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The Summer Breeze series #1

The Summer Breeze: Bed and Breakfast

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Callie Williams is tired of it all: her fast-paced life in New York City, her demanding career, and her exacting fiancé. An unexpected visit from her sister and the discovery of a secret upend her life, and she is forced to finally make the decision to start over.

Leaving everything behind, Callie makes a life-changing move to the small town of Seneca Springs nestled on the banks of Cayuga Lake in beautiful Finger Lakes Wine Country. Taking on a daunting renovation while navigating the complexities of small-town life, Callie forges lifelong friendships, eats more than her fair share of delicious food, and tries not to meddle in the lives of her guests. The only thing hindering her newfound happiness is the attraction she feels for Nick, a rough-around-the-edges construction worker who is determined to get under Callie’s skin.

A late-night delivery will tear them apart, but a quintessential nor'easter snowstorm might just force them back together....

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2020

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About the author

Shail Rajan

4 books225 followers
Shail is a women's fiction author whose heartwarming stories are character driven and embrace the role of family, friendships, and food in our everyday lives. Readers have described her books as feel-good reads with characters you'd want as friends and food you'd like to eat.

She was born in India, raised in beautiful Upstate NY, and is now settled in Northern California with her husband and three children. When she's not lost in books, she loves spending time with her family, volunteering, cooking, tackling the occasional DIY project, and obsessing over her vegetable garden.

You can find her online at: www.shailrajan.com

On Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @shailrajanauthor

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5 stars
159 (56%)
4 stars
79 (27%)
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36 (12%)
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7 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Elle.
Author 4 books66 followers
December 27, 2021
The Summer Breeze by Shail Rajan is a heart-warming, feel-good novel about a woman who leaves behind her unhappy, big city life to find her joy in the small town of Seneca Springs. This book feels like small town living. It's full of tiny snippets of people. Just like the bed & breakfast featured in the story, we get short glimpses into the lives of those that work and stay there. Initially, the frequent sub-plots feel random, but they all serve to create the full picture of this story.


Callie captured me from the very beginning. I respect that she was a hard-working professional who had made her own way in the world, but ultimately decided that it wasn't what she wanted out of life. Aside from a few out-of-character moments of unnecessary cruelty, Callie is effervescent, creative, smart, and caring. Though apparently jaded from her past folly in love, her crush progresses rather quickly and, seemingly, one-sided through most of the book. If I had one gripe about this book, it would be that the romance took a back seat to everything else. That could just be me looking for romance, when the book is really about Callie rediscovering her passion. Still, the book ended right where I was hoping it would take off.

I've seen other reviewers tout this as the perfect book for quarantine and I completely agree. It feels like a serene vacation to the Finger Lakes (with a couple moments of excitement thrown in). As someone who hasn't traveled in over a year, The Summer Breeze was a welcome distraction to the everyday hustle and bustle. If you're thinking you need an escape to a small town, give this book a try.

Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 
Profile Image for Amber.
226 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2021
Callie Williams was on the fast track in New York City. Great job, great apartment, great fiancé. On paper everything looks good, but she is restless. Something is missing, but she is not sure what.

Then everything unexpectedly changes and she finds herself starting over. She wants a career to be excited about, a life to be excited about, and she is inspired by the idea of a bed and breakfast. The Summer Breeze is both the name of the book and the name of Callie’s B&B, and the book tells the story of the creation of the B&B and all about the people in Callie’s life. I felt like I was on a mini vacation in the Finger Lakes for much of the book. I think it would make a great series.

I listened to the audio book version, and Leslie Gray was a great narrator. I could really picture her as Callie, but she did a great job with all the other voices as well. I would definitely recommend both the author and the narrator of this book.

I was asked by the narrator for an honest review.
Profile Image for Donna Beiderman.
617 reviews23 followers
March 15, 2021
The Summer Breeze
Shail Rajan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As spring approaches and we are wishing for summer this heartwarming book will fill the void.
Callie has lived a chaotic life in NYC- working hard and succeeding she is what all woman strive to be. Her life is going in the direction she has always wanted but is she truly happy? Callie decides it’s time for a change, she leaves her gorgeous home, fiancé and follows her heart to live a life that in time will give her fulfillment even if it means giving up an amazing job and starting over. I connected deeply with Callie and her amazing family and support system... I fell in love with the family bond they shared and was definitely inspired to cook as I read through this book!!! This is a well written story of choosing yourself over what is expected. Put this beautiful book on your to be read list and you will not be disappointed - instead you may want to be a better person!!

Sending a sincere thank you to Shail Rajan for sending me a kindle edition of The Summer Breeze!

#thesummerbreeze #shailrajan #booknerds #booksofinstagram #booklife #bookbub #bookclub #bookclubbook #ilovereading #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookadvisor #goodreads #betweenthechapters  #booklife
#100bookchallenge #bookclub
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Profile Image for Shreemanti.
161 reviews
March 18, 2021
Callie Williams had it all - a perfect job, influential boyfriend turned fianceé, an apartment in the heart of New York City renovated to suit your modern taste. But what she didn't had was a life - she had forgotten to live for herself. After she finally realised that it is not exactly the kind of life she wanted, she gave everything up - changed everything. She reminded me that it's never too late to start over.

While her friends and acquaintances questioned her decisions her family stood by her side every minute helping her, motivating her and loving her. This book made my stomach growl with all the detailed descriptions of food and wine. Callie is hands down my new favourite. She is brave yet vulnerable and her funny and compassionate nature made her more likeable to me.A protagonist one can root for since page one.

The author has brilliantly developed the characters and the emotions they felt were crafted so beautifully that it felt so realistic.I was left with an urge to know more and hence I finished this book in almost one sitting (well was forced to sleep by my mother & my body betrayed me, nvm).

Ms. Rajan had not only focused on female protagonist's life but also weaved together beautifully the stories of people who at some point becomes part of Callie's life - afterall everyone has a story to tell. The sweet love story of Callie have had ripened over pages and it was not just Callie who felt excited, nervous, or confused, I felt those emotions too! I really love the way the author had built the backdrop and how all the necessary details were provided only when the time called for.

With the perfect share of surprises and fair amount of fun this book is indeed an refreshing read.I felt so overwhelmed after I read the last page but believe me it was all positive vibes. This book brought a cool Summer Breeze into my life and broke its monotony.

Just pick up this book.You won't be unsatisfied at all! Pick this as soon as possible and I should go back and dream about all delicious food mentioned in this book.
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Rate : 5⭐/5⭐
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~Shree x
Profile Image for Melanie Gordon.
373 reviews16 followers
July 26, 2021
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy!💗📚


💭💭My Thoughts:
A beautiful story of a strong, independent woman who picks up and leaves her busy, hectic life in NYC to start over in a small country town.

I adored Callie’s character and definitely connected with her. Throughout the book she experienced ups and downs, much like we all do. She experienced change, heartbreak, independence, growth and love.

The setting of the book is picturesque, and the small town vibe is one that is friendly, and homey.

This is the perfect light read for summer. There is a lot of depth to the plot, story, and the characters. This is a book about pushing through the hard times, starting over, perseverance, and self discovery.

Reading this books was a nice refreshing escape from everyday life. I definitely recommend it as the perfect summer time read and for those needing to slow down a bit from their everyday-hectic life’s!
1 review1 follower
Read
June 20, 2021
I want to stay at the Summer Breeze!

Beautiful, descriptive writing that takes you to a b&b in upstate NY. The characters were all real and likable. As a foodie, I especially loved the author’s detailed description of food :)
While this is a sweet story and a great “escape”, I think it also holds a timely message about slowing down and thinking about what really makes you happy. Looking forward to learning more about these characters in the sequel!
Profile Image for Leah Omar.
Author 7 books47 followers
May 30, 2021
This book drew me in immediately, and I loved the strong female lead in Callie. When she leaves the bustling city of New York and moves to the Finger Lakes region to restore an old home and create a bed and breakfast, the language was so expressive and beautiful that I felt like I was right there with her, fixing it up, and redefining what a good life looks like.

The characters felt like my friends, and the town felt like an escape to a world where neighbors help one another, and true love exists. I'd recommend this book to anyone.
66 reviews
July 19, 2023
Love it!!

This book was so refreshing. I loved the characters and their transformation . I can't wait to read the next book.
12 reviews
July 9, 2023
Sooo good, Read in one 36 hrs

I just couldn’t put it down, The characters are do relatable like I knew them my whole life. I hated it when I finished.
Profile Image for Joanna Monahan.
Author 1 book50 followers
December 5, 2021
Don’t be fooled by the name, THE SUMMER BREEZE is a book to be enjoyed in any season.

Callie’s story is deliciously sweet, the descriptions of her renovations and adventures running a bed-and-breakfast inviting and entertaining. And did I mention the food? Or the mysterious Nick?

Hallmark *needs* to make this a movie, that’s all I’m saying.

Shail Rajan joins the ranks of such writers as Rosamunde Pilcher and Jan Karon in her ability to create a small town atmosphere that will have the reader ready to relocate. The next time you need a break from your own fast-paced life, do yourself a favor and book your stay at THE SUMMER BREEZE.
Profile Image for Leslie Gray.
3 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2021
I loved this book!! I am a big fan of Emily Giffin and Jennifer Weiner and I feel like Shail Rajan is right up there with them! It’s a wonderful story about not being afraid of following your dreams. It’s a book about family, yummy food and opening your heart back up to love after life throws you a few lemons. It’s a PERFECT quarantine book. I dunno about you but in quarantine I have been binging tv from the Food Network, HGTV and romcoms. This book rolls all three into a perfect package. Read this book!

Also, I totally need the recipe for Callie’s moms’ hot chocolate!
August 28, 2021
We selected this book as our summer book club read and we were not disappointed.
Callie is a very likeable, relatable character. You want to be her friend and enjoy hearing about her family, her life.
The descriptions of the places she goes - and the lovely food she eats along the way - bring the book to life.
Very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Laura.
37 reviews5 followers
September 13, 2021
Loved it!

I was so into the characters. Their needs, wants, and emotions. Written so expertly detailed I could smell the fabulous meals, feel the cool breezes!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that wants to escape a reality into a relaxing getaway.
1 review
August 20, 2021
I found it to be a light hearted read.I wonder if there is gonna be a second book more revolving around there relationship?
4/5 ⭐️. 0 💧. 0🌶
Profile Image for Butterflittin.
83 reviews
October 21, 2022
Loved it!

I really enjoyed this novel. The descriptions are detailed and vivid, and I loved the characters.

Ready for the next book!
Profile Image for Shail Rajan.
Author 4 books225 followers
Currently reading
August 13, 2023
Perfect for fans of Virgin River by Robyn Carr! Lose yourself in this heartwarming women's fiction series that celebrates the role of family, friends, food, and finding love in our everyday lives.

Book 1: The Summer Breeze: Bed & Breakfast
Callie Williams is desperately in need of a fresh start. But will leaving big city success for small town living bring her happiness or heartache?

Book 2:The Summer Breeze: Love & Misfortunes
Callie Williams seems to have found the happily ever after she was so desperately seeking. But will it all disappear in an instant when misfortune strikes?
244 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2023
Great read

I love this book - the plot, characters and setting. And Callie is a woman who won me over with her love of list making! My only regret is that I wish it had been a cold day to enjoy reading about their weather and food. But at any time, this is a great book!
3 reviews
February 8, 2021
This was such a fun read and great escape!!  I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read others from the author.  The main protagonist in The Summer Breeze, Callie, was a joy to meet.  She is both strong and vulnerable, capable, compassionate, brave, funny, and just an all around decent human.  She was the sort of person I found so easy to root for and that I'd love to be friends with.  Actually, I'd say that for basically all the characters introduced throughout the book!  This author has a real gift for weaving together such lovely and varied micro-stories of lots of different individuals as they pop into Callie's life.  Their co-mingling stories all painted a picture of a quaint and special life, town, and business, and I found myself openly smiling as I learned more about each of them.  The author also did a really great job developing a romance that was sweet and clean in its description, but had me wondering what would happen next - I really could feel what Callie was feeling as she worked through her excitement, reluctance, and confusion with her love interest.  Most of all, I love how the story transported me to a kinder and friendlier place and time, just what it seems we all could use right now!
2 reviews2 followers
December 18, 2020
I loved this book. It is beautifully written with incredible visual imagery. Reading it was like watching a movie in my head. This is one of those books where the characters stay with you even when you put the book down - you will be left thinking of them as old friends, wondering what they are up to and how they are doing. This is the perfect book to escape from the daily grind, so grab a hot cup of tea, cozy up under your favorite blanket and enjoy! I am so excited for this new author and I can't wait to read her next book!
December 20, 2020
Been a while since I sat up till way past midnight reading a book. The first half of the book sets up the characters and the setting. The author is definitely a master at visual writing - I was seeing mental images of the scenes and settings all along. When a book can bring out the extraordinary in ordinary life, you know its a winner. And the second half is when the story and the various sub-plots pickup. It was a perfect holiday time light reading for me - gave me warm, fuzzy feels of the part family and friends play in our lives. Just what I needed as 2020 draws to a close.
Profile Image for Pooja Shah.
10 reviews37 followers
January 30, 2021
A gorgeous, feel good, easy to read book! The vivid writing in the book will teleport you to the quaint and charming Finger Lakes region in Upstate NY! Pick up the book now - you do not want to miss your chance to enjoy this quiet getaway at Callie's cozy B&B, have delicious food paired with local wines at their beautiful lake side restaurant and relax at the spa!
1 review
December 22, 2020
This was just what I needed while being stuck at home. The Summer Breeze was such a nice escape with just enough romance. Oh how I would love to visit the town of Seneca Springs and be welcomed at this warm B&B. Now I'm beating myself up for finishing it in 3 days. What am I going to do with myself :) Looking forward to reading Ms. Rajan's next book!
Profile Image for Allison Elliott.
75 reviews9 followers
January 11, 2024
I adored this lovely heartfelt novel:-) definitely a 5 star for me. Can't wait to read the sequel to continue Callie and Nick's story. I've won many books from Goodreads contests but when this arrived it went to the top of the TBR pile (I love the cover)💗💗💗 thanks to the author for the autographed copy too, how awesome:-)
Profile Image for Debbie Rozier.
936 reviews56 followers
April 14, 2021
Sweet Read

This was such a wonderful book! The characters that made up the staff of the Bed and Breakfast along with the stories of their guests made me feel like I was a part of the story.
Profile Image for Linda.
12 reviews8 followers
November 19, 2021
Thank you for the copy I won. I enjoyed this book so much. It is a story so easy to fall into and feel you are a part of the story. The story of starting over when you already think you have it all, support from those who love you and has romance thrown in but not all the deep details.
20 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2020
This book was perfect, it was a light read with amazing characters and I loved the plot. Can't wait to read more from this new author.
Profile Image for Shanzah.
56 reviews4 followers
June 24, 2021
okay, wow. for some reason i did not expect to love this book as much as i did. i started reading it worrying that i'd have to read a pdf version of a book (which i do not prefer unless necessary) for a tour but i was also happy because this was the first time i was ever selected for a tour. this book is the perfect escape when reality gets too much. you could feel callie's (mc) sweet little struggles like they're your own. you'd feel mad at nick (the guy she's attracted to) because, well, she thinks he's playing with her. you'd fall in love with him when his eye gets teary because he just brought life into this world. anyway. but there was one plot hole that bothers me to this day. grace and tiny. callie felt something between them but we, the readers, are never let in on that. i would've loved to read their scenes together. what i loved the most about it was the beautiful and sweet unions throughout the book. all in all, i LOVED reading it and finished it in a few days.

my fav quotes:

“Callie knew that wherever life took her, her parents’ house would always be home. She loved everything about it, especially the fact that most of her childhood memories were securely wrapped within its four walls.”

“Sometimes a stranger is the best person to talk to.”

“She was a woman in her prime, and just because she’d decided that she didn’t want to be in a serious relationship didn’t mean that she didn’t have needs.”

“It just didn’t make any sense. How could she possibly miss someone she hardly knew and who irritated her to no end?”

“She had missed him every moment that he was away. She had missed him without even knowing that she was missing him.”

“The values that he appreciated in her—her compassion and love of family—told her that he truly understood what made her tick. He was proud of her achievements and genuinely happy for her success with the bed and breakfast. He saw in her the things she saw in herself.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kendra States.
75 reviews27 followers
December 21, 2021
Callie is in an unhappy relationship and is overworked at her job when her sister Nica steals her away for a weekend get away at a quiet little bed and breakfast. When she returns Callie decides then and there she is tired of the life she is living and she is leaving behind her big city, crappy job and crappier relationship. She moves back home to a small town and moves back in with family to find what sparks that joy in her life again.

Overall this book was a solid 3.5 stars for me. There were so many things that I absolutely adored like Callie’s family being the biggest thing. They are down to support her from the time known as “the slumber” all the way to every step of this bed and breakfast process. They’re witty and charming and they’re everything that you ever hope that a family is going to be which can be a little unrealistic at times but it makes it so sweet to read and I’m here for it all the way. Especially those cots moments. MVP parents. I love the way the author incorporated the charming aspects of small town living and how well the characters fit together from the town. I also really enjoyed Callie’s work ethic. She worked for everything she had in NYC and that is how she’s able to provide the life she has in Seneca Springs and she’s working hard to provide everything she wants in this bed and breakfast for it to be perfect.

Now for the things I didn’t like and why it’s not a higher rating for me. There were parts that just seemed to drag on a bit. For me personally, it seemed like parts of the renovation scenes that were just a bit repetitive which made those chapters feel a little bit long. The romance in the story is also feels like a second story line and overshadowed by everything else going on in the book. As a primarily romance reader I was just expecting it to be a little more important and not come in so late in the book.

Overall a good read and especially one to read during the cold season to remind you of the summer warmth.
Profile Image for Stephanie Augustine.
Author 1 book29 followers
March 15, 2021
It’s so nice to have breaks between my fantasy books, and this was the perfect book for that. Overall, this book had such an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and no stress. The book itself was predictable but it was exactly what I wanted. There were a couple of surprises but overall, I knew the direction of the story and it was so relaxing to read. Callie was a fantastic main character and I really loved following her story. It was nice to see her becoming the person she was meant to be and finally find the happiness she was looking for. Each character brought into the story helped progress Callie in a fantastic way. One of the aspects I loved about how the author wrote this book was her background. Right in the beginning, Callie’s background was made aware and it wasn’t given in pieces throughout the story. This helped understand her character so much more and really made her journey better. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for that relaxing read of a main character who is really growing into the person they are meant to be. The scenery and dialogue are fun and this was a delightful read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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