★★★★★ 4
A charming beach-town romance full of heart, humor, and slow-burn chemistry.
Format: Kindle
The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay is the kind of summer romance that feels like salt air, sandy feet, and finding something—or someone—you didn’t know you needed. Equal parts heartfelt and humorous, this story delivers a charming mix of forced proximity, beach-town magic, renovation chaos, and emotional healing wrapped up in a swoony slow-burn romance.
Hannah Spencer is impossible not to root for. A travel influencer who has spent years roaming from place to place in her van with her lovable Great Dane, Dude, she initially feels untethered in the best and worst ways. Watching her stumble into Cape Split and unexpectedly start imagining a life with roots gave the story so much emotional depth. Hannah’s free-spirited nature balances beautifully with Simon O’Malley’s more practical, grounded personality, creating that delicious opposites-attract tension that makes every bit of banter sparkle.
Simon is grumpy in that quietly lovable way—guarded, dependable, and impossible not to fall for once the layers begin peeling back. The chemistry between him and Hannah grows naturally as they tackle repairs on their inherited beach house, moving from irritation to reluctant teamwork to genuine friendship and eventually something undeniably deeper. Their dynamic feels earned, making the romance all the sweeter.
One of the strongest parts of this story is the setting. Cape Split feels alive, full of quirky charm and cozy small-town energy that practically begs you to move there yourself. Add in the mystery of the house’s romantic history, renovation mishaps, and the emotional pull of figuring out where “home” really is, and the book becomes much more than a romance—it becomes a story about belonging.
And honestly? Dude the Great Dane may quietly steal every scene he’s in.
If you love beach-town romances with grumpy/sunshine vibes, forced proximity, home renovation chaos, lovable side characters, and emotional growth alongside the romance, The Summer Share is an easy addition to your summer reading list.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance reader copy; all opinions are my own.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2026