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When the Summer's Over
ELLIE SOMERS has never left Minnesota. In fact, she grew up on the same acre of land where she currently manages a produce farm. And still lives... with her parents. But that doesn't mean she's about to let the new farm-hand-by-day, researcher-by-night walk all over her. Even with his collection of degrees, and her lack of one, he doesn't hold a candle to her experience in running a full-scale farm operation. She should know, she wrote the grant that hired him.
Meanwhile, CYRUS LEXINGTON has never had a reason to leave New York. Why would he? Everything he's ever wanted — and then some — was easily accessible with Dad's credit card. And now, due to a series of unfortunate events that were mostly someone else's fault, he has no other option than to uproot his entire life in the Empire State to work at a dinky little hobby farm in Meriden, MN. If his parents had any say in his life choices, he’d be managing his own investment firm, but that’s not an option either.
Both are given a chance to re-write their stories to each other. Will love take root unexpectedly? Or are they destined to grow their own separate ways? With the help of the Meriden community and Mother Nature herself, they’ll both find out when the summer’s over.
Meanwhile, CYRUS LEXINGTON has never had a reason to leave New York. Why would he? Everything he's ever wanted — and then some — was easily accessible with Dad's credit card. And now, due to a series of unfortunate events that were mostly someone else's fault, he has no other option than to uproot his entire life in the Empire State to work at a dinky little hobby farm in Meriden, MN. If his parents had any say in his life choices, he’d be managing his own investment firm, but that’s not an option either.
Both are given a chance to re-write their stories to each other. Will love take root unexpectedly? Or are they destined to grow their own separate ways? With the help of the Meriden community and Mother Nature herself, they’ll both find out when the summer’s over.
- GenresRomance
318 pages, Paperback
Published June 5, 2023
6 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Anna Pollock
3 books20 followersAnna Pollock is a community lover and high school theater director when she’s not writing heated and wholesome stories about romance. She grew up in rural Minnesota where she currently resides with her orange and white cat, Kinston. Stay tuned for more stories centered around the hope and heartbreak of loving and being loved as a full human.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 12, 2023
"Love wasn't in the big moments, was it? It was in the daily actions, it was learning the idiosyncracies of someone else and choosing to love them still."
WOW I don't even know where to start! I just finished reading and I am SOBBING. I don't usually read modern romance but read this on the suggestion of a friend. All of the characters felt so genuine and caring (except the Lexingtons, fuck those guys). All of the descriptions of the community, food, and farming made me feel so cozy (and hungry), and nostalgic for a type of place I've never experienced. Can we all just move to Meriden? You can really tell this was written from a place of love that felt so true to real life - not in a cynical way, but in a way that really lifts you up. I can't wait to read more from this author!
WOW I don't even know where to start! I just finished reading and I am SOBBING. I don't usually read modern romance but read this on the suggestion of a friend. All of the characters felt so genuine and caring (except the Lexingtons, fuck those guys). All of the descriptions of the community, food, and farming made me feel so cozy (and hungry), and nostalgic for a type of place I've never experienced. Can we all just move to Meriden? You can really tell this was written from a place of love that felt so true to real life - not in a cynical way, but in a way that really lifts you up. I can't wait to read more from this author!
June 7, 2024
Never thought I’d read a book that would make me crave for farm fresh vegetables.
July 15, 2023
For someone who doesn’t necessarily read contemporary romance books, this was recommended by a friend. The author writes a really fun book, dives into both the perceived and real cultural differences between fly over and coastal states, and leaves you guessing how the story will end.
The author has a knack for vivid detail, both when describing nature and people. It lends to the vibrancy of the story and character development, which makes you feel as these could be real people you would actually know in real life.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for an engrossing book!
The author has a knack for vivid detail, both when describing nature and people. It lends to the vibrancy of the story and character development, which makes you feel as these could be real people you would actually know in real life.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for an engrossing book!
September 22, 2024
“When did growing season even start in Minnesota? Wasn’t it there literally snow all year around?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a romance book.
Ellie is the owner of a large produce garden in Minnesota. She’s gotten a life-changing grant for her garden that will bring a full-time worker to help with day-to-day as well as future growth and planning. Cyrus is working to get his doctorate and has taken the job at Eli‘s farm to help him finish his degree. He helps stay today and does his research at night. soon it becomes difficult for them to ignore the connection between each other. But over looming question is what will happen once the summer is over can they make it together?
I enjoyed this book. I really liked that it was sent in Minnesota and the town that it’s based on is like 45 minutes away from where I live. That was a fun aspect about the book. I liked the first portion of the book better than the second half. I felt the connection between the two main characters was sort of lacking, and I also felt like the author was trying to do a little too much with side characters and their storylines l, which took me out of the main storyline. Overall, it was OK.
On a side note the author made a cute little bookmark for this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a romance book.
Ellie is the owner of a large produce garden in Minnesota. She’s gotten a life-changing grant for her garden that will bring a full-time worker to help with day-to-day as well as future growth and planning. Cyrus is working to get his doctorate and has taken the job at Eli‘s farm to help him finish his degree. He helps stay today and does his research at night. soon it becomes difficult for them to ignore the connection between each other. But over looming question is what will happen once the summer is over can they make it together?
I enjoyed this book. I really liked that it was sent in Minnesota and the town that it’s based on is like 45 minutes away from where I live. That was a fun aspect about the book. I liked the first portion of the book better than the second half. I felt the connection between the two main characters was sort of lacking, and I also felt like the author was trying to do a little too much with side characters and their storylines l, which took me out of the main storyline. Overall, it was OK.
On a side note the author made a cute little bookmark for this book.
July 27, 2024
Really enjoyed this book and how it felt like a warm hug! Loved Ellie and Cyrus!
September 18, 2024
When the Summer’s Over is the perfect mix of cozy comfort and summery sunshine. It’s a great option for any season, whether you’re soaking up blissful weather or dreaming about blue skies and greenery.
Reading this after Pollock’s novel, Pit and a Peach, put me in an odd space expectation wise. I wasn’t sure that it was fair to expect one author to deliver perfection twice in a row - especially when both novels were written differently. While I was incredibly excited to read When the Summer’s Over, I did my best to manage my expectations. That being said, it took no more than one chapter for Cyrus and Ellie to make a home in my soul the way that Maeve and Conrad have.
These two are so opposite on the surface and yet so aligned in every way that counts. The characters are also - once again - so very human, tangible, and deeply lovable. Cyrus’ sarcasm is perfection and adds a layer of banter that elevates the dynamic. His perceived prickliness makes his soft side that much sweeter. Ellie’s warmth is so well balanced with a fierceness that drives her to protect the people, places, and things that she loves without hesitation. Ellie and Cyrus have a dynamic that works so well that they could have only been friends the entire time and the book would still have been perfect.
In addition to Ellie and Cyrus, the novel features an entire cast of well-developed and easy-to-love (for the most part) characters. Just meet Noah and Felix and try to disagree with me.
It would be a crime not to mention how Cyrus’ sexuality shows up throughout the novel. The way his bisexuality is presented as completely valid regardless of who he’s with and the way his identity allows him to show up for others all while not blatantly calling attention to the fact there is a character who identifies as queer in the novel. It’s an example (one of many in the book) of what diverse characters should look like in writing.
As in Pit and a Peach, food plays a huge role in When the Summer’s Over. It’s a thread that weaves in such rich aspects of community, culture, connection, and passion. In Meridan - where the novel is set - produce, recipes, coffee, and meals bring everyone and everything together in such a stunning way.
Anna Pollock’s writing is reminiscent of so many things that I love so dearly and bring me so much comfort. Through exceptional writing, and themes and values that resonate with me these novels hold a familiarity and warmth that ties them to shows, movies, books, foods, places, etc. that hold a special part of my heart.
I want to express immense gratitude to Anna herself for gifting me a signed copy of When the Summer’s Over. While it was not in exchange for a review I did feel compelled to write one in an attempt to express my love for the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are entirely honest.
Reading this after Pollock’s novel, Pit and a Peach, put me in an odd space expectation wise. I wasn’t sure that it was fair to expect one author to deliver perfection twice in a row - especially when both novels were written differently. While I was incredibly excited to read When the Summer’s Over, I did my best to manage my expectations. That being said, it took no more than one chapter for Cyrus and Ellie to make a home in my soul the way that Maeve and Conrad have.
These two are so opposite on the surface and yet so aligned in every way that counts. The characters are also - once again - so very human, tangible, and deeply lovable. Cyrus’ sarcasm is perfection and adds a layer of banter that elevates the dynamic. His perceived prickliness makes his soft side that much sweeter. Ellie’s warmth is so well balanced with a fierceness that drives her to protect the people, places, and things that she loves without hesitation. Ellie and Cyrus have a dynamic that works so well that they could have only been friends the entire time and the book would still have been perfect.
In addition to Ellie and Cyrus, the novel features an entire cast of well-developed and easy-to-love (for the most part) characters. Just meet Noah and Felix and try to disagree with me.
It would be a crime not to mention how Cyrus’ sexuality shows up throughout the novel. The way his bisexuality is presented as completely valid regardless of who he’s with and the way his identity allows him to show up for others all while not blatantly calling attention to the fact there is a character who identifies as queer in the novel. It’s an example (one of many in the book) of what diverse characters should look like in writing.
As in Pit and a Peach, food plays a huge role in When the Summer’s Over. It’s a thread that weaves in such rich aspects of community, culture, connection, and passion. In Meridan - where the novel is set - produce, recipes, coffee, and meals bring everyone and everything together in such a stunning way.
Anna Pollock’s writing is reminiscent of so many things that I love so dearly and bring me so much comfort. Through exceptional writing, and themes and values that resonate with me these novels hold a familiarity and warmth that ties them to shows, movies, books, foods, places, etc. that hold a special part of my heart.
I want to express immense gratitude to Anna herself for gifting me a signed copy of When the Summer’s Over. While it was not in exchange for a review I did feel compelled to write one in an attempt to express my love for the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are entirely honest.
October 7, 2023
One of the things I love about...well...LOVE, is the fact that it'll sneak up on you when you least expect it. It's those moments where you really turn around and think... "how did that happen?!" In Ellie's case, this moment happens when her farm-hand turns out to be a know-it-all from the big city. Instead of getting right to work, she finds out that he's never actually worked on a real farm before. The relationship that then ensues between this unlikely pair is stormy, fun, passionate, and so real. It really pays homage to what I adore in stories that delve into unexpected love, where the characters are so completely knocked off guard.
"All this time I was afraid of you loving me because I couldn't control it, but I love you, too, and that's what matters, right? I love you, and it feels like I can't live another minute without doing something about it..."
When the Summer's Over is such a GEM of a story because it's not just Ellie and Cyrus' love story that the author makes you witness. Pollock makes you fall in love with the people, the place, the community. Characters like Felix, Martha, Marisol and Andrés, are people we've all met before... they're glimpses of people who have comforted, guided, and allowed us to feel that amazing sense of belonging in our lives. They are characters who remind us of the ones we love, cherish, and who make us feel safe. The descriptions of food, plants, places, and tender moments were so well-written and fully immersed me in the story. Suffice it to say, I wish we all had a slice of Meriden in our lives. Oh, and some really good strawberries.
This was such a great read! I can't wait to see what else this author has cooking.
"All this time I was afraid of you loving me because I couldn't control it, but I love you, too, and that's what matters, right? I love you, and it feels like I can't live another minute without doing something about it..."
When the Summer's Over is such a GEM of a story because it's not just Ellie and Cyrus' love story that the author makes you witness. Pollock makes you fall in love with the people, the place, the community. Characters like Felix, Martha, Marisol and Andrés, are people we've all met before... they're glimpses of people who have comforted, guided, and allowed us to feel that amazing sense of belonging in our lives. They are characters who remind us of the ones we love, cherish, and who make us feel safe. The descriptions of food, plants, places, and tender moments were so well-written and fully immersed me in the story. Suffice it to say, I wish we all had a slice of Meriden in our lives. Oh, and some really good strawberries.
This was such a great read! I can't wait to see what else this author has cooking.
February 8, 2024
Well WHY NOT MAKE ME CRY SOME MORE ELLIE AND CYRUS?!?!? Ugh this book captures so much of my heart. The beauty and hope of finding love. Finding someone who is understanding and stable, like the roots of your favorite tree. Essentially, I finished this book and not only felt wrapped in a warm embrace but also in need of a carton of strawberries.
July 27, 2023
As someone born & raised in Minnesota, this book struck all the deeply rooted chords for me. It has such beauty in it’s vulnerable characters & is a journey of love not only of people & their humanness, but of the things that make each of our homes special.
October 14, 2023
Growing up in Meriden, this book was particularly meaningful to me. Anna does an incredible job creating a new world in a map dot. The love story sucked me in and it was truly the perfect summer read!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews