Summer Reading
Boston chef Samantha Gale quits her restaurant after being passed over for a promotion and heads to her family's Martha's Vineyard home for a month of recovery and chaperoning her teenage half-brother. On the ferry over she manages to ruin a stranger's book, and that stranger turns out to be Ben Reynolds, the island library's new director. Books are Ben's whole world, while Sam's dyslexia has made her avoid reading her entire life. As she helps him search for the father he never knew and he encourages her dream of writing a cookbook, their summer fling starts to feel like much more. A warm, food-filled vacation romance.
About This Book
Summer Reading is a contemporary romance novel by Jenn McKinlay, first published in 2023 by Berkley. It runs 480 pages.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Length
- 480 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A chef taking a career break and a library director seeking his roots find an unexpected connection during a summer on Martha's Vineyard.
- Fans of culinary-themed romance
- Readers looking for coastal, relaxing settings
- Cozy
- Features Summer Fling
This may not be ideal if…
- Readers seeking high-angst or dark themes
- Potential for predictable plot progression
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Equal
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
High comfort.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adult
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Samantha Gale, a Boston chef, retreats to her family's home on Martha's Vineyard after a professional setback. During the journey, she has a mishap with a book belonging to Ben Reynolds, the island's new library director. Despite their different worlds—Ben is immersed in literature, while Sam has avoided reading due to dyslexia—the two find common ground as they help one another pursue personal goals, turning a casual summer arrangement into a profound romantic bond.
Central Conflict
The tension between Samantha's professional frustration and self-doubt regarding her dyslexia, contrasted with the budding romance and personal growth found during her time on the island.
Setting
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Strengths
- Clear, relatable character motivations
- Atmospheric setting
- Integrated growth arc
Consider before reading
- Potential for predictable plot progression
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- High confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Jenn McKinlay
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 480 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780593545720
Summer Reading: quick answers
- Who wrote Summer Reading?
- Summer Reading was written by Jenn McKinlay.
- When was Summer Reading published?
- Summer Reading was first published in 2023 by Berkley.
- What genre is Summer Reading?
- Summer Reading is a contemporary romance novel.
- How many pages is Summer Reading?
- Summer Reading is 480 pages long (Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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