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penandpages's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, and Stalking
hhushaw's review against another edition
3.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. It took me a while to get into this book, for some reason at the beginning I had to really force myself to continue reading. Though once I got to the middle I actually started enjoying the book. It was a good romantic read, but after a while the constant battle of age difference got annoying. I did really like Jordan; this was a nice simple read that though irritating at some points is a nice removal from reality for a little while.
elvang's review against another edition
3.0
Summer Fling explores the highs and lows of age-gap relationships. Kate Randall enjoys watching her two best friends navigate the dating world but has no interest in the chase thanks to a painful breakup in her own long-term relationship. Tired of watching her wallow in self pity, Didi and Viv drag Kate to a pride event featuring the young and talented Jordan Squire. Kate is drawn to the magnetic singer and Jordan proves to be just as attracted to Kate. Jordan is unfazed with their seventeen-year age difference but Kate can’t accept that what they have together is anything more than a summer fling.
Kate is her own worse enemy in this romance. She is a bundle of insecurities. Rather than embrace this new chance at love she worries about being abandoned or betrayed once again. She feels self conscious around her young lover. She is more concerned with what others think of them as a couple than how her negative attitude impacts Jordan. Her pity party of one blinds her to everything Jordan is offering her, namely love and commitment.
Despite Kate’s insecurities there is a lot of humour and some great dialogue in this novel. I enjoyed the light-hearted banter and sarcastic commentary between Kate and her two best friends. There is nothing so blunt and honest as a lifetime girlfriend. They might meddle and force you to admit you are being a fool but they are there for you through good times and bad. The relationship between these three old friends helped to lighten the mood and offset Kate’s insecurities.
I did have an problem with the frequent fade to black love scenes. I don’t always need a step by step guide to a couple’s lovemaking but in a novel like this, when one lover is struggling to accept that the other finds her attractive or desirable a bit more detail might have made their connection feel more real to the reader. I admit to skimming repetitive sex scenes in other novels but with all her fears and trepidation, we needed to see Kate in the arms of Jordan.
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
Kate is her own worse enemy in this romance. She is a bundle of insecurities. Rather than embrace this new chance at love she worries about being abandoned or betrayed once again. She feels self conscious around her young lover. She is more concerned with what others think of them as a couple than how her negative attitude impacts Jordan. Her pity party of one blinds her to everything Jordan is offering her, namely love and commitment.
Despite Kate’s insecurities there is a lot of humour and some great dialogue in this novel. I enjoyed the light-hearted banter and sarcastic commentary between Kate and her two best friends. There is nothing so blunt and honest as a lifetime girlfriend. They might meddle and force you to admit you are being a fool but they are there for you through good times and bad. The relationship between these three old friends helped to lighten the mood and offset Kate’s insecurities.
I did have an problem with the frequent fade to black love scenes. I don’t always need a step by step guide to a couple’s lovemaking but in a novel like this, when one lover is struggling to accept that the other finds her attractive or desirable a bit more detail might have made their connection feel more real to the reader. I admit to skimming repetitive sex scenes in other novels but with all her fears and trepidation, we needed to see Kate in the arms of Jordan.
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
mjsam's review against another edition
3.0
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
I hadn't read this author before, so wasn't sure what to expect. I'm usually
a fan of age gap romances, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. Most of this was due to Kate's character, she annoyed me. A middle aged woman with multiple insecurities who just could not get out of her own way when it came to trusting in her relationship with Jordan. Jordan was a great character, so much so that I thought she should move on and find someone better.
The best friends were also hit and miss. To start with they all acted like the were Jordan's age (or younger to be honest) but some of their dialogue provided a nice counterpoint to waiting for Kate to pull her head out of her ass.
I should also warn those who like to know such things that there are no sex scenes in this one. I don't usually care if a book doesn't have much/any sex in it, but it did seem an odd choice for a book with 'fling' in the title, so if that is going to annoy you, you might want to skip this one.
I hadn't read this author before, so wasn't sure what to expect. I'm usually
a fan of age gap romances, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. Most of this was due to Kate's character, she annoyed me. A middle aged woman with multiple insecurities who just could not get out of her own way when it came to trusting in her relationship with Jordan. Jordan was a great character, so much so that I thought she should move on and find someone better.
The best friends were also hit and miss. To start with they all acted like the were Jordan's age (or younger to be honest) but some of their dialogue provided a nice counterpoint to waiting for Kate to pull her head out of her ass.
I should also warn those who like to know such things that there are no sex scenes in this one. I don't usually care if a book doesn't have much/any sex in it, but it did seem an odd choice for a book with 'fling' in the title, so if that is going to annoy you, you might want to skip this one.
munleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Kate Randall's best friends bring her to a Pride event where she meets a young singer named Jordan Squire. Kate is no longer looking for the special one since the end of her last long-term relationship, however, Jordan proves to be irresistible and they are in a summer fling. However with Jordan's blossoming music career and age difference, their relationship may not survive.
I thought that it was an okay read, not particularly memorable or tugged at my heartstrings.
There were parts I enjoyed about Kate's interactions with her friends and their friendship and times when I thought that they were slightly immature for their age.
This is the first book I've read from this author and may not be the last.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-J3
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought that it was an okay read, not particularly memorable or tugged at my heartstrings.
There were parts I enjoyed about Kate's interactions with her friends and their friendship and times when I thought that they were slightly immature for their age.
This is the first book I've read from this author and may not be the last.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-J3
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
lezreviewbooks's review
3.0
Four years ago attorney Kate Randall had a traumatic breakup after 17 years of relationship. No wonder she is reluctant to try again and is enjoying her single status. That is, until she meets singer Jordan Squire who is sexy, kind and interested. Pity that she is almost two decades younger. Will Kate see past the age difference and her relationship baggage to give Jordan a chance?
There's no doubt that 'Summer fling' is a well written book, the characters are skilfully portrayed and the dialogues are witty and funny. My problem is that I just couldn't warm to the main characters, specially Kate who comes across to me as self-centered and immature. The conversations and behaviour of Kate and her friends seem more typical of people in their 20s not late 40s. It was frustrating to read at times. Jordan, on the other hand, is exactly the opposite. She is mature, patient and ready to commit. So much so that readers might wonder what she sees in Kate. While I understand that opposites might attract, it really didn't work for me. Having said that, it doesn't mean that other readers could enjoy this story.
Overall, an ok read if you can can put up with a frustrating main character. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
There's no doubt that 'Summer fling' is a well written book, the characters are skilfully portrayed and the dialogues are witty and funny. My problem is that I just couldn't warm to the main characters, specially Kate who comes across to me as self-centered and immature. The conversations and behaviour of Kate and her friends seem more typical of people in their 20s not late 40s. It was frustrating to read at times. Jordan, on the other hand, is exactly the opposite. She is mature, patient and ready to commit. So much so that readers might wonder what she sees in Kate. While I understand that opposites might attract, it really didn't work for me. Having said that, it doesn't mean that other readers could enjoy this story.
Overall, an ok read if you can can put up with a frustrating main character. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
synth's review
1.0
This reads like a pure self-insert/author fantasy.
The MC is pathologically jealous and insecure. She's also condescending and mean under the guise of humor. Just overall a giant A-hole, despite what the book tries so hard to establish. Jealousy is in no way romantic or passionate, when are romance authors gonna understand that? Also, if "falling in love" makes you act irrationally and ruin your and your friends lives, I have news for you, it's not love. Oh, and, by the way, I despise with all my being this insistence that someone cannot be happy without being in a couple.
In contrast, the LI is amazing and badass and caring and gorgeous. I don't understand what she sees in the MC (although, let's be honest, her attachment to the MC borders on unhealthy). Especially since they have nothing in common, even apart from all those problems.
Not once did I believe them in love. I kept wanting them to break up, because it is frankly the best outcome for them.
It is also so poorly written, it's honestly worse than a lot of fanfiction, with the author spelling out what the characters are thinking and feeling rather than showing it.
Not to mention the stereotypical racist portrayal of the mixed black and white best friend. (and the biphobia. and the honestly homophobic depiction of the drag queen BF. and the casual rape joke.)
The MC is pathologically jealous and insecure. She's also condescending and mean under the guise of humor. Just overall a giant A-hole, despite what the book tries so hard to establish. Jealousy is in no way romantic or passionate, when are romance authors gonna understand that? Also, if "falling in love" makes you act irrationally and ruin your and your friends lives, I have news for you, it's not love. Oh, and, by the way, I despise with all my being this insistence that someone cannot be happy without being in a couple.
In contrast, the LI is amazing and badass and caring and gorgeous. I don't understand what she sees in the MC (although, let's be honest, her attachment to the MC borders on unhealthy). Especially since they have nothing in common, even apart from all those problems.
Not once did I believe them in love. I kept wanting them to break up, because it is frankly the best outcome for them.
It is also so poorly written, it's honestly worse than a lot of fanfiction, with the author spelling out what the characters are thinking and feeling rather than showing it.
Not to mention the stereotypical racist portrayal of the mixed black and white best friend. (and the biphobia. and the honestly homophobic depiction of the drag queen BF. and the casual rape joke.)
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