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I'm thrilled today to be a part of the promotional blog tour for Suddenly Last Summer, an adult contemporary romance by Sarah Morgan. I absolutely loved this book (as you'll see below in my review), and can't recommend it enough for those looking for a flirty summer read. In addition to the review you'll also find some fun character artwork to help you get to know Sean and Elise a little bit better, and don't forget to check the bottom of the post for all the details on a fantastic giveaway!
O'Neil Brothers #2
Sarah Morgan
Adult Contemporary Romance
384 pages
Harlequin
Available Now
Source: CBB Book Promotions for review
THE STORY
Bestselling author Sarah Morgan delivers another irresistible hero in her O'Neil Brothers series who's more tempting than dessert and twice as sinful!
Fiery French chef Élise Philippe is having a seriously bad day. Not only have the opening day plans for her beloved café fallen apart, but Sean O'Neil is back in town, and looking more delectable than ever. Last summer, they shared an electrifying night together…and the memories have Élise really struggling to stick to her one-night-only rule! Her head knows that eventually Sean will be leaving, so all she can do is try to ignore her heart before she spontaneously combusts with lust.
Being back in Vermont—even temporarily—is surgeon Sean O'Neil's worst nightmare. For Sean, returning home to the Snow Crystal Resort means being forced to confront the reasons and the guilt he feels about rejecting his family's rural lifestyle years ago. But discovering that Élise has settled in Vermont and still sets his blood racing is a very welcome distraction! Thinking he can persuade her into a replay of last summer is tempting, but remembering how good they are together is going to make walking away more difficult than he could imagine…
MY THOUGHTS
Suddenly Last Summer is a sweet romance full of sexual tension and more than a little fear of love, both Elise and Sean the type of people we enjoy watching fall hard given the way they fight to keep themselves from doing so. The two of them, for very different reasons, both wholeheartedly believe love is not for them, fully convinced they’re safe with one another since they share an aversion to the forever type of romance. As a result, there’s nothing more satisfying than watching their shared delusional bubble oh-so slowly deflate and finally pop, leaving us with a smile on our faces and a deliriously happy couple on the final page.
Elise is a gifted chef with a huge heart, endearingly loyal to the entire O’Neil family and completely dedicated to saving their Snow Crystal Resort from going under. She’s (not unsurprisingly) level-headed when it comes to her attraction to Sean, keeping her heart safely out of the way even as she gives in to the attraction that flares up whenever they’re within a hundred feet of one another. She does have an impressive temper that irritates upon occasion, her tendency to overreact knocking Sean back on his heels a time or two, but she’s always quick to admit to her overreactions and seek to make amends. She also clings to her abject fear of emotional intimacy a touch too long, creating a tiny bit of unnecessary drama toward the end, but as with her temper, she remedies things quickly and easily to our great relief.
Sean, of the two of them, is the one to come to terms with his feelings first, remaining charmingly obtuse about his visceral and emotional reaction to Elise until his grandfather smacks him in the face with it. Once he comes to the realization though, he doesn’t fight it as hard as Elise does, and we can’t help but appreciate his calm in the face of Elise’s panic toward the end. As a couple, they’re a beautiful blend of strengths and weaknesses, and spending four hundred pages with them is certainly time well spent.
Overall, Suddenly Last Summer is a quick read with a strong lead couple and an absolutely adorable family in the O’Neils, and here’s hoping Sean’s brother Tyler’s romance with Brenna is the next one in line.
Rating: 4/5
Check out these amazing visual character profiles for Elise + Sean!
• • • • • • • • • • •
SARAH MORGAN
Photo: Rosanna Hancock Photography
USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes hot, happy contemporary romance and her trademark humour and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. She has been nominated three years in succession for the prestigious RITA© Award from the Romance Writers of America and has won the award twice, in 2012 and 2013. RT Book Reviews has called her 'a magician with words' and she has made numerous appearances in their 'Top Pick' slot. Sarah lives near London, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors, preferably on vacation so she can forget the house needs tidying. She loves chatting with readers by email and on Facebook and Twitter. More information can be found on her website.
• • • • • • • • • • •
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to the amazing team at Harlequin, two fabulous prizes are up for grabs for the duration of this tour!
- Grand Prize includes a La Bonne Vie Cupcake necklace, Sleigh Bells in the Snow (first book in the series), Suddenly Last Summer and a bookmark
- Second prize is Sleigh Bells in the Snow, Suddenly Last Summer and a bookmark
To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US/CA only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget to check out the remaining stops on the tour for more reviews, interviews and guest posts!
6/23
- Gin’s Book Notes- Review
- That Artsy Reader Girl- Review
- Every Free Chance – Review
- Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf- Author Interview
6/24
- Supernatural Snark- Review
- Caffeinated Book Reviewer- Review
6/25
- Bookhounds- Author Interview
- The Book Barbies – Review & Author Interview
- Savings in Seconds – Review
6/26
- Girl of 1000 Wonders- Review
- Turning the Pages- Review
- Candace’s Book Blog- Author Interview
6/27
- Book-Marks the Spot- Review
- Fiction Dreams- Author Interview
- Curling Up With a Good Book – Review
6/28
- Spiced Latte Reads – Review
6/30
- Paperdolls- Review
- Just One Indie’s Opinion- Guest Post
- Random Redheaded Ramblings – Review
7/1
- Books Live Forever- Review
- A_Tiffyfits Reading Corner – Guest Post
7/2
- My Guilty Obsession- Review
- Books are Love- Review
- Brooke Blogs – Guest Post
7/3
- The Bookish Babes- Review
- Books-n-Kisses – Review
- Pages of Forbidden Love – Review
7/4
- Daily Mayo- Review & Author Interview
- Lilybloombooks- Review
- Buried Under Romance – Review
Uhm... can I meet Sean please? That book sounds great and perfect for summer! I like how you describe Elise - making mistakes is one thing, but admitting it makes me love her even more. I hate it when woman completely overreact and then don't realize their stupidity :)
ReplyDeleteSean is DEFINITELY someone you want to meet Danny! And Elise was really great about owning up to her mistakes, I loved that about her.
DeleteI read Sleigh Bells in the Snow. I just love this book and this book has made me a fan of Sarah Morgan. I will be following her books.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first Sarah Morgan book but it will definitely not be my last. Can't wait to read more from her!
DeleteThis really was a cute read! Great review Jenny!
ReplyDeleteWasn't it? I thoroughly enjoyed it!
DeleteWhat is it with chef main characters? I adore them. Maybe it's because I can't cook. Well, I *can* but I don't want to. Maybe Elise will come cook for me? Or I can just hang with Sean and we'll order takeout.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to cook either Mary. Sign me up for Sean and takeout:)
DeleteThe cover art is fun and kind feels like an throwback from the 70's romance covers. And, it sounds like a perfect summer escape. Sean sounds like a keeper ;)
ReplyDeleteHehe. It's a very summery cover isn't it? I had a blast reading this one, I hope you give it a try Kim!
DeleteThis looks adorable, Jenny! I already ordered it for my library. I may have to put myself on hold for it. :)
ReplyDeleteYEAH!!! I hope you add it to your list Rummanah:)
DeleteThis sounds like a fun and cute read, Jenny, something that I would undoubtedly enjoy. Typically, it's always one person in a couple who is afraid of love, so it's interesting both of them are in this case.
ReplyDeleteI think I would be a teensy bit frustrated with Elise for resisting Sean for so long, but now that I know it, I'm gong to be much calmer. You know how I feel about unnecessary drama.
Fabulous review, Jenny! :)
Yes, they were both equally sure love was not for them. I have fun watching that slowly change over the course of the book:)
DeleteI'm so glad you loved this one! They really were quite the couple. And I loved the setting! I also liked that Elise was different, she didn't feel like the typical romance heroine, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting a tour stop!
YES! I want to move to a Vermont ski resort asap. I think that would be amazing. And think of all the snow days that would be perfect for reading:)
DeleteI just saw Kimba's review for this earlier and I am glad to see both of you loved it! :D
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like such a charming and fun book and exactly what I need. Too tired of all the sad :P
Plus if there is food (and hey she is a gifted chef) I am in.
Fantastic review, Jenny! :)
Rashika @ The Social Potato
Me too. I was in the mood for a cute, fun, pick-me-up kind of read and this was definitely it. Can't wait for Tyler and Brenna (hopefully) next!
DeleteWe are review twins today. I just loved this series, and the family moments were wonderful. I am so glad you loved this one as much as I did Jenny!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds like a perfect summer read indeed!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Jenny! I love the artwork for each one of the characters!
I just read Kimba's review and now after your lovely review I'm super excited to read this (I hadn't heard of it before today, further proof that I am living under a rock). Sean sounds absolutely swoonworthy and I love this description of Elise and Sean as a couple "they’re a beautiful blend of strengths and weaknesses". Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mary that chef characters are appealing, maybe for the same reason I am addicted to Food Network--my obsession with food! I can also relate to the idea of hiding behind one's career due to fear of romance. Great review!
ReplyDeleteElise sounds like a FANTASTIC character. I love how she's a chef! And I love how she's clumsy and all and tend to overreact but is quick to admit her mistakes. I've encountered so many of those kind of heroines but think they're cute anyway so they never apologize for it. She sounds like a breath of fresh air. Plus, those visuals are certainly appetizing to the eyes! I can't wait to try out this one :)
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato Reviews
Fantastic review Jenny! Sounds like a great summer read!!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to reading this the more I see of it! :)
ReplyDelete