The Summer of Broken Rules: A Happily Ever After Beach Read

The Summer of Broken Rules completely stole my heart. It’s the perfect mix of romance, family, and self-discovery, all set against a dreamy summer wedding on Martha’s Vineyard. The setting was gorgeous, and I felt like I was right there with the characters.Meredith was such a relatable main character, and I loved seeing her work through her grief while still allowing herself to open up to love again. The game of Assassin added a fun and unique twist that kept things light and playful, even while the story dealt with deeper emotions.The romance was adorable, the friendships were meaningful, and the writing was just beautiful. I smiled, I teared up, and I didn’t want it to end. This book is everything I want in a YA summer romance—heartfelt, fun, and full of hope.Highly recommend for fans of Love & Gelato, The Summer I Turned Pretty, or anyone looking for a great beach read!

4.25 ⭐️I adored this book and the relationship between Mer and Wit. The banter was spot on and I liked the no spice aspect. It gave the perfect summer vibes. Coming from a large family who hosted many family reunions, this book invoked many memories of hanging with my cousins and playing family games.

This book should be considered a Young Adult read. Skimmed through most of this youthful book.

Star Rating: —> 5 StarsAhhh! You're telling me that there was a YA contemporary rom-com that actually lived up to my massive expectations/ absolute NEEDS?! WOOHOO!If you're looking for something that has a sugary sweet, with depth in flavor like a well made a sea salt caramel cupcake vibe... look no further ! This may (WILL DEFINITELY) fill the craving that you're having, because I swear there is a science that lies behind these types of super successful (IMO) rom-coms, but it also felt like it went one step further for me (which is saying A LOT), & felt so ultimately authentic & real, as well!***drumroll please!!!***THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES IS A WINNER, GUYS!It truly FEELS like K.L. Walther bottled up summer, used a water gun to spritz/soak each page with it, and then finally let it dry onto the pages of her book!I mean, is it REALLY too great a set of expectations for a YA rom-com to be/have (everything this book is):– actually laugh out loud funny at all the right times– smiles or happy tears most of the rest of the way– emotional & relatable especially if there's been a traumatic event (there has been, in this book 🥺)– golden WIT—lots of it... gotta love that back & forth & the chemistry it creates(!)– filled with juuust the right amount of romance that makes your heart swoon & swoon & swoon some more (either slow burn or even insta-love as long as it works & makes sense to the story, idc)– amazing family and/or friend dynamics,– diversity– in a fun setting/ have a fun premise– a fabulous either HEA/HFN ending that makes you happy AF & feel like you're floatingANDDDDD– just an absolute blast to read the whole way through?!?Okay it kind of is a big ask there😅, but this book truly has it ALL. All o' the above, my friends!So let's talk the main character, MER & the love interest/ main supporting character, WIT('Cause I can't help it if you look like an angel,can't help it if I want to kiss you in the rain, so... ' #swiftieeeees where you at?!)THEY ARE SO FREAKING SWEET & PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER! I was smiling at every encounter, it was love at first kick in the face, for me ;) ! I just wanted moremoremore at all times, and I def got what I came for ! :))WOOOO #HITCHMETOWITRY! ;););)The Fox family is truly THE BESTTTTTT. Their dynamic holds the bindings of this book together! It's just EVERYTHING!Every character has their quirks & I loved them all; they are all also so real & relatable!This book just had me sittin' happy with a huge grin on my face the entire time I read it & well after, and happy with sappy tears available at any given moment, for any & every little cute thing (that's just who I am, okay?! Don't judge me!).I honestly ADORED & LOVED every moment of this novel! It is just SUCH a FUNNNN read! Also, the author is a swiftie soooo... yes, you heard it here, there are a few fun passing refs, and one big nod!So basically... that's just like the cherry on top for me!The author ALSO just has wonderful taste in music in general (I repeat: SWIFTIE IN THE HOUSEEEE, so duhhh), & created a Spotify playlist for this book that is just freaking BEYOND SPOT ON, & is aptly titled the same as the book. :)You can find said accompanying Spotify playlist HEREEE: The Summer Of Broken Rules Official PlaylistEVERY single song & the culmination of said songs honestly made the reading experience just PERFECTION— rom-com NIRVANAAA.I loved it SO much. If you have to (or just like to) listen to music while reading like I do, I am so happy you will get to experience this treat while reading, it's like pairing the perfect wine to go with each course of a long, fancy schmancy, DELICIOUS, meal! It's an experience!I truly just loved this book SODAMNMUCH!! I had to get the word out there, so you all can have the BLASTTT that I had while reading this!** Really quickly though I want to mention— TW// Death of a family member **I wholeheartedly recommend this book & its antics to anyone & everyone!It is so much fun, & just so, so adorable, but also SO REALLLL!

This one was sweet. It’s about grief and family and friends and love.Meredith’s sister Claire was killed in an accident a year and a half ago. They were only a year apart and super close. Meredith has pushed away everyone except her boyfriend Ben. Who ceremoniously dumps her at his graduation party. Meredith is now back at The Farm, her family’s compound in Martha’s Vineyard for a cousin’s wedding. It was Claire’s favorite place in the world. And Meredith is determined to enjoy it in Claire’s honor.Some of her friends are angry that she’s pushed them away but everyone is happy to have her back. She gets to spend time with her very loving aunts, uncles and grandparents. And then there is that particular groomsman who helps her learn how to laugh again, while playing the weeklong family water gun game of Assassin.I’ll be honest – I won’t remember this one next year. But it was a pleasant way to spend the weekend.

I couldn't stop smiling, even though I shed some tears. This book had me feeling like a teenager. I don't read romance books, but I'm so glad I read this. It gave me all the feels!! Definitely recommend for your next beach read!!! Oh, to be 18 again.

Might include slight spoilers for the bookI absolutely adored this book!! It was just fun and happy! There were some sad parts, but it really played well into the story! This was definitely a summer book, and look at me reading it in the middle of winter! Lol!! Meredith and Wit were just on a whole nother level of cute!! I loved that he called her killer and that it was a node to their first night talking together!! I loved how she called him Stephen as a nickname (even though that was his name), but she did it because her and her sister had an inside joke of sorts about it!! I also loved that Claire had tried to set them two up!! This book was just too cute!! 😍