After breaking up with his long-term boyfriend and needing to figure out what to do next with his life, Harlowe rents a small (and very low-priced) cottage on Cape Cod for the summer. He hopes to do a little relaxing and a little soul-searching before making a fresh start at the end of summer. His plans are slightly derailed, though, when he discovers a few unwanted guests in the cottage – his father, thesis advisor, ex-boyfriend, and a mysterious handyman. The trouble is, no one else can see them, and Harlowe has no idea how to get rid of them. Harlowe has to figure out what they want and face some unfinished business if he has any hope of enjoying a peaceful summer.
I really enjoyed this book. It was unique and an easy read. Set on the Cape, it’s the perfect summer read. I loved the mystery surrounding the cottage and why these people were being shown to Harlowe. He handled the situation better than I ever could. I would have gone mad if I had to have the same interactions over and over with people I had a complicated history with. I liked how everything came together, though, and how the past and present intersected when it came to the cottage. The ending was the most emotional part; the last few pages actually made me cry.
As Harlowe had to figure out how to get rid of his houseguests, he was also busy becoming friendly with a small group of locals who welcomed him into their little family. The secondary characters were diverse and a lot of fun. There was even a bit of a romance. I thought it was sweet, but it was definitely a secondary plot. I would have loved an epilogue to cap off the story, but all in all, this was a nice read. I think if you’re looking for a unique beach read, this one fits the bill nicely!
The Book Boyfriend Addict 