I would like to thank St. Matin's Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I used to think that I loved all romances with an Italian setting. Turns out I was wrong. I don't hate this book, or even dislike it-I just didn't care about the main characters. Ellie is a psychologist who has a sports talk show. Until she makes a major on air mistake.Cris is an international swimmer, who took an illegal ( performance enhancing)substance and retired( or retired then took the substance-it was murky). Their families were close friends and even now , they ae going to Italy for a wedding between his grandfather and her grandmother.Ellie and Cris had a moment some years back, but are not together now.The whole book is based on this. It is not spelled out until late in the story as to just what happened, but it is the miscommunication /second chance storyline.I like these storylines generally, but this one is awash in a lot of other plot lines. I feel like it was someone checking off plots-second chance-yes, romantic setting yes, autism diagnosis yes( and this was poorly handled), gay relatives yes, parents long term marriage in crisis, yes. It all seemed perfunctory . I just didn't care about the characters or the story.

This was a 3.5 star read for me. It was ok, but not great. I think the premise is cute, but it wasn’t executed in the right ways. First of all, it was pretty long for a romance. It could have been wrapped up much faster and had the same, if not more, or an impact. We start with a large chunk of the book in New York and then end with a big chunk in Mew York, but the main story is happening in Italy. I think the times in New York could have been cut in half. I also think the dialogue is a little juvenile and awkward. There were some cute moments, mostly being in Italy, but it feels stale the longer we are with these characters.

I can't recommend it enough! I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down, I finished it in a couple of days!

The Summer You Were Mine gave me all the bittersweet, nostalgic feels in the best way. From the very first chapter, I could feel that mix of summer heat, old memories, and the kind of heartbreak that never really leaves you. It’s a second-chance romance, but it’s also about growing up, letting go, and figuring out who you are outside of someone else’s expectations.

I loved the tension between the past and present. It felt so real. The characters felt like people I’d actually know, and their emotions hit hard without ever feeling overdone. There’s love, loss, and a whole lot of what-ifs that had me totally invested.

If you’re into emotional reads with strong characters, small-town vibes, and a love story that feels earned, The Summer You Were Mine is absolutely worth diving into. It’s one of those books that quietly sticks with you.

The Summer You Were Mine had a great concept and all the ingredients for a fun summer read, but for me, it fell a bit flat. I really liked the characters and enjoyed the current-day storyline—watching Ellie and Chris go from cold and distant to flirty and sexy was entertaining and well done. Plus, the setting in the Italian Riviera was a wonderful touch; as someone with Italian heritage, I appreciated the glimpses of language, culture, and delicious food throughout the book.

That said, the past relationship between Ellie and Chris, which is supposed to be so deep and passionate, felt underdeveloped. The whole falling out was based on a single kiss under a ping pong table, which didn’t quite convince me of the heartbreak that kept them apart for years. Similarly, Ellie’s autism is mentioned frequently, but I never got a real sense of how it impacts her daily life or why she sought a diagnosis—it felt glossed over. Chris’s grief over his father’s death was also touched on briefly, but not explored enough to add emotional weight.

Honestly, if the story had focused more on the present and less on the underdeveloped backstory, I think I would have enjoyed it even more. It had all the bones of a great summer read but didn’t fully come together for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Jill Francis for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this story! I rated this book 3 stars, making it an okay read for me, but nothing that stands out in my mind. Here are more details for what I liked and what fell a bit flat for me:

What I liked:
- The writing style was so fun and I loved the lush descriptions of people, situations, and settings.
- The setting was gorgeous and I loved being transported to Italy! As someone who spent a year there, it was very reminiscent and felt authentic. My knowledge of Italian was also very helpful for understanding the italian words and phrases included, but the inclusion wasn’t heavy enough that someone without that pre-existing knowledge of Italian would be confused (i.e., they’d still understand and hopefully find it a fun inclusion!)
- The autism representation in the FMC
- Main characters with flaws. Both Cris and Ellie were written with flaws that made them feel like real people. They weren’t written to perfection which I appreciate.
- I loved the funny side characters with their added wit such as Graziella and Ben!

What fell flat for me:
- I wish there would have been more background and depth provided on Ellie’s autism diagnosis and how it affects her daily. We almost got there but I just wish we got a little more.
- I found the history between Cris and Ellie to be hard to understand. Maybe I just missed it while reading but I feel like it got touched on without ever receiving a clear reason for why they fell apart which led to me feeling confused and wanting for more detail for the rest of the book. This made the relationship between Cris and Ellie felt a bit insta-lovey and I just wish I had a better understanding because it would’ve made the progression of their relationship feel more real. I also am not a huge fan of miscommunication being one of the main factors to move the story forward, and felt like that was all Ellie and Cris had as a main conflict.
- I felt there was limited character growth for both Ellie and Cris by the end. They felt very much similar to how they felt at the beginning of the book and I just didn’t see growth in their characters.
- I didn’t quite understand Ellie’s job for the first chunk of the book, but did understand it by the end, I just remember being confused initially.
- The book just didn’t capture my attention at many points, leading to me getting bored and putting it down.

Overall, this book was an okay read, I’m giving it 3 stars because it was enjoyable enough that I finished it and wanted to continue, but I did find that parts of the story felt slow and fell flat for me. This book could be a 5 stars for another reader though, it just wasn’t a favorite for me.

My review on GoodReads and Fable was posted on 6/8/2025.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read *The Summer You Were Mine*!

To be honest, I had to DNF this book at 62%. It wasn't that I wasn't enjoying it; I just didn't feel invested. The chapters felt quite lengthy, making the story seem endless. I appreciated the Autism representation through the main character, but it often felt awkwardly introduced rather than seamlessly integrated. While I adored the setting, the use of another language was a bit confusing at times

swoony and fun romance. really well set up and with vgreat character building. 5 stars. tysm for the arc. would recommend.

A sweet summer in Italy romance! It has more substance than most summer reads and brings in all the beauty and fun of the Italian coast.

The Summer You Were Mine is an excellent book and a fun read. You can't beat the setting - Chiavari, a small village on the the Italian coast - a bright. sunny village by the sea. Perfect for a summer read - especially if you can't go to the beach yourself. Add an excellent, well-plotted story and you're all set. Ellie Beltrami was running a successful sports talk show when a slip up involving unfortunate comments while the mic was on trashes her reputation. Ellie flees to Italy to recover herself and attend her grandmother's wedding. The groom is the grandfather of Cristiano Conte, newly retired super swimmer who had been accused of using illegal drugs ( not true). Ellie and Cristiano grew up together in Italy as their families were friends before they were born. They almost got together one steamy summer when they were teens. It ended badly and they haven't seen each other for years. They may not have this summer, except for the wedding of their grandparents and their disastrous careers. Forced into a truce for the summer Ellie and Cris come up with a plan to save their careers by having Cris appear on Ellie's show. They have to get over their teenage hurt and misunderstanding first which they do, with a lot of humor and advice from the respective grandparents. Toss in some family hijinks - the families deserve their own novels - and the result is a big messy family with great food and great traditions. I was sad when the book ended, even though the ending was perfect. I hope Francis continues with the setting, if not the characters. Anyone who enjoys a well-developed, funny, nostalgic, and poignant story will love this book. Take it on your vacation, or read it and have a mental one. Many thanks for the chance to read the ARC!

The Summer You Were Mine is a beautiful second chance romance. It’s a perfect summer romance set in Italy that will take your breath away. The writing was great and the storyline was fun. I really enjoyed this romance!

Lets travel to the coast of Italy and rekindle romance. This book is about second chances and may have you looking for the cheapest flight to Italy! Good summer read.
Thank you NG for the ARC.

I loved The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Francis. It’s a beautifully written, emotionally rich story that perfectly captures the ache of first love and the nostalgia of summers past. The characters felt authentic, the setting was vivid, and the writing was both heartfelt and compelling.

Jill Francis has a clear talent for storytelling, and I’m genuinely excited to read whatever she writes next. This book is a gem..

I did not finish, and will not post on any socials to not unfairly stop people from purchasing. The characters created no connection for me, I didn’t feel bad for the main character. The seal the deal that caused me to not get past 25% was the constant Italian- I get you’re setting the vibe, but you have to translate it, you can’t just leave things in just another language.

This book is a second chance romance that takes place in Italy. It is the perfect summer romance book! The main characters summered together in Italy and after not speaking for over a decade, they are brought back together for a wedding. The romance was sweet and I thought the author did a good job with the autism representation, which I don't often see in romance books. I need to go to Italy now!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

-Second Chance Romance
-Italian Riviera
-Family Friends
-Sports Talk Show Host
-Sexy Olympic Swimmer

This book had me with the setting of the Italian Riviera!

No spoilers here!

Ellie and Cristiano grew up spending summers together with their families in a wonderful seaside town on the Italian Riviera. Just when Ellie and Cris started to fall in love - life took them spiraling into two different directions. Ellie becomes a successful sports talk show host and Cris is an olympic swimmer.

Fast forward a decade and these two are being thrown back together in Italy for a family wedding and they are both dealing with scandals and are also conveniently unattached…(yes please!)

I loved so much about this novel. There were so many beautiful family dynamics, but I also loved the individual dynamics unraveling with the main characters - all while paired with Italian wine, food and the sweet scent of jasmine! 

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this digital ARC! I absolutely loved it and I highly recommend it as a great novel to grab this summer. Pre-order it in your carts now! Publication date: July 1st

Ellie and Cris were in love after eighteen years as friends. It all blew up and they avoided each other until the wedding of their grandparents in Italy. Both Ellie and Cris’s careers exploded badly. Ellie, a sports podcaster, offers to help Cris, a renown swimmer, to resurrect both their careers. All the while, they fight the spark they both feel.
Delightful story of family and love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Francis
🌅 Expected Publication: July 1, 2025 | St. Martin’s Griffin
⭐️ 4/5 stars
Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⸻

The Summer You Were Mine is a wistful, slow-burn second-chance romance that pairs emotional depth with sun-drenched escapism. It’s everything a great summer read should be—tender, introspective, a little messy, and totally transportive.

Jill Francis brings us into the lives of two childhood friends-turned-almost-lovers who reunite under complicated circumstances on the Italian Riviera. Ellie Beltrami is licking her wounds after a spectacular on-air implosion tanks her career as a sports talk show host. Cristiano Conte is a recently retired Olympic swimmer, still reeling from a doping accusation and unsure of who he is without a pool beneath his feet. They’re both at crossroads—personally and professionally—when their grandparents (hers and his) announce they’re getting married and invite both fractured families to Chiavari for the wedding.

Cue awkward family dinners, long-buried feelings, and the kind of “I remember when” moments that make you ache with nostalgia. Fourteen years ago, Ellie and Cris shared a kiss that could have changed everything. Instead, life intervened, and both walked away with more baggage than closure. Now, forced into proximity by familial duty and emotional inertia, they strike a deal: an exclusive interview to resurrect Ellie’s career in exchange for a platform where Cris can tell his side of the story. Naturally, that’s just the beginning.

Francis doesn’t rely on melodrama or insta-love. She builds the tension slowly, letting the reader sit with the characters in their discomfort. Ellie and Cris are not perfect. They’re stubborn, guarded, and sometimes frustrating. But they’re also vulnerable in ways that feel deeply human. The novel isn’t just about love—it’s about shame, regret, self-discovery, and the scary, liberating act of owning your truth.

One of the most powerful threads is Ellie’s recent autism diagnosis. It’s not shoehorned in or used for emotional manipulation. Instead, it’s part of who she is—quietly shaping her worldview, her interactions, and her relationship with Cris. The narrative respects her interiority. Her realization that her brain works differently isn’t a twist; it’s a lens. And Cris, to his credit, doesn’t flinch. His steady, unflinching acceptance of her is one of the most heartwarming aspects of the book.

Chiavari, with its lemon trees, sun-soaked terraces, and late-night gelato runs, is more than a backdrop—it’s a mood. Francis’ descriptions of the Italian coast are vivid without being overwrought. You can feel the heat rising off the pavement, taste the espresso, and smell the sea air. Whether she’s writing about family dinners under string lights or the quiet intimacy of an early morning swim, Francis knows how to place the reader in the scene.

This isn’t just Ellie and Cris’s story. Their families—complicated, loud, loving, dysfunctional—bring layers of drama and warmth. The upcoming wedding between Ellie’s grandmother and Cris’s grandfather is more than a quirky plot point; it’s a catalyst that pushes every character to reflect on what it means to love again after heartbreak. The generational dynamics are rich and grounded, adding depth to the central romance.

The pacing does sag slightly in the middle, and the frequent use of untranslated Italian phrases may frustrate readers not fluent in the language. While it adds authenticity, a few in-text translations or subtle cues would have been helpful. The reason Ellie and Cris fell apart all those years ago might also feel underwhelming to some—it’s more emotional miscommunication than betrayal. Realistic, yes. Explosive, not quite.

The Summer You Were Mine is more than a romance—it’s a story about timing, identity, and the fragility of human connection. It doesn’t rely on tropes or contrived obstacles. Instead, it lets its characters grow slowly, painfully, and authentically toward each other. The love story between Ellie and Cris is tender, rooted in shared history and hard-won forgiveness.

This book is ideal for readers who love second-chance romances with emotional payoff, neurodivergent representation that feels honest and grounded, character-driven stories about healing and connection, and a transportive setting that makes you feel like you’re walking the sunlit streets of Italy. If you gravitate toward sports elements that don’t dominate the plot and appreciate family dynamics woven into romance, this one will hit the mark.

Rating: 4/5 – Recommended
Read this book with a spritz in one hand and a little patience for the pace. It’s worth it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun romance novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I received a DRC of this book through Netgalley. Romance is not my go-to genre so I was probably the wrong audience for it. I was interested in what the blurb said about the main character being recently diagnosed with autism, but the focus of the book is 99% on romance. The descriptions of Italy were well-written. There was a lot of Italian without knowing all of what was being said which probably helped set the scenery of the book, but left me feeling a little lost. If you like romances, then this second chance romance could be the right book for you.