Finn Donovan returns from the military to his home town to take care of his mother and keep her out of the abusive hands of his father. Opening up a new funeral home in a small town where there is already an established home may not have been the smartest move, if he wasn't planning on buying out that business sooner then later. But when his high school enemy turned one-time lover, Ellie McDermott, returns to run her fathers failing business all of Finn's carefully laid out plans are derailed. Finn needs clients to support his new business and in turn take care of his mother, while Ellie made a promise to her ill father, who also has medical bills to pay for, to keep that business running. Tempers rise, an old passion flares, and the deep-rooted competition between these two emerges anew. But can Finn and Ellie separate business from pleasure, and keep their hearts out of it? 
 Her Summer with the Marine was a sweet story that follows the classic (fr)enemies turned lovers romantic trope. Finn and Ellie have a past rife with friendly competition but also new teenage attractions and romance, as well as misunderstandings and disappointments. The latter has caused Ellie to stay away from her hometown longer then she should have and it takes her fathers heart-breaking illness to make her return. Some aspects with definitely tug on your heartstrings but Her Summer with the Marine is also a humorous story with plenty of crazy antics you could imagine coming from a funeral home environment. If you were a childhood fan of Pretty Girl, you'll want to pick this book up. The healthy rivalry between Finn and Ellie for business is entertaining though the growing romance between them is very much a slow-building one which restrained my ability to connect with them as a couple as I would have liked. 
 All in all though, Her Summer with the Marine was a sweet and spicy story from author, Susan Meier that flowed well and I enjoyed. I look forward to more stories from the Donovan brothers!