The ideal summer beach read - dreamy Italy, a slow build romance, and characters you can’t help but root for. Definitely recommending this all summer long!

Official blurb:
“Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte have known each other their entire lives. Both families hail from Chiavari, a small city on the Italian Riviera. Their grandparents are friends. Their parents are friends. They were friends. And for one brief moment fourteen summers ago, they were almost more than that.

After years apart, Ellie and Cris are headed back to Chiavari as generations of Beltramis and Contes gather for the unlikely second marriage between her grandmother and his grandfather. But while everyone’s celebrating, Ellie is reeling from the very public implosion of her career as the host of a sports talk show, plus overthinking her past and perceived flaws in light of a recent neurodiversity diagnosis. Cris, a newly retired elite swimmer, also arrives adrift after being accused of using a banned substance.

Reunited in a place where summer dreams come true, Cris and Ellie make a deal: an exclusive interview with Cris to fix her career, and an appearance on Ellie’s show to clear his name. Soon they’re picking up where their teen romance left off—but if this second chance can last, they’ll need to finally confront what drove them apart all those summers ago.”

Well, this was one heck of a ride, and I am left wondering two things. One is why have I not wanted to visit the magically beautiful country of Italy before? The second thing is why am I not a fan of contemporary romances? Is it because I have no heart or because I haven’t found the right type of romances that suit me? I’m leaning more toward the former. 😉

Look. I adored the setting. I mean, it’s Italy. Who wouldn’t love that as a backdrop for a romance? The plot was good and not overly ridiculous or unrealistic, but the story didn’t wow me. It was well-written and I think Jill Francis is a great author because I felt like I was under the sun beaming through the trellises of ivy that canopied a pergola with tables of fresh food and glasses of wine. I also liked the lessons the main characters learned and wondered if I, too, struggle with trusting people, loving freely, and living like it’s my last day on earth. ♥️

But the romance itself? Well…let’s just say, I was stressed out from their stubbornness, lack of elaborate communication, and shame/guilt. I couldn’t fall in love with the characters or their relationship. They both were so caught up in the past or the future, and it annoyed me that they didn’t fall back down on planet Earth and handle things like adults. I felt Ellie was too dramatic and made mountains out of molehills. She was funny, though. I’ll give her that. But I think she lacked warmth like most MMCs do in contemporary novels and movies. Thankfully, she wasn’t insufferable or annoyed the heck out of me, or I would’ve stopped reading this book. And Cris? Well, he cared too much for the wrong reasons. Like bro, if it’s meant to be, it’ll be so let it be! Loosen up a little. But I will admit, I liked him better as a character than I did Ellie--just a little bit. The supporting characters were great. I loved their siblings and friends/families who watched their relational problems unfold.

All in all, the book was good. I recommend it, even though it disappointed me a bit. ☺️

I received an arc from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.

The Summer You Were Mine was a cute romance, but unfortunately it wasn't my favorite. It combines elements of a sports romance (the male lead was an Olympian), a corporate female lead, neurodivergence rep, and a beautiful Italian vacation. The two leads and childhood best friends turned almost-lovers, Ellie and Cris, head to a village in the Italian riviera for a wedding and reunite for the first time since an encounter that tore apart their relationship/friendship.

Both of them are reeling from severe career and reputation setbacks, so this wedding serves as kind of a break from reality and a little protective bubble. The one thing that the author did best was convince me I need to visit Italy because her descriptions were stunning and beautiful.

For me, the romance aspect didn't hit. I think the trope of childhood friends who have a falling out and then reunite can be done right in many cases (such as Love and Other Words or Every Summer After) but this one didn't quite deliver. It has the same theme of them spending summers together as kids and slowly, maybe becoming something else. In my opinion, the "incident" that drove Ellie and Cris apart was pretty weak and unrealistic. It felt like major overreaction, but I might be being harsh when I say that.

Another thing that really disrupted my reading process was the amount of Italian phrases. Some books (The Spanish Love Deception, for example) incorporate in foreign phrases sparingly and usually provide a translation or enough context clues so that its meaning can be fully interpreted (Granted, I do speak Spanish but my point still stands). But In this book, the sheer amount of Italian was overwhelming and in many cases there were simply no hints as to what it meant, and I kept having to use google translate to make sure I wasn't missing something important. I think the Italian needed to be toned down because let's face it - not everyone has a grasp on Italian. Normally I actually love the incorporation of foreign languages in books, but this was too much for me.

Overall, Ellie and Cris's story was cute and the story had a nice resolution. I also think Ellie was a very, very relatable character.
Even still, the romance and plot was all just a bit lukewarm for me and I never got fully invested.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's and NetGalley for this ARC!

A trip to celebrate a wedding of two senior citizens is the backdrop for a romance. To rekindle a friendship to so much more. A heartwarming story of love, family and all the drama that a family gathering can create. The setting is one that makes us all wish we could travel to the seaside of Italy. The book was a good one. I enjoyed the story.

Cris and Ellie, childhood and family friends, reconnect after years apart while vacationing in Italy. Ellie, suffering a professional faux pas with a hot mic on a talk show that she hosts, and Cris being outed for using a banned substance at the end of his professional swim career are both at a crossroads in their lives. Throw in a new autism diagnosis for Ellie, the summer in Italy is a great escape in order for her to find out who she truly wants to be as a person.

The reconnected friendship turned romance was engaging, as was the Italian setting. The autism diagnosis seemed a bit disconnected from the story line. It was touched on here and there, but I think it could have been a little more developed. Bravo to Jill Francis for including this character trait in her leading lady, which is something I have not seen before in contemporary literature. A nice, clean beach read for all to enjoy.

Great slow burn, second chance romance! Perfect beach read to make you want to go to Italy. Very sweet.

The Summer You Were Mine is a beautiful story that follows 3 generations of a family and their love and relationships. The primary story line is around Ellie and Cris, a multimedia personality and renowned swimmer —who are both experiencing a fall from grace in their own rights. They’re lifelong family friends who once had an almost-relationship that ended badly. When visiting their familial hometown in Italy for the wedding of Ellie’s grandmother and Cris’s grandfather, they grow reacquainted with all of the bumps and scrapes that come with it. I loved their story, along with the sweet connection between their octogenarian grandparents, and Ellie’s parents who are splitting up.

There’s a fair bit of Italian salutations in the text. It’s not obtrusive and adds to the story line. I listened to the book on the NetGalley app with the “read aloud” option. I tend to listen while I’m getting into bed and it took me a while to pick up on names and who they were. Could just be me, but better to pay attention.

All in all, I do recommend this title. It’s a solid read and it’s fun. Thank you to Jill Francis, St. Martin’s, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it!

**ARC Review: *The Summer You Were Mine* by Jill Francis**

If you love second-chance romances, messy emotions, and the ultimate Italian summer vibes, *The Summer You Were Mine* is about to be your next obsession.

Ellie and Cris had that “almost something” fourteen summers ago—before life pulled them in completely different directions. Now, thanks to a very unexpected family wedding, they’re stuck back in their hometown on the Italian Riviera. Ellie’s career is in shambles after a viral TV disaster, and Cris, a world-class swimmer, is facing retirement with some serious baggage. To save face, they agree to fake a PR-friendly friendship—but, of course, the sparks never really faded.

This book is peak *enemies-to-lovers* meets *forced proximity*, with all the drama, longing, and sun-soaked tension you could want. Ellie is a sharp, neurodivergent queen navigating a world that doesn’t always get her, and Cris is the broody, secretly-soft athlete who never quite let her go. The banter? Top-tier. The romance? Slow-burn perfection. The Italian setting? So vivid you’ll practically feel the ocean breeze.

Jill Francis absolutely *nails* the balance of swoony and emotional, making this the ultimate beach read with real depth. If you’re into Emily Henry, Elena Armas, or anything that makes your heart ache in the best way—grab this one. *The Summer You Were Mine* is out July 1, 2025, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**

I was excited for this read while I was on a beach vacation especially because the FMC was late diagnosed autistic like myself. Unfortunately, I did not authentically feel this throughout the book.

There’s a slow build on the characters which I like and there’s a lot of Italy details, but somehow it felt a little incomplete. I think I expected more just knowing that the main characters grew up in this part of Italy.

Still recommend reading when it comes out as a good summer read.

Cris and Ellies one kiss lingers long after they part ways. They reunite on the Italian coast for their grandparents wedding after both their lives both up.

However the conversation were hard to follow at times and the flow wasn't always there. The ending also felt abrupt.

*Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book!*

This romance was a little hard for me to initially get into, but I did soften to the on-again-off-again relationship between Ellie and Cris. Was definitely glad to see them get together for a long term relationship afterwards, although it didn't seem like they were ready to be living together IMO.

If you love the Italian language and culture, beautiful scenery and imagery, pop culture references, and some sweet romances in various age brackets, you're sure to enjoy this book. Not to mention a blueberry pie! 🤤

The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Francis is the perfect summer read, set against the backdrop of an idyllic Italian beach town. I’m a sucker for second-chance romances, and this book delivers not one but two, making it even more satisfying. Sometimes, you just need a story that guarantees a happily ever after, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

I especially appreciated the representation of an autistic female main character. Books like this help spread awareness and foster acceptance, which is always important. While a few conflicts could have been resolved with a simple conversation, that’s where the drama comes in—and let’s be honest, we wouldn’t have a story without it. Overall, this was a warm, heartfelt read that left me smiling.

Ugh I could stay in this small town romance along the Italian Riviera forever. 🩵🌊 I received this as an ARC copy from NetGalley and i enjoyed it and definitely recommend! Both of the main characters navigate life apart and make mistakes along the way. They each have their faults and they are highlighted in this novel as they overcome them.
While I enjoyed this novel the ending felt a bit abrupt and I was a little confused at time when it came to the Italian. I felt it took awhile to explain to non-native speakers. Overall a great summer read!

Read if you enjoy:
🩵Summer Romance
🌿Italian Riviera
🩵Emotional, Character-driven stories
🌿Unbreakable bonds
🩵Second chance love

This book had a beautiful way of illustrating the invisible strings that bind people who are meant to be together, even when life pulls them apart. Even though I felt the story started slow, it follows two main characters as they navigate separate paths filled with mistakes, challenges, and growth. What I loved most was how the book didn’t shy away from their flaws—it embraced them.

Both characters made choices that weren’t perfect, but in the end, they accepted each other wholeheartedly, faults and all. It was a reminder that love isn’t about finding perfection—it’s about finding someone who sees your imperfections and stays anyway.

The dual perspective gave a rich look at their individual journeys, and I loved seeing how their lives slowly wove back together. The ending was incredibly satisfying, with just the right balance of hope and nostalgia.

If you’re a fan of emotional, character-driven stories about second chances and the bonds that never truly break, this is definitely a book worth reading!

Got this as an ARC from NetGalley. Honest review incoming:

This was ok. I enjoyed it but it didn’t wow me. The book was based in Italy largely, but I think there was something about how she wrote some things in Italian and some in English that made it read weird. Are they speaking english at times and Italian at times or is it written that way for my sake? Sometimes she translated directly from Italian, sometimes she lets you interpret it.

I thought the main characters had nice arcs - but the big plot points where people got upset were not exactly believable or reasonable to me. I think that’s hard to get right in this genre and this didn’t really hit the spot for me. Some of the dreams and fears were also overplayed in the writing compared to what they actually were about.

But it’s a charming and warm little romance. Not spicy - those scenes were very disappointing, but the Italian sun and descriptions of food were excellent. Enjoyable and not distracting like truly badly written novels, but nothing to write home about. Perfectly average.

The story follows the journey of Emma, a young woman who returns to her hometown for the summer to care for her ailing mother. As Emma navigates the challenges of her past and present, she unexpectedly reconnects with her childhood friend, Jake. Their rekindled friendship blossoms into a tender and heartfelt romance, but it is also fraught with complications and emotional turbulence. Jill Francis’s writing style is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of a small-town summer and the deep emotions that come with it. The characters are well-developed, with Emma's growth and introspection being a central focus. Her struggles with family dynamics, personal aspirations, and the complexities of love are portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity. One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of the impact of past experiences on present relationships. Emma and Jake’s journey is not just about romantic love, but also about healing, forgiveness, and finding oneself. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their interactions are filled with genuine emotion and heartfelt moments. The supporting characters, including Emma’s mother and the townspeople, add depth to the story and create a rich tapestry of interconnected lives. The setting itself, with its charming and nostalgic atmosphere, plays a significant role in shaping the narrative and the characters’ experiences.

For the publisher: I'll be publishing my review today (2/15/25) on Instagram, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Fable. I will come back to add links once they are all published.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for making this ARC available on NetGalley! The Summer You Were Mine is a debut novel from Jill Francis. Readers should consider this book if they like:

- Second chance romance
- Childhood friends
- The dreamy Italian coast as a character
- Neurodivergent representation in the FMC

Ellie and Cris grew up seeing each other every summer in Chiavari, Italy when their families vacationed at the same beach. They became smitten with each other as teens but their budding romance fizzled out. Now they're forced to see each other again when his grandfather marries her grandmother back at their Italian vacation spot.

This was a cute read that brought me back to my time studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I enjoyed all the local flavor and the fun scenery, plus the snippets of Italian sprinkled throughout. A few things didn't quite work for me, though, so I couldn't add a 4th star. First, the dialogue seemed a bit wooden and stilted, maybe because there were many occasions where the author used "I am" instead of "I'm" (and similar other non-contractions). It took away from the realism a little bit and was somewhat distracting. I also felt like the spark between the main characters didn't quite jump off the page the way I hoped it would.

Nonetheless, this is a fun summer read, especially for readers looking for a vacation within a book!

I'm looking forward to reading this book expected to be published on July 1, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
The summer beach read I didn’t know I needed! Jill’s writing was so evocative I wanted to fall into the pages. This is a perfect, slow-build romance with empathetic main characters, beautiful family dynamics, and vivid, summery scene setting. By the end of the story, The Summer You Were Mine will have you desperately searching for flights to the Italian coast.

The setting of this book influenced my next Italy trip! I loved the history between Ellie and Cris, their jobs/careers were very relevant to today's culture and the slow burn chemistry as well as the friends to enemies to lover trope tied it all together for a lovely rom-com that I'd recommend to any romance reader!

This was the perfect vacation read! The right mix of drama and romance that kept me on my toes or smiling ear to ear.

My only criticism is the Italian was hard to follow, despite it being basic. Footnotes would’ve been very helpful,

The absolute perfect vacation read.