This was DARLING. The characters were so well developed and the plot was fast paced without it seeming like too much. Maybe we had too many plates spinning at once, but that's like sometimes! Things just happen all at once. The real start of the show is the setting. Chavari truly leaps off the page in a way that makes you feel like you're sunning in the Italian Riviera with the characters themselves. Absolutely stunning.

"The Summer You Were Mine" sounds like a truly poignant and enthralling second-chance romance, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Italian coast. We follow Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte, who have known each other their entire lives, with their families deeply intertwined in the small city of Chiavari on the Italian Riviera. They were friends, and fourteen summers ago, they were almost something more.

Now, after years apart, Ellie and Cris are both heading back to Chiavari for a unique family reunion: the second marriage between her grandmother and his grandfather. But while everyone else is celebrating, Ellie is reeling from the very public implosion of her career as a sports talk show host, and she's also navigating new understandings about herself after discovering she is neurodivergent. Cris, a newly retired elite swimmer, arrives equally adrift, facing accusations of using a banned substance. Reunited in this place of summer dreams, Cris and Ellie strike a deal: an exclusive interview for her to fix her career, and an appearance on her show for him to clear his name. Soon, their teenage romance rekindles, but for this second chance to last, they'll need to finally confront what drove them apart all those summers ago.

While the premise definitely had a lot of intriguing layers, I struggled to really connect with the characters and care much about the plot in this book. There was so much going on, but the execution felt a little off for me personally.

---

Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

• ellie & cris have known each other their entire lives: their families are from the same small italian town, their grandparents are friends, & they very briefly dated when they were 14. now, many years later, they both find themselves back in italy as their families gather for a wedding between their grandparents, all while ellie tries not to spiral out about her (very public) career implosion and cris deals with the fallout of being accused of using a banned substance to help his swimming career. when they make a deal to help both their careers, their romance picks up where it left off, forcing them to confront what drove them apart years ago.
• this felt like a very run-of-the-mill second chance romance, and while i didn’t dislike it, it honestly didn’t leave much of an impression on me.
• ellie coming to terms with her autism diagnosis was done really well, and i loved that piece of rep in this story.

This was my first, of what I would consider "a summer read," this year. I was offered the audiobook for an honest review.

Here are my thoughts:

I thought the narrators did an amazing job and were made the listening entertaining.

The story took quite awhile to captivate me and even then I was not engrossed. I adore second chance romances but unfortunately I just struggled becoming invested in the characters.

I loved the setting in this book, as it takes place in Italy. The descriptions in this book really took me to a place in my mind where I could almost feel the Italian coastline's breeze blow by. I love a book that can transplant you in the scene you are reading.
The family dynamic was funny and engaging. In many ways their families reminded me of mine. The commentary, snarky remarks, the support of one another and encouraging positivity...I ate this up and laughed on several occasions.

Our main characters, Ellie and Cristiano, have known each other their entire lives. They come from tight-knit Italian families that are close friends. However, after one summer several years back, mistakes and assumptions were made but instead of communicating they allowed their friendship AND blossoming relationship to hit a dead end. Now, years later, they are back in Italy for a wedding involving their grandparents. There are some forced proximity as their families push them into wedding tasks and they finally have to talk about their past. Both characters are facing life changing dilemmas and begin to lean on each other to sort them out.

Even though this was not my favorite read, don't let that deter you from reading this book for yourself as we all have our own likes and dislikes in the books we read.

A big thank you to the author-Jill Francis, Netgalley, & Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

First, thank you to Jill Francis, publishers, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to the arc audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Ellie a therapist with a recent diagnosis of autism ruins her reputation on her live podcast. Fortunately, she is able to temporarily flee her problems to attend a family wedding in Italy. Unfortunately, she will have to be in the wedding with her ex-childhood best friend Chris.
Chris a recently retired swimmer has his own mistakes that he will have to live with.
Will Chris and Ellie be able to stand each other and overcome their past mistakes?

Overall, I liked the author's writing and descriptions of Italy. But I did like the main character, she constantly used her diagnosis as a scapegoat rather than admitting she assumed the worst of people. The side characters, especially Ellie's parents, were honestly my favorite. Seeing her parents love get a second chance was satisfying and comforting.

A second chance romance set in the Italian Riviera seemed like a perfect summer read, but I wasn't in love with either of these characters nor was I convinced they were in love with each other. The side characters and the setting were my favorite parts. The narrators for the audiobook were entertaining as well. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC.

The Summer You Were Mine was on my radar for all the right reasons: a swoony second-chance romance set against the dreamy backdrop of the Italian Riviera, an autism rep protagonist, and even a cheeky nod to my beloved Mets (even if the Mets player in question is a deadbeat dad, ouch!). I genuinely expected to love this book. Italy is high on my bucket list, and second-chance romance is one of my absolute favorite tropes because of all the built-in emotional history, healing, and high stakes that come with it. So why did this one land as a three-star read for me? For the record, that still means I liked it. I stand by the idea that we need to reclaim three-star ratings as a reading community.

Ellie is a sports talk show host whose career tanks after she goes on-air and accidentally tears into a Mets pitcher for being an absent father. As a Mets fan, I appreciated the inside baseball, even if it was not the most flattering look. With her career in shambles, Ellie heads back to Chiavari, Italy, where her grandmother is marrying the grandfather of Cris, her childhood friend and one-time almost-more. Cris is a retired champion swimmer facing doping accusations. They strike a deal: Ellie gets an exclusive interview to help her career rebound, while Cris gets some much-needed positive PR. Old feelings resurface, but the prolonged miscommunication throughout the story left me more frustrated than invested. Still, Ellie’s later-in-life autism diagnosis was incredibly compelling, and I thought it was handled with thoughtfulness.

The narration was easily the highlight. Nicol Zanzarella and Tim Campbell were a fantastic team. Nicol captured Ellie’s sharp edges, anxious thoughts, and hidden vulnerability so well. Tim brought out Cris’s warmth and quiet regret, and their occasional Italian was woven in beautifully. Their voices were distinct, making it easy to follow the alternating perspectives. They also nailed the pacing. Scenes were given time to breathe without ever feeling slow, and emotional moments landed exactly as they should. Honestly, I probably enjoyed this book more in audio than I would have in print, thanks to how fully they inhabited the characters.

As for the audiobook flow, it was seamless. The transitions between chapters and points of view were clear, and I never felt lost or confused by shifts in time or place. There were no added sound effects or music, but this story did not need them. The narrators' performances were more than enough to bring it to life.

Who might enjoy this? Readers who like slow-burn, character-driven romances with messy emotions, family drama, and big life questions will likely find it rewarding. If you enjoy books like People We Meet on Vacation or the quieter moments in Emily Henry’s novels, this might work well for you. It also has meaningful autism representation and explores what it is like to receive that kind of life-changing diagnosis as an adult.

I’ve always loved second chance romances because there’s something so satisfying about watching two people with a shared history try to heal old wounds, grow, and finally get it right. In this case though, the drawn-out miscommunication and lack of spark kept me from fully rooting for Ellie and Cris. Even so, the strong narration and thoughtful touches, like Ellie’s autism journey, made it worth the listen. So while The Summer You Were Mine did not quite become a personal favorite, the narration turned it into an immersive listen that I would still recommend, especially to romance fans who have patience for extended emotional tangles and who enjoy stories centered on growth and rediscovery. I would definitely pick up another Jill Francis book, particularly in audio, because her writing style is engaging and with different story choices could easily hit that five-star mark for me.

🥰 Thank you @youhadmeathea & @stmartinspress for providing the physical copy and @dreamscape_media for the audio via @NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received this audiobook as an advanced copy from NetGalley.


Things I liked best about this book: the Italian family and setting. You can see the love of a big family and people who might as well be family. There is definitely a second chance theme happening with more than the main characters.


What I’m a little disappointed about: the book had opportunity but it fell a little flat with me. The storyline was there but the author didn’t expand enough of some of the major points.


Ellie and Cristiano didn’t seem to have a ton of spark in my opinion but they seemed comfortable with each other.

The Italian setting was lovely. However as a second-chance romance, there wasn't much chemistry between the FMC and MMC in the present or past, as written. Also the FMC has a red flag personality, especially for someone with a degree in psychology. She lacked basic understanding of other people's emotions, not a fan of that. I liked the narration.

*Provided an ALC (advance listening copy) audiobook from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

This was a really cute second chance, summer romance! Set in Italy for most of the book, childhood crushes reconnect when their grandparents get married. Neurodivergent FMC as well 3.5 ⭐️

This contemporary romance is not my usual read, but just like a Hallmark movie that I dont really expect to watch and enjoy, I ended up getting hooked. The story follows a podcast professional who makes a huge mistake on air and is shunned by the media and a pro swimmer who faces a tarnished legacy with accusations of using illegal performance enhancers. These two were also childhood friends and almost more. When their grandparents get married, the two meet back up in Italy and think of a way to save both their careers and possibly heat up an old flame. This lighthearted listen was dual narrated by Tim Campbell and Nicol Zanzarella. The two complemented each other and enunciated perfectly. I was able to fully immerse myself in the listening experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and @DreamscapeMedia for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Summer You Were Mine is a heartfelt, thoughtful second-chance romance set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Italian Riviera. If you enjoy character driven stories with real emotional depth, a bit of family drama, and just the right amount of romance, this one’s worth checking out. The story follows Ellie and Cris, childhood friends who haven’t seen each other in years, now reunited in their hometown of Chiavari for a very unexpected family wedding, his grandfather and her grandmother. Both are returning with some emotional baggage: Ellie is trying to rebuild her career after a very public crash and is also coming to terms with her recent discovery that she’s neurodivergent. Cris, a former elite swimmer, is dealing with the fallout of a doping scandal and the sudden end of his career. So when they reconnect, it’s complicated, to say the least. What I really appreciated is how layered their relationship felt. There’s plenty of chemistry, but the book takes time to explore their past, the way life shaped them, and why things didn’t work out the first time. Their deal an interview for Ellie’s comeback, and a platform for Cris to tell his side sets up the perfect opportunity for them to reconnect, but nothing about it feels rushed or overly convenient. There’s a genuine tenderness in how they navigate not just each other, but who they’ve become. The Italian setting adds a lovely sense of place without taking over the story. And while the romance is central, I also liked the way the book explored themes like identity, self worth, and the pressure to constantly perform or meet expectations whether it’s in a career, a family role, or a relationship. That said, some parts felt a little slow in the middle, and a few of the side characters could’ve been more fleshed out, especially given how family focused the story is. But overall, this is a really satisfying, emotionally grounded read that still manages to feel like a vacation.

Don't want to forget the narrator who did a phenomenal job bringing the story to life.

A great pick if you’re in the mood for a romance that’s more than just surface level, with two characters who feel flawed, real, and easy to root for.

4 Stars!

#NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, #TheSummerYouWereMine, #JillFrancis, #ItalyVibes

The writing in this book felt really natural. The author did a great job making the dialogue believable, and the Italian setting was beautiful and easy to imagine. The overall vibe was light and fluffy, like a soft summer vacation romance. I especially loved the grandparents!
That said, the plot didn't hold my interest. It felt slow, and I kept waiting for something to happen. The story just felt reallllyyyy long for something so minor: miscommunication after miscommunication. Perhaps it could have worked better as a shorter story.
I did appreciate the autism representation and the author's writing style, but overall, this book didn't leave a lasting impression. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it, though it was an easy read.

Very cute story of second chance romance for childhood love in adulthood. The setting was a beautiful Italian coast and the Italian cultural aspects were so fun (AKA- this book made me hungry all the time for wine and cheese). Lots of funny one-liners and dry humor. Also enjoyed the rep of neurodivergence with the perspective of adult diagnosis!

Audio: narrators were both easy to listen to. Produced well and a great listen overall!

Summer Romance? Italian Riviera? Yes please! 'The Summer You Were Mine' was a mind escape to the shores of Italy, full of friendships, family, and of course a long lost romance rekindled. The narration was spot on, and I enjoyed listening to this book. I also loved the representation of a neurodivergent main character that was handled sensitively and accurately. Fun characters, witty banter, and the right level of romance. Highly recommend for your next summer escape! Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!

Do you dream of a vacation on the Italian coast? The sea breeze gently blowing through your. White sandy beaches. The crystal blue Mediterranean stretching out before you. How could you not fall in love in a setting like that?

In this book we are following Ellie and Cristiano, Italian natives who grew up together and had one romantic summer before breaking it off. Heartache ensues and then time goes on. Now Ellie or Dr. Beltrami, as fans of her TV show call her, is a star in her own right. She has Ph.D. In Psychology and uses it to analyze famous sports stars and their woes. Got caught cheating on your wife? Are there videos on the internet of you drinking and partying thus ruining your career? No problem. One visit on Ellie’s show where you explain and apologize while she asks you tough questions and makes you see the error of your ways, and your career is automatically in comeback mode. Until one day, when something goes horribly wrong. But it’s the summer and Grandma is getting married, so off to the beach in Italy she goes.

Cristiano is a swimming super star. Olympic team and all that comes with that kind of notoriety. Then just as he is about to retire, the news breaks that he has failed a substance test for a supplement he says he did not know was illegal. After being beaten up in the press and basically going in to hiding Cristiano only has one escape route. Grandpa is getting married, so it is off to the beaches of Italy.

That’s our set up and the book obviously does a better job of painting those pictures for you. First let me tell you that the narration in this audiobook is impeccable. Tim Campbell and Nicol Zanzarella vividly bring this story to life. I would happily listen to either one of them again.
 
The rest of the book is a dizzying parade of Italian relatives, places, food and celebrations. Along with some heartache and drama of course. If you loved the movie Under the Tuscan Sun or Eat Pray Love (at least the Italian part, or even My big Fat Greek Wedding, you are sure to love this book.
 
I would like to thank Dreamscape Media for trusting me with another of their audiobooks through NetGalley and I truly appreciate it. All opinions are my own. If I do not like a book, you will know it.

This definitely gives summer read vibes. I love this and I think everyone should read this perfect book for this summer and I hope that you enjoy it.

Thank you to the author and NETGALLEY for this ALC

I really enjoyed the writing in this book, and it kept me going through what was admittedly a slower story with a lot of introspection and not as much as action. I know miscommunication is unpopular in romance these days, but it doesn't bother me, and I thought the misunderstandings between the two main characters were believable and relatable. I also really liked that the story was told in third person. I love writing in third person, but I don't see it much in romance anymore. In this particular case, I think it made the book feel more literary and less commercial, if that makes sense, but again, that didn't bother me. The author's voice stood out as fresh and different and I appreciated that. The author also did a nice job weaving the heroine's new autism diagnosis into the story without turning it into a Very Special Autism Story.

I liked the two narrators for the audiobook, but I did have trouble reconciling the way the male narrator voiced the hero (without an Italian accent) and the way the female narrator read the hero's dialogue (with a slight accent.) It made it hard for me to remember that he was the same person. But if the book had been read by either narrator alone, either would have been excellent. It was only the discrepancy between the two that threw me off.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance listening copy!

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a good judge of romance novels. But I am rating this book based on my own enjoyment and I really struggled with the “silliness” of the book. I was hopeful about the setting being the Italian coast but there wasn’t much description of the setting - a disappointment for me. I do believe that regular readers of this genre will enjoy it if you don’t care if the characters are well-developed or not. There were some humorous moments on the part of other characters but I never got a good sense for Ellie and Cris. The usual breakdown in communication was there which seems to be the only way that characters in romance novels can finally get together. So all in all, this book was not for me but will probably be a hit for romance readers who are looking for a beach read.
I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrators seemed good - probably the only reason I finished it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Dreamscape Media for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 ~ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 ~ by Jill Francis ~ Ahhhh AMORE IN ITALIA! Thanks to St. Martin’s Press (St. Martin’s Griffin, Goodreads, Netgalley and Jill Francis for an ARC release of this sweet, summery, second chance romance set on the stunning Italian coast.
This is a clean contemporary romance with FMCs that are realistic and make sense, with joyful side characters to lend to the overall plot and storyline. I adored the addition of plenty of Italian words and phrases and the author allowed for the intelligence of the reader to work in meaning without spoon feeding us translations. It lent to the authenticity of the setting and the experiences of these people. Also, the descriptions of the homes, foods, locations and lifestyle of the native Italian families (some of whom are now citizens of the US and Italy), made this a breezy, sweet escape of a read. I read this poolside in the sunshine and felt swept away across the sea to all the sights and smells of bell Italia! The 3rd act conflict is realistic and even the concerns of the FMCs are human and sensible. The event that draws them all together is heart-warming and provides a fun centerpiece for this story. If you want a genuine contemporary romance, closed door spice, fun characters, charming side plots, easy-breezy writing style, that is infused with Italian culture, humor and hope for love at all ages then add this pleasant book to your TBR… or better yet… pick up a copy now!
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ ( 4.25… but really I had such a peaceful time reading this… I could even go higher, I just wanted to keep it more review and less personal time …because as a teacher who is just beginning break, … I was happy in general! Lol
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥! 📚❤️🇮🇹