Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC! I love the opportunity to check out books for my library before they are released.

Meet Jenna, whose life is going in a drastically different direction than she anticipated: Her best friend is going to a different college than they'd discussed, her dad is moving to Vancouver AND selling both of their homes, and she's just had a confusing run in with her middle school nemesis Hari, who has had quite the glow up since she saw him four years ago.

Meet Olivia, Jenna's cousin, whose life is imploding before her eyes as she discovers her boyfriend of five years cheated on her while on a guy's trip to Cuba. They were supposed to be moving in together, but instead, they are taking a break as she figures out what she wants.

Despite her father's insistence that she's not allowed to, Jenna plans one last hurrah with her friends at the cottage, where all her memories of her mother are strongest. Told in alternating perspectives, Best Summer Ever is the story of two girls who both are faced with difficult situations and have to figure out not only what to do, but also who they are in the face of the twists and turns of their lives.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The main characters were well done, and I felt deeply for both. I thought Cunsolo did a fantastic job with their inner turmoil and their story lines. Their romantic interests were also pretty solid. The other side characters, though? You could have thrown away half (all) of them. It felt a little like a checklist the author had in her head to meet certain criteria or something instead of natural, meaningful diversity. There was one friend, Robbie, who literally talked once even though he was on the whole trip; all I knew about him was that he DJed, had dreads (I think), and was gay. Truly, he had one to three lines of dialogue the whole book, and it was all at the beginning. It was really weird. The other side characters were not much better. I could not have cared less about any of them. Cunsolo did a great job with the setting and description in scenes, though. I've never been to Canada, and I know practically nothing about it (I had to Google what a Muskoka chair is), but I felt like I could see a lot of the scenes despite my lack of familiarity. I thought she really brought the places and main characters to life. I even found myself crying in the car as I finished up the last 10% thanks to Jenna and her dad. I'd definitely recommend this book to my students looking for a summer romance that is light, but also has some good emotional depth.

I have a new must read author! This is my first Jessica Cunsolo book and it will not be my last!
This is the perfect novel to read this summer! I had the privilege of getting to devour this novel while on a weekend in Muskoka (which is the setting of this book). The story is told as a dual narration by the two FMC which adds different perspectives to the same events. There is great character development and plot twists and turns that keep the story interesting.

Best Summer Ever is considered YA but I think that it would appeal to a wider audience as there is much more depth to the story then I would normally expect from a typical YA read.

Thank you Net Galley, Jessica Cunsolo, Wattpad and Webtoon Book Group for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
Best Summer Ever is expected to be released June 10, 2025 and needs to be put at the top of your summer TBR!!

Best Summer Ever was a good summer read. It was a 3-star read for me, and here's what I loved and what I didn't love:

LOVED:
- Canadian setting!!
- Summer, cottage vibes
- Challenging family and friendship dynamics

Didn't Love:
- Nothing surprised me in this book
- Lack of genuine romance

Overall, I'd recommend this as a light, summer read if you're looking for something a bit more predictable.

Thank you to Wattpad Webtoon Book Group and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

best summer ever by @jesscunsolo, out june 10, 2025!! 🐢☀️🌲🌊🦢👙🥾📱🪷🛶

so excited i got early access to this book!! i’ve been a fan of jessica’s writing for 10 years now (omg i’m dizzy at that) so this arc approval was extra amazing hehe 🤭 i won’t have my physical copy until release obvi so i thought why not show my collection of jessica cunsolo books or as i call it the jccu (jessica cunsolo cinematic universe.. duh)

best summer ever is a standalone spin off interconnected with the book best vacation ever & featuring some of the same characters & taking place a few weeks after the events of bve 😌 one thing i love about the jccu is the variety of its incredible aspects & their strategic placement in their narratives to be best suited to each theme, like the single pov of the with me series, the dual pov of two best friends in bve, and the dual pov of two cousins with their own friend groups in bse. her books are also just so bingeable (i get through them in a couple sittings bc i can never put them down and then i have withdrawals from the fun </3) and MADE to buddy read i swear, if i could have real time updates of everyone reading them i'd never need tv again

her writing has this ability to capture and embody the fresh excitement and spontaneous fun of young adulthood while also representing the struggles and anxieties of it. idk if this is because i first read swm before i was even a teenager myself but to me her books echo the kind of young adulthood you'd dream about as a kid, and reading it is like actually getting to live it. i feel like a piece of myself comes home in every book of hers i read getting to feel that excitement, certainty, & belonging. her characters & their voices have so much personality and authenticity, and the dynamics have me consistently giggling at the screen, laughing at dialogue, feeling understood, and egging on a confrontation all throughout. she's incredible at writing large casts of distinct complex characters and multifaceted ride or die friendgroups, & i'm always so invested in everything that happens with each of them & how they all impact the story (another reason the interconnectedness is SO fun. it truly is a cinematic universe atp)

another thing i've begun to notice & appreciate more as an adult is the intentionality behind the execution of the underlying themes or even just seemingly inconsequential character actions. people don't realize how inherently political and influential young adult, especially contemporary/romance, as a genre is and you will never find her books romanticizing mistreatment in any friendship, romance, or family dynamic, or giving off the impression that drunk driving isn't a big deal, or dismissing boundaries like it's not important to be allowed the growth and grace to recognize who you are. these are the implicit messages young adults pick up and internalize, and i see them more overtly now and feel so safe & proud knowing that the kids reading these books will know not to take shit from anyone, the importance of communication, to never lower their standards, or to never be anything less than who they are & that it’s okay not to know who that is quite yet. jessica highlights both the differences and similarities in these characters & their struggles through their juxtaposition in the dual povs, representing how we’re never alone in our feelings & how we all react to & handle things differently and that’s okay

these books will always bring me so much joy & peace & my shelf grows as does my admiration <33

This was such a fun summer read and reminded me so much of "happy place". i enjoyed both perspectives and the individual and unique challges that came with both sides. This was such a good story outlining the importance of friendships and the challenges that come along with the transition form high school to college life.

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I think the storyline between the main character and her Dad is very real and happens. Also her fears of being alone and everyone leaving her. What I couldn't stand is how much these kids drink. I understand they are teens that just graduated... But it starts out with them having a party. They have other parties. They sit around and drink. And the chapters flipped between the cousin characters, which made it feel somewhat repetitive and slow.

Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the ARC.

#BestSummerEver #NetGalley

A big thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

First off, if you haven't read Best Vacation Ever, go pick it up. This book picks up right where that one left off, and having that context will make everything even more enjoyable. I found myself really connecting with the characters this time around, and it was interesting to see the other side of the arguments from Best Vacation Ever.

That being said, I had a lot of fun with this book! Would my younger self have loved it? Absolutely. It’s a perfect escape from reality. As an adult, though, what resonated with me most were the friendships. There’s plenty of drama and secrets, and I had to keep reminding myself that these characters are teenagers! Overall, it was a light, heartwarming read. I also really appreciate the author’s writing style—it flows so well and is super easy to follow, without any confusion.

4 stars!!

Best Summer Ever by Jessica Cunsolo is a heartwarming and engaging summer read that perfectly captures friendship, love, and adventure. Jenna and Olivia’s journey is both relatable and emotional, filled with moments that make you smile and characters that feel incredibly real. The banter between the characters is fun and witty, making their interactions feel natural and entertaining. Seeing places like Western and UofT in the book made me feel even more connected to the story, adding a special personal touch. It’s refreshing to read a book set in familiar places, making the experience even more immersive.

Beyond the romance, the book beautifully explores the bonds of friendship and the bittersweet nature of change. Jenna and Olivia’s last summer before college is filled with excitement, uncertainty, and self-discovery, making it easy to root for them as they navigate new experiences. The mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and personal growth keeps the story engaging from start to finish. Whether you're looking for a lighthearted beach read or a story with deeper emotional moments, Best Summer Ever delivers.

Jessica Cunsolo is not a new author to me—her other books have been just as incredible, and Best Summer Ever is no exception. Her storytelling always draws me in, and I can’t wait to read her upcoming books. A must-read for anyone who loves contemporary fiction with charm and heart!

Pick this book up on June 25th 2025☀️👙⛱️

Best Summer Ever leans more toward women’s fiction than romance, which in my opinion I loved but most importantly made sense for this story it’s rare to see a YA story focus so deeply on friendship, family, and growing pains without making romance the main plot. That said, the three couples featured were super cute (especially Olivia and Dylan, who had amazing chemistry from the start!).
For me, Jenna’s character arc stood out the most. Her struggle with change, control, and entering adulthood felt so relatable. While the romance between her and Hari felt a little underdeveloped, I appreciated that the story didn’t force it to take center stage.
The diverse cast, refreshing parent dynamics (Jenna’s dad was a surprise favorite), and the way it ties into Best Vacation Ever made it a satisfying read. The ending mirrored a few beats from the previous book, which felt slightly repetitive, but overall, this is a heartfelt, messy, and summery read that hits the right notes for fans of character-driven YA.

"Best Summer Ever" is a fantastic YA novel that explores the transition from high school to college, focusing on friendships, romantic love, and the anxieties that accompany such changes. Filled with summer fun and romance, it is a heartwarming read, featuring delightful banter and complex characters. I loved the vivid scenery and engaging storylines, and I found the conflicts to be realistic and well-crafted.

The book is told from two perspectives, each facing their own unique struggles and both internal and external conflicts. Unlike many other novels, I enjoyed both perspectives so much that I can't even choose a favorite. The same goes for the romance and the main characters; I had no preference between them, as I loved them all wholeheartedly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Best Summer Ever gave all the summery vibes! Not only is the cover art amazing, but it’s a great coming-of-age story mixed with some romance. Although I enjoyed reading this book, I felt the pacing was a bit off. I was intrigued in the beginning, but felt like the story was a bit slow in the middle and then it picked back up again in the end. Our two main characters are cousins Jenna and Olivia and we follow both of their romantic interests. I definitely preferred Olivia’s story and chapters more than Jenna’s and found her a much more likable character overall. I think this book was a bit predictable and cliche at times, which is typically not my favorite. The writing also fell a bit flat for me since I found it to be very matter-of-fact and repetitive. Regardless, this was a fun read if you’re looking for a quick summer story! A huge thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Best Summer Ever – Jessica Cunsolo
A lighthearted, feel-good novel that captures the magic of summer adventures and young love. Cunsolo crafts an irresistible story filled with fun, friendship, and just the right amount of romance. The perfect book to escape into.

Such a cute summer love story! I was worried at first that this would be just another book about rich kids getting anything they wanted, but it surprised me!

What a such cute book! This helped me when I was in a reading slump, but I think it could had done little bit better.

3.5/5

the exploration of family./friendship in this book is what I liked the most! i relate to jenna on a spiritual level in the sense that change is very scary and that a summer escape before the start of college is what sounds like the most amazing way to cope with that. jenna is the perfect mix of sarcastic and adventurous, loyal but strong-willed.

on the other hand, Olivia didn't appeal to me as much, but she was a fun character to read about as well. However, I feel like her entire story was shadowed by not only her breakup with alessio but also with a certain someone else that gets involved.

however, once again with books like these, realism is sacrificed for the sake of plot. Olivia just got cheated on with her long term boyfriend -- she's not going to fall into another romance in just a week. Jenna just met her old childhood friend/nemesis -- she's not going to magically fall for him after just a week together after years of not seeing each other. if anything, the romance in this story felt forced. the friendship and family aspect of the story was already enough for me, and the romance just felt like a side add-on.

finally, while I enjoyed getting to know both jenna and olivia, the story is told from a dual pov, which takes away from the depth we get from each character. i feel that if the story had instead been told from one pov, it would've been easier to connect with the characters and the plotline.

overall, not a bad read! definitely a cozy summer read meant for days at the beach or on vacation!

thanks to netgalley for the arc!

If you love a sweet summertime love story, this is the book! I absolutely adored the characters and their journey to figure out summer! The setting was just perfect.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Thank you to Wattpad Books for this earc! I loved this book! It reminded me of being in high school and all the little dramas that would happen only in high school. I loved the dual pov with the cousins! I thought it was a nice little twist from getting only one couple pov!
I loved how Olivia and Jenna both grew as people. Such an enjoyable and fun read!
Review will be posted on Amazon once it releases!