Summer in the City – A Rom-Com That Feels Like a Warm Slice of NYC Sunshine
A Smart, Feel-Good Rom-Com for Summer
There’s just something about summertime that calls for a quick, satisfying romance read—and Summer in the City by Alex Aster fits the bill perfectly. Set against the backdrop of New York City in the heat of summer, this book brings together all the things I love in a rom-com: sharp dialogue, great character chemistry, and just enough emotional depth to keep it grounded.
If you’re in the mood for a story that’s fun, a little angsty, and ultimately uplifting, this one is worth adding to your TBR. Here’s my honest review, complete with spice rating, book highlights, and why Summer in the City was such a great surprise.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share books and products I truly love, and all opinions, thoughts, and experiences shared here are entirely my own.
Summary
Summer in the City follows 27-year-old Elle, a screenwriter in the throes of writer’s block, who reluctantly returns to the city she once fled. She lands in a dreamy Manhattan apartment—think skyline views, cozy coffee shops, and creative energy pulsing through the walls. But her picture-perfect setup gets complicated when she discovers her neighbor is none other than Parker Warren, a tech billionaire with a chiseled jawline and a shared ahem history.
Two years ago, Elle and Parker had a stairwell hookup that went south fast, and now their enemies-to-lovers tension is thicker than NYC humidity in August. He needs a fake relationship to pull off a high-stakes business acquisition. She needs inspiration to finish her screenplay, which is due by summer’s end. Cue: lots of bickering, undeniable chemistry, and a summer that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
My Thoughts
This book was exactly what I needed—a light, funny, heartfelt story that swept me off my feet and straight into the bustle of New York City. I loved this. From the first page, it made me happy in that rare and satisfying way only a truly swoony rom-com can.
Alex Aster’s transition into adult romance is seamless. The writing is sharp and fast-paced, and the banter between Elle and Parker is so entertaining. Their dynamic hits that perfect mix of antagonistic tension and emotional vulnerability. I genuinely laughed out loud more than once, and found myself rooting hard for both of them—flaws and all.
Elle, in particular, is a beautifully layered protagonist. At times, I wanted to shake her for letting past trauma cloud her judgment, but that made her all the more real. Her struggle with creativity, pressure, and trust hit close to home, and her growth felt authentic and earned.
The romance? Chef’s kiss. It’s a slow burn with capital letters. The kind of burn where you're screaming, “Just kiss already!” for chapters. There’s a steady build of almost moments, and when the tension finally snaps—yep, worth it.
Spice Rating: 3/5
This one’s an open-door romance with just enough steam to satisfy, but it leans more on emotional intimacy than graphic detail. Perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn build-up with a rewarding payoff.
Read If You Like:
Lovers to enemies to lovers (yes, all three phases!)
Forced proximity
Fake dating
Big feelings in a big city
Smart women, billionaires, and creative chaos
At under 350 pages, this is a quick and fun summer read, ideal for vacation, weekend escape, or a night in with your favorite drink and a fan blowing to mimic the NYC heat.
Rating: 5/5
A joyfully written enemies-to-lovers romance that captures the messy magic of summer, second chances, and falling for the person you least expect. Summer in the City belongs in your beach bag or bedside stack.
About the Author: Alex Aster
Alex Aster is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her wildly popular Lightlark fantasy series, which took TikTok by storm. Summer in the City is her adult romance debut, and a clear sign she can command the rom-com space just as well as fantasy.
She’s a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and has been featured in outlets like Good Morning America, The New York Times, and Time Magazine. You can follow Alex and keep up with her upcoming books here:
Perfect Pairing: Spiked Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Because some books just deserve a drink pairing—and this one practically demands it.
Summer in the City is the kind of rom-com that reads like a movie: fast-paced, emotionally charged, and full of rooftop energy. So it only made sense to pair it with something that’s just as bold, bright, and a little bit sharp.
Spiked Strawberry Basil Lemonade
(or the zero-proof Mocktail Muse Lemonade, if that’s more your vibe)
Why it works: This drink hits the same notes as Elle and Parker’s relationship—sweet, snarky, a little tart, and surprisingly layered. It’s the kind of thing you could picture sipping from a rooftop cup in the middle of an emotionally charged stare-down (or makeout). Basically? It’s got main character energy.
Cocktail Version:
2 oz vodka (or gin for a more botanical edge)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
0.75 oz simple syrup (or muddled strawberries + sugar)
2–3 strawberries
2–3 basil leaves
Splash of soda water or lemon sparkling water
Garnish: Basil sprig + strawberry slice
Instructions:
Muddle strawberries and basil with lemon juice and syrup. Shake with vodka and ice, strain into a glass, and top with soda water. Sip slowly, especially if you're reading a slow-burn romance with this much tension.
Mocktail Version:
Muddle 3 strawberries + basil leaves
Add 1 oz lemon juice + 0.5 oz honey or simple syrup
Shake with ice, top with lemon seltzer
Same sassy garnish
Light, fizzy, and full of flavor—it’s the perfect match for a book about battling creative block, rediscovering passion, and falling for the person you least expected.
Want more romance + cocktail combos? Check out the rest of my book and cocktail pairings here.
Looking for more?
If you’re looking for more summer book recs, check out:
If you love the enemies-to-lovers vibe, check out:
Final Thoughts
Summer in the City was exactly what I needed this season—a story that made me smile, swoon, and root for a couple who felt real in all the best (and most frustrating) ways. Elle’s creative block and emotional baggage felt authentic, and Parker’s mix of confidence and vulnerability brought just the right balance to their dynamic. It’s a slow burn, but the payoff is worth every moment of tension.
If you’re looking for a quick, satisfying romance with clever dialogue, genuine emotional growth, and a refreshing take on familiar tropes, this one belongs on your summer TBR. Add a rooftop drink (or a mocktail), a quiet hour to yourself, and Summer in the City might just become your next favorite escape.
