Publication Date: December 13, 2024
What a pleasure it was to read Rival Summer as a member of Jess Bryson’s street team! And wow, did I fly through this book. I was invested in Chandler and her story from the very beginning of Stealing Summer and reading Rival Summer only intensified that feeling! Bayside Lake is the ideal summer setting for all the romances and I am so here for it all.
Without spoiling any part of these books, I loved the dynamics of all the characters. Both Reese and Boston are unique and compelling in their own rights. I love how Parker and Chandler act like true siblings and how Boston can easily mesh into that after so many years of friendship. And I love Chandler’s female friendships in contrast to the baseball dynamics between the men.
If I could go to Bayside Lake for the summer like Chandler and her friends, I would be on my way now! This book was sweet and warm in all the right places. It continues the arcs from the first book so well and leaves room for more books in the series… which I am so hoping for!!
I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
Buy Rival Summer
natalie intihar 
ARC Review: The Phone Swap by Lia Louis
Publication Date: August 25, 2026 What a fun story this was! The Phone Swap was such a unique premise that ended up being a beautiful story about second chances, rebuilding trust, and, of course, birds. Allie and Milo come from entirely different worlds but through the funny mishap of swapped phones, eventually discover how much…
ARC Review: I Kissed Her First by Betty Cayouette
Publication Date: August 25, 2026 I was so enamored with the love story between Luna and Riley in I Kissed Her First! Seeing them go from stolen touches and quiet flirtations to realizing their feelings and sharing them with the world was amazing. While I am not a world-famous pop star like Luna or an…
ARC Review: The Jezebel List by Alisa Dean
Publication Date: August 25, 2026 I so enjoyed reading The Jezebel List and going along for the ride of this love story! After Christina and Danny’s meet-cute, it was so clear both why Danny felt so drawn to Christina but also why these characters are so meant to be. We ALL deserve a partner who…