Back of Book: 

In this steamy rivals-to-lovers short story from New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey, a drama-loving camp counselor confronts the crush she’s been nursing for years on her gruff, rule-following fellow counselor.

Senior counselor Margot Berry is finally going to tell Dean Ingram how she feels. Sure, she’s been pranking him for eight years and they’ve formed something of a rivalry. But surely that will all be set aside when she fesses up to her crush, right? Wrong. Dean assumes her confession is just another prank. Can she convince him she’s for real before the camp session ends?

Tessa Bailey’s S’more of You is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting. And to fully immerse yourself in the flirty fun, try out the direct-to-listener audio experience.

Book Number: One 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Short Story 

Review: 🌟

A short story that exudes summer vibes due to it being a summer romance between two camp counselors. 

Margot Berry has had a crush on Dean Ingram for eight years. They first met at the very summer camp that they are now counselors at, but Margot still hasn't gotten the nerve to ask Dean out directly. Margot has been pranking Dean for as long as she can remember in the hopes that she'd get his attention, but alas, no takers. She assumes that things will go her way when she finally admits her feelings for him directly but when Dean assumes it's just another one of Margot's pranks, Margot gives up on the idea of ever pursuing him. That is, until Dean makes a move of his own. 

I figured I'd check out Amazon's newest summer collection of short stories while we are still in the right season, Unfortunately, I was quite sad to see that the first one was penned by Tessa Bailey. I haven't enjoyed any of her previous stories, so I wasn't expecting much going into this one. Sadly, it was worse than I expected. 

This story felt very juvenile. I was shocked that these characters are 21 years of age (like there is no way that these characters are older than I am!). They acted like petty teenagers who were too scared to admit their feelings for one another. Seriously, this story may have been cute if they were 15, but it is certainly not when they are 21. The fact that Margot has had a crush for eight years is just pathetic, and the way that Dean completely doesn't believe her is so childish. 

As usual, the sex scene was one of the most cringe things I've ever read. A grown woman wearing someone's boy's scout sash doesn't scream mature to me, and I certainly didn't appreciate just how brash Margot is. For a virgin, she certainly has bouts of extra confidence. The spicy scene certainly feels weird in a story that reads so juvenile. In my head, I know they are 21, but that just didn't feel right regardless. 

The ending was so bad I can't even. The way that Margot is planning out her entire life with this man she literally just confessed her feelings to and had sex with for the first time is bizarre. I can't believe that this was the note the story ended on, but whatever. 

Overall, "S'more of You" was another disappointing story by the one and only Tessa Bailey. I feel her Amazon Original Stories have garnered so much hate, it makes me wonder if anyone read them prepublication or if they just don't care about anyone's feedback and just published them anyway. This story was so juvenile, cringey, and cheesy; there wasn't a single part of it that I could take seriously. For such a short read, this one was quite painful to get through. Once more, I don't think I have any interest of reading Bailey's longer works. 

Back of Book: 

New York Times bestselling author Jessica Peterson’s short story of a ride through first love into forever follows a country music star who returns home for a family affair—and faces the cowboy who once watched her walk away.

Josie Reid abandoned her Texas hometown six years ago, when Weston Jessup chose his family’s ranch over her. Now a country music sensation, she’s back where it all started to officiate her brother’s wedding. Wes is the best man, and he’s determined to make things right. But can he convince Josie to give him another shot, or is their love song played out?

Jessica Peterson’s Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Book Number: Two

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Short Story 

Review: ?

Back of Book: 

A surprise invitation from her estranged bestie whisks one woman away to a destination wedding, where her past and possible future collide, in this forced-proximity short story from USA Today bestselling author Falon Ballard.

It’s been ten years since Lucy last saw her childhood friend, but when she’s invited to Sara’s Costa Rica wedding, she can’t say no. She starts wishing she had, though, after running into Beckett, Sara’s still-hot older brother. He and Lucy are stuck sharing a hotel room. It doesn’t take long for old feelings—and old wounds—to resurface. But maybe this time, something new will blossom too.

Falon Ballard’s One Hot Summer Wedding is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Book Number: Three

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Short Story 

Review: ?

Back of Book: 

While vacationing at a lakefront house with her friends, a woman prepares to risk it all for the one that got away, in this second-chance sapphic romance from award-winning author Rachel Lacey.

All Morgan wants is a relaxing day on the water. Instead, she accepts a “yes day” challenge that results in a series of increasingly flirty encounters with the beautiful woman she kissed eight years ago. This challenge—and Juliette—will push Morgan out of her comfort zone, but if she succeeds, she might get to say yes to something even more unexpected: love.

Rachel Lacey’s Girls Just Wanna Have Sun is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Book Number: Four

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ | Short Story 

Review: ?

Back of Book: 

In Sarah Grunder Ruiz’s sweet summer fling of a short story, a neurodivergent heroine meets a kind out-of-towner who’s just what she needs to shake up her life—and makes her feel like she’s finally on solid ground.

If you ask Beck Penrose, Florida summers aren’t relaxing so much as roller coasters of sensory overload. But her nervous system settles down with Lucas Holiday, a travel blogger who gets her like no one else does. It’s easy to say yes to living like tourists for a weekend. But it’s harder to say goodbye when that weekend comes to an end.

Sarah Grunder Ruiz’s Summer Staycation is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Book Number: Five

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Short Story 

Review: ? 

Back of Book: 

In USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Jenshak’s short story about a clash of captains, team leaders for a men’s and women’s hockey team are forced together, while keeping their players in line—and their feelings in check.

Hattie Cannon’s sure Colin Jettson hates her. Colin is happy to let her believe it. It’s easier that way. That is until a summer hockey camp puts them in the same hotel. Keeping their college teams focused is one thing; keeping things civil is another. Good sportsmanship is a start, but what Hattie and Colin really need is to throw out the rulebook and play their own game.

Rebecca Jenshak’s Summer Thaw is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Book Number: Six (Last Book) 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Short Story 

Review: ?