Thank you to NetGalley and the William Morrow publishing team for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Summer in the City by Alex Aster was an absolute delight! This book had everything I love in a romcom—fake dating, witty banter, and laugh-out-loud moments that had me fully immersed from start to finish. Elle, a screenwriter, and Parker, a tech genius, had such fun and engaging interactions that made their chemistry shine. Alex Aster’s writing is full of vivid descriptions that brought every scene to life, and I found myself completely invested in Elle’s journey as she worked on her screenplay.

The romance was heartfelt and perfectly paced, and I loved how it balanced humor with moments of real emotion. This story had me smiling, gasping, and kicking my feet with all its swoon-worthy moments. Parker quickly became a favorite, and I adored watching Elle embrace happiness in the most heartwarming way. The humor, the romance, and the overall charm of this book made it stand out—it’s my favorite romance read of the year so far! I feel like I cannot say enough good things about this book. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone who loves a feel-good, romcom-style love story.

I have so many mixed feelings about this book. The book started out with the most irritatingly stereotypical New York things possible, like the Central Park fountain and the Highline… like seriously? But I really appreciated the pizza tour, visit to the Cloisters, and the full walk of Manhattan, including a stop at one of my favorites, The Smith! I ADORE Parker. He has such a good heart. Elle drove me insane. As well as the never-ending third act breakups. While I think I can understand how Elle’s past shaped her and her decisions, I did not appreciate how she treated Parker. But ultimately, I was rooting for Elle and Parker and the book had the NYC magic I needed. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to get this ARC, so excited I finished it before Valentine’s Day because it just felt right!

I could not put it down. I loved Elle being this anonymous recluse and Parker this billionaire tech guy. They were complete opposite but man was Parker relentless in the sweetest most out of touch ways. It was quite laughable. But in the end he truly pulled her out of her shell and they just worked.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating
Spice Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Synopsis: Screenwriter Elle is grappling with a major case of writer’s block and a looming deadline for a big-budget movie set in New York City. Desperate for inspiration, she reluctantly returns to the city she despises, only to discover that her new neighbor is Parker Warren—a tech billionaire and her former stairwell hookup from two years ago. Their initial animosity evolves into a mutually beneficial arrangement: Elle uses Parker as her muse, while Parker enlists Elle to pose as his girlfriend during a crucial company acquisition. As they navigate their fake relationship, the lines between pretense and genuine feelings begin to blur.

Thoughts: This is take on the enemies-to-lovers and fake dating tropes, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City is what dreams are made of. The chemistry between Elle and Parker is palpable, and their witty banter adds a delightful spark to the story. I was all in on this story until the third act break up - this felt a bit “meh” for me. Also, she had such animosity towards her dad, but then the storyline never circled back even after what he did.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for a free ARC for my honest opinion.

If @alexaster has no fans, then I’m dead.

Summer in the City was everything—I picked it up and could not put it down for a second. The chemistry? 🔥 The banter? On point. The NYC vibes? Perfection. Elle was such a relatable main character that it honestly felt like I was in the book, living her chaotic, coffee-fueled, writer-blocked life. And Parker? The perfect mix of infuriating and irresistible.

Enemies-to-lovers with forced proximity and a fake relationship? Say less. The tension, the longing, the this-is-just-an-agreement-no-feelings-involved denial—every second of it was gold. Plus, the way New York City itself felt like a character in the story made it even better. 🗽🍎

If you love fast-paced rom-coms with sharp wit, steamy moments, and a whole lot of heart, Summer in the City is an absolute must-read.

Huge thank you to @netgalley, @alexaster, and @williammorrow for the ARC!!

The first book I picked up by Alex Aster since I have not heard the best things about her precious work- and this being an adult novel, I was excited. I ate this book up so fast but it felt a little ridiculous and cringy. The ending sealed the deal with only a three-star rating. I also did not like the FMC at all which is one of the most important parts of reading a novel.

First of all thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Alex Aster for the free E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a 3.5-4 ⭐️ and a mild-moderately 🌶️🌶️🌶️ book. The flow of the story is fast! I devoured it in less than 24 hours fast. I did find the character insta love flat. Elle, hates this man for an assumption years ago and we later find out that it is deeper than that, but to instantly love bomb each other after 3 months is a bit much. Also the plot gears more to sex in the end after a slow burn. This is a forced proximity, fake dating contemporary romance. Not bad, sort of cliche and cheesy. Definitely a book to try if you enjoy contemporary romance with a bit of spice.

Summer in the City by Alex Aster was an enjoyable read, especially in the beginning and middle. The first third of the book had me hooked, and I was genuinely having a good time with the story. NYC felt like the perfect backdrop for a summer romance for our Anonymous Screen Writer, Elle, and our Billionaire Tech CEO, Parker.

For me, the middle of the book was the highlight. Everything was going smoothly, Elle was coming out of her shell, and the dates that Elle and Parker went on were super cute. Parker really pays attention to detail, which certainly worked in his favor a couple of times. Their story was building toward something, but with half the book left, I knew something had to happen.

That something was the ending, which didn't quite live up to the promise of the earlier parts of the book. Without giving too much away, I felt like the conclusion didn’t resonate with the same energy and charm that made the rest of the story enjoyable. There was also an unresolved plot hole that seemed like it was a big deal for Elle as a character but never got a solid conclusion.

Overall, Summer in the City is a light, fun read that’s great if you’re looking for a quick, feel-good, billionaire, summer romance. This is technically an enemies-to-lovers trope, but it was really only one-sided and he definitely falls first. There is spice, with one scene kind of being thrown in there just for the sake of it. While it may not have completely lived up to its potential for me, it still offers a good time for readers looking for a breezy escape.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Alex Aster for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Some parts of this story are really fun. The NYC setting is vivid and delightful. I love the way Alex Aster writes all the little touches and glances. The connection between the couple felt so real, and particularly in the last few chapters. The chemistry was so there. The side characters were great. I liked how the main characters spent time apart to figure their stuff out.

But today I learned that I have too much eat the rich mentality to enjoy a billionaire romance. I’ve never tried one before and probably won’t again. I ultimately just don’t think they should exist, they’re bad for the planet and humanity in really concrete ways, and so I have trouble giving into the fantasy.

Ultimately, even though Parker seemed like a sweetie (albeit a fairly one-dimensional one), his actions for most of the book, and especially their first meeting, were just not it for me. Solving all problems with money, lovebombing-adjacent behavior, controlling everything, etc. I had a full-body cringe when he offered to buy the newspaper whose reporting was harmful to Elle. Rich tech dudes using their money to get absolutely whatever they want is not the vibe in 2025. It seemed like he sort of started to turn things around at the very end, but I wish we had seen more of that evolution, in a more convincing way.

I received the ARC yesterday afternoon and soon as I got off work I started reading it and it’s save to say I did not move from my bed until 11:00pm when I finished the book ! It was so beautifully written, genuinely such a fluffy and cute romance but still had a lot of substance. It felt like a grumpy/sunshine situation but reversed and I could not help but smile and giggle while I was reading it! There were definitely some sad moments throughout the book that had me questioning if I wanted to throw it against the wall but the stubborn latin community and mindset was beautifully represented and as a Cuban it really did help me connect even more with the character. Elle is not your typical annoying FMC in romance where they’re a delicate little flower that needs to be protected, she’s a strong woman who’s been through a lot and had to show up for herself every step of the way because she always felt like that was the only path so seeing her fall in love and realize it’s ok to lean on others and that she doesn’t have to do it all alone regardless if she’s more than capable to do so was just perfect. I hope everyone else gets to enjoy this book as much as I did.

Such a cute romance with some twists that felt fresh. At first I didn't feel the emotional depth of the characters I expected but it's because Elle starts out emotionally stunted and throughout the story you find out why and it does get there. It's a trust the process type story. It made it that much more rewarded. I thought it was well written and fast paced. There's some spice and a hate-mance blossoming. If you love a hate to love story, this is for you.

Ahhh this was such a fun read!!!! Alex knocked it out of the park with her first adult rom com. I laughed, I cried & I raged every time Elle pushed Parker away again. I’m dying for a spin off with Penelope and her adventures.

My friend @addie.yoder rated 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 (pub 03.25) highly, so that was enough of a push for me to read it. She’s really been coming in clutch with great book recs lately. Thanks friend! And to @williammorrowbooks for the early copy. It was excellent.

𝗪𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝗪:
Author’s romance debut.
Got me out of a reading slog.
NYC setting.
Billionaire romance.
Neighbors.
Compulsively readable.
Late 90s and early 2000s rom-com movie vibes
🍆🍆+ steam level

There are some books that paint the stories they contain so vividly that they suck you in as if you're watching your favorite movie. For me, Summer in the City was one of those books. Elle and Parker were two people looking for inspiration, and I truly love that they slowly found it in each other. Elle is a screenwriter who's facing an intense block, but that changes after she runs into a man she thought she'd never see again. A man who, two years prior, sparked anger and lust filled passion in her within mere minutes of meeting. A man who she'd left in a stairwell and in the depths of her mind, until he became her neighbor in the city she vowed to never step foot in again. Contracted to write a screenplay about the beauty of said city, Elle goes searching for inspiration, and finds it in the man who may be more than what her initial assumptions told her.

Summer in the City was an amazing contemporary romance debut! I had fun watching Elle and Parker's adventures throughout the summer, and even more fun watching them fall for each other as they let their guards down. This book felt equal parts nostalgic and fresh in its storytelling, and I'm interested in seeing how that further develops in Alex's future romances.

Adored this book! I loved Elle. I loved Parker. It was a love story between them but also to NYC. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author as it was a first for me.

Thank you so much to William Morrow for an early copy of this amazing book!
UM IS THIS MY FIRST FIVE STAR ROMANCE OF THE YEAR!?!?! ABSOLUTELY!!! Apparently Alex Aster can do no wrong because the queen of YA romantasy can also write a BANGER of an adult romance debut! 🤩 I'm absolutely obsessed with this book! I have not had a romance book pull me in and not let me go like this in a WHILE! 👀 I didn't want to stop reading this book and the way that it played out felt like the perfect 2000's rom com movie that you watch over and over again. I feel like I just finished this book and I already want to read it again! 🥹
Summer in the City has a complex plot filled with enemies to lovers and fake dating vibes (which are my two favorite tropes 🫶) and starts out with all the cute romcom vibes but as your read more, the book gains a little more depth and complexity. I really loved this approach because sometimes when romance books start out with the characters trauma and grief, it feels less like the hopeful, sweet, romcoms that I love BUT the way this book lets the characters open up to each other (and the readers) as their relationship develops, it lets the book have an interesting growth and still has a lighthearted vibe!💞 I really loved the billionaire playboy, Parker (MMC), and homebody screenwriter, Elle (FMC), combo! They create a lot of balance and are SO sweet and there are some really poignant sentiments that I'm obsessed with!
I need another book like this by Alex Aster STAT!💖

I was really looking forward to this book because I know the author has gotten such high praise for her fantasy series; but ugh this was not for me. First, I really don't like when books are advertised as enemies to lovers, when they are not actually enemies... having one drunk argument does not make you enemies...but then, two years later, they're reunited and are willing to fake date? I personally wouldn't be... I couldn't connect with the characters or the story. Again, not for me.. I;m sorry!!

I am not a romance fan but this book is an exception to that rule. It was entertaining all the way through. I thought the characters were well developed and I found myself smiling more than i thought I would.

I have heard so much praise for Alex Aster’s fantasy series that I was excited to see she was also writing a New York City billionaire romance!
I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I just didn’t quite get there. The writing felt a bit off and I never felt fully engaged in the story, no matter how much I liked the setting. It’s also hard for me to enjoy any book when I don’t click with the main character. Maybe it was more of a timing issue for me, coming off a long line of Fantasy reading. I might try to give her other works a chance down the line.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the perfect summer read and made me want to go to New York ASAP! Summer in the City is an enemies to lovers x billionaire romance and the spice does not disappoint!