"Alexa. Play Summer by Calvin Harris"
As a bookseller, I can choose a book that I love or am currently reading and put it on display for all to see. So, I picked The Summer of Broken Rules, the book I purchased in April but didn't start reading until yesterday because it's a summer read.
When I had to replace this book four times I finally sat down and got reading. And I'm now so happy that five people purchased this book because it's just so good!
There were tears, there were laughs, there were times where my heart ached for the main character. And I'm telling you now, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK.
Synopsis
It's all fun and games until someone loses their heart.
When Meredith Fox lost her sister, Claire, eighteen months ago, she shut everyone out. But this summer she's determined to join the world again.
The annual family vacation to Martha's Vineyard seems like the perfect place to reconnect. Her entire extended family is gathering for a big summer wedding, and although Meredith is dateless after being unexpectedly dumped, she's excited to participate in the traditional Fox family game of Assassin that will take place during the week of wedding festivities. Claire always loved the game, and Meredith is determined to honor her legacy.
But when Meredith forms an alliance with a cute groomsman, she finds herself getting distracted. Meredith tries to focus on the game and win it for her sister, but she can't help falling for him. And as the week progresses, she realizes she's not only at risk of losing the game, but also her heart.
My Thoughts
Okay, first of all, Ben Fletcher, Meredith's crappy ex, is a total Hans. And Wit, the love interest of this book, is a total Kristoff. If you know me personally, you understand what I mean by this. If not, let me quickly explain: Everyone wants a Kristoff and Wit is a Kristoff.
As the reader, we're immediately thrown into the week of the wedding. Meredith and her family are about to board a ferry to go to Martha's Vineyard, but they're missing a person: Meredith's older sister Claire, who died a year-and-a-half before the book takes place. None of them have been back to their family land in a year, so we already feel the emotions. We learn of Meredith's ex Hans and how he broke up with her and then, bam! We meet an important character in a funny and slightly disastrous way.
Meredith is still reeling after her sister's death. They were best friends. They talked every day. Then she was gone. But we don't find out what happened until halfway through the book what actually happened.
About a few chapters in, the game of Assassin, which was originally a secret to all wedding attendees, is announced. And the games begin.
I loved how this game was so involved in the plot. Not only to honor Claire, but to get Meredith back to who she was before. And, as someone who has played Assassin while at school, it was so fun to read. It's equally as intriguing when you've actually played the game. You feel the anxiety and the intrigue and the excitement.
The forming relationship between Wit and Meredith was my favorite. You'll have to read the book in order to really understand how complex their relationship really is. And I loved it.
I read this book in a day. Basically. I was 50 pages in, but it's a little over 350 pages, so that still says a lot.
My Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Easily.
I really felt like I was there. Like I was in the summer sun, eating ice cream and donuts and swimming and playing Assassin. Honestly, I really want to play it again.
This was the perfect sumemr read. It was executed beautifully and I definitely want to read another K. L. Walther book.
Song I Paired With This Book
If you read the book, you understand why I chose this song and how it relates to more than just Wit and Meredith.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Would you recommend it? Let me know in the comments! Let's start a conversation.
With love,
Kaylee 💛
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