j'ai commencé cette lecture sans attente particulière et je me suis totalement laissée prendre par leur histoire. Elle est une héroïne dont j'ai apprécié de découvrir les secrets et les fêlures mais le gros gros point fort de cette histoire est Parker et la perception qu'elle peut en avoir puisqu'on tombe nous aussi irrémédiablement amoureux de lui. Les pages défilent, je ne me suis pas ennuyée en leur compagnie et j'ai aimé la manière dont l'autrice clôt leur histoire. Une très jolie romance qui aura su me conquérir par les sujets abordés, les protagonistes et leurs sentiments. A découvrir !!

Summer in the City by Alex Aster is a fun, witty, and swoon-worthy romcom that delivers all the best romance tropes. Elle, a struggling screenwriter, is stuck with writer’s block—until she reunites with Parker, her billionaire neighbor and past stairwell fling. When they strike a deal—she gets inspiration, he gets a fake girlfriend—their summer in New York turns into something much more real.
I loved Elle and Parker’s dynamic! Their banter was sharp, their chemistry undeniable, and the slow burn made every moment worth it. The writing was engaging, with vivid descriptions of New York that made the setting feel like a character itself. The humor was top-tier, and Parker had me kicking my feet with his sweet, thoughtful moments. While the third-act conflict felt a bit frustrating, the overall journey was incredibly satisfying. If you love fake dating, second chances, and billionaire romances, this book is a must-read!
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

Being incredibly honest, I wasn’t sure if this would be a hit a couple of chapters in. A forced proximity, enemies to lovers set in NYC, it felt like it’d been done before. But lo and behold, I devoured this story! By 30% I was hooked. I love a flawed fmc and a billionaire mmc doesn’t hurt! I enjoyed their banter, loved the character development and the spicy scenes were perfect! All in all a 4 star read for Alex Asters debut contemporary romance and one of definitely recommend to romance readers.

I absolutely loved this book! Fake dating is my ultimate trope and I can never get enough of it! I loved all the bookish references, I loved all the scenic scenes. I LOVE LOVE LOVED HOW HE BOUGHT HER FAVIOURITE COFFEE SHOP AND MADE THEM SELL HER FAVE SCONE AGAIN! That is love!
Honest it was so good, so nice and easy to read and it had the spice too 🌶️🌶️ but wasn’t too much.
For Alex’s debut romance book it was really really good and I think you would never have known that she’s not wrote a romance before. I have lightlark and nightbane but have been waiting for skyshade before reading and now I am so excited for them.
If you like romance then 100% give this a read!
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Release Date - 25th March 2025

This book was pure rom-com gold. Elle and Parker’s dynamic? Absolutely unhinged in the best way, I ate it up. Elle is stubborn, chaotic, and so easy to root for, while Parker is that perfect mix of infuriatingly charming and hopelessly smitten. The man does not understand the concept of "low effort," and I was OBSESSED.

The chemistry?? Off the charts. Banter? Top-tier. And the grand gestures? Unnecessary, over the top, and exactly what I wanted. Parker moves through life like a man who has never heard the word “no,” except when it comes from Elle, which, naturally, only makes him try harder. The way he works for her, the way he pushes and pulls but never crosses the line, had me kicking my feet. And Elle? She’s the kind of heroine who refuses to make it easy, but you can tell she’s just as doomed as he is.

Their backstory made everything even better. There’s just something about two people who almost had something years ago and now have to deal with all that unresolved tension in an inconveniently close space. And let’s not forget the sheer drama of it all, fake dating, forced proximity, an excruciatingly slow burn, and a third-act conflict that had me stress-scrolling at 2 a.m.

The writing is snappy, the dialogue sparkles, and the romance is one of those all consuming, butterflies in the stomach kind of love stories.
So apparently, Alex Aster can write romance. Like, really well. Who knew?

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC <3

I am so happy the first Romance I picked up in over a month was Summer in the City. I just found it too cute and maybe not as believable as I would’ve wanted but it had me giggling and kicking my feet even with people around me, so that’s a win!

Elle and Parker met in a nightclub in New York. They have the best 5 minutes ever in a stairwell. She mistakes him for a bouncer and he say something deeply angers her. They part ways and she tries to get over him by going back to LA, but how can she do that when he’s a billionaire that is all over the media.
She has to go back to that city that holds so many painful memories for her, but just for the summer. She believes that the city is so big she wouldn’t ever cross paths with that one man who haunts her every being. How wrong was she, he’s her new neighbor. They see each other almost every day and she feels as if he’s stalking her, he’s not but he needs her, just as much as she needs him. She needs inspiration for her new movie script that she’s writing anonymously and he needs a fake girlfriend for the summer to feel normal. They make a deal that will end once summer is over, everything should be fake, but how fake can you be when real feelings get in the way?

I related way too much to Elle in this, I’m no screenwriter but all the rest hit very close to home. She feels like no one likes her and she can’t get close to anyone, and that’s why I love Parker. Even though they both make mistakes and hurt each other, they’re both only human and that’s the best quality to have.

Thank you netgalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC in exchange of an honest review!

Review: Summer in the City by Alex Aster

First off, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for granting me an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). THANK YOU SO MUCHHHHH 💞💞

Summary

Summer in the City by Alex Aster is a sharp, witty, and unexpectedly emotional take on second chances, ambition, and the undeniable pull of fate. Set against the backdrop of a sizzling New York summer, the novel follows Elle, a screenwriter with a love-hate relationship with the city, and Parker, the billionaire bachelor who once humiliated her. Two years after their disastrous first encounter, they’re forced into each other’s orbit once more—this time, as neighbors. What follows is a battle of wills, crackling tension, and a romance that feels both inevitable and impossible. Aster delivers a compelling mix of humor, heart, and electric chemistry, making Summer in the City a perfect read for fans of messy, enemies-to-lovers dynamics and stories that balance glamour with vulnerability.

My Thoughts

Now, let’s get into it—this book ate.

Alex Aster’s writing style was super engaging and descriptive, which is what kept me hooked till the end. The characters? So well-developed and relatable (except Parker because he's rich, and I’m broke af 😮‍💨). Not many male leads make me actually feel butterflies, but Parker? Oh, I was kicking my feet, giggling, and annotating like crazy. My phone is full of screenshots—you have no idea.

As for pacing, I’d say it was fast-paced overall, even though it took a while for Elle and Parker to actually get together (which I was 100% fine with).

Also, this book was so funnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Like, I laughed out loud multiple times. We need more books like this. Seriously.

Usually, I can predict how a story ends after a certain scene (98% accuracy rate, thank you very much), but this one? Unpredictable AF—and I loved that.

Final Rating

4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year (even though I’ve only read one other book so far, but this one is already top-tier).

If you love second-chance romance, billionaire drama, and a book that makes you feel something, Summer in the City is a must-read.

When Elle first meets Parker she doesn't know who he is and he offends her. She channels that anger and it helps her with her screenwriting. Two years later they meet again - will they have a second chance?

There were parts of this book that I absolutely loved - the writing style, the banter, the female friendships, parts of the romantic elements. But then then there were parts that just didn't quite click with me - the pacing at the beginning and then towards felt a bit rushed. But overall a nice romance to read as we head towards summer

Plot ✅ Characters ✅ Romance ✅ Tension ✅ ✅

I absolutely loved the way this book opened—its descriptions of New York brought the setting to life, making me feel like I was watching a movie. It delivered all the romcom vibes in the best way possible. For a debut romance and the first book I've read from Alex Aster, this was such an enjoyable read and I really enjoyed the writing style! The tropes were well executed, and I was completely swept away by Elle and Parker’s story, especially how their friendship naturally developed into something more.

Loved Parker as the MMC - From the beginning, you could see how much he cared for Elle—always wanting to spend time with her, putting her happiness first, and doing whatever he could to support her. The side characters also played a meaningful role, adding to both the plot and character development rather than just being there for the sake of it.

I think there was a good amount of smut, not too much, most of it enhanced the story rather than adding it just because, like some books do.

(Spoilers ahead! 🚨)
The proposal did feel a bit out of the blue and rushed, so I understood why the plot unfolded the way it did. However, Elle’s feelings about Parker’s wealth—especially her comparisons between him and her father—were sometimes hard to grasp. Parker and her dad were clearly very different, and while I understood her hesitation, it wasn’t always convincing. That said, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Favorite moments:
💙 When Parker bought the café just so Elle could have her blueberry scones again—swoon!
🏡 When Elle bought the townhouse and saw that Parker had decorated it for them—it was the cutest, and my heart broke when Elle realised.

Tropes:
💰 Billionaire ✅
💍 Fake-dating ✅

Overall, this was such a fun and heartwarming read, and I can't wait to see what Alex Aster does next!

This is like a 4.5 star for me. I liked the characters, the story was cute, I find no faults but something didn’t click? and so it’s not quite five stars but it is 4.5 so. I enjoyed this more than her other books.

3.5 stars

I picked up this book because I wanted something fun and breezy to read over a lazy weekend, and I wasn’t disappointed. Alex Aster is a new-to-me author; her writing style is a good fit for my tastes and the book was effective in creating a sense of time and place. It’s written from a single POV so this is very much Elle’s story of growth and change, although the last 20% of the book was a bit frustrating in that regard; Elle seemed to have moved past most of the deep-seated issues rooted in her upbringing but then there was a big conflict that just seemed… overblown? Like Elle just threw away all of her personal growth and reacted in a blind panic. Which, okay, in the moment perhaps that made sense, but then she continued her path of avoidance for a considerable amount of time and *never bothered going to therapy* - despite living in LA, where surely it is all but mandatory. By this point in the book Parker struck me as less of a well adjusted dream boyfriend (albeit one prone to showy but not consistently meaningful grand gestures) and more of a masochist. Of course everything is resolved by the end, but that third-act conflict felt jarring to me rather than organic.

Still, the slow development of the central relationship and Elle’s gradual realisation that she could and should expand her horizons were satisfying to read and I looked forward to picking up this book every time I had the chance. I’m certainly on board to read more by this author in future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you for letting me read and review this book on Netgalley.

Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Fake Dating
- Billionaire bad boy

I found this book really fun although I struggled to get into it and struggled to continue reading. I can't point out specifically what it was about it but I found it a lot more difficult to get through than I thought I would.

This book was phenomenal, one of the best I've read in a while, a perfect rom-com. I'm struggling to even think of words to express how much I enjoyed reading this.

Summer in the City is a masterclass in romantic comedy. Aster knew exactly what she was doing with every single line written, creating a story that will make you laugh, swoon, and feel all the emotions in between. It’s a must-read for fans of the genre, and it’s sure to leave you with a smile on your face long after the final page. (really really hoping this becomes a film...) The characters are well-developed, made for each other, and the pacing of their relationship is perfectly balanced. I truly felt I went along for the ride with Parker and Elle and want to plan a visit to NYC to see all the places they went and chase the magic.

What to expect?

💘 He Yearns
🫠 He Falls First
⚔️ Enemies to Lovers
💼 Billionaire
🏢 Forced Proximity
🗽 NYC Setting

'I've never wanted anything like I've wanted you.'

The story follows Elle, a 27-year-old screenwriter who is struggling with writer's block as she faces a tight deadline to complete a big-budget movie script. In a bid to find inspiration, she moves into a luxurious apartment in the city, only to discover that her neighbour is Parker Warren, a tech billionaire and her nemesis.

As their paths cross, their love-hate dynamic takes an unexpected turn. Elle realizes that Parker might just be the muse she needs to finish her screenplay, while Parker has his own reasons for keeping her close. The story unfolds over one summer, blending humour, romance, and the vibrant charm of New York City, making for a wonderful reading experience.

Thankyou to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done a fantastic job of creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems. The language is clear, concise, and evocative, with descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. Dialogue is natural and authentic, and the pacing is well-balanced, with enough tension and release to keep the reader engaged.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed, and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if it were in a bookshop.

Rating - 3⭐️
Spice - 1🌶️

Alex aster has dipped her toe into the rom-com genre and I had a fun time!

We have Elle, an anonymous movie writer who is under tight deadlines to produce a script, she decides to spend the summer in New York to try and inspire her. It all goes south when she finds out her next door neighbour is hot shot billionaire Parker. She has met him once before, and let’s say he did not make a good impression. They decide to make a deal, but how will the summer turn out?

Can I just say Alex Aster is FUNNY! This book had me laughing out loud multiple times, our FMC was so whitty and lovable. I haven’t read a billionaire romance in a while and found myself quite disconnected to Parker, however I did feel their chemistry. I loved our MCs back stories and how Elle made herself a community. My major drawbacks was the ending, it was too forced and unrealistic to me and made me do a massive eye roll. I would give my left leg for the ending to be better as it would have gotten a higher rating but I can’t be mad because I had a great time!

This book was so cute and funny, I absolutely devoured it. It was really easy to read and kept me gripped. I laughed, grinned from ear to ear and shed a couple of tears. Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes.

Elle plans to spend the summer in NYC writing her screenplay. She has no plans beyond hunkering down with her laptop and coffee in solitude- until she realises her neighbour is none other than famous tech Billionaire Parker Warren, who Elle happens to hold an almighty grudge against after a regretful stolen kiss 2 years ago. Parker needs a date for summer to distract from his company’s acquisition and Elle realises that Parker’s company visiting the NYC locations for her screen play , along with the loathing for him that seems to unlock her writing , makes for a good mutual exchange. So begins a summer of fake dating.

I like that Elle had her own successful career and that she really grappled with how she could have her career without her success and hard worked being eclipsed by the man she’s ’dating’. The female friendships were really sweet and well rounded. Parts of her life and story unfold really nicely so we learn more about her along the way.

I did think it was a little embarrassing that the FMC was so obsessed with a billionaire after two years, but then I thought it was probably a normal relationship to making and then being insulted by a hot famous billionaire.

The few chapters before the ending did kind of ruin it a bit for me, the fact that they were still obsessed with each other after 2 years and hadn’t had any contact was too much for more HEA loving heart.

Overall, I did really enjoy this book and would definitely recommend it to people.

Miscommunication at every turn! Two very intelligent people keep messing up. It’s giving the ultimate ‘dating the Bank of America’ without a care in the world vibes. But Elle didn’t once offer to pay for anything?! Like not even a hot dog.
If you like the idea of being swept off your feet, he buys you coffee, then the coffee shop, then the chain?! This is the book for you.
Amazing to read Alex’s pen in the romance arena.

Adorable nyc dating story. I enjoyed reading this book and couldn’t put it down. Found it a slow burn but it was worth it in the end. Learning how to handle grief as well as everyday life. Kept guessing until the end which I enjoyed.

3.75 ⭐️
3 🌶️

Summer in the city by Alex Aster is a hot new romance that will absolutely not keep out the heat of summer. This story follows Elle, an anonymous successful screenwriter, and Parker, a tech CEO, as they navigate the summer in New York whilst dating - well, fake dating.

This book!! It was very well written and the growth from the characters felt very real. The tension between Elle and Parker had me on the edge of my seat at times, and the banter between them was genuinely funny. With multiple of Elle’s relationships being explored and developed, it was super easy to get invested in her and her story.

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone after a fun summer romance read! Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This review was left honestly and voluntarily.