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A Summer in Ocean City
Coming Soon!
120 pages, Paperback
Published June 26, 2024
170 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 26, 2025
A quick, cute, clean beach read that has me ready to go back to ocnj this summer!
July 7, 2025
It’s summer in South Jersey, so I was really excited to read this story (it’s too short for me to consider it a book)…
This was CLUNKY!
The dialogue was so unnatural and awkward. Characters would out autobiographical information into conversations that the other people in the conversation would definitely already know. This is not great storytelling.
An example would be if this was the conversation I had had a few minutes ago:
Me: Good morning, Coach Mary. How are you?
Mary: Well, as the swim coach for your kids who are on the swim team, I am really busy, because it’s summer! We have practices every morning, two afternoons a week, plus two meets a week. Not to mention the pep rallies. I work at Jersey Swim Club! How is your husband, Mike, who is an account any at a very competitive firm?
Just… ick.
There were also little incorrect details that irked me. For example, Ocean City is not in Gloucester County, it’s in Cape May County. People don’t drink Root Beer at Manco & Mancos, they get Birch Beer.
Oh well.
This was CLUNKY!
The dialogue was so unnatural and awkward. Characters would out autobiographical information into conversations that the other people in the conversation would definitely already know. This is not great storytelling.
An example would be if this was the conversation I had had a few minutes ago:
Me: Good morning, Coach Mary. How are you?
Mary: Well, as the swim coach for your kids who are on the swim team, I am really busy, because it’s summer! We have practices every morning, two afternoons a week, plus two meets a week. Not to mention the pep rallies. I work at Jersey Swim Club! How is your husband, Mike, who is an account any at a very competitive firm?
Just… ick.
There were also little incorrect details that irked me. For example, Ocean City is not in Gloucester County, it’s in Cape May County. People don’t drink Root Beer at Manco & Mancos, they get Birch Beer.
Oh well.
August 23, 2025
Worst books ever. Aside from how very boring and the ridiculous insertion of a short and inane mysterious plot of some kooky neighbors there were many glaring errors in the description of Ocean City both in neighborhoods and streets and it’s appearance.
And speaking g of plots there’s the total lack of follow up on the discovery of a clean well kept bedroom in a house that all the other rooms are filthy and obviously un- lived in for a long time. Where’s the explanation?
On top of these failures the main characters were very one dimensional and came across as Barbie and Ken dolls. The Hallmark movies on cable have better developed characters than these two whose names I don’t even remember after just finishing the series.
At times I felt the writing was being done by a computer grogram, not an actual author. How else explain the obvious lack of interest in their own book?
If possible I would have given these books zero stars or even less.
And speaking g of plots there’s the total lack of follow up on the discovery of a clean well kept bedroom in a house that all the other rooms are filthy and obviously un- lived in for a long time. Where’s the explanation?
On top of these failures the main characters were very one dimensional and came across as Barbie and Ken dolls. The Hallmark movies on cable have better developed characters than these two whose names I don’t even remember after just finishing the series.
At times I felt the writing was being done by a computer grogram, not an actual author. How else explain the obvious lack of interest in their own book?
If possible I would have given these books zero stars or even less.
July 23, 2024
As a Marylander who frequents OC (MD and NJ) I had to read this…..but you do not. There is no real story because you have to read the next to find out….but the plot is so bad that there isn’t enough there to make you want to find out.
The writing was as if a middle schooler decided to write a story. The character development is not great and the book moves super slow but then all of the sudden some things happen so quickly that I had to go back and reread because I thought I missed something.
The writing was as if a middle schooler decided to write a story. The character development is not great and the book moves super slow but then all of the sudden some things happen so quickly that I had to go back and reread because I thought I missed something.
July 7, 2024
A cute story that focuses on being in Ocean City, New Jersey. The story focuses on Lauren and her returning to Ocean City for the summer as she moves on after divorce and comes to help at the family restaurant. The story had relatable characters and highlighted the shore. Great descriptions of being in a shore town in the summer!
July 22, 2024
This book was more of a short story at less than 125 pages - it was a bit inaccurate, the writing was a bit immature and the story didn't really go anywhere. It was not memorable, I will for sure not remember to get the next book in a year (June 2025) and I wish it was better than it actually was. It needed a lot of work.
The character's needed to be more developed, the plot was a ok, the banter was stilted and the reader didn't become invested in any of the book. I am from the area and knew of the places mentioned in the story, but there was no depth to the story. The author needed to give the reader more, they needed to have the reader want to visit Ocean City, to want to find the gardens section, to ride the rides at Wonderland Pier...there was none of that, it just fell flat for me. I was hoping for more, and perhaps in the future this author will deliver more, but this one wasn't it.
The character's needed to be more developed, the plot was a ok, the banter was stilted and the reader didn't become invested in any of the book. I am from the area and knew of the places mentioned in the story, but there was no depth to the story. The author needed to give the reader more, they needed to have the reader want to visit Ocean City, to want to find the gardens section, to ride the rides at Wonderland Pier...there was none of that, it just fell flat for me. I was hoping for more, and perhaps in the future this author will deliver more, but this one wasn't it.
July 2, 2024
Absolutely loved it! Ocean City is where I vacationed as a child, where my husband and I vacationed with our kids, and where I love to go now. I enjoyed the storyline and all the references to local spots in OC. Looking forward to the next book.
October 5, 2024
A must read book
I have vacationed in NJ for over 40 years. But, haven’t been back for awhile. This book definitely took me back to the NJ beach with wonderful memories and a GREAT read.
I have vacationed in NJ for over 40 years. But, haven’t been back for awhile. This book definitely took me back to the NJ beach with wonderful memories and a GREAT read.
June 28, 2025
Really good read.
I loved the book. My Mom grew up in Ocean City, was married there, and went to Star of the Sea Academy for high school. We would go when I was a kid. This book took me right back there. Skeet ball and Manco's pizza.
I loved the book. My Mom grew up in Ocean City, was married there, and went to Star of the Sea Academy for high school. We would go when I was a kid. This book took me right back there. Skeet ball and Manco's pizza.
July 31, 2025
I liked it. It ended kindof abuptly. It felt like the story was just getting kindof good when she quit. Might read the next in the series sometime, but probably not right away. I used the prompt read contempory fiction (read with Allison 2025)
August 11, 2025
I just love Claudia Vance books, they are perfect little beach reads. I have recently finished her Cape May series so I was anxious to start this one. I love all the Ocean City references. I am interested to see the characters develop.
June 28, 2024
A fun, cute summer read, especially if you’re from OC or spent summer there.
June 30, 2024
A great feel good summer read. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
July 13, 2024
As an Ocean City summer person, I loved this book !
July 14, 2024
Loved it since it was about Ocean City, NJ but short and have to wait a year for next one!
July 24, 2024
Good short summer read.
April 2, 2025
Looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
June 4, 2025
Light easy read.
June 10, 2025
Brought back lots of memories of going to Oc and makes me want to go back again soon
June 30, 2025
Having a house in Ocean City, I wanted to love this book. While I did enjoy the mention of local landmarks, unfortunately the storyline had no real turning point.
August 25, 2025
I enjoyed reading this story and the setting in Ocean City. A good novel about a small town and relationships.
September 1, 2025
This was a quick, cute beachy read! I’m a Delco gal and OCNJ is my happy place, so I love all the nostalgia this story brings!
January 6, 2026
An easy read, only a little over 100 pages. It is a 5-book series, books 2-4 planned for 2025 and #5 in 2026.
September 2, 2024
I love Claudia Vance’s books. They are quick reads. I love them because of the characters, and how the story flows.
September 1, 2025
This was okay, but there were a few things that were left lacking. I really liked the characters, which is why I gave it four stars. But the plot seemed a bit contrived and less than believable. I might continue the series, but I’m not in a hurry for it.
August 3, 2024
Loved It!
I grew up in PA and our family used to vacation in Ocean City NJ. This is an easy read and I loved the characters. Looking forward to the next book!
I grew up in PA and our family used to vacation in Ocean City NJ. This is an easy read and I loved the characters. Looking forward to the next book!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews