“Spoken like a true fisherwoman… Leave your troubles behind and go fishing.” ☕📚

This is a (General Fiction/Adult - Woman’s Fiction - Clean Romance) book by Melody Carlson, newly released from Revell on March 19, 2024.

WHAT’S TO LOVE? This clean contemporary romance had a fun take on the swapping of lives by two women. We are shown the interesting but challenging lifestyle and personality of two female characters. We get a chance to hang out inside both of their heads throughout, and they couldn’t be more different! I liked the premise that they may switch jobs, homes, and towns, but what will happen with their old friends and love interests???

Let’s start with the adorably fun book title and cover. Super cute!

I love how chapter one begins in the midst of one of them (Ginny) being reprimanded by her demanding boss in Seattle. The dual POVs are clearly separated by chapters, which I appreciate SO much (Some authors don’t do this). Chapter two begins with the other woman (Jacqueline) having a bit of a temper tandrum in Idaho.

*There is not one swear word - thank you!
*The romances are innocent and sweet - thank you!

WHAT DID I NOT LOVE SO MUCH? The dual POV is not my favorite in any book because I don’t want to know what the “love interest” is thinking. I like it to be a mystery.

However, the second POV in Just for the Summer was NOT the love interest, but another female main character. Different, but not bad. Not my fave, but not bad at all. I suppose it did help somewhat for the one “annoying” main character to be understood a little better and to be more tolerable. :)

I was a tad bored when the storyline spent time at the campground for long periods. I’m very outdoorsy, but the “fishing/camping” scene is not the most interesting thing to me. I enjoyed the goings on of the bougie hotel scene more! haha :)

CONSIDER READING IF… you want an easy, feel-good read without the worry of unnecessary language or spice, and if you love camping, fishing, slow romance, and the dream of swapping lives with someone else for a few weeks! 😀

MY RATING 🌟🌟🌟

☕📚 Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for my complimentary ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ☕📚

Carlson's latest is a quick, easy read based on an interesting concept. While it's somewhat predictable, it's still enjoyable. I loved the dual POVs. I liked Ginny, and she has good development throughout the story. Sadly, I can't say the same about Jackie. She was just self-centered and annoying. Her transformation came together way too quickly. There are some religious elements to the story, which may be unexpected for some readers, but it's not preachy. There's also a romance angle, but, thankful, it's a minor part of the story.

My friends and I interviewed Melody Carlson about this title on StoryChats podcast here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq45hRyNJAM

This was different from most of the books I read. I didn't hate it, but it wasn't really for me.
I liked the story overall. It was basically just a feel-good book. There was little to no romance.
The two main characters were looking for happiness and decided to switch jobs. I really liked the fishing lodge, and that was really fun to read about. I didn't like Jaqueline at first.
There was also a religious aspect to this book, which I didn't realize until later on. Again, I didn't hate it, but it wasn't for me.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a fun book.

The book had great pacing, but the ending fell flat it needed to be longer or include an epilogue. It had a lot of funny moments and I really enjoyed Ginny's character and the settings.

This is a Christian Contemporary Light Romance read. Ginny is the manager of a very upscale hotel, with a very demanding boss. She has had enough and decides to do something about it. She finds an ad about job swapping and gets an inquiry from Jaqueline. Jaqueline is pristine and not happy to be manager of her grandfathers fishing lodge. She writes to Ginny and they make a contract to job swap for two months. Both ladies are ready for a change and challenge, but will they both be surprised at what each job details? After a few weeks, one is ready to stay at there new job and the other wants to stay, however, seems overwhelmed and not knowing what to do.

I would recommend this to anyone's fun summer reading list. This is a great book to just spend a relaxing afternoon reading. I didn't want to put it down and the ending had me mad.... then it twist and I was ok with the ending... you will have to read to know what I am talking about. I love Melody Carlson books and this one is definitely another keeper to my collection. LOVED THIS STORY!!! FUN READ!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

Give me a Melody Carlson novel anytime! JUST FOR THE SUMMER, her newest release, is a delightful read. The story follows Ginny Masters, directing day-to-day activities at the swanky Hotel Jackson in Seattle, WA, and Jacqueline Potter, who works at her family’s fishing lodge in Idaho. Both women are unhappy with their jobs, apply to JobSwap, and contract for a 60-day job swap for the summer. A change-of-pace seems to be exactly what they need. New challenges crop up at their new locations, but new romances bloom, as well. Will the women be able to honor their contracts? Or is finding long-sought happiness more important?

The storyline moves quickly and flashes back and forth between locations. This is a warm, character-driven story, and the reader will remember Ginny and Jackie long after the last page is turned.

4🌟
I like the idea of 2 managers both fed up in their jobs and switching their jobs, lives and contracts to both try something new. However, I definitely preferred one character to the other as I found one of them to be quite annoying and didn't appreciate her work ethic or vibe until closer to the end to be honest. A sweet book with an importance for community, friendship and hard work.

Ginny and Jacqueline are feeling in a rut as hotel managers and decide to swap jobs for the summer to experience something new. I wasn’t sure how the job swap would pan out as I started the book, but was pleasantly surprised how it all turned out. I liked Ginny’s character with her organizational skills, hard
work ethic, and chill personality. Jacqueline, on the other hand, drove me crazv. She was a little too self-
centered and whiny for me. I loved that this book was a clean read with no swearing and no spicy love scenes. It even had a touch of religious values woven into the story which I found refreshing. I also enjoyed the HEA ending. It was the perfect way to end the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson is a sweet story about two women who trade jobs for the summer. Genevieve is a manager at an upscale boutique hotel while Jacqueline runs a fishing lodge. The two trade places for the summer and discover that life is more than where you work and where you live. Like all of her books, this one is sweet and fun with a touch of biblical truth. Loved it.

DNF this one at 20%

I wasn't able to connect with the two love interests. I really tried to push my way through but was unsuccessful. :(

This was a short and fun read. The story was sweet and I loved the dynamics between Ginny and Jack.

3.5 STARS ⭐️💫
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Thank you NetGalley and Revell for the opportunity to review this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this book are solely my own.

Cute little romance novel with a The Holiday vibe. Ginny was easy to relate to which is funep2 . Just a short and sweet read

It was really sweet. <3
Reminded me of "The Switch."

Thank you netgalley and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Ginny Masters devoted her days to running a top-end hotel in Seattle, the hotel which brought her success but deprived her of any other kind of happiness. Jacquelyn had a dream of managing a five-star resort rather than her grandfather’s decrepit fishing lodge.

Driven by a desire for change, the two women informally traded jobs for 60 days – Ginny did the fishing lodge while Jacquelyn did the hotel, without disclosing certain details about their previous performances.

Ginny found that she is able to adjust to her new rhythm of life and duties she had to perform, and understood that life is not all work. It is in this that the novel appeals – with the growth of Ginny and the blossoming romances for both women.

The end was a bit flat, but the book is hard to put down – Ginny’s change is incredibly interesting. I highly recommend this book to all romance book lovers!

I want to thank Revell and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I must admit I was thoroughly confused by this story. When I first read the synopsis I thought the story would be pretty predictable and sort of rom-comish and from the beginning it was. By the time I was halfway through I thought it was going to be more unpredictable as the characters weren't anything like I'd imagined and the story wasn't lighthearted at all. But then the story flipped around and ended exactly how I thought it would yet it was completely unsatisfying! I don't know what the moral of the story was but to me it seemed like it didn't matter whether you were a good person or not because you get the same reward either way. Ginny was sweet, smart and hardworking while Jacqueline was selfish, lazy and manipulative and yet they both got the same happy ending, I was so mad. I know it's not a very Christian thought to say Jacqueline didn't deserve it but it's true, especially as we didn't actually get to read about her change of heart as we stopped hearing from her point of view when this turn around supposedly happened. I loathed her character so much and she didnt redeem herself in my eyes by the end, sweet Ginny was just too soft hearted and was manipulated right until the very end which peeved me off! I also don't understand how this is a romance when nothing romantic ever happened! I didn't think the guys even like the girls until apparently they're now in love. I was also disappointed in the lack of Christian content, which surprised me for a Revell book, other than a fee mentions of prayer there was little else. Unfortunately this is one of those books where the more I think on it, the more I find things to dislike so I'm just gonna stop writing now.

Life is what you make it seems to be attitude of Ginny Masters. Ginny is the manager of a fancy hotel in Seattle. Although it is a good job, it comes with plenty of challenges, namely dealing with the owner. Ginny has not had an easy life, but she has worked hard to get where she is today. Her life story will bring a tear to your eye. She is a glass half full kind of gal and tries to see the good in everyone. She also not afraid to work hard and tries to please everyone around her.

Jacqueline Potter is the polar opposite of Ginny Masters. She is the manager of her grandfather's fishing lodge in Idaho. This is not the job she had in mind when she finished her college degree in hospitality. She hates everything about her job. She hates fishing and is not an outdoorsy girl. She is actually a brat who needs an attitude adjustment.

Both Ginny and Jacqueline need a change of pace. They decide to swap places for 60 days. Ginny knows she needs a change of scenery before she does something she regrets. Jacqueline is just delighted to get out of "the sticks" as she calls her home in Idaho. She is so sure that city life is the life for her. Both owners agree to allow the ladies to change places, and sign a contract agreeing to allow them to do this for 60 days.

As both ladies change places, you will see two entirely different stories play out. Ginny was definitely my favorite character. Jacqueline was very unlikeable, but I also felt a little sorry for her. She was lost in her own little world.

This was a cute story with a wonderful message that will leave you with something to ponder upon. All in all the characters were all fun to get to know as each person had their own story which made them the people they have become. I closed this book with a smile on my face.

Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Books that are about changing places are so fun to read. I enjoy the way an author can make things difficult yet easy- fun yet scary- and all at the same time.
Ginny and Jaqueline have jobs that are different and that makes it so fun. Each wanted a change and that sure happened when they both applied for a job swap. Ginny lives in Seattle and works had an upscale hotel while Jaqueline lives close to Idaho Falls and manages her grandfather’s fishing lodge. The swap is for 60 days and going on this adventure with them both was a pleasant reading experience for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Melody Carlson and Revell for the copy of Just for the Summer. This is my personal review.

I enjoyed reading Just for the Summer, set in Seattle and rural Idaho. Ginny has been a hard working employee at a Seattle boutique hotel for years, and she’s now managing the hotel. Ginny’s boss, Diana, is a horrible bully boss who blames Ginny for everything that goes wrong at the hotel, including Diana’s own mistakes. As a result, Ginny is a workaholic who’s always stressed and utterly miserable. When she comes across a job swap opportunity at an Idaho fishing lodge for the summer, she’s keen to try something new and different.

Jacqueline is bored and frustrated in her job where she’s managing her grandfather’s fishing lodge. She’s like a round peg in a square hole, and dreams of a more glamourous life in the city that’s more in keeping with her L.A. upbringing. The opportunity to swap jobs with Ginny for the summer seems like an amazing opportunity for Jacqueline to live in the city and use her hospitality degree.

I loved seeing how the job swap plays out in the story, and the different journeys and lessons learned by the characters. The romances that bubbled along in the background were sweet, and the side characters were delightful and often hilarious. I recommend Just for the Summer to contemporary fiction readers who like fish out of water stories with strong romantic elements and a relevant faith thread in the story.