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

Unfortunately, Summer of Love just wasn’t for me. I really liked the premise and I’m usually all in when it comes to stories built around reality shows, but this one just didn’t hold my attention.

I found it difficult to get into. There were just too many characters introduced too quickly, and not enough momentum or action to keep me invested in what was happening. I can see how others might enjoy the concept and setting, but it just didn’t click for me.

That said, I’m still open to trying more from this author in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC.

Just read this ARC in one sitting and omg it was so flipping cute!! It felt like being behind the scenes for an entire season of love island and I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next. This is the perfect beach read. And the guys love story was so sweet I would love a book 2.

I think that this book is PERFECT for fans of Love Island but alas I have never been interested in the program or seen an episode. I was hoping that the LGBTQ+ aspect of the book would have sold it to me. But it just fell short for me. There are some brilliant character in this and the writing was a breeze to read through. But it sadly wasn’t for me.

Thank you netgally, Canelo and Lily Easton for letting me read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! I used to watch love island with my mom so this book gave me all the feels.

It started off with the dedication “for anyone who needs a queer love story with a happy ending”. When I first started reading queer romances it were mostly the tragic ones so it makes my heart so happy to read queer stories with happy endings.

When I started reading I was very curious how everything was going to play out. They were all coupled up with girls and I didn’t know how Declan and Oliver would fall for each other, especially with cameras on them 24/7. I was also worried that they would string along the girls to win but I’m very happy how everything played out. I’m also happy Oliver didn’t have a inner crisis when he found out he liked Oliver. I understand for some people it’s a very hard thing to realize but I personally like the chill “that makes sense” reactions way more.

I liked the “rivals to lovers” trope. The moment Oliver realized Declan was playing it up for the show and Oliver started going along with the act was fun. Especially when they got the best bromance on the show. Not to forget the romance between them, I had so much fun reading about them.

I liked the relationships everyone built with all the other contestants. Niall and Stella were to cute. I thought it was very interesting how the show was about “finding love” but of course drama is way better for viewer engagement so they were having a hard time in the villa with management.

One thing I liked a little less were the games they played for the show. I know they are part of the love island experience but they didn’t seem worked out enough. The game where the boys and girls were in separate villas and the first assignment was for a new girl to lick a condiment off of one of the boys bodies kinda gave me the ick.

What also kinda bothered me was adding James for the dramatic effect but most of the time I forgot Zoe and James were even in the villa. I also expected James to use the leverage he had on Declan so I was really surprised when he didn’t.

I did like that we got one chapter from Paige’s pov. Especially because of the realization she got when Oliver left. I think she was so focused on her job she completely forgot they were real people with lives outside of the villa.

All in all, it’s a very fun summer read. Especially if you like love island with a queer twist :)

declan is really cool and a great character, and most of the side characters are too, but ollie doesn't have much depth which leads to the romance never feeling fully convincing. 3.5, rounded up. tysm for the arc.

4 stars
gay love island I mean obviously this was gonna be a book I loved. The chemistry was great between the characters.

Declan and Oliver are the two main characters in Summer of Love. They are participating in a reality TV show where a boy and a girl are expected to match off and find love. I guess. That the two male leads find love is the real arc of the story and the dating game mostly window dressing. I would like to have seen the romance take off in another setting, as the dating show was boring for me.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.