Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

Can a literary guy and a total non-reader girl make a go at a relationship?

Those of you who follow my blog already know I’ve been reading some good rom-coms lately. And this one is very good. Martha’s Vineyard is practically a main character. Books are involved and that’s always good. And food is a big part of this book. Insert an unlikely romance and a sibling relationship and you’ve got my attention.

This novel begins with a trip on the ferry from Woods Hole on Cape Cod to Martha’s Vineyard. This is where Samantha (Sam) meets Ben. Ben’s is reading intently when Sam accidentally knocks his book into the water. She’s not a reader and has no idea how upsetting this is. Not the best introduction. We discover that Sam is on her way to Oak Bluffs to chaperone her half brother for the summer while the parents are doing the European vacation thing. She’s up and quit her chef job and is now unemployed. Ben, on the other hand, has just become the Vineyard’s interim library director. The fact that he is easy on the eyes does not escape Sam’s notice.

Sam is harboring a secret that only one person knows about; her best friend Em who works in the library. She’s dyslexic. Ben has no idea. Can this relationship even get off the ground?

McKinlay quickly pulled me into this summertime novel. She set the tone early to rope me in. So many of my favorite interests right there to enjoy. Sam is a chef and so the food is amazing. Ben is a librarian so the talk of books is great. Add a bratty younger half brother and you’ve got me.

SUMMER READING is a quick and entertaining story at the beach. For me, that is a big part of summer reading; to be light, but well-written. It’s got all the right elements.

My review copy was provided digitally through NetGalley and Berkley, a division of PenguinRandomHouse, in exchange for an honest review. A perfect summer read.