If Only for the Summer

by Alexandra Warren

School may be out, but class is still in session… After a hectic school year with her classroom of first graders, Nova Grant is desperate for a break. So when her best friend invites her to spend the summer down in Miami, taking the vacation is a no-brainer. The only thing is, her best friend’s husband had the same idea, inviting his friend Guy Thompson to stay in the condo Nova was already guaranteed. Set up or accidental… Fate or coincidental… the attraction between the two is undeniable from day one. But with their days under the sun numbered and plenty of lessons to learn between them, Guy and Nova still find themselves teetering the line of lust and love, even if it’s only for the summer…

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Audiobook, African American, Fiction, Contemporary, Forced Proximity

278 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2017

About the author

Alexandra Warren is a contemporary romance author with over thirty works to date, all of which intentionally center Black love. She is also the co-founder of Girl, Have You Read…, a digital platform dedicated to Black romance written by Black authors.

When she’s not in front of her computer, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, watching sports, and clearing her DVR. Alexandra is a proud native of Omaha, Nebraska, but she currently calls Houston, Texas home.

Learn more about Alexandra by visiting her website www.actuallyitsalexandra.com.

Reviews

[Warda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuckin’ perfect!
Everything about this story felt right. Everything about the characters just worked. So. Damn. Well!

This was such a good time with good vibes all around.

I’m so happy! 😭

“But it’s almost like he really sees me the way I should always see myself. Inside and out.”

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

- This book was such a cute read! Nova and Guy had the best chemistry and gave me all the happy feels while reading their story.
- Even though this is a summer book, I feel like it would be great for a cozy autumn read too!
- This was the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’ll definitely read more in the future!

[Rashawnda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only for the summer…..and beyond! This was such a good wholesome story! We need these every once in a while 😩😅! Nova and Guy were both teachers and also friends of husband and wife duo Lamar and Kaylen. After being invited to spend the summer in Miami Guy and Nova had no idea that accepting the invite would lead to love. Since neither Lamar nor Kaylen knew that the other invited their bff for the summer it was a shock to both Guy and Nova that they would be sharing the same condo along with Guy’s three year old son Jaxson. The love connection that developed between these two was so sweet! It was so natural and the vibe was vibing! Jaxson was every bit of the star of the show and he made the book for sure with his typical toddler outbursts. If you’re looking for an angst free love story, this is the one for you!

[Annette Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Only for the Summer was such a sweet love story. I could not get enough of Nova and Guy. They really were a match made in heaven. Nova's BFF invites her to spend the Summer at her condo in Miami to take her mind off the state of her current relationship. Guy's BFF has invited him and his son to spend the Summer at his condo in Miami as well. Did I mention their BFFs are married to each other? Did I also mention Kaylin can't stand Nova's boyfriend? Now, she would have you believe the whole "double booking" of the condo was a mix-up. Lies! Kaylin was totally playing matchmaker and I was here for it. Nova and Guy were perfect for each other. The attraction between them was instant and their chemistry was intense. Guy was everything Nova needed. He helped her get past the insecurities she had about her body and made her feel beautiful. This gave Nova the courage to finally walk away from her emotionally draining relationship with David's trash azz. Jaxson's little cute self was the real star of the book. I absolutely loved the bond between him and Nova. You couldn't tell him nothin' about his Ms. Nova. The ending was insanely adorable! The way Guy pulled up on Nova had me in tears! If Only for the Summer was the perfect Summer fling trope. It gives you all the feels, the vibes, the romance, the passion, and the humor. It was hella entertaining and I found myself smiling throughout the entire book. This is definitely one you want to add to your TBR.

[Vonetta Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me all in my feelings.

It was so cute how Nova and Guy became so comfortable around each other in such a short period of time and how she was such a natural with his sone due thanks to her teaching background. It was like they formed a nice little instant family. I appreciated the fact how Guy helped build up her confidence when her so called boyfriend almost tore it down and I was happy that she winded up putting him in his place.

Although this book was called If Only for the Summer I did not want it to end and I actually shed some a tear or two when summer was winding down and you knew they were going back to their regular lives. I was surprised that they didn't even exchange numbers the whole time they spent together but it was nice that social media helped bring them back together in a sense and we were able to get a HEA.

[Kameel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww This Was Such A Good Story

Jaxon Stole The Show…But the development of the relationship between Guy & Nova was so cute…friends of friends getting together. Guy was best friends with Lamar and he invited him and his son Jaxon to Miami to spend the summer… unbeknownst to him his wife Kay invited her best friend Nova to spend the summer. The couple shared a condo off the beach and the hidden attraction started. This was so cute. My second read of this story was the audiobook....Wesliegh & Winston Killed this book...bring the characters to life...especially young Jaxon for me.

[Joya Goffney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I come back to read this book, because the chemistry is unmatched 👌

[Jite · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay.

This was okay but I have to admit that I wasn’t passionate about it or the pacing. I think we got too much of Nova worrying herself about her obviously going-nowhere relationship with her ex. And then there were references to her having mental health and body image issues but those weren’t really interrogated or dealt with much in the book. The premise of a summer fling set up by Nova and Guy’s respective best friends was cute, especially given the adorable little kid making the whole scenario fun. But something about the pacing and the building of their relationship didn’t really work for me. It was hard for me to buy that their relationship wasn’t mostly sexual and I felt like the start of the flirtationship when Nova was still with the no-good ex was a little discomfiting and I wasn’t a huge fan. All of that said, this had a cute ending, showcased positive co-parenting between Guy and his ex and if a fun cast of friends. I think it just wasn’t my vibe.

[Whit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laugh out loud good!

I loved that two teachers are, unknowingly, invited to spend the summer in Miami, by their two best friends, at the same time sharing the same condo. Hilarious!

Nova and Guy have never met but Nova's best friend is married to Guy's best friend- a NFL player. Add in Nova's sleazy ex-boyfriend and Guy's cutie-pie son and you have an awesome story!

However, the repetitive and offensive use of the "n" word became quite annoying.

[Muntu · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5* The storyline for this romance seemed contrived. The characters were lovely enough (especially little Jaxson) but the whole instant family didn’t work for me. Yes, Nova is a teacher and loves kids but to continuously play mommy whilst on a much-needed vacation seemed unrealistic. And Guy’s eagerness to just pass off parenting to a stranger (albeit a “family” friend) seemed selfish and again unrealistic. I also took issue with how consent was handled in this book; an intoxicated person cannot give consent, no ifs, no buts. I decided to DNF this book 2/3 in.

[kiriahsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a swoon worthy book! Drama free! This book had me swinging and kicking me feet! Strangers to lovers! Jaxson was the star of the show! Such good vibes! This was such a wholesome story! Guy and Nova was perfect for each other! Single dad trope, strangers to lovers!

[Samari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really did not like how the characters fell in love so quickly. All they did was have sex and I didn’t really get to see them actually build a relationship. There was nothing in here about a first date or anything. Also Guy really handed his kid off to a complete stranger and she was bathing and cooking for him on the first meet up?? Very unrealistic. Everything was just fast paced and there was no natural build up or anything. Just two teachers having sex for the summer and then calling it “love.”

[B. Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the connection between Nova and Guy. Literally couldn't stop smiling for the first few chapters of them being together.

[The Love Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was so sweet! Nova and Guy have been invited to stay in their best friends' condo for the summer. These two meet in the airport when Nova has a cute run-in with Guy's toddler son, Jackson. They don't realize they'll be staying together until Nova's bestie picks them both up from the airport and takes them to the condo they'll be staying in. Guy makes it no secret that he's feeling Nova, especially when he finds out the dude she's been seeing is raggedy and cheating on her. It was hilarious watching Nova trying to deny what she felt for him. It took her a minute to come to terms with how bad her ex was, but once she did, she realized that Guy was treating her the way she deserved to be treated.

Nova's relationship with Guy's son was adorable!! One of my favorite things about single parent romances is watching the children interact with the new love interest. These three were perfect as a little family unit, and I was rooting for them to make it work once the summer ended!

Audio was easy to listen to! Winston James' narration was perfect for Guy's fun personality.

I've been catching up on this author's backlist and have been enjoying everything I've read so far, so not surprised this one was a success!

TROPES: black romance/BIPOC/OWN voices; forced proximity/roommates for the summer; single dad; H/h are both teachers; summer vacation vibes

[lexiskat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 I ate this book up in one day. Its your typically romance love story. From strangers to lovers. Nova was that girl, i just hated her insecurities which is something that we all have. But Guy was just what she needed. I didn't like that it took half of the book to get to the spicy part but when it did!!! She devoured him as she mfn should have. And yeah Nova and Jax relationship was the icing on the cake.

[Sheronda H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Great story. Great love connection. The characters were amazing. I didn’t want it to end.

[ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes: single dad, strangers to lovers,

TW/CW: 18+

Representation: black romance, black teachers

Thoughts: i. started this on audiobook but i was enjoying it way to much so i switched over the ebook so i could read it faster! IM OBSESSED WITH THESE TWO! Okay lets get this out the way first David is a bitch and i cant stand his raggedy ass. Okay back to the good shit, GUY!? THAT MAN COULD TALK ME RIGHT OUT MY DRAWS WITH NO HESITATION BIG ASS FLIRT ASS! Also loved his relationship with his son 😩 And nova!? shes a damn QUEEN i loved her so much and i loved seeing her growth throughout the summer! also the chemistry with these two was something crazy my god! ugh i miss them already.

[Porsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by Alexandra and I must say I like her style. According to her, this book is the perfect intro to her as an author and what an introduction! It embodies everything a reader can expect from an Alexandra Warren book: the feel, the vibes, and humor. The girl is hilarious. Nova and Guy was connected through mutual friends by accident but the love that blossomed was not a mistake! Summer flings just may be everlasting love.

[KB’s Book Chronicles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a pretty quick read and I almost didn’t want it to end. A chance encounter in an airport leads to two people being instantly connected…..a sort of love at first sight. I love Guy and Nova together and little Jax made my heart melt with his innocence. The story definitely reminded me of the book If Only For The Week. While I don’t usually appreciate friends meddling in my love life if I could get a friend like Kay to find me a sexy man who says and does all the right things I could forgive her expeditiously 😂

[Ebony | ebonylovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

This was SOOOO cute. I love books that immediately grab your attention and this one did just that and so much more!

Guy and Jaxson were so adorable from the first chapter. And Nova was so likeable from the first chapter. Loved Nova and Jaxson’s relationship so much! And of course Guy and Nova’s chemistry was so amazing.

Would definitely recommend!

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!!!

I love Guy and. Nova and Jaxson so much!
This was the sweetest set up ever! I thought there would be a little more drama with Baby Mama, but even she made me smile. There was not one part of this story that I didn't evjoy!
Literally, perfection!

[ShaTorey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. It reminded me of the friend zone by Abby Jimenez without the miscommunication trope. BLESSED ! I found myself cackling quite often throughout this book. A great summer read !

[Simply_YoYo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a feel good romance.
Coincidence or set up idk but Kaylin & Lamar ya on to something & I love this for Nova & Guy 🥰😍🫶🏾

[Danielle Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! A great palate cleanser. Jaxson has been added to my list of favorite kids.

[Genice Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

I don’t know if I could give this a 3 truthfully. I was going to DNF it about 2 hours in but I kept going so I could finish. The concept of the story wasn’t terrible but I do think the fact that Nova immediately and I do mean IMMEDIATELY came into a step parent role for Guy’s son bothered me much. I get that Jackson is a kid and kids can tend to meet new people and become annoying but that was overbearing. Immediately wanting her to bathe him, immediately wanting her to read with him, immediately wanting her to play it was A LOT.

Also, the fact that Guy became inappropriate with Nova like after only a day? 🤮 I get this is a summer fling, so obviously love bombing was involved but having him ask for a hug and touch her butt without consent like literally the day after they met😬 idk… I definitely scrunched my nose up.

I think the story got better as the book went on but it was still not up to par, esp after other books I read with the same concept. A short fling with children involved like this definitely killed the book in my opinion

[Dahyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nova & Guy

I love, love, loooved Nova. She was so relatable. I loved how introverted she was especially around Guy. She was timid and had a few insecurities and it made the story more real. Guy was perfect for her. His banter with her and how he helped her just kind of get out of her shell was perfect. Jaxon was everything

[Ismar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay hear me out…. It is a good book. It really is. I think under different circumstances or a different person could easily give this four (maybe 5) stars. However, Ib think I was too in my head while listening to the book. I could not help but be nitpicking on every little thing from the beginning.

Before I say what threw me off I will say this; I think both of them are cute. Guy is such a flirt and I absolutely love his personality and maturity throughout the whole book. Nova is a super sweet character who clearly they mentioned has struggled through different relationships and is just trying to reset. I do wish I would’ve been able to see that side of her that was healing rather than just the fun side of her because I think the time where she will really grow as a person and partner would’ve been during their long distance relationship.

Below are some things that threw me off:

- Her interaction with his son at the s as airport was cute, but the fact she was bathing and putting to bed the child of a complete stranger on the first day meeting is weird. I am NOT letting anybody let alone a compete stranger go bathing my kid.

-That goes into my second point. There were no boundaries! He let her be so engaged in his and his kids life right off the get go and this woman continuously volunteered herself and went against Guy to help with the kid. Like ma’am, just because you’re sharing an apartment doesn’t mean you need to play mom.

-She went to see her friend. To spend the summer with her friend. I can count in one hand the amount of times she hung out with her friend all summer and most of them happened towards the end.

-She was so immature about Guy’s relationship with his baby momma, it was a little infuriating.

-Im sorry, him flying to her bc she didn’t respond to his ig message?? yall met like 2 months ago, chill 😭 the flowers were enough.

- ENGAGED AFTER ONE YEAR?!??! yeah i think im thinking too logical 😭😭

[Ebony Essence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nova and Guy!! I loved this story so much. These two were a pleasure reading about their growth into something beautiful. Them being in the same industry was dope because they understand. Warren wrote this with so much love and ease. The story flowed well from beginning to the end even with the drama.

Jaxson was so adorable and his role was very much appreciated. He was so funny, innocent, and pure. Also the bond between Guy and Mariah was nice to see because some people truly don’t know how to co parent. Kayla, Nova’s best friend, was funny and so real. Got to love a good girl friend. Guy is BDE and the living room window scene was chefs kiss. Just read the book or listen on audio how i did, you won’t be disappointed. Love is real, beautiful, and the right one will make you see things better.

Favorite scene was in the airport. The set the bond between Nova and Jaxson.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This absolutely would have been a 4 star read but for the fact that much of the birth control in this book relied on the pull out method which, given the hero is a single dad who has a son with his ex that’s the result of an unplanned pregnancy, is a really weird choice. They only use condoms in the final sex scene in the book bc he makes it clear he wouldn’t be able to pull out. Aside from that, it was a solid romance and I really liked it and will be reading more of this author. Just that one thing was glaringly not great.

[BossyLadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this summer fling turned permanent relationship. Story of Nova and Guy. They were set up by their mutual friends one summer. Unbeknownst to them, their friends booked them to stay in the same beach house for the summer. They were roommates. Strangers but roommates. For the summer. Oh, and Guy has a son, Jackson. So the three of them in a house all summer. Together. Only in the movies or books. Lol. Anyway, it turned out cute and I ended up loving these three. Very cute.