Summer in the City by Alex Aster is an absolutely delightful and unforgettable read! From the first page, I was completely immersed in the vibrant, fast-paced world that Aster so beautifully creates. The story is a perfect blend of romance, friendship, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of an exciting summer in the city.

The characters are incredibly relatable and well-developed, each with their own unique charm and flaws. I found myself rooting for them through every twist and turn, and their growth throughout the novel was both touching and inspiring. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, and the moments of humor and lightheartedness balance out the more emotional beats perfectly.

Aster's writing is sharp and evocative, bringing the city to life in such a way that I could almost feel the energy of it in every scene. The pacing is flawless—just the right mix of drama, tension, and heartwarming moments that kept me turning pages well into the night.

Summer in the City is a heartwarming, feel-good story that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. I couldn’t have asked for a better escape, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a book that captures the magic of summer, love, and new beginnings.

I loved the classic NYC vibes this book gave, I felt like I was there with the characters walking around the city.
The rom com aspect of this book had me kicking my feet & giggling so many times.
There’s one specific scene in my head when they’re walking around the city trying a certain something & it was just SO FREAKING CUTE!
There was a lot of emotional depth within this cute little rom com, I was teary eyed (sobbing lol) so many times.

Okay, now let’s talk about some things I didn’t like.
The FMC was so miserable sometimes, IM SORRY.
There’s a conflict throughout this book that seemed to never go away no matter how hard our MMC tried to resolve the issue. Don’t get me wrong, I FEEL FOR THE GIRL. She’s definitely got some trauma but she was frustrating sometimes.
Also, the ending felt really sped up and I wish the FMC got more redemption after everything.

With those things aside though, I did have a fun time! I also loved the emotional side of things. The MMC made up for the FMC’s bad attitude.

-Fake Dating
-Rom com
-NYC vibes

My thoughts: I genuinely enjoyed reading this- author aside/her popularity aside- I couldn't put. it. down. I think I lost a days worth of sleep because it was just. so. good. Were there cliches? Of course - it's a rom-com. Did I enjoy every moment and kick my feet and giggle at Parker trying to be the sweet billionaire man? Yes. 100% yes. The only issue I had is the end felt very... bipolar? Like when we finally think we hit the climatic love story kiss and HEA - It gets thrown in a blender essentially.
While I'm all for twists to increase the tension of a book - maybe it needed to have less at the end? However- LOVED. I loved seeing Elle, our headstrong girl, realize her errors and grow. I loved seeing Parker realize money isn't everything and he truly cannot buy the woman he loves. Seeing the family trauma consistently effecting Elle had my heart in a puddle for the girl- because trauma truly stays in the bottom of our hearts and can affect the way we are. I'm glad to see the HEA. I'm glad to see it vividly described and overcome. Elle had me wanting to scream at her. throw my popcorn at her. and tell her "girl wtf". Parker had me wanting to play fake dating WITH him. He had my heart in a VICE.

Summer in the City
Alex Aster
Publication date: March 25, 2025
4/5 stars

Wow, this book was like watching a movie which is ironic, since it’s about a screenwriter named Elle! Elle agrees to housesit for her sister in New York City only to find out that her neighbor is a billionaire bachelor she met once before on a one off night out.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the character development and the writing style. The FMC was frustrating at times and seemed to be standing in her own way but appreciated how the story ended. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more books by Alex Aster.

Thank you Alex Aster, Netgalley and Willam Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

You know what yeah ok this is more of her niche. I read Lightlark and was like meh the whole time so was slightly (ok a lot) skeptical of this. But this writing felt vastly more natural and flowed better! There wasn’t insanely stupid cliffhanger or the typical drawing out for the sequel. This is much more her speed and has changed my opinion of her!

Summer in the City is Alex Aster’s adult debut novel. I was thoroughly entertained while reading this story, and it was fun to read this style of book after reading the author’s YA Lightlark fantasy series. She did a great job writing the dialogue, and the characters were so cute.

I recommend this book to Abby Jimenez or Ali Hazelwood fans and anyone looking for a forced proximity trope set in a big city.

Thank you, William Morrow, for the advanced copy of Summer in the City by Alex Aster on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

This book, just WOW!! So freaking good! I did not want it to end! I want this to become a movie!

Falling in love with a billionaire who treats you perfectly and absolutely adores you? A dream. Parker was constantly showing his love for Elle, and when it wasn’t in the way she wanted, he listened and adjusted. You can’t blame him, he’s used to people being drawn to him for his money, so of course, that’s how he assumes others want to be shown love. But with Elle, his love was genuine, and he would do anything for her. Seriously, what more did he have to do to win her heart?!

This sounded like the perfect summer from morning runs, discovering the best pizza spots, and working in a café with delicious pastries.

Elle’s stubborn pride over money did frustrate me at times, and it almost cost her something important. But overall, this was such a fun read! And who doesn’t love a fake dating romance?!

Alex did such an amazing job, her first adult novel and first rom-com, and she absolutely nailed it!! I can’t wait to read more of your books!


Thank you to Alex Aster, William Morrow, and Netgalley for providing me with this e-arc. #SummerintheCityDeluxeLimitedEdition #NetGalley

Alex Aster's adult debut, *Summer in the City*, delivers a delightful rom-com set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. The story centers on Elle, a 27-year-old screenwriter grappling with writer's block, who seizes the opportunity to pen a major film set in the city. Seeking inspiration, she returns to New York, only to discover her new neighbor is Parker Warren, a tech billionaire and former stairwell fling turned adversary. Their initial animosity evolves into a mutually beneficial arrangement: fake dating to serve their respective needs—Elle's creative spark and Parker's public image.

The banter between Elle and Parker is sharp and entertaining, capturing the essence of a classic enemies-to-lovers trope. The depiction of New York City is immersive, making the locale feel like an additional character in the narrative. Although, the ending felt somewhat rushed and the third-act conflict was pretty predictable as an avid romance reader. Despite these minor issues, the novel remains a compelling and enjoyable read.

Overall, Summer in the City is a charming and fast-paced romance that offers a fresh take on familiar tropes, making it a perfect pick for those seeking a lighthearted and heartwarming story set in the bustling heart of New York City.

This was SUCH a delight. I read this in less than 24 hours. I was in a contemporary romance reading slump and this shook me out of it.

I loved both of the main characters and their development. The book also highlighted New York and was a love story to the city.

Overall, I highly recommend this and cannot wait to read more contemporary romance by Alex Aster!

Elle is an anonymous screenwriter who is tasked to write a screenplay set in New York. She’s on a tight deadline and is facing writer’s block so she moves to New York hoping to spark inspiration. She discovers that her new neighbor is tech “Billionaire Bachelor” Parker Warren, her stairwell hookup from two years ago. Their relationship ended on a bad note and she never thought she would see him again. Lo and behold, Parker not only lives next to her but he presents her with an offer that will benefit them both, and she finds herself agreeing to his bizarre plan.

This contemporary romance had me giggling. This is my first novel by Alex Aster and I was pleasantly surprised. Elle is so relatable and real, I could completely understand her point of view on things. The relationship between Elle and Parker was so cute. The internal conflict was also well done. I loved that Elle stayed true to herself throughout the book. I also loved how the story brings New York to life. It literally made me want to book a ticket to go there this summer! I wish there was more tension and deliberation before she agreed to the plan but I was so entertained, nonetheless. The spice was also spicing! Add this book to your summer TBR, because it has all the vibes! I look forward to reading more adult novels by Aster in the future!

Tropes include:
Billionaire Romance
Fake dating
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.75⭐️
2/5 🌶️

I would like to go ahead and say a huge thanks to The William Morrow Team and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book. I haven’t had the chance to read anything by Alex Aster just yet, but she didn’t disappoint with this. (I’m still looking forward to reading Lightlark.)

I loved Parker (MMC) and the lengths that man would go for Elle🥰 That man had me kicking my feet and just obsessed with the things he would do & say.

I for sure was ready to give this book a 4⭐️ and then the ending (chapter 30) happened and it was so frustrating. Overall it was a good book and I had so much fun reading it.

This book is fantastic!
Elle is a screenwriter who chooses to stay anonymous for a variety of reasons. She meets a handsome man at a club she was forced to go to by a friend and he flaunts his money to buy his way around. She learns to hate him and uses it as fuel for her screenplay. This hatred takes her through New York and has her in very close proximity of the man she has hated from a distance for a long time.
The banter in this book was awesome as well as the romantic plot twist!

The scream I screamed when I got approved for this! After reading the Lightlark series I wasn't sure if Alex Aster could do a contemporary romance but boy was I wrong! I enjoyed this so much! Thank you! Now I just have to figure out which edition to purchase... or should I just get them all?!

At the beginning I wasn’t entirely sure of this book. The first couple chapters had me second guessing that I would fall in love with the characters. I’m glad I continued reading, this book was exactly the type of book I love. The characters are realistic and flawed and I couldn’t put the book down. I didn’t absolutely love the ending, hence 4 stars, because (SPOILER ALERT!!!) the proposal seemed so rushed and random, and the way the characters make up in the end also felt a bit rushed. Overall I will definitely recommend to friends and I would definitely give this a re-read in a year or two.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for this E-Arc, in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished Summer in the City by Alex Aster, and wow, it was the perfect palate cleanser after a scary thriller – sweet, fun, and over way too soon!

The book follows Elle, a secret screenwriter who’s staying at her sister’s place in New York. But right next door is Parker Warren, a super-rich tech guy that she really doesn’t like.

This is one of those “hate them until you love them” romances, and it’s so much fun. I was expecting some good back-and-forth between Elle and Parker, and Alex Astor delivered big time! They’re always teasing and snapping at each other, but it’s in that cute, playful way. I was laughing out loud while reading it!

Even though Elle and Parker have these fancy jobs that most of us can only dream of, they still felt like real, relatable people. I was rooting for them the whole time. And the chemistry between them? It was off the charts! You could almost feel the sparks flying.

The book is short, but it packs a punch. It’s not just funny; it’s also emotional. I even got a little teary-eyed in some parts. And the family drama? It gave the story so much depth and made you understand why the characters acted the way they did. It really added to the romance.

Overall, this is a quick, light read that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. If you’re looking for a fun, heartfelt romance with some real substance, Summer in the City is definitely worth picking up. You won’t regret it!
4.25 Stars!
#NetGalley, #AvonBooks, #SummerintheCity, #AlexAster, #Swoony, #EnemiestoLovers, #RomCom

I'm so happy I got an ARC for this book - I'm shocked by how much I loved it! A 5/5 romance for me which isn't common! NYC is my favorite place so I love any book that makes it a main character, and the city stole the show in this one for me.

Elle is an LA-based screenwriter who is forced to spend the summer in New York to write a screenplay based on iconic places in the city. Her new neighbor in the city is Parker, a tech billionaire whom she met years before and hates. This is a true enemies to lovers in that she really did feel hurt by Parker and I liked the cadence of this book and the time it took to see Elle break down her walls, it felt realistic.

Their adventures in the city will have me smiling for weeks to come - I just loved this!

Alex Aster what genre of book can’t you write?! I didn’t know what to expect but this was so amazing! Definitely in the top of my rom-com lists. It was the perfect amount of love, drama, finding oneself and more!

A 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Alex Aster’s rom-com debut!! I really enjoyed the first half of this, and found it so breezy to get through, initially eating up the former enemy meets “I’ll help you if you help me” fake dating trope. I felt like I, too, was spending the summer in NYC through Elle and Parker’s eyes.

The second half sadly felt so underdeveloped!! The pacing of their relationship, Elle’s resolution of inner conflicts, the ending - it was too rushed. While that took away from the star quality for me, it was still an enjoyable read and I think we’ll see more of Aster in this genre.

Thank you so much to the William Morrow Team & NetGalley for letting me enjoy this + share my honest review.

This was shaping up to be a 5+ star read up until the 75% mark. I totally understand Elle’s financial insecurity however it just became her ENTIRE personality at one point and it got frustrating. It felt like Elle pick and chose what she didn’t want Parker to do/buy for her and it wasn’t consistent.

The third act “conflict” of the proposal, the harry winston rings, the townhouse was extremely rushed and I actually said out loud “wait what?” I thought I had skipped a bunch of pages.

3 stars is too low but I feel like 4 is too high which makes me sad because it was so so so good up until that point.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for my ARC!

I was so excited to receive this arc because I have read this author before and was excited about her writing a contemporary romance!

I loved the MMC even tho billionaires are not my usual genre of choice. He fell fast and he fell hard.

Elle was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I was frustrated because she seemed so set in her ways. Otherwise, I loved the setting and it was a fun and fast read!