Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Hello my friends! Hope November has been good to you so far. I am back again with another review for you but this time it’s for The End of Summer by KJ Micciche. I got the audiobook from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, and as an absolute sucker for anything based here on Cape Cod, I was excited to dive in and see what this one had to offer.

The book kicks off with main characters Gretchen and Brady working together at the Diamond Excelsior Resort. It’s peak tourist season on the Cape, and after Gretchen accidentally dumps seafood on a celebrity guest (and pants literally come off!), both she and Brady end up out of the job within minutes of each other, without the others knowledge. Soon enough, Gretchen finds herself working for a not-so-legit pole studio, running bachelorette parties and the occasional male entertainment, sometimes that includes Brady! Things definitely get interesting when the studio owner skips town and Gretchen is left in charge.

On the narration side, Michael Casale and Kelli Tager each did a solid job bringing the story to life. They might not be my go-to voices, but they worked well for these characters and made the most of the Cape Cod setting.

Now, my friends, for what kept this read at just three stars for me. While the setup had all the makings of a fun Cape Cod read, the book never really captured the coastal vibe for me. There were some references to local towns and summer fun was had, but it didn’t feel as grounded in Cape Cod as I wanted. It could have been set in any small town. I appreciated the idea of female camaraderie, but in the story itself, those bonds fell flat. In a certain part of the book one character is injured and nobody visits, and the friendships just didn’t feel believable when you don’t even call each other by your real names. The redemption came from Brady and Gretchen’s connection, especially the ways he supports her throughout the story, but the lack of richness in the secondary cast held me back from fully enjoying this book fully.

All in all, this was just an okay read for me. If you’re after a quick story about dancers with a Cape Cod backdrop, it might hit the spot for you.

Until next time, friends, grab a good book, find a cozy spot, and a good drink, and enjoy the self-care. Happy release day, friends!