“Summer in the City" by Alex Aster is a total game-changer. I absolutely devoured this book—it’s the perfect blend of heartfelt, fun, and just the right amount of tension. The characters are so easy to connect with, and the storyline is super engaging.

Everything about this story is too good! The storyline is so cute, Parker is absolutely perfect! Of course he needed some reminders and explanations on Elle’s needs, which to me was his only fault! But my goshhhh was he perfect!!

The love building between Elle and Parker was just too good. Their chemistry was unmatched especially when they went on their adventures around New York.

Honestly, if you're looking for a book that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster while keeping you hooked with tons of surprises, this is it!!

✨Thank you Netgalley and Alex Aster for the ARC! ✨

This was such a a fun summer rom com!

Fast paced digestible with great banter, it's absolutely a vibe that I would absolutely recommend

4.5 ⭐️ this was so much fun! a hot summer romance between a screenwriter in desperate need of inspiration and a hot billionaire in need of a date (plus some history that leads to hate — which we all knew was LOVE!)

parker warren is one of my new all time favorite MMCs which is insane but hell if that man did not steal my heart. this man was so in love with elle that he would have let her break his heart a million times over and still moved heaven and earth for her. he had such a pure heart and just wanted elle to shine and be happy. i love him so very much. also — the unexpected mouth on him! well yes! life take note, this man is the blueprint for my dream man.

elle leon was a baddie! i really respected her need for independence and holding her ground. she has a lot of strength and was a creative genius. also, i LOVE a girl who is obsessed with coffee + existing in sweatpants because that’s so me! my main quarrel with her was her reason for breaking things off with parker and obsession with money. i understand where she was coming from and her need to be able to support herself, but i feel like she so heavily misread what parker was doing and used her experience with her dad to dictate her future.

as such, i had a hard time with chapter 30. a third act breakup always gets me, but especially this one. they were SO happy and we all knew he was gonna buy the townhouse, and i hate that it had to be the reason she left him. ugh. and then the turnaround in two chapters was so fast and a little bit like whiplash. obviously they were endgame and i wanted them together, but i think the breakup could have been skipped and replaced with something else where they stayed together but kept living individually for self growth or something?

anyway, aside from that this book was great. the romance was wonderful. the tension was crazy and the chemistry was there from page one, but alex still wrote a REALLY good slow burn. experiencing new york with elle and parker was the best. i want to be friends with them (just not go on runs with them because no cardio ever!). the side characters were also great — all the friends in new york + penelope were icons. that’s a good quality girl squad! overall, parkelle forever!

🌞 A Fun, Flirty, and Sweet Summer Rom-Com 🌞

📖 It's a perfect blend of neighbors-to-lovers, fake dating, and billionaire romance 🤑.

🗽️ The author's love for NYC shines through, making the city feel like its own character 🌆. I adored the summertime adventures and the vibrant atmosphere 🌞.

👫 The characters are well-developed and relatable. Elle, the female lead, is strong, independent, and hilarious 😂. Parker, the male lead, is swoony and charming 🥰.

💕 The chemistry between the leads is amazing, and their relationship progression feels natural 🌈. The book is well-paced, making it hard to put down 📚.

👎 My only complaint is the direction the story takes in the final chapters 🤔. .

👍 Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of summer rom-coms, NYC, and sweet, swoony romances 🌟.

📚 Rating: 4.5/5 stars ⭐️

👏 Alex Aster's romance debut is a must-read! 📚

Thank you Netgalley and Avon books for this eARC

As a New Yorker at heart, born and raised in South Jersey, I could NOT have loved this book any more!!!! What a beautiful tribute to the city of lights, the greatest city in the world, to the big apple. A wonderful written rom -com about a girl who HATES NYC but meets a guy (the GUY!) that needs her help. So the two start fake dating and his end of the deal is to show her all the different great parts of NYC. The pizza tour, the Highline, the Manhattan Top to Bottom tour (that I have had on my list of things to do for years and have a plan to do it this April...) I loved Parker as the male lead who falls first and falls hard. He is over the top and I am here for it. Thank you Alex Aster for writing such a loving and fun story set in the Concrete Jungle! I can not wait for others to read this summer loving book!

i really liked this one! really refreshing story. good plot. extremely likeable characters! i love this author's writing and this one was no different. would recommend.

I found this book adorable and really enjoyed the New York setting. While some of the drama felt unnecessary and Elle, the main character, came across as annoying and a bit immature at times, I still had fun reading it. It's a breezy, lighthearted summer read, and I'm looking forward to checking out the audiobook version!

Disclaimer: this is a three star read BUT because it took place in NYC, the concrete jungle of my 20s, I bumped it up a star. This book opened up at Marquee, one of the most frequented clubs of my party girl era. I was suckered in instantly, transported to the space, the music and the energy. I was there even though I haven't been in almost 10 years. This is probably what time travel feels like. Anyways, so now you know I am biased and this review is definitely going to be written as such. Okay enough of this reminiscing, let's get into it.

Summer In The City follows Elle, a work hard, play never screenwriter who is incredibly successful in her field but chooses to remain anonymous. People just aren't her thing and neither is the city. However, she is stuck there writing a script with a block and Parker, her annoying billionaire neighborhood who she hates because of a run in years ago that he doesn't remember. She needs inspiration and he needs a "girlfriend" for the summer to provide an image of stability for his companies acquisition. They strike a deal and the fun begins.

This was so bingeable, in fact that's exactly what I did. I binged so hard. Parker is head over heels in love with Elle. He's a bit over the top but it's all with pure intentions and heart. Elle, my girl, you are a pink starburst, act like it! She got there but it took the whole book. I did appreciate her overall growth and felt like Elle on page one vs Elle on page 'The End' were a worlds apart for all the right reasons. Simply put, Summer In The City is fun. It highlights the most iconic places in NYC, some of which I have the best memories of. If you've ever lived in NYC or even visited, this book is for you. If you want to visit, this book is also for you. It's essentially a top tier itinerary with a good time story to go long with it. Definitely what you should have in hand this summer at the beach :)

***Trigger Warning: Loss of a parent***

I thought this book was cute. I loved the New York setting of this book. I did feel like some of the drama was very unnecessary. I did feel like the main character Elle was super annoying and a bit childish at times. But I enjoyed this one. This is just a lighthearted summer read.

Thank you, Alex Aster, William Morrow, and NetGalley, for the ARC of this book. This comes out on March 25.

**Spoiler Alert: This review contains spoilers for *Summer in the City* by Alex Aster!**

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and want to book a flight to New York City immediately—*Summer in the City* by Alex Aster is *it*! This book was a five-star, heart-bursting, can't-put-it-down kind of read. The pacing? Absolutely perfect. Every chapter pulled me deeper into Elle and Parker's world, and I didn't want it to end.

First off, this book is not just a love story between Elle and Parker—it's a love letter to rom-coms *and* to New York City. And wow, did Alex Aster nail it in the best way. Elle and Parker hit up all the iconic spots: Central Park, a dreamy rooftop, even those tucked-away NYC corners that feel like a secret only you know. If you've ever fantasized about falling in love during a Manhattan summer, prepare to swoon.

And speaking of swooning—the spice? Chef's kiss! Perfectly placed, beautifully written, and so emotional. It's not just there for the sake of it; it adds real depth to their relationship and makes you feel *everything*.

One of the things I adored most was how this book didn't shy away from real, messy feelings. The story of grief was raw and beautiful, and the exploration of being an immigrant's child hit so hard. Elle's journey of balancing gratitude for her mother's sacrifices while still wanting to dream and live her own life was incredibly moving. When her mom said, *"None of the women before me ever got to do anything but work. But you're going to do more than that. You're going to dream. You're going to do it."* —I felt that in my soul.

And let's talk about character growth—Elle's transformation from someone confined to her little island to someone who opens herself up to love from friends, family, and Parker? Stunning. And the way Elle and Parker both have to confront their complicated relationships with money before they find their way back to each other? So real, so refreshing.

Plus, the writing? Gorgeous. I highlighted SO many lines, but two of my absolute favorites:

“It's interesting how love colors things I would normally hate into my absolute favorite shade.”

*And this one? Gut punch in the best way:*

“Life might be complicated, but love isn't. It's pretty straightforward. It's a lance through plans, and morals, and pride. It cuts right through everything. It doesn't care about the mess it makes. It hurts, and we let it.”

If you love a book that delivers humor, heart, and heat while giving you all the feels, *Summer in the City* is an absolute must-read.

Thank you Netgalley & William Morrow for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Netgalley for an earc. All opinions in this review are my own.

This was a quick read for me that I quite liked. If this book ended 50 pages earlier, I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more. This is my second Alex Aster book and I was not sure what to expect from it going in. It seems like a fun summer romance and that was exactly what we got which I loved. Elle is a screenwriter who hates NY and a billionaire Parker who leaves a bad impression on her. They just so happen to be neighbors while she is house sitting for her sister. I honestly really liked their dynamic as neighbors. I thought it was so fun. The forced proximity brought out fun banter.

As someone who has been to New York only once, I find the city extremely overwhelming. I really enjoyed how this story took pieces of the city that are famous and yet also inserted those peaceful moments. I love everything about the coffee shop, and the pizza places, and the places they went for the movie research. Up until the end, I honestly really enjoyed the plot of this book, it felt like a vacation.

I enjoy Elle’s character for the most part. I appreciate how she is assertive and I liked that we got to see her interact and grow beautiful female friendships. I am almost as big of a fan of friendships in romance books as I am the romance, so this was heartwarming to see. While I appreciated her wanting to work for everything, I honestly found her stance on money so exhausting and hypocritical sometimes. There was one scene (no spoilers) where she needed something, and when Parker offered what he could, she kind of berated him for it, and yet took up the offer anyways. It was things like holding his money over his head that bothered me, especially considering Parker’s character which I feel as though he proved many times.

As for Parker, he was just absolutely so sweet. I really loved how he did anything he could to make Elle smile. He genuinely felt like he cared so much about her interests and he truly tried to make himself a better person. He definitely was the saving grace of this book, although sometimes I felt as though he is too forgiving. I appreciate that Alex Aster did not take the direction of the grumpy billionaire. It was honestly really refreshing.

Without giving away too much, I just briefly want to tough on the ending and why I felt so frustrated by it. I honestly really enjoyed the pacing of this story, both plot wise and romance wise, yet the last 50 pages I feel like sped up that exponentially. I felt that the romance jumped a million steps and the plot went a direction that I did not care for. I feel like if this book ended 50 pages earlier It could have ended the same, but just better. The fact that these characters were never officially together, yet managed to have a second AND third act breakup really lost me.

Overall, I enjoyed most of this story but, the end was definitely a let down. If you are looking for a fun, fast paced, summery story, then this is definitely for you. It was fun to visit the city and Parker is a sweetheart.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read this early on NetGalley. I really really really liked the storyline, the build up to a happily ever after. I liked all the places they went to, how it all ended up in the end. I loved the characters, all of them!!! Wonderful wonderful wonderful!!! I would read it a thousand times over. Amazing job!!!

3.5 ⭐️

so i was immediately hooked and loved the nyc setting because it felt like a 2000s movie playing out, however the last 25% irritated me. parker was so sweet and went out of his way numerous times to show elle he cares about her and she wasn’t the nicest about it. the third act breakup really got me annoyed too. it was refreshing having a billionaire romance where he was the sunshine though! overall, it was fun but there were some things i didn’t love and wish it was dual pov

**Book Review: *Summer in the City* by Alex Aster**

**Summary:**
Alex Aster's adult debut, *Summer in the City*, invites readers into a vibrant New York City romance between Elle, a 27-year-old screenwriter battling writer's block, and Parker Warren, a charismatic tech CEO. Elle's return to the city for inspiration leads her to an upscale apartment, only to discover her neighbor is Parker—the man she had a memorable encounter with two years prior. Their initial friction evolves into a fake dating arrangement, allowing both to pursue their personal goals. As they navigate this charade, genuine feelings emerge, challenging their perceptions of love and ambition.

**Tropes:**
- Fake Dating
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Billionaire Romance
- He Falls First
- Multiple Open Door Scenes

**My Review:**
*Summer in the City* is a delightful romp through the bustling streets of New York, capturing the essence of contemporary romance with flair. Elle's journey from a frustrated writer to a woman embracing her vulnerabilities is both relatable and inspiring. Her initial quirks and overthinking may test your patience, but witnessing her growth and resilience is truly rewarding.

Parker is the epitome of the modern romantic hero—successful yet grounded, with a heart that sees beyond façades. His unwavering support and genuine affection for Elle highlight the beauty of unconditional love. Their chemistry is palpable, making their interactions both heartwarming and sizzling.

The supporting characters add depth and color to the narrative, enriching the story with their unique personalities and perspectives. They serve as mirrors and catalysts, aiding Elle in her journey of self-discovery.

While the climax introduces tension that may feel abrupt, it serves as a pivotal moment for Elle to confront her fears and insecurities. This conflict, though challenging, propels her toward genuine self-reflection and growth.

Aster's portrayal of New York City is both vivid and enchanting, making the city itself a character that influences and shapes the protagonists' experiences. The narrative is infused with humor, passion, and heartfelt moments, making it a compelling read.

In conclusion, *Summer in the City* is a testament to personal growth, the complexities of modern relationships, and the magic that unfolds when two souls connect amidst the chaos of city life. It's a must-read for those seeking a fun, heartfelt, and inspiring summer romance. I definitely give it a 3.8 stars!

It was so fun to go through the adventures that the main characters go through and recognizing the places I've been to myself. The relationship was so cute and I loved that despite how rich the MMC is, he was willing to do anything for the FMC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review ♡

I loved the New York setting so much. All the locations and pizza places I want to visit. The setting was truly the best!

Elle is an anonymous screen writer who goes to New York and is house sitting across the hall from Parker. She met Parker two years before and absolutely hated him then still hates him now. They make a deal to help each other for the summer. He needs a date to events and she needs someone to go around location for her script she is writing.

Her character is very wishy-washy and I was getting whip lash around the 80% mark. She was frustrating me with how she was treating Parker. I still want Dad closure…I think the story being barely over 300 pages meant a lot was left out or cut.

Parker is a billionaire bachelor. He is golden retriever vibes and swoon worth by the end. I definitely liked him the most out of the couple. He did way too much pleasing imo for how she was treating him.

The book was an average romance - a nice quick summer read.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this ARC! I’m not usually one for romance books, but this was a fun, easy read! Parker & Elle is very relatable characters versus some other romances I have read. Their banter was perfect. I loved getting to travel throughout NYC..& a bit of Europe with them. It isn’t a super spicy romance, but there is definitely some spice in there! Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and will continue reading Aster’s books. She didn’t let me down🗽

If you do not have Summer in the City by Alex Aster pre-ordered, what are you doing?! Parker is a TOP TIER book boyfriend. We are talking TOP TEN AT LEAST. I have laughed NON-STOP, squealed, kicked my feet, yelled, and threw down my kindle. I might just love this more than Lightlark (which I did not think was possible). If you like contemporary romances, this a must read!

My favorite part about this book is how SEEN I felt because Elle is one of the most RELATABLE characters I have ever met. Thank you Alex for writing her (and Parker because he’s perfectly imperfect)!

Tropes:
Opposites Attract, Fake Dating, Slowburn

Thank you NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review

The way I did not want this to end. I will have a finished copy read, and proudly displayed on my shelf. It was amazing. I absolutely loved Elle, and the relationships she builds alongs the way, the way she comes out of her shells. Gains a new relationship with New York, I wish I could read it over again.

I really enjoyed this book! The nyc setting was perfect and I loved it as the backdrop for the romance. My only complaint was that the conflict with the money issues were a little forced, but otherwise I enjoyed.