Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Jill Francis for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️ A second chance romance in Italy - this had all the potential but didn’t quite get there for me. I think it was good and recommend but I wasn’t wowed as much as I hoped.

I listened to most of the book, having received both the audio and ebook from NetGalley. The narrators did a great job with all the Italian woven into the story. Reading it just from the ebook I would have skimmed over a lot of that.

I loved the storyline of Ellie and Cris returning to Italy where they used to be friends each summer. Their families have a long history of friendship and support but years ago they had a misunderstanding that led to them not speaking for years. The tight knit Italian family and side characters were entertaining and a fun addition.

The romance and conflict itself left a little to be desired for me. Ellie was entertaining but felt like she made things more complicated than they needed to be. Cris was a little more open about things but still made bonehead decisions. Overall, I just wanted a bit for from this relationship to feel the tension and pull for them to be together.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, & Jill Francis for this chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a really compelling novel- with elements of second chance romance, close family history and with a dash of celebrity (sports and podcast) elements. All of the families' Italian roots and how they summered in Italy was really captivating. It's a great setting for an easy beach read! There is nothing stressful or heartbreaking. Just a simple journey of two childhood friends coming back together.

The dual narration was incredibly well done. When the pacing of the story sped up with shorter alternating chapters that was really brought to life with the narration.

This was a cute book, second chances are things we all get but take them not so much!

This bookmakers is to Italy where we meet a sports therapist who blows up her career over leaving the mic on and her distasteful comments make it around the sports world, now everyone is trying to cancel her. She flies off to Italy for her grandmother weeding hoping she can fix it all with the help of her once friend and love of her life, who is going though his own scandal after someone leaks that he took an illegal substance tarnishing his reputation as a famous swimmer.

Loved it nice beach read

The Summer You Were Mine is the debut novel by Jill Francis, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Italy. It’s the perfect read for summer.
The book is narrated by Nicol Zanzarella and Tim Campbell. Both did a great job bringing the story to life!

Publication date- July 01 2025
#TheSummerYouWereMine #NetGalley

2.5/3⭐️ - Meaning, I finished the book and it was entertaining enough but I don’t think I’d recommend to a friend.
But overall, Cute Second Chance Romance.
Just didn’t connect with the characters and their story. I wasn’t a fan or how part of the book was in third person while the other part was in first, that was a miss for me.

-Second chance romance
-Childhood friends
-Neurodivergent FMC
-Set on the Italian Coast


This is a second chance romance that moderately hit the spot for me. The romance and connection fell a little flat for me, but it was still an enjoyable read. What I loved: The autism representation, the lovely descriptions that really set the scene, the grandparents (and families in general), and the summer vibes. If you are on the fence about picking this one up, I definitely would recommend the audiobook. I ended up being really glad that this was one that I listened to.


Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Summer You Were Mine is a sweet romance. I can definitely see how it got the women's fiction label—it's pretty quiet and slow (not in a bad way). I wanted something more from it but can't quit put my finger on what (maybe for it to feel either slightly more Women's Lit or slightly more Romance—it felt like it was kind of straddling the two).
I liked it, liked both narrators, and would read more from Jill Francis.

⭐️ .5🌶️ 5🎧 This book was cute, but very predictable. The thing that broke them apart the first time, is what breaks every teenage relationship up; a lack of communication. The 3rd act I saw coming from a mile away. This wouldn’t be the first book I would recommend, but I wouldn’t try to steer anyone away either.

The narration of this story was great! It’s written in 3rd person POV, but still had 2 narrators and I really enjoyed them both!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced listen in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️

This was such a cute summery romance!
I love a second chance romance between childhood friends and this one was adorable. I loved the setting of the book and their families were so fun! I also really liked that this book had ASD representation. This would be a great book to read on the beach this summer, but it may make you book a trip to Italy. 🤭

What to expect:
🩷 Romantic Comedy
🩷 Childhood Friends
🩷 Second Chance
🩷 Takes Place in Italy
🩷 Neurodivergent FMC

Thank you to Jill Francis, SMP Romance, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this boom was just OK. I wasn't rimming to my phone to finish it or anything. I did finish though. 3 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and Tantor Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for second chance romance and child hood friends.

I really loved the story of how Ellie and Chris grew up together and how 14 years ago, there was a misunderstanding that occurred and caused them to avoid each other for years after. Then to see how their families were so intertwined, their parents and now their grandparents were getting married to each other forcing them to finally come together.

However something in this book was lacking. Maybe it was the fact that we got more miscommunication then actual romance in the book and it took until 60% in for something to finally happen between them but this book was just a nice palette cleanser for me. I think I enjoyed it more because it was second chance romance and I was routing so much for the two main characters to get it together.

The setting was absolutely dreamy as it takes place in Italy and it’s a perfect summer book to read. This was a super easy and quick read and I enjoyed it overall!

Thank you Netgalley and to the publishers for
allowing me to review this ARC.

Thank you to netgalley and St Martins Press for the alc of this book.
Ellie and Cris are both struggling in their careers. Her as a non practicing psychologist talk show host and him as a swimmer recently acused of taking performing inhancing drugs. What would be better than for them to work together on an episode of Ellies show where Cris can explain he definitely did not do drugs. Small problem, they havent spoken to each other in 10 years due to an incident where they almost crossed the line into more then friendship territory. This book had the potential to be a scenic, hilarious beach read. But was sadly fraught with miscommunication and immaturity. As someone who loves a second chance, I was so bummed by the reasoning behind why they hadnt spoken it felt a stretch. I believe second chance can be done well without relying on the miscommunication trope
With that being said i enjoyed the side characters and the setting.
I also enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Audio for an advanced listening copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The summer you were mine is a second chance, slow burn, neurodivergent FFM, contemporary romance. Childhood friends who are both at career impasses, they meet up again at the Italian wedding of her grandmother to his grandfather. As their stay in Italy professes, their attraction to each other progresses too. They decide to work together to save each other’s careers. When the real world tries to step in, they have to decide what’s important for the future. Can their careers be saved along with their newfound romance??

I enjoyed this ALC. the FMC has an autism diagnosis she tries to hide, and the female narrator did a good job voicing the character where’s its obvious there are some social miscues. I LOVE male and female narrators and feel that these narrators did great with the Italian phrases in the book as well. It’s a SLOW burn, and I was hoping for some action a lot sooner than we got it. This is a solid 4 ⭐️ book that I listened to within 24 hours (at 2.0 speed). A great summer addition for my summer reads!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and alc.

This book was just ok in my opinion. If anything, I think the book could've used a tad bit more editing before it was released. (And yes I do realize it was an arc). I still might be interested in reading more by Jill Francis in the future though,

A second chance romance set on the ltalian Riviera. Ellie and Cris reunite after years apart at their grandparents' surprise wedding and quickly find that old sparks still linger.

The seaside setting was gorgeous, the family dynamics were relatable and the romance between Ellie and Cris felt earned. A lovely summery setting to whisk you away!

This is a romance novel with "second chance lovers" and "miscommunication" tropes. I ultimately did not enjoy this, but it would be a light fun beach read for summer.

Audiobook
3.5 stars

Ellie Beltrami is not having a good week. Her career is in chaos after an on-air slip, and now she must fly to Italy for her grandmother's wedding with her bickering parents. She must also face her childhood love, Cristiano Ronaldo. Can Ellie and Chris overcome their issues to help each other grow?

This is a sweet standard romance story, but the appeal lies in the fantastic descriptions of the Italian landscape and food. Ellie and Chris are good main characters, and I appreciate that they made significant life changes for themselves, rather than for each other. There is also a late-in-life autism diagnosis representation.

Advanced copy provided by Dreamscape Media. All Opinions are my own.

The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Frances, narrated by Nicol Zanzarella and Tim Campbell. Loved the narration, so glad they had a woman and a man reading the parts. Get ready for your next beach read set on the coast of Italy releasing on July 1,2025. Characters are imperfect and engaging with a second chance, best friends to enemies to love romance. Thank you to #NetGalley and #Dreamscape Media for this Arc. This is my honest review.

A lovely, feel-good listen that brought just the right amount of drama and emotional pull to the table. The banter was charming, the characters were warm and full of heart, and the coastal setting gave the whole story a soft, breezy touch.

The Summer You Were Mine is a sweet second-chance romance. Sun-drenched, heartfelt, and perfect for readers looking to get swept up in a nostalgic kind of love. A delightful audio experience that balances lighthearted charm with moments of reflection and healing.

Chris and Ellie were childhood friends whose one impulsive kiss as teenagers changed everything. Years later, they return to the picturesque Italian town where they spent their summers; this time for a family wedding. With both of their careers in the garbage, they find themselves unexpectedly leaning on each other and possibly rediscovering what once sparked between them. This is a heartfelt and charming rom-com. Perfectly suited for a beach read. Fans of second-chance romance and sports romance will be especially drawn in. The Italian setting is beautifully rendered, with generous use of the language adding realism to the story; readers with some knowledge of Italian may find an added layer of enjoyment. The inclusion of autism representation is a welcome and thoughtful touch and was well written. The audiobook narration is excellent. With low spice and a nearly closed-door approach to romance, this is ideal for readers who prefer more emotional depth than spice.

3.5 stars