I genuinely loved every moment of this book; I truly can’t recommend it enough! If you’re a fan of Love and Other Words and Every Summer After, this book is definitely for you.

Told through alternating timelines of present day and five special summers in Lia and Wes’ lives, The Summers Between Us is the story of how Lia and Wes met, fell in love, were torn apart, and are brought back together.

The story focuses on the importance of your own happiness, the impact of family, and what it means to love. This book had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat waiting to see how their love story played out. I simply couldn’t put the book down and will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen.

The character development and the beauty of Lia and Wes’ love is going to stick with me and I think if someone is looking for a book to kick off the summer, this the perfect place to start.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Digital Galley in exchange for an honest review!

The Summers Between Us was everything and more. It had all my absolute favorite tropes: friends to lovers, second chance romance, dual timeline, set by a body of water. Lia and Wes' love and struggles felt real, grounded and understandable. Their connection burned so bright and seeing them struggle to be together even when they were clearly deeply in love, both because of family pressures and hidden secrets, felt very realistic. Noreen portrayed first love and heartbreak in such a profound way. I thought all the side characters really added to the story, and although I started seeing what the reason for their original breakup was, it didn't feel too predictable when it was reveled. This angsty love story truly delivers and sparkles. And who can resist a love story set on a stunning lake? I didn't want it to end, I could've read 100 more chapters of Lia and Wes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

A breathtakingly beautiful second chance romance that completely stole my heart! The Summers Between Us is a tender, emotional, and gorgeously written story about love, identity, cultural expectations, and finding your way back to the parts of yourself you thought were lost.

From the first chapter, I was completely immersed in Lia’s world. She’s the definition of the “perfect daughter”—successful, polished, following all the rules laid out by her immigrant parents. But when she’s drawn back to her family’s summer cottage on Pike Bay, she also returns to the memories, heartbreak, and unresolved feelings tied to her first love, Wes. The way the past and present unfold side by side is masterfully done. I found myself eagerly flipping pages, needing to know what tore them apart years ago and whether they could rebuild something from the ashes now.

The chemistry between Lia and Wes is undeniable—soft, aching, and deeply genuine. Their emotional connection felt so raw and real, and I was rooting for them with every ounce of my heart. I also appreciated how their individual growth was handled. Lia’s internal struggle—between who she was expected to be and who she wants to become—resonated so deeply, especially as she reevaluates her career, her family obligations, and her definition of happiness.

Noreen Naji’s prose is rich and lyrical, painting the lakeside setting with such care that Pike Bay becomes a character in itself. The slow-burn storytelling, dual timelines, and exploration of cultural identity and emotional healing made this story feel incredibly grounded and relatable. It’s not just about romantic love—it’s about self-love, forgiveness, and reclaiming your voice.

If you're a fan of emotional second chance romances, friends-to-lovers tropes, and soul-deep character journeys set against a dreamy, nostalgic backdrop, this book is absolutely for you. I laughed, I teared up, and I finished it with a full heart.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Adult) | Random House Canada for sharing this sweet, heartwarming romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. This is a summer read you won’t forget!

A lovely, emotional, evocative friends-to-lovers debut! This will hit with the Every Summer After crowd, but The Summers Between Us is entirely its own. I loved the lush Canadian lake vibes (the setting is its own character, and Noreen does it beautifully!), the deeply complicated relationship between Lia and her family (rendered with empathy, but never sugar-coating), and the push-and-pull slow burn of Lia and Wes (you'll ache for them to finally get together!) I won't spoil, but Noreen makes some absolutely perfect narrative moves in this where I feel like the plot couldn't have been better or more character-driven. Fans of Naina Kumar, Kate Spencer, and Carley Fortune (ME!!) will be enamored by Noreen's voice! Can't wait for the next!

Thank you to Random House Canada and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review 🙂

I love this book. This emotionally resonant novel masterfully explores the complexities of cultural identity, family expectations, and second chances through the story of Lia Juma and Wesley Forest, childhood sweethearts separated by circumstances and reunited at their summer haven years later.

What a beautiful novel in a beautiful setting. I just wanted to live at this little lake and watch this romance unfold. (Reminded me of the lovely lake setting in Tom Lake and Carley Fortune books.)

Now for the best part: the relationship between Wes and Lia is tender and sweet - their care for each other is so genuine. I loved the past and present and couldn’t stop turning pages to find out what happened all those years ago. Also, as a former burned-out corporate attorney, I adored the way Lia’s job became a character and loved watching her relationship with her career change. Five out of five!

I am a sucker for a second chance romance, and The Summers Between Us absolutely delivered! I was equally invested in both the timelines, eager to see where Wes and Lia's story would go and how it would resolve. Noreen Nanja has such beautiful writing, and I can't wait to see what she does next!