BOOK REVIEW: The Summer Set by Aimee Agresti

Title: The Summer Set
Author: Aimee Agresti
Publication: May 12, 2020
Publisher: Graydon House; Harlequin
Genre: Romance
Pages: 384

SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)

The real drama happens backstage in this juicy novel about an idyllic summer theater where hot stars, has-beens and hopefuls chase roles—and each other.

Charlie Savoy was once Hollywood’s hottest A-lister. Now, ten years later, she’s pushing forty, exiled from the film world and back at the summer Shakespeare theater that launched her career—and where her old flame, Nick, is the artistic director.

It’s not exactly her first choice. But as parts are cast and rehearsals begin, Charlie is surprised to find herself getting her groove back, bonding with celebrity actors, forging unexpected new friendships and even reigniting her spark with Nick, who still seems to bring out the best in her despite their complicated history.

Until Charlie’s old rival, Hollywood’s current it girl, is brought in to attract theater donors, threatening to undo everything she’s built. As the drama amps up both on the stage and behind the curtains, Charlie must put on the show of a lifetime to fight for the second chance she deserves in career and in love.

REVIEW:

**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

When the request to have me read this book The Summer Set came across my email, I was intrigued.  It looked interesting and the fact that it was also a romance made it even more so.  I again deliberated about it for a few days because once again my to be read pile was calling my name.  (My husband swears that they will all fall over and kill me in my sleep.  Honestly is that a bad way to go?)  In the end, I decided to take it.  I can’t turn down the chance to read a new author.  

Charlie has made quite the reputation for herself while she was younger.  Drinking, jumping off the Tower Bridge in London on a dare, and getting arrested.  She has managed to maintain a low profile since she has grown up and bought a cinema in Boston.  That all changes when she drives herself into Boston Harbor after taking and Ambien.  Her community service?  Going to Chamberlain and working at the theater there.  The owner….none other than her ex Nicholas Blunt.  The events the ensue are interesting, to say the least.  Honestly, I was not a huge fan of this book.  It was interesting enough to keep my interest and to finish it but I have no ties to the characters what so ever.  She could have killed one of them off and I probably wouldn’t have shed a tear for any of them.  

While I didn’t want to see the theater fail because who wants to see someone’s lively hood collapse around their ears and feel good about it?  I just felt the story was rather forced.  I didn’t really like Charlie’s will she won’t she stay and finish out the whole thing.  I didn’t like how Nicholas was kind of walked on the whole story.  Man up and put your foot down, I understand you need money but don’t let those awful women walk all over you.  I thought the romance was very subtle.  Yes, the two interns hooked up but that was a long time coming and we knew it was going to happen.  I really wanted more romance between the two main characters.  The one thing I did like was Charlie taking the initiative and coming up with ways to help and save the theater herself.  I was happy that she decided to try and save the place with her ideas since schmoozing for money wasn’t working.   

In the end, this book just wasn’t for.  I tried to like the book.  There were aspects that I like but the ones I didn’t just outweigh them. Would I pick up another book by this author and try her again?  Probably but maybe not right away. 

STAR RATING: 2/5

Pick up your copy of The Summer Set by Aimee Agresti on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and check your local bookstore. Also make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. You can check out more from author Aimee Agresti on her website HERE.

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