**Review of *Summer in the City* by Alex Aster**

Alex Aster’s adult debut *Summer in the City* is a whirlwind rom-com set against the backdrop of New York City, brimming with chemistry, humor, and heart. This novel follows the story of Elle, a screenwriter facing a crippling writer’s block as she scrambles to finish her big-budget screenplay. In a desperate bid for inspiration, Elle returns to the city she vowed never to revisit, finding herself in a luxurious apartment and facing a new problem—her prickly neighbor, Parker Warren, a billionaire tech CEO and the man she once had a brief but intense love affair with.

The initial tension between Elle and Parker is palpable from the very first pages, making their enemies-to-lovers dynamic incredibly compelling. The banter is sharp, and the emotional undercurrent of their tumultuous past creates a delicious sense of anticipation as they navigate their new, complicated living situation. Aster brilliantly captures the push-and-pull between two characters who are at odds with one another yet are undeniably drawn together, creating a perfect storm of passion, humor, and self-discovery.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its setting—New York City is not just a backdrop but an integral part of the story. From the iconic skyline views to the cozy neighborhood coffee shop, the city becomes a character in its own right, infusing the narrative with energy and charm. Aster’s vivid descriptions make the city feel alive, with all its contradictions—luxury and grit, crowded streets and quiet corners—mirroring the complex relationship between Elle and Parker.

The plot of *Summer in the City* is as fast-paced and fun as the characters’ chemistry. The faux-relationship trope, combined with the pressure of Elle’s looming deadline and Parker’s business acquisition, creates a delicious tension that keeps the pages turning. Aster’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of heart, blending moments of humor with deeper emotional revelations.

At its core, the novel is about two people learning to let go of past grudges, rediscover themselves, and find love in unexpected places. While the enemies-to-lovers plot might seem familiar, Aster brings a fresh and engaging twist to it, particularly with the dual stakes of Elle’s screenplay and Parker’s high-stakes business life.

*Summer in the City* is a delightful read for anyone craving a romantic, feel-good escape. The chemistry between the leads is sizzling, the humor is on point, and the New York City setting provides the perfect backdrop for this swoony, fast-paced rom-com. It’s a story of second chances, unexpected love, and rediscovering the magic of the city that never sleeps. Aster has created a captivating debut that will leave readers eagerly anticipating her next work.

I was absolutely smitten with this book. The tension and electricity between Elle and Parker was truly everything. I was kicking my feet and begging for more the whole time. Love it!!

Thank you William Morrow, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the ARC!!

As someone who has heard about how amazing Alex Aster’s fantasy books are, but having never read them myself, I never would’ve guessed this wasn’t her typical genre. This book gave me all the 90s/early 2000s rom com vibes and it was so vivid in my head. Set in the super romantic backdrop of NYC, it was so fun to watch these two fall in love with each other as Elle was falling back in love with the city. Both characters were so enjoyable and real, and I was rooting for them with my whole heart. I will say the third act conflict (no spoilers) really surprised me and felt a bit out of character for both of them. There was so much crammed into the last three chapters and it took away some of my excitement from the book, but other than that, I really enjoyed it.

I absolutely loved this. I think given the current state, the billionaire romance trope wasn’t my favorite, but i love how the independent, does-it-herself woman stood for that as well and didn’t like to have handouts. This book hit home for the independent, introverted homebodies. I felt like i was reading about myself within this story. It was funny, showed grief, parental troubles, and most importantly that you should never rely on a man! ;) I highlighted the heck out of my kindle version and can’t wait to translate those to the beautiful physical copy when this releases. Brava, Alex Aster!

I love Alex Aster’s switch up from fantasy to romance! She brings the details needed in a fantasy to romance really helping you feel the location, I am dying for a trip to NYC after reading this book. Such great enemies to lovers trope with beautiful details about NYC and such a quick witted strong female character. Love everything!

Absolutely amazing. Who knew that Alex Aster could write the amazing Lightlark series (fantasy) AND romance. I didn’t know what to expect going into this one but it was so good. I loved the characters. I loved the setting. The coffee shops. The libraries. The screenplay writing. The charities. The sights of New York. All of it. Brilliant.

Summer in the City by Alex Aster was such a fun, fast-paced read! It’s got the perfect mix of adventure, romance, and drama, with a dash of mystery thrown in. The story takes you on a wild ride through an unforgettable summer in the city, and I loved how the author really captured that sense of freedom and excitement. The characters are relatable, and the setting is almost like another character in itself. It’s one of those books you just don’t want to put down, and I couldn’t help but get totally wrapped up in it. If you're into stories with tons of energy, romance, and a little bit of intrigue, this one’s a great pick!

I don’t even have words to describe how much i love this book. I already want to re-read it. I am OBSESSED with Parker and Elle. I loved the setting of this book, New York. I quite literally felt like I was there. For this being Alex Aster’s first romance book…. It was incredible. Honestly… this might be one of my favorite romances I’ve EVER read. I laughed, cried, felt the HOTTEST HEAT WOOOO WEE, and smiled the entire time. Elle’s character has such depth to her and simultaneously at the same time I was screaming at her (if you know you know). Parker Warren is perfect perfect perfect. The patience he has is uncanny. I loved the feeling of being so in love with the characters, friends, and the setting that this book engulfed me. It was different like nothing I’ve read before but still had the most lovely romance we all want to pine after. The angst will make you scream!!!! I loved and breathed this book in 2 days. I am immediately purchasing a hard copy to read when it comes out. I WILL BE RE-READING, top fav romance book for sure!!!!!!!

My first Alex Aster book & I loved it. I was so excited to receive this as an eARC (thank you NetGalley)!

Summer in the city takes place in such a fun setting in New York, also seeming natural and realistic to me. In other books, pop culture references often take me out of the story but Aster inserts them really nicely in this book!

I will say that this was one of my first billionaire romances & I loved it!! I didn’t think I’d like that dynamic but it offered a different storyline that I’m not used to in my romance books. I also liked the fake dating & enemies to lovers trope & thought it was done well! While this book was spicy, it didn’t over consume the plot. (a little too much for my preference but not overwhelming!) There were also a lot of funny scenes, so it definitely delivered on the rom-com genre.

This book would have been a 5 star read or close to one for me but the ending was a bit unrealistic for me, also falling a bit flat. I also didn’t really care for the large time jumps & thought the ending seemed a bit rushed compared to the pacing of the rest of the book. I would definitely recommend this read when it releases in March of 2025!! A solid rom-com to add to your TBR!

I. Am. Obsessed. No notes. Amazing. Incredible.

The perfect rom com. Add this to your list asap. Elle and Parker are adorable. Gave me so many butterflies. It’s 0% realistic in the billionaire romance aspect, but the emotion is 100% realistic, and 100% romantic, adorable, sweet, funny, perfect.

This will be a top book of 2025, no doubt in my mind. I’m running off to read Alex Aster’s other books.

Publishing March 25, 2025

Lovers to enemies to lovers
Billionaire with a heart of gold
Fake dating

Everything trope I could want. Someone please please please make this into a movie.

🌶️

Thank you SO SO much to netgalley, Alex Aster, and William Morrow for this advanced copy. Forever grateful and dying for everyone else to read this.

This book had so much potential, but I struggled with the main character, Elle, and her lack of growth throughout the book. She wasn’t the most likable character and chapter 30 sent me over the edge with both characters honestly. I felt like the breaking up and getting back together and then the same issues was just too much. Like it could have happened one last time. I did really enjoy a lot if this book though so I gave it 3 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I genuinely could not love this novel more. I will riot if we don't get more contemporary romances from Alex Aster. Lightlark is amazing and all but this is what Alex Aster is MADE to write. The banter, grand gestures, character development was all just top tier. I can't stop thinking about this and I'm already ready to re-read before the release.

Parker is quite literally my dream book boyfriend. Funny, charming, thoughtful, literally the whole package. Chapter 30 had me on my knees crying.

"Summer in the City" by Alex Aster is a delightful escape into New York’s glimmering skyline, blending “lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers,” “fake dating,” and “forced proximity” tropes in all the best ways. Our heroine, Elle, is a stressed screenwriter in need of inspiration who returns to the city only to be neighbors with Parker, the same billionaire she had a mysterious stairwell hookup with two years ago. Now, he’s in need of a public girlfriend for his tech company, and she’s in need of a muse. Sparks fly, barbed banter ensues, and the Big Apple itself plays the perfect, romantic backdrop.

Aster’s dialogue and humor keep the story lively, and Parker’s romantic gestures? Pure swoon material. Elle’s journey is complemented by relatable family dynamics, and her love-hate dynamic with Parker brings just the right amount of tension to the page. This rom-com has heart, humor, and undeniable charm.

Thanks to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for this ARC! "Summer in the City" hits shelves March 25, 2025. Get ready to be whisked into a world of penthouse views, pizza-filled nights, and New York summer magic. Add it to your TBR!

So adorable! Elle drove me a lil nuts with her back and forth, indecisiveness and pushing Parker away. My lord Parker is the PERFECT man. I am obsessed with him. Another light-hearted read to cleanse your palette. Enjoyed this thoroughly

I looooove a cutesy little rom com. NYC was the most perfect setting for this story. I was completely captivated. A billionaire romance always has me sat. I was laughing out loud over this one. I definitely recommend.

"Summer in the City" by Alex Aster is an enjoyable, light-hearted rom-com that offers a fun premise but doesn't quite deliver on all fronts. The story follows Elle, a 27-year-old screenwriter struggling with writer's block, who returns to New York City for the summer to finish her screenplay. She ends up living next door to Parker Warren, a tech billionaire and her former lover-turned-enemy, setting the stage for a tension-filled enemies-to-lovers storyline.
One of the book's strengths is its setting. Aster does a good job capturing the energy of New York City, which feels like a character in itself. The descriptions of Elle’s apartment with its skyline views and the various iconic NYC locations she visits help create a vivid atmosphere that fans of the city will appreciate.
The premise of the book is promising. The idea of Elle and Parker pretending to be in a relationship to help both their careers—Elle needing inspiration to finish her screenplay, and Parker needing a public image boost for his company—has potential for a lot of fun, comedic moments, and emotional growth. However, while the setup is strong, the execution falls a bit flat. The chemistry between Elle and Parker, which is key to the story, doesn’t always feel convincing. Their back-and-forth dynamic, from lovers to enemies to lovers again, often feels a bit forced, and their romantic tension isn't as engaging as expected. At times, their interactions seemed more like convenient plot devices than natural character development.
Elle, as a character, is relatable in her insecurities, but I found her a bit passive in the relationship with Parker. It felt like she relied on him too much for her personal and professional growth, which made it harder for me to fully connect with her. Parker, the typical “rich and handsome” character, didn’t offer much depth beyond his surface-level traits. The “soft side” revealed later in the book didn’t feel particularly earned, making him seem more like a trope than a fully fleshed-out character.
The pacing of the book is somewhat uneven. The first half drags a little, with repetitive conflicts and a lack of real character development. The second half picks up a bit more, but the resolution felt rushed and lacked the emotional payoff I was hoping for.
Overall, "Summer in the City" is an easy, breezy read with a charming NYC backdrop and some fun moments, but it doesn’t quite manage to pull off the emotional depth or chemistry that would make it a standout romance. It's perfect for fans of light rom-coms, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression for me.

Alex Aster has become one of my new favorite authors to watch, and I was very excited to check out her first romance novel! Overall this was such a fun and engaging read, even if over the top at times.

Summer in the City follows Elle, who is a successful screenwriter (but anonymous to the world) and Parker, who is a tech billionaire. They have a bad interaction one night in the city and Elle holds on to her hatred of Parker for the next two years. Fates end up putting them in apartments next door to each other, and they end up fake dating (and you can guess where the story goes from here).

This book had so many of my favorite things - enemies to lovers, NYC backdrop, some over the top cheesy moments and many sweet moments. Parker was such a likable character and while out of touch as times was so good at understanding and being supportive. Elle on the other hand was harder for me to like -- I personally felt like her reason for hating Parker for years was a tad silly & throughout the book she would overreact to things that I didn't think should have been THAT big of a deal. The ending also was not my favorite, which is why this book didn't end up being 5 stars. It was going so well, but the last couple chapters through it through a loop.

Overall though I absolutely loved this book. It was quick and easy to read, and kept my attention nonstop. Even when I had to put the book down, I kept thinking back to the story and that's always a good sign I'm enjoying it!

Thank you to Netgalley & William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“And what do you know about love?”
“Now?” he says. “Everything."
•
Summer in the City is like a love letter to NYC and romcoms everywhere. it’s such a lovely exploration of two right people meeting at the wrong time, but that doesn’t stop them from sharing a magical summer together in the city that never sleeps.

Elle has spent her adult life curating her career and success in a way that can never be attributed to anyone but her. she’s fiercely independent, and she won’t apologize for that. Parker Warren is the Billionaire Tech Bachelor that pissed Elle off two years ago. but when fate dictates them to be next door neighbors while they both spend a summer in NYC, they make the most of it with a fake relationship. however, the longer they spend together, the more real their feelings become.

as much as Elle cares about Parker, she can’t just forget the warnings her mother gave her about relationships, and she can’t erase her own experiences with rich men. the clock is ticking, and the season is quickly coming to a close. it was always meant to end, but can they find a way to make summer last forever?
_

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting! my biggest wish is that we would have had two POVs. I know this is Elle’s story, but having Parker’s perspective would have helped build the emotional journey and enhanced their relationship for me. it was also slightly challenging to reconcile his behavior in the first chapter with the Parker we come to know in the rest of the book. his actions in the opening scene just don’t seem to match him at all, so I wonder if having that from his perspective could have provided insight and given more understanding as to his character development.

something I was pleased with was the pacing. Summer in the City spans four years, but it didn’t feel like we were missing out by not having a ton of time with the “in between” years. again, though, I would have enjoyed Parker’s pov during some of this.

all-in-all, a wonderful ode to NYC and finding love in unexpected places!
•

this and that:
♡ billionaire romance
♡ blueberry scones
♡ botanical gardens and baseball games
♡ cannolis
♡ cottages in the park
♡ drunken karaoke
♡ empty carousels
♡ exploring New York City
♡ fake dating
♡ flighty but lovable siblings
♡ forced proximity
♡ just for the summer
♡ loathe-to-love
♡ movie nights on the floor
♡ next door neighbors
♡ open door spice
♡ ostentatious auctions
♡ nyc sunsets
♡ Paris in the summer
♡ right person, wrong time
♡ screenwriter x tech billionaire
♡ slow burn
♡ trying as many nyc pizzerias in one day as possible
♡ walking the entire length of manhattan
♡ will-they-won’t-they
•

triggers:
☞ death of a loved one
☞ unhealthy obsession with money
☞ manipulative behaviors (described)
☞ parental abandonment

I thought overall it was a cute romance book. I'm not the biggest fan of fake dating a billionaire, but I liked Parker as a character, even if he didn't act like a real human sometimes cause you know, billionaire.

I will say, I felt a bit like I was skimming a romance story. Like it was pretty surface level, which isn't bad but I would have liked a tiny bit more depth. It was kind of written in the style of a YA novel... which I mean, this is her first adult book so I get how the tone could bleed over a little. It was light and fluffy and quick read.

Elle and Parker wage wits and war in this Alex Aster romance. Billionaire Parker and Elle have several misunderstandings to work through, so they spend a summer exploring the city together and trying not to fall in love. What happens after is typical contemporary romance fare, but they’re both so likeable that it’s an enjoyable palate cleanser of a story. Recommend if you love sweet heroes and independent heroines.