The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther (review)

A little over a year ago, eighteen-year-old Meredith lost her beloved older sister to a terrible accident. Now she’s spending a week at her family’s Martha’s Vineyard homestead, where generations are meeting to celebrate her cousin’s wedding. Amongst the guests are future in-laws, including the groom’s stepbrother, Wit, who proves a captivating and unexpected distraction. As Meredith gets caught up in summer romance and family shenanigans, she begins to find ways past her grief, but as the week draws to a close, she must face the pain of loss, until she decides to make a play for the future and a happy ending. Embedded in a world of protected privilege and low-stakes drama, this novel is a sweet, airy treat of a summer read. Emotions are heightened by the shadow of tragedy, but family, friends, and the perfect boy are on hand to carry our heroine through. Scenes of sexual intimacy are accomplished with nods to consent and textual fade-outs, rather than explicit detail. Overall, it’s a rose-tinted romance that readers will want to toss into a beach tote for some relaxing, enjoyable fun.