A Book Worth Borrowing, Not Buying 🤷🏻♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
I had SUCH high hopes for Summer in the City by Alex Aster, but honestly… I was left wanting sooo much more 😭 I ended up giving this book a generous 3 stars.
The plot had everything I normally love. Elle is a screenwriter working on a romance movie set in New York City, and to help inspire her writing, she starts visiting iconic romantic spots around the city with her very sexy upstairs neighbor, Parker 👀
Elle has spent years keeping her identity a secret. Her estranged father is a well-known businessman, and she’s determined to build her career completely on her own without relying on his influence and she actually succeeds at doing that.
Meanwhile, Parker needs a “girlfriend” to help clean up his public image. His bachelor lifestyle may be good for headlines, but not so great for business. Enter Elle. Their fake dating arrangement becomes the perfect win-win situation: Elle gets inspiration for her screenplay, and Parker gets the polished good-guy image he needs.
And because this is fake dating… obviously there’s NO way real feelings could happen, right? 😂
Now for my complaint: I absolutely hated the ending. Parker did something incredibly sweet for Elle, and she completely overreacted and ended the relationship over it. Girl… this man LOVES you. Please give him a break 😩
Overall, I still enjoyed parts of the story, especially the New York setting and the chemistry between the characters, but the ending really held this book back for me.
#BookTok #RomanceBooks #FakeDating #BookReview #ReadersOfLemon8
Having read Summer in the City, I found the setting of New York City truly captivating. The way Alex Aster weaves iconic romantic locations into the story genuinely adds to the atmosphere and provides vivid inspiration for anyone who loves the city’s charm. The fake dating trope is a favorite in romance literature because it often leads to surprisingly genuine emotional connections. In this book, Elle’s journey to establish her own identity despite her father’s shadow feels very relatable, especially in today’s world where many people strive to succeed on their own merit. What stood out to me was the complex dynamic between Elle and Parker. While their relationship starts out as a simple arrangement to benefit both, the chemistry and evolving emotions made me root for them. The conflict, however, particularly the ending where Elle overreacts to Parker’s sweet gesture, did feel frustrating and somewhat unearned. It made me reflect on how misunderstandings in relationships can be so painful but also a chance for growth and forgiveness. Sometimes, characters act in ways that don’t align with their established feelings, which can be jarring but also realistic in depicting human imperfections. If you're looking for a summer read that combines romance, personal growth, and a bit of New York City magic, this book fits well. However, I’d recommend borrowing this novel rather than purchasing, unless you really connect with the characters or enjoy the fake dating genre deeply. Ultimately, Summer in the City offers a fun, steamy escape with relatable themes, but the ending might leave some readers wishing for a more satisfying resolution. This review aligns with #BookTok and #RomanceBooks communities, highlighting popular themes such as #FakeDating. For readers seeking a light and engaging story with a metropolitan backdrop, this is worth exploring, especially if you appreciate character-driven plots and emotional tension in your romance.