One friendship. One heartbreak. One messy past. One open-ended future. One chance to fix regrets. Multiple hurdles to jump.
Rian: I knew returning home was never going to be easy. I hurt people when I abruptly left seventeen years ago. I hurt my brothers. I hurt the woman I loved. I lost touch with everyone and have missed so much. But running away can’t last forever. It’s time to face my demons and fight for the one person I can no longer live without.
Love: Everyone knows me as the lovable, bubbly, happy girl. It isn’t untrue. Years ago, I had my heart broken and have hidden just how much that moment destroyed me. Every day that we have been apart has felt like a piece has been missing from me. But when Rian returns, I can’t bring myself to trust her. I can’t pick up the pieces of me that she carelessly broke and pretend everything is okay again.
However, when a story drifts into dangerous territory and someone important gets caught in the crossfire, sometimes you have to let the past stay where it belongs and forge a new future. There will be missteps, and maybe some tears, but fate cannot be stopped.
So, what does fate have in store for us now, and what are the chances we will survive it?
Reader. Author. Book Hoarder. I’m asexual. I believe in human rights. That means BIPOC and LGBT+ people matter and deserve respect and protection. Trans people exist and they deserve every right given to cis people. I believe Palestine should be free and that what is happening to them is genocide. Books are political and if you don’t like hearing that, then you’re likely on the wrong side of history. Sit in your discomfort. Banning books is barbaric and pointless. Strict gun laws save lives. Amplify important and minority voices. Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep trying to do better.
I only have facebook (which I rarely use) and instagram (which I use only slightly more). Any other social media platforms with me on them are impostors.
Loving Love is the seventh and final book in the In Midsummer series by Jessica Frances. While the rest of the book was all M/M romance, this final book is F/F. Love Fuller has played such a big part in the past six books, she deserved her turn to find her own happy ever after! I think you can read this as a stand alone. You just wouldn’t feel the connection between Love and the other characters from the other books.
Love Fuller is thirty four years old and has lived her entire life in Midsummer. She is close with her family and friends and loves her work as an investigative reporter, even when her investigations have often gotten her into some dangerous situations. Love has always been a little ray of sunshine. She played a huge part in helping Conner and Rocky get together in the early books. But her own romantic life has been empty. Love fell in love with her best friend in high school but she abruptly left with no explanation, taking her heart with her. She has attempted to date here and there but never gets past the first date. The connection just isn’t there.
Rian Green is Rocky and Reed Green’s little sister. She is a photographer and has found success as she traveled the world taking pictures. If you read the previous books, you know that The Green household was not a good place to grow up. Rian had no choice and had to leave. She’s been gone seventeen years. It’s time to go home, reconnect with her brothers and their families, and try to win back the only person she ever loved.
Explanations are given but forgiveness doesn’t come easily. Love is convinced that Rian will run again. At the same time, Love is in the middle of an investigation. An investigation that it turns out Rian might be in a position to help her with. But what seems like should have been safe, quickly turns dangerous. And when the person you care about most is in danger, everything else seems to fade away.
This series has been such a journey. I have loved every page of every book. These characters are part of me. There was some reminiscing in this one that I loved. Sharing their memories squeezed my heart. Love has been so supportive of everyone throughout Conner and Rocky’s lives together and we only saw the best friend part of her. It was wonderful to see the rest of her that she kept hidden from everyone else. To really get to know her. She and Rian have some hurdles to conquer but love always finds a way. I hope that if this is a genre you enjoy, that you’ll jump in with this series and fall in love just as I have. These characters will live in my heart for ever more! Thank you to Jessica Frances for sharing them with us!
Seventeen years ago, Rian fled Midsummer and her horrible parents, leaving behind the love of her life. Finally able to face her past and the consequences of decisions made at seventeen, she comes back and soon finds out that not everyone in her family is awful. Her brother Rocky and his husband Conner welcome her with open arms. As to Love, the girl she left behind, she’s now an amazing woman who makes Rian’s heart stutter just as much as when they were teenagers.
The first six books in this series are m/m and this seventh and final can be read as a standalone but I did feel a bit lost at the beginning. I didn’t mind the feeling in chapters told from Rian’s point of view, since she’s missed so much too, but with Love, there were so many references to past events that it kept distracting me from the story. I ended up reading the blurbs and a few reviews of the previous books, which at least made me feel like I knew anything essential to the dynamics of the characters.
From what I gathered, Love and Conner tend to get into trouble all the time. Love is an investigative journalist, and when this story begins, she’s investigating drug-related deaths at the local high school. Will her investigation put Rian in danger? You bet it will! The whole story is rather predictable but in a nice, comfy way. Rian and Love are total sweethearts, Conner is the ideal best friend, Rocky is the tough teddy bear big brother we all need, Love’s mother is the best.
The other day, someone in one of my favourite lesfic groups on Facebook asked about cosy mysteries. This is exactly what I expect from a cosy mystery. It’s straightforward, it’s entertaining, there’s some suspense but it’s not exactly scary. Cosy really is the right word. Don’t expect more from this book than what it is: a light, easy second-chance romance with some mystery on the side. Sometimes that’s more than enough.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Heartwarming, Light-hearted yet Suspenseful FF story with Friendships, Love, Cozy Mystery (Predictable in a way that gives comfort!), Hope & HEA. My 1st FF In a story was in a Reverse-Harem, but this is my 1st Only FF Romance that I've read! I Adored Love & Rian❤, DEVOURED this in 4hrs.
The previous books in series are MM, but this can be read as standalone (though there's Reminiscing). What a way to end this series! I hope to read Connor+Rocky's books (Have only Read Henry Prince's book yet) Soon too.
Rian; Cautious & Caring; is a Photographer & Rocky's sis who left 17 years ago, but now is back. Her parents were shitty & it's a miracle how great all 3 siblings turned out to be! Love; Fun & Fantastic; is an investigative journalist & The Mayor's Niece. She's friends with Connor (R's Husband). I've found Love's been a catalyst in C+R's story. Her family is lovely. She's investigating about Drugs in Highschool, which are causing Kids' deaths *Oh no..*. Love & Rian were Childhood Besties, then More. But due to R's dad & his Threats, she ran away. & Stayed away, for a variety of reasons.
Rian coming back (& her Truths) is met with open arms from her siblings & Connor. She'd missed so much due to her fear, she don't wanna miss more. She's here to stay. When she meets Love, L's in Shock but happy for her. Their relationship? Well, Love fears Rian will leave again, so it's on Rian to win her trust back (& she does!). Rian gets a job in school...So Love knows she can help her in Investigation. We get fun shenanigans, Relationship Truth talks, Some Danger...
Its Fast-paced, There's Back home, Sibling talks, Love's Info, L Helping Connor, L+R meet, The interview Surprise (Teacher+Aunt! *Ooh!*), The Fun Dinner, Truths, Cliffs-Fun-Scares, Cemetery visit, Spying, The plan, Kisses *Yay!*, Danger & Truths, Safe, Babies, Photos & Sexy times...
The Realization that Love+Rian can't live without eachother comes fast, after all none have been able to Move on in the last 17 years. But what happens when People she loves gets caught in Crossfire? They find the villain & put them behind the bars, of course! (How? Well, read & Find out!). The latter scenes were all so sweet, it gave me the closure. I'm so happy for them all❤. And that Epilogue (Scavenger Hunt & Proposals!) Is Gorgeous!!
It's awesome seeing everyone here & I loved seeing Love's aunt get her HEA too😍. FF lovers or 1st time FF readers, go for this! There's the sweetness of Friendship & Sexiness of love here💘. **ARC Received for a Honest Review.** FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group
OH how I mourn letting go of the characters of Midsummer. This has been such a fun, thrilling and at times nail biting journey. Through the ups and downs, Jessica Frances weaves a HEA for the main characters as we bid goodbye to the town and the family we've come to love.
Speaking of Love, she has been a central character. Always supportive. Always getting poor Conner into trouble. She has been on the outside deserving for a HEA. Rian has been this mystery. Now dear reader we get our turn to find out about Rocky's mystery sister.
Things I Loved: - Visiting and basking in Midsummer - The aunt. OMG the aunt (who is the mayor). - Funny banter as you would come to expect from reading Jessica Frances' storytellling.
Things to Consider: - F/F romance - it is sweetness and second chances - More cozy mystery/less romantic comedy for me - Not enough Henry and Bryan *sigh*
My recommendation: Read it.
Especially if you are a fan of the cozy mystery format. This story had far more mystery and the hunt for the solution. This can be a standalone as the author doesn't leave you with a thread you may have missed or inside joke you are not a part of.
This was my first F/F romance and I absolutely loved it! I hadn’t realized how much I needed Love to get her HEA until I read this story.
It’s no secret I am a big fan of this author and her writing and her amazing storytelling. So knowing this was my first F/F, I knew she’d be gentle with me. LOL
The author gave me what I needed in this last book of one of my all-time favorite series: smiles and laughs and passion and love and heartwarming goodness and... EEEEP...Conner & Rocky!
Knowing she broke some hearts and made a lot of people upset by abruptly leaving town 17 years ago, Rian returns home and is ready to explain. And rebuild trust. And mend some broken hearts and fences. She thought she was doing the right thing, the safest thing, by leaving, saving those she cared about from getting hurt.
If you’ve read the other books in this series, then you already know... In Midsummer, the hearts are huge, the people are loyal, and the love is strong. So gaining any trust back and getting her friends and family back should be fairly easy.
But it seems one person needed quite a bit more convincing. Trust and forgiveness didn’t come so easy for Love Fuller. She thought her and Rian had a special connection, an undeniable attraction. But when Rian disappeared without any explanation, she was crushed and so very confused.
But even after 17 years apart, their love never really went away. It always remained a little flame that kept burning, kept hoping, during their absence from one another. And once they reunited, that flame burned hotter and brighter. Even if one of them was fighting it.
I adored these two so much. So many touching, emotional moments between them while they tried to fix their relationship. I could feel how much they cared for one another. I could feel the passion between them. I swear I felt what they felt.
If it isn’t already obvious, I absolutely loved this story. It was everything I needed, and then some. It isn’t necessary to read the other six books in this series to enjoy this one, but IMHO, I think you would enjoy this one *even more* if you did.
Although I’m a little heartbroken this series has come to an end, I’m so ridiculously happy to have read and loved every single word.
To have met these characters, to have experienced the relationships, the heartache & pain, love & happiness, to have felt every single thing is a very beautiful thing.
My heart is full. I feel delightfully satisfied. I am complete.
A huge thank you to this amazing author for this unforgettable series. It holds a special place in my heart and soul.
Yay! Love got her story! And we see the return of Rocky's sister, Rian! This is something I was desperate for while reading Rocky and Conner's story, and it did not disappoint!
Aw, I didn’t realize this was going to be the final book in the series. >>> 😔 But it was sweet - how could it not be, based on Love? And a nasty villain for a plot B as you’ve ever met.
Rian - I would have liked to hear more about what happened to her during her time away, and more specific details about the family she saw die (seriously. What happened? Where was she? How was she involved, or not?) but anyway - and how did she survive as a teen runaway, on the streets? It feels like there’s a whole lot more to her, and this is just the surface.
Anyway, I’m sad to have finished reading JF’s version of Chicago and Midsummer, AR. Maybe she’ll go back there sometime?
Here is my review for Loving Love Cat gives this one 5 meows with a 2 Purrr heat index This is book in the In Midsummer series. Though they stand alone ok and each book has its own ending I think you would appreciate it and understand it more of you read in order, plus there is plenty more Rocky and Connor.
We get the story of Rian, Rocky’s sister and why she stayed away 17 years and why she is back. As usual Love is entangled in a deadly mystery. This series was so fun I hated seeing it go. I will miss Connor, Rocky and the gang! If you like second chances, coming home, F/F, mystery, humor, and an all over fun romance this is for you
Loving Love is the seventh book in the In Midsummer series. This Jessica Frances story is definitely best read as part of the series. Hell, just to get to know why fans of this series love Love so much.
So yes, we are finally getting Love's story. Woo Hoo!
Rian's back in town after being away for seventeen years. I enjoy their easy going reunion, as it could have been very ugly instead.
Rian's reasons for having left are heartbreaking. I felt so bad for her.
Their story involves some understanding and forgiveness.
And, by now you know about the drug problem at the school, Well, Love is out to solve the crime and of course it will cause some trouble.
Loving Love is a great, fun lesbian romance. Once again, Jessica Frances combines a nice romance with some action and danger. And oh, the ending is fabulous!
Rocky’s sister Rian, returns to Midsummer determined to get Love back into her life. Love definitely isn’t going to make it easy.
A bit of mystery, a little danger, and a lot of Love (see what I did there)? She has been such an important part of the books that her story really needed to be told.
The book was well written with most of the characters fully developed from the other books so it was like reading about old friends. This story touched on drugs so it wasn’t all sweetness and light. That said, Loving Love was a sweet way to end the series and very satisfying.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
I really enjoyed this book it would be one of many books I’ve read by the author and fell for the story line . A good FF romance is hard to find but this was golden it’s usually a hit or mis for me in this genre so I’m excited that I found a really good one . This is part of a series but this would be the first book I’ve read in it and can’t wait to go back and read the previous stories . Looking forward to reading more by the author in the future . Stars = 4 Heroine = 4 Heroine = 4 Steam =3
This is the first book I read in the Midsummer Series, and I will say the cover and blurb caught my attention when the opportunity came to review the book through Xpresso Book Tours.
As stated in the blurb, Love is an investigative reporter (great job!), which brought a suspense to this novel that I really enjoyed because I always like a good mystery. Even though Love had her heart broken in the past and can’t connect with anyone beyond the second date, she’s going full steam ahead with every other aspect of her life.