Book Review and Giveaway: Cure for the Common Breakup

By Melissa Amster

Needless to say, breakups are never much fun, whether you're on the giving or receiving end of that experience. I've been on both sides and they're equally laced with stress and misery. Where was Black Dog Bay when I needed it? It sure came in handy for Summer Benson in Beth Kendrick's latest novel.

Welcome to Black Dog Bay, a tiny seaside town in Delaware known as “the best place in America to bounce back from your breakup.” Home to the Better Off Bed-and-Breakfast, the Eat Your Heart Out bakery, and the Whinery bar, Black Dog Bay offers a haven for the suddenly single.

Flight attendant Summer Benson lives by two rules: Don’t stay with the same man for too long and never stay in one place. She’s about to break rule number one by considering accepting her boyfriend’s proposal—then disaster strikes and her world is shattered in an instant.

Summer heads to Black Dog Bay, where the locals welcome her. Even Hattie Huntington, the town’s oldest, richest, and meanest resident, likes her enough to give her a job. Then there’s Dutch Jansen, the rugged, stoic mayor, who’s the opposite of her type. She probably shouldn’t be kissing him. She definitely shouldn’t be falling in love.

After a lifetime of globe-trotting, Summer has finally found a home. But Hattie has old scores to settle and a hidden agenda for her newest employee. Summer finds herself faced with an impossible choice: Leave Black Dog Bay behind forever, or stay with the ones she loves and cost them everything... (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Beth Kendrick once again lends her sassy humor and snappy dialogue to Cure for the Common Breakup. This is the third book of hers that I've read and I can say that I've definitely become a fan of her writing style. I found myself laughing out loud at times, as well as cringing sympathetically when something went wrong for Summer. I love the concept of a town where people go after a breakup. The names of the stores and restaurants are so clever and I love how Marla, the owner of the B&B in town, makes women turn in their phones and burn their exes' items in a bonfire. The entire town and all the residents are so easy to visualize. It reminded me of when I would go to St. Joseph, Michigan, for a weekend every summer. It had that quaint, summer escape feel.

The only thing that didn't work so well for me, but didn't deter from my enjoyment, was that the conflict felt a bit weak. Summer could have been honest with people and they would have believed her over Hattie and would have helped her. She just made things worse by keeping everything a secret. Also, the "ultimatum" was something I'm sure most women would have tolerated, even if  one aspect was less than desirable. While there were some spoilers for The Week Before the Wedding, it stands on its own where you don't have to read that book first (but you really should because it was also fabulous and it gives more insight to Summer's personality).

Cure for the Common Breakup was an adorable and entertaining summer (or anytime) read. I highly recommend it for something as delicious as the ice cream on the cover!

Of course, I was casting this in my head as a movie....
Summer: Anna Faris (I had her in mind from TWBTW)
Dutch: Ian Somerhalder
Ingrid: Shailene Woodley
Hattie: Shirley MacLaine

Thanks to Penguin for the book in exchange for an honest review, as well as a copy for one lucky US reader. BookSparks PR also has a copy for a lucky US reader, as part of their summer reading challenge. 

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

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US only. Giveaway ends May 18th at midnight EST.

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