IT’S A LOVE STORY is the perfect summer read—great characters, fabulous beach setting, lots of emotional layers.

Jane Jackson, once a goofy child star in a hit T.V. sitcom, is desperate to leave her past behind and embrace her new career with a Hollywood production company. And she will do anything to persuade her boss to green-light her first script.

Even if that means reconnecting with Jack Quinlan, the music star she never wanted to see again.

Even if it that means teaming up with the handsome cinematographer, Dan Finnegan, who torpedoed her last project.

But Jane is still acting, presenting an image to co-workers and prospective dates while seeking refuge in her safe space under her desk. Her fear of abandonment runs deep. Only her BFF gets to see the real Jane … until Dan offers to help her ‘bump into’ Jack at the musical festival in his hometown.

Jane agrees without realizing  this means a fully-immersive week on Dan’s family farm with his four brothers, plus wives and small kids, as his parents prepare for their 40th wedding anniversary. Jane was raised by a single mom and has no siblings. From day one, she’s drawn into the kind of family life that exists only in her fantasies.

The Finnegan family (#TheMob) happily joins in the scheme to help locate Jack Quinlan and put Jane in his path. There are several hilarious near-misses, including one that had me laughing out loud. Throughout, Jane gets to know the real Dan, which isn’t surprising since they’re sharing a room with bunk beds.

Despite the huge, chaotic, loving family—that includes a twin—he’s also something of an outsider. Dan is the brother who never ran with the pack.

I loved watching them grow closer as Jane blossoms into a person who can confront her past and direct her own future. I miss them already.