This was a cute summer romance novel that followed two young adults as time and space tested their love.

I could see it being portrayed in a movie too!

Camille Harte's "For The Summer" takes readers on a nostalgic journey back to 1983, capturing the essence of a small marina town where friendships are forged and tested against the backdrop of fleeting summers. This heartfelt coming-of-age novel earns a solid four stars for its evocative storytelling and the poignant exploration of the complexities of growing up.

The narrative unfolds through the eyes of eleven-year-old Cat Rossi, providing a window into her world as she observes the annual influx of out-of-towners at her father's marina. The clever term "Paychecks" for these seasonal visitors, coined by her brother, sets the tone for the transient nature of the friendships that blossom during the summer months.

The heart of the story lies in Cat's connection with Will Henderson, the only son of a wealthy doctor. Their bond, formed over ice cream and pinky promises, becomes a constant in Cat's life as she navigates the carousel of part-time friends. The promise of Will's return each summer becomes a thread that weaves through the narrative, creating a sense of anticipation and familiarity.

Harte skillfully captures the awkward and transformative years of adolescence, portraying the challenges and changes that both Cat and Will undergo. The ebb and flow of their friendship against the backdrop of the marina's summers adds depth to the narrative, resonating with readers who can relate to the bittersweet nostalgia of youth.

The author's writing style is immersive, transporting readers to the sun-soaked marina where the scents of the sea and the sounds of laughter create a vivid backdrop. The characters are well-drawn, and their growth over the years is depicted with sensitivity and authenticity.

While the novel is a delightful exploration of friendship and the passage of time, there are moments where the pacing may feel a touch slow. Some readers may also wish for more detailed exploration of certain aspects of the characters' lives. However, these considerations do not overshadow the overall charm and emotional resonance of the story.

In conclusion, "For The Summer" is a beautifully written and nostalgic tale that captures the universal themes of friendship, growth, and the magic of summers past. Camille Harte delivers a poignant coming-of-age story that will resonate with readers who cherish the memories of fleeting connections and the enduring bonds of youth. If you appreciate heartfelt narratives set against the backdrop of summer's magic, this novel is a worthwhile addition to your reading list.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Initially, it was the captivating cover that caught my attention, followed by an intriguing synopsis. This book, unlike my usual preferences in romance or fantasy genres, doesn't transport you to other worlds or embark on extraordinary adventures. Instead, it hits you right in the emotions, evoking childhood memories and exploring the possibilities of life. It takes you back to a time when the most stressful decisions revolved around snack choices and daily activities with friends. It's a tale of personal growth, self-discovery, and a love that evolves and endures over a decade.

One aspect I adored about this book was its unique structure. Each chapter represents a year and is titled with a significant event that occurred during that particular summer between Cat and Will. Accompanying the title are three tidbits, providing glimpses into what transpired during that year. This creative approach had me eagerly anticipating each new chapter, hoping to glean insights into the upcoming milestones.

The portrayal of Cat and Will's relationship is simply exquisite. From the moment Will playfully tugs on Cat's bathing suit strap, I knew their connection was something special. Cat's stubbornness and reluctance to acknowledge that Will meant everything to her tugged at my heartstrings, leaving me simultaneously longing to shake them both. The fact that Cat and Will served as pillars of support for one another is what made this book such a remarkable read, as I felt every struggle right alongside them.

In the end, there is a satisfying happily ever after that perfectly suits Cat and Will's story. It brings their journey full circle, leaving me with a profound sense of fulfillment.

"It all started with a snap, a shove, a snotty attitude that was meant to push him away but pulled him right in."

Will and his Catherine the Great will forever hold a special place in my heart. I cannot recommend this book enough. Camille Harte has truly outdone herself with this debut novel, and I am immensely grateful for the gift of this book.

This was CUTE! I honestly wish they’d made it into a movie.

I loved watching the main characters through the years. Lots of sweet and sentimental moments. Perfect summer read!

If you spent your childhood summers holidaying at the beach, eating ice cream, getting up to mischief with other kids & enjoying long, seemingly endless days in the water, then this book will hit you with a lot of nostalgia.

This is a summer read for sure! Get some cold drinks and sit by the pool with this one! I liked seeing Cat and Will grow up over the course of these summers. It was a little slow but over a cute book!

really enjoyed this book and found me a new author to read more of her books. This was a win win for me and will read more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I believe the story would have been improved if it had been much shorter. Because the story felt much longer than it actually was, thanks in part to the dragging storytelling, which I disliked.

This novel shows a love story that begins at age 11, through the trials of adolescence, young adulthood, and then adult responsibilities. It shows how life can get in the way of even our greatest wishes and feelings if we let it. This love story also only takes place over the summer. We get a glimpse of the summer of each year, which I found really unique.

I didn’t really like the characters for a substantial portion of the book, but I didn’t hate them either. I didn’t agree with a lot of their choices, but I could kind of understand them. It felt real and gritty. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I rolled my eyes, and I got angry. It made me feel so much.

Even with all the feels, some areas felt so rushed. I think that just happens with this particular format. On one hand, it was fun to find out how our characters changed year after year, revealed in subtle ways during each chapter.

Even with the issues I had, the end of this book really brought it all together. I wonder if I read it again if I’d have a different experience altogether. It’s not a perfect book by any means, but due to all the feels and the fact that I don’t think I’ll be forgetting this story or the characters anytime soon, I just had to give this 5-stars. I loved it more after I finished it than I did while I was reading it with, which is such a unique experience for me.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

I really enjoyed this story. It was an easy summer read and gave me all of the feels of nostalgia. The characters were well developed and the story was enjoyable.

After reading Every Summer After and then another heavier book, I was looking for something summery and found this on my Netgalley shelf. It has the same summer love vibe, this time with a male teenager visiting the lake every summer where the female teenager lives. Unlike Every Summer After, there is no dual timeline. This is all just straight up 80s and 90s goodness. I laughed; I cried. I rolled my eyes at the teenage angst. This was the perfect kind of book to lose yourself in for the summer. Bonus points if you’re on vacation at a lake.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

Boy, do I love a good story of summer romance, and this was no exception! I am also a huge fan of this style or storytelling, spanning many years and only really checking in during the summers, and filling in the rest. I LOVED their love, so much. The characters were well developed and I found myself wanting to make it to the end quickly to see how it all turned out. SO good!

4,5 Stars

Oh my, what a story. Sometimes I wasn't sure if this is the greatest love story I've ever read or if I should give both Cat and Will a big telling off so that they finally come to their senses. I did see (and understand) the predicament Cat was in. She said she didn't want to have her heart broken and therefore she always kept her distance and also never maintened contact throughout the year. But did this strategy prevent her heart from being broken? Did this make saying good-bye at the end of the summer any easier? NO! Of course it didn't. So my advice to her would have been: at least use the time that you've got!

Apart from my own impatience, it was really a pleasure to read this book. Way better than I initially expected actually. It is a true coming-of-age story in every sense, since we really witness Cat and Will growing up over the summers they spent together (and their time apart as well, of course).
And this trip back to the 80s and 90s was a nice add-on.

It was the premise of this book that attracted me a lot.
There is a young woman named Cat who lives with her father and works in a lodge which is a summer resort for affluent families. During her time there, she develops a crush on another boy, Will, who quickly becomes her friend and vows that he will visit every year. I liked the fact that each chapter was devoted to a particular year and contained parts on the events that took place during that year.
In this slow-burning, swoon-worthy romance, the relationship between the characters develops and flows as organically as possible in the most realistic way possible. The characters are relatable both as children and as teenagers.
Reading about them brought back memories of my awkward teenage years.

Thank you to Netgalley, IBPA and Camille Harte for the eARC!

This book was such a surprise to me. I first was intrigued about it because of the cover and the description. I actually requested this book either right before or right after it was published. But I ended up really, really enjoying this book.

While For the Summer does read somewhat like a YA novel, many of the elements and emotions that are discussed are absolutely adult topics. It was raw, and a rollercoaster, and made me think of exactly what that summer love felt like when you are just starting to get control of your mind and body. The excitement, the fear, the sadness and just overarching emotion was felt through the writing, and brought me back to the time that I was 11, 12, 13 and so on.

I loved how this story showed the evolution of a friendship, to a friends with benefits, to a relationship. It was the perfect illustration of people on two different paths in life, but they grow in tandem and not apart. It didn't sugarcoat the tough times, and while the writing felt a little hectic at times, I believe it was a beautiful reflection of a journey into adulthood of people just doing the best they can with what life has given them.

Two friends, Cat and Will, meet in 1984 at the age of 12. Each summer you watch their friendship grow, ebb and flow, and deepen- seventeen summers fly by. As each of them change and grow as individuals, their relationship changes and grows as well. I enjoyed the story and the characters, but I admit that this book is long and it drag a bit for me at times. I am not a huge fan over very slow burn romance.

I was given an ARC of this story to read in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Camille Hart for the chance to read this book!

I adored this book! I love the idea of a summer fling that started as kids and continued on each year until adulthood. Will and Cat met as children, when Will's family rolls into Cat's town on a summer vacation trip. They loved it so much, it became their annual summer vacation spot. Will and Cat grew closer and closer but could never find the right timing to make a relationship work. They push each other, they support each other and they are truly the best of friends over the years. Watching them finally get their moment, their time in the spotlight was magic!

I absolutely adored the story line. The growth of this budding relationship over the years is documented beautifully and I love how the chapters flow seamlessly together.