The Summer Deal (Wildstone, #5)

by Jill Shalvis

[Sam@WLABB]

They shared a history as frenemies, and it seemed, they shared some DNA. Now, they will also share a home, and maybe, learn to open their hearts to the possibility of love.

I feel like I keep saying this with each successive Wildstone book I read, but they just keep getting better and better. I simply loved EVERYTHING about this book.

They shared some history

Brynn, Kinsey, and Eli all spent their summers together at camp, when they were growing up. Eli was Brynn's first kiss, but he was also, Kinsey's best friend. And, Kinsey had a history of making things difficult for Brynn. I really enjoyed learning about these three as children. Via their stories and camp journal entries, I gained a lot of insight into why they were the way they were, and helped me fully understand some of the choices they made.

Fate brought them back together

This was such a perfect set up. Brynn and Eli cross paths in the hospital, reuniting after quite a few years. It was apparent, that there was a still a bit of spark between them, and it took me about 0.3 seconds to get on board that ship. But, Eli had other motives, when he told Brynn about his room for rent. He was looking for Brynn and Kinsey to get to know one another, and what better way than forced proximity.

Their life in the house

Eli was a collector of people. His own parents, more or less, abandoned him, and so, he found his own family. That family consisted of his half brother, Max, Kinsey, Deck, and now, Brynn. I am complete and utter trash for found family, and wow! What a fantastic group Shalvis assembled. Their interactions, their banter, their emotional responses to one another were all fabulous, and I could have spent forever in that house with them.

They guarded their hearts

I already mentioned that Eli's family was less than stellar, and Kinsey's wasn't any better. Their friendship was built on being each other's "person", and they had stood by one another through thick and thin. Eli feared letting someone in, and then being abandoned...again. While, Kinsey wouldn't allow anyone to love her, because of her health issues. And then, there was Brynn, who just didn't trust her judgement any longer after being burned.

I will admit. It was tough hearing all the details as to why these three had built fortresses around their hearts. I ached for them, but I will admit, I cried for Kinsey. Her storyline probably hit me the hardest, and it was most likely why I rooted for her the most. I needed her to let her guard down, and let people love her.

Both Deck and Eli were kings among men. They were wonderful and compassionate, and they went to great lengths to show their love. I adored them both so much, and was truly grateful that Shalvis gifted us with such great love interests in the book.

Overall

The Summer Deal was simply fantastic! I had been struggling a bit with my reading during quarantine, but this book, I devoured it. I smiled, and giggled, and grinned my way through it as I also wept, laughed, and swooned. This was another exceptional book from Shalvis, which made my heart overflow with joy.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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