Summer Schooled

by Diane Michaels

“Kiss the first man you meet” isn’t on my shopping list. So why, when a stranger in the canned goods aisle kisses me, do I kiss him back like he’s the last chocolate cake on the shelf?

Austen Sommers comes with more red flags than you’d see at a Men Who Can’t Commit parade. I shouldn’t agree to a fake relationship. Rehabbing his image is his problem, not mine.

I have my own issues. Like my parents, who are the reason I moved to this small town hundreds of miles from home. However, facing them at my cousin’s wedding would be easier with a gorgeous man by my side.

Under no circumstances will I let our arrangement change my “no boyfriends” rule. Prepping for my first teaching job is my priority.

Famous last words. My rule loses its meaning the longer we play our game. I think Austen feels the spark, too.

Until he discovers the secret I’ve hidden from him and my family. Now he has returned to his old ways, and I’m alone in a town whose warm welcome has grown icy.

But he also has a secret. One that makes me wonder whether I’ve taught myself the wrong lesson about him.

Summer Schooled is the first book in the A Brother for all Seasons sweet romantic comedy series.

Summer Schooled
Fall Back
Christmas Play
Spring Forward

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2022

About the author

Diane Michaels is a harpist and author. She balances her fondness for ice cream with her enjoyment of working out and walking through the woods. When she is not spying on the world from behind her harp to collect ideas for her next book, she and her husband make up stories and songs for and about their miniature poodle, Lola.

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nia and Austen's Story . . .

I really love rom-com stories! Nia Martin and Austen Sommers meet at the grocery store in an unconventional way that seems to set the path of their relationship. In trying to find a way to deal with his ex who came back to town, he asked for Nia’s help and she assumed he was asking her to pretend to be his current girlfriend. He meant for her to just talk to him. But when the ex, Eve, heads their way, he scurries closer to Nia. Backed up against a shelf, she can’t move out of his way. His scent and muscles call to her and he pulls her close for a kiss. Things become awkward when his mother leads Eve to him and demands that they be introduced to his new friend. Nia, a newly hired grade school teacher, tries to scoot backward and escape, but Austen’s mother wags her finger and inquires whether her name is Nia Martin, making escape impossible and indicating they already knew each other since Mrs. Sommers is the school principal. Eve is delighted to realize this whole thing is fake.

But Austen asks Nia to come to the fireworks with him. While Eve is in town, he wants to be seen with Nia. And in return, she could more easily face her own parents at her cousin’s wedding with this handsome man as her date. But it’s getting easier to enjoy his company. And it looks like he may be feeling something as well. She has a firm “no boyfriends” rule. Can she keep that rule in place? Or is it already starting to crumble?

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Hidden Gems and Diane Michaels for the review copy of Summer Schooled.

Summer Schooled is a cute small town romance with a fake dating troupe.

I really enjoyed the banter between the main characters, Nia and Austen. The family dynamics among the members of the Sommers family were really fun.

Nia moves to Hartsfield in June to get ready for her position as the new second grade teacher at the school. While on a trip to the Hello and Good Bye convenience store, she runs into Austen, who is in need of a fake relationship to deal with an old relationship. It seems like an okay deal, since Nia is in need of a fake date to her cousin's wedding in July.

This was a very sweet romance that I would recommend to those who enjoy clean romances and fake dating troupes.

[Disgusted Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute clean read

[Nancy L Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading...

I like reading other authors take on interracial stories. This was a pretty good start. The characters were believable and fun.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

refreshing

This was refreshing. I enjoyed this story. It was funny and sweet. This is my first read by this author, and will not be the last.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Nia and Austen's story. Their first encounter in the grocery store was was hilarious. I've read plenty of fake relationship book, but this is the first in a long time where I wasn't a huge fan of the female lead. She came off a too judgmental at times, made assumptions, and not very honest with Austen or herself. He wanted more from her and expressed it, but she'd shoot him down and hold him at arms length. I really wanted to slap her after her cousin's wedding though and when they returned home. You can't accuse him of something saying it's wrong when you did the exact same thing, excepton a bigger, stupider scale. Then to judge him about the relationship with his ex when she wasn't there for it and how it ended. And none of it was accurate. My heart broke for Austen. Not her best moment for me. But she does see the error of her ways in the last couple of chapters and apologized. So that earns her back some brownie points.

Austen, on the other hand, was my little lovebug! He was charming, funny, caring, sweet, etc. I loved the relationship with his family and the bond they share. Although his brothers joked about him being a commitment phobe, I never saw it that way. Not every relationship leads to forever. He just hadn't found the right woman until Nia. I'm glad he and his ex cleared the air though. While I thoroughly enjoyed their hilarious back and forth, it was time to bury the hatchet and move on.

Thankfully, Nia and Austen are able to work out their issues by communicating and not making assumptions, which leads them to a happily ever after. Overall, it was a great read that I'd definitely recommend.

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

[julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Kiss the first man you meet” isn’t on my shopping list. So why, when a stranger in the canned goods aisle kisses me, do I kiss him back like he’s the last chocolate cake on the shelf?

Austen Sommers comes with more red flags than you’d see at a Men Who Can’t Commit parade. I shouldn’t agree to a fake relationship. Rehabbing his image is his problem, not mine.

I have my own issues. Like my parents, who are the reason I moved to this small town hundreds of miles from home. However, facing them at my cousin’s wedding would be easier with a gorgeous man by my side.

Under no circumstances will I let our arrangement change my “no boyfriends” rule. Prepping for my first teaching job is my priority.

Famous last words. My rule loses its meaning the longer we play our game. I think Austen feels the spark, too.

Until he discovers the secret I’ve hidden from him and my family. Now he has returned to his old ways, and I’m alone in a town whose warm welcome has grown icy.

But he also has a secret. One that makes me wonder whether I’ve taught myself the wrong lesson about him.
Really enjoyable read totally recommend.

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

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, with humor and small-town warmth🏡🏘

4.5🌟 stars
This story caught me up right from the beginning grocery meet-cute between local landscaping bachelor Austen and new primary school teacher Nia. I immediately got a taste of the author's sense of humor.
The small-town setting nestled in the New England Berkshires I liked a lot. What better way to introduce yourself than taking up a bench in the local playground to shoot the breeze with some moms or shopping in the town's lone all-purpose store? Or taking on a community project that the residents have shied away from?

Nia's a New Jersey girl with a rocky relationship with her mom. She's spunky and I liked her openness to new experiences as well as the way she ends up dealing with her mom. Austen draws her out, ends up finding himself a new niche in the community, and they are both the better for it.

The fake relationship trope works well. It doesn't hurt that Austen has three older and equally unattached brothers to rib him about his love life. Can't wait to see what author Diane Michaels arranges for them in the rest of this new series.

[Ann Tosti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this story was good. There were a few moments when I wasn't entirely sold on it- a mix of points that need a slight edit or maybe a phrase seemed off to me but was fitting for the character/setting...or it could even because at one point I had the background of this FMC mixed up with the FMC of the book I DNF'ed just before this one. The story shows Nia at a turning point in her journey of finding herself. She doesn't realize it herself at first, but she had put years in to finding her confidence. She doesn't move there thinking she's ready for a relationship, but the slow build of one with Austen shows her otherwise. And Austen didn't see anything wrong with how his life was going, other than an ex that made him want to run for the hills to stay away from her. Or create a fake relationship. But he sees how he could have more with Nia and realizes what he did wrong in the past, too. By the end, I fell in love with these two and the town as well.

*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.

[Sarah Kirwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Schooled is such a fun read.

Nia and Austen enter in to a fake relationship both for different reasons, but soon neither of them is faking it!

The Duel POV was both exciting and frustrating, as we get to know their feelings for each other long before the other does, and at time I just wanted to reach into the pages and slap them both, COMMUNICATION IS KEY PEOPLE!

Nia Martin

- Strong independent ‘I don’t need a man’ woman.
- Kind and caring.
- Dishonest at times with others and herself.
- Judgemental as heck. ( mainly towards Austen, girl you ain’t perfect either)

Austen Sommers

- Youngest of four brothers (give their mum a trophy).
- Sassy and witty.
- Avoids commitment like the plague (until Nia).
- Family man.

I’m really looking forward to the rest of this series, I’m assuming we will follow a different brother and season in each.

Thank you HiddenGems and Diane Michaels for providing me with a copy of this book, my review is honest and voluntary!

[Anita Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book but although it’s an interracial romance that’s not really apparent as there are only a few descriptive things that let’s you know that Nia and Austen are an interracial couple other than the book cover. SPOILERS --Nia is a newly graduated elementary school teach who has been hired to teach in a small town in Massachusetts. She meets Austen in a store while grocery shopping. He’s hiding out from his ex-girlfriend Eve and asked Nia to be his fake girlfriend to run interference for him.

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

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nia Martin has moved to a small town to start her first job as a second-grade schoolteacher and to, frankly, get away from her mother. When she meets Austen Sommers in the local grocery store and he begs her to pretend to be his girlfriend to fool his ex, she isn’t thrilled but the kiss her gives her when spotting the ex does thrill her. Being pretend boyfriend and girlfriend seems like a lark at first until feelings change. I loved this sweet, charming, wonderful book and can hardly wait until Book 2. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Charlene Silvernail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nia and Austen - Hilarious!

This book is hilarious! What would you do if a stranger came up to you and kissed your socks off to make it seem like he’s moved on from his ex- girlfriend? Who by the way moved away from your little town and moved on with a new boyfriend? Oh, don’t forget, you encounter your mother with your ex, while you’re kissing a stranger, and this stranger just happens to be the new employee of which your mother is her new boss? What happens after is also hilarious!! Must read!

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read rom com where you can’t help fall in love with the characters. The first book sets the scene as we follow Nia and Austen meet and realise what everyone else can see. A delightful book that leaves you with a smile after wanting to slap the leads across the ears on the off occasion. Quick easy holiday read that makes you feel good. Will look out for the other stories in this series.

Received a complimentary copy of the book from BookFunnel for a voluntary review.

[Vilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austen and Nia meet in a mini mart type store and engage in an earth shattering kiss to avoid his ex. But when his mom interrupts them, Austen convinces Nia to continue the ruse. And she goes along with his plans and in return asks him to do the same for her when she returns home for a cousins wedding.

Lies of omission and fears of speaking the truth put wedges between their relationship, but slowly they find a way around all the obstacles.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite book of Diane Michaels. I love Nia and Austen. Their chemistry was felt through the story and I loved how they brought the best out of each other. The small town of Birkshire and its quirky residents add charm to this story. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the other Simmer brothers. I look forward to reading their love stories.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty story with interesting characters. There are a few twists in the story and a little bit of drama with the characters. It's always fun to watch the banter and interaction between characters that have secrets. The story will keep you entertained until the end.

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

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging characters and realistic small town antics makes this story so easy to connect with and grow to love. Diverting to read how they deal with their past and the newness of feelings stirring up, amazing and heart warming what a "fake" kiss can do. Can't wait to read the other brother's stories. I received a free copy and voluntarily chose to leave this review.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina is new in town. She is the new second grade teacher and has arrived two months earlier to fit into town. Is it kissing the first stranger she meets in the grocery store a good idea? Austen is a commitment phobic. Or so everybody believes about him. Is it wise kiss a perfect stranger in the grocery store? Nina and Austen journey to love and happiness is a tough but amazing one.

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, the story of Austen and Nia.
She is new in town and meets him the grocery store, and soon she is agreeing to a fake romance with him - will it lead to a real one?
Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

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

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet small town/romantic comedy.. I liked it very much.. It is funny and easy to read, full of smiles and laughter..

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

[Geraldine Streit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find nia terribly judgmental and stuck up. Austin is kind of funny but a bit lost. It give a story who bring few smile but they kind of distasteful soon as we change characters.

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

[Manisha Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in A Brother for All Seasons sweet romantic comedy series. This story is an small town romantic comedy fake relationship with a happy ending.

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

[Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and enjoyable read. The progression of the romance was at a realistic pace. However, it was strange how the heroine’s race was a non-factor in the relationship between Austen and Nia in a small mostly white town. 3.5 Stars.

[Tashi318 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I truly cannot believe I read 219 pages of this book, the male lead was whiny and the female lead was a hypocrite AND THERE WAS NO SPICE 😤🥲 first book I’ve read in a long time where I didn’t like the male or the female lead, in conclusion- whew Chile 🥴

[Arceli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a cute summer romance. I enjoyed it a lot. It is really sweet. The romance has a lot of stuff to it. I enjoy it a lot. THere is a lot of people and the plot is cool.

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

[Pria Alston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book. I actually gave it 2.5. Nia is a school teacher who moves to a small town and she runs into Austen. They enter into a fake dating situation. Austen was a charming character. His entire family was more interesting than Nia. The biggest thing missing was some spice.

[Regina Clement · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story it had great banter between the leads. My only problem is there was no spice. Could only give it 3 stars.

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is book 1 in Diane Michaels's series, A Brother for All Seasons. Summer Schooled gives us the story of the youngest Sommers son, Austen. The story takes place during summer vacation. Nia is a new teacher in town and runs into Austen at one of the local stores as he is trying to hide from his ex girlfriend. Austen kisses Nia (a total stranger) and this interaction is observed by the ex girlfriend AND his mother, who happens to be Nia's new boss. Their lives quickly become entangled as they find themselves in the middle of fake relationship. Austen's entire family is so sweet and welcoming to Nia (lovely people). Both characters show enormous growth during the course of this fake relationship and I loved all of the brothers and look forward to reading their stories.

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

[Thelostbookmark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm. I honestly don't know how I felt about this book when I read it. I mean it was okay but I don't know. Something for me was missing. It was a short and cute book though. I read it to get me from a slump because I had just finished a long book.