ARC Book Review: Until Next Summer by Allison Ashley

April 26, 2026April 1, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Allison Ashley
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: May 5th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A teen starts to fall for the boy she and her best friend agreed was off-limits while building a relationship with the new guy in town at the same time in this seaside teen romance perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Amelia’s summers in Cape Cod have always been about three spending as much time in the ocean as possible, hanging out with her best friend Kat, and crushing on Myles Ford, her and Kat’s forever dream boy. But this summer, Kat’s leaving their little beach town to get a head start on tennis training at her new boarding school. Kat’s always been the social one in their friendship, the one who made things happen, and Amelia’s just been along for the ride. Without Kat, Amelia’s…adrift.

Amelia’s job at the local seafood joint keeps her busy, and Pearl’s just so happens to employ the one and only Myles. As Amelia and Myles get to know each other, Amelia realizes there’s more to him than she thought, which complicates things when Myles starts to show interest in her. Because ever since Amelia and Kat decided Myles was the epitome of crush-worthiness, they agreed he was off-limits so no boy would ever come between them.

And when another boy comes into Amelia’s life—a newcomer in town who makes Amelia look at life differently—Amelia will have to risk her closest friendship for a romance fit for a Nicholas Sparks novel or take a chance on a boy who might not stick around for long?

Thank you Simon Teen for the gifted eARC.

I’M NOT SURE.

I just couldn’t get behind this one. I don’t read a lot of YA contemporary romances anymore but I love Allison Ashley’s adult romances so I wanted to try this one out too.

I did love the atmosphere of the plot. It has a very nostalgic summer quality to it where I wanted to be at the beach and pier too (a la The Last Song or The Summer I Turned Pretty). And that was probably my biggest win in regards to the book. I think most of it worked fine, though I am confused if there’s going to be a sequel?? I’m not going to lie, you’ll probably find me reading that too.

The love triangle didn’t work for me because it felt pretty obvious what direction it should go in and now I’m leery of the ending? Once again, not knowing if there’s another book coming. Some of the content (multiple underage drinking parties and a few sex discussions) make this for a little bit older of a YA crowd even though the writing was on the younger side of that spectrum.

I liked Amelia. I thought she felt like a teenager and responded overall, the way I figured. Which isn’t a bad thing. I don’t love friend to friend drama over a boy though and that bugged me as the book went forward.

Thoughts are all a bit scattered, but here we are.

Overall audience notes:

YA Contemporary Romance
Language: mild
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), underage drinking, alcohol poisoning (small side character)

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley

November 3, 2025November 2, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 254 pages
Author: Allison Ashley
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Release Date: March 23rd, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lauren Taylor isn’t thinking about love, especially not with the impossibly attractive man she accidentally spilled coffee all over. He’s out of her league and she’s focused on finishing her oncology pharmacy residency. She’s sworn off men who are too handsome for their own good, anyway.

Andrew Bishop can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous redhead who crashed into him and then disappeared, even though he should have way more on his mind – like dealing with his Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis and finishing out his last year in law school. When Andrew and Lauren run into each other at the cancer center where she’s working and he’s being treated, they try to keep it professional. They can be friends, and nothing more.

But sometimes life has other plans…

MY HEART.

This admittedly had much heavier subject matter than I like to pick up. And I didn’t read the summary which means I was a little blindsided, but that’s okay because this book took over my entire day.

I loved loved loved the swoon. Good heavens the quotable moments melted me. I loved the relationship between Lauren and Andrew. Gosh it was so sweet. I was obsessed with every interaction, every call, text and passing glance. The forbidden love characteristics were perfect and the way Andrew could NOT do anything but love Lauren was amazing.

The banter and tension are top tier and the audiobook was incredible. It’s fast paced and easy to love every moment. I could love on this book all day.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: low
Romance: fade to black
Violence: low
Content Warnings: cancer is the main theme throughout

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC/ALC Book Review: Falling Into Place by Allison Ashley

August 19, 2025July 30, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Allison Ashley
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: August 19th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Finding a date for a reclusive bachelor is her job. It’s also a risk when she becomes the perfect match in an emotional and hopeful romance by the author of If Tomorrow Never Comes .

Accountant and freelance personal stylist Carly Porter, daughter of a compulsive gambler, knows the personal cost of a bad bet. But when she partners with her best friend, Sasha—publisher of a floundering fashion magazine—Carly can’t resist. The highly publicized makeover of an Oklahoma City bachelor could boost sales and be Carly’s ticket to her dream profession. The bachelor in question is none other than Sasha’s older brother, Brooks.

Hardly the party boy Carly remembers from high school, Brooks is now an antisocial, work-obsessed physician still struggling with a devastating loss. But if it means helping his sister, he’s in. It’s Carly’s job to get him out of those lived-in scrubs, style him to the nines, and bring Brooks back to life. But so far, the only real connection is between Brooks and Carly—and falling for a client could cost Carly the career she’s worked so hard for.

To move forward, they’ll both have to overcome their painful pasts. And whatever the risk, maybe even take a chance on love.

Thank you to BookSparks and Montlake for the gifted ARC.

ADORED.

Oh yes, this was everything!! I loved how sweet this story was. Gosh it was adorable. The low angst books are really hitting right now and I can’t get enough of them. I loved the set-up for this book. It was realistic and charming and there’s something about two people finding their passion and pursuits for the future that soothe the soul.

Carly and Brooks feel like soul mates. They have this beautiful chemistry that constantly brought them near each other and an undeniable need to be together. I think the heaviness of this book was balanced well between the flirting and dates and all of the sister moments. I didn’t feel weighed down by reading Falling Into Place, rather it brought hope that love (from family or a partner) can help us be better and accept that love in our lives. I sincerely loved Carly and Brooks as separate characters and together.

The audiobook narrator was good but it did bug me that this book didn’t have two because it was dual POV. I would occasionally have to remind myself who’s POV chapter I was listening to because it wasn’t obvious.

Anyways, another Allison Ashley book I just loved!!!!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: mild
Romance: 2-3ish vague/brief open door
Violence: low
Content Warnings: loss of loved ones (multiple mentioned, on page and recounted), grief depiction

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley

March 31, 2025February 7, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 314 pages
Author: Allison Ashley
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: April 1st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Fate connects two people in life-changing ways in a deeply romantic and emotional novel about hope and second chances by the author of Would You Rather and The Roommate Pact.

Uncertain of what tomorrow brings, Elliott Holland decides to live it up—on the eve of a stem cell transplant to treat her leukemia. It’s destiny when she crosses paths with handsome and charming Jamie Sullivan. The chemistry is magic. So is a beautiful evening that ends with a bittersweet kiss goodbye and no expectations of ever seeing each other again.

One year later, Elliott’s future looks good. Her cancer is in remission. Her career in graphic design is taking off. And she’s finally met Carly, the young woman whose stem cell donation gave Elliott a second chance at life. Then, in a twist of fate both blissful and unfair, she meets Carly’s boyfriend. It’s Jamie, the man Elliott kissed like it was her last day on earth. Neither of them has ever forgotten it.

Now, the most difficult decisions of all lie ahead. Whatever risks there are to the heart, one need wins to grab hold of everything that can make someone feel alive again.

Thank you to Spark Point Studio for the ARC.

SWEET AND TENDER.

I sat down with the intention of reading a few chapters and ended up reading the whole book. Which is two fold, I did enjoy the story, but I do think a few things were missing for me.

I loved how the story was tender. It’s a very true to life kind of read and the complexities of hard decisions and wondering which way you’re supposed to go. Trying to be passionate and following your dreams but having to deal with anxiety of some truly heavy things. The themes were some of my favorite parts of this book. It’s not a light book, but it does have hope of new beginnings within. Jamie and Elliot absolutely made me believe in the love at first sight and their immediate chemistry was easy to fall in love with.

I do think it was a little too slice of life for me. I was missing a romantic edge to it that would sweep me away. Which I know can go both ways for different readers. This is just where I felt it was losing some steam during the middle of the book.

I absolutely loved the friendships and support that were woven throughout for both Elliot and Jamie. A loving sister, an incredible best friend and parents, and a few others that really made this book beautiful.

Overall audience notes: