Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of Summer in the City. This was very fun. Set mostly in Manhattan with a taste of Paris. Screenwriter and misunderstood tech billionaire. They have a not great first encounter - don’t see eachother for years and then end up living next door. I enjoyed both characters, loved the steps through NYC and never got bored or felt rushed. Cute and fun. Major slow burn. Just edge right amount to spice and depth.

This is a cute quick rom com read with a sort of enemies to lovers, fake dating turned to real dating trope. I wish we could have seen more inside of Parker's head - he seemed pretty one dimensional through Elle's lens. Also, the third act break up felt frustrating and made me annoyed with Elle.

3.5 stars but rounding down.

Thank you Netgalley & William Morrow for the advanced reader copy.

La historia empieza muy bien, tiene muchos clichés típicos de una rom-com que te mantiene enganchado la mayor parte del libro, pero el third act break up fue una cosa fatal! No hubo uno, sino dos! Aghh! Estaba muy muy bien la historia pero el segundo third act break up fue horrible 😭
Espero que la autora lo tome en cuenta y considere arreglar esa parte. En general fue un 3 estrellas, si llegase a corregir esa parte puede ser un 4 estrellas.

2.75/5 ⭐️

With some select editing and reframing, this could have been a horror novel instead.

Let’s start with this “enemies to lovers” branding that the book was given. Frankly, Parker and Elle’s stairwell moment was not NERELY deep enough for the amount of hatred Elle harbored. Was Parker very rude and did he make assumptions? Yes. Was it the end of the world? NO!! Parker’s line later in the book that Elle judged him by thinking he was a bouncer and not a tech genius was so… silly! Like, you have a nice bod, she didn’t call you an idiot by assuming you worked at the club, chill out. For that to be the basis of the so called “enemies to lovers” is WIIILLLDDDD. I would have categorized it as rivals if anything, especially given the one-sidedness of it all.

Everyone talked about the chemistry between the two main characters. Frankly, I have more chemistry with my PBJ toast I eat for breakfast. Were there some really sweet scenes? Of course (especially their pizza tour and the date be planned on his own). However, there was no real buildup to their relationship and it felt like love bomb after love bomb

Speaking of love bombing, omg. I understand what a billionaire romance entails, I really really do. At some point the extravagance outweighed any real intention behind the gifts Parker gave Elle. Not to mention the reasoning behind her guilt at receiving them felt so lazy. A sick mother who passed and a uber-rich but distant dad is such a cop out to creating real depth with her character. The reveal had me wanting to DNF the book after so many hints at her backstory leading up to it.

The reason why this is one step away from a horror novel comes down to the last 3/4 chapters, because what happened to the original plot of the movie??? You’re telling me he rented out an entire street to PROPOSE to her after a SINGLE SUMMER?! I can look past that because it’s a romance book, it’ll be unrealistic at times. BUT HIM BUYING 94 ENGAGEMENT RINGS FOR HER AND BUYING THE HOUSE IN THE PARK?! FOR WHY?!?! I know that he apologized for this and they took things slow to date again, but that doesn’t negate the fact that it happened in my books.

PLUS, HE FILLED THE HOUSE WITH PICTURES OF THEM WHEN THEY WERENT EVEN IN CONTACT?!?! That’s so creepy in my opinion. Not to mention that he kept the ring in his pocket for TWO YEARS even when they weren’t in contact.

I feel like Parker was painted as this golden boy with too much money and good intentions but frankly, he just felt like a stalker by the end of the book. His actions at the end of the book were straight out of a horror novel. If a man ever did that to me, I’d need a restraining order; summer of love or not.

The BEST part of the book were Elle’s friendships!!!!!! Penelope was such a gem and I really really appreciated how Elle was able to expand her circle with Gwen, Emily, and Taryn. It felt like she grew as a person through those friendships and I wish there were more chapters with them.

I know this review looks scathing and I apologize on that front. I LOVED the Lightlark series thus far and I feel that fantasy is where Alex Aster really shines. If Parker had magic powers and ruled a kingdom, I probably would have eaten up his more questionably extravagant moments.

I really appreciated the opportunity to read and review this ARC and I wish Alex Aster nothing but love in her career. I will continue to read her future books and I CANNOT WAIT for the next book in the Lightlark series. Thank you to Netgalley and The William Morrow Team for the ARC!! 🫶🏻

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC through NetGalley. Thank you to William Morrow and the publisher for this opportunity. All opinions in this review are my own.

This was my first Alex Aster book. I went in with no expectations and left pleasantly surprised. The story starts a little rocky. Throughout the story we learn that Elle has a complicated relationship with money that stems from her father using it as a tool to control her and her family. So when she meets Parker at a club and he offers her money to take her home, she understandably storms off, furious. That one interaction sparks years of resentment on her part. At first, I was worried, this setup didn’t really do it for me. His behavior in that initial encounter was questionable and her 2-year grudge felt a little excessive. As the book progressed, I found myself connecting with the characters, enjoying their dynamic and falling for the way the story brings New York to life.

Elle is an anonymous screenplay writer that has lived too long in the comfort zone that her anonymity provides. She stays at home, writing the life she wishes to have. But when she moves back to New York for the summer, Parker –her new neighbor– shows up at her door with an offer. They’ll fake date to boost his public image, and in return, he’ll help her overcome her writer’s block by visiting the pre-approved locations for her screenplay. As they spend time together, she gets to know him on a deeper level, he shows her the city, helps her with her writing and their undeniable attraction grows. Slowly but surely, they fall for each other, and Elle starts to realize that New York feels like home with him in it.

Now let’s talk about Parker because this man is ridiculous (in the best way). He buys her favorite coffee shop after they run out of her favorite scones, he gets her earrings because they remind her of her mom, he buys her dream house and fills it with pictures of them, he gives her jewelry for every day they’ve spent together that summer, he even sells his jet because she told him it was excessive and bad for the environment. This man is willing to do anything for her, but Elle, with her past baggage, struggles to see these grand gestures as anything other than him trying to control her with money. She wants independence, freedom to make her own choices, to stand on her own. So, when all his gifts start adding up, she begins to feel like he’s unknowingly buying her affection.

That internal conflict was well done, even if Elle’s reaction was frustrating at times. But that’s her family trauma, so I don’t fault her for acting irrationally. Characters are flawed, I knew when I started reading that anything he got her, she would see it as him using his money to make her stay, to make her love him.

The third-act breakup felt inevitable, but it happened too close to the end. There weren’t enough chapters to fully flesh out their reconciliation. I wanted more time to sit with the resolution, to really see Elle process and accept that Parker wasn’t trying to own her –he just wanted to take care of her in the best way he knew how.

I’m knocking it one star because of the rough start and the third act breakup that was too close to the ending. Overall, this was a fun, swoony rom-com with strong character development and a romance full of tension and longing.

Overall Rating:
3.75 ⭐️ (rounded to four)
3 🌶️ (steamy, with several detailed scenes)

Tropes:
🌇 Fake dating
🌇 Billionaire romance
🌇 Slow burn
🌇 Forced proximity

If you enjoyed the Rom-Commers by Katherine Center, How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang, or Beg, Borrow and Steal by Sarah Adams then I think you should give this one a try.

This book was just so fun and goofy and I had a good time reading it. However, I honestly didn’t love any of the characters so it was hard for me to want to continue picking this book up. Some of the choices made by the characters made me want to reach in and shake them. Also, there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. It was a fun book, but I didn’t feel anything too deeply for it.

really good. the FMC is fun and smart despite a bit of a tendency for self-sabotaging. the MMC is very sweet. 5 stars. tysm for thea rc.

You know this last year I have started to pick up reading contemporary romance and they are very hit or miss for me, but this one hooked me and left me hungry heheheheh. I think it is probably not a full five star read but I loveeeeee her other series so the 4 star did receive a little bump up. I think Alex does a grey job making you feel like you are deep in the city exploring right along with Elle. Gotta say thanks to NetGalley for the arc! And definitely is a read if you enjoy Ali hazelwood because gives the same vibes for sure. Can’t wait to see what comes next from this author because really loved getting to see her right out of the YA genre:)

This book had me kicking my feet laughing, and giggling uncontrollably. I could not get enough of this book! I literally binged this book in 24 hours! It was so hard to put down! I loved the characters, the banter, the enemies to lovers aspects. I loved how much he swooned over her! The fact that he would go above and beyond the typical romance. I was rooting for them to get together the whole time! The slow burn was intense!!! but it was fire! It was phenomenal! I will definitely be buying a copy of this book for my trophy shelf! Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!!!

4.5 stars.

This book follows a summer in New York City, a fake romance between Elle and billionaire, Parker, and Elle figuring out her worth and wrestling with her past.

There was so much about this book that I loved. I’ve always felt a bit conflicted about billionaire romances and get uncomfortable when one character buys the other character anything and everything. It was nice to see that sentiment expressed by Elle, the FMC of this story. Even though, by the end, I absolutely wanted to throttle her because Parker Warren was dang near perfect.

I’ve never been to NYC, but I desperately want to go after reading this. This book was an absolute love letter to the city and it shows. NYC was its own shining character.

There were parts of this book that I wish had been different. I wish we could have gotten to know a bit more about Cali before the end of the book. And the relationship between Elle and Parker got very dramatic at the end of their summer together. It frustrated me so much that I took off a Star. But then I gave half a star back for the brownstone.

I highly recommend this one. It was a really fun read! It releases on March 25, 2025. I also want to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful, Heartwarming escape – 5 Stars!

Summer in the City* by Alex Aster is an absolute gem of a book! From the very first chapter, I was completely immersed in the vibrant energy of New York City and the lives of the unforgettable characters that call it home. Aster’s writing is full of heart, wit, and charm, making this the perfect summer read (or anytime read, really!).

The story is an enchanting blend of romance, self-discovery, and friendship, with the city itself acting as a character that breathes life into every page. The setting feels so alive, you can almost hear the hustle and bustle of the streets, smell the summer air, and feel the pulse of excitement that the city exudes.

The protagonist’s journey is so relatable, and her emotional growth throughout the book is touching. As she navigates love, career aspirations, and personal challenges, you can’t help but root for her. The supporting characters are just as engaging, each adding their own flavor to the story and making you feel like you’re part of their world.

What makes *Summer in the City* truly special is how Alex Aster manages to balance lighthearted moments with deeper, more reflective themes. It’s a story that makes you laugh, swoon, and reflect on your own dreams and relationships. The romance is swoon-worthy, and the friendships are beautifully depicted, offering a perfect balance of joy and depth.

This book will leave you with a warm, happy feeling, like a perfect summer day in the city. If you’re looking for a book that’s filled with charm, emotion, and a sprinkle of magic, *Summer in the City* is the perfect choice. Highly recommend! 🌟

**spoiler alert** This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review This review may contain spoilers.

Overall, Alex Aster’s debut adult romance was simply another read for me. I was excited to receive an ARC through NetGalley and curious to see how Aster’s writing style would translate to a new genre. While the premise was intriguing, I found that the story itself didn’t stand out among the many exceptional romantic comedies I’ve read recently. That being said, the various covers, sprayed edges, and adorable end pages make this a book I’d love to display on my shelf, but it isn’t one that I’ll be rereading in the future.

I really wanted to love this book more than I did. The premise had potential, but I struggled to visualize the characters and settings. While I appreciated Aster’s acknowledgment of aphantasia—a trait she’s openly discussed on social media—I often found the descriptions lacking or too vague. It felt like the story relied heavily on readers’ familiarity with locations in NYC, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the setting.

The beginning of the book was another challenge for me. Elle agreed to the deal surprisingly quickly, with little buildup or convincing. I would have loved to see more tension and deliberation before both parties committed, making the stakes feel higher. Parker’s acquisition is vaguely explained, and Elle’s claim that he was her twisted writing muse didn’t feel fully developed. Rather than simply being told that she hates him but somehow draws inspiration from it, I wish we had seen more of how her frustration with Parker actively influenced her writing.

That said, I did appreciate the emotional depth that emerged in the later chapters. While Elle’s sister was a background character who didn’t have much impact on the story, the conversation between Elle and her sister about their upbringing was one of the most compelling moments in the book. This scene stood out as a moment of genuine depth, and I found myself wanting more of that level of emotional connection throughout. On a similar note, Elle’s friendships in NYC felt like they were missing this emotional piece.

The highlight of the book for me was Parker Warren. Aster truly wrote a perfect romantic lead. Despite Elle’s initial hatred based on a single interaction and media portrayals, Parker consistently proved himself through his actions. From learning how to make her favorite coffee to flying her to see her sister on his private jet to learning how to hack the system to unlock her door after she gets locked out, his grand gestures and quiet acts of care made it difficult not to root for him. In contrast, Elle’s continued rejection of Parker—largely because of his wealth—felt frustrating, especially given how much he had demonstrated his character. In a book filled with often unlikeable characters, Parker carried the story for me and ultimately saved my rating.

While Summer in the city didn’t fully resonate with me, I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy billionaire romances, slow-burn tension, and a near-flawless leading man. Though I wished for more immersive descriptions of the settings and characters, Aster’s debut in the romance genre offers an interesting take on the billionaire trope, and I’ll be curious to see what she writes next.

Quite literally, the best summer romance I have ever read. I finished this in LESS than 24 hours and I’m so blow away with how AMAZING it was. Hands down, my all time favorite romance novel.

Between Elle’s and Parker’s character development, the slow burn, the witty banter, the ROMANCE ugh I don’t think I can pin point what part was my favorite.

Elle’s character had me cracking up not even 3 chapters in. Her personality is definitely hilarious and the side commentary she makes in this book will have you crying you’ll be laughing so hard.

Parker’s character is so broody but in a good way. You really get to know his heart and the way he picks up on the smallest things through the story is just perfect.

Towards the last few chapters the book had me laughing, crying and SCREAMING at the characters but the ending was seriously perfection.

Alex, girl you did that! Definitely the perfect summer romance in the city. I felt like I was in New York the entire time ❤️❤️

You had me at billionaire, you kept me at fake dating. God, I am such a sucker for fake dating.

Can I say I’m obsessed with Parker? Because I am. He is everything. A man who listens? Who owns up to his mistakes? Who adapts and changes and listens?! Gimme 14 of ‘em.

Elle is a bit trickier. She has a lot of thoughts at the beginning of the story that I think many of us do. But it is so wonderful to see her blossom and even though she’s resistant to change, she’s aware of her shortcomings and we love a self-aware queen.

I really enjoyed this debut romcom and I can just see it on the big screen already! Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy.

Summer in the City: 3.5 Stars 💰🍎👩‍💻

First things first—a big thank you to HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Alex Aster for an advanced reader copy of Summer in the City! I will never get over how special it feels to read something early.

This book is all about the vibes! I felt transported into a romance movie set in one of my favorite places—New York. While billionaire romances can be hard to relate to, I absolutely loved Parker and Elle’s back-and-forth banter.

That said, there were a few aspects I struggled with. The foreshadowing of Elle’s past felt forced—the not-so-subtle hints about her mom, the mysterious apartment owner, and what led her to become a writer seemed awkwardly placed. It reminded me of that one friend who claims they don’t gossip but still drops intriguing tidbits with no context. Some of the spicy scenes weren’t really my vibe either, but that’s so subjective, so who am I to judge?

Like most romance books, I read this one for the vibes—to giggle and have a good time. And with that in mind, I really enjoyed Summer in the City!

In Summer in the City, screenwriter, Elle, has a strange but pretty standard run-in at a party with tech billionaire, Parker. She goes on to use the hate she feels for him after the experience to fuel her writing. She ends up back in New York City two years after the encounter to finish a new screenplay. And guess who ends up being her neighbor?

I really enjoyed the characters and setting of this book. I laughed out loud a bunch of times and was quickly drawn in by the writing style. This is my first Alex Aster novel and the way it was written definitely made me interested in reading more from her.

The set up of Elle and Parker “fake dating” felt a bit iffy but I enjoyed the interactions of the FMC and MMC so much that I didn’t care. I appreciated their relationships with their parents as well and how it influenced the way they treated each other and moved through life in general. I think some of what happened towards the end was a bit over the top but not totally out of the realm of possibility. The back and forth to get to the ending wasn’t my favorite but I had a great time with this book, overall.

I laughed. I cried. I’d recommend it to most people and plan on owning a copy.

What a fun romance! I loved every minute. It was a love story to New York without being too cliche and obvious. It was a true forced proximity novel and I loved how much time the couple spent together getting to know each other. It was fun, sweet, and delightful. A handful of spicy scenes. Plenty of plot and character development. A great summer romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Such a quick and joyful read!


The summer setting of this gorgeous rom-com was exactly what I needed. Our story follows a Billionaire Bachelor of the tech world, Parker Warren and a home-body writer, Elle Leon. Elle writes under a pen-name and adores anonymity. She has one summer to write a screenplay for an upcoming deadline that has secured the rights to several landmarks/areas of NYC. She returns to the city from LA to spark inspiration to write the screenplay. The day before she moved to LA, a couple of years ago, she had a terrible night with the arrogant tech-guy, Parker Warren. Throughout their time a part she obsesses over his success. When she arrives in the city, Elle finds herself the neighbor of one self-righteous billionaire. Thus begins our romance and it is dreamy.


I loved the dialogue between both MCs. I laughed and smiled throughout the first half of the book. Around 75-80% of the book the story started to lose momentum for me. Elle’s character loses shape. She is suddenly more troubled and emotionally disturbed than the first half of the book. There is a stark contrast between Elle in the first and second half. The story ends with her saying that she’s not quite there, but she’s getting there. There was no conflict here that really made sense to be lingering so long. To be fair, I believe the book should have ended with the first proposal. A true HEA of a billionaire spending gobs of money on an extreme and overwhelming grand gesture.


Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC!

This was a cute, super binge-worthy read, but sadly it just wasn’t for me. I was intrigued by the premise and the NYC setting, but ultimately I never felt super connected to either of the characters. This may be a me problem, but I just cannot get behind billionaire romance novels right now given the current state of the world. The display of wealth in this one felt particularly egregious and over the top, and was constantly taking me out of the book. I mean, buying a coffee chain because they stop selling her favorite pastry?! Shutting down all of Fifth Ave and buying basically an entire jewelry store?? The third act break up also really irked me because it was due to lack of healthy boundaries and communication—things that easily could have been addressed in other ways.

Overall it was fun, light, and easy to read, but otherwise didn’t have a ton of substance to keep me engaged or really feel any emotions (other than frustration). There’s definitely an adoring audience out there for this book—it just wasn't for me, and that’s okay!

We follow two neighbors who had a short 5 minute fling on a stairwell, starting some one-sided hatred from Elle, the main girl. They end up having some fake dating scheme for Parker, the main guy, due to his job and she RELUCTANTLY accepts. But, after spending so much time together, I guess they start growing feelings for one another?

I wish I could say I enjoyed this. But, it took me to about 70% of the book to start enjoying myself. I absolutely hated the FMC, she was obnoxious, annoying, and self-righteous. I literally could not understand why she made the stupidest decisions. Not to mention, they broke up SO many times for the stupidest reasons. I gave this three stars because I liked the use of the setting, Parker (the MMC) was such a great, fun character, and the plot was decent. Elle did not deserve Parker at all, she was so judgmental and annoying.