Review: “The Summer of Broken Rules” is a sweet escape for closed door romance readers everywhere! 

 

The novel centers around Meredith Fox, who recently lost her big sister. Walther turns feelings of grief into words by capturing Meredith’s pain and how it consumed her, isolated her, and transformed her. Though her grief never fully goes away, it lessens at Martha’s Vineyard, a place very near and dear to her heart. 

 

Every summer, Meredith makes the trip to Martha’s Vineyard to reunite with her extended family. I appreciate Walther for making the Fox family so diverse. Same-sex parents, remarried couples, and adopted children are all featured, offering great representation. The family only grows when Meredith’s cousin decides to hold her wedding at the vineyard. 

 

Enter Wit, a member of the wedding party. Still struggling with his parent’s separation and not knowing what direction he is headed in life, Wit is intent on soaking up the last bit of summer. 

 

As the week progresses, Wit and Meredith grow closer, unable to resist the pull they feel towards each other. I absolutely love how their whirlwind romance is healing for the both of them. They truly bring out the best in each other, no matter the circumstance, allowing for character growth.  

 

Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the formatting. Each section of the book is a day of the week to represent the seven days that Meredith spends in Martha’s Vineyard for the wedding. Additionally, Walther includes text messages and instagram captions, making for a more engaging read.