A Novel Summer: A Novel by Jamie Brenner
Product Details
Web ID: 19876024Cookie-cutter beach read that was fun
As a favor to a friend, new novelist Shelby Archer manages a bookstore in Provincetown, Massachusetts, over the summer in A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner. She's been coming to the Cape for several summers since she met her dear friends Colleen and Hunter, but the reception she gets is not as friendly as she hoped. Her new, bestselling novel isn't winning over P-town natives like Hunter or her ex-boyfriend Justin that she unceremoniously ditched. Will her return to her favorite summer place reclaim the friendships she's lost and heal past hurts? I was eager to read this novel because I've enjoyed many of Brenner's books. They're in the same vein as Elin Hilderbrand with a summer getaway to a place on the Cape, the Hamptons, and even the Jersey Shore. You know there will be drama, romance, and scenery to reel you in. This has all of those elements, but it's predictable and reads like a cookie-cutter of many other beach reads of this nature. The main characters will bring to mind the usual stereotypes of characters from the promiscuous rich girl to the brooding ex-boyfriend with some quirky characters added. I liked the characters but wasn't so engaged with them. Some are drawn with more depth than others. At times, I couldn't understand how they all got in their own ways or seemed so surprised by predictable events. For example, Shelby seemed naïve to not realize that drawing from her experiences and her friends may ruffle a few feathers. Some plot points were unique yet most were pretty much your usual tropes. Of course, the endings work out way too well and too quickly do people take up with others in a romantic fashion. You see what's coming way ahead of time. I will say, having worked in a bookstore, a publishing company, and writing for a living made many of the inside baseball descriptions of all those industries fun to read. I could relate in many ways, and I did love hearing from the differing perspectives of those in the industry. While this book is standard fare, I enjoyed reading it. It's your usual beach read, which isn't really a complaint, but it's not going to captivate you for more than a few days. It's quick and fun to read along with more serious or engaging books or to take along for a weekend. I will stick with Brenner because I do like her books.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Three friends, one great beach locale
Jamie Brenner has turned out another tantalizing beach/pool/vacation/travel read. A Novel Summer focuses on three college friends - Shelby, Colleen, and Hunter - who summered in Provincetown on Cape Cod. The three have always shared a love of books and of the quaint beach town. One friend hails from a military family; one comes from old Bostonian money; and one calls Provincetown her home. The novel picks up a few years after their college graduation. By this time, one of the friends is a successful, published author with her first book (a beach read) on the NY Times best sellers' list; one is an editor laid off from her Boston publishing company; and one is running her parents' eighty year old landmark bookstore in Provincetown. Brenner weaves several subplots into this beach read. There are some misunderstandings and hurt feeling between the friends. There is a love triangle (actually a couple of them); there is coastal weather as a deterrent; there are old love interests; there is the threat of corporate business wanting to infringe upon the cozy, little coastal community. If you love the literary thematic thread woven into a friendship/beach read, grab this one when it hits shelves on July 16th. Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for this fun beach read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fun Summer Read
This was a fun, summer read that I especially enjoyed being familiar with Cape Cod. Rising author, Shelby, draws inspiration from her time on the Cape but her novel hits a little too on the mark for one of her friends. Alongside that conflict, another friend seeks Shelby's help with her bookstore over the summer. How will it be for Shelby to return to her roots? What awaits her is far more complex than one friend feeling exposed. As she helps with the bookstore while working on novel #2, she is reunited with friends and acquaintances and faced with a town that is exploring new initiatives. Will she be able to advocate for what she feels passionate about and effect change, or will the scars her novel created, force her out of the area for good? Thanks to Park Row and Net Galley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
an enjoyable read
I enjoy stories about women, their friendships and their lives. This is exactly what Jamie Brenner delivers in A Novel Summer. Readers meet three young women as the story opens in Provincetown on Cape Cod. They include Colleen who has grown up on the Cape. Her parents own a bookstore (and one that I would like to visit). Shelby grew up moving around as her family was a military one. She dreams of being an author. Hunter has grown up in a family (and a wealthy one) that has deep roots in Boson. Despite not having to work, Hunter wants meaning in her life. The three become good friends. Soon after the book opens, we move forward with these characters. Shelby has written a best seller; a rival bookstore wants to open; Hunter is at loose ends. What will happen to each of these women? Will they find happiness? Romance? Will their friendship survive? Find out in this read that will speak to those who enjoy women’s fiction. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great Summer Vibes
A story about friendship with a bookish theme set in the perfect summer vibes small town. Competing bookstores one indie and local one a bigger chain. Plus the drama that goes along with it. Not to mention the jealousy exhibited by friends. Gave off summer beach book vibes. Thanks to NetGalley and Park Row Books for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A great summer beach read by Brenner!
Another great summer beach read by Jamie Brenner. 3 friends who loose touch after college reunite at the Cape, where they spent their summers in the past and hash out old hurts and new insecurities. I am a book lover so I loved the shoutouts to different authors, genres and the book industry in this book. The characters in this book are likeable and it revolves around a book story and also a summer at the beach. What's not to love about this one!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Friendship Turmoil
The wish for the perfect summer's past on Cape Cod propels new author Shelby to accept a request for best friend Colleen to manage her bookstore while she rests during her pregnancy. Shelby is surprised when her other friend Hunter feels that Shelby’s unflattering portrayal of a young woman is Hunter. All the women are experiencing difficulties and compassion is what they truly need. It is a hurricane summer for them as they try to navigate hurts and possibly regain what they have lost. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Wonderful characters and story
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book screams of everything I love….summers at a beach town, friends, bookstores and authors and love. Two college friends come together to help a third save her bookstore. Misunderstandings are everywhere. This is such a fun summer read, from its beautiful cover to the friendships and the wonderfully written story. I’ve read a few of this author‘s earlier books and quickly jumped to request this book. I think this might just be my favorite of hers to date. What stood out most to me was the reality of how important female friendships are and solving misunderstandings and moving forward. Great characters in realistic situations. Yes, there is romance too, as icing on this summer cake. The best part was getting to meet the author in person. Ms. Brenner is down to earth, relatable. Of course, I had to pick up a book off her backlist. I look forward to her next book. Thanks to Ms. Brenner, Park Row Books and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com