REVIEW: A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner

A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner: Shelby returns home to Provincetown on Cape Cop as part of her book tour. She left the beach town several years ago for New York City, believing that is where she could follow her dreams of being a published author. Her novel is based on her life in Provincetown and has become a best seller. She is a little surprised that she gets a very cold reception from her good friends Colleen and Hunter when she comes home. They had been so close in the past. They are furious with her that she seemed to have betrayed them in her book.

Shelby is hurt so she decides she will focus on finishing her book tour and her second novel. Then without warning, Shelby gets a call from Colleen. Colleen owns Land’s End bookstore in Provincetown, which has been in her family for several generations. Colleen is now not able to run the store because of issues with her pregnancy with twins. Shelby drops everything and returns to help manage the bookstore with teenage part-timer Mia.

Working with Mia will complicate things since she is the younger sister of Justin. Shelby broke up with Justin when she left for New York since they had different goals. It was a difficult, but seemed the right thing to do. The person she missed most was Carmen, Mia and Justin’s mother. Now she is bound to have to interact with Carmen and hopes there won’t be problems. Justin seems settled with a new girlfriend, Kate.

As the summer progresses, the three women have to face the past, present and future. Can they ever get back to the bond they once had? Are long term relationships possible for Shelby and Hunter?

I could most relate to Shelby. I was an Army brat for twelve years and it was tough leaving people behind, especially when I was yanked out of my senior year of high school and had to spend November til May in a huge public school with people with who had mostly known each other for years. Books were my best friends over the years, much like Shelby. The plus side of moving around was it gave me a much wider world view and empathy.

Hunter had wealth from her family, but seemed to not be able build true relationships with men. She did care about Shelby and Colleen and had to work hard to get past hurts. I felt compassion for Mia and how Shelby helped mentor her and let Mia’s family not push her into things that were not right for her.
There is some love and romance pivotal to the plot. The biggest part of the story is friendship and the ups and downs that come with time and big changes.

I love books about books and/or bookstores, so A Novel Summer was perfect for a summer read. It would still be great for anytime of the year. The backdrop of the beach is a happy place for so many readers.
 

Book Info:

Publication: July 16, 2024 | Park Row |

A bestselling author finds love and second chances in the stacks of a quaint beach town bookshop

Author Shelby Archer found inspiration for her first novel while living on the picturesque shores of Provincetown on Cape Cod. When she comes to the town to celebrate her new bestseller, she is expecting a warm homecoming. But instead she is confronted with the cold shoulders of friends and neighbors who feel exposed and betrayed.

Heartbroken, Shelby tries to move on and focus on her next novel. But then an unexpected call comes: her dear friend who owns the beloved Land’s End bookshop needs help for the summer. Shelby reluctantly returns to the Cape to manage the store.

Back at the beach, Shelby sets her focus on the tiny seaside shop, getting lost in the shelves of steamy romance novels and dusty classics and trying to right the wrongs of her past. With every page turned and every customer served, Shelby comes closer to gaining back the trust of those she hurt. But as her manuscript deadline nears, she is again forced to choose between her own success and a second chance at love and belonging.