I wanted to love this but I only liked it. Billionaire romances almost never work for me I just find the men insufferable. The writing was good and I liked the story for the most part but Parker being a Billy and flaunting his money is a no.

3.5 🌟 I really enjoyed this book and I loved the NYC setting. I want to visit all the places mentioned. The only disappointing thing about this book was the FMC, Elle, just exhausting about money! She wasn't in the same situation as her mother and had no reason to freak out so much her Fake Billionare Boyfriend buying things for her. Patient Parker and NYC redeemed it.

I really liked this one.

I will definitely have to pick up Alex Aster’s other books.

This is one of my favorite book boyfriends as well.

My only critique is I could’ve done without the third act breakup, however this is one of those rare instances where I get it and can see why it was necessary for the characters to grow, so I’m more okay with it than I usually am.

She did a great job of making me feel the feelings of the characters.

Thank you to William Morrow for an arc copy of this book.

This was so tropey and forgettable to me. It was the classic rich billionaire fake dating trope and can be read in a day.. idk definitely not enemies to lovers but… most romcoms really aren’t anyway so it’s ok lol

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

“In New York City, every weekend is a chance to live in a movie” Elle, a struggling screenwriter with looming deadlines, returns to New York City for inspiration, when she unexpectedly finds herself neighbors with Parker Warren, a billionaire tech mogul, and former hookup-turned-nemesis. As their clashing personalities ignite creative sparks, they strike a deal: fake a relationship for his public image, while she draws screenplay inspiration from their dates. But as summer unfolds, pretend feelings begin to blur with real ones, and their no-strings pact teeters on something deeper.

I really enjoyed the pairing of Parker and Elle, with their personalities complementing each other perfectly. As someone who has never travelled to New York City, I enjoyed reading about their little outings to different parts of the city. This was definitely a story of Elle’s emotional journey as much as her romantic one, which added a lot of depth to her character. I had many laugh-out-loud moments while reading, and it was such a quick and fun read that I almost want to start over and experience it all over again!

Such a cute book! Love the end pages with the map. Thank you to net Galley, publisher, and Alex Aster for allowing me to read before release!

Summer in the City by Alex Aster is the ultimate feel-good escape—sun-soaked, romantic, and full of heart. From the very first page, I was swept up into a glittering NYC summer that perfectly balances swoony romance, laugh-out-loud moments, and the kind of emotional depth that lingers long after the final chapter.

At its core, this story is about reinvention, self-discovery, and the magic that can happen when you step outside your comfort zone. The characters are vibrant and relatable, with a heroine you can’t help but root for as she chases her dreams (and maybe love) in the big city. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and the romantic tension is everything you'd want from a summer read—playful, intense, and full of butterflies.

Alex Aster writes with heart and humor, bringing the city to life in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters—walking the streets of Manhattan, dancing under the stars, and navigating the thrill of new possibilities.

If you're looking for a joyful, fast-paced romance with a smart heroine, dreamy love interests, and just the right amount of drama, Summer in the City is your perfect beach bag companion. Highly recommend for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Emily Henry, or anyone in the mood for a warm, sparkly escape.

I truly enjoy Aster's writing. Her character development is top tier, and the pace of her stories is steady and digestable. I was excited for Summer in the City because it is so different from her other books I've read. Different is the key word. I'm not obsessed with this story, but I appreciate it for what it is. It has "traditional" romance elements, but definitely not predictable. The FMC is pretty annoying while the MMC is endearing. There's a HEA, but it's hard fought. All in all, it is deserving of four stars.

Summer in the City was cute and breezy, but it didn’t totally blow me away.

Elle and Parker have solid banter and some fun tension, and I did enjoy the NYC vibes—especially the whole writer-struggling-in-a-fancy-apartment setup. It had that escapist, movie-montage feel. But honestly, the story felt pretty familiar, and I never fully clicked with either main character the way I wanted to.

Still, it was entertaining and quick to get through. I just wish it had dug a little deeper or surprised me more. Good for a light weekend read, but not one that’ll stick with me.

This book was so full of city vibes and heart warming lifestyle that I could not put it down! Super sweet but modern takes on love! I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would!

Summer in the City is a lighthearted romance that delivers on its promise of a fun, escapist read. While it may not offer groundbreaking storytelling, it provides an enjoyable experience for fans of contemporary romance. The book's charm lies in its setting and the chemistry between its leads, making it a suitable choice for readers looking for a breezy, feel-good romance.

BOOK REVIEW

Summer in the City by Alex Aster

Thank you William Morrow for the free (and gorgeous) finished copy and eARC of this book! It’s such a lovely edition.

SYNOPSIS: “Twenty-seven-year-old screenwriter Elle has the chance of a lifetime to write a big-budget movie set in New York City. The only problem? She’s had writer’s block for months, and her screenplay is due at the end of the summer.

In a desperate attempt at inspiration, Elle ends up back in the city she swore she would never return to, in an apartment she could never afford (floor-to-ceiling windows, skyline views, and a new coffee shop to haunt included). It’s the perfect place to write her screenplay…until she realizes her new neighbor is tech “Billionaire Bachelor” Parker Warren, her stairwell hookup from two years ago. It’s been a lovers-to-enemies situation ever since.

When seeing him again turns into a full night of hate-fueled writing, Elle realizes her enemy/twisted muse might just be the key to finishing her screenplay... if she can stand being around her polar opposite. She writes anonymously, and he’s on the cover of every business magazine. He frequents fancy red carpeted events, and she doesn’t like leaving her emotional support five block radius.

One summer. One wall apart. He needs to fake a buzzy relationship during his company’s precarious acquisition. She needs to write a movie around a list of NYC locations. Both need a break from their unrelenting schedules, and a chance to rediscover the skyscraper glimmering, pizza crusted, sunlit charms of the city.

Summers always end, and so will this agreement. It’s all pretend. Promise.

Until it isn’t.”

REVIEW: First, I want to commend Aster’s adult debut! Overall, it was a fun read and was very cute. If you’re looking for a somewhat fast, NYC romcom read for the summer, this is it.

This novel is a LOVE LETTER to NYC in the very best way. It made me look forward to walking the streets of New York this summer (and potentially visiting the locals mentions in the book)!

My main qualm with the book have more to do with me than the actual writing. I am not a fan of the billionaire romance trope, which, again, is a me thing. I wanted to love Parker because he was just so perfect, but the character’s tendency to throw money at every problem was a bit of an ick. That being said, I commend Aster’s character arc for Parker with shows him giving much of his fortune away to charity in the end.

After reading Summer in the City, I’m super intrigued by Aster’s voice, and look forward to picking up more of her books!

Publisher: William Morrow
Pub date: 3/25/25 – OUT NOW!!

It's giving...just the right amount of chaos. Elle is our snarky, slightly frazzled screenwriter FMC who’s so relatable I half expected her to meet her on my morning commute. She’s got writer’s block, a deadline looming like a thundercloud, and the brilliant idea to move into a swanky NYC apartment she absolutely cannot afford (like, same girl). Honestly who could blame her.

Enter our MMC, Parker Warren: billionaire (oh heck yes), tech genius, magazine cover model...and Elle’s one-time stairwell hookup turned sworn enemy (ENEMIES TO LOVERS ALERT).

Their banter? Electric. Their chemistry? Unbelievable. Their ability to *not* fall in love while fake-dating, coexisting across a paper-thin wall, and secretly inspiring each other? Absolutely nonexistent.

What I loved most was dynamic Elle and Parker's dynamic. She’s chaos in leggings and coffee-stained tees, he’s perfectly pressed and emotionally constipated (literally one of my fave combos). Watching them push each other’s buttons while slowly unraveling each other’s layers (and then some) is what I love to see in my romcoms.

Also: NYC is practically its own character (we all know I love when this happens). The list of iconic locations, late-night pizza runs, and subway mishaps will makes me want to pack a bag (believe it or not I've still never been to NYC).

It’s sharp, swoony, and laugh-out-loud funny. A perfect enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, “oops-we-caught-feelings” romance that’s impossible to put down. And yes — it’s all pretend… until it’s not. 😏

3.75 ⭐️ rounded to 4

Elle had a lot of baggage she needed to work through. She tended to be overdramatic and I groaned at her several times throughout the book.

but I also understood her hesitancy to love and open to people.

Parker really tried to do things to make her happy. He went out of his way and I thought the things he did were the sweetest.

I wish Elle could've been a little less dramatic/whiney.

otherwise, I enjoyed the book enough.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Summer in the City is a fun, flirty summer rom-com that brings NYC to life in the best way—like it’s a character of its own. Elle and Parker’s banter had me giggling, blushing, and occasionally yelling at my headphones. If a billionaire romance isn’t a little over-the-top, what’s the point? This one leans into the charm, giving major early 2000s rom-com vibes. It’s light, swoony, and easy to fall into—definitely a new comfort listen.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Listener Copy!

I loved this book! I’m a big fan of romances that take place in NYC!

It was a fast-paced romance between Elle and Parker. Elle is an anonymous screenwriter and Parker is a tech CEO/billionaire. It was a delightful mix of witty banter, sizzling chemistry, enemies to lovers and the fake dating trope. NYC was a character in of itself with Elle and Parker going to iconic places and exploring the city. I loved every minute of it! It was such a refreshing read with a touch of spice and whole lot of heart.

This enemies-to-lovers romance has you on the edge of your seat purely due to the fire between Ellie and Parker! Ellie is a 27-year-old screenwriter who has been suffering from writer's block for months - she has a huge opportunity to write for a movie in NYC, so naturally, she takes the job and will worry about the writer's block later! Ellie moves into her New York City apartment and discovers that her new neighbor is a one-night stand she had two years ago. While Ellie and Parker cannot stand each other, she uses this newfound fire under her to break the writer's block. Ellie and Parker enter a fake dating scenario in which Ellie learns NYC from the view of a Billionaire and Parker gets to show off her fake girlfriend to his new bosses. I love a fake dating romance, and this did not disappoint! Thank you for the e-arc!

Summer in the City was such a fun and easy read, perfect for the summer, and perfect for the people looking for a digestable romcom! Now, the issue I have with this book mainly relies on the FMC, Elle. Elle was a little too much for my tastes and at times I felt like she was insufferable. Parker on the other hand was a gem! A man truly written by a woman I kept reading just for glimpses of him. That being said, I thought the third act breakup was kind of abrupt? It seems like I have a lot of negatives to say but I still really enjoyed it. I thought it was good for a debut into the contemporary genre and I look forward to see what Alex Aster does next.

4 stars

This was such a fun, fast-paced read! I picked it up looking for something light and summery, and it totally delivered. The NYC setting was super vibrant and made me want to hop on a plane immediately. I liked the mix of romance, self-discovery, and drama—it felt like a bingeable rom-com in book form.

Some of the character choices had me raising an eyebrow, but honestly, I was too entertained to care much. If you're in the mood for a feel-good story with heart and a little sparkle, this one's a great pick. Perfect for poolside reading or escaping into a glamorous summer for a few hours.