Really enjoyed this cute book! The enemies to lovers troupe is always the best and Aster nails it. Parker and Elle had some hurdles to overcome, but the HEA was swoony.

It turns out I really enjoy Alex Aster when she’s not holding me captive in her own indecision and dragging out a book series.

This was a such a cute, easy read. Was it perfect? No. Did I have a good time anyway? Yes. I. Did.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. This one releases March 25, 2025 and is a fun, quick summer read!

Review of Summer in the City by Alex Aster

Summer in the City by Alex Aster is a delightful, fast-paced rom-com that serves up all the right ingredients for an enjoyable escape. It follows Elle, a 27-year-old screenwriter stuck in a serious case of writer’s block, who’s desperately trying to meet the deadline for a big-budget screenplay set in New York City. When her creativity hits a wall, she takes a leap and returns to the city she’s tried to avoid, moving into a dreamy (and wildly unaffordable) apartment, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and skyline views. The catch? Her new neighbor is none other than Parker Warren—her ex-stairwell hookup from two years ago, now a tech billionaire and very much the last person she wants to see.

The premise is a classic rom-com setup, but Aster gives it a fresh, engaging twist. As Elle and Parker strike an unlikely deal—she’ll help him fake a relationship to save face during a company acquisition, and he’ll help her get her screenplay written—their chemistry sizzles. What starts as a convenient arrangement turns into a slow-burn romance that’s full of humor, tension, and some surprisingly heartfelt moments.

What really sets Summer in the City apart is Elle herself. She’s relatable in a way that makes you root for her, whether she’s grappling with self-doubt, navigating the chaos of New York, or dealing with a serious creative block. Parker, with his high-powered, flashy life, might seem like a standard billionaire love interest, but Aster adds depth to his character too. Beneath the polished exterior is a man who’s just as vulnerable and flawed as Elle, which makes their slow-burn, love-hate dynamic all the more compelling.

The setting is another win for Aster. New York City isn’t just a backdrop here—it’s practically its own character. The way the city’s energy, quirks, and even its quieter corners are woven into the story makes it feel alive, adding a sense of magic that’s perfect for a romance. From coffee shop runs to moments on the rooftop, the city pulses through every page, making it easy to imagine yourself right alongside Elle as she tries to reclaim her creativity and heart.

Though the plot treads familiar rom-com territory—fake relationships, love-hate dynamics, unexpected sparks—Aster manages to breathe new life into these tropes with witty, sharp dialogue and genuine emotional depth. The humor hits just the right notes, but it’s the emotional growth of both Elle and Parker that really carries the story. The push and pull of their relationship feels earned, and the moments of tension are tempered with enough sweetness to make their eventual connection feel satisfying.

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, feel-good romance with enough heart to make you care about the characters long after the last page, Summer in the City is a perfect pick. It’s the kind of book that transports you to a sunlit New York summer while exploring themes of career, love, and self-discovery. Alex Aster proves that sometimes the best stories come when you least expect them—just like a perfect summer romance.

The book had uneven pacing, and portions felt like a self-insert for Aster based on what she shares on social media. From 10% in past the halfway mark, the story shined, but after the 70% mark, the story felt phoned in. I understand she wrote it over a long period of time and in between writing the Lightlark series, so the disparity in quality amongst the chapters makes sense.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

This was my first book by Alex Aster and I enjoyed it SO MUCH. I felt so connected to Elle and the issues she goes through daily. It felt like the perfect mix of romcom and self discovery. Both of herself and the city. 5 STARS and a new addition to my ‘personality books’.

This was such a cute, easy read. I loved how the fmc was able to overcome her childhood trauma that was preventing her from finding happiness. Some of the stuff on here was ridiculous, but that's what a romcom is. I love how it was perfectly balanced with deep things, too. I enjoyed reading this, and what a great first adult romance by Alex!

This was such a fun romance read. I am not usually a romance reader and I had no problem getting through this

This book was absolutely amazing. I loved Alex's books of lightlark and this was so different from that. I am usually not a love story person but this book took my heart from the start. I can relate to Elle so much. I loved her relationship with Parker. At every turn I was screaming at Elle not to leave him. And the ending was so perfect. This was the book that I didnt know I needed. It actually helped me with my current situation. Everything about this book was so perfect. As a writer, I fell in love with the story behind the story. Every word that was written I can feel Alex's emotions when she wrote it. I wonder if this was part of a real story for her or something she just felt she needed. I want to know these things. But it was the sweetest love story. I also loved Elle's back story. That is so real and relatable to so many people. This book made me feel something and for that, thank you Alex. I will be in line getting my physical copy the second it hits the self. Thank you for the ARC!

This was so fun! A light-hearted rom-com for any time of year, with just the right amount of humor, drama and a dreamy list of places to visit in NYC and beyond.

Deluxe Editions are fun! Book collectors appreciate the special covers and pages and edges. I don't normally purchase books for those reasons, but I can see how many do. The story is entertaining and Aster has crafted excellent characters. The limited edition is a bonus in my eyes. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I had such an amazing time reading this. For the first adult debut I couldn’t get enough. I want more like yesterday!

Twenty-seven-year-old screenwriter, Elle, has the chance of a lifetime to write a big-budget movie set in New York City. The only problem? She's had writer's block for months, and her screenplay is due at the end of the summer.

This is the sentence that made me want to read this book. I enjoy Alex Aster's books and if you love romance this one is one you should definitely read!

This is Alex Aster’s first contemporary romance and she knocked it out of the park! It reminded me of rom coms from the early 2000s and had me laughing and swooning throughout.
Screenwriter Elle is temporarily back in NYC overseeing her sister’s apartment renovation and working on her latest screenplay. Parker is a tech billionaire that Elle had a not so meet cute with two years prior. Imagine her surprise when he turns out to be her temporary neighbor and he has a fake dating offer she can’t refuse. The banter had me giggling and the tension between them was thick! NYC wasn’t just the backdrop but also another main character. I absolutely loved this book and there are so many special editions to choose from when it’s released.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for Summer in the City. I was familiar with Alex Aster’s name but haven’t had a chance to read any of her stories until this one. This was an enjoyable read. It is also Alex Aster’s first contemporary novel. I really enjoyed the main characters and seeing their character development throughout the story. Overall highly recommended!

5⭐️. I loved this. Welcome to contemporary romance Alex we are so happy to have you. As her debut adult romance, this was an absolute beauty. Yes there were parts I wanted to shake the characters but that was overruled by the insane amount of love I have for them. What a journey of self discovery, overcoming obstacles, trauma, and stepping outside of our comfort zones. I enjoyed every single minute of this. I found myself DYING to get back into the story. I had to know how Elle and Parker fell in love and what they’d experience next together. I loved this. It’s got everything that you want in a romance.

I'd never read a book by Alex Aster before. She has a very different way of writing. Some of that I very much enjoyed, some of it I struggled with. Overall, this was a really enjoyable read! It made me think that it wouldn't be a bad idea to tap into the Lightlark series to see what else she's got.

4.0/5.0

Thank you to William Morrow/Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC!

I am pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this book. Parker Warren might just be one of the best book boyfriends I’ve read — not just because he’s rich and hot, but because he would give all of that up just to let the woman he loves shine.

This gave all of the Sex and The City vibes that you’d want from an NYC-based Romance, without the toxic men. Also - the spice actually lent itself to the story which I thought was a nice touch.

I adored how this book placed a focus on self-discovery before falling into a relationship.

This is the perfect romance and should definitely be at the top of your TBR for its release.

(BookTok review coming)

In some ways despite her hating New York City, Elle can identify with it as an island who refused to let others in. Instead, she only has one friend in Penelope and writes anonymously as a screenwriter. She denies herself to feel as she can only explain emotions through her characters. She becomes fixated on that last night prior to her move to LA, that she was approached by a msn who seemingly wanted to buy her attachment to him. Elle is completely fixated on money and it is evident throughout the entirety of the book. It is ironic that she meets Parker who is a billionaire but seems not bothered by such wealth. As they visit numerous locations through the city that will frame her screenplay, the intensity of emotions is there; however, Elle refuses herself to be happy. She found in him and her newfound friends that it is worth living rather than constantly escaping. This is a true Cinderella story and a fun read. It is reminder that there are great people that will love the entirety of you. I enjoyed it as a witty book.

I mean I did not expect this seeing Alex started with fantasy so seeing her dive into a contemporary romance in first person was quite a surprise and journey. It was beautiful and at times heart breaking 🥺

I read this book in less than 24 hours, it was just that good for me. The first thing that hooked me was how I felt for Elle and how I understood her. I think she had this mentality that she wasn’t ready to be happy until she had her career and achievements done. And it was touching to see her navigate and learn that she can find happiness and still be a successful independent woman.

Parker was just a darling but still was the serious CEO. I really enjoyed how much effort he puts to stay around Elle. And the banter between them was great! I had so many laughs and moments were I was like “yes I would’ve said that too. Elle’s inner monologue was amazing. .” Oh my god, I need to just sell my voice like the Little Mermaid, so I never say anything like that again.” THIS QUOTE CRACKED ME UP IN THE OFFICE. It’s something I totally would have thought myself.

I appreciated how this story was about a CEO and a screenwriter ‘fake dating’ but also going around nee york. In a way, it was also a romcom of the city of Mew York and there are so many places mentioned that I would love to visit. Absolutely loved this book and will totally buy it for myself