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Summer with July
In Nina Willow's debut novel, Summer with July, feel-good (NO SPICE) romance mixes with nostalgia and the feeling of summertime at the beach, resulting in an endearing and heart-felt read.
July didn’t expect to be a single mother right out of college, but she happens to love the life she and her mother have created for her son, Toby. When an invitation arrives for the wedding of Winnie, her childhood ex-best friend, July, her mother, and her son embark on a trip to Cape Cod and down memory lane to her family’s annual summer vacations. After an unexpected run-in with her first love and an offer to be her date to the wedding, July is forced to confront the events leading up to her traumatic falling out with Winnie and all the ways in which things went wrong.
Told in alternating timelines between now and the time since her last summer on Cape Cod, Summer with July navigates the importance and complexities of female friendship, first love, and motherhood.
July didn’t expect to be a single mother right out of college, but she happens to love the life she and her mother have created for her son, Toby. When an invitation arrives for the wedding of Winnie, her childhood ex-best friend, July, her mother, and her son embark on a trip to Cape Cod and down memory lane to her family’s annual summer vacations. After an unexpected run-in with her first love and an offer to be her date to the wedding, July is forced to confront the events leading up to her traumatic falling out with Winnie and all the ways in which things went wrong.
Told in alternating timelines between now and the time since her last summer on Cape Cod, Summer with July navigates the importance and complexities of female friendship, first love, and motherhood.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2024
36 people are currently reading
1776 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 4, 2024
4 ⭐️ Ugh such an incredible wholesome read! The book goes through the ideas of female friendships, being a single mother, and your first love. The book is based in Cape Cod and OMG THE VIBES AND SETTING WERE SO AMAZING!! This book is like a warm hug and I truly think everyone should read this once in there lifetime!! Such a comfort read 💗🥹
December 20, 2024
so warm and cute and wholesome! loved this so much
September 5, 2024
I loved this ! It was for sure a cute summer read. It had everything I needed to get out of my current book slump. Cute plot, cutesy romance, friendships etc. I loved the character development in it as well because it really brought you through it all ! If you want a good, quick romance read the n you def need to pick this up ❤️❤️❤️
October 4, 2024
A heartwarming story of friendship, motherhood and the complexity of relationships.
Wow, wow, wow! Easy 5 star rating for me. Went into it not really knowing what to expect and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this story.
The way Nina wrote the alternating timeline worked so well for the story. I loved getting to know the relationship between July and Winnie as young teenagers prior to getting to the harder and more heavy parts of the story. It was very sweet and reminded me of my girlfriends at that age.
By the midpoint of the book, I was so intrigued and couldn’t wait to find out what happened that made the relationships in the two different timelines so dramatically different. I truly didn’t see the plot twist towards the end coming even though everything started to make so much sense at that point!
Overall, there was so much substance in this book that it made it an easy and fast paced read. I highly recommend this book.
Wow, wow, wow! Easy 5 star rating for me. Went into it not really knowing what to expect and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this story.
The way Nina wrote the alternating timeline worked so well for the story. I loved getting to know the relationship between July and Winnie as young teenagers prior to getting to the harder and more heavy parts of the story. It was very sweet and reminded me of my girlfriends at that age.
By the midpoint of the book, I was so intrigued and couldn’t wait to find out what happened that made the relationships in the two different timelines so dramatically different. I truly didn’t see the plot twist towards the end coming even though everything started to make so much sense at that point!
Overall, there was so much substance in this book that it made it an easy and fast paced read. I highly recommend this book.
September 4, 2024
Literally loved this book SO much! Such a beautiful story about self discovery in your early years, as well as a beautiful romance. I loved that this book had so much depth to it but was also a very cozy light read. Some books feel like big warm hugs and that’s EXACTLY what this book felt like. A perfect book for a cozy read🥹 If you’re a single mom, especially in your early 20s I think you will really relate to this book and especially love it. I fell in love with these characters and also found another amazing book bf 🌷Absolutely adored this story and these characters! Couldn’t recommend this book enough! 💛
August 21, 2024
A love story in more ways than one. Summer with July is a heartfelt exploration of life’s twists of fate, the enduring power of female friendships, and the journey of embracing second chances. Nina Willow weaves a mesmerizing narrative through several, alternating perspectives and timelines, all the while drawing you in to the nostalgia and magic of spending a summer on the Cape. It’s the perfect beach read that is both breezy and unforgettable.
September 1, 2024
Loved this book start to finish!! The ending was amazing and I can’t wait to read more from this author
September 22, 2024
3.5 Such a sweet story about family, friendships, and second chances! I loved the Cape Cod setting and past and present time lines! Was the perfect sweet fluffy romance I needed!
August 31, 2024
4.25⭐️
So I intended to read a book I have waiting from the library in better ARC books but got further detoured after watching a TikTok 😝
I found this author on my FYP promoting her new book which was on kindle unlimited. Something drew me to it despite only listening to 20% of the video. I download it and start reading and come to find out it takes place mostly on Cape Cod! So I think it was meant to be and so got sucked in right away!
I really enjoyed this very quick and fast paced read. I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a “beach read” that quite literally sometimes takes place on the beach.
What I enjoyed so much about it is it reminded me of my growing up and coming to the lower Cape each summer and allowed to bring a friend with me. I loved the relationship between the mom and the FMC named July as it reminded me of my own mother.
I love the very real life motherhood references as well as the portrayal of healthy boundaries and also errors in judgement but handled and turned around in a healthy manner.
It falls into the New Adult genre but a good portion of half the book does take place in the past when the characters were 13 and 14 years old. So for those that like YA it would suit them as well. It also would be one of those books that teens would swoon over with thoughts of their own summer romances.
It’s not just fluff though. There are definitely some heart twisty moments as well as a revelation that to some may be unexpected (although I figured it out much beforehand).
The only challenges I had were some finicky things. For instance we say “on Cape Cod” never “In”. We make fun of it here as you always know someone isn’t from the Cape when you hear them say “in cape cod”. So it just got distracting on a personal note.
Also, at one point there is an interaction between the mother and her child who is only 2 years old. However, it is certainly not an interaction that a 2 year old would have. The language is way too far advanced especially since later on there is appropriate 2 year old conversations. There are some other knit picky things like talking about a Coding Club in middle school in 1999? Or that real places were used around the lower Cape which was awesome but then the author switched to a fake High School. The inconsistency was jarring.
However, that being said (and I mention them because a bunch of my audience live on Cape Cod and would scratch their head) it doesn’t take away overall from the very sweet story that I couldn’t put down!
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
So I intended to read a book I have waiting from the library in better ARC books but got further detoured after watching a TikTok 😝
I found this author on my FYP promoting her new book which was on kindle unlimited. Something drew me to it despite only listening to 20% of the video. I download it and start reading and come to find out it takes place mostly on Cape Cod! So I think it was meant to be and so got sucked in right away!
I really enjoyed this very quick and fast paced read. I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a “beach read” that quite literally sometimes takes place on the beach.
What I enjoyed so much about it is it reminded me of my growing up and coming to the lower Cape each summer and allowed to bring a friend with me. I loved the relationship between the mom and the FMC named July as it reminded me of my own mother.
I love the very real life motherhood references as well as the portrayal of healthy boundaries and also errors in judgement but handled and turned around in a healthy manner.
It falls into the New Adult genre but a good portion of half the book does take place in the past when the characters were 13 and 14 years old. So for those that like YA it would suit them as well. It also would be one of those books that teens would swoon over with thoughts of their own summer romances.
It’s not just fluff though. There are definitely some heart twisty moments as well as a revelation that to some may be unexpected (although I figured it out much beforehand).
The only challenges I had were some finicky things. For instance we say “on Cape Cod” never “In”. We make fun of it here as you always know someone isn’t from the Cape when you hear them say “in cape cod”. So it just got distracting on a personal note.
Also, at one point there is an interaction between the mother and her child who is only 2 years old. However, it is certainly not an interaction that a 2 year old would have. The language is way too far advanced especially since later on there is appropriate 2 year old conversations. There are some other knit picky things like talking about a Coding Club in middle school in 1999? Or that real places were used around the lower Cape which was awesome but then the author switched to a fake High School. The inconsistency was jarring.
However, that being said (and I mention them because a bunch of my audience live on Cape Cod and would scratch their head) it doesn’t take away overall from the very sweet story that I couldn’t put down!
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
September 21, 2024
4.25 stars! This author captures the beautiful stories of not only romantic, childhood love but platonic love, as well! This book focuses on the authentic relationship of friendships and how strong and special they truly are. Also, this book greatly captures the life of a single-mother who shows great love and strength for her child.
I absolutely LOVED this book! I loved the time jumps from the present time to the past when the story truly begins; as well as some other character perspectives along the way. What I love was that the author was able to accurately shift the dialogue for each time jump/character to make it feel more like that’s how that character would talk and think (such a minor thing but this is one thing I greatly appreciated). Also, I loved the suspense of the book and how I did experience shocking moments.
Overall, this book is the PERFECT summer read or literally just the perfect read if you want a beautiful and authentic story of the true realities and hardships of childhood relationships and their evolution. This book will tug on your heartstrings, have you giggling like crazy, and just make you smile and happy overall.
Thank you so much to the author for sharing this beautiful story with me! Your writing, storytelling, and messages are so inspiring and amazing! Hope to read more of your work in the future 💓
I absolutely LOVED this book! I loved the time jumps from the present time to the past when the story truly begins; as well as some other character perspectives along the way. What I love was that the author was able to accurately shift the dialogue for each time jump/character to make it feel more like that’s how that character would talk and think (such a minor thing but this is one thing I greatly appreciated). Also, I loved the suspense of the book and how I did experience shocking moments.
Overall, this book is the PERFECT summer read or literally just the perfect read if you want a beautiful and authentic story of the true realities and hardships of childhood relationships and their evolution. This book will tug on your heartstrings, have you giggling like crazy, and just make you smile and happy overall.
Thank you so much to the author for sharing this beautiful story with me! Your writing, storytelling, and messages are so inspiring and amazing! Hope to read more of your work in the future 💓
July 11, 2024
LOVED this - a beautiful story about long-lived friendship and the deep changes wrought by motherhood, from which both difficult and lovely things can bloom. Poignant but gentle, and with a beautiful setting — this book was a summer vacation for the soul. Definitely recommend to fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty.
July 12, 2024
loved this book from start-to-finish. sweet book about motherhood, friendship, and finding love. It has all the best parts of a beach read - multiple timelines, childhood sweethearts, fake relationship, plot twists, friendship, and of course, the beach. Great summer romance!
September 9, 2024
Really enjoyed this story. The plot was interesting and kept me guessing. I felt that the characters were portrayed realistically, and it brought me back to my teens in the BEST way. Would love to read another book by this author.
October 8, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
This is one of the sweetest books I’ve read, and I could not put it down. It is such a beautiful and heartwarming story about second chance romance, motherhood, friendship, and family. Despite the title, I think this book is perfect to read any time of the year!
This is one of the sweetest books I’ve read, and I could not put it down. It is such a beautiful and heartwarming story about second chance romance, motherhood, friendship, and family. Despite the title, I think this book is perfect to read any time of the year!
June 12, 2025
So wholesome!
July 1, 2025
This was such a cute wholesome summer read <3 made my heart warm and fuzzy
September 14, 2024
nina willow has a way of writing a lighthearted, fluffy romance with emotion and vulnerability woven in seamlessly. i loved witnessing the fmc, july, open up her heart to love and care once again. nathan is one of the sweetest, most thoughtful book boyfriends i have ever read. the perfect book for the summer, or even the perfect book for cold days where you are daydreaming about the beach and want to experience a second chance romance.
November 28, 2024
This was one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. I only wish the ending was longer than just the epilogue, but this was so perfectly written🥹
July 2, 2025
This book was a lovely summer read, cute romance with some drama! I did feel the author projected her views on motherhood especially about gentle parenting and c sections which personally I didn’t like but I still really enjoyed this read!
July 21, 2025
This beautiful debut novel tells the story of July and her family through flashback and different points of view. The characters were sympathetic, and the story was intriguing. I would highly recommend it.
January 2, 2025
This was a really good book! Really refreshing and recommend! I almost gave it 5 stars and never do that! I need more books like this!
February 21, 2025
Ugh this was perfect
May 28, 2025
I read this book in just a few days it was an easy read and a sweet story. Wish the author had more books.
July 25, 2025
Oh my gosh, it was absolutely amazing! The backstory was so captivating, it really pulled me in from the start. The whole story was just incredible, I couldn't put it down! The only thing I would have changed was the length of the epilogue. I wish it was longer, i wanted to hear more about July and Nat’s relationship🫶🏻😭
September 28, 2024
4.25 ⭐
This was such an unexpected read and I absolutely loved it. I was reading the book with a stupid grin on my face the whole time. It was such a beautiful story about friendship, love and motherhood and it was so well written. I really enjoyed this book.
This was such an unexpected read and I absolutely loved it. I was reading the book with a stupid grin on my face the whole time. It was such a beautiful story about friendship, love and motherhood and it was so well written. I really enjoyed this book.
March 20, 2025
Such a good, wholesome break from my psych thriller addiction. A very short, sweet, romance about a single mom running into her first love. I really enjoyed this.
November 3, 2025
What a wonderful book, elements of friendship, new beginnings and some romance. July has the chance to go to the wedding of her long-lost friend, Winnie in Cape Cod and is hesitant to go, but chooses to go and make a vacation with her son after encouragement from her mom. July arrives in Cape Cod and runs into her first teenage fling, Nat and ropes him into being her pretend boyfriend for the week. The book explores healing July and Winnie’s friendship, a new start with her child’s father, building a relationship with Nat. Reading the healing of Winnie and July’s friendship was so great. 4 stars just because of the book being a bit slow paced at times.
June 23, 2025
This book captured the cozy summer town feeling which was refreshing. Personally didn’t connect with the romantic plot. I wasn’t a Nat fan. I love female friendships tho and appreciated the bond w July and winnie, even tho their resolution was kinda rushed. Some male characters felt underdeveloped. I wished there was a little more depth overall. The feeling of being a kid in school or having a crush was relatable in this. Overall an easy summer read!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2024
I really liked this debut novel! It was filled with believable struggles and triumphs and the authentic emotions of human relationships. When life keeps giving us "heavy" news stories, this book was a welcomed reprieve from it all. The plot was well fleshed out, with a few twists and turns, and the characters will remind you of someone you know. I can't wait for another book from this author.
August 15, 2025
Such a good story! The combination of Summer then and summer now, mixed with real emotion. You root for July as soon as you start reading the first page and you dream about finding your own Nat once you realize how cool he is. A wholesome book about love, friendship and honesty. Plus it is set on Cape Cod!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews