I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Sadly I ended up DNFing this book. I was really excited to read it and from the start was rooting for Ben and Abby’s relationship, but then overtime and about 45% through I grew bored. It felt rushed, crammed together and I lost interest.

⭐️⭐️

This is such a sweet read 🥰 all the characters are just so lovable, both the main and side ones.

It's a very easy and fun read, but also emotional and reflective; the whole thing just gives a feeling of a warm, cozy hug. It's a great summer read!

abby and Ben are set up on a blind date by their friends. I read this in one afternoon; it was hard to put down. I enjoyed the story very much.

This is literally my favourite trope. A good summer second chance romance book is literally the dream and I was super excited to read it. But sadly, it didn’t land for me the way I’d hoped. The writing didn’t really pull me in, and I struggled to connect with the characters. Things happened a bit too quickly and randomly, and I didn’t feel the emotional build-up or any real growth in their story, nor a good enough justification of what happened.
That said, it’s a very quick and easy read—nothing heavy or complicated. I just wish there had been more depth, more emotion, and a bit more time spent really developing their connection. It had the right idea, just not quite the execution I was looking for.
2.5 stars

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the eARC of Four Summers Ago by Jensen Rose Long.

Four Summers Ago follows Ben and Abby, who are set up on a blind date by mutual friends and quickly find a spark. Abby is an author, Ben is a famous actor, and their chemistry is immediate. The story starts off strong, and I was genuinely invested in the development of their relationship. But as twists and obstacles started piling up, I found myself more frustrated and puzzled than intrigued.

Midway through, we’re introduced to some really fun side characters who I honestly wanted more of—they kind of disappear toward the final third, which was a bit of a letdown. I could totally see them starring in their own interconnected standalone stories.

One thing I really enjoyed was the format—it’s written almost like a movie script, which ties cleverly into the plot since Ben ends up directing the film adaptation of Abby’s book. That was a unique touch.

Overall, I liked it—I didn’t love it—but for a shorter romance, it still managed to feel a bit long in parts. That said, if you’re into movie star-meets-small-town-girl vibes, a clever narrative format, and standout side characters, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Abby and Ben meet through mutual friends
She’s an author and he’s an actor. They instantly have sparks together. They have a great summer together, then he goes to make a new movie and Abby is left in the dust and he doesn’t contact her again.

Then a couple of years later they are back in each other’s life’s when Abby’s book is made into a film, Ben is the director and starring in the film, they reconnect again but will the distance be against them again or will be able to work through it

This was a quick read but not a whole lot of depth to it. I really liked the concept and the beginning of the book had me intrigued. Things between Ben and Abby seemed to develop quickly but the whole "will they/won't they" thing became a bit overdone. The multiple break ups got old and the Pedro thing seemed weird and out of place.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Posted on Amazon, Instagram and GoodReads on May, 4 2025 .
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
A beautifully nostalgic, emotionally layered debut that aches in all the right places.
“Four Summers Ago” by Jensen Rose Long is a heart-wrenching coming-of-age novel that beautifully blends grief, love, friendship, and memory into a powerful emotional storm. With its lyrical prose and strong emotional depth, this story captivated my heart from the very first page to the very last.
The novel switches between the past and present, following our main character as she returns to the lakeside town where her life took a dramatic turn four summers ago. What unfolds is a gradual revelation of secrets, a tender exploration of first love and loss, and the confronting that comes when we’re finally ready to face our past.
Jensen Rose Long has a talent for creating an immersive atmosphere. The setting: humid summer nights, shimmering lake waters, and creaky cabins feels alive, almost like another character in the story. Every interaction is filled with longing, and the emotional tension builds beautifully until it gently breaks your heart.
The romance here is subtle yet captivating, with a strong sense of chemistry and bittersweet honesty. It’s not just a love story, it’s a story about the significance of remembering, growing up, and finding forgiveness.

📚 Perfect for readers who love:
✔️ Dual timelines
✔️ Bittersweet summer romances
✔️ Found family vibes
✔️ Quiet, reflective storytelling
✔️ Emotional gut-punches

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

Ben, a famous actor, and Abby a well known author had instant chemistry and were drawn to each other from the moment they met. They spent the summer together getting to know each other and falling in love. Despite their promises made, Ben returns to Texas, ghosting Abby, breaking her heart into pieces.
Abby has to put her anger and her heart aside when she’s forced to work with him, as the director of the movie based on her book. Ben admits to never stop loving her, and Abby, despite her anger admits Ben still has her heart.
Even when distance and time become an issue, they somehow manage to find their way back to each other. Unfortunately with Ben’s acting and directing career in Texas, Abby not wanting to leave Breakaway, and their history with long distance relationships, their promises, and love might not be enough.

This was a relatable and entertaining closed door love story. It keeps the readers attention, hoping for a happy ending, mad when Ben breaks Abby’s heart even after loving her, and hoping for second chances with no regrets.

I received an ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback. This review is my own thoughts and opinions. It is also my first time reading a book by this author.

Four Summers Ago is a charming, second-chance romance with plenty of heart, humor, and heat. Abby is a relatable, guarded heroine, and her chemistry with Ben is undeniable from the very first date. Their banter, shared love for books, and undeniable spark made their summer romance feel magical. While I wish some of the emotional fallout from their separation had been explored a bit more deeply, the story still delivered a satisfying blend of angst, healing, and hope. A feel-good read with just enough tension to keep the pages turning.

This book was written for anyone in the mood for a fast paced, insta-love turned to hate kinda romance. Sparks fly from the first page and the MMC Ben, seems too good to be true. I enjoyed the books concept as an author/movie script writer x movie star/ director.

Abby was a fun character who loved deeply and wears her heart on her sleeve. Helen and Nick were such amazing friends throughout this book and it really carried the trope of found family. The trope of one bed will always have my heart so that was a plus.

This book has quite a few time jumps that did effect the flow of the book. I found the third time jump a bit repetitive and unnecessary with Pedro’s character. I also found it lacking in depth as it was so fast paced, but I enjoyed it as a quick read to act as a pallet cleanser.

DNF at 30%

I am very much a mood reader, and I just wasn’t vibing with this one. I wasn’t a fan of the MMC, he was just too “meh”. The beginning was cute, and the book had a decent set-up, but something just wasn’t doing it for me. Something along the way just didn’t seem like it fit. Unfortunately I can’t name that “something.” Maybe it was their relationship didn’t feel believable or have good chemistry, or the plot could have been too rushed. Not sure. But it just wasn’t for me.

stoooooop! these books destroy me. they are what the cynic like me hates. but loves. but hates themselves for loving. that hates to believe in this stuff. but we do. we all do really or at least we all do in books. so yeh, completely adore these books and this is one of the best.
but of course that means its also one of the worst because the angst and hoping and waiting and breaking you have as the reader feels just too much, ha!
this is the story of two people who fall in love. and then one leaves. and leaves the other heartbroken. lives go on(i hate you for what you did to her Mr) and then lives meet once again. and you see, you see the person you love...still. oh no!
oh Abby what a gem you are. can i just hug you and make sure you are protected at all costs. Abby has her romance novels for love they are safer. so when Ben comes along her leap is one of bravery. but she does so and she does fall in love. but then Ben leaves. they never handled the "what about our future" bit because they just wanted to hold on to the now. but still, he left and he left her in pieces. and poor Abby vowed never again. so what happens when years later he is the director of one of her novels. Crap. she will avoid him at all cost. well let me tell you i didit want to avoid him i wanted someone to give him a piece of my mind. i wanted him to gorvel. but the worst thing is he is sorry and he does and always did love her. Oh Ben why do you do this to us?
what Abby does have is her great mate. true soul mates is what her and Helen are. And what can we say about lovely Nick. where will he fit.
oh and Duke where is his story next please. all the characters in this book has thier perfect place and they all felt like it was important to the book which i really appreciate and love in a book.
oh this book had me. it had me good. and i love that it did.

concept? ate. ben in the beginning? also ate. i do, however, wish we lived in the angst more and that we saw their development post first breakup instead of hearing about it. also the second breakup felt super unnecessary and the pedro thing was for weird shock value. helen and nick are the best friends ever btw like. they deserve financial compensation i fear.

thank you to netgalley and jenson rose long for the arc!

This was my first book by this author. The writing was easy to read and the characters were well developed and thought out. The FIRST "break-up" was lame and didn't make sense. The story as a whole was Meh and really didn't hold my attention. I wanted to quick reading several times throughout the book but stuck with it.

When Abby Steele’s best friends set her up on a blind date, it happens to be Ben Richards, the Hollywood it-guy who starred in the viral movie about a wave of deadly hurricanes. While Abby doesn’t think they’ll have anything in common, she soon finds herself instantly intrigued by him. Soon they begin a summer romance that has the potential to turn into something more. At the end of the summer, Ben jets off to do the press tour for another movie and ghosts Abby. Two years later, Abby’s book is becoming a movie, and Ben is the director. She has a plan to keep her heart from getting broken. Yet, when she sees Ben again, all the past comes back.
A sweet romance that had me captivated from the beginning. I loved the start of the romance, but knowing that it wasn’t going to work out (from the blurb), I anticipated the fallout. Yet when they meet again, it is so obvious that there was more to their story from Ben’s part. I did find that the indecisiveness at the end seemed to be a bit unusual, as it detracted from the natural progression of the story. It did show the reality of a romance that struggles through distance, making for a realistic storyline. A great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Four Summers Ago is a nostalgic, bittersweet story about young love, lost dreams, and the moments that shape us. Jensen Rose Long captures the ache of the past with beautiful, tender writing that pulls you in from the first page. A perfect read for anyone who’s ever wondered what if.

Cute and quick pallet cleanser read, if I had read this over the weekend I would have finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed it; the location headers were interesting and I ended up liking having that info really quick since the its a shorter book. Abby and Ben's relationship issue felt realistic to me, its something I can see happening and I know can be hard to deal with. This is a closed-door romance.
3.5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I am so torn about this book because it started off just so lovely in giving me all the feels for new love! Abby and Ben are fixed up by friends who believe they are a perfect match. Abby a romance writer and Ben an actor (who is the cousin of friend Nick) While neither was looking for love, their summer romance and special connection felt like the forever kind of love...and then the book jumped ahead, and you find out Ben ghosted her after declaring his love and two years have gone by. Ben is now starring/directing a movie made from Abby's book and they have to work together. The two have unresolved feelings, and Abby has no answers to why Ben left her. I just didn't buy Ben's reasons...give me a break! He supposedly loved her and didn't have the decency to break up in person or even a phone call??? I get being scared, but really...:(

Yes, I wanted our couple to get back together and have a happily ever after. But then other obstacles (and Pedro? UGH!!) I understand timing in a relationship, but "the breaks" just didn't feel organic.

We eventually get the happily ever after but getting there was frustrating to me.

3 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I liked the storyline idea. However, I would love to learn more about why and what happened each time Abby and Ben broke up. I understand that they were not ready for a long distance relationship and important life change decisions but to me, those parts were the core elements of the story to understand the characters’ feelings better, yet they were mentioned in only several sentences in between the characters’ conversations.