“Palmer ‘Pal’ Campbell has epic breakdown on the 18th hole of the Bermuda Open! Video at 11.” 

After spending my entire pro golfing career being known as the quiet, controlled, no-nonsense golfer on the tour, there’s nothing more humiliating than throwing all of that down the drain—or into a water hazard—on national television. Needing some place to hide, to lick my wounds and figure out what I even want to do with my life once this blows over, I can only think of one place I need to be. Summersweet Island, where everyone treats me like one of their own, and they’ll all be happy to have me home again. 

Well, except maybe one person. It’s been two years since I last set foot on Summersweet Island or spoke to anyone there. But I’m sure Birdie Bennett, my best friend since I was 15 and the clubhouse manager of my favorite golf course, has had plenty of time to forgive me for that tiny little misunderstanding where I blocked her on social media and blocked her in my phone. Oh, and I guess I kind of, sort of accused her of being a stalker. It’s fine!

Once my sexy, spunky, former best friend gets over the shock of seeing me again and stops trying to drive a 9-iron into my skull, I can finally let her know I’ve also kind of, sort of always been in love with her...

Palmer Campbell is a world-class pro golfer that has always been known for being quiet, focused, and even-tempered...until he is not. After a major episode on national television that has sent his professional career spiraling, he has decided to return to the only place that has ever felt like home. 

Summersweet Island was his safe place where he could golf, but also just be himself. He was accepted and cared for, especially by his best friend since he was fifteen. Birdie Bennett was his everything, but they remained in the friendzone all of these years...until a couple of years ago when he kind of, sort of blocked her and never spoke to her again...and never told her why. And there was also some accusations floating around that she was a stalker. Anyway, he is about to come face to face with Birdie again...and she is not ready.

These two are such a hot mess. They have such unresolved feelings. She is angry and hurt, making her either act feisty or avoid him like the plague. He is enjoying being able to let himself go and taunt her, but also is desperate to at least get his friend back. Secretly, they have both always wanted more but were always too chicken to say so.

This is a fiery, snarky, sweet, and hot,  first love, second-chance, friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, small-town rom-com. The banter is witty and fun, even though their actual communication skills are pretty crappy. They have built-in, unresolved feelings, and a lot of history both good and bad. But they have such strong chemistry that the sexual tension builds until there is nothing left to happen but a big explosion. Everyone on this island knows they are in love with each other, but they are blind and insecure. And even if they can get their heads out of their a**es, if he gets his life back on track then he might be leaving and she is definitely staying.

The side characters are quirky and vibrant. His other friend and caddy, Bhodi, and her friend, Tess are hilarious. All of the nosy and interesting townsfolk add more depth and color to the story. There are plenty of shenanigans throughout. Who knew even a book surrounding golf could be interesting?! I am looking forward to the next one with her sister, Wren and the other successful hometown boy who is returning. 

Palmer Campbell had a promising golf career, winning events on the professional tour with ease until a tantrum on the course caused his invitations to be rescinded and his endorsements to dry up. Set on rebuilding his image as the consummate professional, he heads back to the only place that has ever felt like home: Summersweet Island. He hasn’t been back to Summersweet in 2 years and he only hopes he will be welcomed by the town and the best friend that he cut out of his life.

Birdie Bennett is working hard to reach the promotion she has been after at the golf club on Summersweet. She has just a few months left to prove to her boss that she can take on the added responsibility. What she didn’t expect was for the temporary pro she was supposed to show the ropes would wind up being the man who used to be her best friend, but cut off all contact after calling her a stalker 2 years ago. 

Face to face for the first time in 2 years, they will have to figure out how to work together and navigate the small town gossip. It’s not easy when everyone knows your business, even the things you thought were hidden.

These two have sparks flying as soon as they meet again, both the good kind and the kind to be avoided. They have some history to unpack, making this a fun, feisty second chance. But they are also sarcastic and closed off, leading to several miscommunications. Birdie’s defense mechanism is to avoid Palmer as much as she can, and Palmer doesn’t understand why she is so angry with him. The attraction to each other is obvious to everyone else, except themselves. Neither is confident in what they see from the other, and Palmer’s career may pull them apart even if they can open up to deal with their past.

The side characters only add to the hilarity. Palmer’s caddy, Bodhi, is about the least likely golf caddy ever, having more of a surfer look than a golf look. His hatred of the sport, even as he is an encyclopedia of golf knowledge, added some great moments to Palmer’s golf game. And when he meets Tess, Birdie’s prickly best friend, secondary sparks fly. 

This was hilarious, over the top Tara Sivec comedy. These two have great banter, even when they are acting on misinformation and especially while they were trying to keep up their walls. I wasn’t sure what I thought about a golf based rom-com, but this was so much more entertaining than I anticipated (as a non-golf fan). For those who know little to none about golf, there is a handy glossary of terms at the beginning so that the sport scenes and word play throughout makes sense. While I don’t play or watch golf, this was an easy to follow way to enjoy the game.