Review: Summer Fling Trilogy by Kait Nolan
Note: Review copies were provided by the author via Give Me Books Promotions.
Prior to reading the Summer Fling trilogy, I had only read one other title by Kait Nolan, One Fine Night, plus the prequel and first book in the Wayward Sons romantic suspense series under her Harper Jackson pen name. `A wee bit of research tells me that the Summer Fling series opener, Second Chance Summer, and the series ender, The Summer Camp Swap, were originally part of a multi-author series called Camp Firefly Falls, with the latter being a then-titled Once Upon a Campfire introductory novelette. I'm not entirely sure what changes, if any, were made to book one, but I'm guessing additions were made to the book three since this new edition was notably not novelette in length. All that being said, each of three books in the trilogy can be read as standalones since nothing really ties them together other than the main setting, which is Camp Firefly Falls.
Second Chance Summer is the story of Audrey Graham (27) and Hudson Lowell (31), two people who were given second chances after life-altering experiences. The researcher and the firefighter met under harrowing circumstances two years prior to their paths crossing once again while at Camp Firefly Falls. It's clear that what happened to Hudson a few months back has left him riddled with guilt, but Audrey is an unexpected ray of light amidst the darkness that lingers around him. I found the dynamic between them to be really interesting, almost like they balance each other out in ways no one else could. He inspires her to take chances and be more adventurous, and she makes him see that he shouldn't squander the second chance he's been given. This was a strong 4.5-starred read.
Summer Camp Secret is a fake relationship romance featuring Aspen Fairchild (28) and Brooks Hennessey (31). She has her own business where she designs and customizes planners, calendars, and the like. On the other hand, he's a professional hockey player. They both know all too well what loss feels like, having lost their respective mothers, albeit Brooks lost his far more recently compared to Aspen whose mother passed away to breast cancer a decade prior. The connection between the two is strong, but while they have feelings for each other, Aspen is hesitant because an ongoing health scare could become all too real and she doesn't want Brooks to go through losing someone else in his life. Of the three books in the series, this one was my favorite. It was heartrending yet hopeful, and I was rooting for Aspen and Brooks from the get-go. This one gets five stars.
The Summer Camp Swap is the third story in the Summer Fling trilogy, and here we have Sarah Meadows (late 20s?) and Beckett Hayes (early 30s?). She's a grad student who does her twin sister, Taryn, a favor by stepping in and pretending to be her at Camp Firefly Falls; he's a former park ranger who is now part of the camp's staff. He pretty much figures out she isn't who she says she is, but he keeps her secret, and they get a whole lot closer over the next two weeks. I felt this was the most lighthearted of the three books in the series, which is why I also think it was a great way to end this series. It get four stars.
Dates Read: 13-15 September 2024
Learn more about Kait Nolan.
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