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Just One #1
Just One Summer
One summer, no regrets
Carly Reynolds does not want to work at her father’s Branson theater over the summer, but she has no choice. After wrecking his prized Mercedes on Prom night, she’s got to pay him back somehow before she leaves for college. Now she’s stuck working as the personal assistant to twenty-year-old Gracin Ford, former member of one-hit-wonder boy band Accentuate.
Gracin is demanding, condescending, and an all-around jerk. Carly would rather eat glass than deal with a male diva who’s more famous for his stint in rehab than his music. Until she realizes that Gracin’s lonely. Once she welcomes him into her life, she starts to let him into her heart. Even though she knows it will end when she leaves for school, Carly doesn’t want to look back on her life and wonder what if. Even if it means a broken heart.
2019 Winner Imadjinn Award for Best Young Adult Novel
2019 Official Selection New Apple Summer Ebook Awards
2018 Finalist OKRWA International Digital Awards
Carly Reynolds does not want to work at her father’s Branson theater over the summer, but she has no choice. After wrecking his prized Mercedes on Prom night, she’s got to pay him back somehow before she leaves for college. Now she’s stuck working as the personal assistant to twenty-year-old Gracin Ford, former member of one-hit-wonder boy band Accentuate.
Gracin is demanding, condescending, and an all-around jerk. Carly would rather eat glass than deal with a male diva who’s more famous for his stint in rehab than his music. Until she realizes that Gracin’s lonely. Once she welcomes him into her life, she starts to let him into her heart. Even though she knows it will end when she leaves for school, Carly doesn’t want to look back on her life and wonder what if. Even if it means a broken heart.
2019 Winner Imadjinn Award for Best Young Adult Novel
2019 Official Selection New Apple Summer Ebook Awards
2018 Finalist OKRWA International Digital Awards
312 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 16, 2018
Just One Summer was such a phenomenal read. I really loved the different feel Lynn Stevens brought to the frenemies to lovers story. Carly and Gracin are both hurting and no one seeing it except maybe each other. Their characters both come from completely different lifestyles but they soon find out they have more in common than they realize. I really loved Carly's character, it's usually the guys character I like the most, but in Just One Summer I saw myself in Carly, some of the same things she's experience were my teen experiences and I think a lot of people may be able to relate to her story. Don't get me wrong I loved Gracin, I mean who wouldn't, he's got the looks and fame plus the wealth but what they dont see is he has so much more to offer, and that's what Carly soon finds out for herself. I really loved reading Just One Summer, Lynn Stevens is a talented writer and I cant wait to see what else she has in store for her readers.
June 12, 2018
Lynn Stevens is a brand new author to me and Just One Summer was a nice way of getting acquainted with her work. This was such a sweet romantic story with a bit of celebrity twist with a pop star. I'm happy that I got the opportunity to read and review this book, it was a nice change of pace from what I'm used to.
The title says it all for Just One Summer. Gracin Ford, a former member of a boy band, is trying to get his groove back with performances at a theater in the small town of Branson. Carly Reynolds is being punished for wrecking her dad's car by working the summer as Gracin's personal assistant. Lots of bickering and bantering turns into feelings and chemistry and a summer fling is agreed upon so Gracin and Carly can be together without any regrets.
The storyline flowed quite well but I did wish to see more Gracin and Carly together. To me it didn't feel like they really got to know each other beyond the job even though things were said to make you think otherwise. I also would have liked to see more maturity from both characters. Gracin had a bad habit of reverting back to a child anytime his father/manager was around and Carly just did anything wild when something got too tough to deal with.
Beyond those details mentioned above I really did enjoy reading Just One Summer. It's a cute story and along the way there is some good advice that can be used in everyday life. It straddles the line of YA and NA so I think many different people will like this book as well. Lynn Stevens did great at writing a fantasy that I'm sure many people have but also keeping it relatable and I hope to see more of her work in the future.
The title says it all for Just One Summer. Gracin Ford, a former member of a boy band, is trying to get his groove back with performances at a theater in the small town of Branson. Carly Reynolds is being punished for wrecking her dad's car by working the summer as Gracin's personal assistant. Lots of bickering and bantering turns into feelings and chemistry and a summer fling is agreed upon so Gracin and Carly can be together without any regrets.
The storyline flowed quite well but I did wish to see more Gracin and Carly together. To me it didn't feel like they really got to know each other beyond the job even though things were said to make you think otherwise. I also would have liked to see more maturity from both characters. Gracin had a bad habit of reverting back to a child anytime his father/manager was around and Carly just did anything wild when something got too tough to deal with.
Beyond those details mentioned above I really did enjoy reading Just One Summer. It's a cute story and along the way there is some good advice that can be used in everyday life. It straddles the line of YA and NA so I think many different people will like this book as well. Lynn Stevens did great at writing a fantasy that I'm sure many people have but also keeping it relatable and I hope to see more of her work in the future.
June 22, 2022
Young love first love, all the obstacles and strong emotions one can imagine, along with those family and business-related troubles that seem to always pop up. Two alluring young characters and a promise of one summer together in Branson MO and then a good-bye — with no regrets. Then she’s off to college in Nashville and he’s heading back to the west coast and his musical career. But the reality is that even the best-laid plans go astray when a summer fling turns into much more.
Carly Reynolds, after crashing her dad’s beloved Mercedes, finds herself working for the family’s resort and theater to pay-off the damages as a personal assistant to bad boy popstar, Gracin Ford. Gracin is serving his own damage control under the watchful eye of his father has been hired as the summer entertainment. Both Carly and Gracin are fighting demons – she’s keeping a dark and traumatic secret to herself – while Gracin is a recovering alcoholic and battling loneliness.
There were a couple of areas where I didn’t think the author went far enough with the resolutions. Overall, a heartbreakingly sweet and tender YA-coming-of-age-family-drama-love story that has some edginess to it while still offering up a quick and fun summer romance.
June 1, 2018
This was a nice summer romance. It's sort of a rock star romance. Carly is forced to work as a PA at her dad's theater in order to pay for damages to her dad's car. Her "client" is a young rock star. A romance ensues with an agreement that it would just be for the summer until Carly leaves for school. Carly is a bit of a rebel and lives life on her own terms. Gracin is a once member of a pop band forced to tour in small towns. I enjoyed watching the relationship between the two of them bloom. It's a totally clean romance, so if you are looking for hot sex scenes, you aren't going to get them. I found myself craving it a little bit but the story kept me interested. If I had any criticism, it might be the pacing seemed off. Some places seemed to drag, where others went by too quickly. Overall, it's a good read that would probably be appropriate for teenagers as well.
October 23, 2020
Both Carly and Gracin had some huge obstacles to overcome the summer they met. Their relationship started on rocky beginnings, but it soared quickly to love. I loved how they each supported each other in overcoming these obstacles in their lives. Carly had a great sense of humor and a take no shit sort of attitude that I really liked. Gracin tended to be a bit too timid for me. But I guess that probably is understandable considering he’d been in the limelight since the age of 12. This book is a great coming of age story. I totally recommend it for anyone who likes this sort of story.
Click on the spoiler for the trigger warning.
Click on the spoiler for the trigger warning.
May 21, 2018
I’m a sucker for a bad boy musician with a heart of gold and Gracin Ford does not disappoint! JUST ONE SUMMER is the perfect beach read!
Lynn Stevens knows how to write a sweet, summer romance. The chemistry between Carly and Gracin heats up the page. From the beginning, I was rooting for Carly and Gracin. Both characters had a lot of obstacles to overcome, and it was nice to see them grow throughout the book. Just One Summer is a coming of age novel about growing up and becoming the person you’re meant to be, and letting the person you love help with that transformation.
Set in Branson, MO, Carly Reynolds' family owns a struggling theater. To bring in more revenue to the theater, Carly's dad hires the sexy solo artist Gracin Ford to perform at the theater during the summer. Carly’s father puts her to work as the assistant to the cocky, egotistic pop star, Gracin. Upon their first meeting, sparks fly between Gracin and Carly. He’s insufferable and she doesn’t put up with his shit—the perfect storm for a hot romance!
Gracin and Carly eventually give in to their undeniable chemistry and promise that their romance will only last the summer. Spending as much time together as possible, the summer days start to dwindle. Carly is moving to Nashville for college and Gracin is moving back to Los Angeles. They promised each other that it would end and they wouldn’t have any regrets, but when it’s true love, can they really let it go? You’ll have to read JUST ONE SUMMER to find out!
JUST ONE SUMMER also tackles sensitive issues with maturity. Carly has kept a dark secret for many years, and when her secret is revealed, Carly’s family and Gracin are right there to help her through. I also liked that Carly’s father insisted that she speak to a therapist about what happened to her. When something terrible happens, it is nice to know that there are people that can listen and help.
I really enjoyed JUST ONE SUMMER. It’s a sweet, page turner with a sexy musician (who can ask for more?)! Don’t miss this latest romance by Lynn Stevens, you won’t regret it!
Lynn Stevens knows how to write a sweet, summer romance. The chemistry between Carly and Gracin heats up the page. From the beginning, I was rooting for Carly and Gracin. Both characters had a lot of obstacles to overcome, and it was nice to see them grow throughout the book. Just One Summer is a coming of age novel about growing up and becoming the person you’re meant to be, and letting the person you love help with that transformation.
Set in Branson, MO, Carly Reynolds' family owns a struggling theater. To bring in more revenue to the theater, Carly's dad hires the sexy solo artist Gracin Ford to perform at the theater during the summer. Carly’s father puts her to work as the assistant to the cocky, egotistic pop star, Gracin. Upon their first meeting, sparks fly between Gracin and Carly. He’s insufferable and she doesn’t put up with his shit—the perfect storm for a hot romance!
Gracin and Carly eventually give in to their undeniable chemistry and promise that their romance will only last the summer. Spending as much time together as possible, the summer days start to dwindle. Carly is moving to Nashville for college and Gracin is moving back to Los Angeles. They promised each other that it would end and they wouldn’t have any regrets, but when it’s true love, can they really let it go? You’ll have to read JUST ONE SUMMER to find out!
JUST ONE SUMMER also tackles sensitive issues with maturity. Carly has kept a dark secret for many years, and when her secret is revealed, Carly’s family and Gracin are right there to help her through. I also liked that Carly’s father insisted that she speak to a therapist about what happened to her. When something terrible happens, it is nice to know that there are people that can listen and help.
I really enjoyed JUST ONE SUMMER. It’s a sweet, page turner with a sexy musician (who can ask for more?)! Don’t miss this latest romance by Lynn Stevens, you won’t regret it!
June 12, 2018
This is a sweet coming of age book about Carly & Gracin. Carly had an accident with her dad's Mercedes and as part of her punishment she was to be the personal assistant to the "has been" twenty year old, one hit wonder, boy band member, Gracin so she can go to the college of her choice. Their first run into does not do much to change Carly's mind about how she is spending her summer. He comes across as arrogant and entitled and to make it even worse she hates all the music he is performing. As the summer progresses though, Carly gets to know the real Gracin and finds that he is someone different than her first impression. Carly also has to learn some hard truths about herself. She does not consider herself a liar, but she is the queen of telling half-truths and leaving out important parts what is happening in her life. She had a bad thing happen as she was going into high school and it has colored her interactions and her relationships. She tends to be a daredevil to mask the pain of that time rather than confronting it. As her and Gracin get to know each other, he helps her confront her past and bring it into the light. They help each other face their obstacles and start to make more adult decisions. It is a delightful coming of age tale.
The flow of the story was good and kept my interest. I had a hard time putting the book down once I started. I really liked Gracin and Carly and thought they had great chemistry and witty dialogue. I was left with two questions. How did Carly get the nickname bug from her family and why didn't she like it. The second was what did the lyrics of No Regrets mean to Gracin. Carly and he seemed to have different interpretations and I would have liked to hear his perspective.
I have never read Lynn Stevens before but the description intrigued me. I will definitely read more of her books in the future.
The flow of the story was good and kept my interest. I had a hard time putting the book down once I started. I really liked Gracin and Carly and thought they had great chemistry and witty dialogue. I was left with two questions. How did Carly get the nickname bug from her family and why didn't she like it. The second was what did the lyrics of No Regrets mean to Gracin. Carly and he seemed to have different interpretations and I would have liked to hear his perspective.
I have never read Lynn Stevens before but the description intrigued me. I will definitely read more of her books in the future.
June 25, 2018
Just One Summer turned out to be a pleasant surprise! From the blurb I thought it would be a fun, light-hearted, hate-to-love-you kind of story. And it was- it was sweet and fun, cute, with just a bit of that teen-age drama and angst you'd expect in an upper young adult novel. But there were a couple more serious themes woven into the storyline as well, that gave it a little more depth than I expected.
Carly was a contradiction. We didn't start out on the greatest of terms, as I thought she was your typical teen brat. But once I got to know her, and know more of her story, I found myself really empathsizing with her. She puts up a good front.
Gracin was a bit of a contradiction himself. But I guess that's to be expected from a rock star- what you see on stage is not what you get in real life! There are quite a few different sides to him and I enjoyed seeing his layers pulled back.
I really enjoyed this book. Carly and Gracin are in such different places in their lives when they are thrown together, but it actually turns out to be the best thing that could have happened for them. They made each other see things in themselves and they learned things about themselves that they wouldn't have otherwise.
I liked the evolution of Carly and Gracin's relationship- how they went from antagonistic "boss and co-worker", to really becoming one of the most important people in each other's lives. The way things played out in the end was done perfectly, although I have to admit I wanted more! But all in all, this book left me feeling good inside.
June 12, 2018
This book surprised me. I thought it would be a cute, easy read. Stevens hit this out of the park. Carly has to work for her Father for the summer to pay for damage to her Father's Mercedes. Her summer job is as a PA for a rock star playing at the family theater for the summer. Carly and Gracin don't hit it off well. But their chemistry is palpable through Steven's writing. Their magnetic pull is undeniable, but they only have the summer before Carly heads to college in Nashville and Gracin returns to LA. I binge read this book in a day - couldn't put it down. It is an emotional read, be prepared to laugh, cry and yell. You will have No Regrets with this selection!
June 8, 2018
So here I am reviewing this adorable celebrity romance. Steven's character Carly was wonderful and I think we'd be friends in real life. I actually laughed out loud while reading this, not something I do often. It had just enough darkness without getting too heavy. I enjoyed the angst between Carly and Gracin and their romance had some sweet fluff too. I also enjoyed the development between Carly and her father, that felt so real to me. As someone who prefers a little more edge and strange I still enjoyed this story very much.
June 11, 2018
Good summer romance between Gracin and Carly who push each other's buttons. Felt bad for them both. Gracin with his father issues and loneliness and Carly for the trauma she went through. They used each other for support and overcame their troubles. I really enjoyed the build up of the romance. The way they both kept to their dreams but still to each other was endearing. This was a one sitting read. Even with the serious issue that is addressed in the book this was a perfect summer read. I received an ebook at no charge for which I voluntarily provided an honest review.
June 14, 2018
This book was sweet.
I really liked Gracins character, I didn't so much like Carly. I felt like Lynn Stevens created two different characters with her. She was too much at times and not enough at others.
I thought the love story was cute and it kept me smiling. The flow of the book wasn't too bad. I just wish we could have seen Gracin stand up to his father and bit more time with them spent outside of the Job they were working together. The HEA was perfect as well. I would read another book by this author for sure. :)
I really liked Gracins character, I didn't so much like Carly. I felt like Lynn Stevens created two different characters with her. She was too much at times and not enough at others.
I thought the love story was cute and it kept me smiling. The flow of the book wasn't too bad. I just wish we could have seen Gracin stand up to his father and bit more time with them spent outside of the Job they were working together. The HEA was perfect as well. I would read another book by this author for sure. :)
June 24, 2018
A sweet summer romance story. I loved this book. Once I started reading this I couldn't put it down. Loved the storyline and the characters. This was well-written. I especially l loved the banter between Carly and Gracin. I really didn't want this story to end.Can't wait to read more from this author.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
May 27, 2018
This was my first book by Lynn Stevens, and I really enjoyed the sweet story. Her talented writing style kept me turning the pages quickly, as I was drawn in from the beginning. It all starts out when Carly wrecks her father's Mercedes on Prom Night, so if she wants to get her college choice paid for, she must work as Gracen Ford's PA as a summer job. He's a former boy band member of Accentuate, demanding, and all around douche, so Carly isn't sure how she's going to get through the summer. But somehow they become friends, with stronger feelings following, but Gracen doesn't do long distance relationships, and Carly is off to college the end of summer. Carly had me rolling with her sassy self, while it took me a bit to warm up to Gracen, as he needed to be taken down a peg or two. However, it didn't take long before I was fine with him. Together, they were entertaining as hell, which kept me laughing a lot, and I found myself cheering them on. But the angst of both of their pasts really was heart wrenching at times, while making for some great twists to get the colorful metaphors going. My one big issue was the ending, as it was a bit too abrupt for me, which is what kept it from being perfect. Anyway, I will be reading this author in the future, and HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
June 30, 2018
Great read! This was a sweet story about young love between Carly and teen heartthrob Gracin Ford. The author Lynn Stevens really had me annoyed with Carly's stubbornness and I felt she didn't deserve Gracin but I was totally rooting for her by the end. Everyone READ THIS BOOK!
May 11, 2020
Love and Family
A feel good , easy to read book . No drama , just love and family. A nice read between (heavy books with crazy plots or psychological books with bloody chapters.
A feel good , easy to read book . No drama , just love and family. A nice read between (heavy books with crazy plots or psychological books with bloody chapters.
July 16, 2018
❤️ Gracin
A very sweet YA story. I loved Gracin he was so likable once you got past the arrogant shell. I loved how he and Carly grew together and I also loved the ending but would kill for an epilogue a few years down the road.
A very sweet YA story. I loved Gracin he was so likable once you got past the arrogant shell. I loved how he and Carly grew together and I also loved the ending but would kill for an epilogue a few years down the road.
August 29, 2018
Carly is an amazing person , made a mistake and has to help her daddy out
With the CLIENT lol
He’s a twat but a hunky one lol
Two people who can’t stand each other sometimes turns into .......
Read
This is fast fun and enjoyable
With the CLIENT lol
He’s a twat but a hunky one lol
Two people who can’t stand each other sometimes turns into .......
Read
This is fast fun and enjoyable
January 5, 2019
An enjoyable New Adult romance, with good characters and a couple I was rooting for! Some emotional scenes as well as romantic, definitely worth a read.
February 15, 2019
Refreshing and fun and angsty in a good way.
I save my five-star ratings for the best books and this one deserves them. The plot delves well into the background of the characters, giving the book both depth while keeping the excitement of the growing romance alive.
Highly recommended.
I save my five-star ratings for the best books and this one deserves them. The plot delves well into the background of the characters, giving the book both depth while keeping the excitement of the growing romance alive.
Highly recommended.
July 27, 2021
One Summer. No regrets.
On the surface this is a summer fling romance, but it is so much more. The complexity of the two main characters sets this book apart from a NA romcom. You're sucked into their back stories as well as the story they are creating before you.
It's romantic, complex and addictive.
The writing is great. It keeps a great pace, just one more chapter turns into the whole book. Oops. And the dialogue is fresh, sassy and funny.
I loved this book and happily devoured it in a single day.
Grab this book for a summer fling....the only regret you'll have is there isn't more.
On the surface this is a summer fling romance, but it is so much more. The complexity of the two main characters sets this book apart from a NA romcom. You're sucked into their back stories as well as the story they are creating before you.
It's romantic, complex and addictive.
The writing is great. It keeps a great pace, just one more chapter turns into the whole book. Oops. And the dialogue is fresh, sassy and funny.
I loved this book and happily devoured it in a single day.
Grab this book for a summer fling....the only regret you'll have is there isn't more.
July 25, 2021
I received a copy of this book from voracious readers and I liked reading it. The plot was interesting and soo were the characters. I thought Carly was a very complex and unique character which just made the book intrigue me more. The romance in the book was great and the way their chemistry built up and developed throughout was really well done. I would definitely recommend this book.
May 24, 2018
This is the first time I have read Lynn Stevens and she had me glued to this book to the end. I just love the banter she wrote not just between the two main characters but the interaction in Carly's family as well. I received An Advanced Reader Copy of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review of it. This book is full of drama, obstacles to overcome, chemistry, family, dreams, attraction, change, growth, promises but most of all Love.
Bad boy musician Gracin Ford comes to town to help save Carly's family theatre for the summer. Carly Reynolds has to pay the price of damaging the family car by working as a PA for her last summer at home. She is stuck with the arrogant Gracin Ford for the summer. But will the summer be as bad as they both thought it would be when they spend more time with each other?
This is a sweet coming of age story about growing up and becoming the person you want to be as well as learning to let others into your true self to help you grow. One summer of No Regrets!! or is it a lifetime of Regrets?
Bad boy musician Gracin Ford comes to town to help save Carly's family theatre for the summer. Carly Reynolds has to pay the price of damaging the family car by working as a PA for her last summer at home. She is stuck with the arrogant Gracin Ford for the summer. But will the summer be as bad as they both thought it would be when they spend more time with each other?
This is a sweet coming of age story about growing up and becoming the person you want to be as well as learning to let others into your true self to help you grow. One summer of No Regrets!! or is it a lifetime of Regrets?
February 3, 2022
Just one summer. No regrets. Things don’t always go the way we plan them.
Carly and her family own a resort and a theater. Gracin is a rock star that is currently playing at the theater for the summer. Carly dented her fathers Mercedes and as punishment she has to be Gracin’s personal assistant. He was pretty annoying and pushy in the beginning but Carly wasn’t having any of it. He eventually realized that he needed Carly as much as she needed him; they just didn’t know it yet. Things started blooming between them but Carly had just graduated high school and was heading to college after the summer. They had just one summer to spend together before things changed again.
This story was unpredictable and kept you on your toes. Carly had gone through a lot already in her 18 years and it wasn’t over yet. I was scared for her at one point. I was hurting for her and rooting for her to take what she wanted for once.
I loved the character development throughout this story from a couple different people. Gracin finally stood up to his dad and Carly was finally open and honest with her dad. I wasn’t sure how this story would end and I almost felt that certain things weren’t necessary at the end or maybe I just wanted them to get together faster lol.
Carly and her family own a resort and a theater. Gracin is a rock star that is currently playing at the theater for the summer. Carly dented her fathers Mercedes and as punishment she has to be Gracin’s personal assistant. He was pretty annoying and pushy in the beginning but Carly wasn’t having any of it. He eventually realized that he needed Carly as much as she needed him; they just didn’t know it yet. Things started blooming between them but Carly had just graduated high school and was heading to college after the summer. They had just one summer to spend together before things changed again.
This story was unpredictable and kept you on your toes. Carly had gone through a lot already in her 18 years and it wasn’t over yet. I was scared for her at one point. I was hurting for her and rooting for her to take what she wanted for once.
I loved the character development throughout this story from a couple different people. Gracin finally stood up to his dad and Carly was finally open and honest with her dad. I wasn’t sure how this story would end and I almost felt that certain things weren’t necessary at the end or maybe I just wanted them to get together faster lol.
December 23, 2021
Incredible!
The only word I have for this book.
Just one summar, as the title suggests, is a romantic book. Carly and Gracin are the characters whose “just for one summar” relationship turns them into lovers.
Carly didn't wanted to work at her father's theatre but she didn't had any choice. And there she met Gracin, a rising pop star.
Till that time they didn't realised the reason of their meeting.
Carly who was just meant to assist Gracin and Gracin who was just meant to perform in the theatre for one summer so that he can regain his fame; fell in love.
'Cause the almighty had an another plane.
As time passed and as they started to spent more time with each other, they somehow got to know each other and that was the starting of their fall for love.
But, that was all for "Just one Summer"!. Yeah...that was it.
Gracin and Carly, their relationship was just for that limited time period.
Carly had to go to her dream college and Gracin too had to go to L.A after summar. They limited their relationship only for that one summer cause they were clear that they don't want a distance relationship. At first they thought it would be fun, but when their feelings started to grew rich. They started to worry and started counting every blink of the eye.
Can you imagine? How heart wrenching, it would have been for them, when you know that you only had fixed time with your love one and you can't do anything but see the hour clock ticking!? Every time you spend with them, would be previous at that time.
And that was what they were doing, counting every second.
But what I didn't liked was Gracin character, how he was shown weak infront of his father and the ending of the book. Well..he took steps against him after sometime but the ending was something I never thought of. The ending was very simple, it should have been something like... spicy? Yeah, that was it.
Well...but overall it was a phenomenon read. I loved it and I know that you will too.
Keep reading, keep smiling.
The only word I have for this book.
Just one summar, as the title suggests, is a romantic book. Carly and Gracin are the characters whose “just for one summar” relationship turns them into lovers.
Carly didn't wanted to work at her father's theatre but she didn't had any choice. And there she met Gracin, a rising pop star.
Till that time they didn't realised the reason of their meeting.
Carly who was just meant to assist Gracin and Gracin who was just meant to perform in the theatre for one summer so that he can regain his fame; fell in love.
'Cause the almighty had an another plane.
As time passed and as they started to spent more time with each other, they somehow got to know each other and that was the starting of their fall for love.
But, that was all for "Just one Summer"!. Yeah...that was it.
Gracin and Carly, their relationship was just for that limited time period.
Carly had to go to her dream college and Gracin too had to go to L.A after summar. They limited their relationship only for that one summer cause they were clear that they don't want a distance relationship. At first they thought it would be fun, but when their feelings started to grew rich. They started to worry and started counting every blink of the eye.
Can you imagine? How heart wrenching, it would have been for them, when you know that you only had fixed time with your love one and you can't do anything but see the hour clock ticking!? Every time you spend with them, would be previous at that time.
And that was what they were doing, counting every second.
But what I didn't liked was Gracin character, how he was shown weak infront of his father and the ending of the book. Well..he took steps against him after sometime but the ending was something I never thought of. The ending was very simple, it should have been something like... spicy? Yeah, that was it.
Well...but overall it was a phenomenon read. I loved it and I know that you will too.
Keep reading, keep smiling.
December 2, 2019
This was my first book by Lynn Stevens and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise! Carly's family owns a resort and theater in Branson, Missouri. Gracin is a former boy band member who is trying to make a name for himself as a solo act by performing at Carly's family theater for the summer. When Carly gets in hot water with her father, he requires her to work as Gracin's personal assistant for the summer. Their relationship starts out rocky but quickly turns into a simple friendship. The more time they spend together, the more their relationship grows into something more. This story is a great summer beach novel. It was easy to read and kept my attention the entire way through. I felt like the author's writing got stronger as the story played on. It's like she found her groove and ran with it and I really loved that about the book.
I would definitely recommend Just One Summer to anyone looking for a great summer read and I look forward to reading more novels by Lynn Stevens in the future!
**This book was provided in exchange for an honest review**
I would definitely recommend Just One Summer to anyone looking for a great summer read and I look forward to reading more novels by Lynn Stevens in the future!
**This book was provided in exchange for an honest review**
November 30, 2020
Excellent book
I read this book in one sitting.The story & the characters gripped my attention. This is my first book by this author, it certainly won't be my last .
I read this book in one sitting.The story & the characters gripped my attention. This is my first book by this author, it certainly won't be my last .
September 12, 2019
This is probably a 3.5 at least. Were I more of a romance fan or if it had been a little less predictable, I might have gone up to 4 stars.
The first thing you should know is that I'm not normally a romance reader, and this isn't a book I would normally choose to read, so if this is your kind of book then you should probably take my review with a grain of salt.
So, here's the plot setup:
1. Carly is about to graduate high school.
2 .Her dad, who owns a small resort and theater in Branson, Missouri (basically Disneyland for Baby Boomers, if you're not familiar with the place), has booked Gracin Ford, a former boy band alum whose career has fallen on hard times, to do shows at his theater all summer.
3. Carly's dad is punishing her for wrecking his car (which of course was not actually her fault), and she is required to act as Gracin's personal assistant all summer even though she, like, totally hates him and his phony pop music. If she doesn't comply, he won't pay for her to attend her dream college.
4. Gracin is totally a sweet and misunderstood guy with a troubled past, who is under the thumb of his mean-and-totally-not-understanding manager/father who mistreats him and doesn't give a crap what he really wants.
5. Gracin is secretly several years younger than you'd expect of a former boy band idol who's been out of the game for a couple years, so that it's conveniently not creepy for him to fall in love with a girl who's still in high school.
Cue the standard story beats for a story in this genre: Carly finds Gracin initially obnoxious, and is annoyed at herself for checking out his Totally Rockin' Bod and fantasizing about kissing him. Then she gets to know him and see that he's not really like that after all. Sparks fly between them, but they can't be together because reasons. Then they decide hell with it and get together, but make a deal that it's only for the summer because she's going off to college and he doesn't want a long distance relationship because an ex dumped him via tabloid (which is what sent him into a downward spiral of teenage alcoholism that resulted in his ending up at Carly's dad's theater). Obstacles threaten their relationship, misunderstandings result in premature breakup and getting back together, and then... .
The biggest demands on the reader's suspension of disbelief are:
1. the idea that someone who primarily appeals to teenagers would be booked for a recurring gig in a city that primarily caters to the 65+ crowd,
2. the idea that Gracin could realistically be the same age as Carly and yet somehow nobody found out that he was way too young to be in a boy band at the time, and literally NO ONE but Gracin, his dad, and Carly knows the truth.
Long story short, it's a pretty typical romance and follows most of the standard cliches. If that's your thing, you can do a lot worse than this because it IS pretty well written with more-or-less believable characters. If you've ever enjoyed fanfiction about normal girls getting to date members of boy bands, this ought to be right up your alley.
The first thing you should know is that I'm not normally a romance reader, and this isn't a book I would normally choose to read, so if this is your kind of book then you should probably take my review with a grain of salt.
So, here's the plot setup:
1. Carly is about to graduate high school.
2 .Her dad, who owns a small resort and theater in Branson, Missouri (basically Disneyland for Baby Boomers, if you're not familiar with the place), has booked Gracin Ford, a former boy band alum whose career has fallen on hard times, to do shows at his theater all summer.
3. Carly's dad is punishing her for wrecking his car (which of course was not actually her fault), and she is required to act as Gracin's personal assistant all summer even though she, like, totally hates him and his phony pop music. If she doesn't comply, he won't pay for her to attend her dream college.
4. Gracin is totally a sweet and misunderstood guy with a troubled past, who is under the thumb of his mean-and-totally-not-understanding manager/father who mistreats him and doesn't give a crap what he really wants.
5. Gracin is secretly several years younger than you'd expect of a former boy band idol who's been out of the game for a couple years, so that it's conveniently not creepy for him to fall in love with a girl who's still in high school.
Cue the standard story beats for a story in this genre: Carly finds Gracin initially obnoxious, and is annoyed at herself for checking out his Totally Rockin' Bod and fantasizing about kissing him. Then she gets to know him and see that he's not really like that after all. Sparks fly between them, but they can't be together because reasons. Then they decide hell with it and get together, but make a deal that it's only for the summer because she's going off to college and he doesn't want a long distance relationship because an ex dumped him via tabloid (which is what sent him into a downward spiral of teenage alcoholism that resulted in his ending up at Carly's dad's theater). Obstacles threaten their relationship, misunderstandings result in premature breakup and getting back together, and then... .
The biggest demands on the reader's suspension of disbelief are:
1. the idea that someone who primarily appeals to teenagers would be booked for a recurring gig in a city that primarily caters to the 65+ crowd,
2. the idea that Gracin could realistically be the same age as Carly and yet somehow nobody found out that he was way too young to be in a boy band at the time, and literally NO ONE but Gracin, his dad, and Carly knows the truth.
Long story short, it's a pretty typical romance and follows most of the standard cliches. If that's your thing, you can do a lot worse than this because it IS pretty well written with more-or-less believable characters. If you've ever enjoyed fanfiction about normal girls getting to date members of boy bands, this ought to be right up your alley.
May 20, 2018
This New Adult Romance is easy to read, fun, entertaining and sentimental.
Gracin is a young musical artist with a bad boy reputation.
Carly is a rebel and a bit of an adrenaline junkie.
Gracin is making a come back at Carly's family resort. As a punishment for something that she might or might not have done, she is allocated the task of being Gracin's assistant. She would rather spend her summer outdoors with her friends, but if she wants to attend the college of her choice, she has no say in the matter.
It's dislike at first sight. Carly has to grin and bear it, whilst Gracin is demanding and plays the role of a diva only too well. As they work together, she notices that he isn't what he appears to be and he starts to admire her dedication to the job. They soon start to seek each other's company and become friends. She learns a lot about his past and understands his behaviour. She has kept a painful experience buried deep down for four years until the past makes an appearance. Gracin is the only person who notices the change in her demeanour and offers support. When that past threatens her once more, he readily comes to her rescue. At this point they can no longer deny their mutual attraction and agree on a relationship for the duration of the summer holidays. No regrets! The question is, will they be able to walk away and suffer through the heartaches?
The first half of this novel is nicely paced, but slows down during the second half. The banters between Gracin and Carly are witty and sarcastic at times, passionate and loving at other times. There are some agonising moments, but the end is rather gratifying.
I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
Gracin is a young musical artist with a bad boy reputation.
Carly is a rebel and a bit of an adrenaline junkie.
Gracin is making a come back at Carly's family resort. As a punishment for something that she might or might not have done, she is allocated the task of being Gracin's assistant. She would rather spend her summer outdoors with her friends, but if she wants to attend the college of her choice, she has no say in the matter.
It's dislike at first sight. Carly has to grin and bear it, whilst Gracin is demanding and plays the role of a diva only too well. As they work together, she notices that he isn't what he appears to be and he starts to admire her dedication to the job. They soon start to seek each other's company and become friends. She learns a lot about his past and understands his behaviour. She has kept a painful experience buried deep down for four years until the past makes an appearance. Gracin is the only person who notices the change in her demeanour and offers support. When that past threatens her once more, he readily comes to her rescue. At this point they can no longer deny their mutual attraction and agree on a relationship for the duration of the summer holidays. No regrets! The question is, will they be able to walk away and suffer through the heartaches?
The first half of this novel is nicely paced, but slows down during the second half. The banters between Gracin and Carly are witty and sarcastic at times, passionate and loving at other times. There are some agonising moments, but the end is rather gratifying.
I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
April 19, 2020
I was really into this book when I first picked it up, but man, it is so slow. I found myself putting it down more than once to read something else and each time I can back there was just nothing there to grab my attention. Clearly it's dealing with some serious issues, but even then I don't know if much thought was put into it. For someone to go through what the MC did and still jump into bed with someone? For me, the character were only a bit more than cardboard cutouts. Which is disappointing because I think this book could have been good.
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