I really enjoyed the concept of this story. The plot was fun, fast-paced, and easy to get into, making it a perfect light summer read. I especially liked the characters: Oliver, in particular, stood out to me (I loved that he was a ballet dancer!), and both he and Declan had good chemistry.

That said, the romance did feel a bit rushed. It had an “insta-love” vibe that made it hard to fully believe in their emotional connection. I understand the constraints of the setting, with cameras and microphones constantly around them, but that’s why I think the story would’ve benefited from an extended section after the show, to give their relationship more space to grow.

Overall, though, it was a charming, enjoyable read, and I had a great time with it.

3.5/5

Summer of Love is one of those books made for a sunny afternoon — cute, sweet, and set against a fun, chaotic reality-TV backdrop. Boxer Declan and ballet dancer Oliver are total opposites, and their bromance-turned-romance has that slow burn → sudden sparks vibe that’s easy to root for.

It’s a great pick if you’re after a light beach read, but if you're hoping for deeper character work or a bi awakening as powerful as Red, White & Royal Blue, this might fall a bit short. The pacing is off — slow to start, then too rushed once the romance begins — and the emotional depth never fully lands.

Still, if you’re in the mood for a cute, summery rom-com with a reality show twist, this is a solid pick.

A perfect summer reading. It’s a cute story, a slow burn with no spicy and a gentle touch. It’s funny and fresh. It’s set on a reality show and the mcs are both “hetero”. Apparently. It’s really funny.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

This book is a fun, sunny-time, easy read. It's simple to breeze through. But if you're craving a rich, immersive romance or more complex character arcs, it might not quite hit the mark. It's like it had all the ingredients for a cheesy, delightful escape but played it too safe, ending up as a missed chance rather than a standout love story.

Lily Easton’s “Summer of Love” is a fresh, but a safe addition to the LGBTQ+ romance shelf.

The story centers on Declan King, a boxer turned reality show contestant who’s supposed to be searching for “the one”… as long as she’s a girl. But Declan’s hiding the truth—he’s already falling for someone, and it’s not who the showrunners had in mind. Enter Oliver Wright, a ballet dancer with his own agenda: win the prize money and win back his ex-girlfriend. Their fake friendship turns into something much more real after one unexpected kiss that changes everything.

The setup is fun and full of potential, though the first few chapters are crowded with characters—producers, co-stars, and various side players all competing for page time. It can be a bit much to track early on, but once the story finds its rhythm (and it takes some time), the charm between Declan and Oliver shines through.

While comparisons to “Red, White & Royal Blue,” “Something to Talk About,” and “The Charm Offensive” might set the expectation for steamier content, this one keeps it firmly PG. Aside from a few kisses and suggestive moments, it’s a slow-burn romance that stays sweet but very safe. As I was reading it, I thought it was YA, but it seems to be described as “adult” on GoodReads. These comparisons are a mismatch for readers expecting more given the story and spice. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC!

A fun concept, enjoyed the main characters but a bit too many characters overall - the author seemed to forget about them in parts where the story didn’t properly flow. The dual POV was good until the end when they added back in the producer, then back traced time with each POV. Overall enjoyed the read, and think it’s a good debut novel! Would definitely read future works from this author.

MM Romance
Reality Show
2.5 Stars ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for the arc but I am super conflicted on this one! I think to really enjoy this book you need to be a fan of relationship dating shows like Love Island, Are You The One? or Love is Blind because Summer of Love is a UK dating reality show that D list celebrities, athletes, and influencers go on to find true love or just manufacture drama to boost their popularity. I am not a huge fan of shows like this because I usually find the contestants too catty and dramatic and unless I am super drawn to a couple, I usually tune out at some point. Sadly, that’s also how I felt reading this book because it took me almost 50% to connect to it or any of the characters, even the main couple this book was about and had this not been an arc, I would have DNF’d it around this time because by that point I had fallen asleep 3 times already.

So this is a straight reality dating show and we get 3 POVs; Paige the producer, Oliver a ballet dancer who was just dumped and Declan a boxer who is trying to kill some time while his wrist heals. The show starts each contestant out with a partner of the producer’s choosing and then with the various twists and challenges they switch partners etc. Declan and Oliver want to win this thing and develop a bromance of sorts that endears them to viewers and keeps them on the show longer along with their significant others. As they grow closer as friends, they also start to have inconvenient feelings for each other but they are not the main focus of this book which is part of the reason why it took me so long to connect to it. There are also 5-6 other couples that we get to know over the course of this story and we see their journeys as well and I just didn’t care about these other people. I wanted to spend more time with Declan and Oliver and because that doesn’t happen for quite some time, it made their characters feel very one dimensional and for a reality dating show, it wasn’t giving me the kind of romance I wanted. I was hoping for some forbidden encounters and while there were a few stolen kisses here and there, it just never captured my full interest and by the time I finally felt some kind of connection, there is some drama that changed the vibe of the book completely. I can’t say more on that because spoilers but I was hoping for something swoon-worthy to happen to make up for the drama but instead the resolution was pretty lackluster and once again the rest of characters interrupted the only love story I was interested in.

That said this is a debut and with some tweaks I feel like this author duo could be successful. I think people who love reality tv will like this book as long as they go into it knowing they won’t get a lot of one on one time with Oliver and Declan. I just needed more and it affected my overall feelings toward this book. That said, the last 10% did make me smiley even if it didn’t hit the swoon factor I was ultimately looking for. This is one of those books where 3 stars feels way too generous especially for the amount of times I fell asleep during the first 50% but 2 stars feels too low because there were some redeeming things about it however because I can’t rate it 2.5, I’m going to 2 star it because in the end the romance itself felt half baked and that affected my attention span and was ultimately the reason I have an overall mehhh feeling about this book.

I thought this was a cute romance. I didn't think I would like the reality TV plot but I was surprised. It was super adorable and a nice read.

I was kindly given a copy by the publishers and netgalley.

If you are looking for the perfect summer read this year, look no further! I had such a fun time reading about how Declan and Oliver fall in love and I loved every minute of it. All the characters are compelling and fleshed out really well, especially Declan and Oliver. Even though it is set in a reality dating show, the story never goes for the overtly dramatic punches and shock values and I really appreciated that! The story between these two still feels real and you just can’t help, but root for them. I like how the question of sexuality was dealt with. 

I was so so close to rating it 5 full stars, the only thing keeping me from it, was that I could not find myself having sympathy for Paige. Otherwise I really, really enjoyed it.

I really can recommend it, if you are in need of a fun summer romance that leaves you wishing you were by the beach with a cocktail in hand while reading this. I already have three friends in mind, that I will recommend it, when it releases.

This is a an ideal holiday read, perfect for fans of reality TV, especially Love Island and The Bachelor.
There’s all the pining you’d expect and the burn is nice and slow, until it’s not. I was hoping for a little more spice, but given the premise of the story, it does make sense that there’s not really opportunity for it!

so this was a lot of fun! anything set within the world of reality is always going to be a good time. there's always drama and conflict to be had. i think this book did a good job of balancing the budding romance (which is GREAT and the angst/build up is done perfectly) and the actual reality show, which isn't the most important part but makes it easier to be invested in the book.

there are a LOT of characters, but the ones that stood out were really good. so it was a good time. and i liked Declan and Oliver a lot. it's a perfect little summer read.

I love reality television, I love a summer romance book & I love a good slow burn!! This book delivered. I enjoyed watching Declan and Oliver go from rivals to friends to lovers!

The unique plot of being on reality tv reeled me in! I loved the way the interviews & “recorded” portion of the show was formatted in the book!

If you’re a fan of The Bachelor, Abby Jimenez type writing/books & slow burns, you’ll love this!

Summer of Love is a sweet, compulsively readable queer romance that mixes reality TV chaos with heartfelt introspection—Declan and Oliver’s slow-burn connection had me fully invested, even as meddling producers and personal baggage kept getting in the way. It’s a little bit ridiculous, a little bit dramatic, and exactly the kind of romantic mess I want in a summer read.

There is something deeply nostalgic about older seasons Love Island, the 2017 - 2019 peak, when drama was high, and true stars were made. Although the authors behind 'Lily Easton' are quick to assure us, in their disclaimer at the end of this book, that similarities to those alive or dead are purely coincidental, anyone who watched LI during those heady, exciting seasons will glimpse shades of reality in a boxer and a dancer falling into intense friendship. It is the bit after that, the falling in love bit, which is entirely fictitious.

Summer of Love is a fun, funny, whistle-stop romcom set in a sunny reality TV villa filled with sexy singles, and managed by eagle eyed producers.

Declan King is gay. He knows it, his family knows it, his best friend, who has been pulling double duty as his fake on-again-off-again-girlfriend, knows it, but the world does not. Declan King is also a boxer, the first born son in a short-lived, but successful, boxing dynasty. The last thing he wants is to become The Gay Boxer, a moment which would define his career even more than his steadily declining win rate, and recent near career-ending wrist break. He signs up to Summer of Love for three reasons: Number 1: get Georgia her life back by hitching his wagon to another girl; Number 2: get the papers talking about something other than said near career-ending write break; Number 3: followers.

Oliver Wright is heart broken. Sophie, his childhood sweetheart, broke his heart and moved to New York, taking up with the Manhattan ballet, Oliver's forever dream. Since then life has been shades of grey. No one seems to interest him. Only his daily conversations with Sophie keep him above water. But the producers have a plan for Oliver, and is he plays his cards right he might just win. Oliver signed up to Summer of Love for one reason, and one reason only: he needs the prize money to get to New York, and win back the love of his life.

When these two meet sparks fly, but not in the way you're thinking. Pitted against one another, they start as rivals, and against all odds, become friends. But nothing else can happen. It can't. So what if Oliver is the face in Declan's dreams? He's on national television. He isn't out. He can't afford to screw this up. And Oliver... well he's straight... isn't he? And totally in love with Sophie, and definitely, absolutely, not checking Declan out.

Filled with humour, mad-cap challenges, yearning, sexuality crises, personal development, and drama, Summer of Love is one for Love Island fans and MM romance readers alike.

I thoroughly enjoyed Summer of Love, but I do think it was plot-weak in places, something which is pretty unavoidable with this premise. The sheer scale of a Love Island type show, with contestants numbering into the 20s and 30s by the end of the show, and challenges peppered throughout, would be almost impossible to fit into a standard romance paperback length. This meant that omissions, time skips, and glossing over was really the only choice, but it did make the story feel rushed and incomplete in places. That being said, the 'behind-the-scenes' elements worked really well, and overarching plot was solid and enjoyable.

3.5 stars

A perfect summer romance.🏝

A competition to find the love of your life while everything is broadcast on television.

Two guys who don’t hit it off from the start begin to spend more and more time together until they realize they have a lot in common.

You’ll like it if you enjoy:

The books by Alexis Hall
The show First Love
Stranger to friends to lovers.

A slow-burn and very sweet romance.

i was pleasantly surprised by this book. because i was a bit skeptical going on for more than one reason. which is partly why i wanted to try it because i wanted to be able to find a good book despite my misgiving of the premise of said shows like love island. i also didnt want this to be something that meant people had to pretend at the expense of either themselves or the other woman. but im glad i went in for it as it turned out working well and was actually a cute read.
i thought the initial meet and then the progressing between our two main character men feel true and relatable. and the cautiousness and in their own heads felt like it could be what alot of people would go through, especially if youve been so long being someone other than you perhaps are. it didnt offend and seemed like both men could finally be the answers in each other.
i also enjoyed seeing the other characters stories play out and how they would interact with the boys and would they might or might not notice. because also how would this effect the end game. if they were all in their to find love, and find that love with the opposite sex then what would happen and would anyone end up stabbing another in the back which weve all seen happen before on these shows.

I am not a fan of reality shows, furthermore, of Love Island, but found this book exciting and 'not cringe'!

Summer of Love is a book that is easy-going, with great characters, and a not-so-usual storyline. Or just not so usual, for me.

However, I do have one objection: I am a little bit disappointed with the chemistry between the main characters, or lack of it. I am sure that, if this was a hetero story, we would burn with MC. But (!) this shouldn't have an effect on your desire to read this book.

Boxer Declan King is recovering from an injury and decides to be a contestant on Summer of Love, the reality tv show people can’t get enough of.

Ballet dancer Oliver Wright becomes a contestant because he needs the money, and wants to win his ex-girlfriend back.

As the show progresses over the summer, Declan has a harder time hiding the fact that he is gay, and Oliver makes a realization of his own.

I’ve really been enjoying the reality show trope lately, and this didn’t disappoint. There’s just enough angst within these pages to keep the reader engaged.

I loved the characters, the mixed messages and the confusion they felt; not just about each other, but with their strategies to win the show and try to keep the other from going home before the finale.

This is a great summer read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of this book.

I was hoping this book to be summer romance fun abut the romance for me didn't find its footing. There isn't any deep character arc which made this book just ok for me.

Such a cute book it’s like being behind the set of a dating show that has some cute characters and fun times
The storyline was fantastic and adorable