The Summer of Broken Rules is an amazing, heartfelt, and charming novel that blends romance, grief, and family with the beauty of a summer wedding on Martha’s Vineyard. The story is about 18-year-old Meredith Fox, who returns to the island for the first time after the death of her older sister, Claire. The week-long event is about her cousin’s wedding, but the family’s annual tradition of playing a competitive game of Assassin—a playful water-gun competition—adds excitement, mischief, and emotion. For Meredith, the return is comforting, filled with memories of past summers and the sad absence of her sister. As she struggles with her grief and the feeling of moving on, she meets Wit, a charming and kind groomsman. Their bond grows as they team up in the game, and what begins as an alliance slowly turns into a sweet romance.
I loved reading this book because it is filled with so much vivid imagery that captures the setting, making Martha’s Vineyard feel like a character itself. I love how the book doesn’t just focus on the romance between Meredith and Wit, but also focuses on family and the delicate process of healing after loss. Meredith’s journey feels authentic as she finds a path between remembering her sister and allowing herself to feel happy again. I feel that the relationships in the book reflect the messy yet loving reality of big family dynamics. The story balances light-hearted themes with deeper ones, making it a great read. Overall, this is a beautiful story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance and light-hearted books because it is an amazing combination of the two.