Duet narration by Erin Mallon & Teddy Hamilton
The Kathryn Freeman Romcom Collection, Book 10
From the publisher:
A sweet and sizzling summer romance about a woman who takes a job at a bookstore in Nantucket and gets involved with the man who turns out to be her boss: a billionaire bent on knocking the store down.
When book lover Jade Taylor applies to manage the Little Bay Book Shack on Nantucket Island over the summer, the last thing she needs is the distraction of billionaire resort owner, Liam Haven.
But things take an unexpected turn when Liam becomes Jade’s boss—a man who only reads contracts for pleasure….
In a bid to save the bookshop from being absorbed into the Haven resort, Jade is determined to teach Liam that there’s more to life than acquiring real estate. And if she can make him realize happily ever afters do exist, might she be able to save the island’s bookshop in the process?
Jade, stuck in an entry-level publishing job doing grunt work, jumps at the chance to run a bookshop for the summer on Nantucket—a world away from her small English village. While her loving family supports her American adventure (even if she feels like the family disappointment), she secures a leave of absence and sets off for what promises to be the experience of a lifetime.
Her first encounter on the island is with Liam, whom she assumes runs the ferry service. She quickly discovers the “ferry” is actually his private yacht—because Liam is a billionaire, albeit a grumpy one. Where he’s all sharp edges and cynicism, Jade radiates pure sunshine and optimism. Their instant chemistry leads to a passionate one-night stand, but their summer fling takes a dramatic turn when Jade learns that Liam has purchased the bookstore from her boss. His plan? Tear it down and replace it with luxury cottages for his resort.
Both characters carry emotional baggage, with Liam particularly struggling to overcome childhood trauma. Despite being on opposite sides of the bookstore battle, their magnetic attraction proves impossible to ignore—this is pure, electric insta-lust rather than gentle romance. Jade convinces Liam to give her a chance to boost the shop’s sales, and he reluctantly agrees. But as he gets to know her better, the thought of losing her becomes unbearable. If he closes the bookstore, she’ll have no choice but to return to England.
The central tension drives the story forward: Jade finds herself torn between her undeniable physical attraction to Liam and her disgust at his plans for the bookstore. This internal conflict ultimately forces both characters to confront their feelings and work toward their well-earned happily ever after.
Mary Jane Wells delivers an exceptional narration that elevates the entire story. Her ability to create distinct voices makes it effortless to follow the dialogue between characters. Most impressive is her seamless transition between Jade’s British accent and Liam’s American accent—never once breaking the spell of the story. Wells’ skilled performance transforms the book from a simple read into a vivid, immersive experience that makes for thoroughly engaging listening.
8/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
BOOKED FOR THE SUMMER by Kathryn Freeman. Narrator: Mary Jane Wells. HarperAudio. July 29, 2025 Listening Length: 9 hours and 59 minutes.
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