So, Are They Actually Related????

TITLE: The Summer Share

AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: May 26, 2026

PAGES: 368   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: 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.

MY THOUGHTS: No matter what she is writing, be it cozy mysteries, romance or even cozy fantasy, McKinlay is one of my favorite authors and thanks to her Library Lover's Series, probably also one of my most-read authors too.  So, picking up this summery romance was definitely a no-brainer and a decision I don't regret.

Hannah has recently inherited a beach house in Cape Split following the death of her beloved grandfather.  After a few years living in her van and traveling the US with her horse, oops I mean Great Dane, Dude, Hannah is ready to put down roots.  However, when she arrives, she finds a stranger at the home as well - Simon.  Simon claims he is the rightful owner of the house as his grandfather died a few months back and left the residence to him.  They soon find out that their grandfather's co-owned the home and now it is up to Hannah and Simon to decide what to do with the run-down property.  Hannah wants to move in and Simon wants to sell, due to some family obligations.  There is one catch though, before anything can be done.  Also, as time goes on, Hannah and Simon realize there was something their grandfathers were hiding from them and together they work to find out all their secrets.

I really enjoyed this book.  I liked both Simon and Hannah and could understand both of their positions on the property.  I enjoyed learning about the grandfathers as the story progressed and the community neighbors who all seemed liked one big happy found family.  But Dude, the dog, is the star of this book if you ask me.  There are many scenes where Dude is knocking Simon and Hannah into the fishing lake behind the house and it almost becomes Dude's main trick.  Also, long before Hannah realizes she has developing feelings for Simon, she falls in love with how much he loves her giant dog. 

This book was a perfect combination of family drama, close-proximity enemies-to-lovers, and found family.  My only issue is that I felt the resolution was a bit rushed but maybe I just wanted it to continue so I'm not docking my rating for it. I practically devoured this book and can't wait for my next McKinlay read!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS