The Perfect Summer Read

For lovers of happily ever afters—this collection of three light and sweet romance stories will sweep you off your feet.

In A Summer Detour by Denise Hunter, you’ll meet free-spirited Allie Adams, who undertakes a road trip to deliver her grandparents’ newly restored ’57 Chevy in time for their fiftieth anniversary party . . . along with Luke Fletcher, the former boy-next-door who callously crushed her heart.

Pining for You by Melissa Ferguson invites you to a cozy Virginia mountain town where Christmas tree farm owner Theo Watkins III has the opportunity to drop everything for one weekend to play farmer and potentially win back the heart of his childhood best friend, Skye Fuller. Only problem? He’s the kind of man who drives a Tesla, not a tractor. 

Last but not least, He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not by Kathleen Fuller will transport you to a small town in Arkansas where thirty-five-year-old Sophie Morgan has spent years making her flower shop a success. But when this workaholic decides she’s ready to make time for dating again, she finds herself with two handsome men vying for her attention.

Whether your perfect romance involves rows and rows of Fraser firs and white pines glinting in the moonlight, childhood love that never ends, or a second chance at a happily ever after, you’re sure to find a story within this collection to warm your heart any day of the year.

What I Loved:
From start to finish, these three stories were the perfect fit for my weary little mind. I cannot praise this one enough. It had all the elements I look for in a relaxing, summer read.
Location: Smalltown USA. More specifically, mountains! I loved the cozy mountain settings. Lots of trees and a bit of wildlife. From the setting, to the people of the setting, I felt right at home and welcomed in their story world.
Romance: Each novella contained a perfectly seasoned romance, all of them a second chance of sorts. One had a fun road trip, another a big secret, and another a really bad first impression. It’s not always easy to write a solid novella but these were expertly done. The chemistry was there, but the stories never felt rushed.
Spiritual thread: There was something in each story drawing you back to the Lord and keeping everything nice and clean. The characters clearly lived Christian lifestyles.
Since each story is a novella, that makes this collection bite-sized as well as light and breezy. Honestly, I can’t think of a better summer read to recommend, and I’ll certainly be rereading it myself later.

Rating and Recommendations: I’m giving This Time Around 5 stars. I highly recommend it to those looking for Christian Contemporary, Second chance romance, or romance novellas.

~ I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.