Let's Talk Books

There is something deeply nostalgic about older seasons Love Island, the 2017 – 2019 peak, when drama was high, and true stars were made. Although the authors behind ‘Lily Easton’ are quick to assure us, in their disclaimer at the end of this book, that similarities to those alive or dead are purely coincidental, anyone who watched LI during those heady, exciting seasons will glimpse shades of reality in a boxer and a dancer falling into intense friendship. It is the bit after that, the falling in love bit, which is entirely fictitious.

Summer of Love is a fun, funny, whistle-stop romcom set in a sunny reality TV villa filled with sexy singles, and managed by eagle eyed producers.

Declan King is gay. He knows it, his family knows it, his best friend, who has been pulling double duty as his fake on-again-off-again-girlfriend, knows it, but the world does not. Declan King is also a boxer, the first born son in a short-lived, but successful, boxing dynasty. The last thing he wants is to become The Gay Boxer, a moment which would define his career even more than his steadily declining win rate, and recent near career-ending wrist break. He signs up to Summer of Love for three reasons: Number 1: get Georgia her life back by hitching his wagon to another girl; Number 2: get the papers talking about something other than said near career-ending write break; Number 3: followers.

Oliver Wright is heart broken. Sophie, his childhood sweetheart, broke his heart and moved to New York, taking up with the Manhattan ballet, Oliver’s forever dream. Since then life has been shades of grey. No one seems to interest him. Only his daily conversations with Sophie keep him above water. But the producers have a plan for Oliver, and is he plays his cards right he might just win. Oliver signed up to Summer of Love for one reason, and one reason only: he needs the prize money to get to New York, and win back the love of his life.

When these two meet sparks fly, but not in the way you’re thinking. Pitted against one another, they start as rivals, and against all odds, become friends. But nothing else can happen. It can’t. So what if Oliver is the face in Declan’s dreams? He’s on national television. He isn’t out. He can’t afford to screw this up. And Oliver… well he’s straight… isn’t he? And totally in love with Sophie, and definitely, absolutely, not checking Declan out.

Filled with humour, mad-cap challenges, yearning, sexuality crises, personal development, and drama, Summer of Love is one for Love Island fans and MM romance readers alike.

I thoroughly enjoyed Summer of Love, but I do think it was plot-weak in places, something which is pretty unavoidable with this premise. The sheer scale of a Love Island type show, with contestants numbering into the 20s and 30s by the end of the show, and challenges peppered throughout, would be almost impossible to fit into a standard romance paperback length. This meant that omissions, time skips, and glossing over was really the only choice, but it did make the story feel rushed and incomplete in places. That being said, the ‘behind-the-scenes’ elements worked really well, and overarching plot was solid and enjoyable.

3.5 stars