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Hot Mess Summer Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 4,986 ratings

She’s a romance writer who, against her better instinct, is finding love in the friend zone in a fun, sexy, and unpredictable romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.

Who buys a cottage in a New England fishing village on a whim? A stressed-out, twice-divorced romance writer and single mother looking for a fresh start, that’s who. Despite what my besties say about my three-year dry spell, I’m not looking for a man. Or drama. Or sex. I’ve got enough on my plate with writer’s block and a daughter who refuses to grow up. Community. That’s what I need. So why are all these random men suddenly drawn to me? Is there a shortage of women in Chatemup, Massachusetts? At least I’ve found one funny, good-hearted friend, fish peddler Declan Miller, my brainstorming adventure buddy who stirs my creative juices. I’m his writer girl. He’s my dimple dude. Just scruffy, granite-chested, deep-voiced, ex-military brawn who happens to be—oh, Nicole, what are you doing to yourself?—stoking a long-neglected fire without even trying.

A self-confessed hot mess, divorced single dad Declan’s too old for relationship games. Not interested. Same here. So why do I keep thinking about him? Preferably naked. Because I’m a hot mess, too? At least he’s inspiring me to write. If only real life were like one of my novels. At least then I’d have a better idea of how this was going to end.

Popular Highlights in this book

From the Publisher

Best friends. Perfect lovers?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melissa Foster is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than one hundred books, including Maybe We Will and Maybe We Won’t in the Silver Harbor series, and The Real Thing and Only for You in the Sugar Lake series. Her novels have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown magazine, the Patriot, and others. She enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and she welcomes an invitation to your event. Visit Melissa on her website, www.melissafoster.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C11JHQ4Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Montlake (October 17, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 17, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 361 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 4,986 ratings

About the author

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Melissa Foster
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NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Download FREE first in series! www.MelissaFoster.com/LIBFree

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Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa's fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summers, Bayside Summers, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, Tru Blue and the Whiskeys, the Wickeds, and the Montgomerys. Melissa's emotional journeys are always family oriented. Perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy and blue-collar heroes and smart, sassy, and empowered heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance with no harsh language or explicit scenes under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa's interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and enjoying beach life on Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.

"Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" -NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely

"With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!" -NYT Bestseller Julie Kenner

"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." NYT bestseller, M.J. Rose

"You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that's fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

"Melissa Foster is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Fated For Love was amazing. It kind of reminds me of Jill Shalvis' books and they are my benchmark for contemporary romance awesomeness." --Books Like Breathing

Comments from Melissa:

I grew up in Maryland with my mother, a slew of wonderful brothers, and never a shortage of friends or pets. I am passionate about writing, reading, living healthy, and helping others do the same, and I enjoy just about anything outdoors (and anything chocolate!). I love to chat with readers and book clubs, and welcome your comments and suggestions. Feel free to email me. You can also catch me on Facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor.

Thanks for reading!

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4,986 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the well-developed characters and mature approach to love and relationships. The humor and playful banter are praised as funny and heartwarming. Readers describe the story as lighthearted and inspirational, with a good mix of laughter and drama. They mention the book keeps their interest from beginning to end, with a lovely story about finding oneself and love again.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

110 customers mention "Readability"110 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read with good characters and a fun plot. They say it brings back their love for reading and gives them confidence. The epilogue is their favorite part of the story, wrapping up the story perfectly. Readers mention the story has unlimited possibilities and works out in a fabulous ending.

"...Once again, the epilogue is my favorite part of the story, and how it wraps up the story perfectly, I love Declan’s surprise for Nicole...." Read more

"...This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups. ****Audiobook..." Read more

"I Loved the characters and the nicknames I especially loved the adventures. A very heartwarming story. Good mix of laughter and romance." Read more

"...Loosely based on Melissa's own "summer of change" this is a lovely story of finding what makes you happy, no matter when it happens in life...." Read more

46 customers mention "Character development"46 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's characters. They find the characters mature and handle situations like adults. The author does an excellent job writing the characters, and they enjoy the banter between them. Readers appreciate the heroine, Declan, and the support cast.

"...I love the characters, especially her neighbors, in Hot Mess Summer, they feel like family and friends, it feels like real family love and makes me..." Read more

"...Reasons I enjoyed this book: Romantic Funny Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Entertaining" Read more

"I Loved the characters and the nicknames I especially loved the adventures. A very heartwarming story. Good mix of laughter and romance." Read more

"...I love that the main characters are "older" and embracing change and new beginnings...." Read more

43 customers mention "Romance"40 positive3 negative

Customers enjoyed the romantic story. They found it steamy, emotional, and full of love. The book was described as a romantic comedy with a mature take on love and relationships. Readers appreciated the exciting relationship progression and the ending.

"...especially her neighbors, in Hot Mess Summer, they feel like family and friends, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing..." Read more

"...This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups. ****Audiobook..." Read more

"...It's funny, sweet, steamy and the best "hot mess" ever! I want to move to Chatemup! LOVED IT!" Read more

"...Nicole has a good life, great friends, and excellent career writing romance novels and a wonderful daughter and mother that she is very close to,..." Read more

33 customers mention "Humor"30 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it humorous with innuendos and playful banter. The book is described as a feel-good read that makes them smile and giggle out loud.

"...between Nicole and Declan flows so easily, with innuendos and playful banter, and Declan constantly flirting with Nicole...." Read more

"...A very heartwarming story. Good mix of laughter and romance." Read more

"...It's funny, sweet, steamy and the best "hot mess" ever! I want to move to Chatemup! LOVED IT!" Read more

"...It’s got laughs, a few tears, a fun ride or die girlfriend group, and a dedicated mom + author who’s embarking on a fresh start after her second..." Read more

32 customers mention "Heartwarming story"32 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the heartwarming story. They find it poignant, inspirational, and lighthearted. The book is thought-provoking and makes them feel happy when needed.

"...love and expect in a Melissa Foster love story, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner...." Read more

"...This summers fling adventure gave us laughs, truths, sorrow, sadness, a new beginning, a fresh start...." Read more

"...A very heartwarming story. Good mix of laughter and romance." Read more

"...It’s got laughs, a few tears, a fun ride or die girlfriend group, and a dedicated mom + author who’s embarking on a fresh start after her second..." Read more

14 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it engaging from start to finish, with an interesting story about self-discovery and love. The characters embrace change and new beginnings, not getting hung up on the past.

"...I love that the main characters are "older" and embracing change and new beginnings...." Read more

"Well, sort of! Fun, flirty, numerous, sometimes thought provoking book. Interesting character development. And, of course, some spice thrown in." Read more

"Hot Mess Summer is a lighthearted story with some depth. I appreciated the more mature take on love and relationships...." Read more

"...Took a bit to keep my interest but I did like it. Very slow at times, but I did like the characters and the whole town" Read more

9 customers mention "Friendship"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's friendship scenes. They appreciate the great rapport, banter, and refreshing way the characters treat each other. The heart-to-heart conversations that Nicole has with her new neighbors are also appreciated. The small town community that Nic becomes a part of is welcoming and makes them feel immersed in the situations.

"...I love the heart-to-heart conversation that Nicole has with all her new neighbors about dating and love...." Read more

"...They had a great rapport. The banter between them was great. I loved how she would bounce story ideas off of Declan...." Read more

"...makes you feel more connested to the story, and makes you feel more immersed in the situations...." Read more

"...I loved the welcoming, small town community that Nic becomes a part of. I would move to Chatemup in a heartbeat!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Steaminess"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's steamy content. They find it heartwarming and love the title, "Hot Mess Summer".

"...I thoroughly enjoyed Hot Mess Summer and loved discovering another side to Melissa Foster. Highly recommend this incredible romantic comedy...." Read more

"...It's funny, sweet, steamy and the best "hot mess" ever! I want to move to Chatemup! LOVED IT!" Read more

"I absolutely love anything Melissa Foster writes, and Hot Mess Summer didn't disappoint!..." Read more

"4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this book and love the title “Hot Mess Summer.”..." Read more

self discovery and more
4 out of 5 stars
self discovery and more
Divorce. Life changes. Critical decisions. Self-love. Self-warmth. Selfishness. Everything has it time place and truth. Sometimes we have to let go to let love in. Sometimes we have to let go to grow. Sometimes we have to be selfish to open to others and their true needs.If you have recently gone through a divorce or even a bad breakup of a toxic relationship it can be scary to move forward. You may even feel that you one to test the water for a fling. Then things begin to feel more real. You find yourself feeling all those special feeling. This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups.****AudiobookOverall 4 out of 5 starsPerformance 5 out of 5 starsStory 4 out of 5 starsdivorce and life changes make for new stepsDivorce. Life changes. Critical decisions. Self-love. Self-warmth. Selfishness. Everything has it time place and truth. Sometimes we have to let go to let love in. Sometimes we have to let go to grow. Sometimes we have to be selfish to open to others and their true needs.If you have recently gone through a divorce or even a bad breakup of a toxic relationship it can be scary to move forward. You may even feel that you one to test the water for a fling. Then things begin to feel more real. You find yourself feeling all those special feeling. This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups.New England was the place that Nic chose to make some life changes and to revamp her romance writing career. She was not so certain about her life in general. She had taken a few blows. This summers fling adventure gave us laughs, truths, sorrow, sadness, a new beginning, a fresh start. Melissa Foster has showed us that there can be life after a divorce or two. Nic's life had many changes but the biggest one was her finding herself among all the chaos in her world.Reasons I enjoyed this book:Romantic Funny Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Entertaining
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023
    I absolutely loved Hot Mess Summer by Melissa Foster; it is an incredible romantic comedy. Melissa Foster continues to prove that she is an amazing storyteller and continues to be one of my favorite authors to read. I love that Melissa Foster continues to write the books that I love to read. Hot Mess Summer was impossible to put down and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? My favorite part is how Melissa Foster incorporated the title of the book into the story. I really enjoy how the book is written in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. Hot Mess Summer is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in a Melissa Foster love story, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. My favorite part is how Melissa Foster explains in the Author’s Note that she was inspired to write Hot Mess Summer, because of her own hot mess summer. Hot Mess Summer is the story of Declan Miller, owner of Miller’s Seafood, and Nicole Ross, a twice-divorced romance writer and single parent to twenty-year old daughter, Mackenzie. Nicole recently purchased a summer home in Chatemup, Massachusetts, and will be spending her summer there, before returning home to Virginia in the fall. Her friends, Rachel, and Dani, join her for a girl’s trip, before they return home a short time later. Nicole is suffering from writer’s block and hopes she will find her inner muse to finish the story. Nicole and Declan meet with she literally runs into him with the coffee orders for her and her friends and accidentally spills them on him. They meet again at a party hosted by Nicole’s neighbor. Declan is also divorced and is not interested in a relationship, since his life is a hot mess. Declan feels responsible for his father, his ex-wife. As Nicole and Declan spend time together, things change between them, and they agree to a summer fling. I love the nicknames that Declan and Nicole have for one another. Love dirty talking Declan, it is my favorite part of the story. Nicole and Declan share amazing chemistry. Conversation between Nicole and Declan flows so easily, with innuendos and playful banter, and Declan constantly flirting with Nicole. I love how he tries to help her with her writer’s block. Nicole shares secrets and insecurities with Declan about her past marriages, raising Mackenzie and how she has sworn off men and how Declan shares his secrets about his brother, father, and marriage. A bitter disagreement and Nicole’s imminent return to Virginia puts their relationship in jeopardy. I love everything that Declan does to show Nicole how much she means to him, especially the job opening that he wrote for her once he made changes in his life. I love the changes that both Declan and Nicole make in their lives so that they can have a life with one another. Once again, the epilogue is my favorite part of the story, and how it wraps up the story perfectly, I love Declan’s surprise for Nicole. I love the heart-to-heart conversation that Nicole has with all her new neighbors about dating and love. I love Declan and Nicole’s love story and the ending of their perfect love story. One of my favorite parts is everything that Declan does to spend time with Nicole on all their adventures, and how they refer to themselves as adventure buddies. I love all the little things that Declan does for Nicole to prove his love. I love the characters, especially her neighbors, in Hot Mess Summer, they feel like family and friends, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I thoroughly enjoyed Hot Mess Summer and loved discovering another side to Melissa Foster. Highly recommend this incredible romantic comedy. Received an advanced copy from the author.
    15 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023
    Divorce. Life changes. Critical decisions. Self-love. Self-warmth. Selfishness. Everything has it time place and truth. Sometimes we have to let go to let love in. Sometimes we have to let go to grow. Sometimes we have to be selfish to open to others and their true needs.

    If you have recently gone through a divorce or even a bad breakup of a toxic relationship it can be scary to move forward. You may even feel that you one to test the water for a fling. Then things begin to feel more real. You find yourself feeling all those special feeling. This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups.

    ****Audiobook
    Overall 4 out of 5 stars
    Performance 5 out of 5 stars
    Story 4 out of 5 stars

    divorce and life changes make for new steps
    Divorce. Life changes. Critical decisions. Self-love. Self-warmth. Selfishness. Everything has it time place and truth. Sometimes we have to let go to let love in. Sometimes we have to let go to grow. Sometimes we have to be selfish to open to others and their true needs.

    If you have recently gone through a divorce or even a bad breakup of a toxic relationship it can be scary to move forward. You may even feel that you one to test the water for a fling. Then things begin to feel more real. You find yourself feeling all those special feeling. This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups.

    New England was the place that Nic chose to make some life changes and to revamp her romance writing career. She was not so certain about her life in general. She had taken a few blows. This summers fling adventure gave us laughs, truths, sorrow, sadness, a new beginning, a fresh start. Melissa Foster has showed us that there can be life after a divorce or two. Nic's life had many changes but the biggest one was her finding herself among all the chaos in her world.

    Reasons I enjoyed this book:
    Romantic Funny Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Entertaining
    Customer image
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    self discovery and more

    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023
    Divorce. Life changes. Critical decisions. Self-love. Self-warmth. Selfishness. Everything has it time place and truth. Sometimes we have to let go to let love in. Sometimes we have to let go to grow. Sometimes we have to be selfish to open to others and their true needs.

    If you have recently gone through a divorce or even a bad breakup of a toxic relationship it can be scary to move forward. You may even feel that you one to test the water for a fling. Then things begin to feel more real. You find yourself feeling all those special feeling. This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups.

    ****Audiobook
    Overall 4 out of 5 stars
    Performance 5 out of 5 stars
    Story 4 out of 5 stars

    divorce and life changes make for new steps
    Divorce. Life changes. Critical decisions. Self-love. Self-warmth. Selfishness. Everything has it time place and truth. Sometimes we have to let go to let love in. Sometimes we have to let go to grow. Sometimes we have to be selfish to open to others and their true needs.

    If you have recently gone through a divorce or even a bad breakup of a toxic relationship it can be scary to move forward. You may even feel that you one to test the water for a fling. Then things begin to feel more real. You find yourself feeling all those special feeling. This would be a great book to venture to. I found it realistically relatable to life bumps, bruises, and hiccups.

    New England was the place that Nic chose to make some life changes and to revamp her romance writing career. She was not so certain about her life in general. She had taken a few blows. This summers fling adventure gave us laughs, truths, sorrow, sadness, a new beginning, a fresh start. Melissa Foster has showed us that there can be life after a divorce or two. Nic's life had many changes but the biggest one was her finding herself among all the chaos in her world.

    Reasons I enjoyed this book:
    Romantic Funny Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Entertaining
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
    I Loved the characters and the nicknames I especially loved the adventures. A very heartwarming story. Good mix of laughter and romance.

Top reviews from other countries

  • BobbieJo
    5.0 out of 5 stars such a beautiful story!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 14, 2024
    This book is worth it! It made me laugh, cry happy, angry. So many other emotions. I don’t usually review books cuz I just don’t feel like they were worth it. But this one was. If you like a good romance book that has not to much smut but enough that you just giggle with glee. And has good writing this is it! I’m usually a person who goes for full on smut that has a okay stories line. Like (Vampires, werewolves, Alien, mafia) but not ones that actually are realistic. So this is a happy book makes you feel all of the emotions and just actually have a story that feel real and not made up I guess. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2025
    Really slow start, but wow, what a lovely uplifting but hot book! Characters were so well described & fun! Wish there really were guys like Declan out there & that love really was like this!
  • Down Under Reviewer
    5.0 out of 5 stars wow
    Reviewed in Australia on December 2, 2023
    This was an amazing story of fate working to join two people together who had been through divorce and had a few hang ups. Together they worked and formed a beautiful relationship of give and take. Of admiring when they were wrong and able to apologise and work things out. I just loved it.
    Narration was superb.
  • Anji
    4.0 out of 5 stars great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2025
    It’s great to read a romance with a mature couple who are mega hot for each other. Enjoyable story line.
  • Debra qld
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in Australia on December 31, 2023
    Loved the characters in this story and the beautiful setti
    ng. So easy to read hard to put down. Hoping for more adventures

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