REVIEW: A Summer with Dean by Michael McIlwee

A SUMMER WITH DEAN

by Michael McIlwee

Release Date: February 17, 2026

Review

I quite enjoyed this author's first MM Romance; the characters and setting were dynamic and engaging. And the writing style kept you engaged.

These two budding actors come together at an acting summer program. Their path there is different, and their connection is friendship first, but with time and acceptance they develop a sweet love.

The end felt a bit rushed, but I really like the journey, and will definitely be looking out for more books from the author.

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Synopsis

Patrick O'Connell, a Broadway dancer with a notorious knack for attracting romantic catastrophes, lands in London with a bruised heart and a desperate yearning to rewrite his life. His acceptance into a prestigious acting school feels like destiny a chance to trade past heartbreaks for profound theatrical artistry in a city brimming with new possibilities. But when he meets Dean Clarke, a fellow student whose effortless charm and enigmatic gaze make Patrick's carefully constructed walls crumble, a truly magical summer in London begins to unfold. As they navigate the intensity of rehearsals for a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, they forge a connection that feels dangerously inevitable. But when a sudden twist of fate upends the production, their chemistry is thrust into the spotlight, threatening to expose a burgeoning, fiercely real passion that could jeopardize everything they've worked for.

But beneath Dean's captivating exterior lie closely guarded secrets, a past that casts a long shadow, and a quiet hesitation that leaves Patrick wondering. Is this intense connection merely the bond of two artists, or something far deeper? Patrick finds himself trying to decipher Dean's every glance, every touch, desperately hoping for a sign that this isn't just friendship. Dean, a dream of a man, seems to embody all the beauty and mystery Patrick has ever sought. With a rival classmate lurking, eager to exploit any vulnerability, and the relentless pressure of their high-stakes academic world, Patrick must navigate not only the exhilarating chaos of his new school but also the bewildering, beautiful landscape of Dean's heart. Can two star-crossed actors find their own happy ending, or is their love story destined for a heartbreaking curtain call?

About Michael McIlwee

Michael McILwee is an author, award-winning journalist, and performer. He has been seen in shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon) and The Plot Against America (HBO), and has performed on stage in shows including The Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line, and The Music Man. An award-winning journalist and producer, McILwee has worked for news organizations such as CBS News (WCTV). He holds an MA in Journalism from NYU and a BFA from The New School. A lifelong Star Wars fan and proud nerd, Michael was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and now divides his time between New York and Los Angeles with his dog, Alfie. A Summer with Dean is his first novel.

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