🤣🤣🤣 I have to start out by saying that the opening home aviary scene had me rolling.

I do not know what I was expecting from this one but holy cow I loved it. I was laughing so hard through so much of it and crying in other parts and it was perfect.

I am 100% Team Ava. I love all of her friends and the lessons each set taught her.

But in all seriousness, this book was perfect and everything I needed to read.

“But there is nothing wrong with you - nothing is missing. It is only fear of moving into the unknown that is holding you back. What needs to be replenished and fed is the love you have for yourself. You have to fall back in love with Ava before you can find it with anyone else. The only thing holding you back from doing this is fear.”

Like I said, this was everything I needed to read this week. Thank you @coletabedi for this beautiful novel. For forever, I will absolutely 100% recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I had fun reading Uncaged Summer. It was like stepping into a sun-drenched dream. With its immersive setting, I found myself transported to the vibrant beaches of California, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and hearing the soothing rhythm of the waves. It evoked a sense of warmth, freedom and adventure.

What captured my heart were the characters, especially Nalena Maxwell. Her journey of self-discovery resonated deeply with me, as I navigated alongside her through the complexities of love, identity, and longing. Abedi's writing brought her struggles and triumphs to life in a way that felt incredibly real and relatable. As a woman in my 30s, her experience felt relatable and I felt seen.

The romance in this book was nothing short of enchanting. Nalena's relationships with the two men in her life were portrayed with such depth and authenticity that I couldn't help but become emotionally invested. The chemistry sizzled off the pages, making my heart race with each encounter and keeping me eagerly turning pages to see how it would all unfold.

While the plot had its familiar elements, Abedi's storytelling prowess infused the story with a freshness and emotional depth that kept me hooked. I found myself rooting for Nalena's happiness, cheering her on as she embraced her true self and made choices that resonated with her heart.

"Uncaged Summer" isn't just a romance novel; it's a journey of self-discovery, love, and growth set against a stunning backdrop. It's a book that made me laugh, swoon, and reflect on my own desires and dreams. If you're looking for a captivating read that will sweep you off your feet and leave you with a warm, hopeful feeling, this is it. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good love story with heart and soul.

DNF.
The cover & synopsis sold me on this book but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver as I had hoped. The characters were one dimensional and lacked any substance. It's hard to root for characters and stay engaged in a story that falls flat.
Thank you NetGalley, Colet Abedi, and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley for this book. This was not a hit for me . It was not executed well. I did not enjoy reading it because of that. It was very hard to read.

This story is a blend of humor and heart. Following Avalie's journey through a glamorous yet tumultuous summer in Los Angeles, I was drawn into her world of rediscovery post-divorce. Her adventures, from quirky dates to encounters with shamans, unfold against a backdrop of luxurious locales, providing both laughter and introspection. The cultural insights and family dynamics, particularly her Persian heritage, add depth and authenticity. Although the story sometimes feels repetitive and disjointed, Avalie's growth and the novel's exploration of self-love and resilience shine through. It's a story that resonates for those of us navigating the complexities of life and love. It is a relatable, empowering read that reminds us of the magic in life's unplanned moments.

I am so grateful for the advanced copy, but unfortunately this book was not for me. I didn’t enjoy the writing style and it was too choppy for my liking. This made it hard to follow the story and connect with the characters.

This book was so much fun to read! The writing was funny and engaging and the characters very relatable to my ethnic family. I loved the spiritual themes throughout the book which added an extra layer of depth. Highly recommend!

Great synopsis and plenty of potential but unfortunately the book was hugely disappointing. Poorly writing temple with one dimensional characters- not for me.

Uncaged Summer by Colet Abedi is a thought provoking and soulful journey about finding oneself after life has taken devastating turns. Ava's story is something we call relate to. In various ways. It's an eclectic mix of philosophical questions, self discovery, witty and funny interludes..

Ava has just found out that her husband has cheated on her and their marriage of 20 Years is gone. She is also in deep financial trouble. She decides to spend the summer living with different friends and family members before she can think of the next step in her life.

Ava's Persian background gives the story an interesting and intriguing nature. Their culture has a very different dynamics than western culture. The family is a source of unconditional love and support and they are also very close and nosy..no matter how old their kids are. Ava is a bit all over the place now. But as she moves from one place to other and experience the different kinds of marriage from close and with a fresh outlook..she learns something new. The journey was sometimes hilarious and entertaining as she took part in some risky adventures for sake of new beginning. Most of the times, the story is quiet and heartaching. Ava let go of the bitterness and anger and guilt. She rebuilt herself from the ashes. She regained the confidence in herself. And we leave her with just a hint of a blooming romance.

This story is really an inspiring one with scope of plenty self reflection and learning from Ava's musings.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

This book had a good premise but the execution of it was not my favorite. The flow was choppy and the characters started to become repetitive.

This book follows Avalie a middle aged woman who after finalising a divorce from her husband of 16 years decides to go on a trip for the summer in an effort to discover who she is when she is alone. For lovers of eat, pray love this book gives off that vibe.

The book is a really easy read and isn't to heavy, the chapters are pretty short which I find also makes for an easier read when you want something light. The plot is fun, filled with humour and adventure and tells a wonderful tale of a person being able to become who they want to be at any age,

The book gives an interesting insight into what it is like to be a first generation Persian- American and social norms and pressure for a woman to find a husband at a later age of life. it explores the feeling of heartbreak after a divorce even if it was the right thing and reconnecting with friends and family.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anybody who likes this kind of genre and wants a easy to read book.

This was a cute and easy read. I found the main character very likable and relatable. Overall, I would recommend this book to my romance lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Post Hill Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reading experience: 3.5/5 🌟(rounded up to 4)

I gotta be honest. "Uncaged Summer" wasn't exactly my vibe—I went into the book with the wrong expectations after misunderstanding its description. (I thought this was more on the romance side, and that is totally on me). But hey, it might be yours, and let me tell you why:

"Uncaged Summer" offers some intriguing glimpses into Persian American culture from the perspective of a first-generation divorced woman in her late thirties. It also features charming interactions with rescued birds and easily manageable short chapters. The book provides valuable insights into the messy world of relationships and the fears and doubts of the post-divorce life. And I gotta say, the dating horror stories are painfully relatable. Plus, there are heartfelt moments scattered throughout the book I particularly enjoyed, like the scenes with the FMC and her family. Additionally, it delves into the familial and cultural pressures faced by women to conform to societal expectations, particularly the pressure to marry.

A bit heavier than I prefer on the dialogue side, this reads more like a theater play or a TV series than a book. But that's a matter of personal taste. I know this is not a problem for a lot of my reader friends.

I also didn't vibe with how much alcohol and drugs are present in the story, but hey, once again, that's on me. I shouldn't have underestimated how much I'd have to read about it because if I recall correctly, those are mentioned in the description. And it's not something I'm looking to read at this point in my life.

There are other moments, like the very realistic depiction of societal pressure for getting a man, any man "because you're not young anymore" as if the only value we have is through being someone's wife that kinda triggered me (as a divorced woman in my early thirties I went through something similar). Usually, that's something I enjoy, but once again, I requested and went into the book thinking it would be a more escapist kind of story. So, my bad.

Overall, my "buts" are more of an issue of compatibility and not quality. While not perfect, "Uncaged Summer" it's a well-written, easy-to-read story about finding yourself after a major life change, with fun moments and glamorized couch surfing. Think "Eat, Pray, Love" but with less praying, more partying, and more dating. It may not have been my cup of tea, mostly because of my misguided expectations and timing (I'm sure at a different point in my life I would have loved it) but it could be yours. Give it a try!

This book tells the story of a recently divorced woman in her late 30s who decides to spend her summer with various friends. Her goal is to ger back in touch with herself after spending the last sixteen years with her ex-husband.

I loved the premise for this book, but the execution was lacking for me. I was surprised by how wealthy everyone in the book was. I was expecting the MFC to literally be couch surfing, not staying in guest houses bigger than most apartments. I also wasn't a fan of how the lessons learned in each location were listed at the end of each section. All of the listed lessons were implied while reading and it felt unnecessary to list them. It felt repetitive. I also had a hard time connecting with the MFC's friends. They were important to the story, but their characters didn't have enough time on the page to be fleshed out. I think the sheer amount of friends is the main reason why, which is a shame because many of these characters seemed very interesting.

Despite these drawbacks, I did enjoy pretty much all the scenes involving the MFC's family! The family members felt like full characters I got to know. These scenes felt realistic and really drove the story.

Overall, I would recommend reading this book if you want to read about a character on a self-discovery journey who learns a ton of valuable life lessons along the way.

For fans of Eat, Pray, Love, Uncaged Summer is the story of one woman’s journey of self discovery after a devastating divorce. Avalie Monfared has plans to spend the summer couch surfing while she visits friends and family and attempts to piece her life back together.

The book becomes somewhat repetitive as it goes on with each visit to a friend. Characters except for Availe and her cousin Pegah somewhat blend together and are hard to distinguish. While there were some poignant scenes, the book is more centered around character development vs plot focused and I felt like there was not a lot of substance. The reader quickly gets a sense of who Avalie is, and I liked that the main character was relatable. There was a good balance of serious scenes and comedic relief, but overall the writing and some parts of the storyline felt choppy. Thanks to Post Hill Press, Colet Abdi, and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

A woman marries her high school sweetheart, but after losing the magic, she sets out for a summer of carefree couch surfing. With every misadventure, she finds a little bit of solace in moving forward. I enjoyed it.

A delightful and empowering journey through the unexpected twists of life after the recent ending of a marriage caused by lies and betrayal, and the magic that unfolds when one embraces the unplanned. Avalie’s candid exploration of self-discovery post-heartbreak is both humorous and heart-warming.

The narrative is like a breath of fresh air as Ava, our fearless protagonist, sets out on a summer escapade, surfing couches against the glamorous backdrop of Los Angeles. Amidst the luxurious landscapes, she gains profound insights into the marriage and family lives of the friends and family hosting her. The journey is peppered with laugh-out-loud moments, awkward dates, and unexpected encounters that effortlessly kept me thoroughly engaged.

Witty, relatable, and filled with poignant observations about love, family, and the quest for identity, the writing captivates from start to finish. The author's unique perspective on the institution of marriage adds layers to the storyline, challenging conventional notions and exploring the magic that transcends societal expectations.

The supporting cast of characters, ranging from shamans to Ava's traditional Persian family members, introduces complexity and abundant humour to the narrative, particularly through the unsolicited advice from her family. Their presence not only infuses cultural insights but also adds a delightful touch of familial warmth to the story.

As Ava navigates the peaks and valleys of her summer adventure, I was treated to a compelling journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The author masterfully captures the essence of finding solace and wisdom in unexpected places, reinforcing the notion that life's magic often resides in the unplanned and the unconventional.

"Uncaged Summer" emerges as a charming and uplifting read that encourages readers to embrace the unpredictability of life, discovering the power in letting go. Avalie's story becomes a celebration of resilience, laughter, and the beauty of self-discovery amidst the chaos. It's an ideal choice for anyone in search of a heartfelt, humorous, and empowering narrative.

Gratitude extended to @netgalley and @posthillpress for generously providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thought provoking yet entertaining, a book you really enjoy reading but which also makes you stop and think in a good way about your own priorities.

I went into this book thinking it was a romance but quickly discovered it’s much more of a story about finding your way back to yourself.

I enjoyed the myriad of different marriages that were showcased as learning opportunities on Ava’s post-divorce tour, and the emphasis on the healing nature of reconnecting with friends and family. (Although, as a woman in my 30s I did have a few instances of thinking, “Are there people out there with deep connections to THIS MANY PEOPLE?! 😂)

Overall, I’m not sure this book would be a fit for everyone, but it was a quick easy beach read and I’d recommend if you’re on a journey of self-connection!

Uncaged Summer

2/5 Stars

Ava is a recently divorced 39-year-old, looking to find herself again and hoping to start by couch surfing at the homes of her friends and family.

I’ll admit I took a while to get into the flow of this. I’m struggling with books at the moment where everyone is gorgeous, rich, fabulous and amazing!!! (gah!) and every man is cute and rich and instantly flirts with you. There’s a LOT of that in this book. I’m not excited by the whole money thing,

I loved the concept of a 39-year-old, divorced Persian heroine and the couch-surfing journey of self-discovery was an interesting concept. The absolute best parts of the book was where we got some insights into the relationships with Ava’s Persian family. I do feel a bit misled by the couch-surfing concept - all her friends are rich as hell.

Aside from this feeling like a total fantasy world where everyone is sexy and successful, and everything all works out wonderfully my other issue was with the dialogue. It felt juvenile, stilted and unrealistic. Do 39-year-olds say “barf” when describing someone? And then there’s dialogue like this...

“He happens to be the baller kind of rich. Sick rich. As in sick, wet your panties rich.”

That’s just all kinds of ick. Perhaps I’m just not that into rich people?

Also, I'm not sure about Ava herself, if you told me she was a 20-something trying to find herself, fine, but she’s a 39-year-old who has lived a fair bit of life? I didn’t get that from her, or any of her friends. She doesn’t seem to have any personal ambitions, skills or a real history.

The book is interesting and has a few fun moments, it is just a bit… shallow. I wanted to see more of Ava’s vulnerability, her story and some REAL characters.

I hate to put anything negative because this is my first review from an ARC via Netgalley and I am so appreciative of the chance to read it, but I am compelled to be honest. I’d love to see something deeper from this writer.

Lish x