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For Samantha Gale, a summer on Martha’s Vineyard at her family’s tiny cottage was supposed to be about resurrecting her career as a chef, until she’s tasked with chaperoning her half-brother, Tyler. The teenage brainiac is spending his summer at the local library in a robotics competition, and there’s no place Sam, who has dyslexia, likes less than the library. And because the universe hates her, the library’s interim director turns out to be the hot-reader guy whose book she accidentally destroyed on the ferry ride to the island.
Bennett Reynolds is on a quest to find his father, whose identity he’s never known. He’s taken the temporary job on the island to research the summer his mother spent there when she got pregnant with him. Ben tells himself he isn't interested in a relationship right now. Yet as soon as Sam knocks his book into the ocean, he can’t stop thinking about her.
An irresistible attraction blossoms when Ben inspires Sam to create the cookbook she’s always dreamed about and she jumps all in on helping him find his father, and soon they realize their summer fling may heat up into a happily ever after.
* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF that contains recipes from the book.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
May 16, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593739242
- File size: 325028 KB
- Duration: 11:17:08
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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February 20, 2023
McKinlay’s charming latest (after It Happened One Christmas Eve) opens with a meet-cute no reader will forget and blooms into a multifaceted story replete with lovable characters, mouthwatering descriptions of food, and a vicarious vacation to Martha’s Vineyard. After up-and-coming Boston chef Samantha Gale is passed over for promotion by a boss who seems more concerned about her gender and her dyslexia than her qualifications, she quits her restaurant job and heads to her family’s summer home to spend a month licking her wounds while chaperoning her teenage half-brother. She’s not looking for romance, but when she meets Ben Reynolds, she can’t ignore their attraction. But Ben is the town’s new library director and books are his life, while Sam’s severe dyslexia has left her with a lifelong hatred of reading. She’s initially worried that this difference will make them incompatible, but Ben’s enthusiasm proves infectious, and he soon encourages her to write a cookbook of her own. McKinlay handles Sam’s dyslexia with sensitivity and heart, and all editions of the book will be published in “a dyslexic friendly font.” The well-developed emotional growth between the protagonists makes their connection feel real. This is a keeper. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. -
Kelsey Navarro Foster depicts the romance between chef Samantha Gale and librarian Bennett Reynolds on picturesque Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Samantha is caring for her teenage half-brother for the summer while their parents are away when she meets Bennett. Samantha has dyslexia, and Ben loves books, so that poses some turmoil for Samantha. Foster highlights this disparity with her performance. Samantha's brother, Tyler, is full of teenage angst but as the summer progresses, the two grow closer. Foster changes Tyler's sullen tone as their relationship transforms, bringing more warmth to his voice. As Ben comes to understand Samantha's dyslexia, Foster adds a deeper and caring quality to his dialogue. Listeners will be entertained by this story. S.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine -
June 10, 2024
Samantha has selflessly decided to spend the summer keeping an eye on her teenage half-brother Ben at their home in Martha's Vineyard while their parents vacation in Europe; at least, that's what she's telling herself to avoid owning up to the fact that she quit her swanky chef job after being passed over for a promotion. In truth, she's ashamed to admit that her dyslexia may have caused this catastrophe, as it has many others. While she is able to work within her neurodivergence, it has complicated romantic relationships in the past. When bookish Ben recognizes how smart Samantha must have been to overcome the obstacles in her path, he helps her turn a new page and write her own story. McKinlay (Wait For It) crafts a character-driven contemporary romance that is upbeat and insightful. Narrator Kelsey Navarro Foster gives a charismatic and compelling performance, bringing the well-developed cast to life, imperfections and all. The introduction notes that an accompanying PDF contains recipes from the story. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a fresh, funny rom-com with a neurodivergent twist on a bookworm-meets-babe trope. Recommended for fans of Emily Henry, Ashley Winstead, and Elle Cook.--Lauren Hackert
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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