Book Review: Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn
Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn
Publisher: Bloom Books
Publication date: May 5, 2026
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
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 meansearning 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.
When Theo’s friend Rupert dares him to create a profile on a website for people looking for fiancés, he does it. He and Rupert always accepted the dares they give each other in their drunken games of truth or dare. The problem is Theo’s father is an English lord, and the press has a field day when they discover that Theo is supposedly looking for an American wife. His father is livid, so Theo tries to convince him that he actually is trying to find a fiancé. Calling his bluff, his father says he has the summer to find one and if he doesn’t, he has to marry the daughter of his father’s friend. She’s weird and kind of gross so Theo is desperate to find someone else. Lucky for him, he matches with someone straight away.
Renley just acquired a candy shop and needs financing to fix it up. Her aunt signs her up for what she thought is a website for people looking for financiers for projects, but she misread the description and it’s the fiancé website that Theo has a profile on. It turns out Renley is the woman he matched with. When Theo shows up on Renley’s doorstep, everyone is confused.
What follows is Theo trying desperately to convince Renley to accept his proposal and her trying to avoid him at all costs. She’s grumpy and he’s sunshine.
Rules for the Summer has Meghan Quinn’s signature witty banter and steamy spice. I loved it and have no notes.
