I was curious about this book because I have read the Lightlark series and wanted to see what the authors work is like in other genres. I enjoyed the plot of the book, but I disliked characters themselves. The main character read bit like self insert of the author. I would have enjoyed tis more if there was some better character development, tward the end of the book it felt like all the progress the main character had made went out the window. Alex's writing is better served in the YA space a d I will likely continue reading her Lightlark series but not anybof her contemporary romance books.

This book was really fun. I enjoyed that both main characters are successful in their respective industries and it felt more like they were equals. it hit the sweet right.

It started strong and ended with a fizzle.
The writing was excellent and the story had a lot of potential but the constant money is bad and people with money are bad, became eye rolling. After becoming invested in the characters and their relationship I was very disappointed in the unsatisfying happily ever after.

3.5 stars
🌶️🌶️

**Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)**

*Summer in the City* by Alex Aster is an absolute gem of a book that had me hooked from the first page! The story effortlessly combines romance, adventure, and a touch of magic, making it a perfect summer read. Aster's writing is vibrant and immersive, drawing you into the bustling world of New York City with such vivid detail that you can practically feel the heat of the pavement beneath your feet.

The characters are wonderfully complex and relatable, especially the protagonist, who undergoes a personal journey of self-discovery and growth. Aster also does a brilliant job of exploring themes like friendship, ambition, and the excitement and challenges that come with stepping into the unknown.

The pacing is spot on, with just the right mix of heartwarming moments, suspense, and romance that kept me eagerly turning pages. I loved how the author blended contemporary issues with elements of fantasy, creating a world where anything feels possible.

Overall, *Summer in the City* is a delightful, fast-paced read that perfectly captures the magic and chaos of a New York summer. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun, emotional, and memorable story!

The book about the summer romance between a tech billionaire and a screenwriter who are enemies turned lovers was a lot of fun. Elle and Parker, the main characters, had excellent chemistry and clever banter. An enjoyable read for anyone in need of a romantic, happy escape. New York City serves as the ideal backdrop for this swoon-worthy, fast-paced romantic comedy, and the leads' chemistry is sizzling and the humor is spot on!

I read this while in NYC and I absolutely adored it. I loved the build up of the characters and the slow unshedding of their outer layers to get to know their true selves. The story is an enemies to lovers story, with fake dating thrown in, but the journey is charming. I was rooting for them both. Summer in the City is a perfect choice for your next vacation, or if you are just dreaming of one. Rom Com readers will not be disappointed. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Kicking my feet & screaming for Summer in the City. Quippy & steamy collide for the romcom we need going in to 2025.

I liked this, but I think Alex's writing is better served in the YA space. A lot of the lines in this book took me out because they were trying to hard to be funny or trendy or catchy, I'm not sure exactly what it was. I also wasn't a huge fan of our FMC, I had a hard time connecting with her. But I did love our MMC, and still thought the love story was cute so three stars for that.

Disclaimer: I work for the publisher of this book and thus cannot provide a review without bias. That said, I absolutely gobbled this up in only a few days. It was SO FUN and delightful to read, I enjoyed every moment.

After reading all of Alex Aster's Lightlark books, I was not sure what to expect from a romance since she does fantasy so well. I was pleasantly surprised to really enjoy this book.
Pros: There was a good amount of spice and humor in this which I always appreciate. Parker and Elle made a great couple and Parker was the perfect MMC.
Cons: At the beginning I could appreciate that Elle wants to do everything herself. However, around 50% I was starting to get a little annoyed. Obviously, having a billionaire spoil you rotten is not a super relatable scenario. But, I really could not relate to Elle getting mad at Parker every time he wanted to give her extravagant gifts. I understand that hyper-independence is a trauma response and Alex did a great job explaining why Elle feels the way she does. I also understood her initial reaction when she first meets Parker and he gives a pretty bad impression but after we get to know the character it's pretty obvious he is not trying to buy or control her and just wants to make her feel special. So I did get pretty annoyed with Elle in second half of book.
That being said I still was intrigued throughout the book and finished this quickly and I really enjoyed the ending.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

Either I am in my hater era or this was poorly written - and I LOVE a cringey self-insert romcom, but this was too cringy for me. I hated the writing and the characters and unfortunately it was a big miss for me.

i think alex aster’s writing was made for romcoms. if you’re like me and have struggled with aster’s fantasy— both her YA and her MG were simply not my style— i think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when reading this! this is a fun romcom & truly made for the summer— if you’ve ever spent any time in NYC you know the city is a beast unto itself, and i think this book did a great job of showing that (positively). i love NYC & so does this book and it shows. i adore fake dating & i think this book did the trope so well! definitely, aster is one to watch out for in the romcom space.

Look, a billionaire romance is no fun if you don’t get to enjoy the billionaire being, well, a billionaire.

I enjoyed the plot of the book, but less so the characters themselves. The root of the conflict really took away from the joy of reading about people falling in love. I felt on edge during their interactions, waiting for the criticism, rather than kicking my feet and giggling over the cute moments.

Ultimately, I just couldn’t get on board. I wouldn’t discourage the read, but it wouldn’t be one I strongly suggest either.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

4.5 stars

Most of this story was delightful. I lived the characters and the fun tourist-esque trip through NYC.

I won't go into my reasons, because they are spoiler territory, but there is one point where I just wanted to shake the FMC. The HEA brings me back into charity with her, so I will forgive her this once.

Recommended.

Thank you Alex and harper Collins for the e-arc
I absolutely devoured this book
This is Alex’s first adult novel and it’s already this good!!!
The tropes and everything detail about this book are pure perfection
Anyone who decide not to pick this one up is totally missing out

Read this if you like
💕 fake dating
💕billionaire trope
💕secret identity
💕love at first sight
💕 summer fling

Huge thank you to netgalley, williammorrowbooks and Alex Aster for giving me an arc of Summer in the City in exchange for my honest review!

Pub date: 3/25/25
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
After experiencing writer’s block for her next big budget film script, screenwriter Elle heads back to New York City (the setting for her next script) for some inspiration. Little does she know, her new neighbor is none other than billionaire bachelor Parker Warren, her hookup from 2 years ago that went awry. After realizing Parker is her hate-fueled muse for her writing, the two team up: she will be his fake date for press during his acquisition, and he will tag along with her to various places in New York for her screenplay. With this arrangement being just for the summer, what will happen when feelings arise and the summer comes to an end?

I loved the premise for this book! I have never read a book before where a main character was a screenwriter and I thought that was really fun. I really enjoyed the different excursions around NYC the two did throughout the summer as well as the forced proximity with the two being next door neighbors.

I really really loved Parker as an MMC. He was fun and I enjoyed his banter. I liked parts of Elle as well, but I was unable to get behind some of her motivations.

While I thought this was a fun read and wanted to originally rate this book 4 stars, the last 3 chapters really lost me. I felt that chapter 30 was really unexpected and ruined some of the character development for Elle in this book. So much happened and I really didn’t agree with or understand her motivations. I really felt horrible for Parker. With the way things went down, the ending felt super rushed in the last 2 chapters which is what brought this book from a 4 star down to 3.25 for me. Overall I did enjoy this book and would recommend it, but there are definitely things I would do differently!

I’ve read and loved Alex Aster’s Lightlark series so when I heard she was releasing a contemporary romance book, I was sooo excited!!

First of all, this book looks beautiful. I read the ebook version but the sprayed edges of the actual book are so beautiful that I feel like I need to get that as well to put on my bookshelf!!

I loved the chemistry between the two characters and how the author incorporated New York City into the setting in such an organic way. A very fun read!

I was so excited to read this since I absolutely love the author’s Lightlark series, but unfortunately I really disliked the main female character in this book :/ There was some cute banter but if it hard for me to get immersed in a story when I find the fmc to be insufferable. The cover is so cute though and I really appreciate the author, publisher and netgalley gor the arc of this book!

I spent a summer interning in the city as part of my master’s program, and this story transported me back to my days of nutella lattes, scavenger hunts through Central Park, trying all the food, walking everywhere, and the demonic HEAT. Aster’s writing perfectly captures the sites and sounds of New York.

I honestly had no expectations going into this book. While I enjoy Aster’s Lightlark series, it doesn’t add anything new to the genre, but I am always game for a love triangle. I felt the same way about Summer in the City, and was pleasantly surprised by how invested I became in the characters. I thought this was a mature romance - both characters well-developed in terms of their ages, back stories, and motivations. I loved the exploration of parental relationships and the impact they have on our own choices. I was in need of a romance I could root for and a story I could binge, and this filled every item in my brief.

Summer in the City has all my favorite romance tropes - enemies to lovers, close proximity, fake dating, he falls first, and more. The perfect story to lose yourself in!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

TROPES
☀️ Fake dating
☀️ Third act breakup😭
☀️ He fell HARD
☀️ 1st Person

This book is so cute!!! It takes place over one summer in New York! A young writer is house sitting for her sister while it gets remodeled. Little does she know that her once upon a time steamy kiss lives right next door! He needs a date for the summer to all his big extravagant parties and events and she needs someone to go with her to all the locations for her new movie. It’s a happy ending book that will have you giddy!🩷

This book is a steamy romcom that will have you laughing and kicking your feet, giddy! I can’t thank NetGalley and Alex Aster enough for allowing me to read an advance copy!