What a beautiful love story in such a gorgeous setting! Really makes the reader want to take a dive into Italy . Loved the characters, the big Italian families, the friendships. And neurodivergence was represented in such a respectful and hopeful way. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this moving story before its releases. The cover, the story, everything was well thought out.

If slow-burn, second-chance romance is your jam and you’re dreaming of a summer in Italy (but it’s not in the budget this year), pick up The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Francis.

Join Ellie and Cris, who spent their childhood summers together in Italy—until life pulled them apart. Now, their already chaotic families are about to become even more entangled when Ellie’s grandmother marries Cris’ grandfather. Both families are legends in the world of swimming and water polo—except for Ellie, who would rather avoid sports altogether. Instead, she’s built a career with her popular web show and podcast. But as her life spirals into crisis, she finds herself back in Italy… right alongside Cris, a champion swimmer on the verge of retirement and facing his own crossroads.

Can they navigate their personal struggles, survive the wedding madness, and maybe, just maybe, find their way back to each other?

If you love a sports romance that isn’t about hockey and adore books where the setting feels like a character of its own, add The Summer You Were Mine to your TBR list.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to review the advanced copy of this book.

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Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review! The premise of this story was intriguing and I will read any book set in Italy. I rarely DNF books but I just couldn’t get into this one unfortunately. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and the story was very slow to start. I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.

I have to say, it completely caught me off guard. I don’t usually pick up romance novels, but this one had me hooked from the first chapter. The chemistry between the two main characters was electric—it wasn’t just about the physical attraction, but the way they challenged and supported each other. I found myself rooting for them, even when they were making mistakes or letting their insecurities get in the way.

What really stood out to me was how real the story felt. The dialogue was sharp and natural, and the emotional moments hit hard without feeling overly dramatic. I could see pieces of myself in the male lead, especially in how he struggled to open up and be vulnerable. It made me think about my own relationships in a way I didn’t expect.

The pacing was perfect, with just enough tension to keep me turning the pages. And while there were moments that felt predictable, the journey was so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. By the end, I was smiling like an idiot—it was that satisfying.

I liked the premise of this one but the execution was just not good. I probably would have DNFed if I had not received this as an arc and so kept pushing through. The writing was kind of a mess and very cringe at times ex sexual feelings were called an "adult spasm" and there were many run on nonsense sentences. I was surprised with the representation for late diagnosed autism. I am autistic as well and this was the only part of the book I liked. The characters were all unlikable with zero depth and they never had any chemistry.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful love story in such a gorgeous setting! Really makes the reader want to take a trip (or move) to the Italian coast. Loved the characters, the big Italian families, the friendships. And neurodivergence was represented in such a respectful and hopeful way. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this moving story before its released date. And the front cover is absolutely bellissima! 3 and a half stars

Ellie had a tv show where she interviewed athletes until she said some derogatory things, believing the sound was off. It left her without a show. Cris suffered a lot of pain as an elite swimmer and was ready to quit. It was believed that he took drugs, and he feared for his reputation. Ellie and Cris had grandparents in Italy and spent summers growing up together. Fourteen years ago, they seemed to be more to each other until he broke her heart. They are now together in Italy for the wedding of his grandfather and her grandmother. Ellie overthinks things and creating a new career causes her concern. I love how she managed to think about what she wanted rather than go on with what she knew to do. I admired Cris’s ambition to start a new career as well. Most of the story takes place in Italy and I enjoyed the culture and customs. The tight knit family added a lot to the story. I loved how they supported both Ellie and Cris. Great story.

I love the tropes in this, but personally, it falls a little flat. However, I can see this being a hit with readers. It’s perfect as a beach read and charming.

Beautiful love story, amazing love story, beautiful setting. Such a sweet love story! I need to book a trip to Italy now ✔️

3.5 stars

This is a contemporary romance with a second chance between a retiring swim champion and a sports show psychologist.

I liked the portrayal of an autistic FMC; the non-sensical logic that can sometimes take over the inner monologue was well done. It did make Ellie a harder character to like but is also an accurate representation of real life and neurodivergence. The Italian setting with its food, wine, and wedding activities were well described.

The writing was a bit confusing with not only unexplained Italian thrown in but also no clarification on who was being talked about (I.e. it was hard to determine which he or she was in the sentence). I found myself rereading more than usual to get the point which takes away from the enjoyment of the story.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

The novel is a great way to take a vacation to Italy without getting out of your beach chair, and it fulfills its promise of a charming summer romance. "The Summer You Were Mine" comes highly recommended if you're searching for a lovely, easy-to-read romance set in a stunning Italian location. It's the ideal partner for a carefree summer afternoon.

The Summer You Were Mine is a heartfelt and nostalgic tale of first love, loss, and self-discovery. The warm, evocative writing makes the summer setting come alive, while the emotional depth of the story will leave a lasting impression. A beautiful, timeless romance.

An amazing clean, beachy romance to add to your TBR for this summer.

A must you do not want to miss at all.

Thank you to the publishers ans NetGalley for the ARC!

A second chance Romance set in Italy?!? Sign me up!!

Ellie and Cris grew up spending their summers together in Italy. What started as friendship eventually led to a teenage kiss. What could have happened, never happened due to teenage insecurity, misunderstandings and trauma that wasn't ever dealt with.

After not speaking for fourteen years, an autism diagnosis for our FMC and a potential divorce for Ellie's parents, Ellie and Cris are brought back together for a wedding of their grandparents. They've both recently suffered career damage and come up with a plan to help each other. Through it all, they are able to rediscover their friendship and more!

I adored this sweet story and the autism representation! I loved the ending and sweet "grand but not grand" gesture and want to plan a trip to Italy just to be able to soak up more of this story!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

This book fell flat. The premise was cute and I hoped for a nice escape reading this in winter, but the setting felt cliche and the characters one dimensional.

What happened to Ellie in the initial scene is something many a reader can relate to. Not the exact scene, mind you. More of the foot in mouth slash wish there could be a do over.

Ellie takes what occurred and attempts to overcome it all while celebrating her grandmother's wedding. Appreciate that the reader will be in for a surprising turn as the story unfolds.

There is a bicultural feel in this book as the author liberally includes vivid descriptions of the Italian food, to the distinctly unique cultural customs and the lyrical Italian language.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jill Francis's 'The Summer You Were Mine' is the perfect sun-drenched escape for anyone craving a sweet, romantic beach read. The story follows two childhood friends, Ellie and Cris, who reconnect at a picturesque family wedding in Italy after years of estrangement.

The backdrop of the Italian coast is absolutely enchanting, creating a dreamy atmosphere that perfectly complements the rekindling of their old connection. Francis skillfully weaves the romance with the charm of Italian scenery, making it easy to get lost in the story.

The book delivers on its promise of a heartwarming summer romance, and it's a fantastic way to transport yourself to Italy without leaving your beach chair. If you're looking for a charming, easy-to-read romance with a beautiful Italian setting, 'The Summer You Were Mine' is a definite recommendation. It's the perfect companion for a lazy summer afternoon.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Griffin for letting me read the advanced e arc for this book.

The excerpt toted Summer on the Italian coast and second chance romance. I was in. Unfortunately, the vibes definitely fell flat for me. It felt touristy and not authentic.

I also really did not like the main characters. They were really immature and selfish. Especially the FMC. In the end I feel like she didn’t have any character development and it was the MMC that made most of the compromises. The whole premise of the story did not feel relatable or compelling.

The spice was very good but there was really only one scene.

I was really excited to read this one mainly because of the italian setting. However it fell a little flat for me. I couldn't get behind the characters relationship and it felt a little weird that their grandparents were getting married. The setting was fantastic and made me want to book a trip to Italy but i didnt love the Italian spread throughout and it made me feel like i was missing out on key diolouge. I think it could be a good beach read for the right people. i just wanted a little more substanse. I am also not a big fan of the miscommunication trope.

It's a little like a romance combo meal: lots of good pieces, but in parts, it is just a lot. It combines sports, parent drama, friends like family, two countries, career changes, failed attempts, and a little neurodivergent spice.

Cris and Ellie have known each other for their entire lives. They spend dreamy summers together as kids in Italy and then spend school years apart. Both of their families come with drama and trauma. They have a huge falling out as young people but are brought back together as their grandparents find love again. They reenter each other's lives as they both are experiencing professional crises. They fight through years of hard, mismatched feelings to find themselves again.

Look, Jill's writing is pretty great and although this book has much less romance and more angst than I typically read, the writing makes it worth it. You feel like you know these sweet little Italian grandmas, and I do love the multigenerational love that happens in two side couples' stories.

Looking for a beach read that you'll finish? This should be a summer staple.