I wish I could read this book for the first time again every summer for the rest of my life. It has all of the best elements of a second chance romance (that never really stopped being a first time romance) the love these characters had for each other and the world that was created for them to live in just blows me away.

One million stars. ⭐️

The Summers Between Us is just up my alley. It has summer visits, childhood crushes, second chance romance, and the weight of expectations. With flashbacks, we see the feelings and intensity that scares Lia so much. There's this idea that 'young love isn't real', but it just tries to diminish these real feelings. The love that can be formed no matter the age. Experience doesn't mean you love more or that love will be better. In the flashbacks we can see the friendship and the transitions from friendship to something more and it's sweet - even if you know how it will end.

The Summer Between Us was so much more than just an easy summer read. I wasn’t expecting to feel so many emotions but Noreen Nanja managed to pull every single one out of me with her beautiful writing.

Be prepared to be transported from your reading chair right into the heart of Pike Bay, where Lia comes back to her family’s cottage and, Wes, her first love.

This second chance, summer romance had me in a chokehold. The chemistry between Wes and Lia was magnetic and I was rooting for their happily ever after every step of the way. This was a bit of a slow burn, but worth every agonizing moment while reading through the different time jump chapters. It was so beautiful to get to experience the character growth that took place between both characters. I felt like I was right there with them every step of the way. The only reason that I lowered the rating to three stars was because it didn’t feel right to make such a life altering decision without discussing it with Wes first. That part was disheartening and sent a message to readers I can’t stand behind.

A cottage outside of the city. An attraction that spans years and cultural differences. The Summers Between Us is a great summer read for romance readers.

I really, really, really enjoyed this second chance debut interracial summer romance between a South Asian Canadian Toronto girl and the small town boy she meets while at her parent's vacation home on the Bruce Peninsula. There's lots of young forbidden opposites attract love, flashbacks and fans of Carley Fortune will want to gobble it up!! I was here for every second of this book and especially enjoyed the audio narration by Athena Karkanis. Noreen Nanja is a new Canadian author to watch!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

CW: accidental pregnancy, abortion, death of a parent. side character with cancer

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC and to Libro FM for the ALC! I devoured this book in a day while going back and forth between the two versions and I truly loved it! The book follows Lia, a corporate lawyer in her late twenties, who ends up back at her family's lake house to care for her teenage cousin, while her aunt goes through a health issue. Being there brings back all sorts of memories for her of her own teenage years spent there becoming friends with and falling in the love with the next door neighbor, Wes. She isn't expecting to see him again after over a decade and they strike up a tentative friendship that ends up bring back all of the things that happened between them in the past and what could be possible for their future as well. The book toggles between timelines as you see teenage Lia struggle with cultural expectations from her family and the love she so clearly have for Wes and her struggles as an adult who feels like she always has to take care of everyone and have it all together.
This book was an absolutely beautiful second chance love story (my favorite kind!) and a great exploration of cultural, familial and personal expectations. It is a great summer read and also packs quite an emotional punch with a good amount of depth to the story. If you like Carley Fortune's books, I think this one would likely be a hit for you! I will look forward to reading more from Nanja in the future!

I genuinely loved every moment of this book; I truly can’t recommend it enough! If you’re a fan of Love and Other Words and Every Summer After, this book is definitely for you.

Told through alternating timelines of present day and five special summers in Lia and Wes’ lives, The Summers Between Us is the story of how Lia and Wes met, fell in love, were torn apart, and are brought back together.

The story focuses on the importance of your own happiness, the impact of family, and what it means to love. This book had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat waiting to see how their love story played out. I simply couldn’t put the book down and will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen.

The character development and the beauty of Lia and Wes’ love is going to stick with me and I think if someone is looking for a book to kick off the summer, this the perfect place to start.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Digital Galley in exchange for an honest review!

The Summers Between Us was everything and more. It had all my absolute favorite tropes: friends to lovers, second chance romance, dual timeline, set by a body of water. Lia and Wes' love and struggles felt real, grounded and understandable. Their connection burned so bright and seeing them struggle to be together even when they were clearly deeply in love, both because of family pressures and hidden secrets, felt very realistic. Noreen portrayed first love and heartbreak in such a profound way. I thought all the side characters really added to the story, and although I started seeing what the reason for their original breakup was, it didn't feel too predictable when it was reveled. This angsty love story truly delivers and sparkles. And who can resist a love story set on a stunning lake? I didn't want it to end, I could've read 100 more chapters of Lia and Wes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

A breathtakingly beautiful second chance romance that completely stole my heart! The Summers Between Us is a tender, emotional, and gorgeously written story about love, identity, cultural expectations, and finding your way back to the parts of yourself you thought were lost.

From the first chapter, I was completely immersed in Lia’s world. She’s the definition of the “perfect daughter”—successful, polished, following all the rules laid out by her immigrant parents. But when she’s drawn back to her family’s summer cottage on Pike Bay, she also returns to the memories, heartbreak, and unresolved feelings tied to her first love, Wes. The way the past and present unfold side by side is masterfully done. I found myself eagerly flipping pages, needing to know what tore them apart years ago and whether they could rebuild something from the ashes now.

The chemistry between Lia and Wes is undeniable—soft, aching, and deeply genuine. Their emotional connection felt so raw and real, and I was rooting for them with every ounce of my heart. I also appreciated how their individual growth was handled. Lia’s internal struggle—between who she was expected to be and who she wants to become—resonated so deeply, especially as she reevaluates her career, her family obligations, and her definition of happiness.

Noreen Naji’s prose is rich and lyrical, painting the lakeside setting with such care that Pike Bay becomes a character in itself. The slow-burn storytelling, dual timelines, and exploration of cultural identity and emotional healing made this story feel incredibly grounded and relatable. It’s not just about romantic love—it’s about self-love, forgiveness, and reclaiming your voice.

If you're a fan of emotional second chance romances, friends-to-lovers tropes, and soul-deep character journeys set against a dreamy, nostalgic backdrop, this book is absolutely for you. I laughed, I teared up, and I finished it with a full heart.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Adult) | Random House Canada for sharing this sweet, heartwarming romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. This is a summer read you won’t forget!

A lovely, emotional, evocative friends-to-lovers debut! This will hit with the Every Summer After crowd, but The Summers Between Us is entirely its own. I loved the lush Canadian lake vibes (the setting is its own character, and Noreen does it beautifully!), the deeply complicated relationship between Lia and her family (rendered with empathy, but never sugar-coating), and the push-and-pull slow burn of Lia and Wes (you'll ache for them to finally get together!) I won't spoil, but Noreen makes some absolutely perfect narrative moves in this where I feel like the plot couldn't have been better or more character-driven. Fans of Naina Kumar, Kate Spencer, and Carley Fortune (ME!!) will be enamored by Noreen's voice! Can't wait for the next!

Thank you to Random House Canada and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review 🙂

I love this book. This emotionally resonant novel masterfully explores the complexities of cultural identity, family expectations, and second chances through the story of Lia Juma and Wesley Forest, childhood sweethearts separated by circumstances and reunited at their summer haven years later.

What a beautiful novel in a beautiful setting. I just wanted to live at this little lake and watch this romance unfold. (Reminded me of the lovely lake setting in Tom Lake and Carley Fortune books.)

Now for the best part: the relationship between Wes and Lia is tender and sweet - their care for each other is so genuine. I loved the past and present and couldn’t stop turning pages to find out what happened all those years ago. Also, as a former burned-out corporate attorney, I adored the way Lia’s job became a character and loved watching her relationship with her career change. Five out of five!

I am a sucker for a second chance romance, and The Summers Between Us absolutely delivered! I was equally invested in both the timelines, eager to see where Wes and Lia's story would go and how it would resolve. Noreen Nanja has such beautiful writing, and I can't wait to see what she does next!