Alex Aster makes her adult debut with Summer in the City, a rom-com that promises a swoony, fast-paced, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers ride set against the glittering backdrop of New York City. The premise feels irresistible: Elle, a 27-year-old screenwriter with a looming deadline and an even larger case of writer’s block, returns to the city she swore she’d never live in again. Her chic, unaffordable apartment with its floor-to-ceiling windows and perfect coffee shop should be the ideal place to work. But next door lives Parker Warren, the infamous “Billionaire Bachelor” she shared an unforgettable stairwell encounter with two years ago.
What follows is a summer of reluctant proximity, fake dating, and mutual inspiration. Elle needs to finish her screenplay; Parker needs a buzzy public relationship during a high-stakes acquisition. Both think it’s pretend, a temporary arrangement that will end with the season. Of course, neither is prepared for how real things will feel.
What Works
Aster’s evocation of New York City is undeniably charming. From rooftop views to pizza slices on sun-warmed sidewalks, she captures the city’s “skyscraper glimmering, pizza crusted, sunlit charms” with a warmth that makes you want to book a flight immediately. One delightful feature of the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition is a map of the city with all the places Elle and Parker visit an Easter egg for readers who like to follow the characters’ footsteps.
The chemistry between Elle and Parker is also one of the book’s biggest draws. Their banter begins as barbed and ends up heartfelt. Fans of slow burn will enjoy watching these two opposites push each other’s buttons before peeling back layers of misunderstanding. Parker, in particular, stands out. Though he starts as a flashy tech billionaire, he evolves into a surprisingly complex character who slowly learns that money cannot fix everything. Many readers found his small gestures, and even his over-the-top ones, endearing.
Elle is relatable in her creative struggle and introversion. She’s prickly, flawed, and at times cynical qualities that ground the story in something messier and more real than a “perfect” rom-com heroine.
Where It Falters
That said, not every reader will fall in love with Elle. Some have criticized her for holding a grudge over a five-minute stairwell interaction for two years, a level of pettiness that strains believability. Others felt Parker’s gift-giving veered uncomfortably close to love bombing, while Elle’s resistance to his efforts sometimes turned repetitive.
A more divisive point is “chapter 30,” which several early reviewers have called the book’s breaking point. Without spoiling anything, it combines the worst tendencies of both leads and creates a third-act conflict that feels jarring after an already rocky second act. For some, this was the moment the story lost its footing.
Final Thoughts
Summer in the City is a glossy, trope-packed romance that will appeal to readers who love billionaire heroes, fake dating, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, especially when set against an irresistible New York City backdrop. It’s also a book that isn’t afraid to show the bumps along the way to happily ever after, including miscommunications and growing pains. While not everyone will warm to Elle’s character or the climactic twist, Alex Aster clearly knows how to craft a story that gets people talking and swooning.
If you’re craving a summer read that mixes romance with a vibrant sense of place, you may want to give this one a try.
Click here to get your copy of Summer in the City on Amazon.
