Hot Mess Summer

By: Melissa Foster

Narrated by: Ava Erickson, Aaron Shedlock

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster comes a funny, sexy romantic comedy featuring a twice-divorced, stressed-out romance writer who finds out that sometimes true love can be a hot mess.

Who buys a cottage in a New England fishing village on a whim? A stressed-out, twice-divorced romance writer and single mother looking for a fresh start, that’s who. Despite what my besties say about my three-year dry spell, I’m not looking for a man. Or drama. Or sex. I’ve got enough on my plate with writer’s block and a daughter who refuses to grow up. Community. That’s what I need. Unfortunately, it seems the universe has other ideas. Either Chatemup, Massachusetts, has a serious shortage of single women, or I’ve become a hot mess magnet for the male species.

At least I’ve found one funny, good-hearted friend: fish peddler Declan Miller, my brainstorming adventure buddy who stirs my creative juices. I’m his Writer Girl. He’s my Dimple Dude. Just scruffy, granite-chested, deep-voiced, ex-military brawn who happens to be—oh, Nicole, what are you doing to yourself?—stoking a long-neglected fire without even trying.

A self-confessed hot mess, divorced single dad Declan is too old for relationship games. Not interested. Same here. So why do I keep thinking about him? Preferably naked. Because I’m a hot mess, too? At least he’s inspiring me to write. If only real life were like one of my novels. At least then I’d have a better idea of how this was going to end.

©2023 Melissa Foster (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Enjoyed

I enjoyed going along the journey of Nic and Declan. It was a sweet adventure. They were the perfect match. Was a nice way to relax and listen to the audiobook. Aaron and Ava are two of my favorite narrators. They always bring the story to the next level.

How to turn a hot mess into hot love

Melissa never disappoints with her novels. She writes real life characters with really life problems that we all face. Nicole moves to a beach town to spend the summer and finish her next novel. She doesn't expect to learn how to love herself again and find someone to love. Declan has lived here his whole life and spends most of it saving all of those around him. Together Nicole and Declan learn to stand up for themselves and how to love again.
Good dual POV narration.

Melissa's book scores again!

this has to be a new favorite for sure! I loved the adventure and story. I couldn't put it down, I only wished it never ended! I would definitely re-read this! a great starting over and truth in this story, jump in now!

Older people

I loved that the older people in the book were not hot messes! The main character was honest and not annoying! Not that any of Meliss’s characters are annoying!

Fun and flirty

Lovely sweet book with a bit of spice. Very neatly wrapped at the end with a big happy ending for everyone. I found it a nice reprieve.

❤️❤️👏👏

thank you for writing a book with more mature issues people all the while keeping it funny and a little sexy. I had a wonderful time listening to this book. Thank you.

What A Journey!

This story had moments of being lighthearted, moments of making me smile, moments of thoughtfulness, and well, moments of being a hot mess.

I liked that Declan and Nic both had adult children. I liked the way the book expressed feelings from all sides of the spectrum. Parents with adult children, Children with aging parents, and children moving into adulthood or being adults interacting with parents.

I loved the way Nic's life blossomed on her own and with Declan. I was glad to see Declan was able to release some of the weight on his own shoulders, as well as some of the guilt.

This was a journey that I wasn't sure I would enjoy. I listened to the audio book and found myself not only enjoying the ups and downs of Declan and Nicole's journey, but giving thought to my own. I thought the narration was good all feelings easily and fully expressed through the narrators voices.

love sneaks up on you..

Hot Mess Summer couldn't feel more real life. I really enjoyed this book with characters in their 4O's who have both been through a divorce. Neither looking for love, but life sneaks up on you sometimes.

I was totally rooting for both of them. Wonderful characters. Great banter. Sincere moments. Self discovery. New friends. New love. Small town. All things I absolutely love.

Thank you @melissafoster_author @netgalley & Montlake for the ARC.

Fun Romcom with Some Hefty Emotions

lol... another book about a writer writing a book... This was a light and fluffy happy read. I've been reading way too many murder mysteries lately and needed the break.
Part of Kindle Unlimited catalog.

divorce and life changes make for new steps

Divorce. Life changes. Critical decisions. Self-love. Self-warmth. Selfishness. Everything has it time place and truth. Sometimes we have to let go to let love in. Sometimes we have to let go to grow. Sometimes we have to be selfish to open to others and their true needs.

If you have recently gone through a divorce or even a bad breakup of a toxic relationship it can be scary to move forward. You may even feel that you one to test the water for a fling. Then things begin to feel more real. You find yourself feeling all those special feeling. This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups.

New England was the place that Nic chose to make some life changes and to revamp her romance writing career. She was not so certain about her life in general. She had taken a few blows. This summers fling adventure gave us laughs, truths, sorrow, sadness, a new beginning, a fresh start. Melissa Foster has showed us that there can be life after a divorce or two. Nic's life had many changes but the biggest one was her finding herself among all the chaos in her world.