The Summer Between Us by Jennifer Probst: A Heartfelt Hawaiian Romance Review of Love & Second Chances

The Summer Between Us is a heartfelt Hawaiian romance about healing, second chances, family, and finding love when you least expect it.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Brilliance Audio and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

After a career-ending injury derails her dreams, former surf champion Rowan Delaney spends her days working at a Waikiki surf shack, haunted by what she lost—until she meets Kelsey, a lonely young girl eager to learn how to surf. Teaching Kelsey brings Rowan renewed purpose, but sparks tension with Kelsey’s devoted yet controlling father, Everett Hale, who has come to Hawaii focused solely on opening a luxury hotel and repairing his strained relationship with his daughter. As Rowan helps Kelsey discover confidence and joy in the ocean, she also challenges Everett’s carefully planned life, igniting an unexpected connection between them. Over the course of one transformative summer, love, healing, and second chances collide, forcing all three to reconsider what truly matters.

My Thoughts:

I’m always drawn to books set in Hawaii, with its beautiful natural environment, unique culture, and wonderful people, so when I heard Jennifer Probst had a new series set there, I knew I wanted to read it. I really enjoyed her Meet Me in Italy series, and The Summer Between Us proved to be another enjoyable escape.

Rowan Delaney was once a rising surf champion, with her father by her side cheering her on, but a career-ending injury, which followed the devastating loss of her father, causes her to walk away from the sport she loves. Now working at a Waikiki surf shack, Rowan’s view of the ocean is a constant reminder of everything she has lost. Her life begins to change when she meets thirteen-year-old Kelsey, a lonely girl on an extended Hawaiian vacation with her workaholic father, Everett. Kelsey is determined to learn how to surf and quickly decides that Rowan is the person she wants to teach her.

Rowan and Kelsey form an instant connection, and I loved watching their relationship develop. Both girls have grown up without their mothers, and Rowan recognizes Kelsey’s love of the water and the need to find her own confidence and independence. Everett, meanwhile, has become so consumed by work that he has forgotten how to slow down and enjoy life. As Rowan and Kelsey gradually draw him out of his tightly controlled world, he begins to rediscover what really matters.

Although I enjoyed the romance that develops between Rowan and Everett, it was the relationship between Rowan and Kelsey that truly captured my heart. Probst creates a deep and meaningful bond between them, and I loved seeing how much they each needed the other. Rowan helps Kelsey become more confident and fearless, while Kelsey helps Rowan reconnect with the part of herself she thought she had lost forever. Their relationship gave the story an emotional depth that I really appreciated.

The romance between Rowan and Everett is filled with lively banter and plenty of passion, and I enjoyed watching these two very different people challenge each other and, ultimately, bring out the best in one another. Their summer in Hawaii forces them to reconsider the lives they thought they wanted and whether there might be room for something—or someone—they never expected.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook, performed by Victoria Connelly and Brandon Utah, and both narrators gave wonderful performances. They provided credible and distinct voices for the three main characters and brought the story and its relationships to life, making this an especially enjoyable book to listen to.

Final Thoughts:

The Summer Between Us is a warm, romantic story about healing, second chances, finding courage, and learning to let go of the life you think you’re supposed to have. With its Hawaiian setting, engaging characters, romance, and heartfelt relationship between Rowan and Kelsey, it made for a lovely summer escape. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.