"Cool for the Summer" is a must-read for fans of contemporary young adult fiction and those who appreciate stories about self-discovery and love. Dahlia Adler has crafted a novel that is both entertaining and meaningful, with a protagonist who is easy to root for. This book is sure to leave readers with a sense of hope and understanding.

This was the perfect little summer romance! It had me kicking my feet and rooting so hard for honestly all of the characters. I don’t know how Dahlia does it, but I am obsessed with every character she writes and I want nothing but the best for every single one of them.

I could not get into this book for the life of me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this story in exchange for an honest review. I am currently working through my ARC backlog and will be posting full reviews momentarily for books that have been completed!

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler is the perfect summer read—fun, swoony, and full of self-discovery. Lara finally has the guy she’s always wanted… so why can’t she stop thinking about the girl from last summer? It’s messy, heartfelt, and gives all the Grease but make it queer vibes!

This was both a fun summer romance as well as a coming of age story involving discovering oneself and how that journey can change and be different for everyone.

Even though this book isn't strictly set throughout summer, I'd say it's the perfect summer/beach/vacation read because of the atmosphere and 'vibe' it gives off.

It was a really quick book to get through and was enjoyable to read.

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25

Cool for the Summer is a fun young adult romance. It's such a needed story about figuring out who you are and teen summer romance. Hopefully you'll read it in the summer since it's called "Cool for the Summer." I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a fun read.

when i heard this pitched as a Grease retelling with a bisexual love triangle - i was super excited to pick this one up and i was even more excited to receive an ARC! it's definitely more of a loose retelling but it was still fun to read and i loved the summer vibes

as a queer reader, i really liked the bisexual representation in this book and the identity crisis that Lara goes through - questioning if she's bisexual, or if she's straight and jasmine is some sort of exception. it's an experience that i think a lot of queer people can relate to, especially as a young adults going through self discovery, so it was nice to see and i think it was written well.

overall there were a lot of aspects that i thought were really well written but it never really wowed me and didn't push past the "i like this" tier for me. maybe i am just growing out of the genre but definitely pick this up if you're a fan of YA contemporary!

final rating: 3.5 stars

This was such a fun summer romcom! I'm always here for a sapphic Grease retelling, and Dahlia Adler never disappoints! The entire conversation around sexuality and bisexuality was so well-done!

This was entertaining, funny and more surprising than what I was expecting. Again, one of those books that I would've loved to have had when I was a teenager myself as a queer person.

This was a cute and quick romance that I enjoyed listening to for an afternoon. Was it the most unique? No. Was the main character a bit annoying? Yes. But I'm also not the target audience. I think this story is important and reflects the experience of many teens.

This is a fun book about a teen love triangle, but its so much more. Told in alternating timelines, then and now, we see Lara struggle with identity and it reads like real life. So many teenagers struggle to know who they really are. I love the LGBTQ+ representation as that also was real for many teenagers. I want to read more by this author.

Bisexual representation is so important, especially necessary when this was released but I confess I didnt love it. I was growing out of Young Adult at the time and found it quite hard to enjoy.

A beautiful story about finding yourself and learning to accept and love who you are. A story I desperately wish I had as a teen but am so happy teens have this type of novel now.

A solid 4 star read for me, which means I mostly enjoyed the book, but there were some parts I didn’t enjoy. Basically every part in the present with Chase. I loved the flashbacks with Jasmine, and I kind of wish the whole book was just that. I had a hard time caring about the scenes in the present with Chase when I could tell that Jasmine was endgame. Wish that had all been done a little bit differently. But Im always excited for the bi rep!

Super fun YA read. Perfect for a summer read, and I love seeing more bi rep in YA, especially in fun books like these. There's plenty to figure out when your summer fling comes into your regular life.

"Cool for the Summer" by Dahlia Adler is a contemporary YA novel that navigates the complexities of teenage emotions, identity, and relationships. The story revolves around Lara, who seemingly has it all: a dreamy football star boyfriend, a solid group of friends, and a sense of belonging. However, her world takes a turn when a girl from her past, Jasmine, resurfaces, sparking memories of a confusing and romantic summer.

Adler's writing captures the rollercoaster of teenage emotions with authenticity. Lara's internal struggles and the exploration of her sexuality add depth to the narrative, offering readers a glimpse into the challenges of self-discovery during the formative years. The inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes is a positive aspect, contributing to the representation of diverse experiences in young adult literature.

The characters, particularly Lara, are well-developed, and the story unfolds through her perspective, providing insight into her conflicting emotions. The exploration of a bisexual protagonist is a welcome addition to the genre, and Adler handles the theme with sensitivity.

However, despite its strengths, "Cool for the Summer" falls short in terms of pacing. At times, the narrative feels disjointed, and the transitions between past and present could have been smoother. Additionally, the plot's predictability may leave some readers wanting more surprises or twists to keep them engaged.

While the novel tackles important themes and provides a relatable portrayal of teenage angst and self-discovery, it lacks the narrative finesse needed to elevate it to a higher rating. "Cool for the Summer" is a solid addition to the contemporary YA genre, but it may not fully satisfy readers seeking a more nuanced and tightly paced exploration of identity and relationships.

I'd only ever read a short story from Dahlia before and I really enjoyed reading a whole book. Her storytelling is sweet and compelling!

This review is extremely overdue, but I’m so glad I finally had the opportunity to read this book because it was amazing.

Lara is a delightful narrator. Yes, she could have had a conversation with Jasmine when she first saw her at school, but we have to give her some grace on that because she’s a teen and her brain is still developing.

Plus, there’s the fear of rejection—not to mention the Sisyphean victory of FINALLY getting the cute boy to notice her and realizing that she still feels unfulfilled. The angst is palpable!

I loved the way the narrative shifted between the summer and the present day. Getting to experience the slow shift from Lara and Jasmine shifting from strangers to friendship to something more provides the reader with a tender glimpse into first love. Add in that neither girl has any experience with Sapphic relationships, and it’s easy for them both to believe that what transpired over the summer was an anomaly.

On that note, the narrative (both the “past” summer and the present-day school year) unfolds only from Lara’s perspective. This helps keep the reader on the same level as Lara as to Jasmine’s feelings/intentions. Knowing more than Lara would defeat some of the mystery, although realistically, what kind of book would throw away a magical dream girl summer for the protagonist to end up with the hot quarterback?

I would absolutely recommend Cool for the Summer. This book is sure to delight the target demographic looking for queer YA books. I can’t wait to read more of Adler’s books!





I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley

"Cool for the Summer" by Dahlia Adler is a compelling and refreshingly honest contemporary YA novel. The story follows Lara, a high school student navigating the complexities of her identity and feelings for a boy and a girl. Adler's writing is sharp, and she delves into Lara's emotions and experiences with authenticity. The book beautifully captures the struggles of coming to terms with one's sexuality, the challenges of high school, and the importance of self-acceptance. "Cool for the Summer" is a poignant and relatable read that celebrates the journey to self-discovery and the power of being true to oneself.