Summer Reading

Samantha has selflessly decided to spend the summer keeping an eye on her teenage half-brother Ben at their home in Martha’s Vineyard while their parents vacation in Europe; at least, that’s what she’s telling herself to avoid owning up to the fact that she quit her swanky chef job after being passed over for a promotion. In truth, she’s ashamed to admit that her dyslexia may have caused this catastrophe, as it has many others. While she is able to work within her neurodivergence, it has complicated romantic relationships in the past. When bookish Ben recognizes how smart Samantha must have been to overcome the obstacles in her path, he helps her turn a new page and write her own story. McKinlay (Wait For It) crafts a character-driven contemporary romance that is upbeat and insightful. Narrator Kelsey Navarro Foster gives a charismatic and compelling performance, bringing the well-developed cast to life, imperfections and all. The introduction notes that an accompanying PDF contains recipes from the story.