THE BOOKISH COLORING BOOK (SUMMER EDITION) – OUT NOW

Summer Reading

Summer Reading

When a woman who’d rather do anything than read meets a swoon-worthy bookworm, sparks fly, making for one hot-summer fling in *New York Times* bestselling author Jenn McKinlay’s new rom-com.

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’s dyslexic, 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.

Perfect summer beach read.

Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author of The Moonglow Sisters

Review by 1000 Libraries

The most inviting romantic comedies don’t just offer a sun-drenched escape; they challenge our understanding of how we connect with the world and with each other. Jenn McKinlay’s Summer Reading captures this beautifully, trading superficial tropes for a deeply empathetic exploration of self-worth, family dynamics, and the different ways our brains process the stories around us.

What makes this novel incredibly refreshing is how it flips the traditional “bookish romance” archetype on its head. Instead of a story exclusively celebrating standard literacy, it introduces us to a brilliant, creative protagonist who views the world through flavors and textures rather than printed text, and who has spent a lifetime feeling inadequate because of it. McKinlay handles the intersection of neurodivergence, career burnout, and family expectations with a lightness of touch that never diminishes the emotional stakes. The narrative focuses on the beautiful, transformative friction that happens when two people who think completely differently choose to truly listen to one another.

Ultimately, Summer Reading is a poignant reminder that the paths to self-acceptance often require us to re-examine our pasts in order to reshape our futures. If you are looking for a story that combines the breezy charm of a coastal vacation with a genuine, heartwarming depth that will leave you feeling empowered, pick up a copy, find a sunny spot, and dive right in.

“McKinlay's charming latest 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.... The well-developed emotional growth between the protagonists makes their connection feel real. This is a keeper.”

“McKinlay's fresh spin on a favorite trope is as frothy and pleasing as a piña colada, delivering both laughs and poignant tugs on the heartstrings. Perfect summer beach read.”

“With the light touch of a whisk-you-away rom com, Summer Reading explores some of the most important relationships in our lives. The characters are fresh and beautifully drawn, and the chemistry is magic. It's the perfect summer vacation.”

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