Cruel Summer by Maisey Yates: Review

I have read this author for many years and she always hits with emotional highs and lows in her stories. That is what endears her readers to her book after book.

With a new publication coming out this summer, this is a book you need to read if you enjoy self-discovery and romance. Check out my thoughts and review below.

Cruel Summer by Maisey Yates
Publisher: ‎Canary Street Press; Original edition
Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1335471451

SYNOPSIS:
“I think we should see other people…” That one sentence unravels Samantha Parker’s perfect life. She has a loving husband, three wonderful kids and a comfortable suburban lifestyle. But on the brink of their long-awaited empty-nest chapter, Will asks Samantha for something she never dreamed an open marriage.

Desperate to keep her husband happy, Samantha proposes a summerlong separation with no contact. She knows she has to use the opportunity to find herself, but she also has no interest in being with anyone but Will. She’s confident when the season is over, they’ll get back together like this time never happened.

Then Sam gets an offer of adventure from an unlikely Logan Martin, a classic-car restorer who happens to be Will’s best friend, asks Sam to help him drive across the country to make deliveries. Logan and Sam have never had an easy relationship. He’s prickly, aloof and a little too handsome. And as they traverse the winding roads and breathtaking backdrops of North America, her changing connection with Logan challenges everything she believed she wanted in life, love and passion. When her summer with Logan is up, will she go home to the familiar stability of her past…or choose the thrilling uncertainty of her future?

Cruel Summer by Maisey Yates Review

I have to say this story started out so sad. Within the first several chapters, I was rolling in tears. With a start like that, I was questioning the author’s direction.

The entire book ended up being something I was not expecting. As the author unraveled this amazing story, it was hard to not feel emotions. It was hard to not look at your own life in a different way and examine the choices made. It was hard to wonder if you see yourself differently than how other people see you.

I love Logan’s progression through their travels and how he challenged Sam with the status quo. Was there an ulterior motive? Eventually, the truth comes through, and it is an amazing connection. Sparks fly between them throughout the story as it changes from challenges and introspection to a true match that is both emotional and steamy.

Cruel Summer is an intense deep dive into self-discovery. This one will make you feel something. It’s such an amazing story!

4.5 stars!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.