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Zaffre Summer Fridays Fall in love with New York City in this feel-good summer romance.
You've Got Mail for a new generation, set in the days of AOL and instant messenger banter, about a freshly engaged editorial assistant who winds up spending her "summer Fridays" with the person she least expects
Summer 1999: Twentysomething Sawyer is striving to make it in New York. Between her assistant job in publishing, her secret dreams of becoming a writer, and her upcoming wedding to her college boyfriend, her is plate full. Only one problem: She is facing an incredibly lonely summer as her fiancé has been spending longer and longer hours at work . . . with an all-too-close female colleague, Kendra.
When Kendra’s boyfriend, Nick, invites Sawyer to meet up and compare notes about their suspicions, the meeting goes awry. She finds Nick cocky and cynical, and he finds her stuck in her own head. But then Nick seeks out Sawyer online to apologize, and a friendship develops.
Soon, Sawyer’s lonely summer takes an unexpected turn. She and Nick begin an unofficial ritual—exploring New York City together every summer Friday. From hot dogs on the Staten Island Ferry and Sea Breezes in a muggy East Village bar to swimming at Coney Island, Sawyer feels seen by Nick in a way that surprises her. He pushes her to be braver. To ask for what she wants. Meanwhile, Sawyer draws Nick out of his hard shell, revealing a surprisingly vulnerable side. They both begin living for their Friday afternoons together.
But what happens when the summer is over?
Summer 1999: Twentysomething Sawyer is striving to make it in New York. Between her assistant job in publishing, her secret dreams of becoming a writer, and her upcoming wedding to her college boyfriend, her is plate full. Only one problem: She is facing an incredibly lonely summer as her fiancé has been spending longer and longer hours at work . . . with an all-too-close female colleague, Kendra.
When Kendra’s boyfriend, Nick, invites Sawyer to meet up and compare notes about their suspicions, the meeting goes awry. She finds Nick cocky and cynical, and he finds her stuck in her own head. But then Nick seeks out Sawyer online to apologize, and a friendship develops.
Soon, Sawyer’s lonely summer takes an unexpected turn. She and Nick begin an unofficial ritual—exploring New York City together every summer Friday. From hot dogs on the Staten Island Ferry and Sea Breezes in a muggy East Village bar to swimming at Coney Island, Sawyer feels seen by Nick in a way that surprises her. He pushes her to be braver. To ask for what she wants. Meanwhile, Sawyer draws Nick out of his hard shell, revealing a surprisingly vulnerable side. They both begin living for their Friday afternoons together.
But what happens when the summer is over?
464 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2024
615 people are currently reading
39742 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Rindell
10 books917 followersUpcoming novel:
SUMMER FRIDAYS
***May 28, 2024!!!***
Suzanne Rindell is the author of four previous novels: The Other Typist, which has been translated into 20 languages, Three-Martini Lunch, Eagle & Crane, and The Two Mrs. Carlyles.
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About my reviews/activity on Goodreads: I only rate and review books I *like.* If I'm not into it, I simply don't rate it/review it. So you'll only see four or five stars ratings from me, and maybe a few notes about who I think might best enjoy the book in question.
SUMMER FRIDAYS
***May 28, 2024!!!***
Suzanne Rindell is the author of four previous novels: The Other Typist, which has been translated into 20 languages, Three-Martini Lunch, Eagle & Crane, and The Two Mrs. Carlyles.
-----
About my reviews/activity on Goodreads: I only rate and review books I *like.* If I'm not into it, I simply don't rate it/review it. So you'll only see four or five stars ratings from me, and maybe a few notes about who I think might best enjoy the book in question.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,576 reviews
May 31, 2024
Oh man, this was a bummer. Mild spoilers ahead, which I think are important in this case, because they involve an issue of ethics that (honestly) kinda put me off the entire book.
So the blurb says something along the lines of a girl who has suspicions that her fiancé’s cheating on her with his coworker—and said coworker is cheating on her boyfriend. The lead FMC ends up starting a friendship with the coworker’s boyfriend—initially because their partners were cheating on both of them with each other.
The thing is, I have a huuuuge issue with cheating. I can’t tolerate it; whether emotional or physical. I just can’t. In the book, the lead FMC and the coworker’s bf end up dating—which irked me to death because there was never any mention of guilt on the FMC’s end for doing exactly the same thing that her fiancé was doing to her. There wasn’t a confrontation of some kind with the FMC and her fiancé—this was all assumed, albeit with evidence, but still. She was engaged. She let it draw out and fell in love with absolutely no remorse. When I say this, what I mean is that she never thinks about her fiancé when she’s with the coworker’s bf—he never crosses her mind? She just has absolutely no guilt throughout. Which is crazy—because she villainizes him for doing the same thing she’s doing.
The book’s prose is fantastic and the writing interesting but this just really threw me off. As a whole, I could not root for the FMC and nor could I support any of her actions. A miss for me.
So the blurb says something along the lines of a girl who has suspicions that her fiancé’s cheating on her with his coworker—and said coworker is cheating on her boyfriend. The lead FMC ends up starting a friendship with the coworker’s boyfriend—initially because their partners were cheating on both of them with each other.
The thing is, I have a huuuuge issue with cheating. I can’t tolerate it; whether emotional or physical. I just can’t. In the book, the lead FMC and the coworker’s bf end up dating—which irked me to death because there was never any mention of guilt on the FMC’s end for doing exactly the same thing that her fiancé was doing to her. There wasn’t a confrontation of some kind with the FMC and her fiancé—this was all assumed, albeit with evidence, but still. She was engaged. She let it draw out and fell in love with absolutely no remorse. When I say this, what I mean is that she never thinks about her fiancé when she’s with the coworker’s bf—he never crosses her mind? She just has absolutely no guilt throughout. Which is crazy—because she villainizes him for doing the same thing she’s doing.
The book’s prose is fantastic and the writing interesting but this just really threw me off. As a whole, I could not root for the FMC and nor could I support any of her actions. A miss for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2024
4.5/5
I am REALLY surprised by this one - it came out of nowhere. The writing was fantastic, character development was well done and it was very realistic to what I think these characters would do in the situations they were in.
I very much understand some of the criticism people have with the cheating/affair being central and yeah that is a little bit off-putting, but I truly think (my opinion) this was done well and with good intent. Sometimes people find themselves in situations that are outside of their character and its like a moving train - and I think the inner dialogue or thoughts of the character reflected her conflict with what was happening. Also, this situation wasn't black and white - with that said, there were some opportunities I was hoping the FMC would confront her fiancé on and she started to, but it always got interrupted. I truly think this was written very well and makes for a GREAT discussion. BOOK CLUB CHOICE!!!
This whole book and how it was written - combined with the 1999/2001/AIM storyline was magic to me. This was SUCH a pleasant surprise and I'm so thrilled I loved it as much as I did. Will definitely be looking into this author's backlist for sure.
In terms of format - I listened to the entire book and the narration was 100% perfect. I loved it. This was my first audio narration by Elizabeth Romanski and she was excellent. Either format could work, but if you're able to grab the audio I would definitely go that route.
Thank you so much to Dutton Books for the gifted printed copy and to prhaudio for the gifted audiobook.
Publication Date: 05/28/2024
Review Date: 06/05/2024
I am REALLY surprised by this one - it came out of nowhere. The writing was fantastic, character development was well done and it was very realistic to what I think these characters would do in the situations they were in.
I very much understand some of the criticism people have with the cheating/affair being central and yeah that is a little bit off-putting, but I truly think (my opinion) this was done well and with good intent. Sometimes people find themselves in situations that are outside of their character and its like a moving train - and I think the inner dialogue or thoughts of the character reflected her conflict with what was happening. Also, this situation wasn't black and white - with that said, there were some opportunities I was hoping the FMC would confront her fiancé on and she started to, but it always got interrupted. I truly think this was written very well and makes for a GREAT discussion. BOOK CLUB CHOICE!!!
This whole book and how it was written - combined with the 1999/2001/AIM storyline was magic to me. This was SUCH a pleasant surprise and I'm so thrilled I loved it as much as I did. Will definitely be looking into this author's backlist for sure.
In terms of format - I listened to the entire book and the narration was 100% perfect. I loved it. This was my first audio narration by Elizabeth Romanski and she was excellent. Either format could work, but if you're able to grab the audio I would definitely go that route.
Thank you so much to Dutton Books for the gifted printed copy and to prhaudio for the gifted audiobook.
Publication Date: 05/28/2024
Review Date: 06/05/2024
June 5, 2024
OMG I LOVED THIS!!! I’ll admit, it took me about 100 pages to get into the writing style. It’s very wordy, but does an amazing job at placing you in the scenes. Once I hit my stride I literally could not stop reading. This is a love story that feels so different from other romance books I read. It was real and raw and gut wrenching and beautiful. Obsessed. It takes place in 1999 and made me nostalgic for a New York I never experienced. I loved this.
February 28, 2024
the best romance I’ve read in YEARS 🥰🥹🥲☀️💗
July 14, 2024
I grabbed this one because of the You've Got Mail comparison and the 90s nostalgia, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. I'm torn over how to rate this book, maybe 2.75 stars? The prose is lovely, and I was certainly invested in how the story would play out, but I also felt like it was too long and slow in parts, and the infidelity was ick. The last 20% of the book was probably my favorite.
July 25, 2024
Hate books that glorify cheating. Also- needed a heavy edit and a bit more development on the story. It was flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2024
The writing was fun and flows… the only reason it doesn’t get 1 star. GOD the hypocrisy. WHY on god are we supposed to root for this couple when they develop in spite of an alleged affair! Everyone sucks in this book but none more than SAWYER god what a weak character please grow a backbone. Sorry okay I’m done now.
April 17, 2024
SUMMER FRIDAYS by Suzanne Rindell swept me away into a world of dial up and AOL instant messenger and tying up the landline. It’s 1999 in New York City, and Sawyer is a low level publishing assistant with writerly and editorial dreams. She’s engaged to Charles, an up and coming lawyer determined to make a career for himself. At the start of the novel, she and Charles are at a work event where Charles can’t keep himself away from a coworker. The coworker’s boyfriend, Nick, suggests they’re having an affair.
Despite the rocky introduction, Nick and Sawyer start spending Friday afternoons together. It’s such a love letter to New York and you can practically hear the turn of the century accompanying soundtrack.
What I loved about this novel: it’s messy. Sawyer and Nick are with other people, even if those people are almost certainly having an affair! I can see that not working for some readers, but I loved the messiness and the ethical questions and the undeniable connection between the two. To be clear: this isn’t romance, but women’s fic. Whereas cheating is a huge no go in romance, I loved the tension between what is essentially two sets of intermingled cheating couples.
What really sold it for me are the layered complications: Sawyer’s success in getting her own poems published contrasted with her boss’s disdain for writers in the publishing industry; her very real affection for Charles’ father; Nick’s Russian mother who defected from the USSR and then got pushed out of her university in the States; the sunk cost fallacy with wedding planning and her entire relationship with Charles. There’s so much to chew on, amid vivid and often startlingly funny writing. I could go on but I’ll resist!
5 stars. Thanks to @duttonbooks for the ARC!
Despite the rocky introduction, Nick and Sawyer start spending Friday afternoons together. It’s such a love letter to New York and you can practically hear the turn of the century accompanying soundtrack.
What I loved about this novel: it’s messy. Sawyer and Nick are with other people, even if those people are almost certainly having an affair! I can see that not working for some readers, but I loved the messiness and the ethical questions and the undeniable connection between the two. To be clear: this isn’t romance, but women’s fic. Whereas cheating is a huge no go in romance, I loved the tension between what is essentially two sets of intermingled cheating couples.
What really sold it for me are the layered complications: Sawyer’s success in getting her own poems published contrasted with her boss’s disdain for writers in the publishing industry; her very real affection for Charles’ father; Nick’s Russian mother who defected from the USSR and then got pushed out of her university in the States; the sunk cost fallacy with wedding planning and her entire relationship with Charles. There’s so much to chew on, amid vivid and often startlingly funny writing. I could go on but I’ll resist!
5 stars. Thanks to @duttonbooks for the ARC!
July 4, 2025
I really enjoyed Summer Fridays, a story set in NYC in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Sawyer works as a publishing assistant and aspires to be a writer someday. Her fiancé, Charles, is a lawyer and works constantly, noting he does so for their future together.
When Charles gets assigned to a new case along with his coworker, Kendra, he begins working even more and spending less time at home. Sawyer meets Kendra’s boyfriend, Nick, who has suspicions about Kendra and Charles. Nick and Sawyer begin to hang out on Friday afternoons, tackling Sawyer’s NYC sightseeing list, while Charles and Kendra are presumably working. As Sawyer spends more time without Charles, she reflects on what she actually wants for her life, personally and professionally.
Though I found them both frustrating at points, for the most part, I liked Sawyer and Nick as characters. I enjoyed the nostalgia of the 90s and early 2000s in Summer Fridays. While there is some depth, it’s a solid seasonal read with summer vibes shining through.
When Charles gets assigned to a new case along with his coworker, Kendra, he begins working even more and spending less time at home. Sawyer meets Kendra’s boyfriend, Nick, who has suspicions about Kendra and Charles. Nick and Sawyer begin to hang out on Friday afternoons, tackling Sawyer’s NYC sightseeing list, while Charles and Kendra are presumably working. As Sawyer spends more time without Charles, she reflects on what she actually wants for her life, personally and professionally.
Though I found them both frustrating at points, for the most part, I liked Sawyer and Nick as characters. I enjoyed the nostalgia of the 90s and early 2000s in Summer Fridays. While there is some depth, it’s a solid seasonal read with summer vibes shining through.
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October 10, 2025⛲ | ₊‧꒰preview!!꒱ ‧₊
⤷ yes, i know its september and that i'm reading a summer book, but honestly... IM HAPPY ABOUT ITT !! its set in nyc and the vibes are so good alr 🤭 also title and cover are so tea?? im obsessed. but anyways i hope to give a review saying that i loved and adored this 🙏 see you then!!
⤷ yes, i know its september and that i'm reading a summer book, but honestly... IM HAPPY ABOUT ITT !! its set in nyc and the vibes are so good alr 🤭 also title and cover are so tea?? im obsessed. but anyways i hope to give a review saying that i loved and adored this 🙏 see you then!!
November 7, 2024
Well, I spent this summer Friday going on an emotional rollercoaster ride while finishing this book. Suzanne Rindell gave me hope, crushed it, threw me one last bone, then broke my heart and waited until the literal last page to put it back together again. For that, while still in my feelings, petty little me is going to dock half a star. This is a solid 4.5⭐️, and I’d definitely re-read this and her other works.
Both characters are just perfectly flawed, and this is one of the few stories where I’ve generally liked both Mc’s. It did take my girlie pop a long, hot second to read the writing on the wall. But I liked that even after taking the longest of ways home, she finally got there and made her choice and stuck with it. Even with a plot twist thrown in near the end.
Some content that might make or break this for you….
▪️Cheating: (it’s not really surprising as the summary heavily hints at it)-emotional and physical. It’s a theme that carries throughout the entire story, though just FYI.
▪️No spice: sex scenes are few, short, and we are told not shown. Not closed door, but someone is definitely hitting the fast-forward button
Both characters are just perfectly flawed, and this is one of the few stories where I’ve generally liked both Mc’s. It did take my girlie pop a long, hot second to read the writing on the wall. But I liked that even after taking the longest of ways home, she finally got there and made her choice and stuck with it. Even with a plot twist thrown in near the end.
Some content that might make or break this for you….
▪️Cheating: (it’s not really surprising as the summary heavily hints at it)-emotional and physical. It’s a theme that carries throughout the entire story, though just FYI.
▪️No spice: sex scenes are few, short, and we are told not shown. Not closed door, but someone is definitely hitting the fast-forward button
June 17, 2024
My issue with this book is not the cheating plot. I feel from the blurb it's very clear that's where the story was headed. My issue is that the main character is so frustrating! It's no wonder she has no friends (except for one friend abroad). I think having a loser main character can be very relatable at times, but in this case Sawyer is just bland with no redeeming qualities. She just lets everyone step all over her whether it's at work, in her relationship, or even in regards to her own wedding. The only thing that's supposedly great about her is that she's "not like other girls."
June 24, 2024
This was basically just “you’re not like other girls” set in the temu version of the You’ve Got Mail movie.
June 30, 2024
SO MUCH POTENTIAL….JUST WASTED ON AN AFFAIR I fucking hate any sort of affair or cheating even if the person being cheated on is also cheating. Completely
Fumbled the insane potential this story had. I loved the characters a lot actually so their situation made me so mad. I never contemplated not finishing because I really did enjoy the plot & the character development but the two timing just hurts me. I’ll never enjoy it when a character has an affair, even if they’re in love and they’re also being cheated on. The banter was great and I really did love them together…THIS COULDVE BEEN MY EVERYTHING. the setting was beautiful and I loved the time & place, pre cell phone !!! I just can’t get over the trope. Very sweet ending although it did feel a little rushed. There were a lot of things I enjoyed and I think this will be a well liked book but there are some tropes (affairs) I will never enjoy (I have a personal vendetta.)
Fumbled the insane potential this story had. I loved the characters a lot actually so their situation made me so mad. I never contemplated not finishing because I really did enjoy the plot & the character development but the two timing just hurts me. I’ll never enjoy it when a character has an affair, even if they’re in love and they’re also being cheated on. The banter was great and I really did love them together…THIS COULDVE BEEN MY EVERYTHING. the setting was beautiful and I loved the time & place, pre cell phone !!! I just can’t get over the trope. Very sweet ending although it did feel a little rushed. There were a lot of things I enjoyed and I think this will be a well liked book but there are some tropes (affairs) I will never enjoy (I have a personal vendetta.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2024
With two strangers connecting over the suspected infidelity of their respective partners, the setup reminded me slightly of Funny Story by Emily Henry! Set primarily in 1999 New York, I loved the nostalgia from that simplistic digital era. The mention of dial-up internet. The AOL exchanges between Sawyer and Nick. The look into the publishing world during that time. It was all so fun!
The romance definitely had a steady build of tension, which I loved. But I will say, if cheating (emotional and physical) is not something you care to read about, I'd skip this one. I sometimes felt the ongoing infidelity tainted the otherwise incredibly sweet moments between Sawyer and Nick, but I do think it all came together in a respectable way!
(heat level: 1-2 very brief, mild open-door scenes)
The romance definitely had a steady build of tension, which I loved. But I will say, if cheating (emotional and physical) is not something you care to read about, I'd skip this one. I sometimes felt the ongoing infidelity tainted the otherwise incredibly sweet moments between Sawyer and Nick, but I do think it all came together in a respectable way!
(heat level: 1-2 very brief, mild open-door scenes)
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August 29, 2024This was a fun listen (although I know the cheating storyline might be a dealbreaker for many readers).
June 28, 2024
It's 2001 and the setting is New York City. Without needing to mention the tragedy of 9-11, it is clear that the world has changed in a flash and people are taking stock about life and those they love. Shifting to 1999, we meet Sawyer, an assistant to a demanding editor in a publishing house. She lives with her fiancé Charles who is working all hours to get ahead in a prestigious law firm. An important case has Charles and co-worker Kendra working all hours and traveling together. When Sawyer and Charles are at a company function with Kendra and her boyfriend Nick, Sawyer is immediately turned off by the good-looking musician who also works at an ad agency. Nick makes fun of her name and comes off as a bit of a jerk. Nick decides to apologize by email. Over a series of communications (it's 1999 so of course they both have AOL accounts) they start to become friends. When half-day Fridays begin, Sawyer and Nick decide to hang out, bonding over their mutual suspicion that Charles and Kendra might be getting a little too cozy with one another. Sawyer and Nick open up to one another and their Friday outings around NYC become very important to both of them. Sawyer continues to let Charles' mother plan her Fall wedding but is she falling for her new Friday friend?
Suzanne Rindell's last book The Two Mrs. Carlyles (2020) set in the early 1900s was a historical mystery/thriller with a gothic feel. Her new book Summer Fridays is very different and also very enjoyable. Rindell captures that feeling of opening your heart to someone. But here, things are complicated. The main characters in the book are so likeable. And their Fridays exploring some memorable New York City settings had this Brooklyn girl smiling from ear to ear. Whether the words "you've got mail" are embedded in your memory bank or not, this is a nice, romantic book worth checking out.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Suzanne Rindell's last book The Two Mrs. Carlyles (2020) set in the early 1900s was a historical mystery/thriller with a gothic feel. Her new book Summer Fridays is very different and also very enjoyable. Rindell captures that feeling of opening your heart to someone. But here, things are complicated. The main characters in the book are so likeable. And their Fridays exploring some memorable New York City settings had this Brooklyn girl smiling from ear to ear. Whether the words "you've got mail" are embedded in your memory bank or not, this is a nice, romantic book worth checking out.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
June 19, 2024
Spoilers toggled for basically one point only which is that the audacity of the ending is what gives this a 2 star. If this was one big arc to send our character forward, propelling her towards the future and us seeing the mistake she makes that gets her there, ultimately I would have enjoyed. But the lack of self awareness in that last conversation between the two characters astounded me. Nick mentions how angry he was at Charles looking at Kendra that way when he had Sawyer….. meanwhile he’s looking that way at sawyer that way while he has Kendra. Turns out, they did sleep together which sawyer finds out AFTER a full blown affair yet somehow at the end is “processing” the info while Nick BOLDLY states, “you deserved better.” Um… YOU TWO WERE SLEEPING TOGETHER!???? The whole ending made me feel insane and gaslit. Talk about running with your own narrative. This is not a love story is a cautionary tale. Good riddance to these two. Sucks to suck.
Bottom line: Sawyer and Nick learned nothing. God help them both if there’s a slump later. Also Nick is a jackwagon, not in a charming way. In a who-invited-this-guy-to-the-party way. He is the kind of man that would make you feel bad for loving Taylor Swift or the Barbie movie… and I can’t think of a worse insult
Bottom line: Sawyer and Nick learned nothing. God help them both if there’s a slump later. Also Nick is a jackwagon, not in a charming way. In a who-invited-this-guy-to-the-party way. He is the kind of man that would make you feel bad for loving Taylor Swift or the Barbie movie… and I can’t think of a worse insult
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
Listennnnn, this has a very unpopular trope in it and tbh I didn’t really loveeeeee reading about it but I don’t really know how to describe that I just liked this one a lot. I truly like flawed characters and every single one of these characters were majorly flawed. Also being in your 20s is hard af so I get it. I don’t love the trope but I get it happens
July 15, 2024
oh yep i loved this but i can understand how some of the content is triggering to others
June 6, 2024
3.5⭐ I really enjoyed this one. The nostalgia of the 90's era, NYC summers and all the fun things you'd want to do there. It's 1999, and Sawyer, who's in her 20's, lives in NYC with her fiance, Charles. Lately, Charles has been spending extra long hours at work with his female coworker Kendra, and she's feeling like her summer is going to be very lonely. Sawyer is surprised when she's contacted by email by Kendra's boyfriend, Nick, to meet up with him so they can compare notes. After their meeting, they decide to spend every Friday throughout the summer together doing all the fun things that NYC has to offer.
Yes, this book does deal with cheating. That is not something I'm particularly fond of in a read. And there was a bunch of miscommunication too, which is also something that can drive me crazy, which is why I gave this one 3.5⭐. I still did enjoy it though. It reminded me of the chick lit books I used to read when I was in my early 20's. I loved the setting and loved seeing how Sawyer and Nick connected and helped each other. A pretty fun read for summer.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Yes, this book does deal with cheating. That is not something I'm particularly fond of in a read. And there was a bunch of miscommunication too, which is also something that can drive me crazy, which is why I gave this one 3.5⭐. I still did enjoy it though. It reminded me of the chick lit books I used to read when I was in my early 20's. I loved the setting and loved seeing how Sawyer and Nick connected and helped each other. A pretty fun read for summer.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 25, 2024
I wanted to like this so much - AOL instant messaging, NYC setting with a solid sense of place, fun outings on Summer Fridays - but, and this is a huge one
February 26, 2025
god i hate a cheating trope
August 27, 2025
4.5 ★ this book was messy, problematic, and so full of yearning and pain that I couldn’t look away. binged in less than 24 hours bc I was so hooked. definitely won’t be for everyone but it was for me 🤞🏼
August 12, 2025
3.5. So much to say about this book lol. We have Sawyer and Nick who are both in relationships but find themselves meeting up to talk about their suspicions involving their partners. They find themselves more compatible after starting off on the wrong foot and end up communicating through AOL as it’s set in the 90’s.
I loved the nostalgic bits but marketing this as You’ve Got Mail irritated me. Messaging back and forth is the only similarity. That being said, I couldn’t stand these characters. Nick was so icky and such a red flag. A man complains that sending a MESSAGE is exhausting? Boy sack up 🙄 The whole cheating trope really doesn’t bother me much in fiction for some reason, the characters were just naive and annoying. That being said, I absolutely devoured this book and enjoyed the writing so much 😅 I love unlikeable characters *when they’re supposed to be and are written that way* but I think I was supposed to like these two so that’s why my rating isn’t higher. It was definitely a fun read though!
I loved the nostalgic bits but marketing this as You’ve Got Mail irritated me. Messaging back and forth is the only similarity. That being said, I couldn’t stand these characters. Nick was so icky and such a red flag. A man complains that sending a MESSAGE is exhausting? Boy sack up 🙄 The whole cheating trope really doesn’t bother me much in fiction for some reason, the characters were just naive and annoying. That being said, I absolutely devoured this book and enjoyed the writing so much 😅 I love unlikeable characters *when they’re supposed to be and are written that way* but I think I was supposed to like these two so that’s why my rating isn’t higher. It was definitely a fun read though!
September 9, 2024
SUMMER FRIDAYS
rating: 4.5/5 I loved it
genre: romance
read if you like: Nora Ephron, THE LIGHT WE LOST, books about publishing, 90s nostalgia, Serendipity
If you plan to fit one more summer book in before fully embracing fall, let it be this!! My gosh. If loving a book with cheating as a main plot point is wrong, I don’t wanna be right i’m sorry! I knew starting the book this was a big conflict (it says so on the back cover synopsis) so I wasn’t surprised and I think that is key. But if you can’t handle cheating and it is a big no-no for you (which is totally ok and part of what being a reader is about - finding what works and what you know won’t), do not pick this up. You won’t like it.
📖 Summer Fridays in NYC - when everyone in the city packs up early and heads to the coast. Everyone except Sawyer, whose fiancé is working a huge case with long nights and even longer weekend hours. our two main characters, Sawyer and Nick, think their significant others are cheating with the other so they meet up one Friday to compare notes, and end up striking an unexpected connection.
The writing and prose is sooo good and a huge reason why I became so sucked in to the story. The descriptions of NYC & their summer Fridays, as well as the emotional and mental turmoil, felt so real. I felt catapulted into the pages. The characters are flawed and I truly felt torn for Nick and Sawyer. I love a book that makes you feel all the emotions and really makes you think - what would I do if I were in this situation?! Bc of that this would be a great one to discuss with a book club or a friend. 400 pages is a lot for a romance but I truly could have read 400 more.
Also this is a total love letter to NYC + the 90s. Dial up internet, AIM messaging & emails !! The current generation could NEVER! I wish we got more at the end/ one major plot point that, when tied up, was lackluster for me. But so close to perfect for me! It gave Nora Ephron, Serendipity, and THE LIGHT WE LOST vibes. TW: cheating, 9/11
rating: 4.5/5 I loved it
genre: romance
read if you like: Nora Ephron, THE LIGHT WE LOST, books about publishing, 90s nostalgia, Serendipity
If you plan to fit one more summer book in before fully embracing fall, let it be this!! My gosh. If loving a book with cheating as a main plot point is wrong, I don’t wanna be right i’m sorry! I knew starting the book this was a big conflict (it says so on the back cover synopsis) so I wasn’t surprised and I think that is key. But if you can’t handle cheating and it is a big no-no for you (which is totally ok and part of what being a reader is about - finding what works and what you know won’t), do not pick this up. You won’t like it.
📖 Summer Fridays in NYC - when everyone in the city packs up early and heads to the coast. Everyone except Sawyer, whose fiancé is working a huge case with long nights and even longer weekend hours. our two main characters, Sawyer and Nick, think their significant others are cheating with the other so they meet up one Friday to compare notes, and end up striking an unexpected connection.
The writing and prose is sooo good and a huge reason why I became so sucked in to the story. The descriptions of NYC & their summer Fridays, as well as the emotional and mental turmoil, felt so real. I felt catapulted into the pages. The characters are flawed and I truly felt torn for Nick and Sawyer. I love a book that makes you feel all the emotions and really makes you think - what would I do if I were in this situation?! Bc of that this would be a great one to discuss with a book club or a friend. 400 pages is a lot for a romance but I truly could have read 400 more.
Also this is a total love letter to NYC + the 90s. Dial up internet, AIM messaging & emails !! The current generation could NEVER! I wish we got more at the end/ one major plot point that, when tied up, was lackluster for me. But so close to perfect for me! It gave Nora Ephron, Serendipity, and THE LIGHT WE LOST vibes. TW: cheating, 9/11
June 4, 2024
I really enjoyed the writing of this book, so I'll be definitely checking future works from this author. However, I wasn't the biggest fan of the storyline and characters of "Summer Fridays". There were a lot of things that I would've changed but overall, it just wasn't the book for me.
July 9, 2024
this is my 90th book of the year and it knocked me out.
I started this lying in my bed at 8am on my first official day off and I had a full quarter read by about half 10. I LOVE this writing: I've had a quick glimpse at this author's other books, which sound varied and different, and I'm excited to dip my toe into it. That's how drawn to this, I was. I loved the sense of place and I loved how she formed her characters and her atmosphere.
This is, essentially, a romance book but it's bittersweet, overhung with a sense of melancholia. The book is bookended, front and back, by NY post-Twin Towers attacks. I don't think its like....hugely detailed, fwiw, if that's something you'd rather not read but I thought it was an interesting choice of setting. Sawyer & Nick meet because their respective partners are probably having an affair -- and then their whole worlds change. I felt that sense throughout this story too: the deep, complicated nature of relationships, friendships, of being a person. I thought this was an evocative read. It was drenched in the sunlight atmosphere that the title implies, but I thought there was a great tension too: there's always the end to summer and it felt like the book was hurtling towards it.
I loved the pacing. I loved this a lot. I picked it up on such a whim and I found it deeply emotional. I told a friend it made me feel "fizzy" reading it, because it did. I felt buoyed. My own heart was in my throat. This felt like the heady experience of falling in love and I just thought the whole thing was complex and emotional. I just also thought the writing was really clever, with some great touches to setting and how it reflected the characters themselves.
I'm so glad for my whims for bringing this to me!!
I started this lying in my bed at 8am on my first official day off and I had a full quarter read by about half 10. I LOVE this writing: I've had a quick glimpse at this author's other books, which sound varied and different, and I'm excited to dip my toe into it. That's how drawn to this, I was. I loved the sense of place and I loved how she formed her characters and her atmosphere.
This is, essentially, a romance book but it's bittersweet, overhung with a sense of melancholia. The book is bookended, front and back, by NY post-Twin Towers attacks. I don't think its like....hugely detailed, fwiw, if that's something you'd rather not read but I thought it was an interesting choice of setting. Sawyer & Nick meet because their respective partners are probably having an affair -- and then their whole worlds change. I felt that sense throughout this story too: the deep, complicated nature of relationships, friendships, of being a person. I thought this was an evocative read. It was drenched in the sunlight atmosphere that the title implies, but I thought there was a great tension too: there's always the end to summer and it felt like the book was hurtling towards it.
I loved the pacing. I loved this a lot. I picked it up on such a whim and I found it deeply emotional. I told a friend it made me feel "fizzy" reading it, because it did. I felt buoyed. My own heart was in my throat. This felt like the heady experience of falling in love and I just thought the whole thing was complex and emotional. I just also thought the writing was really clever, with some great touches to setting and how it reflected the characters themselves.
I'm so glad for my whims for bringing this to me!!
May 29, 2024
Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell
Thank you so much PRH Audio and Dutton #DuttonPartner for the free audiobook and gifted copy.
Blurb:
You’ve Got Mail for a new generation, set in the days of AOL and instant messenger banter, about a freshly engaged editorial assistant who winds up spending her “summer Fridays” with the person she least expects.
✨My thoughts:
Are you kidding me?! This book is everything. Based on the cover and title alone, I knew I needed to read this and now I need everyone to read it so we can all obsess together. Roman Empire, who? Bury me with the book. I received this book over the weekend and I literally could not consume it fast enough so then… I requested the audiobook. And while I was laying in bed next to my toddler, staring at the ceiling, I became completely engulfed by this story. There are some themes including miscommunication and cheating that are my least favorite tropes in a story but Geezus, this was just too good. Suzanne Rindell, the ache I felt in my heart and my gut with every turn of the page, with every chapter announcement, I really thought I was going to combust. Ugh, I think I still might. Summer Fridays is definitely a favorite of 2024 and a must read! Lucky for the world, it’s out now!!
Happy reading 📖
Thank you so much PRH Audio and Dutton #DuttonPartner for the free audiobook and gifted copy.
Blurb:
You’ve Got Mail for a new generation, set in the days of AOL and instant messenger banter, about a freshly engaged editorial assistant who winds up spending her “summer Fridays” with the person she least expects.
✨My thoughts:
Are you kidding me?! This book is everything. Based on the cover and title alone, I knew I needed to read this and now I need everyone to read it so we can all obsess together. Roman Empire, who? Bury me with the book. I received this book over the weekend and I literally could not consume it fast enough so then… I requested the audiobook. And while I was laying in bed next to my toddler, staring at the ceiling, I became completely engulfed by this story. There are some themes including miscommunication and cheating that are my least favorite tropes in a story but Geezus, this was just too good. Suzanne Rindell, the ache I felt in my heart and my gut with every turn of the page, with every chapter announcement, I really thought I was going to combust. Ugh, I think I still might. Summer Fridays is definitely a favorite of 2024 and a must read! Lucky for the world, it’s out now!!
Happy reading 📖
January 26, 2025
4.25/5 stars
“Summer Fridays more or less meant that, every Friday at noon, the city experienced a mass exodus to the Hamptons.”
Sawyer works in the publishing industry with hopes of being an editor one day. She’s engaged to her college boyfriend, who is working nonstop at a law firm, on a ‘big case’. Charles is never home and she’s feeling very disconnected. He spends a lot of time with his co-worker, Kendra. Then Nick comes along…Kendra’s boyfriend. They meet up to compare notes and Fridays will never be the same.
This was the perfect book for a send-off to summer. Initially, I felt like Sawyer was a bit of a doormat, and I kept wishing she’d speak her mind. I came to really love her.
‘When I’m around him, I feel like myself. I feel like my old self—that kind of whimsical, arty book nerd…’
😎nyc setting 🗽
😎snarky banter 😆
😎old school dial-up internet 📞
😎90’s vibes, I/M ⌨️
😎fun outings 🏊🏻♀️🎡🎟️
😎publishing industry 📑
I’m still torn about my final rating, a couple of things dropped it down just a bit, but honestly I couldn’t put it down. I love the idea of summer Fridays.
⚠️ | A couple of steamy scenes, mild details. And just a few instances of strong language. Cheating storyline.
“Summer Fridays more or less meant that, every Friday at noon, the city experienced a mass exodus to the Hamptons.”
Sawyer works in the publishing industry with hopes of being an editor one day. She’s engaged to her college boyfriend, who is working nonstop at a law firm, on a ‘big case’. Charles is never home and she’s feeling very disconnected. He spends a lot of time with his co-worker, Kendra. Then Nick comes along…Kendra’s boyfriend. They meet up to compare notes and Fridays will never be the same.
This was the perfect book for a send-off to summer. Initially, I felt like Sawyer was a bit of a doormat, and I kept wishing she’d speak her mind. I came to really love her.
‘When I’m around him, I feel like myself. I feel like my old self—that kind of whimsical, arty book nerd…’
😎nyc setting 🗽
😎snarky banter 😆
😎old school dial-up internet 📞
😎90’s vibes, I/M ⌨️
😎fun outings 🏊🏻♀️🎡🎟️
😎publishing industry 📑
I’m still torn about my final rating, a couple of things dropped it down just a bit, but honestly I couldn’t put it down. I love the idea of summer Fridays.
⚠️ | A couple of steamy scenes, mild details. And just a few instances of strong language. Cheating storyline.
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