Star Rating: —> 5 StarsAhhh! You're telling me that there was a YA contemporary rom-com that actually lived up to my massive expectations/ absolute NEEDS?! WOOHOO!If you're looking for something that has a sugary sweet, with depth in flavor like a well made a sea salt caramel cupcake vibe... look no further ! This may (WILL DEFINITELY) fill the craving that you're having, because I swear there is a science that lies behind these types of super successful (IMO) rom-coms, but it also felt like it went one step further for me (which is saying A LOT), & felt so ultimately authentic & real, as well!***drumroll please!!!***THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES IS A WINNER, GUYS!It truly FEELS like K.L. Walther bottled up summer, used a water gun to spritz/soak each page with it, and then finally let it dry onto the pages of her book!I mean, is it REALLY too great a set of expectations for a YA rom-com to be/have (everything this book is):– actually laugh out loud funny at all the right times– smiles or happy tears most of the rest of the way– emotional & relatable especially if there's been a traumatic event (there has been, in this book 🥺)– golden WIT—lots of it... gotta love that back & forth & the chemistry it creates(!)– filled with juuust the right amount of romance that makes your heart swoon & swoon & swoon some more (either slow burn or even insta-love as long as it works & makes sense to the story, idc)– amazing family and/or friend dynamics,– diversity– in a fun setting/ have a fun premise– a fabulous either HEA/HFN ending that makes you happy AF & feel like you're floatingANDDDDD– just an absolute blast to read the whole way through?!?Okay it kind of is a big ask there😅, but this book truly has it ALL. All o' the above, my friends!So let's talk the main character, MER & the love interest/ main supporting character, WIT('Cause I can't help it if you look like an angel,can't help it if I want to kiss you in the rain, so... ' #swiftieeeees where you at?!)THEY ARE SO FREAKING SWEET & PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER! I was smiling at every encounter, it was love at first kick in the face, for me ;) ! I just wanted moremoremore at all times, and I def got what I came for ! :))WOOOO #HITCHMETOWITRY! ;););)The Fox family is truly THE BESTTTTTT. Their dynamic holds the bindings of this book together! It's just EVERYTHING!Every character has their quirks & I loved them all; they are all also so real & relatable!This book just had me sittin' happy with a huge grin on my face the entire time I read it & well after, and happy with sappy tears available at any given moment, for any & every little cute thing (that's just who I am, okay?! Don't judge me!).I honestly ADORED & LOVED every moment of this novel! It is just SUCH a FUNNNN read! Also, the author is a swiftie soooo... yes, you heard it here, there are a few fun passing refs, and one big nod!So basically... that's just like the cherry on top for me!The author ALSO just has wonderful taste in music in general (I repeat: SWIFTIE IN THE HOUSEEEE, so duhhh), & created a Spotify playlist for this book that is just freaking BEYOND SPOT ON, & is aptly titled the same as the book. :)You can find said accompanying Spotify playlist HEREEE: The Summer Of Broken Rules Official PlaylistEVERY single song & the culmination of said songs honestly made the reading experience just PERFECTION— rom-com NIRVANAAA.I loved it SO much. If you have to (or just like to) listen to music while reading like I do, I am so happy you will get to experience this treat while reading, it's like pairing the perfect wine to go with each course of a long, fancy schmancy, DELICIOUS, meal! It's an experience!I truly just loved this book SODAMNMUCH!! I had to get the word out there, so you all can have the BLASTTT that I had while reading this!** Really quickly though I want to mention— TW// Death of a family member **I wholeheartedly recommend this book & its antics to anyone & everyone!It is so much fun, & just so, so adorable, but also SO REALLLL!