All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

Review of All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

Published: July 31, 2012

6 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Can a summer fling turn into love that lasts a lifetime?

Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he’ll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool’s Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he’s frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous…assets.

Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family—yet she can’t move toward the future while she’s haunted by painful memories.

Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?"

Since the Fool's Gold Series has started, I have always favored at least one book each summer.  This summer I favor Clay and Charlie's story.  All Summer Long is essentially a story about healing and love finding you when you least expect it. Clay is a genuine, honest, and intelligent character who often gets looked over based on his chosen career he has when he was young.  He's learning to deal with how to stand up for himself as a person rather than a mannequin. While Clay is also healing from tragedy, he believes that love is suppose to be instantaneous and believe he could never love another ever again. Charlie who is a strong, beautiful and blunt person only shows her feminineness to those she is closest to and often holds herself apart from being a female in general. Due to her own tragedy she doesn't trust anyone, but especially men so when she meets Clay it is frightening for her to know she does trust him.  I love this story because it is remarkable and brave to a point it really touches readers hearts and makes readers believe in the happily ever after.  I enjoyed how Clay and Charlie both go into their arrangement with their eyes open and how even then surprises still happen.  I love that Charlie gets a chance to reconcile with her mom and try to find a path to a familial relationship with her.  I also love that as readers we get another glimpse into the Stryker family with the infamous sister and can see how the dynamic changes the brothers into realizing the truth of their actions towards her over the years.  In short this is my favorite Fool's Gold story to date because Clay and Charlie are two characters you can't help but fall in love with.  I give All Summer Long by Susan Mallery 6 smirks because you can't help but be affected by this story.