Booked for Summer is a delightful, heart-warming and humorous tale set against the picturesque backdrop of Nantucket Island. It seamlessly blends the charm of small-town life with the allure of a blossoming romance, making it a perfect summer read.
The Synopsis for Booked for Summer
A love story she didn’t see coming…
When book lover Jade Taylor applies to manage the Little Bay Book Shack on Nantucket Island over the summer, the last thing she needs is the distraction of billionaire resort owner, Liam Haven.
But things take an unexpected turn when Liam becomes Jade’s boss – a man who only reads contracts for pleasure…
In a bid to save the bookshop from being absorbed into the Haven resort, Jade is determined to teach Liam that there’s more to life than acquiring real estate. And if she can make him realise happily ever afters do exist, might she be able to save the island’s bookshop in the process?
Booked for Summer
More about Booked for Summer
Jade is over the moon to land her dream job—three months living on Nantucket Island, working in a bookshop, and giving recommendations to others. It is her chance to show not just others but also herself what she is capable of. However, things don’t go quite to plan.
Firstly, she embarrasses herself before she even arrives, thinking that the beautiful yacht in the harbour is actually the water taxi for the resort, when in fact, it belongs to the resort owner, Liam Haven, who comes across as both grumpy and aloof. She then meets up with said resort owner, Liam, again, and after promising herself she would stay clear of the opposite sex, ends up back on his boat, both still blissfully unaware that their paths will cross again, but this time in a business sense. Finally, she is told that the bookshop has been sold to the nearby Haven Resort, and it is only at this point that both her and Liam realise who each other are.
At the same time, Liam doesn’t want to think about Jade. His only focus in life is his business, and he is not prepared to let anything get in the way. He has no desire to open his heart up again and refuses to let anyone in, which, it turns out, is detrimental to his business.
With both Jade and Liam trying to ignore the attraction they feel, they both continue to work towards their own end goals – one fighting to save the bookshop, the other hoping to close it – but will they be able to brush aside the growing attraction they have for one another? Will the little bookshop be saved or will it ultimately be demolished to make way for yet another exclusive building complex?
My Thoughts on Booked for Summer
At its heart, Booked for Summer explores themes of love, personal growth, and the importance of community. The story looks at just how powerful literature and books can be. How they can bring a community together and build bridges. Additionally, the novel touches on the tension between large commercial businesses and those businesses and people trying to preserve thef local culture and history: something that seems to happen time and again in modern society.
Jade is a relatable and endearing protagonist, with her dedication to preserving the bookstore, which reflects her deep love for literature. In the novel, Jade has to learn to balance her passion with the complexities of developing feelings for Liam. On the other hand, Liam Haven comes across as a seemingly detached and business-focused individual, but you soon realise that he is an individual who has been hurt in the past and therefore has chosen to remain guarded so that it doesn’t happen again.
Initially, these two couldn’t be more different and you have to wonder how their paths would ever normally cross. If it wasn’t for that chance meeting and a misunderstanding, chances are the two would never have met at all.
The chemistry between Jade and Liam is undeniable, and is paired with witty banter to begin with, which gradually develops emotionally. And, it is their journey from antagonism to affection that is both engaging and satisfying, providing the novel with its emotional core.
Booked for Summer is a captivating romantic comedy that will be a firm holiday read favourite, I am sure.
About Kathryn Freeman
Once a pharmacist, Kathryn has now written several romantic comedies that are sexy and sweet, funny yet heart-warming. One of her earlier novels, Mr Right Across the Street, won the RNA Award for Romantic Comedy in 2022.
To find out more about upcoming events and future publications, you can follow Kathryn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or look for updates on her website.
Have you read ay of Kathryn Freeman’s novels? Do you have a favourite? Perhaps there are some other romantic comedies you would like to recommend.
I was gifted a copy of this novel as part of a ‘Rachel’s Random Resources‘ book blog tour, but as always, all views are my own.
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