“There’s something peaceful about walking around a bookstore, knowing endless worlds are waiting to be discovered. Knowing there’s always an escape, if we need it.”

This book was so beautiful. It truly reminded us that sometimes we truly cannot judge someone based on what it seems or looks like. We are all multi layered.

This book truly took me back to my trip in NYC. This book was wonderful about making you feel there or making you feel like it’s a trip you already took.

I did find that about midway through to about 90% point of the book i felt that it dragged out quite a bit. I was losing steam. Our fmc was pissing me off with the going back and forth over and over again.

Our mmc was so lovable, but our couple truly needed better communication.

Overall, a beautiful story - character growth development. This book even got a few tears and laughs out of me.

That should be all for now, I must find me a slice of pizza after all that reading 😊🫶🏻

2.5 stars, rounding up to 3.

This could maybe make a cute Netflix romcom or something if some character work is done? I don’t know. I just know that I resent the internalized misogyny that comes with female main characters so often being disliked but…..

I couldn’t with the FMC in this book and honestly, it ruined the entire book for me.

I love women. Men? I can take them or leave them. Yet, I somehow found myself only liking the billionaire MMC. And that’s saying a lot because- liking a billionaire? In this economy??

The likable and sweet, devoted billionaire was still more believable than the FMC.

The FMC just felt very unrelatable (which isn’t always a bad thing) but unrelatable in a sense that is out of touch and unrealistic.

This is Alex’s first adult book and I believe her first contemporary romance? So I’ll still give her a try in the future but this book just wasn’t for me.

I appreciated receiving this as an ARC from William Morrow and NetGalley.

One praise I will give is that cover art is super cute. I’ve spotted the book out in the wild and thought the various editions looked cute too.

I did not review this book on socials as I do not leave negative reviews on social media. My only review is on NetGalley and on Goodreads.

I really enjoyed this book! It transported me to NYC in the summer. It was fun. It gives us grumpy/sunshine, billionare boyfriend, forced proximity, and fake dating. I enjoyed the banter and I think it would make for the perfect summer beach read! What more could you want?

I honestly went into this book with lower expectations, because of the mixed reviews, but I am so happy that I fell into the 'like' category this time. Yes, some things are a little over the top or unrealistic, but I didn't mind it and go into these books expecting that. It's part of what makes it fun for me. If you've had this one on your radar, I'd strongly encourage you to check it out. Hopefully you'll like it too!

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

A few weeks ago, I was escaping the city rain and ducked into the closest Barnes & Noble. On the front table sat the most beautiful edition of this book—taxi-covered sprayed edges, perfect endpapers, the whole thing. Honestly, this specific edition was the only reason I actually followed through on reading it. It was a quick read but I still expected more. I love books with relatable characters and Elle didn’t do it for me. She came off a bit snobby. Once again, I did this to myself. Lesson learned: no more romance for a while.

I really loved this! The slow burn and tension between Elle and Parker kept me flipping the pages. And I felt like I was touring New York with them. Alex Aster's done a great job switching genres.

This was on, started off really well but the second half dragged quite a bit and seemed to lose steam. I think it was kind of a letdown sadly.

This was a cute rom com about a billionaire that falls in love with a screen writer - but she wants a just for the summer romance

This was sweet, messy, and had just the right amount of tension to keep me hooked. I rolled my eyes at some parts, but in the best way—because I was rooting for these two the whole time. If you’re in the mood for something dramatic but cozy, this hits the spot.

I loved this! Fun read with an added bonus of hopping around New York. I liked the FMC and her need to stand on her own two feet. The spice was such an added bonus as well. I will for sure be recommending this book to my friends!

Absolutely devoured this book! Enemies to lovers? Slow burn? New York City Rom Com vibes? Sign. Me. Up.

Alex Aster writing a cute romance novel? Heck yes! I loved it, I loved it SO MUCH! I haven’t read her lightlark series yet but I will be going to do that immediately just for more of her writing

3.5/5 stars

I want to thank Netgalley and William Morrow for an e galley in exchange for an honest review of this book!

I really did enjoy this book a lot it had all the ingredients of a enemies to lovers romance novel behind a new york city backdrop and was 100 percent up my ally. I just think that the ending really made this book less enjoyable for me!

The FMC Elle annoyed me at times like if a man bought my favorite cafe just so that they would continue to make my favorite scone I would have dropped on my knees right then and there! Parker is my number ONE book boyfriend I am obsessed with him and everything he has done in this novel! he is perfect

This is a cute read for the beach and i definitely recommend it to anybody who loves romance novels set in new york city! perfect for summer! i do want to see alex aster dive deeper into the romance genre cus this was really good for a debut romance and I am excited to see what else the future holds for her!

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!

“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.