A New Shade of Summer, by Nicole Deese: Contemporary Fiction Sure to Set Hearts Aflutter

If you adore swoon-worthy stories with heart, A New Shade of Summer is one that rivals the best of the best. It’s smart, funny and beautifully romantic in all the right places, spaces and ways. It’s a story sure to set hearts aflutter.

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THE STORY | Failure is a weight Carter Davis knows well. As a single parent, he’s trying to find the hole in his relationship with his son, Brandon, which will allow him to slip past the kid’s defense. Between his son and running his vet client, he has very little time for anything. Furthermore, Davis has to deal with bothersome in-laws that cannot – or won’t, respect Davis’ role as Brandon’s parent.

Falling in love with you was not happenstance. – Nicole Deese, A New Shade of Summer

A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese – Contemporary Fiction Sure to Set Hearts Aflutter #MustRead #Romance #GoodReads #GoodBooks Share on X

Life turns upside down for both of these men when into their small town breezes the red-headed free-spirit, Callie Quinn. On her annual visit to spend time with her sister’s family, Callie is the “fun aunt,” the girl everyone loves, but never expects to stick around. Callie has a wanderlust that hasn’t been caught. As Callie bonds with Brandon, the creative souls form a connection that slowly forces him to open up. Also under her spell falls Davis, a man who’s cautious and patient heart has already been broken…

A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese | Book Review

Unfortunately, I’ve not read all of the novels boldly sporting the name Nicole Deese on their cover. What I have read (a novella, and one full-length novel), I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, which is why this, her latest, immediately caught my attention. From the brightly lit hues of the cover to the eye-catching hot air balloons, this story certainly looks the part of perfect romantic-comedy. As I settled in to begin flipped its pages, whether or not the story would match its cover were the answers I was seeking. 

‘Summer’ boasts a unique story. Perhaps not at first blush, but the further Deese tugs readers in the story, the more we realize this. On the surface, this is merely an adorable romance novel that is as charming as its cover suggests (which would be more than enough for this reader). Read on and you discover the story is actually one of a complicated and emotional upheaval (backstory) for its primary players. Speaking of those protagonists, let’s talk about them. 

The text switches off between Callie and Davis’ respective first-person POV’s (chapter-by-chapter). Though  many things do, it’s this factor that has a great influence on the depth of the characters. Nicole’s characters suffer no shortcomings in terms of being fleshed out because of this. Davis and Callie are among the most memorable couples in fiction I’ve encountered. They’re strong, independent and multifaceted souls on their own.

Together, they bring out the best in one another, and even, on occasion, the worst. Their journey is the best of the best. The simmering, longing emotion is beautiful. They sort of “fall” into a relationship, but it’s the kind of transition that feels natural, so it reads authentic and romantic. And oh my, that first kiss!

A New Shade of Summer is a magical masterpiece. Nestled inside these pages is a story so charming, it’s sure to melt the romantic of any reader’s heart. It’s swoon-y (this thanks to Davis – speaking of, who else thinks he resembles Colin Egglesfield??), quirky (attributes to Callie) and heartwarming. The cast of characters keeps the reader giggling over their antics, but it’s the writing that keeps us fully engaged. Deese’s beautiful prose impresses throughout every corner of this story. It’s more than a contemporary novel because it pushes its characters towards something more.

If you adore swoon-worthy stories with heart, A New Shade of Summer is one that rivals the best of the best. It’s smart, funny and beautifully romantic in all the right places, spaces and ways. It’s a story sure to set hearts aflutter. ♥

ABOUT the BOOK

Author: Nicole Deese
Publisher: Waterfall Press
Publication Date: 2017
Genre: Fiction; Contemporary Romance
Source: Author Street Team – thank you, Rel and Nicole!
Add the Book: Goodreads
FIND the REVIEW ELSEWHERE: Goodreads
Rating: ★★★★★

Sincere thanks to the author, and Rel’s Author Support Services for providing an e-copy of this book. All review opinions are my own.