This was a cute story about rekindling relationships. I loved the fact that a large portion of the book took place in Italy and I loved the Italian sprinkled throughout the book. However a lot of the dialogue between the FMC and MMC felt really forced and sometimes a little cringy. I think this has the potential to be great but was just okay.

Unfortunately I didn't finish reading this book because I felt it was too similar to other books and too bogged down in detail and I became bored.

The summer you were mine is an epic romance, that takes you back to the days of your perfect romance story - a captivating journey filled with emotion. Two lovers who navigate life, loss and love and reconcile that forever love. A second chance love story in a small town that is absolute perfection for summer!

I really enjoyed this book. Ellie and Cris were childhood friends who grew up around each other while vacationing with their families in Italy over the years. Both of their grandparents lived on the same little village all this time and they were re- united to celebrate their grandparents wedding to one another. Their fathers were best friends, their families remained close and everything about their life was enmeshed until painful circumstances came between then and created a wedge that spanned over a decade. The characters may come together to celebrate in their grandparents union and an escape from their messy realities but the healing and support that they find from family, friends, and one another is so sweet.
Jill Francis writes excellent characters and shines a light on grief and neurodiversity that is so real and such a good representation. The family members and friends are great and you can feel the warmth and love that comes from their homeland and the rich culture there. The conflict towards the end was good, it was notable and not too over- the- top.

Possible triggers:
Cheating
Alcoholism/ partying
Spousal neglect
Divorce (not MMC/FMC)

I just finished a beautiful book with a beautiful location and a beautiful cover. The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Francis will leave you warm inside.

This book just made me realize how much I love summer; especially in Italy? Sign me up, it’s everything you need in a summer romance. The relationship between Ellie and Cristiano is very relatable. I’m not a fan of second chance trope but it is safe to say this book changed my mind. I highly recommend it, it’s the perfect summer read.

Jill Francis’s The Summer You Were Mine is everything I love about romance—a nostalgic, emotional journey packed with longing, second chances, and all the feels. From the very first page, I was hooked on this story of two people navigating love and loss while figuring out if what they had was truly meant to last.

The characters felt so real and relatable, like they could walk off the page. Their chemistry was undeniable, but what really stood out to me was how raw and honest their emotions were. Jill Francis perfectly captured the complicated mess of heartbreak, growing up, and deciding whether to hold on to the past or take the leap into something new.

The small-town summer setting was the perfect backdrop, filled with vivid, sensory details that made me feel like I was right there—sticky summer nights, quiet lakes, and the kind of sunsets that make everything feel possible. It had me completely wrapped up in the story, rooting for the characters every step of the way.

The Summer You Were Mine is such a heartfelt, romantic read that had me laughing, crying, and swooning. It’s a story about forgiveness, timing, and finding your way back to the person—and the love—that feels like home. If you’re a fan of second-chance romances, this one’s for you.

Had me at "Italy," and kept me entranced with its swoony romance and engaging characters. I love beach reading in winter and found The Summer You Were Mine a perfect choice to do so. Italian Riviera, here I come!

The Summer You Were Mine is a deep breath of pure romance, and every page feels like a love letter to self-discovery. Ellie and Cris are more than just characters; they’re two people living out the struggles of identity, purpose, and that heart-wrenching, unfinished business of first love. The writing draws you in like a warm sea breeze, mixing humor with heart, and the setting is so vivid you can practically feel the sun and taste the salt air. This story doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives into big questions about who we are and who we could be. It’s warm, it’s complicated, and it’s impossible to put down. You read it, and you’re left wishing you could stay in this world just a little bit longer.