Only for the Summer

Summers in Seaside

by Shannon O'Connor

Someone should’ve told me pretending to date your best friend only works if you aren’t in love with them.

Kennedy Davis is not in love with her best friend. That’s what she tells every girl she dates anyway, but it always ends up the same.

Sienna Stevens is in love with her best friend, but she’s too afraid to admit it. A hopeless romantic who hopes her best friend might one day see her as more.

When Kennedy must return home for her brother’s wedding it only makes sense to bring her best friend along. But Kennedys fears of returning home give Sienna a chance for Kennedy to see her as more—by being her fake girlfriend.

So when the line between friends and more gets blurred with Sienna, will Kennedy finally see what everyone’s been telling her all along and confess her true feelings? Or will she hide how she feels to keep their friendship?

After all, a fake relationship only for the summer, can’t hurt right?

FF Fake Dating Romance set as part of the Summers in Seaside series.

ALSO apart of Shannon O'Connor's 'Only in Seaside' Series book #1

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Queer, Adult, Contemporary

Paperback

First published August 1, 2022

About the author

Shannon O’Connor is a twenty something, bisexual, self published poet of several books and counting. O’Connor enjoys life’s simple pleasures: coffee, reading, traveling, and spending time with her new baby. O’Connor is continuously working on new poetry projects, book reviews, and more, while also diving into motherhood. She loves supporting local indie authors & shops as much as possible.

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/shans...

Reviews

[John Gilbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great read. Just too many writing errors, far too much argy bargy between our two wanna be lovers happening all around Kennedy's brother's marriage. Best part for me was that it was set in Seaside Oregon where I spent the night with my beloved dog while driving from the San Juan Strait to San Francisco on Route 1 while my first marriage was falling apart. 2.5 stars.

[Kiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5⭐️

live, laugh, loved the plot. the ending did feel a little rushed ngl but it was cute as heck.

im also not an english major so i feel like i shouldn’t mention it, but the word choice and editing wasn’t that great sometimes.

it’s a cute and quick cheesy read tho!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A faux romance between best friends shouldn't be a problem but that only works if a secret crush isn't involved.
Sienna has loved Kennedy for ages but in return she's just been viewed as a bestie by Kennedy. With prompting by her Mom, Sienna decides to make her feelings known but then the unexpected happens. Kennedy has to go to her brother's engagement party and wants Sienna to attend and act as if they're dating. With parental pressure where the engaged couple is concerned it just adds to the overall tension in the Davis household. Nothing good can come from this sham even if they really fit well together and it seems their act is accepted. Feelings are stretched and hurt is real with secret texting, misunderstandings adding to the mix. Of course, there's also a hitch with a meddling b*#ch. Never fear - acknowledgement, doses of heat and romance come before a HEA. A pleasant summer read with the requisite amount of heat.

I rec'd a copy from the author and this is a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3 stars ⭐️

Sweet friends-to-lovers sapphic romance.
Quick read and kind of a slow burn.
Really liked the premise and the characters, although they took way too long to figure out their feelings for each other.

“She’s playing with fire, and I’m trying not to get burned.”

Overall, adorable and light-hearted summer read.

[disco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t looove it when a plot relies on constant poor or miscommunications, so this wasn’t my favorite. Additionally, the book needs some strong editing. Sex scenes were great though.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kennedy hasn't been so lucky in love because she's secretly in love with her best friend, Sienna. Sienna won't admit that she's in love with her best friend, Kennedy, and little does she know that Kennedy feels the same way. Kennedy is going home for her brother's wedding, and these two hatch a plot to be in a fake relationship so what could possibly go wrong?! These girls are just about as close as they can be, which is why it got frustrating a time or two when neither would cop to their real feelings for the other. The good news is, alongside the fake, more & more real is bleeding through so maybe just maybe they'll finally fess up to all in order for a fantastic future together. Only For the Summer is a F/F best friends to lovers story that I enjoyed a great deal as it's definitely original from the usual friends to loves stories I read but also can be just as frustrating since I'm so impatient about these types of situations LOL! Shannon O'Connor is a new to me author, but now that I have met her through her work, I'll be reading more by her! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Shannon O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only for the Summer is FREE for a limited time! -> https://books2read.com/only-for-the-s...

[naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

just look away and let me be, let me have my moment

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf. Utterly predictable romance is fine by me but this so badly written I had to give up. Terrible grammar, using the wrong words, continuity issues, etc

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A copy of the book was provided to Sapphic Book Club in exchange for an honest review.



3.5 stars

This story follows best friends Kennedy and Sienne. Kennedy is heading home for her brothers engagement party and decides to bring Sienne as her fake girlfriend to keep her parents off her back. Shouldn't be problem, even though Sienne is in love with her best friend. What could go wrong?

The story was a fun and enjoyable read. As a fellow club members calls it, this is an idiots to lovers story, where both characters are pining for each other but aren't willing to make the first move. A common trope when it comes to friends to lovers. Kennedy and Sienne are fun characters and the chemistry is there for the characters. The side characters are nice but don't detract from the main characters.

The only thing that keep it from a higher rating, is that the writing is, for lack of a better description, simple. It's not bad but it doesn't have in-depth description or a flow. It is hard to describe, but I believe it is just a matter of time and practice of O'Connor finding their style and voice.

All in all, I enjoyed this story and look forward to what else O'Connor has in store. I would recommend this for fans of fake romances and friends to lovers.

[Florence . · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burn FF romance thats also friends to lovers definitely sounds my exact definition of a good time. And this book was exactly what I needed in my life at this time. This was just the perfect combinaison of everything I enjoy in a book and it really worked for me. Also, this book was just so cute, i’m still not over it. This was such an enjoyable read for me.

I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable fake romance/friends to lovers/slow burn love story! Kennedy has to go home for her brother's engagement party. Only thing is, her girlfriend broke up with her saying Kennedy is in love with her best friend Sienna. She asks Sienna to go home with her and pretend to be her girlfriend. Not knowing that Sienna is in love with her. Such great chemistry between the two MCs, and Kennedy's family is a hoot! (So is Pumpkin). Definitely 5 stars!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a really nice read. 4 stars

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5

This was a cute, easy, steamy read, however the spelling and grammar errors as well as the plot holes in parts of the story such as the root of all the drama with the bully and how quickly the family got over the marriage (that yeah of course is a bad idea) really took me out of it. The cat epilogue especially made no sense

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️Besties to lovers
❤️ fake relationship
❤️one summer wedding
❤️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
❤️ low angst

Kennedy and sienna are best friends that are in love with each other but won’t admit it. The story was overall cute and entertaining. The chemistry between the two was felt throughout the book and the spice was hot.

I enjoyed this book even though there were a couple writing errors. Could use a quick edit to be honest. Didn’t bother me a ton as I was able to follow the story.

I enjoy Shannon’s book so I’m excited to read more.

[carly · Rating 2 out of 5]

bad

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

fake dating isn't my cup of tea... but this book had me hooked I don't know what Shannon sprinkled in this but I was eating it all up.

[jazmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so cute! a couple of small formatting errors, but nothing too awful
right amount of frustration, spice, and lots of lovey dovey

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When your one and only just happens to be your best friend

Kennedy, recently dumped, is headed back to Seaside, Oregon to see her family as her brother prepares to announce his engagement to a woman he’s only known for three months. Kennedy can already sense the drama ahead for him, and she isn’t keen on having to explain why she can’t manage to hold down a steady girlfriend, as well. Sienna, her best friend, suggests that she could play the role of her girlfriend to take the heat off of Kennedy.

This was a fun story. I enjoyed it on my weekend camping trip.

Although, this book may not have been right up my alley. It was a bit too girly for me. “Girly”? I’m a girl, but I can only handle so much discussion on dresses, hair styles and make up. I’m not saying there was a ton of this discussion, but it made it so the characters didn’t resonate so well with me. We just didn’t have a lot in common, I suppose. I’m the kind of gal that goes to the stylist every 6 weeks, I get asked, “What do you want to do with your hair?” “I don’t know,” are the first words out of my mouth every time. Now, on the other hand, if you do know what to do with your hair when you go to the salon, you’ll probably really like this book.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Shannon O'Connor for providing me with a copy of Only for the Summer for me to read and review. This is the first full book in the Only in Seaside series, following the prequel Only the Beginning. This friends-to-lovers, fake dating romance is focused on a lesbian relationship, and the author did an excellent job portraying their relationship in a very authentic and respectful way. I was drawn in from the very first page with the main character having a truly relatable shitty day. I immediately felt an empathy for the character and wanted to see things get better for her. The character development was gradual and timed very well with the storyline as the character's relationship grew. In the previous prequel, there had been an unresolved storyline with an antagonist that had left me wondering, and I was happy to see more details about that character in this book. I suspect that there is still more to that situation, and it hasn't fully reached it's boiling point yet, but I was pleased with the new developments included in this story and they have piqued my curiosity even more! I can't wait to see where the story is going to go next!

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! I fell in love with Kennedy and Sienna right from the start. Kennedy hasn’t had much luck in dating. Anyone she dates, seems to dislike the closeness she has with her best friend Sienna. Sienna is a kindergarten teacher. When Kennedy goes thru another breakup, Sienna is there for her. Kennedy then gets a call from her brother asking her to come home because he has an announcement to make. Wait til you here what that is. Since her parents seem to think she’s dating someone, Sienna suggests posing as her fake girlfriend. Kennedy leaves her hair salon, the one she owns to her Assistant Manager and heads home with Sienna. When they get home, everyone seems so accepting of Sienna. Well, from there it’s one thing after another, and it seems like Kennedy and Sienna definitely have some chemistry going on for real. How will this play out in the end? Is this fake relationship only for the summer or could it possibly be longer? Only time will tell. At times, it felt like the odds were against them, but is their friendship enough to not tear them apart for good?

[Book Life With Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only for the Summer by Shannon O’Connor is a F/F best friends to lovers, fake relationship romantic comedy that’s part of the Summers in Seaside series and was a cute fun read! This was a story of two friends finding love one special summer and I loved how the author developed the story around their friendship, feelings and of course lots of emotions and angst.

Kennedy hasn’t had much luck when it comes to dating, mainly due to her friendship and close bound with her best friend Sienna—someone who’s always there for her, even after other relationships end. When Kennedy is called back home, Sienna ends up posing as her fake girlfriend—and let’s just say the chemistry and connection was definitely there! With both of them hiding feelings from the other you just know that this is going to be a good one. But the question is, is this just a summer cover or so they have what it takes to really make this work?

If you’re a fan of fake relationship, hidden feelings romances then this is the one for you.
.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends Kennedy and Sienna have bad luck with love. Kennedy has just been dumped by a girlfriend jealous of her close relationship with Sienna, and Sienna is hopelessly in love with Kennedy. But when they decide to fake being girlfriends for the summer so Kennedy can save face at her brother’s wedding, the forced proximity and pretend kisses might just open their eyes to how real their connection actually is.

Only for the Summer is a fun, steamy, and delightful sapphic romance from start to finish. Kennedy and Sienna have great chemistry, even before they start pretending to be girlfriends. Once they do start pretending, the spark between them threatens to ignite at every turn. The author does a good job guiding the two main characters through the trials and pitfalls of best friends falling in love without overselling the angst, as many romances in this trope are prone to do. The main plot is enhanced by interesting subplots and characters in Kennedy’s family and home town, and the reader walks away feeling like part of the charming seaside community where the story is set.

[Susan Welch · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book needed a good editor back in the draft stage. Fake dating can be a bit of a stretch normally but the premise here involves the character Kennedy fake dating her best friend of many years in order to fool her immediate family, who she is not estranged from or anything, they just apparently never met or heard of or saw photos on socials of her BEST FRIEND?? Way too much of a stretch. Also she owns a salon and just leaves it for MONTHS? That might be even less plausible. Lots of little issues as well that just don't work, details that are meant to add to the story end up subtracting instead because they don't make sense. It does have promise and could be cleaned up into something better, but it needs a heavy handed editor to do some plot wrangling. The characters also need to be aged up a bit in attitude and behavior (or else given younger ages in the book I guess), they act far younger than they are seemingly meant to be - including side characters like the OTT villainous maid of honor.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author but the second book I’ve read in this series. This book makes me want to read all of you the other books. I love how these are quick reads and just all around amazing short stories. With a fake relationship only for the summer and a FF read, I was hooked.

Kennedy owns her own hair salon, is strong and determined, though her dating life says otherwise. Sienna is a kindergarten teacher. One has been secretly in love with the other and one has been denying their love. When Kennedy heads home for her brothers wedding she’s got an issue. Her parents thinks she dating someone. So Sienna talks her into taking her as her girlfriend. Can they pull of this fake relationship? Their friendship is strong but their chemistry is even stronger. Will these two finally admit their feelings?

Such an amazing quick read of a friends to lovers, fake dating turned to heated chemistry full of laughs and love. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Annmarie Kuyath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kennedy's relationship ends when her girlfriend tells her she knows Kennedy is in love with Sienna.  Kennedy insists she is not, that they are friends and only friends.

Sienna Stevens is Kennedy's best friend. She is in love with Kennedy, but we'll not admit it, not even to herself.

Kennedy returns home for her brother’s wedding and brings Sienna along as her fake girlfriend, since her parents hadn't met her and didn't know that Kennedy's girlfriend broke up with her.

Will Kennedy and Sienna admit to their true feelings for one another?  Will the fake relationship turn into more, or will they continue to deny their feelings for one another? 

I received this as an ARC and enjoyed it from the first sentence, to the last.  I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read with some spice! 

[Michael Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about two friends who were afraid to fall in love. Kennedy works in New York City and has her own salon. Siana is a kindergarten teacher also in New York City. They are very good friends and do everything together. When Kennedy‘s girlfriend Haley leaves her, Kennedy is found in the situation where she hast to go to her brothers engagement but does not have a girlfriend to take. Sienna offers to be your fake girlfriend in the plot takes off from there the story is told from the point of view of Kennedy and Siena so you get to see how each one feels and what they are thinking. This makes for a very sweet romance and I recommend it for those romance readers.

[Pluto Lunaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shan always has a way of making me fall in love and get so invested in her characters! I read this book in one night because I could not put it down. Not only did it have one or my favorite tropes but it was queer and it was just really something I needed. I love the way Shan writes her characters, her scenes, and just everything! And I love all the little connections you can find between her books; it's always fun to look for. I can't wait to read the other books in this series and hope we get to see more of the lovebirds some day!

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had wonderful characters and a great story. Kennedy and Sienna are best friends and pretend to be lovers, only the pretense becomes a reality for them. Both have feelings for each other but neither is willing to admit it until their hand is forced. A lovely romance by Shannon O’Connor that I enjoyed very much and the characters will captivate you. If you have read Only the Beginning you will love this book.

I received an arc copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jenn Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this quick summer read with these two women that stole my heart from the beginning. It’s a great, best friends to lovers story that pulled me in and that I couldn’t put down. It’s sweet, there’s ups and downs, getting to know Kennedy’s family and seeing how deep their friendship is adds to the story. Kennedy and Sienna have this amazing friendship that is so much more than that. Those feelings run deep and I love how it played out for them!

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.