I’ve been on a Jerica MacMillan binge lately. She’s a relatively new author, and I am loving her subtle style and beautiful voice. Everything about her books is lovely. The writing flows smoothly, the story is well thought out, and her characters are real people dealing with real situations. In a world where the onslaught of self-publishing has inundated the market with all manner and levels of talent and experience, it’s also refreshing as hell to read a book that has virtually no editing errors! (on that note, please forgive my horrendous editing of this review.) The care and love Ms. Macmillan puts into her stories are obvious. This is a huge plus for me. I thoroughly enjoyed her Rebound Series (Rebound Therapy and Rebound Envy). But her writing absolutely shines in her New Adult series, Players of Marycliff University. I have a weakness for New Adult stories that revolve around campus life and this series promises to be great. Summer Fling is book one. Book two, Convenient Fall, releases May 16.

Abby would prefer to stay home and read, watch tv, or do homework than be dragged to another party by her BFF/roommate, Megan. But, rather than submit to one more lecture that will most likely include the words uptight, old maid, and live a little, Abby gives in. And, just as she predicted it’s the same old, same old. Loud, drunk, obnoxious people crowded into a house like sardines in a can. To top it off, some jerk just bumped into her, dumping her Jack & Coke down the front of her new tank top. Nice.

Lance is highly amused when the cute, petite blond tries to muscle him aside at the kitchen sink. She’s a spitfire; all business and snark as she tries to clean herself up from what looks like an entire Solo cup of spilled Coke. When she’s knocked against him, the remainder of her drink spilling all over his shirt, he uses the opportunity put on the charm. He’s used to girls falling all over him. He was on the football team at Marycliff until he graduated a few months ago, but the jersey chasers haven’t backed off. Lance has a rep as a player. He’s not interested in dating or seeing a girl more that twice. Which he sticks to even more now that his time in Spokane is almost up. He’s obligated to go back to Texas and take over his dad’s mechanic shop whether he wants to or not. And he’s not looking forward to it. He has time for one more fling before he leaves and this cutie looks promising. She appears to have no idea who he is, and doesn’t even seem interested! A challenge just might be fun.

Abby and Lance are an unlikely couple yet there’s a strong attraction that goes beyond the physical. Ms. MacMillan writes it beautifully. It’s also handled in a very believable way. Abby is not one for flings or casual sex. Her home life wasn’t all roses and Barbie dolls. She’s still playing parent to her dysfunctional mom. School is her ticket out of that dismal existence and she’s not going to throw it away for some player/jock. On the other hand, casual sex is Lance’s norm. Initially, Abby poses a challenge. However, Lance finds himself wanting to spend more time with her, go on dates, the whole deal. He knows he’s leaving in a few weeks but there’s something about this girl that makes him want to wipe away that serious look she constantly uses as armor, dig deeper and find out who she really is. Much to his surprise, Lance is beginning to develop feelings for Abby.

Summer Fling will melt your heart. It will also get your pulse pounding. It’s a charming page-turner that not only kept me riveted, it had me invested in Lance and Abby’s lives. As they work their way through real life obligations versus their desire for each other, I felt it all. I love that their romance is slow to build. It’s so true to character for Abby, and it’s fantastic to see Lance care enough to honor and respect her feelings. Abby’s and Lance’s roommates add humor and fun with their observations and advice. Summer Fling is a beautifully written, from-the-heart novel loaded with emotion, great dialogue, humor, and sizzle. I highly recommend you get to know Jerica MacMillan’s work!

Reviews for Jerica MacMillan

When the check came, Abby reached for her bag to pay for their meal. She figured that she could at least pay for dinner to thank Lance for driving her around all over today. She reached for the little vinyl folder, only to have it snatched out from under her hand.

Abby held out her hand to Lance. “What are you doing? Give me that.”

Lance leaned to the side so he could pull his wallet out of his pocket. He placed his card in the folder and set it on the corner of the table next to him out of Abby’s reach. “No.”

Abby leaned across the table trying to reach it anyway. The tips of her fingers made contact and she scrabbled at it, trying to get enough of a grip to pull it toward her. Lance placed his hand flat on top of it, ensuring that she couldn’t move it at all.

Abby sat back trying to figure out what he was doing. He watched her with a bland expression, his hand still resting on the little black folder. “Lance, please give me the check. I’d like to pay for dinner.”

Lance quirked an eyebrow at her, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I appreciate the polite request, Abby, but I’m afraid the answer is no.”

Abby narrowed her eyes at the humor fighting for control of his face. “I’m serious. I’m paying. You drove me to my mom’s house, waited outside without complaining, ran errands with me, and now you’re going to get home late because of all of it. At least let me buy you dinner.”

Lance tilted his head to one side like he was considering what she said. “Hmmm, you make an interesting point.”

“Yes, I do. Now give me the damn check.”

He clucked his tongue at her. “Language, Abby. Language.” The grin he’d been mostly holding back took over his face now.

Abby balled her hand into a fist in her lap, restraining the urge to walk to his side of the table, slap him, and yank the little folder out from under his hand. “Fine. I’m going to pay you back for my meal at least.” Her voice was tight with frustration.

Lance chuckled. He leaned forward, one arm on the table. “Abby, I’m glad you called me. I like spending time with you. Remember? I even asked you for another date. This was it. You said thank you and you let me take you to dinner. That’s repayment enough.”

Abby inhaled sharply through her nose. “Lance, I—“

“Abby, stop arguing with me and just let me buy you dinner. You don’t have much choice at this point anyway.” He was still smiling at her.

Abby slumped back against her chair in defeat. Lance was calling this a date. That would make this their third date at least. She tried to suppress the fluttery feeling in her stomach that she got when he said he liked spending time with her. It was the same feeling she got every time he touched her.

“Why do you keep asking me out anyway? You’re Lance Kane, right?”

His smile faded, and his expression turned a little wary. “Yeah. I’m Lance Kane. Why do you think I keep asking you out? I told you I like spending time with you. Why else would I ask you out?”

Abby leaned forward now, pressing her point. “But Lance Kane doesn’t go out with a girl more than twice.” She motioned with her finger back and forth between them. “What’s the deal here, then? If you’re calling this a date, that makes three.”

Lance leaned back now, the smile completely gone from his face. “By my count it’s four.”

Abby’s eyes widened. “You count bullying me into having pie with you as a date?”

Lance shrugged. “I invited you, you said yes, and I paid. Sounds pretty date-like to me.”

“But, you didn’t … we didn’t …”

Lance leaned forward again and lowered his voice, his eyes fastened on hers. “We didn’t … what? Kiss? We could have but you ran away before I got the chance.”