4 Smooches!
Synopsis
A standalone, parallel novel in the USA Today Bestselling Mathews Family Series.
Most people know Hollywood heartthrob, Ryan Summer, as Ryan, no last name required. But once upon a time, he was just Summer to Carrie Ann—before a decade of blockbuster hits skyrocketed his success into superstardom.
Summer was smart, gorgeous, and cocky as hell. Nothing was out of his reach. Not even Carrie Ann Lowell. He was the love of her life—until he shattered her heart. Their breakup left more than a profound rift in her soul. It crushed her.
When Carrie Ann’s college flame forces his way back into her life, his dirty-talking, bold self-assurance re-ignites a passion she thought had long since been extinguished. Carrie Ann didn’t believe in second chances.
Not even for him.
No matter how deliciously tempting.
With sparks flying and hidden truths unraveling, will Carrie Anne be able to deny her desires to save herself from another heart break?
Review
“He was the love of her life…until he broke her fucking heart.”
Thirty-four year old Carrie Ann Lowell, a successful philanthropist and an LA socialite, knows what it is to have loved and lost. She lost her mother at a young age to heart disease, and it affected her so profoundly that as an adult she formed a charity to raise funds for heart disease. While in college, she met the love of her life, Ryan Summer. Carrie Ann and Summer were happy together; they were very much in love, and they knew they were each other’s forever. A bright future loomed before them. Until it all came crashing down, leaving them irreparably broken. A devastated Carrie Ann closed off her heart and focused all her attention on her charity.
“Men came and went. But, the lasting image of their breakup left more than a profound rift in her heart. It crushed her. She never got over it. She never got over him.”
Ryan Summer came from a working class Midwestern family. He attended USC on a full-ride football scholarship. An extremely talented player, his was the first name mentioned when anyone spoke of the Heisman Trophy; an NFL career was sure to follow. He and Carrie Ann met at a frat party, and they were inseparable for two years. An injury ended his career, and Summer spiraled out of control as he sunk into a booze-filled depression while mourning the death of his dreams. He pushed everyone away, including Carrie Ann. In an attempt to reconcile, Carrie Ann goes to see Ryan and what she finds that day, as well as the events that follow, irrevocably change their relationship, breaking Carrie Ann in the process.
“She’d never been able to forgive Summer. He wasn’t there when she needed him most.”
Over the years, Summer attempted from time to time to get in touch with Carrie Ann. He never forgot her; he never stopped loving her. He didn’t know, however, the extent of the damage that was done that fateful day. In the ten years that they were apart, Summer grew up and did a lot of soul searching.
“All I’m asking is that you keep an open mind. Let your guard down a little.”
A chance encounter spurs Summer to action, but Carrie Ann is having none of it. When Summer ramps up his game and makes a huge public bid for her attention, Carrie Ann has no choice but to agree to one date. Little did either of them know, someone is watching her and dangerously interferes, giving Summer the perfect opportunity to not only whisk Carrie Ann to safety but also to get her somewhere they can finally talk through all their issues.
“I don’t want to be your friend, Carrie Ann.”
The subplot involving this mystery person intent on hurting Carrie Ann, while ultimately serving as the catalyst to get Summer and Carrie Ann together, was never fully developed or explained. The readers never learned who exactly this person was, what their connection to her was or what was motivating them to do what they did to Carrie Ann. There was no lead up to this person’s introduction into the story, they just appeared, very briefly, and only a few times. While this person’s actions did result in a critical step forward for the couple, this subplot was a big loose end for me.
“I love you, Summer.”
“I love you, Red. I never stopped loving you, and I never will.”
Overall I did enjoy this book, and, aside from the subplot issue I mentioned, I liked this author’s writing style. I’ve added the rest of this series to my TBR! A Taste of Summer gets a solid 4 smooches from me!
~ Danielle Palumbo
