Sun-Kissed Summer by Marta Brown
Publication date: July 7th 2015
Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Summer can change everything.
For shy, bookish Katie Quinn, it just might after an accidental mix-up at the airport on the way to visit her grandparents for the summer leaves her stuck with the wrong suitcase. One full of short shorts, high heels, and absolutely nothing she would normally dare to wear. Until she realizes her newfound look has garnered the attention of Key West’s biggest hottie, Brad-freaking-Garrison, and might just give her the one thing she’s always dreamed of—an epic summer romance.
A romance her summertime best friend only wishes he could give her. But for Oliver, getting Katie to see him as more than just some dumb jock isn’t going to be easy after he agrees to compete against Brad in a kite-surfing competition. And if Brad has any say in it, the prize is Katie herself.
With more than just a contest on the line and a friendship at stake, will this be the summer Katie finds her footing, even if it is in someone else’s shoes? Will Oliver finally get the courage to tell Katie how he really feels and get out of the friend-zone for good? Or, like a kite in a hurricane, will everything they’ve ever hoped for be lost in the storm?
Excerpt from Sun Kissed Summer
“So, tell me the truth,” I say, staring out at the horizon from Mallory Square as the sun dips below the sea and sets the sky awash in pink and purple, dessert in hand. “Is this your standard swooning date? Or did I get an Oliver original?”Lifting his brow, a smile plays on his lips. “That depends.” He takes a slow lick of his gelato while eyeing me. “Are you thoroughly swooned?”
Am I thoroughly swooned?
Totally and completely.
“Eh.” I shrug, pretending to be unimpressed, despite having just been on a date that could rival any written in the pages of my favorite romance novels. “I mean, I’ve had better. But I’ll definitely give you an A for effort—since getting good grades is apparently your thing now,” I say teasingly before walking down the boardwalk as the cool, salty air blows against my sun-drenched skin.
“Oh, yeah?” Ollie says, running up behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist, and twirling us around in a dizzying circle until I’m laughing uncontrollably. “You say you’ve had better, huh?” He sets me back on solid ground, but leaves his arms around my waist to hold me steady, keeping our bodies pressed tight against one another. “Good thing this ‘Ollie original’ is a five-parter. Remember? And by my math—you know, since I’m a college guy and all now—we’ve only done four. So…you ready for part five? The swooniest of all?”
The swooniest of all? Is that even possible after everything we’ve done? With a smile as carefree and happy as summer itself, I slip my hand into his, ready to find out.
“Swoon away, Oliver Hayes. Swoon away.”
About the Author
Marta Brown grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was a teenager when Doc Martens, Pearl Jam and flannel were the norm and Dylan loved Kelly forever. (Beverly Hills, 90210 shout out!)
She still lives just outside Seattle, now with her husband and cat, and loves the rain.
When she's not writing about cute boys, first kisses and the magic and wonder of being seventeen, she's watching The CW. And she sleeps in. Late.
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