All Summer Long

April 25, 2016
Tia D’Amico, a budding chef fresh out of culinary school, longs to leave her monotonous job at her family’s restaurant in present-day Norton, Wash. She gets the chance when her aunt asks her to restore the restaurant aboard her aunt’s luxury yacht to its former glory. Tia moves to San Francisco with high hopes until she discovers that Leo Parker is to be the yacht’s newly hired captain. As a teenager, Tia secretly admired Leo while on a summer sailing trip. With Tia learning her new job and Leo involved with someone else, their romance gets off to a stuttering start. Readers will enjoy following the lovely and decent Tia as she figures out the business and struggles with secrets, loyalties, and the tug of her heart. The secondary story involving Tia’s aunt and her husband’s severe medical condition provides some breathing room from the primary love story’s march toward resolution. Tia’s faith guides her decisions, but never in an overt way. Instead, good food, renewed love, and the clear ocean make this winsome romance a perfect and inspiring summer read.

June 1, 2016
Falling in love isn't always smooth sailing, as chef Tia D'Amico discovers when she reunites with a teenage crush, only to meet Natalie, his beautiful and kind fiancee. Tia has relocated to San Francisco to help her aunt turn her aunt's yacht into a restaurant, and Leo has been hired as captain. When Tia's uncle suffers a heart attack, she and Leo must work together to prepare the ship for opening night. The two have undeniable chemistry, and Tia must fight her attraction to Leo as he sends some very mixed signals, indicating his interest while remaining attached to Natalie. Carlson presents a relatable romance, filled with uncertainty and struggle, and, ultimately, happiness. Tia and Leo are both at a crossroads and must figure out what they want from life and who they are as individuals before being able to enter a fulfilling relationship. Readers will draw encouragement as they realize that happiness is not about being perfect, but rather finding someone who values the real you.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)