Title: The Summer ShareAuthor: Jenn McKinlay
Pages: 368
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Publisher: Berkley
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
Synopsis:
When two misfits discover they’ve inherited the same beach house, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways, in this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading.
Free-spirited travel influencer Hannah Spencer has spent five years touring the country in her vintage van. An unexpected inheritance from her Pops brings Hannah to Cape Split, North Carolina, where she learns she’s the new owner of a worse-for-wear seaside beach house. Or, rather, fifty percent of one. Turns out Simon O’Malley inherited the other half from his Gramps.
As Simon and Hannah spend the summer tag-teaming repairs on the crumbling cottage, they discover the house was once home to a timeless love story. Soon, they begin to wonder if the house’s romantic past may be a good omen for their future together. But there’s one problem—Simon is set on selling the property at the end of the summer.
Hannah thought one summer at the Split would be enough, except it isn’t like any place she’s ever been, and Simon isn’t like any man she’s ever known—and she’s thinking about putting down some roots. She just needs Simon to see their budding relationship and this newfound community the same way or their first summer share might also be their last.
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The Summer Share is a lovely summer romance that feels like it was made to be read with sand between your toes and the sun on your face. I really enjoyed the premise, the charming coastal setting, the lovable side characters, and the romance that slowly grows through shared grief and home repairs.
When Hannah arrives in Cape Split expecting to inherit her grandfather’s beach house, she’s shocked to discover she only owns half of it. The other half belongs to Simon, a practical and reserved accountant whose plans for the property are the complete opposite of Hannah’s. Hannah sees all of the possibility and a place for her to finally put down roots after years of living in her van, but Simon only sees a house that needs to be sold. Forced to spend the summer together fixing up the place, the pair slowly moves from reluctant partners to something much deeper.
Hannah and Simon are both interesting characters, and they balanced each other so well. Opposites in many ways, Hannah is impulsive, creative, and still trying to figure out where she belongs after years spent living life on the road. Simon, on the other hand, is steady, responsible, and so focused on taking care of everyone else that he rarely stops to think about what he wants for himself. Watching the two of them slowly lower their guards and become each other’s safe place was so wonderful, especially as they bond over shared grief, fears, and the house they’re fixing together.
Cape Split is exactly the kind of fictional community I wish I could visit. The neighbors are welcoming, quirky, and deeply invested in one another’s lives in the best possible way. And honestly, Dude the Great Dane steals every scene he’s in. And the beach house almost becomes a character itself, as it’s filled with hidden pieces of the past that slowly reveal the complicated history of Hannah and Simon’s grandfathers. The story highlights grief really well, showing how loss changes over time and how even small things can reopen wounds and help heal. That being said, these heavier parts never overpower the story and are balanced with humor, heart-warming moments, and small-town charm.
Of course, my favorite part of the story is the romance. No surprise there! lol Hannah and Simon have a slow-building love story that grows over the course of the story. The more they get to know each other, the harder they fall, and I loved it. You can tell they care deeply for each other, and their quiet, tender moments are as fantastic as their spicy times. Their chemistry is fantastic, and some scenes are pretty steamy!
I would definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy small-town romances, coastal settings, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and stories about belonging, second chances, and finding home in the people and places you least expect. Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- enemies to lovers
- he falls first
- small town
- forced proximity
- grumpy x sunshine
- opposites attract
Jenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.
