Cool for the Summer was a very quick and light read considering the subject matter. Larissa is the daughter of a Russian immigrant single mom and for as long as she can remember she’s been into Chase Harding. Fate changes Larissa’s summer plans and puts her in the path of Jasmine, her mom’s boss’ daughter. They spend the summer together and as it sometimes happens, Larissa’s feelings evolve from friendly to more-than-friendly, leading to questions about identity, attraction, and sexuality. Sounds deep, right? Well, to counteract that, change the setting to High School and add some friend drama to balance out the heavy.

This book would be great for a younger audience. I think I’m a little too far out of high school to be able to enjoy the drama like I once would have, but that being said I did find it enjoyable. I learned some new LGBTQ terms. I enjoyed the dual timelines (which I don’t typically go for). I like that the characters were diverse and different than what I’ve been reading, and that the girls were bisexual or bicurious. I feel like Bi doesn’t get as much representation as it should. Thanks for giving me a copy to review!

YES this book would be perfect as a Netflix coming of age film. It’s so sweet and captures bisexuality and questioning sexualities perfectly

I’m not going to lie, I devoured this story. I really enjoyed how seamlessly the story went from present to past and how well developed the characters were. There were a lot of high school “roles” in her friend group (the popular girl, the head cheerleader, the reclusive goth, the quarterback, etc.), but they weren’t stereotypical, which I appreciated, though the throwaway comments about the race and diversity of some of the characters made me think they may have just been added in to check off boxes.

I really enjoyed reading about a person’s struggle with their sexuality—but not in a unaccepting kind of way, just that she had never been attracted to a woman before and has really hot friends, so couldn’t really wrap her head around it all. The reader was right there with her, going on the journey along with her. There’s also a moment with Lara’s best friend Shannon near the end that I could imagine would be relatable when you have a friend coming out to you. You also get a bit of Jasmine’s similar journey, though more from a third-person perspective, and it just shows, even with these two characters, how everyone’s story is so different.

Lara’s relationship with her mother in this book was a chef’s kiss. Generally I find YA either has terrible parental figures, or these superhuman, perfect parents, and though Anya is almost the latter, their banter (especially with the Russian-isms built in) was so enjoyable to read. Her mom works a lot, so she’s not perfect, but they make time for each other when they can.

My one biggest criticism of the book is the male love interest, Chase. I’m not sure if it’s because we start the story right at the beginning of the school year, but there doesn’t seem to be like Lara and Chase have much history together (other than they run in the same circles, but I wouldn’t call them friends), and right off the bat he’s super into her all of sudden, despite him knowing she’s practically been drooling over him for years. It just didn’t seem believable out of the blue and the way he went about pursuing her. And then as the story went on, I felt bad for him because of the way Lara was clearly not feeling any type of way about him and he was still being a very good boyfriend (which for a high schooler is shocking in and of itself), but I wish the whole thing could have been navigated differently.

But despite that one snag in the story, it didn’t deter too much from my enjoyment of this book. I enjoy Adler’s writing style—it’s funny and witty without trying too hard—and who doesn’t love a good love triangle?

4 STARS

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The post will be up on The Modest Reader on April 13. (https://themodestreader.com/2021/04/13/cool-for-the-summer/)

This book hit really close to home, but did it in the most beautiful way possible. Coming to terms with your sexuality can be a tough topic for some, but Adler made it fun (and made sure to include some of the awkwardness that comes with it.)
I was absolutely hooked from the very start and found this book nearly impossible to put down. The back and forth timelines between school and the secret summer romance made it so much more interesting as they gave clues into Lara's mind and feelings.
Overall, I was totally enthralled by this book and will definitely be recommending it to my friends. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for allowing me to read this novel early!

I really enjoyed this book about a young woman coming to terms with her sexuality and reconciling both society's and her own expectations in that regard. After years of crushing on football bigshot Chase, he finally returns Larissa's feelings, only now she isn't quite sure it's what she wants anymore due to a secret relationship she had the previous summer...with another girl.

The novel was very sex positive and actually more detailed (not graphic, just very focused on sex) than I'd expected...not in a bad way...just different from what I've read in contemporary YA in the past. The backdrop of high school and the "cool" crowd was fun and I was happy to see Larissa's friend so supportive of her.

COOL FOR THE SUMMER is one of "the" books of 2021. Dahlia Adler had me hooked from the very first page. I absolutely loved the dual timeline, getting to know characters from Lara's "normal life" and "secret, summer life", and watching Lara and Jasmine meet, get to know each other, and fall in love. All of it was swoon-worthy. I absolutely loved this book. 5/5 stars.

Cool for the Summer chronicles Lara's summer before senior year, and senior year, told in split time lines - bouncing back and forth. Before Lara spent the summer with Jasmine, her mom's boss' daughter, Lara was obsessed with Chase, high school quarterback and overall amazing guy. But when Lara and Jasmine start a romance over the summer, Lara questions her identity. Jasmine ends up moving to Lara's school for senior year, but it seems like she wants nothing to do with Lara - and when Chase finally notices Lara, how can she say no to the guy she's wanted forever? But, why can't she get Jasmine out of her head?

I LOVED this book so much. I loved the back and forth timelines, the slow dump of information from the summer and present times, and the journey Lara takes of self discovery. For a book on the shorter side, less than 300 pages, it sure covered a lot of ground and really built a story around Lara's love story. Cool For the Summer really highlights high school love, and how what you think you want isn't always what you want the most.

I appreciated the discussion Dahlia Adler wove into the book around biphobia, LGBTQ issues, and diversity. Lara struggles with her attraction to another female after believing she was straight for a long time. I can only imagine how important this story could be for someone feeling similarly and not sure how to handle it. I encourage everyone to read this story, especially if you love diverse YA Contemporary.

**Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Larissa is starting her senior year of high school and things are finally clicking for her. Chase, the handsome quarter back and her forever crush, is asking her out. She and her close friends are ready to rule the school. But on the first day Jasmine shows up as a new student. Her friends don't know Larissa spent the summer with Jasmine while staying on the Outer Banks of NC. Told from Larissa's POV the story flips between school and flashbacks of their summer together.

This is one of the sweetest YA books I have read recently. Larissa is questioning her sexuality. She has got the guy of her dreams but she's never been attracted to any girl other than Jasmine. I love that in a world of labels she can't quite put a label on herself. The characters felt realistic. Friends can be catty but no one is intentionally hurtful. I appreciate the honesty of Larissa trusting her mom with her feelings. There is a lot of positive LGBTQ representation from various characters. There is also a lot of diversity in culture, which isn't pertinent to the story, so it felt a little like checking boxes. (That is a small quibble.) And of course I would like to know a little more about Jasmine's thoughts and feelings.

It was a treat to read Cool for Summer. I can see why others are saying it is loosely a Grease retailing. But I didn't realize that myself while reading. I would recommend this for 9th grade (high school) and up. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A very fun read with summer love, cool girls, and finding yourself.

I think I saw that this was a Grease retelling somewhere, and while I get the vibe, I kind of wish I hadn’t read that. I feel like it made me look too hard for the comparisons. But I really started to like the characters and enjoy the story once I let that go. And I appreciated the combination of people who were confident in their sexual identity and those who weren’t.

4.5/ 5 rounding up!

LOVE this book! Love everything about it; Lara's narrating, the interactions with her Mom and her friends at school, as well as with Jasmine, and their friends over the summer. I love that Lara is questioning and figuring herself out, and realizing that she can be more than what she has been up until this point. We watch as her eyes are opened to countless possibilities; that there are more career choices than being a doctor or lawyer, that there are more hobbies and interests folks can explore than fashion and boys. I love that we get to watch her grow and realize how big the world is, in a positive way.

Highly recommended LGBTQIA YA Contemporary read. ‘Cool for the Summer’ will be available on May 11, 2021 – run, don’t walk!

Cool for the Summer is one of the YA titles I picked as my top 21 most anticipated reads for 2021. With it’s present + flashback timeline and LGBTQ positive vibes mixed with an incredible (as always) cover design from Wednesday Books I just KNEW I was going to get a great read from this book, and it did not disappoint.

IMO any book that is largely centered around a song like this one, that I just KNOW I’m going to fall for the WHY the book is named after it, is just a must read, instant YA favorite for me. In my own life I remember the best moments from the songs that were playing during them, like the soundtracks of the highlights of my adolescence.

Adler writes her protagonist Lara in a way I’ve never read before, that had me SO excited, especially for the teens that will pick this book & have it as they go through high school in real time. The concept of this book - that sometimes you finally get everything you ever wanted, just to realize you want something else MORE is a book I didn’t know I needed to read. It has me shouting from the rooftops that we all need to read it, and the characters and overall vibe this book has are exactly why I find it so easy to fall in love with YA.

“I don’t know exactly what I want to do with my life, but I do know I feel the closest to figuring it out when I’m here.”

SWOON, add this one to your TBR, right now! Thank you to Wednesday Books + yallfest for my physical copy & to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my personal review.

*** Now I didn’t realize the Grease inspiration until it was pointed out to me, but that certainly didn’t make me love it LESS, but instead made me giddy to re-read it when I get the finished copy in my hands!

My virtual ARC book club, loveARCtually is planning to read this one late March & I cannot wait to share it with them + talk with Dahlia about the book!

This book has wonderful representation of varying sexualities for young adult readers. The characters were personable and I can't help but feel joy for the teenager who reads this book and feels more represented because of it!

This book is a heartwarming story about finding yourself - how you change, adapt, and handle friendships. A story about a girl who is thrown into the deep end during one summer, she finds herself enjoying that summer more than she had anticipated. When she heads back to her hometown, she gets everything she’s ever wanted, or does she?

I encourage you to pick up this book if you want a feel good queer romance, friendship, mother - daughter binding, and acceptance.

Cool for the Summer is a Grease inspired contemporary young adult novel involving a love triangle. The cute cover and description drew in me but this didn't quite hit the mark for me. I also assume the title is based on the Demi Lovato song, which is also important in the plot of the book.

Larissa is spending the summer in the Outer Banks with her mom, whose boss has asked her to come there for work. Sparks fly when Larissa meets Jasmine. The complicating factors are that Jasmine is the daughter of her mom's boss and well, a girl. The book is told in alternating timelines. One is the summer spent in the Outer Banks with Jasmine and the other is the present. In the present Jasmine is now attending Larissa's school and Chase, the hot football star, is paying attention to Larissa. She's caught in a love triangle and doesn't know who to choose.

I enjoyed the bi love triangle and loved the relationship between Larissa and Jasmine described in the summer timeline. It was fun and light with a lot of confusion thrown in. I also liked some of Larissa's friends at home. They all have their own personas and seemed like a fun group. Larissa has a close and sweet relationship with her mom and the book really showcases that. Cool for the Summer is light and easy to read while still dealing with Larissa's journey of self discovery and accepting who she is.

The writing in this was ok but felt juvenile, even for a young adult novel. I also couldn't figure out why Chase started dating Larissa. She'd been invisible to him for years but all of a sudden they became a couple. Larissa had been obsessed with him and now that she has a new haircut he wants to date her. Their relationship didn't have much progression to it and they just became a couple instantly. I couldn't get invested in their relationship and it felt very shallow. I spent the whole book waiting for Larissa to get together with Jasmine. No spoilers from me but I was rooting for them as a couple, over Larissa ending up with Chase.

The plot was mostly just Larissa trying to decide what to do with some high school drama mixed in. There is some tension between Larissa and her best friend, who I didn't like as a character. I also took issue with how the author tried to have every gender and sexual orientation represented in the book. There were a lot of side characters haphazardly thrown in to increase the diversity but these characters added nothing to the plot and were only briefly mentioned.

Overall, this was a light beachy type of read but it was just ok for me and I'm giving it 3 stars.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I read a lot, so I typically get how a book is going to end and the path the author is taking. Cool for the Summer, however, had me guessing the whole time. Dahlia Adler's story about a teenage girl, Larissa, who finally gets all that she ever wanted... but thinks that what she wants has changed after a summer with her new friend Jasmine. When Jasmine reappears in Larissa's life, it makes her reevaluate what she actually wants, and who she actually is. This coming of age story is perfect for teen readers, and those that remember the turmoil of being a teenager.

I liked this book! When I received this arc, I was really excited to start it because it's an LGBTQ+ contemporary book with a bisexual main character. The writing of this book was smooth from the beginning and made me hooked on the story right away. I enjoyed reading Lara's pov from her then and now time period because you could see how much Lara develops throughout her time. The part of the writing I was disappointed with was that I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. I would have loved to see more of Lara and the special someone. Other than that I enjoyed the plot structure and drama in this book.

I really loved the main character, Lara. I thought she was one of the purest and the real character's that I have met in the book. I enjoyed reading about her discovering who she was because she didn't know if she was bisexual, straight, or a lesbian. I enjoyed her discovery and seeing different viewpoints of her then and now chapters. I also enjoyed the side characters especially Chase. I did enjoy Jasmine but not as much. I felt like I didn't know much about her but I enjoyed the little parts I did find out about her. The romance trope in this book is a love triangle and even though I don't enjoy love triangles a lot, I did enjoy this one. The romance was cute, simple, and not super complicated.

I enjoyed the cute ending of this book! I'm really happy with who Lara ended up with. I devoured this book in one sitting because it was THAT good. It was also about 240 pages so it was a fast read. I had some minor problems with this book but other than that I totally recommend reading this book. I recommend it to those who enjoy LGBTQ+ and contemporary reads.

TYSM to NetGalley and Goodreads for my copies of this book.

After reading a few pretty heavy novels in a row, this was the perfect palate cleanser. This was a cute and fun book that centered around a high school student trying her best to discover herself after a whirlwind summer romance. The things that she once thought she wanted are no longer and she's trying her best to navigate her senior year, all while trying to come to terms with what she really wants.

I'm appreciative of representation, but as a bisexual woman, this just felt super juvenile. Perfunctory and surface-level diversity and pop culture references I would have thought were funny in middle school just didn't speak to me.

What a fun little soap opera of a book this is.

Have you ever wanted a book that’s a bisexual love triangle? It’s here. It’s come, and it’s delivered all the drama, yearning, and confusion that would elicit with someone being torn between a boy and a girl.

This book centers around Lara, who spent the summer away in the Outer Banks, and her experiences both over the summer and returning afterward. I bet you Dahlia Adler wasn’t anticipating that the tv show would make this location suddenly more well known across the country, but it’s good for imagining the world Lara inhabits over the summer. The story switches between “then” and “now,” giving you a sort of suspense as you learn why Lara cared about Jasmine (and why you should care about her).

I think this story is a wonderful one about figuring out what you like, who you like, and how you feel, but that’s not all it is. It’s a romance, sure, but the central theme is one of all good YA- Lara figuring out herself.

There’s a moment where Lara is being complimented by Chase, the boy she’s always wanted, for being more fully herself. Lara acknowledges that her summer away, while also making her question the way she could feel for girls, also allowed her to figure out who she is without relying on others. She is still trying to figure out who that person is throughout the book, but she’s confident (when you read the book, you’ll appreciate my pun) about being herself, bold in the decisions she makes.

I could see how Lara’s waffling back and forth in her mind could be irritating, when it seems obvious, or at least it did to me, which one she’d prefer. I think that’s almost the beauty of it, though, you know she likes both, but there’s only one she really cares for, and it’s the one who brings out the best in herself.

I think what’s wonderful about this book is that Lara is really falling in love with herself. That’s something we all could use a little more of.

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler was such a wonderful read! This book follows Lara, a senior in high school who has finally been noticed by her forever crush, Chase. The only problem is that she can't stop thinking about Jasmine, the girl she spent the summer with. Jasmine transfers to Lara's school in the fall which complicates life for Lara as she is forced to confront her own feelings.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the journey of self-discovery for Lara and the love triangle aspect of the story was well-executed. I also liked that the story alternated between Lara's past and her evolving relationship with Jasmine and the present as she began a relationship with Chase. I was a little confused with how quickly Lara's relationship with Chase progressed since it didn't seem like they had much of a previous connection or friendship. Overall, this was a really enjoyable and well written story that read very quickly! I would definitely recommend picking up a copy of this one.

I received an ARC of this title from Wednesday Books/St. Martin's Press via NetGalley which did not affect the contents of my voluntary review. All opinions are honest and my own.