Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Summer Is for Lovers (Second Sons, #2)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

more photos (3)

Summer Is for Lovers

(Second Sons #2)

Jennifer McQuiston (Goodreads Author)

3.72 · Rating details · 1,188 ratings · 187 reviews

His heart is unavailable.
Luckily, her interest lies in the rest of him…

Though she was just a girl when they first met, Caroline Tolbertson’s infatuation with David Cameron remains undimmed. Now fate has brought the handsome Scotsman back to Brighton for what promises to be an unforgettable summer. Soon, Caroline will have to choose a husband, but for now she is free to ind ...more

Get A Copy

Mass Market Paperback, 349 pages

Published September 24th 2013 by Avon

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Summer Is for Lovers, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Summer Is for Lovers

Lists with This Book

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

2013 Historical Romance (July - December)

243 books — 576 voters

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Best Friends to Lovers Romance (MF)

181 books — 145 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.72 ·

Rating details

· 1,188 ratings · 187 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Summer Is for Lovers (Second Sons, #2)

Jan 09, 2014 UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014-reads, own-have-read, 4-stars, great-supporting-cast, historical-romance, avon-addict-reads, sexy, great-sexual-chemistry, stand-alone, author-jennifer-mcquiston

$0.99 is a GREAT Bargain on the Kindle version! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B...

$4.99 at Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summe...

4 romantic, passionate, engaging stars!

Summer Is for Lovers is the second book in Jennifer McQuiston’s connected but not-quite-a-series, historical romance novels. This story starts off strong with a prologue that got right to the heart of things, and kept me turning the pages, unable to put it down.

Description…

His heart is unavailable

...more

flag 28 likes · Like · see review

Apr 12, 2013 KatLynne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reads, g-historical-romance, keeper, heroine-with-backbone-smart-strong

Summer is For Lovers opens with a prologue that grabbed me from the get go and I soon found myself totally engaged in this light, fun read. The story takes place in the small seaside town of Brighton and is centered around swimming. The heroine, Caroline Tolbertson, hides her passion for swimming from most everyone. Her body is that of an athlete and along with being tall, she doesn’t fit in with most of the soft, curvy figures of the day. A highlight is watching Caroline gain her self confidenc ...more

flag 20 likes · Like · see review

Jul 10, 2013 Becca rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnf

I read Summer is for Lovers as a buddy read with Andrea. Unfortunately, despite a unique concept and stellar opening, this book fizzled a third of the way through and neither of us could finish it. I gave up around the 65% mark.

Now, I've read a novella by McQuiston in the past and I absolutely adored it so not being able to finish this book did not put me off the author entirely. In fact, I really like how McQuiston writes. She is excellent at setting a scene and uses unique similes to establish I read Summer is for Lovers as a buddy read with Andrea. Unfortunately, despite a unique concept and stellar opening, this book fizzled a third of the way through and neither of us could finish it. I gave up around the 65% mark.

Now, I've read a novella by McQuiston in the past and I absolutely adored it so not being able to finish this book did not put me off the author entirely. In fact, I really like how McQuiston writes. She is excellent at setting a scene and uses unique similes to establish imagery. Plus, there is a flow to her writing that I find enjoyable.

So why couldn't I finish this book? In this case, it came down to two things: the characterization of the hero and the plot. At the book's opening, the hero, David, is a bit mysterious (and older) and the heroine, Caroline, is a spunky, athletic girl. The story is set in Brighton and swimming in the ocean is a major theme. This was interesting! I was super into it. I had not read many stories taking place in Brighton and swimming had never been a major theme of any novel I'd seen before. However, as the story progressed, more about David was revealed and I was disappointed. I hate the "I've loved before and something bad happened so I can never love again because my heart died with her" trope. If it is truly believable, that's one thing. But in this case, David lusted for Caroline from the get-go. He pursued her, he thought about her, he made moves on her. And when she finally opens herself up to him, he pushes her away and says he is in love with a dead woman. Ugh man. Not cool...and cliché. I need to be a little in love with the hero to love a book and I just wanted to punch this guy for his wishy-washiness.

The second issue I had centers around the plot. What started as an interesting hook with a few eccentric sisters living in genteel poverty trying to keep their lives together while hiding secret friendships and interests (swimming and writing), soon devolved into a case of "everyone wants me except the guy I want" and new dresses no one could afford and endless pining. I love books that show an evolution of a character, but Caroline's sudden popularity felt forced. I didn't think David, a poor Scotsman no one knew, could influence a bunch of men from the noble set who had disliked Caroline forever. It just didn't ring true. And then to have David push Caroline away, she continues to pursue him, he kisses and touches her all over and they share all sorts of secrets, and they both deny love...it was just not my cup of tea.

I went into this story thinking it would be more insular. I thought it would be more about the swimming and the private friendship and the hardships a family without savings would have to endure. But it didn't play out that way. I read a lot of romance novels so I am a bit jaded when it comes to certain tropes. If you don't read a lot of historicals, you may still enjoy this story because the writing is strong. However, if you are more like me and are turned off by certain tropes that have been used countless times before (even in a new setting), this may not work for you.

Not recommended. What I do recommend is Her Highland Fling...that was funny and sweet and the imagery was excellent. ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Oct 05, 2013 MRB rated it it was amazing

I started this one this morning and seriously couldn't (and didn't!) put it down until I'd devoured it whole.

Quick plot synopsis: The slightly awkward yet more than slightly awesome Caroline 'rescues' our hero, David Cameron, in the very first scene. She's only 12, is grieving but staying strong following the recent death of her father, and, fortunately for our waterlogged hero, a phenomenal swimmer. He is...well, semi-suicidal and drunk, but also kind of charmingly self-deprecating, witty and n I started this one this morning and seriously couldn't (and didn't!) put it down until I'd devoured it whole.

Quick plot synopsis: The slightly awkward yet more than slightly awesome Caroline 'rescues' our hero, David Cameron, in the very first scene. She's only 12, is grieving but staying strong following the recent death of her father, and, fortunately for our waterlogged hero, a phenomenal swimmer. He is...well, semi-suicidal and drunk, but also kind of charmingly self-deprecating, witty and noble. They meet again years later in the vividly depicted resort town of Brighton (such a fun and interesting change from the usual London ballrooms!), and continue to rescue each other in myriad ways. He helps her to gain greater social acceptance, though naturally becomes adorably (not creepily!) jealous when his plan works so well that she becomes desirable to other men. Meanwhile, she helps him to come to terms with the massive guilt he feels over supposedly contributing to the death of his first love. David thinks he's totally not worthy of Caroline, but they become close as friends and eventually as more and...well, if you can't guess how it ends, you're clearly not nearly as addicted to romance novels as I am. ;)

It's odd to describe a book that kicks off with a thwarted suicide attempt as such a generally joyful, spirited, upbeat and humorous gem, but that's exactly how I'd label this book. Rest assured that there's enough pathos to give the book some real substance, but overall it's such energetic, sweet-spirited, witty fun. In its style, tone and humor, it reminded me very, very much of Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series. If you like Spindle Cove, I'm thinking you're extremely likely to enjoy (and probably even outright adore) this as well.

And, like Spindle Cove, there are some things about the plot and pacing that mildly irked. Parts of the story are somewhat predictable, unnecessarily drawn out and felt a little contrived (e.g., there's a somewhat exaggeratedly odious guy who at one point it looks like Caroline may 'have' to end up marrying by the end of the book----did any reader in the history of ever think that might actually happen?!) But, also like Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove, I loved the characterizations, prose, dialogue, and overall tone and spirit far too much to get too bothered about the pacing or plot. Prospective readers should also be aware of another similarity between this and Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove: that parts of the book feel as authentically 'historical' as an episode of Sex and the City ;) It's so infectious and engaging, though, that I couldn't quite bring myself to mind.

There's a little steam and some delicious, clearly-are-attracted-but-can't-quite-act-on-it-yet sexual tension, but it's the kind of book where the H and h develop a very strong friendship and an emotional connection that's far more emphasized than their physical one.

I almost never, ever pre-order books these days before carefully sampling them after they're released and even reading multiple reviews, so it's a measure of how much I loved this that I already pre-ordered the next book in this series, due out in March. And that I'm already embarrassingly excited for March to arrive! ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Aug 19, 2018 Andrea rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: everyone-loved-this-but-me, historical-romance

DNF at 72%

There's nothing really wrong with this book, I just didn't get into it :( I really enjoyed the first half, but then things happened and I couldn't really buy any of it...

I liked it at first, with a heroine who seemed to be likeably different, but then the hero shows up and just mentions to a few guys that she's really great, and suddenly she goes from laughed at outsider who has never been accepted because she's not pretty and has no money to belle of the ball? I kept waiting for it al DNF at 72%

There's nothing really wrong with this book, I just didn't get into it :( I really enjoyed the first half, but then things happened and I couldn't really buy any of it...

I liked it at first, with a heroine who seemed to be likeably different, but then the hero shows up and just mentions to a few guys that she's really great, and suddenly she goes from laughed at outsider who has never been accepted because she's not pretty and has no money to belle of the ball? I kept waiting for it all to turn out to be some nasty trick the men were playing on her, but no! I just didn't buy it. At some point, one of them even proposes to her (without asking permission from her mother, who learns about this through the paper), and when the others find out they all come running and proclaim their undying affection for her. I honestly still feel like this is just cruel, but apparently they really mean it? I didn't finish it, so I don't know what happens there…
And then there was this lovely trope I particularly detest: (view spoiler)

It's honestly not the book's fault, I just loathe that particular cliché and can live without it...

BR with "https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Apr 01, 2013 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it really liked it

Shelves: military-or-ex-military, hr-victorian-edwardian, friends-to-lovers

This is the second novel by Jennifer McQuiston. Set in Brighton in 1842. Caroline Tolbertson has lived in Brighton all her life. Her father died when she was a child and she promised to look after her family. That means she'll have to marry but at 23 she is just about stuck on the shelf. David Cameron is back in Brighton for a few weeks while his mother recuperates. He was there 11 years ago and was saved from drowning by a 12 year old Caroline. Marriage isn't in the cards for David but he finds ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2022 Hannah B. rated it liked it

This was definitely cute but rather long for the meandering pace of the story. The sex scene had too much buildup to be so short though. Book #1 is still my favorite but I’m still trekking onto #3. I pretty much liked every character here, length and just not a lot going on was the main issue. I liked the swimming aspect though.

There was one open door adjacent scene. They did make out in the water a lot so it was a very ✨wet✨ book but left a lot to be desired.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶.5/5

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Mary - Buried Under Romance rated it really liked it

**Published on Buried Under Romance as part of a blog tour. GIVEAWAY there!!

Come experience the delights of Brighton, where the air is fresher, and the love is ever so beautiful.

At twelve years old, Caroline Tolbertson was already a great swimmer, a talent she used to rescue a David Cameron from drowning, and promptly fell in love with him. Alas, David had his own demons, and the image of the young girl who saved his life faded into the distance...until years later, when they meet again.

At 23, C **Published on Buried Under Romance as part of a blog tour. GIVEAWAY there!!

Come experience the delights of Brighton, where the air is fresher, and the love is ever so beautiful.

At twelve years old, Caroline Tolbertson was already a great swimmer, a talent she used to rescue a David Cameron from drowning, and promptly fell in love with him. Alas, David had his own demons, and the image of the young girl who saved his life faded into the distance...until years later, when they meet again.

At 23, Caroline has to marry well, for her family is near destitute. Being neither beautiful in face nor figure, her inner beauty was often overlooked, the pure and kind soul without yet a chance to surface. Her sole sanctuary was the ocean, where she felt whole and wanted. When she meets David again, fascination flares, yet he is only the second son of a Scottish baron, a man without name or fortune, unable to aid her family.

When news of a swimming competition and a monetary prize offered is announced, David knew that he would have to ask Caroline for guidance if he wishes to win, and in return he would aid her in her matrimonial pursuits. No talk was made of Caroline's insecurities and lingering infatuation with David, nor David's guilt over his wife's death. Yet in such a magical setting as Brighton, it seems only fitting that Caroline and David would reveal all of each other's secrets until all they have left is each other.

There are many aspects of the story that are fascinating, from the characters to the activity of swimming. Caroline and David have always been honest with each other, genuine with their words, and even more so with their affections. Caroline long realized that her youthful infatuation for David was far less than her love for the wounded, selfless man she had come to known, and I applauded every action she took to end David's self-misery.

David was an empty shell , a man so swamped with guilt that he doesn't feel he deserves love, much less a life with Caroline. Yet, even in his every frustrating denial of his feelings, one can't help but appreciate how far he's come on his own, marking his own space in an age when second sons were left few options, and his nobleness. His self-sacrifice for his wife made him an noble idiot, and it finally took Caroline to convince him of his worth.

"My father had just died, but because of you, I found hope. Because of you and your encouragement, I continued to swim." (Loc 4137)

However, I feel David's past had been resolved far too quickly -- with a few scant words from his mother -- and his actions did not portray his guilt over his late wife's death. This part felt stilted and a weak link in providing a reason for his not being able to marry Caroline, which was the central struggle of this novel.

All said and considered, Summer is for Lovers read just like its setting -- soothing, pleasant, and relaxing, providing a frolicking good fun for readers in want of a respite from the more action-filled books. I fell into the lightness of the story despite its character complexities, and enjoyed the exploration on swimming (Caroline's freestyle vs. the gentlemen's breaststroke). Jennifer McQuiston has vividly portrayed the beauty of Brighton, spinning a tale of understanding and fun adventuring that will keep readers entertained for hours. Readers will surely willingly drown themselves into the story, as I have done.

*Review copy courtesy of the publisher for an honest review ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Feb 10, 2013 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, edelweiss, jennifer-mcquiston

This was another refreshing, light hearted romance from the up and coming Jennifer McQuiston! While I did not like it quite as much as her debut, What Happens in Scotland, I really loved that this was set in Brighton and the entire aspect of swimming. Our heroine, Caroline, grew up in Brighton swimming in a secluded cove and when she rescues a man one day, her heart is lost to him forever. Daniel has demons that he keeps locked up tight and feels he is not good enough for the willful, eccentric ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2015 Lillie rated it it was ok

I wanted to like this book and, to be honest, at first I did. I even had it in my mind to give this a four star rating. And then I stopped and actually thought about it.

I may have initially enjoyed the book but I think the things that kept annoying me throughout it ended up making this book lack any re-readability. What I could gloss over the first time, won't go down so well the second or third time.

First, I hated Penelope, Caroline's stuttering sister. Not cause she stuttered, oh no, I cou ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Jun 29, 2013 Debra rated it it was amazing

More often than not, I find myself lamenting the writing style of authors in the historical romance genre. Either the language is too simple or too modern, the setting and descriptions not appropriate, or the protagonists too insipid and their stories too predictable. In Summer is for Lovers, Ms. McQuiston is pitch perfect. This is a story to be read slowly, the better to appreciate the effort the author obviously took in writing it. It's also set in my favorite season and location for love stor More often than not, I find myself lamenting the writing style of authors in the historical romance genre. Either the language is too simple or too modern, the setting and descriptions not appropriate, or the protagonists too insipid and their stories too predictable. In Summer is for Lovers, Ms. McQuiston is pitch perfect. This is a story to be read slowly, the better to appreciate the effort the author obviously took in writing it. It's also set in my favorite season and location for love stories; summertime and near a body of water.

Summer is for Lovers is set in Brighton, England. Caroline Tolbertson and David Cameron first meet when Caroline is twelve. An avid and accomplished swimmer, familar with a stretch of hidden beach and its dangerous peccadillos, Caroline saves David, a young man in the military, from what appears to be a drowning brought on by excess drink. For the next eleven years, David is all Caroline can think about, becoming her fantasy whenever she thinks of love. The townspeople of Brighton and the summer set down from London every year, however, see her in a not all together flattering light. Her height, her lean swimmer's build and her family's lack of money all contribute to her self-doubt. That is until David Cameron comes back into her life.

David fights a ghost of his past, and holds Caroline and her wish to turn fantasy into reality at bay. But he can keep the battle up for only so long. He is the only one who sees Caroline for what she really is. And in trying to get the rest of their circle to see it also, he inadvertently puts her in a position of leaving him behind. He cannot have her, yet he doesn't want anyone else to have her either.

The culmination comes in an exciting swim race that sees our protagonists work together for a common goal. David, meanwhile, realizes that his past is something he is not entirely at fault for and begins to forgive himself. Caroline learns that propriety, love, self-worth and following one's own desires are not mutually exclusive.

This is an extremely well-written, absolutely lovely tale of two hearts who fight a strong battle against the tide to be together. Filled with secondary characters (one of whom gets her own sequel) worthy of the main story, Summer is for Lovers is an historical romance that gets a highly recommend from me. Excellent!! ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 06, 2013 Kit★ rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, romance, victorian-era, series-trilogy

Yay, the buddies from our buddy read awhile back of What Happens in Scotland over in the Happily Ever After Cafe decided to buddy read this one too. I was pretty excited for this, as I highly enjoyed the first book. I can say I was not disappointed. I really liked this one too. After not being so fond of David in WHiS, I grew to like him pretty well in this one. I really liked Caroline though, she was a great heroine all around. I loved how she was strong, and didn't take too much crap, and stoo ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2013 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: just-finished-and-want-to-reread

I really adore this one. Maybe much more than the first, though that one was charming in its own right (once you get over the right everything happens in day). I was really excited over the premise and even more so when I read the inspiration behind it. And fortunately, this one did not underwhelm me.

I found the prologue to be adorable - a very competent 12 year old swimmer saves the life of a young twenty something young man. She enamored of him in a 12 year old way. He is embarrassed to be sav ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 07, 2013 Sally Kilpatrick rated it it was amazing

Shelves: georgia-romance-writers-authors

I love it when the ugly duckling transforms into a swan.

Caroline Tolbertson is that ugly duckling. She's tall and athletic back when men liked their ladies petite and soft. She's a secret swimmer at a time when ladies had to be careful about showing their ankles. She's brave and passionate in a time when women were expected to cower and lie back and think of England. Of all of McQuiston's heroines to date, I think Caroline might be my favorite. She's an awesome mix of vulnerable and confident.

I ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 17, 2013 Kat ~ Forever Book Lover ♥ rated it really liked it

Refreshing new author - proving that her debut book, What Happens in Scotland, was just a launching pad, the author has once again created a spectacular read!
The story line was fresh and lighthearted. The author captured my attention from the start. My senses were going crazy -with the realism of her words, the imagery was so real- I felt the warmth of the sun on my face, the sand under my feet and the heard the breathtaking waves crashing into the surf. The chemistry between the two characters ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2019 Laura rated it it was ok

Review posted on Got Fiction?

This is the second book in the Second Sons series, the first being What Happens in Scotland (which was billed as The Hangover, but in Scotland). That book was hard to get through. I was very sad I didn't love it. This book? Well, it's made me realize this author is not for me.

This book features a heroine who is a swimmer. In the 1830s. Not just a heroine who swims around when no one is looking, but a heroine who swims daily, cuts through strong currents, and who has

...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 21, 2018 Pamela rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-books

I wavered between 3.5 or 4 stars - so I rated a bit generously. I liked the book, but at times, it was very repetitious. I do like Ms. McQuiston's writing, so I look forward to more by her. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 31, 2016 Angie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, historical-romance, snuggable-romance, age-gap, adult-romance

LOVED THIS.

I have really been on a historical-romance kick lately, and I am really loving my choices so far! I've read some new books by favorite authors and some new books by new authors, and I have enjoyed picks from both categories.

I ADORED that Caroline was not your typical "delicate, hidden beauty" wallflower. She was daring, bold (even though she was loathe to admit it), a kickass swimmer, didn't have a curvy/volumptuous body, and was...dare I say BOYISH in appearance??? (I especially appr LOVED THIS.

I have really been on a historical-romance kick lately, and I am really loving my choices so far! I've read some new books by favorite authors and some new books by new authors, and I have enjoyed picks from both categories.

I ADORED that Caroline was not your typical "delicate, hidden beauty" wallflower. She was daring, bold (even though she was loathe to admit it), a kickass swimmer, didn't have a curvy/volumptuous body, and was...dare I say BOYISH in appearance??? (I especially appreciate this in a heroine as I have a similar slim build and short hair.) And she was just f*cking great!! She was different than your average wilting wallflower and while she was hesitant to let the ton see who she really was, she was comfortable in HER skin if not in everyone else's expectations or perceptions of her. She was by no means considered the "belle of the ball", a fact that David has no problem commenting on throughout the novel.

Which brings me to our hero who desperately does NOT want to be our hero. David definitely did not suffer from the same infatuation that Caroline did during the eleven years after their first meeting and most assuredly wanted nothing to do with the instalove cake that's been going around. In fact, he repeatedly reminds us that what he feels for her is mild interest and nowhere near an all-consuming physical attraction. She is "not nearly well-endowed" as his usual conquests and their first kiss left MUCH to be desired. He is the second son of a Scottish baron, with no real financial stability (aside from various investments that haven't panned out yet), who was scarred by his previous love and therefore deadset against falling in love again.

And I so very much loved watching his journey to love. However, I do wish that Caroline would have made him grovel more after he continually pushed her into the arms of her other suitors, and then was angry with her when she chose someone. I really wanted to see him grovel and beg Caroline's forgiveness before she showed him any mercy. But that's just me ;)

On a final note, I do have to say that the summary was a tad misleading. It made it seem like their "bargain" took place early on in the novel, when in fact I believe it didn't happen till the last half. I was a little confused and found myself waiting for it to happen, but that fact didn't retract from the story. Overall, I definitely recommend this one and can't wait to read Jennifer's other novels.

My David Cameron :)

...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 29, 2017 Booklover, Indianapolis rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2017, u-k-historicals-1700s-1800s, own-in-e-format

(Jun) I read the first one in this series years ago - and was lukewarm about it. This one was not much better. They are also not connected in any way I could figure out, although it appears the third book (which I may or may not read) features a prominent character from SIFL. Caroline was a strong and enjoyable heroine. David was a perfectly fine, albeit a bit wimpy, Hero. They meet when Caroline is a pre teenager and she saves him from drowning. Years later they meet again. Caroline is a swimme ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 02, 2013 Devon Stoneburg rated it it was amazing

Every girl has dreamed of summer love....this book not only brings that dream to life, but opens your imagination to a whole new level. The details that she has so carefully crafted overwhelm your senses...you can smell the ocean! Fantastic read!

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: frustration-alert, arc-reviewcopy-netgalley-edelweiss, jennifer-mcquiston

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

Hmmm... Summer Is for Lovers by Jennifer McQuiston didn’t quite live up to my expectations. If you already didn’t know, I absolutely ADORED the previous book, What Happens in Scotland which was all sorts of heartwarming fun that I gulped down in just a few days. I was looking forward to David’s book, hoping that his book would shed some light on the guilt both James and David felt for an underlying issue that wa ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 15, 2013 Tin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013

Disclosure: I received this book via Edelweiss as part of the book tour. Thank you to Tasty Book Tours, Avon and to Jennifer McQuiston for the opportunity. Yes, this is an honest review.

* * *

Caroline is Brighton-born and bred and, thanks to her father's instructions, is an expert ocean swimmer, despite her mother's disapproval. She has discovered a hidden cove where she enjoys her secret passion.

David Cameron tried to kill himself in Brighton twelve years ago but a very young Caroline saved him, ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2019 Darbella rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: z-mad-about-series-2019, z-seriesbam-2019

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 16, 2017 Insh rated it it was ok

Somewhere in the night, David was mourning the love of his life.
And here, in the brightly lit ballroom, with the vibrant music hammering her senses, Caroline was mourning the loss of her ignorance. Because if only she could skip back in time, she might still believe she could capture such a man’s heart.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 20, 2017 Melanie rated it really liked it

This is the second novel by Ms. McQuiston in her Second Sons series [for my review of the 1st book ‘What Happens in Scotland’, go here], and in this story we have a wonderful Prologue in which our hero meets a very young girl that saves his life. I thought it was such a poignant meeting and couldn’t wait for them to meet again some eleven years later and I wasn’t disappointed with their second meeting either as it was as much poignant as their first.

As a matter a fact, the care and pace the auth ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2013 Ashlyn Macnamara rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed Jennifer McQuiston's debut, but this book blew me away. So much love. Admittedly, I'm a sucker for an unrequited love story. When Caroline Tolbertson was 12, she rescued a drowning man. Eleven years on, she's still nursing a tendre and still swimming--secretly, because women of her day weren't exactly encouraged to engage in the kind of athleticism our heroine indulges in on a daily basis. Not only that, she's developed a swimmer's body due to her activities, which leads to feel ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 18, 2013 Janga rated it really liked it

I enjoyed McQuiston’s debut novel, but I found Summer Is for Lovers, the second book in the series, to be even better. Caroline is a delightful heroine—strong physically and emotionally, intelligent, and vulnerable. Her aptitude for swimming makes her unconventional in an original fashion, and yet she is very much a woman of her time with limited choices. David is a decent, honorable man who made a mistake for which he cannot forgive himself. I think for most people in real life, their strengths ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2015 Noura rated it it was amazing

This is my second J. Mcquiston book and i have to say that i am now her fan! Love her storytelling, she's got all the details in without making too much out of it. You can imagine the scenery, the mood and the feelings of the protagonists and characters in the book but you are not hampered by sweeping minute details of them.

Again i found myself unable to speed read or glaze over intricate parts of the story like i normally do when i read historical romance. Because after reading so many so ofte ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 20, 2013 Bookstoregirl rated it really liked it

Summer is for Lovers by Jennife McQuiston by Avon books, coming out September 24,2013
Caroline and David first meet in the summer of 1831 when she saves his life from drowning. Though she is a teenager and he a grown solider, she still manages to do it. Fast forward to 1842 and both have never been able to forget the other. Caroline is now a grown woman who has to marry for money. David is a retired soldier who has none. So begins a friendship that both know can go nowhere. Let me start by saying ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 27, 2013 Melissa Silva rated it it was amazing

I haven't traditionally enjoyed historical romance, or maybe I just haven't given them enough of a chance. Either way, Jennifer McQuiston has definitely changed my mind with Summer is for Lovers and her first book, What Happens in Scotland. Wonderful characters and a beautiful story about a time when women really knew what it meant to be FULLY clothed. Although I can't imagine wearing 5 layers of clothing on a summer day, McQuiston has a way of making it seem so romantic and magical that I may j ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Bridgerton Suppor...: Summer is for Lovers	1	2	Mar 15, 2021 10:20AM
Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish	1	1	Mar 12, 2015 09:40AM
Happily Ever Afte...: Summer Is for Lovers by Jennifer McQuiston “Buddy Read” (Start Date: November 4, 2013)	124	82	Nov 18, 2013 08:01AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Romance > Historical Romance

155 users

Romance

104 users

Historical

45 users

Historical > Historical Fiction

18 users

Historical > Victorian

9 users

Historical Romance > Regency Romance

9 users

Audiobook

8 users

Fiction

7 users

European Literature > British Literature

6 users

Historical > Regency

6 users

See top shelves…

About Jennifer McQuiston

Jennifer McQuiston

705 followers

A veterinarian and infectious disease researcher by training, Jennifer McQuiston has always preferred reading romance to scientific textbooks. A New York Times and USA Today bestseller, her books include WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND, SUMMER IS FOR LOVERS, MOONLIGHT ON MY MIND, DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WALLFLOWER, and THE SPINSTER'S GUIDE TO SCANDALOUS BEHAVIOR. She also has a novella, HER HIGHLAND FLING ...more