Alex Aster can very much write more than YA fantasy! I had to try out Summer in the City the second I saw it because I wanted to see how she did with a cutesy little romance compared to a fantasy novel, and she did not disappoint! Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn, and witty banter done extremely well. This is a must read summer rom-com for 2025! If I'm not wavering between crying and laughing out loud, then it's not gonna be a 4 or 5 star read for me. Summer in the City had me doing both, as well as everything in between! Kicking my feet and yelling at the characters included. The only negative thing I have to say about this is Elle kind of came off a tad bit too whiney for me, but so many FMC's these days get "drama queen" and "immature" labels from me. So it's not just this one. Overall I had a really good time reading this, and am definitely looking forward to seeing what Aster comes up with next!

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from Netgalley. This review is honest, unbiased, and completely my own.

Summer in the City by Alex Aster is they story of Elle, an anonymous screenwriter living in Manhattan for the summer, as she navigates the city she has committed to hate. She runs into Parker, a tech billionaire who had propositioned Elle once in a stairwell, and through her hatred of him manages to produce some truly terrific writing for her next screenplay. Each of them having their own reasons, they agree to fake-date for the summer, but will that be enough time to realize that maybe the other person isn’t who they initially seemed to be?

It has been awhile since I have read a contemporary romance, and Alex Aster hit it out of the park for me with this one. I loved it. She is a master at setting up the scenes in the story and making me feel like I am walking alongside the characters as they explore New York. The relationship between the main characters is believable without being overdone and there are surprises along the way that absolutely kept my attention. I lived vicariously through the characters and their lavish lifestyles and truly enjoyed what it must feel like to live in Manhattan. This is the first book I have read by this author and it will in no way be my last! Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

4.5 ⭐️

Summer in the City by Alex Aster follows the story of Elle, an anonymous screenwriter grappling with a severe case of writer’s block, and Parker, her wealthy billionaire neighbor, and her enemy from the past. Elle’s creativity is stifled until she realizes that the one thing fueling her inspiration is her complicated relationship with Parker. In an attempt to help her break through the writer’s block, Parker proposes a deal: he will help Elle experience everything on her NYC bucket list, visiting all the places she’s incorporated into her screenplay, and in return, Elle will agree to fake date him for the sake of his public image.

I couldn’t put this book down—I devoured it in one sitting, to the point of ignoring all my responsibilities just to finish. The pacing was perfect; there wasn’t a single moment where the plot felt slow or dragged on. The chemistry between Elle and Parker was electric, and their witty banter kept me eagerly turning the pages, always looking forward to their next encounter.

If I had one critique, it would be that Elle’s reluctance to accept Parker’s gifts became a bit repetitive. She seemed to take one step forward and two steps back whenever Parker tried to spoil her or offer support. While I could understand her hesitation at times, it eventually became frustrating as she kept pushing him away, even when he was clearly doing everything out of genuine care. The emotional climax at the end was especially maddening for me; Parker’s intentions were so pure, and Elle’s overreaction to his kindness felt disproportionate. Despite this, the book overall was fantastic, and I’m totally obsessed with it. It’s a fun, heartfelt read that will have you flying through the pages.

4.5 | i love this but unfortunately its not a 5 star read as there are a few (really just 2) things i dislike about it. one, the smut. i strongly dislike smut and there are 4 smut scenes. two, the way elle (the fmc) acts towards parker (the mmc) during certain scenes.

this book felt like an adventure while reading, i felt like i was in nyc with the characters and all the other places they went. i cried when we were given elle’s family background and i cried even more when i remembered that i was judging her for acting out when it was actually very valid! (im so sorry 😔) while reading this i could imagine it so perfectly to the point where it became a movie in my head. i wish all books were like that for me, sighhhh. but overall this book is lovely and i cant wait to have a physical copy in my hands on release day!!

What a cute summer read! The author really captured what it feels like to be in the city for the summer. NYC is such a magical place and it feels like anything is possible there. I loved seeing it through these characters eyes. Their adventures made my heart soar! It was great for a lighthearted read. I really liked the backstory about Elle’s mom and Elle’s character development through that.

Abby Jimenez posted a rave review of Summer in the City and I trust her recommendations implicitly so this was immediately moved to the very top of my TBR. I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint. It's an enemies to lovers/fake relationship story about a screenwriter and tech CEO who agree to pretend to be a couple for the summer for their own career related reasons. It's certainly not a new premise but Alex Aster did a great job making it feel original. Elle and Parker had great chemistry but I think the NYC setting was what really did it for me. There was so much accurate detail of everything from pizza shops, to brunch spots, to parks and, having lived in the city, I could picture all the things. Maybe someone without a NYC connection wouldn't be quite as charmed but there is undoubtedly a lot of good stuff here. It looks like this is Aster's first book in the romance genre so that makes it all the more impressive.

posted to goodreads

I liked the writing and the banter in this book. I feel like the story flowed and I really enjoy Alex's writing style. I liked the show of what money can and cannot buy, and how we need to build relationships with those we care about.

It is difficult to give more feedback without writing spoilers, but I will try my best.

I felt like Elle was a very self-righteous character that did everything possible to push Parker away. It made no sense from the beginning why he was so enthralled with her. I felt like she literally didn't have any redeeming qualities. At least not enough that he should be so smitten.

I liked Parker as a character but, man he just let her walk all over him and lecture him and he was basically like "do it again". He did over the top romantic gestures and she only saw them as a moral failing and didn't even try to see that he really wanted to make her happy. She was even outright rude about it sometimes. Even toward the end of the book I felt like he started acting completely out of character to what had been building.

There are a couple of specific things that I think should be completely taken out of the book but it would definitely be spoilers.

4⭐️
This story has some of the typical things in romance books: enemies to lovers, fake dating, millionaires (or in this case billionaire?), girl trope and spice.
I laughed so hard in some scenes, and the way she describes New York made me want to visit ASAP.
It was a very easy quick read, the reasons I didn’t feel like giving it 5 stars is because I didn’t connect with Elle, she was too defensive and Parker was the sweetest man but still he had to work very HARD to prove himself to her. He literally spent money in a way that made it feel too much.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing me this digital copy in exchange for my honest review

Such a fun and easy read! Loved the characters, the banter, the tension and always, a true enemy to lovers/ second chance romance plot. Also, was a big fan of the gorgeous, eye-catching cover.

Summer in the City by Alex Aster is a breezy, easy read that perfectly captures the vibrant energy of a summer spent in an unforgettable city. While it’s not a groundbreaking story, it has its charm and delivers on its promise of lighthearted fun.

The characters are likable enough, but they felt a little too cookie-cutter at times. The romance had its sweet moments, though it didn’t always feel as electric as the setting itself. What really shined for me was the atmosphere—Aster paints the city in a way that makes you want to pack your bags and dive right into the streets, sights, and sounds she describes so vividly.

If you’re in the mood for a light, summery escape without too much emotional investment, this is a solid pick. Just don’t expect it to leave a lasting impression.

Elle and Parker bring alllllll the late 90s and early 2000s rom-com movie vibes you could ever ask for. 🎬

Elle’s an anonymous screenwriter chasing her big break, and when she unexpectedly crosses paths with tech billionaire Parker at one of his parties, the tension is off the charts until a miscommunication happens. She clings to that grudge…until fate throws them back together two years later. Now, Parker needs a fake girlfriend to keep the press at bay, and Elle could use a NYC tour guide to help inspire her new script. Cue the swoony moments and classic New York adventures for these fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers! Think iconic rom-com vibes with NYC landmarks that’ll make you fall in love with the city all over again. 🚕

But there’s more to this story than swoony moments and lighthearted laughs. Aster beautifully explores how grief can shape our lives and sometimes keeps us from finding happiness. This part of the narrative was so deeply moving. 💔

I couldn’t put this book down! With a fast-paced, 304-page plot full of laugh-out-loud moments, it’s the perfect summer romance read. Add it to your TBR for March 2025 if you’re craving a feel-good, big-hearted rom-com that’ll make you want to visit NYC—and then rewatch all your favorite rom-com movie classics! ❤️

I would like to thank Net Galley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I am a sucker for rom coms. There, I've said it! I know all of the well used tropes by heart, and still like to read them. There is often something else hiding in the story , and it is fun to find the little hidden sidelight , or character trait. I liked this book. It was a bit far fetched, even for rom coms, but it was fun. It reminded me of Pretty Woman a little, although the main female character was a screenwriter and fairly self sufficient. The "billionaire bachelor" who is used to buying what he wants, was very much in the mold of Richard Gere's character in the movie. So the plot is that Elle is a screenwriter in LA. She used to live in NY , and hates it. Warren Parker is the head of a tech company that is about to be sold for billions. Elle needs to spend the summer in NY for 2 reasons- one she is writing a screenplay that is set in NY and needs to see the locations, and 2 her sister needs her to stay in her apartment while it is being renovated. A few years ago, on the night before Elle was moving to LA, she went to a club and met a hot guy. They started to make out in the stairwell until he totally turned her off by bragging about how much money he had. She has hated him ever since. His name is Warren Parker and he is about to make a lot more money selling his company. As Elle goes into her sisters apartment, she finds put that the other apartment on her floor belongs to Warren Parker. I know, we can see where this is going, but it has more than the usual rom com twists and turns. Warren remembers her, and wants to spend the summer "fake dating". He needs to have his picture in the papers for something other than the acquisition of his company. Elle needs to write her screenplay. She has had writers block , but starts writing again after seeing Warren. That is the bare bones. There is a lot of backstory for Elle, about her life, her sister, her mother( who passed away a few years ago)and her father who has largely been absent from her life. Warren is complicated as well.There is a lot more to the story than meets the eye at first glance. I was totally involved from the get go. It is a rom com, and a beach read.And if you like these types of books, you will like this one!

I loved this book!! I laughed out loud several times. Parker is dreamy and Elle is so relatable.

Sometimes Elle would make snide comments about Parker’s money, but learning her past really made sense of things.

A successful screenwriter struggling with writer's block must pen a block buster NYC romcom by the end of the summer. Her billionaire neighbor and "enemy" lives next door. They fake date.

Listen. I despise Alex Aster's other works. However, I've been trying new things, being open to changes and admitting when I was wrong about things. And maybe it's the socio-political climate right now. Maybe I read this at the wrong time in American history. Maybe I'm just jaded and not as open as I anticipated. This was a hard read.

Following two multi millionaires (one of whom is actually a billionaire I think?) who live in penthouses and own multiple properties and can buy anything (and anyone!!!!) with zero thought- this was not fun to read at a time like this.

Is that Alex Aster's fault? Not really I guess, but it felt incredibly out of touch and missed the mark for me. I'm not super well versed in billionaire romances though, so maybe that's why I didn't receive this book well. Beyond the money, the main character had some dimension, but the love interest had barely any depth. I enjoyed the romance every now and then, and thought this was a fun premise overall, just not for me.

Thank you to Alex Aster, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the ARC xx

We love a man who is down bad, and Parker absolutely is for Elle. And rightfully so! But darn if she doesn’t have to make everything so darn difficult. I got sucked into this story and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Alex Aster wrote an adult enemies to lover rom-com and absolutely crushed it!

It's about a tech CEO and a screenwriter who are spending the summer in NYC. It has everything you could ask for from a billionaire romance - banter, fake dating, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and, of course, over the top displays of affection.

Elle is such a relatable FMC. She would rather stay home alone in comfy clothes than make plans. However, we get to see her growth throughout the story. She puts herself out there, trying new things. Elle strives to be a strong, independent woman who wants to make her own way in the world.

Parker is a billionaire who, at first glance, seems to get everything he wants. When in reality, he's actually super sweet. He understands Elle and cares about what she cares about. Parker also pushes her in a good way. I loved that he wasn't greedy with his money. He was down to earth and always willing to help.

The last 30 percent was perfect! I felt so many different emotions and couldn't stop reading until the end. You could really see Alex's love for the city in her writing, which made it that much better to read.

I really didn't enjoy my time with this one. The characters felt unidimensional and the romance was boring the whole time. I paused it for a few days and read something else, worried that it was a timing problem, but I never connected with the cast or the story.

Overall rating: 2 stars
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Pub Date Mar 25 2025

Thank you to the author, William Morrow and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Definitely already a favorite of 2025 and an immediate need on my physical books shelf. I am so glad this book is so pretty!
I loved this story and felt like for a contemporary romance, this was above any expectations I had. There were plot points that were so well written and developed throughout the story.
I loved that Elle stayed herself, no matter what, and even if it hurt. She made decisions that were true to her character, history, and development. Parker was a fantastic book boyfriend.

I freakin LOVED this book! I first want to say it was so refreshing that pet names weren’t overly used in this book. The couple “sweethearts” were perfection. I love that this was a 3 act love story in the making much like Elle’s script writing. I laughed at the banter between the characters. Sure the romance gestures were a bit over the top but I.ate.it.up! This contemporary adult romance gave me everything I needed. I love that we got girls girl friendships, family love, there were some surprise twists I didn’t see coming. I hope we get more adult contemporary romance from Alex in the future!

Yesss! A breezy, charming novel that captures the chaos of a summer spent chasing dreams in the heart of New York City.

The charm of the characters and the overall vibe more than make up for it. If you’re looking for a joyful, escapist read, Summer in the City is the perfect pick.

Rating: 4/5
Recommendation: Great for fans of contemporary fiction with a mix of romance, friendship, and big-city adventures.