Piper Island here I come!!

I loved this book. It had a nostalgic feeling even though I felt like I missed out on going to the beach for the summer.

I laughed and cried. It is such a good read.

I can't even get my words out 😂. I enjoyed the book—it was a complete 180 from what I would normally read. I'm so glad I read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookcomber Publishing for the ARC of The Summers of Us by Taylor Crooks in exchange for an honest review.

This story had all the ingredients for a nostalgic summer read—found family, a wholesome love story, and the kind of friendships that mark your life in quiet, permanent ways. I really appreciated the structure, especially how by following the main character's age throughout the book helped keep the progression of the timeline clear.

The writing style is lyrical and emotional, and some lines really stood out with their poignancy. There’s definitely a lot of potential here, especially for readers who enjoy reflective coming-of-age stories with that warm, bittersweet summer feeling.

That said, something about it didn’t fully click for me. I found parts of the pacing uneven, and while the connection between Quinn and Everett had its moments, it felt a little underdeveloped for the emotional payoff the story seemed to be reaching for. Some of the dialogue and character interactions felt a bit surface-level, which made it harder for me to stay fully invested in their journeys.

Still, I think this will resonate more deeply with readers closer to Quinn’s age or those who love slow, setting based summer reads. It’s a solid debut, and I’m curious to see what Taylor Crooks writes next!

I really wanted to like this but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. This book seemed like it would be right up my alley and I was honestly quite surprised to find that it wasn’t holding my attention; I couldn’t really get into it despite my attempts to push through and I ended up DNFing a little past the halfway mark.

One of the problems I had is that I didn’t get a good enough sense of the plot. It seemed like most of what was happening on the page was just there to fill space and didn’t actually have any meaning or purpose. I found myself constantly checking to see how many more pages I had left because I wanted to be done and get it all over with, which is not something I typically experience with books, even ones I don’t like. I rarely decide not to finish a book because typically even if I don’t like something, I’m still passionate enough about it to finish so I can better talk about why I had issues with it, but I don’t feel the same way about this book.

There is not much going on and I wasn’t invested in any of the characters. The main character felt especially unmoving and I couldn’t reason with a lot of her behavior and attitude because her reasoning seemed very surface level and flat. I didn’t find myself caring enough about what was going to happen to her and her friends as the story progressed because it didn’t actually feel like it was progressing as so much of the story is spent in the past.

I can’t really say any more since I didn’t finish the book, but I was disappointed and underwhelmed by what I did read.

Thank you, NetGalley for this e-ARC.

I didn’t think I was going to get hooked on a summer romance book like I did with The Summers of Us, but here we are. I was engaged, surprised, and genuinely happy while reading this. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you emotionally—in the best way.

Set over nine summers on the fictional Piper Island, the story follows Quinn and her group of friends as they navigate growing up, falling in love, and figuring out who they are. The dual timeline between “then” and “now” adds so much depth to Quinn’s journey, showing how each summer shaped who she becomes by the time they all face their final summer before college.

I related to Quinn so much it was actually scary. The things she felt, the emotions she processed—I’ve been there. She officially lives rent-free in my heart now. I do wish we got to know more about the other characters in the group, but I also think it worked perfectly the way Taylor Crooks gave each of them their own little moment to shine.

Crooks’ writing is smooth and easy to follow, making this the perfect read for a sunny summer day. It’s quick, emotionally resonant, and reads almost like a Taylor Swift song—which earns it bonus points from me. The way friendship, family, and teenage love are captured here feels both nostalgic and real.

Easily one of my favorite reads of 2025.

A surprise debut novel that explores friendship, young love, and what experiences shape us into the people we are as adults. I sincerely appreciated the dual time line that explores the past and the present. IT'S PURE SUMMER NOSTALGIA!!! An absolutely magical story that will remind you of your vacation beach home or childhood summer vacations. If you love stories that explore a second chance at love PLEASE PICK THIS BOOK UP.

What a fantastic ARC read, thank you @netgalley and @taylorcrooksauthor for writing such a wonderful story 🥰

“ Summers at Piper Island weren’t real life,” Quinn tells herself as she prepares to return for her 8th summer. But this summer is different. The ocean, which has gifted her love, memories and friendship is different. Her once vibrant aunt is a shadow of her former self and the colors around Quinn seem dimmed. This is a story about love, loss, friendship and hope. @taylorcrooksauthor does an amazing job at capturing these emotions throughout the story. It made me feel like I was right there with Quinn during this transformative summer. Please pick this book up later this month!!!

🌸⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌸
This book felt like sun-warmed skin, salt-kissed first love, and the kind of summer you wish you could bottle forever.

The Summers of Us was an absolute dream—like a heart-shaped seashell you stumble across at just the right moment. It’s tender and tearful, hopeful and healing, and filled with that golden-hour glow of summer love, lifelong friendship, and learning to let life happen instead of hiding from it.

Quinn Kessler’s story took me right to Piper Island, where the waves hum lullabies and pinky promises feel like forever. Every page was steeped in nostalgia—the kind that makes your chest ache in the best way. Her summers were magical, messy, full of moonlit confessions and soft heartbreak, and it all builds toward one last summer that’s equal parts goodbye and beginning.

And then there’s Everett. Everett Bishop is the boy you meet when you're still figuring out who you are, and love him so fiercely it rewires you. Their love story—told through glances, grief, and late-night beach walks—was so beautifully earned. Bittersweet, slow-burning, and utterly unforgettable.

Taylor Crooks writes with such poetic softness that you can feel the warm sand between your toes and taste the melted ice cream on your lip. The way she captures friendship, growing pains, and learning to say yes to joy—even when it hurts—is truly something special.

I laughed, I cried (more than once), and I closed the book feeling like I’d lived a whole lifetime of summers in just a few hundred pages. The Summers of Us is a hug in book form. A beach read with a beating heart. A reminder that it’s okay to grieve the past and move toward the future with open arms.

If you loved The Summer I Turned Pretty, Every Summer After, or Happy Place, this is your next favorite read. But warning: you will want to write love letters in the sand and send your best friends matching anklets.

☀️💛 Thank you to Taylor Crooks for this soft, shimmering gem of a debut. I’ll be re-reading it every summer.

I enjoyed this book. I really liked how it had past and present chapters so you could see what happened before. I really liked all the characters and I loved how they have been friends for so long. All of the characters were likable but they did have their moments that I was like “really? That’s what your doing” but it worked out it the end. It was a very easy read and I didn’t have to do much thinking. If you want a fun read, check this one out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved the small-town summer aspect of this novel. I felt like I was on Piper Island with Quinn and her friends as they matured every summer. I did find that the changing timelines got a little confusing. I kept having to remind myself where I was because there would be talk of the past in the present, and then the next section/chapter would be that past event.

This novel becomes emotional very quickly. There is alluding to something that happened throughout the novel, and then when it is explained, it seems to come up very quickly. I understand the reasoning for it being written the way it is, but it just seemed sudden and fast to me.

I do plan to read more from this author. I did enjoy the writing style, and the friendship that becomes more like family as the friend circle grew up.

The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes but if Jeremiah wasn’t there irritating me the whole time… we have no choice but to stan. I thought this was gonna be a 3 star read because I found it a bit slow in the middle, but the last few chapters were SO good. Love a dual timeline and coming-of-age story!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC :)

4.8 stars. ☀️🍉⛱️🎡🎢

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT HER. I absolutely loved the switching back and forth of timelines. It gave such a real perspective and a lot of background on the cutest group of friends ever. We also get to see a lot of the reasoning of why Quinn is the way she is. There is happiness, LOVE, and grief. I’m currently in a stage where I really love and appreciate grief books. They just really help my healing and journey I’m in. This book not only touches on real life things, but the imagery and setting of this book will make you SCREAM (happily yano?😍) I wish you could send me to Piper Island babe. Found family is just so sweet and these friendships are so strong and enduring. I’ll never forget🥹

MY FAV QUOTE: “ An inevitable end is why I enjoy the present”

The Summers of Us by Taylor Crooks is a stunningly written story that perfectly captures the essence of a young adult summer romance. There's a nostalgic, almost naive tenderness to it that makes you feel like you're experiencing your own first love all over again.

This book is everything I want in a summer read; cozy, a little bittersweet, and filled with hope. The writing is beautiful and immersive, pulling you into warm days, quiet moments, and the kind of youthful emotions that linger long after the final page.
Perfect for readers looking for a heartfelt summer journey.

Thank you for the ARC!

what a special summer story! I appreciate all of the descriptions and summer references. the nostalgia was really hitting hard reading this outside during the sunset. I wish I had a younger sister to share this story with.

this author is such a descriptive writer, and I'm looking forward to watching her grow. readers of jenny han, k.l. walther, and morgan matson would likely enjoy this book.

thank you, victory editing & net galley, for allowing me to read an arc of the summers of us by taylor crooks in exchange for my honest review.

“Maybe rain was actually the sky’s happiness, too heavy to hold back.”

“Just blue. If just blue were as beautiful as him, then I hoped for a lifetime of just blues.”

“Family comes and goes, but friends always stay.”

Thank you to Taylor Crooks and NetGalley!

A book full of nostalgia, growing up, anxiety, and realizing that life doesn’t have to be feared; but meant to be lived.

I HAVE to say I was hooked from the first few pages. This YA/new adult definitely makes a 28 year old like me feel all the nostalgia. A group of friends spending their last summer together before college? Come on. I loved every second of this book. Seeing how all the friendships formed and all the different relationships come to life gave me all the feels. I feel the author does an amazing job of representing the different stages of what teenagers go through, how sometimes friends fight and sometimes friends fall in love.

This book takes you back and forth between the present and the past, I love watching Quinn grow! Quinn is such a relatable character throughout the story, she really represents what divorce can make a young girl feel like in future relationships. YOU GUYS! Quinn and Everett give you all the feelings of young love, I think if you have a high school sweetheart you will LOVE their story. I was smiling the whole time, they experience the ups and downs of trying to figure it all out. Again, it’s just the nostalgia of it all that really makes you love this book. It’s the PERFECT summer read, all the feelings of summer as a teen and that feeling of the last summer before everyone splits apart. The book is seriously just perfect.

I had to read this book at a slower pace in order to finish it. I just wasn’t a fan of the author’s writing style. It was very flowery and lyrical and that’s personally not my vibe. It made the story too descriptive and boring. This book is also marketed as being YA but it read much younger than that. I don’t know if it’s because we get flashbacks starting at the age of 12 of the characters, but it was too childish and juvenile for me. The friend group consists of six people and I felt they were not introduced very well. It took me a while to get their names and personalities straight. The formatting of the book didn’t help with the reading experience either. I get this is a digital ARC, but it just made reading the book more unbearable.

When the high is 50 degrees in Chicago in MAY, I click 'request' on any Netgalley book that supposedly transports me to summer and don't think much more about it.

The Summers of Us follows a girl named Quinn throughout the nine summers she spends on Piper Island with her aunt and baby cousin. The story alternates between the present, Quinn's final summer after high school graduation, and the first summer she spent with her aunt, when she was only ten years old. Throughout the years, she makes friends with local kids and falls in love with one of her childhood friends, but she struggles in general with letting go and being brave due to some traumatic things that have happened in her family life. Throughout the novel, she comes to terms with what it means to live life to its fullest.

The best thing by far about this book was the setting. It really did make me feel emotional and nostalgic for all the summers I enjoyed as a kid, whether at my family's beach house or just running around with my neighborhood friends in the heat. The imagery was great, and while I did feel like the writing was a little overwrought with over-the-top and annoyingly artsy metaphors, the cozy feelings it brought to mind were enough to make up for that.

The ensemble cast was fun but a little weak in my opinion, especially the main love interest, Everett. We don't really learn much about him or his personality throughout the entire story. However, by the time I finished the book, I decided that this was fine, because the love story wasn't really the point. There was much more of a focus on family and friendship, so that made me willing to let the lack of depth to some of the characters slide.

High school me would have eaten this book up, and adult me still had an enjoyable time. The story excelled at capturing a specific moment of childhood, and I really enjoyed being transported back to those times in my life. Perfect way to pass a gloomy spring day while I impatiently wait for summer.

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC!

The Summers Of Us feels like summer and carries the same nostalgic summer vibe as The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han—except instead of two brothers, we get a whole friend group.
In this story, we follow Quinn through nine summers of her life at her aunt’s house in a small beach town, told in alternating timelines between past and present. While the story focuses on friendship and coming of age, it also touches on themes of grief and the impact of divorce.
This book captures that whimsical young summer feeling, friendship, and first love—but also how one perseveres through the unconventional curveballs of life.
While I gave this book a 3-star rating, I truly believe it’s a strong debut novel and will resonate well with its intended audience. I personally feel I may have aged out of it a bit, as it reads very much like YA—but that’s okay, because this is a YA novel. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Taylor Crook’s writing style—I actually appreciated how she was able to transport us into this summer world where I could hear the ocean and feel the sun and sand.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

*I will also have this review posted on my Goodreads*

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

"Piper Island is where I grew up, in an ideal world where growing is only impacted by what happens in the summer, where life can only be shaped by summer."

Oh my goodness this book was beautiful. Taylor Crooks' imagery was immaculate down to the cotton candy taste of summer. It was like a combination of the vibes of The Summer I Turned Pretty and the format of Every Summer After.

Now I'm just wishing that summer would come sooner!

I'm going to talk about this book with EVERYONE. This was the summer i turned pretty and the summer of broken rules.
It was so gooood I'm obsessed