Book Review: Rules for the Summer
Book Details
Title: Rules for the Summer
Author: Meghan Quinn
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Date Published: May 5th, 2026
Page Count: 552
Goodreads Rating: 3.87
Series: N/A
Vibes:
Small town candy shop owner meets entitled British lord
He clicked “yes” on a dare. She bought a failing candy shop. Now they’re neighbors for the summer―and neither is ready for what comes next.
Renley Gossage has one shot to prove she’s more than Cape Meril’s favorite cautionary tale: restore her favorite candy shop before the town writes her off like they did her father. No help, no shortcuts, and definitely no rich men wielding engagement rings and making things messy.
Theo Williams never planned on ending up in Cape Meril. A drunken game of truth or dare turned into a botched online engagement, and now he’s across the ocean, escaping his father’s control with nothing but designer shoes, misplaced confidence, and a rental next door to Renley.
She’s practical, stubborn, and covered in paint. He’s posh, persistent, and willing to use a sander if it means earning her trust.
Between collapsing drywall, gossiping neighbors, and the chaotic schemes of Renley’s aunt, their forced proximity turns into something dangerously close to real.
But Renley’s future depends on standing on her own two feet, and Theo’s past isn’t done with him yet. By the time the candy shop doors open, they’ll have to decide if this is just a summer fling―or the happily ever after neither of them saw coming.
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My Rating
4.5 stars
I loved this book! It is a cute, fun, hilarious read for the summer. At first I wasn’t a big fan of Aunt Kitty, but she does grow on you. I also wasn’t sold on the writing at first, but got used to it as time went on. I can relate to Renley and her keeping her walls up, and I think it is hilarious that they went on a fiance website think it was a financier website. The banter between Renley and Theo is so good. I also really like Rupert and Theo’s friendship and bond.
I love that Renley is trying to fix up the childhood candy shop she enjoyed with her father. Theo and Rupert being wealthy British guys and not working a day in their lives just made it all better. As far as spice goes it was a slow burn at first but once the spice started it never stopped and it was *Chef’s Kiss*. I had to be careful when and where I read this book to not feel embarassed.
If you are looking for a lighthearted, super spicy summer read then I definitely recommend this! This is my very first Meghan Quinn read but I’ll definitely have to check her other books out some day.
“Her eyes fill with tears again. “Shit, I don’t want to cry.” “Sometimes you need to,” I say. “Crying helps you get it out. You can’t sit on the emotions and wish them away. You have to actually feel them so you can move on.”
“Has anyone ever told you, you look just like Joe Alwyn?” Gasp. “Shhhhhhh,” Rupert says in a panic. “By God, woman, do you want the Swifties to rise from the ground and choke me with a cardigan?”
“That’s because we’re newbies; these guys know all the quick terms. Like this right here, says he’s DTF before commitment.” “What does that mean?” I ask with a scrunch to my nose. “Clearly it means he’s down to finance before fully committing. That right there says he can be trustworthy.”
“I hope you enjoy your new floor ornament, it’s me, the store’s hobgoblin.”
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