I absolutely LOVED this book. I started it and finished it in about 4 hours. I wanted to reread it as soon as I finished! I loved the kind of raunchy voice, and how genuine and sincere and relatable Larissa was. I loved the back and forth chronology, and how even the side characters didn't feel 2D. I thought Adler did an incredible job making the book feel so natural—it flowed so well that it felt like it'd been written like that, perfectly, without any editing or revision required (although I know that wasn;t the case!!). I've always been a huge Dahlia Adler fan, but this is easily now my favorite.

Dahlia Adler writes a book that would easily fly off the shelves in my classroom library. Cool for the Summer is a deep dive into young adult fiction, and Adler writes in the voice of youth in a believable way -- and with character development and plot movement that works well. I would gladly share this book with young adults, and recommend it for those of us in the YA appreciation crowd.

Lara's had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. He's tall, strong, sweet, a football star, and frankly, stupid hot. Oh, and he's talking to her now. On purpose and everything. Maybe...flirting, even? No, wait, he's definitely flirting, which is pretty much the sum of everything Lara's wanted out of life.

Except she’s haunted by a memory. A memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers.


- What a lovely, lovely read this was!

This is a terrific book. I like how the writer deals with the confusing feelings of the characters and the peer pressures of high school. It's done in a sensitive yet realistic way. The book is also entertaining and fun. Enjoyed it a lot.

While this book didn't live up to my expectations, I definitely would love to put this in the hands of teens. i think it's a really great beautiful exploration of sexuality and questioning identity.

I was really excited to read this book, but unfortunately it just didn't live up to my personal expectations. i still definitely recommend checking it out though.

Hands down. I loved this book. I enjoyed each of the characters. I liked the genuine, motivational writing style. And I liked the idea of self discovery, pure emotional, inspirational outcome! Of course I liked the bisexual love triangle theme between Lara, Jasmine and Chase!

The only thing bothered me was the beginning point. I didn’t get exactly why Chase fell for Lara because they haven’t shared a deep bond, never talked before. Out of nowhere he started to flirt with her and of course Lara’s reaction was realistic. She had a crush on that guy for such a long time now she realized her feelings were not unrequited! Everything seemed so bright and hopeful but when she saw the girl she’d spent summer: her heart started singing “ Summer loving had me a blast. Summer loving happened so fast.”
So I want to scream her to tell me more she got friendly down the sand.

After my tribute to Grease: I must add I wish Lara and Chase knew each before, maybe they could be close friends and finally friends to lovers dynamics may work better with their insta beginning ( not for Lara but absolutely it was instant love for Chase)

But I liked how author executed the triangle idea and ending of the book was hopeful, heartwarming, sweet, inspirational!

Overall: I’m giving my entertaining, sweet, cute, lovable, poignant four young adult stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Wednesday Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I came into reading this book with stratospheric expectations. Unreasonably high. I never dreamed it would live up to those expectations and hopes let alone exceed them. But here we are. I love this book. I love Jasmine and Larissa and every bit of the heart pinching romance and the hard decisions of finding out the thing you always wanted isn't actually what you want any more.

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from NetGalley and I will be posting an in-depth review in May! This is a good summer read.