Tag: ali brady

Book Review: Until Next Summer by Ali Brady

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Ali Brady
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two former best friends each find love at an adults-only summer camp in this romantic and nostalgic novel that proves “once a camp person, always a camp person.”

Growing up, Jessie and Hillary lived for summer, when they’d be reunited at Camp Chickawah. The best friends vowed to become counselors together someday, but they drifted apart after Hillary broke her promise and only Jessie stuck to their plan, working her way up to become the camp director. 

When Jessie learns that the camp will be sold, she decides to plan one last hurrah, inviting past campers—including Hillary—to a nostalgic “adult summer camp” before closing for good. Jessie and Hillary rebuild their friendship as they relive the best time of their lives—only now there are adult beverages, skinny dipping, and romantic entanglements. Straitlaced Hillary agrees to a “no strings attached” summer fling with the camp chef, while outgoing Jessie is drawn to a moody, reclusive writer who’s rented a cabin to work on his novel.

The friends soon realize this doesn’t have to be the last summer. They’ll team up and work together, just like the old days. But if they can’t save their beloved camp, will they be able to take the happiness of this summer away with them?

NEW FAV.

I loved this book! It is easily my new favorite by this duo. I am not a summer camp girlie and this made me feel those nostalgic vibes that I absolutely understand those who loved camp would go through. I loved how this plot worked out with enjoying camp shenanigans, falling in love and rekindling friendships.

Jessie and Hillary were a fantastic pair. I loved seeing their friendship come alive again. I think both of them went through great growth and showed a lot of strength in perseverance and finding where you wanted to be in life.

I adored both romances too. I loved that both had a second chance vibe and had just the right amount of slow burn for the condensed timeline. I was smitten with both and loved the communication and effort each couple took to be together.

Definitely a book for all of the summertime vibes.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open door

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Book Review: The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Ali Brady
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 9th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two sisters have one summer to crush their comfort zones and save their grandmother’s legacy in this sweet, sexy, and heartfelt novel by Ali Brady, author of The Beach Trap .

Hannah and Libby need a miracle. The PR agency they inherited from their grandmother is losing clients left and right, and the sisters are devastated at the thought of closing. The situation seems hopeless—until in walks Lou, an eccentric self-help guru who is looking for a new PR agency. Her business could solve all their problems—but there’s a catch. Whoever works with Lou must complete a twelve-week challenge as part of her “Crush Your Comfort Zone” program.

Hannah, whose worst nightmare is making small talk with strangers, is challenged to go on twelve first dates. Libby, who once claimed to have period cramps for four weeks straight to get out of gym class, is challenged to compete in an obstacle course race. The challenges begin with Hannah helping Libby train and Libby managing the dating app on her sister’s behalf. They’re both making good progress—until Hannah’s first love rolls into town, and Libby accidentally falls for a guy she’s supposed to be setting up with her sister.

Things get even more complicated when secrets come to light, making the sisters question the one relationship they’ve always counted each other. With their company’s future on the line, they can’t afford to fail. But in trying to make a comeback to honor their grandmother, are they pushing themselves down the wrong path?

I ENJOY THIS AUTHOR.

Second book by Ali Brady and I am once again very much a fan. I love the way that sister relationships are combine with romance and self discovery and everything in between. Libby and Hannah both had to learn to stand completely on their own and I looooved seeing that journey for them.

I really liked the romances! Both are totally different and brought a great angle to the general story. There were a lot of tough conversations and heartfelt moments + a little bit of spice. Everything was squeezing my heart and I was very grateful for the HEA at the end.

It’s a fantastic audiobook. It’s a great story. The romance plays a significant role. Just all good things. Looking forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: light strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open; low-moderate explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: side character with a parent who has a degenerative disease, mentions of parents divorce, weight/body themes

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Book Review: The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Ali Brady
Publisher: Berkley Books
Release Date: June 14th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two best friends torn apart by a life-altering secret. They have one summer to set the record straight.

When twelve-year-olds Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill meet at Camp Chickawah, they have an instant connection. But everything falls apart when they learn they’re not just best friends—they’re also half-sisters. Confused and betrayed, their friendship instantly crumbles.

Fifteen years later when their father dies suddenly, Kat and Blake discover he’s left them a joint inheritance: the family beach house in Destin, Florida. The two sisters are instantly at odds. Blake, who has recently been demoted from regular nanny to dog nanny, wants to sell the house, while social media influencer Kat is desperate to keep the place where she had so many happy childhood memories.

Kat and Blake reluctantly join forces to renovate the dilapidated house with the understanding that Kat will try to buy Blake out at the end of the summer. The women clash as Blake’s renovation plans conflict with Kat’s creative vision, and each sister finds herself drawn into a summer romance. As the weeks pass, the two women realize the most difficult project they face this summer will be coming to grips with their shared past, and learning how to become sisters.

IT GOT BETTER.

I admittedly was not sure I was feeling about this for a good half of the book. It leans towards fiction with a dash of romance and I’m really hit or miss on that type of read.

Blake was the bee’s knees. I adored her and all of the progress and growth she overcame dealing with family that never wanted her. There was a lot to process and I thought the addition of Noah on her team was what Blake needed to move forward. She worked on herself and accepting what was and wow did she make me want to take on all the house projects. I loved listening to her learn and try new things.

Kat bugged the living daylights out of me. Frankly, I still don’t like her all that much. The constant mentions of her influencer lifestyle and her hatred of Blake that didn’t even have a solid base made me roll my eyes. I will admit she DID exhibit some good character change and thank goodness for her love interest too.

The ending gave me all of the warm fuzzy feelings. I did love how everyone came together to fix the house. That all the needed conversations and emotions were thrown on the table. It turned out to be a sweet and emotional read that I’m glad I picked up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: brief open door; low explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment, loss of a mother, a grandparent with Alzheimer’s

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