Jessica’s 15th Epilogue: Rules for the Summer

Meghan Quinn’s Rules for the Summer, published in May 2026, is a great pick for summer reading. I used an Audible credit on it after Heather from Twinreadsandreds described it as laugh-out-loud funny in a post. Since this was my first Meghan Quinn book, I wasn’t sure what to expect—and in the end,  I wasn’t disappointed.

The story centers on Renley Gossage, a 28-year-old living in Cape Meril, Massachusetts. She and her Aunt Kitty partner to restore a struggling local candy shop filled with sentimental value, hoping to preserve it for future generations. But when the town council imposes tight deadlines, Renley begins to feel the pressure. After finalizing the acquisition, she learns Aunt Kitty has not been entirely honest about their finances. Trying to solve the problem, Aunt Kitty persuades Renley to sign up for what she believes is a website for finding a financier—only to discover it is actually a site for finding a fiancé. That mix-up leads Renley to Theodore “Theo” Williams III, a British heir who created his profile on a dare. Theo has a deadline of his own: find a fiancée or accept an arranged marriage chosen by his father. Since he already has the money and has rented the house next door, he offers to fund Renley’s project in exchange for spending the summer courting her. Renley, focused on the shop and wary of romance, is only willing to offer friendship. So, what will summer bring: a playful fling or something real born from a very unusual misunderstanding?

I found the story highly engaging. It had been a long time since an audiobook made me laugh out loud, but this one delivered the kind of humor I love in a rom-com. It was the perfect way to kick off my summer reading. The pacing is quick, and the overall tone is fun and light. The book includes enemies-to-lovers tension, self-healing, and self-discovery, along with budding friendships, flirting, and plenty of playful hard-to-get banter. While the characters work through personal baggage and insecurities, the story never feels too heavy. It also features romance, several spicy scenes, lots of adult language, truth-or-dare antics, swimming, candy shops, and a “Rules for Summer” contract that evolves over the course of the summer.

Renley is determined to prove herself—and her family name—to a town that dismissed her father and views Aunt Kitty as a joke. Guarded and cautious, especially in relationships, she is not an easy person for Theo to win over. She begins the story strong-willed, hesitant, and intent on relying only on herself. In many ways, the shop is not the only thing being restored this summer. Renley gradually becomes more lighthearted and a little flirtier, learning to accept help and opens her heart to romance. Theo, by contrast, starts out as the classic wealthy charmer—smug, polished, and emotionally distant. Over time, he begins to want more from life and tries to figure out who he is beyond the role tied to his British title. He grows to value hard work and takes pride in simple accomplishments, even something as ordinary as learning to install a toilet. I also really loved Theo’s sidekick, Ruppert. As Theo’s best friend, Ruppert joins him for one last summer of reckless fun before Theo is expected to commit to the future his father has planned. He is caring, funny, and emotional, but ultimately proves to be Theo’s most reliable friend. That reliability extends beyond Theo as well—Ruppert knows how to use his connections to come through when it matters most.

What I liked about this book:

• The laugh-out-loud moments were genuinely funny.
• The romance appealed to me because I am always drawn to stories about people finding love.
• The themes of self-healing and overcoming painful family dynamics and small-town prejudice added depth to the story.

What I disliked about this book:

• At 576 pages, the book felt longer than necessary. A few chapters and plot points could have been trimmed without affecting the ending.
• I was not a fan of the hobby horse trend. Almost any other quirky hobby would have worked better for Aunty Kitty and Ruppert to bond over.
• Even so, I still loved the book overall.

I would recommend this book to adults looking for a fun summer romance, as long as they are comfortable with strong language and spicy content. If you prefer the sweeter style of a Hallmark movie or a typical PG-13 romance, this may not be the right fit. I gave it 4 stars, and it currently holds a 3.98 rating on Goodreads.

Meghan Quinn is a contemporary romance author who incorporates humor and comedy into her writing. Check out her website at: https://authormeghanquinn.com/