannah’s true friendship with Amelia. There’s not enough books with women who are kind to each other.
It had so many wonderful elements in this book and it flowed so smoothly. I’m exhausted from staying up so late, but I have no regrets.
This book will for sure be one I go back and read a few times. There’s just so much to love in this book!
The thing I loved most was how Hannah came to understand herself more as she got to know Damon. She had perceived him a certain way her whole life and he completely changed her perspective when he gives her the motivation behind his actions as a child. Seeing the whole story changed how she saw those around her, as well as how she saw herself. Such a powerful thought. I loved that he believed in her and that she could be a better stronger person with him by her side.
There were so many moments where I found myself smiling or laughing. Towards the end I was heartbroken, but it all works out in a way I didn’t see coming. This book made me feel so much. It was a rollercoaster that ended so perfectly.
I’m scared to give too much away, but my favorite parts were:
Fake relationship- and Damon’s reply to her about the idea
The piano scene
The chess game
All the dancing- the first dance and all the others after
Ginger candies
The tenant scene
Hannah’s true friendship with Amelia. There’s not enough books with women who are kind to each other.
It had so many wonderful elements in this book and it flowed so smoothly. I’m exhausted from staying up so late, but I have no regrets.
This book will for sure be one I go back and read a few times. There’s just so much to love in this book!
January 2, 2022
I’m in love! ❤️ This is the kind of book that leaves you with a smile because you enjoyed it so much.
I loved Summerhaven more than I would’ve ever expected. It surprised me in the best possible way. The first book I read in 2022 is a 5 star. I believe that’s a good start.☺️
I loved this book. I loved the setting, the characters, the writing, and the story— I loved all of it!
First of all, I love that it’s written in first person. I was able to connect with Hannah so much better this way. I was invested in her story instantly. I love that the main plot of the story, Hannah going to Summerhaven, happens at the very beginning of the story. Sometimes the main event can take a while to happen in books and can make for a slow start, but Summerhaven captured my attention instantly and my heart soon after.
The characters were wonderful! I quickly felt like Hannah and I were friends since she would rather be in the company of a good book rather than attending a big social event. In a lot of ways I connected with her. She was such a great main character! I really liked her. And then the Jemmings brothers came into the story and I fell in love with them, particularly Damon. He was one of the funnest heroes I’ve read in a while and it was so much fun! Literally. He was a perfect mixture of mischief and fun while also being kind and thoughtful. He makes mistakes but I loved how human he was. His flaws made him lovable and feel real. I loved him! He made me sigh, he made me smile, he made me grin, and he made me swoon (and I rarely use that word!) He was an amazing hero.
I can say that for all of these characters. They all felt real and had their flaws. No one was perfect, and that’s what made them so interesting and lovable.
I liked the side characters- Amelia particularly. I felt sympathy for her, but I’m hopeful for her own happy ending. I think that could make an excellent book two. I would read it for sure.😉
The love story *sigh* I loved it! These two— they were perfect. I love the enemies-to-lovers, fake-relationship, and friends-to-lovers tropes so this was perfect. It combined all of those. It was clean and sweet which I appreciate! There is one more detailed kiss but nothing beyond that.
I could possibly fangirl about their story for a really long time but since that would be a short story in itself, I’ll leave it at I loved them.❤️ They stole my heart.
Also, this is the type of love triangle I really like. I liked both brothers but I was totally rooting for Damon.
I absolutely love stories about childhood friends who reunite when they’re older and this one did it so well! It was the perfect childhood friends-to-lovers.😍
I loved the setting so much. It was the perfect England countryside aesthetic set during summer. It would be a perfect book to read on a picnic under a big shady tree during summer.😍
In conclusion, I loved Summerhaven and will be adding it to my favorites list. This made me want to explore more regency romance. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for more of this author’s books in the future! I was getting Pride and Prejudice vibes which I LOVED! It’s a beautiful summery, historical romance set during the early 1800s.
*Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
2023 reread-
I still loved this one so much! It’s a perfect summer regency read.💛 I just love Hannah and Damon!🥰
I loved Summerhaven more than I would’ve ever expected. It surprised me in the best possible way. The first book I read in 2022 is a 5 star. I believe that’s a good start.☺️
I loved this book. I loved the setting, the characters, the writing, and the story— I loved all of it!
First of all, I love that it’s written in first person. I was able to connect with Hannah so much better this way. I was invested in her story instantly. I love that the main plot of the story, Hannah going to Summerhaven, happens at the very beginning of the story. Sometimes the main event can take a while to happen in books and can make for a slow start, but Summerhaven captured my attention instantly and my heart soon after.
The characters were wonderful! I quickly felt like Hannah and I were friends since she would rather be in the company of a good book rather than attending a big social event. In a lot of ways I connected with her. She was such a great main character! I really liked her. And then the Jemmings brothers came into the story and I fell in love with them, particularly Damon. He was one of the funnest heroes I’ve read in a while and it was so much fun! Literally. He was a perfect mixture of mischief and fun while also being kind and thoughtful. He makes mistakes but I loved how human he was. His flaws made him lovable and feel real. I loved him! He made me sigh, he made me smile, he made me grin, and he made me swoon (and I rarely use that word!) He was an amazing hero.
I can say that for all of these characters. They all felt real and had their flaws. No one was perfect, and that’s what made them so interesting and lovable.
I liked the side characters- Amelia particularly. I felt sympathy for her, but I’m hopeful for her own happy ending. I think that could make an excellent book two. I would read it for sure.😉
The love story *sigh* I loved it! These two— they were perfect. I love the enemies-to-lovers, fake-relationship, and friends-to-lovers tropes so this was perfect. It combined all of those. It was clean and sweet which I appreciate! There is one more detailed kiss but nothing beyond that.
I could possibly fangirl about their story for a really long time but since that would be a short story in itself, I’ll leave it at I loved them.❤️ They stole my heart.
Also, this is the type of love triangle I really like. I liked both brothers but I was totally rooting for Damon.
I absolutely love stories about childhood friends who reunite when they’re older and this one did it so well! It was the perfect childhood friends-to-lovers.😍
I loved the setting so much. It was the perfect England countryside aesthetic set during summer. It would be a perfect book to read on a picnic under a big shady tree during summer.😍
In conclusion, I loved Summerhaven and will be adding it to my favorites list. This made me want to explore more regency romance. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for more of this author’s books in the future! I was getting Pride and Prejudice vibes which I LOVED! It’s a beautiful summery, historical romance set during the early 1800s.
*Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
2023 reread-
I still loved this one so much! It’s a perfect summer regency read.💛 I just love Hannah and Damon!🥰
February 17, 2022
Updated review: I read/listened to the novella “The Making of an Earl" that's at the end of the special edition of Summerhaven. I loved getting Damon's point of view on so many scenes. If you have a chance to listen to the audiobook, I highly recommend it. I listened to it on Hoopla.
I love Tiffany Odekirk's contemporary Jennings family series so when I found out she had written a Regency romance, I was SO excited to read it, and I wasn't at all disappointed. Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this is an enemies-to-lovers, childhood friends to lovers, and fake relationship all rolled into one.
Hannah Kent is very excited to get a letter from the mother of her childhood best friend, Oliver Jennings, inviting her to spend the summer at Summerhaven, where Hannah made so many wonderful memories. She can't wait to see Oliver and plans to renew their friendship, hoping it will lead to the marriage they had planned when they were younger. Only Oliver's older brother Damon, who teased her mercilessly, is there to greet her, not Oliver. When she does see Oliver, he barely pays attention to her. Where's Ollie, her childhood best friend?
This was a great enemies to lovers story. I loved Damon and his interactions with Hannah--his helping her with the quadrille, giving her ginger candies to help with her carriage rides, and the chess games. I loved watching Hannah realize the things Damon had done to "torture" her when they were younger weren't meant that way at all, and that maybe she wasn't in love with Oliver, but in love with the idea of love. Damon is a great character and I loved the way we slowly discover who he is--like peeling the layers away to get to the real Damon. I loved all the flirting and the banter. Can we just say gazebo (IYKYK)?
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I love Tiffany Odekirk's contemporary Jennings family series so when I found out she had written a Regency romance, I was SO excited to read it, and I wasn't at all disappointed. Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this is an enemies-to-lovers, childhood friends to lovers, and fake relationship all rolled into one.
Hannah Kent is very excited to get a letter from the mother of her childhood best friend, Oliver Jennings, inviting her to spend the summer at Summerhaven, where Hannah made so many wonderful memories. She can't wait to see Oliver and plans to renew their friendship, hoping it will lead to the marriage they had planned when they were younger. Only Oliver's older brother Damon, who teased her mercilessly, is there to greet her, not Oliver. When she does see Oliver, he barely pays attention to her. Where's Ollie, her childhood best friend?
This was a great enemies to lovers story. I loved Damon and his interactions with Hannah--his helping her with the quadrille, giving her ginger candies to help with her carriage rides, and the chess games. I loved watching Hannah realize the things Damon had done to "torture" her when they were younger weren't meant that way at all, and that maybe she wasn't in love with Oliver, but in love with the idea of love. Damon is a great character and I loved the way we slowly discover who he is--like peeling the layers away to get to the real Damon. I loved all the flirting and the banter. Can we just say gazebo (IYKYK)?
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
February 10, 2022
*Happy Sigh*
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach when feeling out of sight." ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I thought that quote was very fitting for this beautiful book about love. My heart was so happy while I read this book. Hannah has finally returned to Summerhaven, in hopes of reuniting with her childhood friend Oliver whom she plans to marry. When he acts indifferent to her, she doesn't quite know what to do. Salvation comes in the form of his older brother, Damon. Pretend a courtship with Damon and Ollie won't help but be jealous and realize his mistake. But the problem is that Hannah remembers Damon very well for all his teasing. And he hasn't let the many years in between seeing him stop his teasing ways.
I smiled and giggled and swooned so much while enjoying reading this book. There are so many scenes I just want to tell you all about. But I don't want to spoil anything because you need to enjoy this one for yourself. All the little moments that build up are so well written.
Tiffany Odekirk writes charming characters with heart. They have struggles and hopes and dreams and sorrows. But they are caring and compassionate and loving. There are set backs in this sweet love story. Twists and turns, ups and downs. But true love between two hearts that care deeply for each other has a way of finding their way back together again and again.
This is definitely a book I'll be sharing with my teenage daughters and all of my reading friends!
Content: Clean.
I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach when feeling out of sight." ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I thought that quote was very fitting for this beautiful book about love. My heart was so happy while I read this book. Hannah has finally returned to Summerhaven, in hopes of reuniting with her childhood friend Oliver whom she plans to marry. When he acts indifferent to her, she doesn't quite know what to do. Salvation comes in the form of his older brother, Damon. Pretend a courtship with Damon and Ollie won't help but be jealous and realize his mistake. But the problem is that Hannah remembers Damon very well for all his teasing. And he hasn't let the many years in between seeing him stop his teasing ways.
I smiled and giggled and swooned so much while enjoying reading this book. There are so many scenes I just want to tell you all about. But I don't want to spoil anything because you need to enjoy this one for yourself. All the little moments that build up are so well written.
Tiffany Odekirk writes charming characters with heart. They have struggles and hopes and dreams and sorrows. But they are caring and compassionate and loving. There are set backs in this sweet love story. Twists and turns, ups and downs. But true love between two hearts that care deeply for each other has a way of finding their way back together again and again.
This is definitely a book I'll be sharing with my teenage daughters and all of my reading friends!
Content: Clean.
I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
November 28, 2024
After thinking about this for a couple days, I’ve decided that this is historical romance for “brain off” readers. And that’s a bad thing.
This book needed a developmental edit to both tighten up the romance story and add some depth (there is zero here - no current events, social commentary, or even subplots). We have a love triangle with two brothers and their childhood friend. That’s it. That’s the entire story. It’s a mindless game of tennis as Hannah bounces from Damon to Oliver.
The main character, Hannah, has one purpose: to get married. Sure, she talks about helping out at her father’s church, but there is no character development for her. She’s painfully naive and immature. She thought Ollie saying something goofy and sweet when they were TWELVE meant they would get married. He’s painted as a bad guy and a bit of a rogue because he doesn’t remember this and hasn’t been spending years preparing to propose to her.
Damon kind of has some development, but it’s done in two rushed moments.
Avert your eyes from the historical inaccuracies and unbelievable new business Damon launches at the end (starting a horse-breeding operation is easy peasy!).
Side note: Towards the end, Hannah claims to be a blue stocking, which is not shown in any way (perhaps the author thinks a woman reading a newspaper is showing unusual intellect?). She has shown zero interest in learning. Her story is about getting married. That’s it.
A developmental editor could have cut this down to a novella and given the characters something else to care about or be motivated by.
ETA: “It is said that this abbey is the birthplace of Christianity in England.” My gosh, this is a Christian imprint. How can something so ridiculous make it to publication?
This book needed a developmental edit to both tighten up the romance story and add some depth (there is zero here - no current events, social commentary, or even subplots). We have a love triangle with two brothers and their childhood friend. That’s it. That’s the entire story. It’s a mindless game of tennis as Hannah bounces from Damon to Oliver.
The main character, Hannah, has one purpose: to get married. Sure, she talks about helping out at her father’s church, but there is no character development for her. She’s painfully naive and immature. She thought Ollie saying something goofy and sweet when they were TWELVE meant they would get married. He’s painted as a bad guy and a bit of a rogue because he doesn’t remember this and hasn’t been spending years preparing to propose to her.
Damon kind of has some development, but it’s done in two rushed moments.
Avert your eyes from the historical inaccuracies and unbelievable new business Damon launches at the end (starting a horse-breeding operation is easy peasy!).
Side note: Towards the end, Hannah claims to be a blue stocking, which is not shown in any way (perhaps the author thinks a woman reading a newspaper is showing unusual intellect?). She has shown zero interest in learning. Her story is about getting married. That’s it.
A developmental editor could have cut this down to a novella and given the characters something else to care about or be motivated by.
ETA: “It is said that this abbey is the birthplace of Christianity in England.” My gosh, this is a Christian imprint. How can something so ridiculous make it to publication?
January 31, 2022
Dreamy. Enchanting. Beautifully romantic. This is without a doubt one of the most charming regency romances I have ever read!
Where is the option to give extra stars? It is hard to believe this is the debut regency by this author.
This is the kind of book you fall into. You know, the kind that has you so wrapped up in the story and so full of all the emotions that the world around you ceases to exist. I was drawn in by the plot and the characters in this sort of, kind of love triangle involving two brothers and their childhood friend.
Hannah grows so much from beginning to end as she realizes her true feelings and her journey is one of the best emotional roller coasters I have ever been on.
Damon is, well, I won't tell you to much about him because you honestly just need to read and discover him for yourself but oh my, the flirty banter is fantastic. And can we just talk about the gazebo kiss?
You absolutely, positively do not want to miss this book. If you enjoyed Edenbrooke by Julieanne Donaldson and Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker, then this book is an absolute must-read for you!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but a positive review was not required.
Where is the option to give extra stars? It is hard to believe this is the debut regency by this author.
This is the kind of book you fall into. You know, the kind that has you so wrapped up in the story and so full of all the emotions that the world around you ceases to exist. I was drawn in by the plot and the characters in this sort of, kind of love triangle involving two brothers and their childhood friend.
Hannah grows so much from beginning to end as she realizes her true feelings and her journey is one of the best emotional roller coasters I have ever been on.
Damon is, well, I won't tell you to much about him because you honestly just need to read and discover him for yourself but oh my, the flirty banter is fantastic. And can we just talk about the gazebo kiss?
You absolutely, positively do not want to miss this book. If you enjoyed Edenbrooke by Julieanne Donaldson and Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker, then this book is an absolute must-read for you!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but a positive review was not required.
July 11, 2026
Adored this one! So romantic!
January 10, 2022
I'll be honest. My sister and I started this as a buddy read and I left her in my dust. I could not put this book down. I already loved Tiffany Odekirk's contemporaries, and I was unsure how she'd do with a regency. I had absolutely no reason to worry.
This will easily be in my top 5 regencies of the year and it's only January. I can't wait for all of you to fall in love with Hannah, Damon, Ollie, and Amelia!
So, enjoy some of my thoughts in no particular order because I'd hate to spoil this book for you!
Oo fake dating 🙌 with a bit of a brothers love triangle... I am intrigued!
Hannah is so dang sweet
Chess ♟️
Lavender sprigs and garden walks
I absolutely love Hannah and Amelia's friendship
The ball
Waltzing!
Banter! That is both flirty and meaningful!
Candied ginger 😍
Horse back rides
Picnics and childhood memories
My heart is actually broken
Oh, the awkward painful stuff at this dang house party
That love letter though
If you haven't read Summerhaven, this is your sign to go do it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for my e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.
This will easily be in my top 5 regencies of the year and it's only January. I can't wait for all of you to fall in love with Hannah, Damon, Ollie, and Amelia!
So, enjoy some of my thoughts in no particular order because I'd hate to spoil this book for you!
Oo fake dating 🙌 with a bit of a brothers love triangle... I am intrigued!
Hannah is so dang sweet
Chess ♟️
Lavender sprigs and garden walks
I absolutely love Hannah and Amelia's friendship
The ball
Waltzing!
Banter! That is both flirty and meaningful!
Candied ginger 😍
Horse back rides
Picnics and childhood memories
My heart is actually broken
Oh, the awkward painful stuff at this dang house party
That love letter though
If you haven't read Summerhaven, this is your sign to go do it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for my e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.
March 13, 2022
This is one of the best Regency books I’ve ever read! I. Loved. It. ((Sigh))
Where do I begin? This had all my favorites which are:
• Well delivered angst.
• Swooning chemistry.
• Romance with long glances and heart stopping shared moments.
• An honorable man and a strong, adorably honest women with her passions about life.
I simply didn’t want to put it down. I smiled and I laughed and yes I worried. I even held my breath a few times. And it was all enjoyable. I absolutely loved the connection these two shared. It was precious. Tiffany Odekirk is my new favorite author. I can’t wait for her next read. Thank you for writing this wonderful story. I highly recommend it.
Thanks Covenant Communications via NetGalley.
Where do I begin? This had all my favorites which are:
• Well delivered angst.
• Swooning chemistry.
• Romance with long glances and heart stopping shared moments.
• An honorable man and a strong, adorably honest women with her passions about life.
I simply didn’t want to put it down. I smiled and I laughed and yes I worried. I even held my breath a few times. And it was all enjoyable. I absolutely loved the connection these two shared. It was precious. Tiffany Odekirk is my new favorite author. I can’t wait for her next read. Thank you for writing this wonderful story. I highly recommend it.
Thanks Covenant Communications via NetGalley.
January 14, 2022
3.5
Isn't that cover so pretty? I admit, I will gravitate to the books with the pretty covers. So of course, when I saw this one, I had to grab it and dive in. I didn't even bother reading the synopsis. I thought the overall story was engaging, kept me interested and was well written.
Isn't that cover so pretty? I admit, I will gravitate to the books with the pretty covers. So of course, when I saw this one, I had to grab it and dive in. I didn't even bother reading the synopsis. I thought the overall story was engaging, kept me interested and was well written.
February 11, 2022
Update: I reread the brand new collector’s edition of this amazing book & loved returning to Summerhaven again. This edition is beautiful with a gorgeous cover & a brand new novella! I adored getting Damon’s POV in The Making of an Earl. It was the icing on the cake of a favorite story. Can’t wait for Winterhaven.
Adored this Regency debut by Tiffany Odekirk! Summerhaven was incredibly hard to put down and I ended up finishing it in two days. It’s an enemies to lovers, childhood friends to lovers, fake relationship all combined into one. Set mainly on a country estate, this unique Regency offered something delightful and new to the genre. The characters, most especially Damon, really drew me in. I quickly became absorbed in the story and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Living a rather mundane life after her mother’s death, Hannah’s thrilled when she receives an invitation to Summerhaven where she enjoyed spending time in her childhood. She’s hoping to rekindle her relationship with childhood friend Ollie and garner a marriage proposal. Unfortunately, the man there to greet her is Damon, Ollie’s older brother, whom she remembers tormented her as a child. But, two people can see the same incidents differently and as Hannah spends time with Damon, she realizes her perception of the past may be wrong.
Damon is definitely a favorite hero! He’s handsome, thoughtful and an incredible flirt. He offers Hannah a bargain, he’ll help her win Oliver by pretending to court her, and she’ll protect him from an unwanted marriage. But, there’s more to Damon than fun, witty banter. All those swoony moments where he rescues Hannah and shows his thoughtfulness towards her suggest he’s not indifferent to her. Whether it’s riding a stallion or wearing a red dress, I loved how Damon encourages Hannah to not be afraid to be herself. His attention to her needs was definitely romantic.
Told exclusively from Hannah’s perspective, I loved it when she finally recognizes the truth about both brothers. I liked how she encouraged Damon to be his best self and break away from the mold he’s being forced into. I enjoyed her intuitive insight into her own feelings and her unwillingness to go for the easy choice instead of her heart’s desire.
The side characters were charming including Amelia and Lady Margaret. Oliver for all his faults redeemed himself somewhat in the end. I can’t wait to see what happens next for him.
Ginger drops, the quadrille, the chess game, frog legs, the piano scene, skipping stones, the portrait hall, helping a tenant farmer, dancing in an empty ballroom, wiping tears away, a lock of hair, the gazebo scene, the letter, and a frantic horseback ride, these were some of my favorite moments in the story. Now, I can’t wait to go back and reread it! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
Adored this Regency debut by Tiffany Odekirk! Summerhaven was incredibly hard to put down and I ended up finishing it in two days. It’s an enemies to lovers, childhood friends to lovers, fake relationship all combined into one. Set mainly on a country estate, this unique Regency offered something delightful and new to the genre. The characters, most especially Damon, really drew me in. I quickly became absorbed in the story and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Living a rather mundane life after her mother’s death, Hannah’s thrilled when she receives an invitation to Summerhaven where she enjoyed spending time in her childhood. She’s hoping to rekindle her relationship with childhood friend Ollie and garner a marriage proposal. Unfortunately, the man there to greet her is Damon, Ollie’s older brother, whom she remembers tormented her as a child. But, two people can see the same incidents differently and as Hannah spends time with Damon, she realizes her perception of the past may be wrong.
Damon is definitely a favorite hero! He’s handsome, thoughtful and an incredible flirt. He offers Hannah a bargain, he’ll help her win Oliver by pretending to court her, and she’ll protect him from an unwanted marriage. But, there’s more to Damon than fun, witty banter. All those swoony moments where he rescues Hannah and shows his thoughtfulness towards her suggest he’s not indifferent to her. Whether it’s riding a stallion or wearing a red dress, I loved how Damon encourages Hannah to not be afraid to be herself. His attention to her needs was definitely romantic.
Told exclusively from Hannah’s perspective, I loved it when she finally recognizes the truth about both brothers. I liked how she encouraged Damon to be his best self and break away from the mold he’s being forced into. I enjoyed her intuitive insight into her own feelings and her unwillingness to go for the easy choice instead of her heart’s desire.
The side characters were charming including Amelia and Lady Margaret. Oliver for all his faults redeemed himself somewhat in the end. I can’t wait to see what happens next for him.
Ginger drops, the quadrille, the chess game, frog legs, the piano scene, skipping stones, the portrait hall, helping a tenant farmer, dancing in an empty ballroom, wiping tears away, a lock of hair, the gazebo scene, the letter, and a frantic horseback ride, these were some of my favorite moments in the story. Now, I can’t wait to go back and reread it! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
March 24, 2022
What an absolutely wonderful Regency romance! Hannah spent much of the first half of the story hoping to remind Ollie, her childhood friend, of his promise to marry her one day. She had built up many ideas in her mind about the way their lives would be once they were happily married. Yet, Ollie did not seem to share her devotion. There were some hard lessons to learn and some uncomfortable situations for Hannah as she navigated her visit to Summerhaven.
Yet, what was beautiful, was actually seeing Damon’s devotion to Hannah and learning more about their childhood time together from his perspective. What a swoony hero! I loved seeing these two together. Damon brought out the strong and playful side of Hannah and their times together were my absolute favorites.
I loved the way this author was able to pull my emotions all over the place and make me wonder how things were ever going to work out! This novel is now one of my favorite Regency romances and I hope that this author will write more books in this genre.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Yet, what was beautiful, was actually seeing Damon’s devotion to Hannah and learning more about their childhood time together from his perspective. What a swoony hero! I loved seeing these two together. Damon brought out the strong and playful side of Hannah and their times together were my absolute favorites.
I loved the way this author was able to pull my emotions all over the place and make me wonder how things were ever going to work out! This novel is now one of my favorite Regency romances and I hope that this author will write more books in this genre.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
September 19, 2025
Wow, this was the ultimate love triangle, and I enjoyed every single moment of it!
Hannah has always loved her childhood friend, Oliver. Even as kids, they promised they'd marry one day. So when she receives an invitation to stay at Summerhaven, she believes their time has finally come. But Oliver doesn’t seem interested in the promises of their youth anymore. Surprisingly, it’s his older brother, Damon, the one who used to tease and torment her, who’s no longer the boy she remembers.
When Hannah and Damon agree to a fake courtship, they have very different goals: Damon wants to avoid being pushed into a real courtship, and Hannah hopes to spark jealousy in Oliver. But what happens when pretending starts to feel a little too real? Hannah knows she could never be the right match for Damon… and Oliver has always been her first love, hasn’t he?
This story was everything I was wanting in a regency romance, and Damon? Gosh, he quickly became a favorite! I can’t wait to dive into Winterset next!
I can not get this story out of my head... so needless to say, it's a 5 star read for me! I need the collector's edition so I can get the novella... maybe one day.
Hannah has always loved her childhood friend, Oliver. Even as kids, they promised they'd marry one day. So when she receives an invitation to stay at Summerhaven, she believes their time has finally come. But Oliver doesn’t seem interested in the promises of their youth anymore. Surprisingly, it’s his older brother, Damon, the one who used to tease and torment her, who’s no longer the boy she remembers.
When Hannah and Damon agree to a fake courtship, they have very different goals: Damon wants to avoid being pushed into a real courtship, and Hannah hopes to spark jealousy in Oliver. But what happens when pretending starts to feel a little too real? Hannah knows she could never be the right match for Damon… and Oliver has always been her first love, hasn’t he?
This story was everything I was wanting in a regency romance, and Damon? Gosh, he quickly became a favorite! I can’t wait to dive into Winterset next!
I can not get this story out of my head... so needless to say, it's a 5 star read for me! I need the collector's edition so I can get the novella... maybe one day.
April 17, 2025
SUMMERHAVEN by Tiffany Odekirk ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Give me Damon! If you didn’t fall in love with him, did we read the same book? The chemistry in this book was on fire! I was in desperate need of a fun, easy, enjoyable, and quick romance, and this was perfect for that! It’s hard for me to find Regency Romance Books I enjoy, and this one was wonderful to me. Predictable? Maybe. But fully enjoyed it just the same!
Hannah escapes to Summerhaven for the Summer in hopes of marrying her childhood best friend. When he seems to have changed more than Hannah could have predicted, she ends up in a fake courtship with his brother, Damon.
Perfect if you like:
•Regency Romance.
•Enemies to lovers.
•Love triangle.
•Fake Dating.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (just kisses)
Mood: 🍩🌮
Hannah escapes to Summerhaven for the Summer in hopes of marrying her childhood best friend. When he seems to have changed more than Hannah could have predicted, she ends up in a fake courtship with his brother, Damon.
Perfect if you like:
•Regency Romance.
•Enemies to lovers.
•Love triangle.
•Fake Dating.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (just kisses)
Mood: 🍩🌮
January 28, 2022
Left me at a struggle for words.
Synopsis:
1817
Hannah Kent has wallowed in noisome London with only her father, a clergyman, for company. They both have been morning the loss of her mother two years prior. When her late mothers best friend, a countess, invites her to her family estate, Summerhaven, the one she used to spend countless blissful sojourns and became attached to the second son, Oliver Jennings, it will prove to be just the thing to break her rut.
Hannah is also filled with anticipation to be reunited with Oliver. She thinks she is set because 8 years ago, when she and Oliver were but 12, he vowed to one day marry her and she took it to heart.
Quickly it dawns on her Oliver is not of the same mind. Humiliated Hannah wishes to flee, but Damon, the eldest son and heir, begs her to stay and he will pretend to court her, so as to provoke Oliver's jealously.
But Hannah has never trusted Damon, he used to always play pranks on Hannah and she dislikes him. He claims his motive for helping her is to dissuade matchmaking mammas. She is apprehensive of colluding with him,
Hannah:
And deceiving Oliver, but she fears she has no other chance.
What Fanned my Fondness:
♡Great humorous repartee. The leads had excellent chemistry.
♡The angst is the right amount and duration, teasing but never overwhelming.
♡Loved the prose.
♡Endearing leads. Damon in particular stole my heart- he is so sarcastic, so how could he not?
The Brass Tacks:
The most daunting reviews to write are those for books I really, really enjoyed. I finished this a month ago but I have been dreading writing this review, and had many false starts trying to do it. It seems paradoxical but when I like a book, I have less to complain about and have less fun than reviewing a book that provoked my wrath. Alas, Summerhaven did not indulge me with a fault I could scrutinize, it disobliged me and charmed me soundly.
It reminds me of that Jewish joke where the patient demands to be transferred to a different hospital; the punchline is that not because the hospital has anything wanting, but because they want to be at one with something to complain about. In short, to paraphrase Miss Austen, if I loved this book less, I could speak on it more.
I loved the hero and the protagonist, their enemies to lovers and the backstory was adorable. The pacing, the prose the dialogue was all excellent. The angst was goldilocks level. Its just what you look for, the gold standard for its genre. That this is Ms Odekirk's first HR made it even more impressive, I will be on the lookout for her next offering.
꙳ Spice Scale rating: Belle Pepper Chaste 🌶/5 ꙳
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
1817
Hannah Kent has wallowed in noisome London with only her father, a clergyman, for company. They both have been morning the loss of her mother two years prior. When her late mothers best friend, a countess, invites her to her family estate, Summerhaven, the one she used to spend countless blissful sojourns and became attached to the second son, Oliver Jennings, it will prove to be just the thing to break her rut.
Hannah is also filled with anticipation to be reunited with Oliver. She thinks she is set because 8 years ago, when she and Oliver were but 12, he vowed to one day marry her and she took it to heart.
Quickly it dawns on her Oliver is not of the same mind. Humiliated Hannah wishes to flee, but Damon, the eldest son and heir, begs her to stay and he will pretend to court her, so as to provoke Oliver's jealously.
But Hannah has never trusted Damon, he used to always play pranks on Hannah and she dislikes him. He claims his motive for helping her is to dissuade matchmaking mammas. She is apprehensive of colluding with him,
Hannah:
And deceiving Oliver, but she fears she has no other chance.
What Fanned my Fondness:
♡Great humorous repartee. The leads had excellent chemistry.
♡The angst is the right amount and duration, teasing but never overwhelming.
♡Loved the prose.
♡Endearing leads. Damon in particular stole my heart- he is so sarcastic, so how could he not?
The Brass Tacks:
The most daunting reviews to write are those for books I really, really enjoyed. I finished this a month ago but I have been dreading writing this review, and had many false starts trying to do it. It seems paradoxical but when I like a book, I have less to complain about and have less fun than reviewing a book that provoked my wrath. Alas, Summerhaven did not indulge me with a fault I could scrutinize, it disobliged me and charmed me soundly.
It reminds me of that Jewish joke where the patient demands to be transferred to a different hospital; the punchline is that not because the hospital has anything wanting, but because they want to be at one with something to complain about. In short, to paraphrase Miss Austen, if I loved this book less, I could speak on it more.
I loved the hero and the protagonist, their enemies to lovers and the backstory was adorable. The pacing, the prose the dialogue was all excellent. The angst was goldilocks level. Its just what you look for, the gold standard for its genre. That this is Ms Odekirk's first HR made it even more impressive, I will be on the lookout for her next offering.
꙳ Spice Scale rating: Belle Pepper Chaste 🌶/5 ꙳
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2021
A regency romance from Tiffany Odekirk? How can you say no! I was THRILLED to read an early version of this book... and can I just tell you how excited I am about its release?! You're all in for a treat. Tiffany has created a wonderful, fresh story that readers will devour. Her characters are realistic, relatable, and so fun to get to know, and her imagery and plot paint a world that you want to get lost in for hours.
July 6, 2022
It’s not a perfect book, but I enjoyed it even more the second time. It’s such a sweet romance, and (obviously) the perfect summer read. I loved every second of it!!
March 13, 2022
What a gem this book is! The cover is so dreamy but the words within this book have captured my heart. Hannah and Damon’s story is easily one of my new favorites! What’s not to love — childhood friends, enemies to more, slooooow buuuuurn, fake courtship, midnight dancing, beautiful prose, a lush setting and so much angst!! But I think my favorite part is that though this is only told through our heroine’s POV, the writing is soooo good you feel the hero’s love just pouring out of the pages.
Hannah grows so much throughout this story. She initially gave me lovesick teenager vibes, but she beautifully progresses into a confident, headstrong woman that wouldn’t settle for anything less than the love she wanted. And Damon…what a hero! I don’t want to say too much about him because I think he’s best to experience through Hannah’s eyes. I just loved that things with Damon weren’t always what Hannah originally thought they were, and it was so much fun to uncover the truth! Swoooooon!
I don’t know what else to say, but READ THIS BOOK! It gave me butterflies and just melted my heart. Tiffany Odekirk just wowed me. She’s definitely someone to keep your eye on in the regency romance world; I certainly will be!
Hannah grows so much throughout this story. She initially gave me lovesick teenager vibes, but she beautifully progresses into a confident, headstrong woman that wouldn’t settle for anything less than the love she wanted. And Damon…what a hero! I don’t want to say too much about him because I think he’s best to experience through Hannah’s eyes. I just loved that things with Damon weren’t always what Hannah originally thought they were, and it was so much fun to uncover the truth! Swoooooon!
I don’t know what else to say, but READ THIS BOOK! It gave me butterflies and just melted my heart. Tiffany Odekirk just wowed me. She’s definitely someone to keep your eye on in the regency romance world; I certainly will be!
February 10, 2022
I’ve seen so many advance raves for this book, and my expectations were high. Sadly, the book did not live up to them.
Oh, it’s romantic. There are lots of pretty words, and lots of feelings. It hit the mark in those goals.
Interestingly, it’s set in the same “year without a summer” that we saw in Jane and the Year Without a Summer. My reading lately has been full of interesting parallels like that.
But the protagonist, Hannah, was so disappointing. The whole book is about her wanting to be in love/have someone be in love with her. If she’s not thinking about that, she’s missing her deceased mother. She mentions, a few times, doing charity work for her father’s church, and how much she enjoys it. And we actually see her doing something charitable once. It’s a great scene, but it’s isolated, with no real effect on Hannah. As Damon tells her in the book, she is “In love with the idea of love”. She’s spunky, and wants to ride a stallion. (She insists on it being a stallion…more on this later.) She calls herself a bluestocking because she likes to read books and the newspaper, but she shows none of the real literary or intellectual life of a true bluestocking, just some opinions on how the world should work.
There is no real antagonist in the story. There are a couple of women who might keep Hannah from the man she wants. She even mentions how cruel one of them was to her—and I went back to that interaction and saw nothing cruel at all. I suppose you could call society an antagonist, because of the demands it places on people’s lives. But that’s a stretch, too. Maybe Damon and Oliver’s father, a little?
There are some editing issues that I hope are cleared up between the ARC I read and the publication version. First, Miss Diggs is mentioned as having honey-colored curls. Then, when Hannah sees her outside the dressmaker’s shop, she is raven-haired. At the picnic, she is blonde again.
And then there’s the bit that really brings out the Picky Vicky in me. You have to understand—horses are a big thing in my family. My mother was an equestrian and a riding mistress in the UK before she emigrated to the US, and continued to teach riding into my childhood. I had a pony growing up. My children love to ride, and the youngest takes riding lessons currently. So you could say I know some things. I’m not sure the writer or editor of this book do. Hannah is so insistent on riding a stallion. A stallion, for the non-horsey out there, is a male horse that has not been castrated. They can be a handful. Clearly, Hannah wants to ride a horse that has some spirit. But the insistence that it be a stallion is just silly. Mares can be a handful too. Second, the stirrups are constantly referred to as “footholds”. Every time. I did some googling and could not find any evidence that stirrups are referred to anywhere as “footholds”. I know these things might not be as bothersome to others, but for me, they were highly annoying and I really hope they were fixed.
And can we talk about the use of "okay"? In a fantasy book, I can let it slide, since the characters probably speak some other language that we've put into English equivalents. But this book is set in England in the early 1800s. Okay didn't enter the language until 1839.
It’s not a horrible book. It’s not as great as I was led to believe. Of all the characters, I think Damon was the best—his big “revelation” to Hannah was no surprise, but I liked that aspect of his character.
The character who grew the most was definitely Oliver. I really disliked him at first, as I believe we are meant to, but he shapes up beautifully by the end.
I don’t hate this book. I give it three stars. But I don’t love it either.
Possible Objectionable Material:
As with any book published by Covenant, this is squeaky clean. We witness some poverty. Some anger. Loss of a parent. A woman breastfeeds her baby.
Who Might Like this Book:
Romance fans, especially those who like romance that doesn’t have anything past kissing onscreen. Those who like family dynamics, and books set in the regency period.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review also available at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
Oh, it’s romantic. There are lots of pretty words, and lots of feelings. It hit the mark in those goals.
Interestingly, it’s set in the same “year without a summer” that we saw in Jane and the Year Without a Summer. My reading lately has been full of interesting parallels like that.
But the protagonist, Hannah, was so disappointing. The whole book is about her wanting to be in love/have someone be in love with her. If she’s not thinking about that, she’s missing her deceased mother. She mentions, a few times, doing charity work for her father’s church, and how much she enjoys it. And we actually see her doing something charitable once. It’s a great scene, but it’s isolated, with no real effect on Hannah. As Damon tells her in the book, she is “In love with the idea of love”. She’s spunky, and wants to ride a stallion. (She insists on it being a stallion…more on this later.) She calls herself a bluestocking because she likes to read books and the newspaper, but she shows none of the real literary or intellectual life of a true bluestocking, just some opinions on how the world should work.
There is no real antagonist in the story. There are a couple of women who might keep Hannah from the man she wants. She even mentions how cruel one of them was to her—and I went back to that interaction and saw nothing cruel at all. I suppose you could call society an antagonist, because of the demands it places on people’s lives. But that’s a stretch, too. Maybe Damon and Oliver’s father, a little?
There are some editing issues that I hope are cleared up between the ARC I read and the publication version. First, Miss Diggs is mentioned as having honey-colored curls. Then, when Hannah sees her outside the dressmaker’s shop, she is raven-haired. At the picnic, she is blonde again.
And then there’s the bit that really brings out the Picky Vicky in me. You have to understand—horses are a big thing in my family. My mother was an equestrian and a riding mistress in the UK before she emigrated to the US, and continued to teach riding into my childhood. I had a pony growing up. My children love to ride, and the youngest takes riding lessons currently. So you could say I know some things. I’m not sure the writer or editor of this book do. Hannah is so insistent on riding a stallion. A stallion, for the non-horsey out there, is a male horse that has not been castrated. They can be a handful. Clearly, Hannah wants to ride a horse that has some spirit. But the insistence that it be a stallion is just silly. Mares can be a handful too. Second, the stirrups are constantly referred to as “footholds”. Every time. I did some googling and could not find any evidence that stirrups are referred to anywhere as “footholds”. I know these things might not be as bothersome to others, but for me, they were highly annoying and I really hope they were fixed.
And can we talk about the use of "okay"? In a fantasy book, I can let it slide, since the characters probably speak some other language that we've put into English equivalents. But this book is set in England in the early 1800s. Okay didn't enter the language until 1839.
It’s not a horrible book. It’s not as great as I was led to believe. Of all the characters, I think Damon was the best—his big “revelation” to Hannah was no surprise, but I liked that aspect of his character.
The character who grew the most was definitely Oliver. I really disliked him at first, as I believe we are meant to, but he shapes up beautifully by the end.
I don’t hate this book. I give it three stars. But I don’t love it either.
Possible Objectionable Material:
As with any book published by Covenant, this is squeaky clean. We witness some poverty. Some anger. Loss of a parent. A woman breastfeeds her baby.
Who Might Like this Book:
Romance fans, especially those who like romance that doesn’t have anything past kissing onscreen. Those who like family dynamics, and books set in the regency period.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review also available at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
January 31, 2022
Thank you to Covenant Communications and Netgalley for an eARC.
STUNNING.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This is apparently this author’s debut in regency romance? NAILED IT.
I could not get enough of this book and soaked it all up in a day. Books like this remind me why I love this genre.
Wowwwww did I absolutely love Damon. He had many quotable and swoony moments. I loved his clear longing and love for Hannah and from the moment she came back to Summerhaven he was there. He was always there. That’s what my mind keeps drawing back to. All of these tiny nuanced moments where Damon showed his love continually and that swept me up in all the feels. That confession of love? HURT. That sweet ending? BLISS.
I adored Hannah as a main character. I thought she was a bit too oblivious at first, but luckily most of that shook out by the halfway point. Hannah showed the ability to learn and see from other points of view. I appreciated her ability to apologize and acknowledge times that she had made poor choices. It’s all there. With the perfect chemistry and angst, I was here for this romance.
Oddly enough, it had a love triangle that I could get behind. I really liked the way this was approached and handled. I didn’t feel frustrated by it ever. I knew who Hannah was ending up with. I would love a story about the other brother though!!
Anyways, I’m writing this review right after I finished the book so I AM HYPED ABOUT IT AND Y’ALL SHOULD READ IT.
Overall audience notes:
- Regency Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (off page, but grief discussed often)
STUNNING.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This is apparently this author’s debut in regency romance? NAILED IT.
I could not get enough of this book and soaked it all up in a day. Books like this remind me why I love this genre.
Wowwwww did I absolutely love Damon. He had many quotable and swoony moments. I loved his clear longing and love for Hannah and from the moment she came back to Summerhaven he was there. He was always there. That’s what my mind keeps drawing back to. All of these tiny nuanced moments where Damon showed his love continually and that swept me up in all the feels. That confession of love? HURT. That sweet ending? BLISS.
I adored Hannah as a main character. I thought she was a bit too oblivious at first, but luckily most of that shook out by the halfway point. Hannah showed the ability to learn and see from other points of view. I appreciated her ability to apologize and acknowledge times that she had made poor choices. It’s all there. With the perfect chemistry and angst, I was here for this romance.
Oddly enough, it had a love triangle that I could get behind. I really liked the way this was approached and handled. I didn’t feel frustrated by it ever. I knew who Hannah was ending up with. I would love a story about the other brother though!!
Anyways, I’m writing this review right after I finished the book so I AM HYPED ABOUT IT AND Y’ALL SHOULD READ IT.
Overall audience notes:
- Regency Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (off page, but grief discussed often)
February 19, 2022
There's something about Regency stories set at a country estate that I just adore! It's such an idyllic environment for the characters to interact with each other. Hannah's expectations of revisiting Summerhaven and reuniting with childhood sweetheart Oliver are pretty high, so it's not a surprise when nothing goes according to her plans. I felt bad for her as she struggles to hold on to her fantasy as it crumbles when faced with the reality of her situation and the changes she discovers in Oliver. It was frustrating when she kept excusing and justifying his behavior, even in the midst of her hurt feelings. I enjoyed Damon's teasing and the glimpses into his heart and unrequited affection for Hannah. He is her rescuer in many ways, and I loved how he helps her see things with a new perspective. This love triangle has plenty of angsty emotion as Hannah navigates complex family dynamics at Summerhaven.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
January 11, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+❤️
Reread February 2023 - still as perfect as I remember! 😍 Damon is absolutely THE BEST. I love how Hannah pushed conversations to the max as well - none of the hesitancy that is sometimes in this genre. SO good!
Read Jan 2021
🚨 CALLING ALL EDENBROOKE LOVERS 🚨
Enemies to lovers, pretend courting, childhood crushes, love letters, bluestocking MC, an estate in the balance...come on, what more can you ask for?! This one was pretty much unputdownable for me. I loved Hannah's character and absolutely adored Damon. Flirty and confusing, broody and mysterious, with a heart of gold to boot. Sign me up! I recommend this one for proper romance lovers! You will not be disappointed!
Thank you to netgalley for the eARC. Publication 2/14/22. I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are from yours truly.
Reread February 2023 - still as perfect as I remember! 😍 Damon is absolutely THE BEST. I love how Hannah pushed conversations to the max as well - none of the hesitancy that is sometimes in this genre. SO good!
Read Jan 2021
🚨 CALLING ALL EDENBROOKE LOVERS 🚨
Enemies to lovers, pretend courting, childhood crushes, love letters, bluestocking MC, an estate in the balance...come on, what more can you ask for?! This one was pretty much unputdownable for me. I loved Hannah's character and absolutely adored Damon. Flirty and confusing, broody and mysterious, with a heart of gold to boot. Sign me up! I recommend this one for proper romance lovers! You will not be disappointed!
Thank you to netgalley for the eARC. Publication 2/14/22. I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are from yours truly.
December 27, 2021
This is a Regency story with well-known tropes of enemies-to-more and fake relationship.
The setting is well done and it hits all the beloved points of a good Regency romance, pulling the reader in until the end.
Hannah is a bit inconsistent at times, but she grows through the story and learns to accept what is best, letting go of childish dreams.
Damon turns out to be the perfect compliment to her, flaws and all, and him being older is what she needs.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
The setting is well done and it hits all the beloved points of a good Regency romance, pulling the reader in until the end.
Hannah is a bit inconsistent at times, but she grows through the story and learns to accept what is best, letting go of childish dreams.
Damon turns out to be the perfect compliment to her, flaws and all, and him being older is what she needs.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
January 24, 2023
This book instantly captured my attention with its beautiful writing and equally beautiful story. All of it was amazing! The characters were amazing and I loved each and every one. Even the ones that I thought I would end up hating, I still love after finishing the book. I really can't stop saying how sweet this book was. You need to read it. If you love sweet characters, fun banter, and a delightful but yet tragic romance (don't forget the Jane Austen feel!), you will love this book. I highly recommend it!
September 28, 2026
3,75 starts. I had fun reading it, but the way the heroine acted and viewed things was very naïve, to put it nicely 🤷🏼♀️
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