I would like to give this book 3 1/2 stars. Kate/Donna wakes up one morning in a strange bed with a strange man, thinking she is 15 years younger than what she really is. She finds it hard to come to terms with how different life is now and it's also a struggle to sort out who she is. Jake, the rescuer and Ryan, her husband try to help her remember. I did like this story, even though it was far fetched! Sadly you didn't really get to know any of the characters properly and the ending was unsatisfying, as if it had been finished in a hurry but that wouldn't put me off reading other books by this author. It was light, with a nice style of writing - perfect to take on holiday.

Fifteen Minutes of Summer is the third book I’ve read by author Heather Wardell. It is Book #3 in her “Seven Exes” Series, and it’s her 17th novel written.

Fifteen Minutes of Summer is a good summer read. I mean the cover, screams summer time. It’s a cover that follows the design and composition of the previous books, giving the series its own personality and trademark-ish look. If I may add, it is a cover that would look great in any beach bag. ;)

As obvious as the title might seem, this book is not about the summer season per se. It is the story of a woman named Summer. She has been an important character in the series, and in this book we get to know more about her, the reasons that justify her actions when she betrayed her friends and former cast members of a dating reality-TV show that took place on an island. The title is so appropriate because when faced to choose between her friends or her career, Summer does get her fifteen minutes “fame”.

Fifteen Minutes of Summer can be read as a standalone; the author gives you some details that help you understand the plot and main conflict. But being that it is part of a series, reading the previous book(s) would give you more background and a better feeling of continuity and understanding of the story.

Having read the previous book in this series (click for review), I admit I was biased against Summer. Her betrayal and actions didn’t make her look like a good person. Her character is very complex. I tried to like her but I couldn't fully like her and at the same time I couldn't hate her. More about this on the full review on my blog.

As with the other books by Heather Wardell, this story is not another women’s fiction story. This is a story of Women’s Fiction with a Plus. Summer’s story isn’t just a story about a girl trying to make it in show business hurting herself and loved ones on her way. It is a story about the meaning of friendship and most of all a story about forgiveness.

Fifteen Minutes of Summer deals with the subject of sexual harassment. Even though the events in this book are fictional, they are eye-opening. We can’t deny that situations like those portrayed in the book regarding sexual harassment may or may not be happening in real life. I would recommend this book for young women who are just joining the working force especially in show business, hoping that they don’t imitate Summer’s actions but learn from her mistakes and be aware and prepare themselves if God forbids they are faced with a situation like this. Book clubs can also find this book as an interesting way to discuss topics like work ethics, codes of conduct and the price of fame.

If you’re looking for a book about a woman who makes mistakes and amends them, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for a book that makes you think of what you would do for fame, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for a story about the true meaning of friendship and forgiveness, this is the book for you. Summer ends on September 22nd, 2015 in this neck of the woods, if you’re looking for a good fast paced story to read in the last “15 minutes” of the summer season we have left, this is the book for you.

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DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

I received an Electronic copy of this book but was not financially compensated in any way nor obliged to review. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my personal experience while reading it. This post contains affiliate links

The fiercely private Madeleine-Cora Spencer is the last person who should be on a reality TV show, but when she's shunned by a friend's new wife because "you can't trust desperate single women" her pain and humiliation drive her straight to the "Find Your Prince" dating show's web site.
Armed with date-appropriate clothes and a detailed game plan she arrives to meet her potential loves, only to be dumped... on a remote island with seven ex-boyfriends.
Seven exes! Could this be any worse?

While this was a cute, easy read, this felt very artificial and formulated at points. Though I enjoy the occasional reality romance show, this had me rolling my eyes quite often.

The premise of the reality show is that MC and seven of her ex-boyfriends are competing against an eighth ex, Kent, and seven of his ex-girlfriends for one million dollars that will be awarded in an unknown fashion. How the producers lured these people away from their careers and lives for 21 days seems illegal and manipulative, but I suspended my disbelief for the sake of the story.

I had trouble distinguishing a lot of the men from each other. While we were told how they acted and responded, Aaron was probably the only one who I could have recognised based on speech. Kent's seven exes, on the other hand, consisted of Summer and six other girls who were all robots.

The competitions themselves weren't very exciting to read about. I learned that monkey brains might taste like tofu, but I didn't feel repulsed by this. There was no tension as teams were racing head to head. I didn't get nervous for anyone.

Why MC dumped Kent to begin with makes no sense to me, to him, or to her friends, but it's obvious from the beginning that the producers think there's something left there. Needless to say, this story was predictable .

I found no reason to like MC. I found no reason to dislike her either, but I found her pretty boring. So she puts up walls and doesn't let people in easily. That describes half the heroines of romance novels out there. i don't see why this made her so intriguing or special.

Of course, at the end three couples had formed out of the group, the money was able to be split evenly without any lawsuits, and the producers got a dramatic television show.

This definitely killed time, but I won't be reading it again.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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One card daily.

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dont forget the DAILY $10 Amazon gift card giveaway by author Heather Wardell is still on. 

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