When August Ends

3.5 Stars. This is a new standalone novel from a great author, Penelope Ward. We have a young woman who is looking after her ailing mother through depression and maintaining their family home. They have a lake house with a smaller boathouse that has a water backyard. I so wanted to go and visit this place as it sounds amazing. While Arden is looking after both residences, she happens to stammer her way through meeting the new renter of the boathouse, Noah, who is a few years older than she is. Age isn't a problem for me, it is all relative with personalities and experiences. Noah has had plenty and he is a little bit gruff on their first and second encounters but he then warms up and I totally adored him. Arden is young in some areas but she know what she wants and set about trying to seduce Noah. He is adamant that they should just be friends and hang out for the summer. Best laid plans always can change. Some things didn't gel for me, and I can't really say why without giving away a little twist in the storyline. And a few other elements didn't seem to flow on very well either and making it feel somewhat unauthentic. On the whole though, it is a good book and you will love this hero and how he protects Arden in all ways.

Penelope Ward is one of my unicorn/ go to authors and just when I think I have seen her best she gives me yet another brilliant read and When August Ends is certainly that, it is a must read. This book has all the feels you want and expect in a great read, a slow burn with characters you will fall in love with, it will captivate you and keep you interested to the very last page. Noah and Heather stole a piece of my heart and I think if I’m totally honest I’m not going to get it back because their journey will be a story I will read over and over again. I loved Heather’s honestly, I loved how she had no control over blurting out exactly what’s on her mind and the friendship she shared with the man she had fallen for hook line and sinker. What can I say about Noah that hasn’t already been said before he is dark, mysterious and extremely handsome and boy oh boy did I swoon. Noah may have tried to warn Heather he was too old and wasn’t into relationships but sometimes friendships turn into so much more and love happens when we least expect it. This book has it all, secrets, lies, second chances as well as rejection but there is also plenty of moments that will leave you smiling so do yourself a favour and one click When August Ends.

I am super happy that Penelope wrote a story that involves an age gap between the Hero and heroine. I loved the slow burn between Noah and Heather. Penelope always takes us on a journey in her stories and this one focuses a lot on not letting life pass you by. Heather was very refreshing, young in age but mature in soul. She's put her own dreams on hold to take care of her mother. When she sees the man who has rented their boathouse for the summer, she feels something for him she's never felt towards anyone before. But Noah quickly makes it clear, nothing is going to happen between them, no matter how many advances Heather makes. I really enjoyed the journey Heather and Noah take together. Spending the summer together, fixing up the property so that Heather can put it on the market to sell. These two grew together as friends, learning many lessons from each other along the way. Initially, I was a little put off with how rude Noah came across to Heather with his abruptness and gruffness, but he grew on me over time and by the end of the story I was pretty enamored with him. There are plenty of emotions in this book, and like the slow burn between Heather and Noah, the emotions built to a crescendo for me up until the very end. With everything that Heather and Noah are dealing with, separately and together, my heart was stretched tight for them, and then Penelope lovingly molded it back into shape and left me with a happy, goofy smile on my face. Fans of Penelope's stories are going to fall hard for Noah and want to be besties with Heather.