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Serial Summer #1-4

Serial Summer

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***Serial Summer was released in weekly installments. This is the completed version of the novel.***

Paige Barnes is on the run.

From her junior year of college.

From her ex.

From life.

Good thing her mother, true crime author Julia Barnes, just purchased an Airstream trailer for an adventurous move to costal South Carolina to write her next book. Living by the ocean in a shiny, silver camper may not be what Paige had in mind for the summer, but sometimes a fresh start is just what a girl needs.

That is, if she can escape the past. They’ve barely unhitched the camper when Paige realizes her mother has been keeping secrets. Big ones. They have an entire family living in Ocean Beach that Julia’s never mentioned, a connection to the most notorious serial killer in South Carolina history, and relationships to mend.

All of these things should be enough to distract Paige from her problems, but when she meets recent college graduate Justin Hawkins, a summer rebound seems like a great idea. Part beach bum, part business man, Justin is just the kind of fun Paige hopes will help her forget the mistakes she’s made.

It works until her past comes nipping at her heels and her mother’s secrets are revealed to be darker than she ever expected. Bolstered by their new friends and family, they’re both ready to face their fears head on...but at what cost?

***Serial Summer is a Adult/New Adult Romance. It has mature situations and relationships. It is not categorized as Young Adult like my other books.***

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First published October 28, 2012

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335 people want to read

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Angel Lawson

151 books4,024 followers

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5 stars
24 (15%)
4 stars
84 (53%)
3 stars
39 (24%)
2 stars
6 (3%)
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5 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Rose Helg.
2,909 reviews27 followers
March 27, 2017
Ok Book

This was an ok book. Will read another one of her books. The ending was ok but, it could have been better.
Profile Image for Barb.
46 reviews14 followers
November 21, 2013
*****I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review*****

I honestly loved this book. There was no crazy angst, which sometimes drives me nuts. It was a refreshing book from some of the more recent that I have read.

To begin, Paige is a 19 year old college student who is running away from one of the most embarrassing college experiences of her life. She decides to go on a "Discovery" adventure with her mother to Ocean Beach, a small town in South Carolina. What Paige is unaware of is that her mother has her own agenda to returning to this town that was once a huge part of her life. They both have secrets and will grow and learn together in this book.

Paige is skeptical about this whole trip in their tiny Silver RV, which will be home for the summer. On the way there the "Silver Monster" breaks down and before the tow truck can get there she meets a scruffy, yet handsome stranger offering assistance, she takes caution and refuses help knowing the tow truck would be there soon. Did I mention her mother is a famous "Serial Killer" author, LOL. Once they make it to the trailer park with the help of her mothers cousin, this is the first encounter with family that Paige had know idea existed, they get settled. When her shower is rudely interrupted she goes to see what caused the water to go off and comes face to face with Mr. Scruffy, Justin.

Justin recently graduated from Clemson but has returned to his hometown. When he is finally properly introduced to Paige they are attracted to one another and from there the summer of discovery continues, of course, not without some obstacles.

The author gets to the point in the book without it being long and drawn out. Secrets are revealed in a timely flow and wrapped up nicely for a HEA. I would love to read more about Paige and Justin, but I like to think of where their paths may go in my own mind.
Profile Image for Aixa.
61 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2013
Have you ever thought what would be like to have a summer fling? Have you ever made a mistake so big that sends you running? Angel Lawson the author of this wonderful story gives you a peek into a summer romance. A summer filled with love, lust and drama.

Serial Summer is a story about a girl that makes a mistake that some would turn their nose up to and others would see as no bid deal. Paige Barnes is your typical college girl that fell for the wrong guy and got caught doing it. She feels so ashamed, hurt and angry that she runs away to her mothers.
Her mom Julia Barnes is a book writer getting ready to go on her next adventure when her daughter shows up at her doorstep. Without asking why she takes Paige with her and unknowingly taking Paige to a past and a family she never knew she had.

I loved the story; once I picked up the book I couldn’t put it down. Just the idea of having a summer fling and then finding out that fling to be my one true love is astonishing. Paige having learned from her mistakes finds that is possible to find love with someone that is right for you. She learns that love has no limits and if its meant to be it will be.

If you a looking for a love story filled with a little drama, lust and a past you don’t see coming I recommend this book for you. I give it four stars for the incredible read and because I want to read more about Paige and Justin.

Profile Image for Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’.
3,437 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2013
I received this book from the author for an honest review:

I actually liked the book. It was a nice quick read about a girl named Paige and her summer with her mother and her summer fling.

I loved the story line of the summer fling. And when she meets Justin what I liked is that it wasn't the whole love at first sight. Yes the were attracted to each other and what I liked is that they got to know each other and then started their relationship!
What I wanted a bit more from the book was the history about what happened with Paige and her ex and a bit more detail about the mother's past and how her parents seperated.

The Father doesn't get mentioned a lot, probably just that he has a new family and that's it.
And maybe a bit more at the end about Justin and Paige's relationship, which I know I shouldn't want cause after all it is a summer romance but it hinted at the fact that they were going to make their relationship work past the summer!

Overal a nice read.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book!
Profile Image for BookLover.
82 reviews
November 11, 2013
Have you ever made such a huge mistake that you thought your world was coming to an end?! Paige Barnes fell in lust with the wrong man and ran …straight to Ocean Beach and right into the arms of Justin Hawkins! I loved Justin and his flirty, laid back personality, yet I think his good morals and loyalties is what really grabbed me! I'd keep him! Both Paige and Justin decide a little summer fun can't do any harm, until their hearts go all in. Can these two come together and put their fears aside and learn to trust?

What a great read! It was so easy to get sucked right in. Love, drama and untold secrets from the past make this an enjoyable read.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review. It was a refreshing change for me and I really enjoyed it!

Profile Image for Erin.
41 reviews11 followers
November 17, 2012
From the start of the story, I enjoyed reading about Paige Barnes, a Junior in college who is running from life. She decides to spend the summer with her mother, a true crime writer chasing leads on her next story. While staying in an Airstream trailer for the summer on the coast of South Carolina, Paige meets Justin Hawkins, a local boy that flips her world upside down. Their interaction, her past issues, along with the story her mother is writing, is exciting and captivating.

I've enjoyed reading books by Angel Lawson and this one certainly did not disappoint. It was a great read and I would love to hear more of these characters.
Profile Image for Jan.
320 reviews15 followers
November 24, 2012
So I bought this book while it was in four parts, with the intention of reading as each part went live but unfortunately real life put paid to that idea, so I read the whole story pretty much uninterrupted. For the record, either format just works as well as the other.

This story flowed well and held my interest throughout, the characters are mostly likeable and you can relate to them or their emotions. Clues are scattered throughout the story and maybe a red herring or two (or maybe I have an over-active imagination). All in all a very enjoyable friendship/mystery/romance read. Go give it a try.
Profile Image for Detroitangel.
630 reviews37 followers
December 6, 2012
This is one of those books that I picked up and couldn't put down. Angel Lawson has a special way of making real characters that are completely relatable. I found myself completely invested within the first two chapters.
Paige shows up on her mother's doorstep and invites herself on an adventure that her mother, a popular author, had already planned. While she is welcomed with open arms, she finds the perfect way to run away from a major mistake. Sometimes it takes an adventure to allow yourself to open up to your own faults and the knowledge you glean from failure. Paige learns much more about herself, her family and who her mother really is--this time she cannot run away.
Profile Image for Amy.
264 reviews20 followers
November 13, 2013
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, quick read about a summer romance. I enjoyed the plot, but felt it lacked substance, and the sub-plots (mother's past, Paige's ex) felt lacking.

I liked the main character, and the love-interest although again, I think the romance could have been developed a little more.

Nevertheless it was an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Kylie.
41 reviews
November 15, 2012
good read kept me busy..... finished it in one sitting...... def worth the read
Profile Image for Heather.
6 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2012
This is a quick little read and has great characters. I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Denise.
671 reviews8 followers
June 3, 2021
I didn’t care for the format, but the story was a good quick read.
Profile Image for Audrey Wilkerson.
438 reviews23 followers
December 5, 2012
Rating: 4

The Low Down: Paige Barnes has pushed the self-destruct button. She crossed an ethical line when jumping into a relationship with one of the teaching assistants at Vanderbilt where she’s a junior. When Paige is subsequently confronted in the dining hall with photos of their illicit couplings by none other than the TA’s wife, a wife Paige never knew existed, she bolts. Leaves everything, including her friends, a trip to Paris and one final paper. Showing up on her mother’s front porch, she decides to tag along on her mother’s latest book research trip, keeping completely mum about the reason why.

Julia Barnes is a writer who specializes in true crime stories about serial killers. In Ocean Beach, South Carolina, she plans to research the area’s most famous slayer, Donald Gaskins, for her next book. But why him, considering he’s not really famous like her previous subjects? Then when Paige finds out that she is related to most of the town, and her mother used to spend her summers there, she wonders if there’s something or someone else that has drawn her mother to Ocean Beach. Looks like they both have secrets.

Living near the beach in an Airstream at a trailer park for the summer, Paige has plenty of time on her hands to hang out with her distant cousins, help her mother with research, and get to know the locals. What she didn’t plan on was falling in love with Ocean Beach...or one of its residents.

Best Thang ‘Bout It: This is a romance with not-so-typical surrounding story lines. That and the writing elevate it above your typical romance. There are many conventions commonly used in this genre, and the author skillfully avoids the ones that would pull down the story to mediocrity. The serial killer angle is key to this. Since it added danger and intrigue to the story, the big drama didn’t have to sit solely on the shoulders of the romantic leads. As a reader, of course I don’t want their relationship to be easy or fast or in any other way unbelievable or boring; but when the alternative is Drama with a capital D, the story can be clichéd and obvious.

I’m Cranky Because: Too short. I would have liked to have more development and pages about the serial killer side. The book was boosted by the light/dark contrast, and, because it had happened in the past, there was no danger in dragging the book into morbid Dexter territory. I also liked the characters, including the secondary ones, and wish I’d seen more fleshing out of their personalities.

Should You?: You’d better, or I’ll send someone to pick you up in a windowless van. And he’ll read it to you.

Serial Summer by Angel Lawson was published on October 30, 2012 by Angel Lawson.

Genre: New Adult Fiction Contemporary Romance
Ages: 14 and up
What You Should Know: I have given this a New Adult designation because the main characters are all over 18. There are sexual situations and underage drinking.
Profile Image for Melissa Hardy.
64 reviews14 followers
December 21, 2012
I loved this book! I did not want to put it down. I know I say that all the time about books, but it's so true. There are several books that I never want to end and this is one of them. What did I love most about the book....this may be cheesy, but it was the location, lol. I live about 45-60 minutes from where the book takes place (well, if I guess correctly based on the landmarks mentioned, lol) and that just made my day! Everyone knows that I love the south and anything that takes place in the south is A-OK with me! Oh...and my 2nd favorite thing....the main character is Paige Barnes----that is my maiden name!!! lol

This books takes place in 3 short installments, or you can get a copy that has all 3 parts in one. That's what I did, I don't think I would have been able to take waiting on the next book to come out if I bought them one at a time.

Paige is on the run from everything. College, her ex and life in general. Her mom is a writer and just bought a camper and will be staying the summer at the beach. Perfect time for Paige to tag along and escape everything.

Paige's mom writes about serial killers (hence the name, Serial Summer). I loved this about her! She gets out in the field and researches her topics and is really hands on with it all. The killer she is writing about now is a REAL killer (like really!) I looked it up because I am from the area and had never heard of him. It freaked me out! Who knew that happened in this little ol community! Anyway...off topic, lol.

So Paige finds her escape in Ocean Beach, SC. Something is off, everyone seems to know her Mom and her Mom is hiding something about her past from her. They have more of a friendship relationship than a Mother/Daughter one so Paige pushes it aside and focuses on her problems.

She meets cousins she didn't know she had and helps her mom research her book. All of this is enough for her to get her mind off things...that is until she meets Justin...(ahhh, Justinnnn) lol. I was so in love with Justin. He has the southern gentleman charm, works hard for what he has and works hard for what he wants. Justin is a college graduate, beach bum and kind of a business man too.

Paige finds the escape she is looking for in Justin, but it comes with many warnings from family friends to not hurt him...he has trust issues. Paige's past shows up at her door one day and she dowsnt know what to do. All she wants is to escape, and maybe have a summer fling....but is that smart with someone who clearly wears his emotions on his sleeve?

I loved everything about this book!. It took me back to summertime and summer loves. Ahh, it was sweet and addicting. I want nothing more than for there to be a 2nd book so the story can continue.
Profile Image for M.B..
Author 41 books287 followers
September 18, 2013
This is another of the free books I'd downloaded from Amazon and promptly forgot all about. Until two days ago. I literally flew through this book.

I honestly expected it to be a run of the mill romance story with a predictable plot. In some areas it was, which is certainly no bad thing, yes the more I read, the more i expected there to be a twist of some sort. There was. I'm not spoiling, I don't do that!

Paige, at first, is a bit of a spoilt brat. I often forgot she was only 19 and still very young, but as the book moved forwards and we found out more about her, she becomes very likeable and relateable. She definitely grew on me. Her mum... I loved her. She is exactly how I want to be when I'm that age (and that's not just the writing).

Justin... I wasn't sure to make of him for most of the book. He was a nice guy, but I kept wondering if he was 'too' nice. I mean, he went off to college, did really well, yet came back to his hometown. I commended him for his loyalty to his friends, family, and hometown - especially wanting to make things better for them there, but I wanted more for him.

By far, my favourite character was Anita. She was married and a mother, yet she was still fun and sassy. Everyone should have a friend like her. Sibley was just adorable too!

The flow of the story was a fast paced tale with read very easily. Definitely the perfect beach holiday read.
Profile Image for Jessica.
598 reviews35 followers
November 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this book once my devices would let me read it. i love reading summer fling books, they are very sweet and this one was no diffrent. i liked paiges mom, i like that she was a writer because lets face it we all like authors, lol. i liked justin a lot, and i enjoyed the fact that they didnt fall in love right away. so many books no days are like that, and i do enjoy it, some times its nice to have them work at it... i would have liked a better look into paiges ex, and her father and how her parents were sepreated.
Overall i evjoyed this story there was just things that were lacking for me, would i read another book, its hard to say, if i got into the first chapter then yes i would, i would recoomend this book to others..... i was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Beverly.
78 reviews3 followers
November 19, 2013
Where do I begin, Paige has been through a lot at a very young age, she fall in love with the wrong guy and that love gave her the biggest heartache and embarrassment of her life because of this she went to her mom and join her for a summer adventure. Both Paige and Julia didn’t know that that one summer will change their life, secrets were reveal and Paige learned that the mistakes she did will not define her, but what is important is what you did after making the mistake, she also learned that it doesn’t matter how long you know a person to know he is the one but you will just feel it. The story is very unique not your ordinary summer love story, it was short but full of emotions,


***received an arc in exchange for an honest review***
Profile Image for Rob Fuller.
10 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2012
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatment. Paige Barnes is more fleshed out than the normal YA protagonist. She has her flaws and that added to the realism of the story. The interactions with her mother, a true crime writer, bristles with tension. Serial Summer did a good job of avoiding the normal cliches of the genre, even adding a sinister element along the way. Angel Lawson gave me a fast paced read that offered a glimpse into a bigger world, that I hope she explores further, maybe even going deeper and darker the next time around. The only drawback was Justin. Maybe a little too anti-young adult, with the over-the-top facial hair, and car.
Profile Image for Stephanie Brent.
14 reviews3 followers
November 12, 2013
I got a free copy of this book for an honest review.

So I read this book in less then day. It was so much better than I expected. I couldn’t put it down. I really liked it. The characters were realistic and had some interesting backstories. At first Paige annoyed me but her character developed nicely as the story went on. I felt like it was more then just a romance. Paige’s personal growth and her relationship with her mother were just as important to the story. My only complaint was I wanted more. It just kind of ended and I wanted it to have more of a happily ever after. I definitely would have loved more Justin.
Profile Image for Robyn.
28 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2013
I'm loving these college age romance books right now! Just can't get enough of them. I felt sorry for Paige to be put in that situation with her TA and really loved that she ended things right away. I hated that Justin overheard her and pushed her away without hearing the whole story. But i knew they would get back together! Anita and Paige's mom were great sub-characters and really brought a lot to the story. Justin seemed like a great guy and enjoyed the twist with Paige's mom's family history.
79 reviews3 followers
November 12, 2013
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

I have to say that living in SC definitely made my love for this book that much stronger! I couldn't get enough of the true southern charm shining through and loved this read. It was a quick easy read that drew me right in. I finished it in one sitting and truly enjoyed this book. Paige and Justin had a great flirtation and romance. I loved watching their characters develop and couldn't recommend this book enough...especially if you are from the south! Thank you for this opportunity..I really enjoyed this one!
Profile Image for Alwaysreadingbooks - Reading Drinking and Relaxing.
661 reviews15 followers
November 26, 2013
I was given this book for my honest review

This book was a great read. At first I was a little skeptical but as I kept reading I was more engrossed in the story and where it was heading. The characters were likable and easygoing and they kept me wanting more. I enjoyed the fact that things were resolved and there was an HEA. You have Paige who was always running and never wanting to say what was going on which is the typical teenager and than you have Justin who is the perfect guy. You have all the other characters that kept the story interesting and wanting to know more.
Profile Image for Deb.
20 reviews3 followers
February 11, 2013
This is going to sound wrong but this was sososososo much better than I thought it was going to be.
I've always loved Angel's work. She is a gifted writer.

It took me a while to get going, but all of as sudden I was in the middle of the book and I was smiling and I thought, this is really good.

Great story, great story telling, compelling, intelligent characters and...a little swoon to top it all off.

Profile Image for Alysia.
421 reviews40 followers
April 16, 2013
Can't lie, I downloaded this free novella with low expectations considering the other free one I downloaded was horrible but this one actually turned out to be pretty good. Well written, and great characters with an added creepy murder history added. Plus the main guy was a hottie, a definite turn around from Paige's ex. A nice easy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for April Armstrong .
316 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2013
Paige ran away from school.
The man she was seeing ended up being not only her teacher, but someone's husband. Paige needed to escape. So she reunites with her mom, an author that writes about serial killers, and together they travel to a trailer park in south Carolina.
They let go of their past, and work on a happier future
Profile Image for Lotta.
1,048 reviews19 followers
November 19, 2012
Regret, trust, honesty and family secrets... This is a sweet little story with interesting back story points. There where editing errors, which does pull it down a point, but on the other hand I got it for free, so that's a plus :)
Profile Image for Sara.
2,352 reviews40 followers
June 1, 2013
I've read other works by this author and have massive respect for the ones who take risk and publish something all their own. It may not be the easy way, but it's the right one.

Despite some mild angst and heavy subject matter, Serial Summer is overall a fun, light read. I enjoyed it a lot.
Profile Image for loveandstolenkisses.
186 reviews
July 9, 2013
This had all the great things in a summer read; Summer romance, Beach, Swoony dream guy
AND the extra touch of secrets, between mom and daughter that will be revealed, only made it better. Who don´t love mystery in their books?
Profile Image for Tracey.
94 reviews4 followers
November 18, 2012
Very good story. I really hope there will be a follow up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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