Get to Know the Book
Title: Summer in the CityAuthor: Alex Aster
Published: 2025
The Story at a Glance: Twenty-seven-year-old screenwriter Elle has the chance of a lifetime to write a big-budget movie set in New York City. The only problem? She’s had writer’s block for months, and her screenplay is due at the end of the summer. In a desperate attempt at inspiration, Elle ends up back in the city she swore she would never return to, in an apartment she could never afford (floor-to-ceiling windows, skyline views, and a new coffee shop to haunt included). It’s the perfect place to write her screenplay…until she realizes her new neighbor is tech “Billionaire Bachelor” Parker Warren, her stairwell hookup from two years ago. It’s been a lovers-to-enemies situation ever since.
My thoughts…
Rating:
This book was exactly what I needed on vacation: the perfect summer escape. With sunshine, humor, and just the right amount of romantic tension, it drew me in from the first page.
I’m a sucker for a good fake dating trope, and this one delivered. Complete with chemistry, banter, and those delicious moments where pretend starts to feel too real. The story flows effortlessly, with a light, fun tone that still manages to sneak in some deeper emotional themes.
The FMC felt incredibly real to me, like someone I could grab coffee with and vent about life. Relatable, funny, and full of heart, she grounded the story in the best way. The MMC, on the other hand, was maybe a little too perfect. Charming? Yes. Swoonworthy? Absolutely. But I wouldn’t have minded seeing a few more rough edges.
Still, this was such a fun, feel-good read. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway without leaving your couch, Summer in the City is a must.
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