Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Kindle & Audible: US or CA
Morning Readers & Happy Thursday!
This week has entirely gotten away from me as I’ve been running to prep for beginning of the semester, a return to work, winterizing the home and the usual running around. With the return to the usual schedule I’ve made a bit of a leap to also take on a bit of a personal development project. It sounds silly but while I’ve signed up for art lessons to help with my presentation style in Garden Design I’ve also decided to, on a whim, sign up for Harp lessons. No musical background, never played one before and while it was a flip of the coin between that and piano lessons, the harp just seems to be soaked in romanticism and history, practically the perfect background for this next read.
I absolutely devoured Problematic Summer Romance; not only has this book turned into my absolutely favourite romance ever, I this Ali Hazelwood is well on her way to becoming a favourite author.
Maya heads to Sicily for her brother’s destination wedding, bracing to be stuck in a villa with Conor—the man she once thought about far too much and who’s determined to keep her at arm’s length. Between chaotic wedding shenanigans, breathtaking scenery, and late-night confrontations, proximity forces long-buried feelings into the light. Vibes run from brother’s-best-friend to age-gap tension, and there is the undeniable pull of second chances.
Hazelwood beautifully balances romantic banter, vulnerability, and self-discovery. I particularly love how this summer romance acknowledges the messy, complicated parts of dating outside your typical age range, while still delivering the warmth of a romance focused on acceptance and ‘come-as-you-are’.
I have zero faults with this book, the plot and characters were good, and the writing style was easy to read and flowed well. The dialogue, vocabulary and banter was ovation worthy, and I found myself laughing out loud and re-reading the quick comebacks and witty retorts. As someone who has dated a fair bit older I can say that the context of the situation is spot on and the intricacy so beautifully tugged at. The only thing keeping this from a full fledged 5-star review is the fact that I personally enjoy a book that challenges me somewhat in perspective or speaks a deeper truth, but in this case it is a very superficial criticism.
These quotes in particular just melted me:
If you pick up one romance this summer, make it this one. I’m not typically one for a stereotypical romance, but Problematic Summer Romance over delivers and I will sing its praises well past what is sane to do. Next step is of course reading anything and everything Ali Hazelwood!
Happy Reading!
-Anna R.
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Kindle & Audible: US or CA
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