Songs of Summer

The Fire Island Trilogy #3

by Jane L. Rosen

A young woman crashes the wedding of the summer on Fire Island in search of her birth mother—and gets a whole lot more than she bargained for—in this warm, heart-stopping getaway from Jane L. Rosen

As featured in USA Today ∙ Parade ∙ The New York Post ∙ Woman's World ∙ Katie Couric Media ∙ The Nerd Daily ∙ Zibby Media ∙ and more!

Maggie May Wheeler is living her best life—at thirty, she has big plans for her vintage record shop and is about to be engaged to her childhood best friend. But when she stumbles across a letter she wrote to her future self when she was thirteen, she realizes it may not be enough. The letter ignites a desire to find her birth mother and discover where she really belongs.

Her search takes her to dreamy Fire Island, where her birth mother is a guest at a wedding. As Maggie spies on her biological family, she’s caught between diving into their chaotic lives and returning to her comfortable world. Things heat up when a charming local makes her an offer to crash the wedding as his date.

Is it the island’s magic, the whirlwind of the weekend, or the thrill of a fake beau that has her rethinking everything? Swept away by every love song she hears, Maggie must figure out where her heart truly lies.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Summer, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Summer Reads

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2025

About the author

Jane L. Rosen is an author and Huffington Post contributor. She lives in New York City and Fire Island with her husband and three daughters. Her first novel Nine Women, One Dress was translated into ten languages. Her second novel Eliza Starts a Rumor has been optioned by NBC. A Shoe Story is out now and On Fire Island is dropping o May 23rd.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Songs of Summer written by Jane L. Rosen is the perfect beach read filled with family drama, a sense of humor, and plenty of heart warming moments. Prior to reading this book three months ago, I had no clue it was part of The Fire Island Trilogy, so I read it as a standalone and had no problems following along, but I will definitely go back and read the first two books sometime in the near future. Although I read this beachy read in the middle of winter, it made me miss the warm summer days, and it felt like I was right there on the beach witnessing everything that went down following the events of this story. I have never read a book by Jane L. Rosen before, but Songs of Summer was so precious, the vulnerability in the characters made my heart ache so many times, I just wanted to reach into my kindle and hug all of the characters. I think it was wicked smart and absolutely brilliant that the author made every chapter head title into a song, I have never seen that before, and it made the reading experience so much fun. My mama is and always will be my best friend❤👯. I can never imagine being placed up for adoption and always wondering why my birth mother never wanted me, that's so heart breaking to think about, but as a young child you don't know any better, you just make up scenarios as to why you were put up for adoption. Aside from the main characters, all of the side characters were such lovely people, I had such a great time reading this beautiful, heart warming summer read. Please do yourselves a favor and mark your calendars for May 20th, 2025 and don't hesitate to add Songs of Summer to your summer and beach reading list.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!

🎶MUSICAL PLAYLIST🎶
🎵Maggie May- Rod Stewart🎵
🎵Put Your Records On- Corinne Bailey Rae🎵
🎵Birthday (Remastered 2009)- The Beatles🎵
🎵I See The Moon- Slumberland🎵
🎵Smile- Jimmy Durante🎵
🎵Little Lies- Fleetwood Mac🎵
🎵In My Life (Remastered 2009)- The Beatles🎵
🎵Veronica- Elvis Costello🎵
🎵Rock The Boat- Hues Corporation🎵
🎵Ironic- Alanis Morissette🎵
🎵Up On The Roof- Carole King ft. James Taylor🎵
🎵What's Going On- Marvin Gaye🎵
🎵Should I Stay Or Should I Go (Remastered)- The Clash🎵
🎵Peace Train (Remastered 2021)- Yusuf ft. Cat Stevens🎵
🎵A Bar Song (Tipsy)- Shaboozey🎵
🎵Glory Days- Bruce Springsteen🎵
🎵Indiana Jones Theme- John Williams ft. Hollywood Studio Orchestra🎵
🎵She Drives Me Crazy- Fine Young Cannibals🎵
🎵Stay- Jackson Browne🎵
🎵Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay- Otis Redding🎵
🎵La Mer- Charles Trenet🎵
🎵Good Day- Nappy Roots🎵
🎵Rock Lobster- The B-52's🎵
🎵Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)- Squeeze🎵
🎵The Joker- Steve Miller Band🎵
🎵After Midnight- Eric Calpton🎵
🎵SOS- ABBA🎵
🎵Riptide- Vance Joy🎵
🎵The House That Built Me- Miranda Lambert🎵
🎵The Search Is Over- Survivor🎵
All- GROUP LOVE ft. Jake Clemons🎵
🎵The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin Groovy)- Simon & Garfunkel🎵
🎵The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)- Aretha Franklin🎵
🎵Rapper's Delight- The Sugarhill Gang🎵
🎵Ocean Eyes- Billie Eilish🎵
🎵Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!- ABBA🎵
🎵Love You For A Long Time- Maggie Rogers🎵
🎵Wildflowers- Tom Petty🎵
🎵Into The Mystic (Remastered 2013)- Van Morrison🎵
🎵Champagne Problems- Taylor Swift🎵
🎵Float On- Modest Mouse🎵
🎵Landslide- Fleetwood Mac🎵
🎵Family Affair- Sly & The Family Stone🎵
🎵Something Good- Mima Good🎵
🎵Flowers- Miley Cyrus🎵
🎵Poker Face- Lady Gaga🎵
🎵Firework- Katy Perry🎵
🎵Mother And Child Reunion- Paul Simon🎵
🎵Growin Up- Bruce Springsteen🎵
🎵Real Love- Regina Spektor🎵
🎵In Your Eyes (Remastered 2012)- Peter Gabriel🎵
🎵Unwritten- Natasha Bedingfield🎵
🎵I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)- The Proclaimers🎵

"💗💯If you love someone, you don't care about making a total fool of yourself💗💯".

"😴💀There's plenty of time to sleep when you are dead😴💀".

"🎶🖊Why is it when you are falling for someone that every love song feels like it's written for you?🎶🖊"

Maggie May Wheeler works at Maggie May Records which is a music record store named after Maggie May, of course. At the start of second grade, Maggie learned that she was adopted because her parents were much older than the other kids parents, so Maggie started asking questions and she received the answer that she was adopted. Before turning the ripe age of thirty, Maggie's adoptive parents- Hank and Jenny Wheeler passed away. Maggie is such a relatable character, she's not afraid to show her emotions, but she absolutely hates being vulnerable. Maggie is on a mission to find her birth mother before she gets married, so when she hears about a summer wedding that her birth mother is attending, Maggie heads to Fire Island and joins in on the wedding festivities to get a feel of her birth mom before dropping the big news. Beatrix Silver gave her baby up for adoption right after she was born and this summer she is going to be the matron of honor is her best friend's summer wedding on Fire Island and it's going to be a four day wedding celebration. Matt Tucker is also attending his mom's wedding, he's a reporter for Rolling Stone. Matt needs a plus one to his mom's wedding, so Maggie and Matt decide to fake date so nothing looks out of sorts. Matt is a Ryan Gosling look alike, and both Matt and Maggie have a love for music, so they bond over that and Maggie shares the news that she's here to seek out her birth mother.

Maggie May and Jason Miller have been best friends and inseparable since they were just eight years old. Their birthday's are just two days apart, Maggie's is May third, and Jason's is May fifth, so they always celebrate their birthdays together on May fourth. On their thirteenth birthday in their willow tree clubhouse, Maggie and Jason wrote letters to their future sleeves to be opened when they turn thirty years old, which will be in May 2025. I absolutely loved this idea, I thought it was so cool. ever since Maggie found out she was adopted, on her future self letter she wrote that she wanted to find her birth mom. Ever since they were kids, Jason's family welcomed Maggie as if she was their own flesh and blood. Jason is also a professor of ethics at Case Western. No matter what life throws at Jason or if he's with anyone else, Jason has always put Maggie first, which I thought was the sweetest thing ever. Despite being inseparable since they were little children, Maggie and Jason soon go their separate ways, but there was no hard feelings in doing so, which I appreciate because they communicated like actual adults and cleared the air with each other. I can't imagine how difficult it may be that someone you are close with just drops a bomb that they want to find their birth parents, but I absolutely adore how supportive Jason was since Maggie had dreamed of this day since she was thirteen years old. Songs Of Summer was such a quick and summery book that I won't forget anytime soon.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What songs make you feel like Summer? 🌞🎶

When you read this sunny new read by Jane L. Rosen, each chapter has its own song. Beginning with "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart, ending with "I'm Gonna Be(500 Miles)" by the Proclaimers, with a whole lot of great music in between. If that playlist doesn't have you singing along in your car, I don't know what will.

Now, about the story. Full disclosure: I have not read either of the previous Fire Island books. Did not bother me one bit. This narrative stands on its own two feet just fine, in my opinion.

Thirty-year-old Maggie May Wheeler is finally ready to find her birth mother. A DNA test identifies the woman she needs to find. A little detective work reveals a small window in which Maggie can be reunited with Beatrix Silver -- and it has to be on Fire Island. So, Maggie packs her bags and takes the ferry to the island. What follows is heartwarming story that takes some surprising turns. The island population has some expected and unexpected connections in store.

If you are looking for a great read for vacation, the pool, or to put in your beach bag -- this is just what you need. You are also likely to get one or more of those summery songs in your head on repeat. Enjoy!🎧😎

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sweetest story featuring two tropes I love: found family and fake dating. Full review to come.

Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After discovering she is adopted, Maggie Wheeler crashes a wedding on Fire Island to find her birth mother. In the meantime, she is spending time with her best friend and a new potential beau. Who will win her heart?

This is the perfect summer read with themes of identity and belonging, sisterhood and finding love. I enjoyed this one from start to finish. Add this one to your beach bag or pool tote now!🏖

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

Songs Of Summer is women’s fiction with lots of family drama. There is also some romance. This is my first book by this author. This is the third book in The Fire Island trilogy.

I read this book without having read the two other books in the series. However there are characters that were in the previous books. I could easily follow the story. However I definitely felt like I would have gotten even more from this story if I knew the characters. The author does explain the important parts from the previous books. So new readers will know how everyone is connected to each other. And the fact that this book takes place years after the previous books means that all of the characters are at completely different points in their lives.

This book to me was Maggie’s story. But there are quite a few POVs. However I’d say that the main ones are Maggie, Beatrix/Bea and Matt (Renee the bride’s son).

Maggie the main character is a new character. Maggie has just turned 30. She has decided to find her birth mother. She goes to Fire Island when she finds out that her birth mother is headed there for a wedding. The book focuses a lot on childhood friendships. Maggie shows up in a relationship with Jason. She and Jason were childhood best friends who only recently became romantic.

Matt is Renee’s son. He is a concert reporter for Rolling Stone. His childhood best friend is Dylan (she is the groom’s daughter).

Beatrix/Bea is Renee’s best friend. She is estranged from her sister. She had a baby at 20 and put her up for adoption.

Music plays a big part of the book. Maggie loves music. She runs a record store. Each chapter title is a different song, which becomes a playlist for the book. I listened to the songs while reading (which added to the experience for me).

The wedding is a big focus of this book. It takes place on Fire Island. Fire Island, especially the ferry makes a wonderful setting.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book and how they interacted with each other. Maggie and Matt connected immediately. I really enjoyed seeing if they would stay friends vs becoming romantically involved. I was also really fascinated by Bea and her relationships with both Veronica (her sister) and Maggie (the daughter that she gave up for adoption). There was so much depth to these scenes.

The book features Jewish rep as quite a few of the characters were Jewish or partially Jewish. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book.

The book does look at some interesting topics: adoption, DNA testing, estrangement and forgiveness. I thought that they all added a lot to the story.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Between the setting, the family drama and the amazing characters this is a wonderful summer read.





Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie May found out she was adopted at 9 and she didn't search for her birth mother until her 30th birthday. When she received the results of the DNA test, she follows her mother to Fire Island and crashes her mother's best friend's wedding festivities. This wedding weekend has the chance to turn Maggie May's whole world upside down. How will she react to everything as she starts to peel the layers back on her biological family?

Overall, I would rate it 4 stars, it was a really cute story. This book covered some pretty heavy topics, such as adoption, friendship, betrayal, and loss, but it was written in a lighthearted and heartfelt manner. This book would be a great and easy summer read. I enjoyed seeing things from multiple POVs, it almost felt like watching a movie play out. Jane Rosen did an amazing job capturing the instant chemistry between Maggie and Matt and I loved how she weaved in music and lyrics throughout. This book needs to have a playlist associated with it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spontaneous trip to Fire Island to find her birth mother turns into a whirlwind of secrets, a hidden identity, and family drama when Maggie gets swept up in a wedding celebration and a fake relationship!

It was really interesting that this story wasn’t entirely focused on Maggie. I’m not exaggerating when I say there’s a POV from every character! Some perspectives felt a bit random and occasionally pulled me out of the story, but it was definitely a clever way to flesh out the drama. I was especially invested in the messy, scandalous history between Bea (the mother) and her sister!

I think it’s important to go into this one knowing it’s more of a family-focused drama with light romantic elements. The connection between Maggie and Matt lacked tension and excitement for me, but Maggie’s emotional reconnection with her birth mother was the true gem of the story. The heartwarming ending pulled it all together and made it worth the read.

(heat level: closed door)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC!

Songs of Summer is a heartfelt and layered story that blends women’s fiction with threads of romance, self-discovery, and family. What starts as a simple summer story unfolds into something much deeper — a young woman, on the brink of 30, sets out to find her birth mother and ultimately discovers what she truly wants from life.

This book explores the complexity of family — both the one you’re born into and the one you choose. There are several characters woven throughout, but each one adds something meaningful to the story, and I found it surprisingly easy to keep track of them all. The multiple points of view offered a more complete picture of the emotional journeys at play, and I loved how they all tied together in the end.

One of my favorite aspects was the theme of music. Each chapter is named after a song, and there’s a playlist to match — such a fun and creative touch that made the reading experience even more immersive.

This isn’t a book I would have picked up on my own, but I’m so glad I did. It was beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and ultimately left me feeling hopeful.

Perfect for fans of One True Loves and Every Summer After.

[Amanda Lumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect summer read! Jane L Rosen does it again.
4.5 ⭐️ I loved everything about this one, the emotions & the story itself was done so effortlessly. Team M&M 🤍

[Traci (the_real_bookkeeper) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was my first book by @janelrosen and it will definitely not be my last!! It was fun and cute and the storyline was unique. The chemistry between the characters was palpable. And the bonus of the book being written along with a playlist was amazing!!! I fully plan on making this an actual playlist to listen to.

When I first started reading this book after receiving an ARC on NetGalley from Berkley Publishing Group, I was not aware that this was the third book of The Fire Island Trilogy. Once I discovered this, I contemplated pausing until I read the previous two books. However, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. I think this book can be read either in order or as a standalone. That being said, I cannot wait to go back and read the first two!!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I enjoyed it and thought it was cute, but the multiple viewpoint jumps were sometimes jarring. I also struggled with figuring out how old Maggie was supposed to be/when she was born/what year the book took place because it said it was in 2025 and Maggie was 30 but then it said she was born in 1987 which does not add up. Also it mentioned that Mamma Mia came out her senior year of high school which doesn’t match up with either of those ages. Those continuity errors really took me out of the story which is hard to do for me.

[Chapters of Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found family, summer playlists, and a story that made my heart happy
Thank you to the author, Jane L Rosen & PRH Audio for the gifted copy of Songs of Summer {partner}
 
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date:   5.20.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Full disclosure: I didn’t realize Songs of Summer was part of a trilogy until I sat down to write this. But even without reading the first two, this story completely stands on its own — and I never once felt lost.

This book was exactly what I hoped it would be: light, warm, and full of heart. It explores love, family, identity, and belonging in a way that never feels heavy — just deeply human. Every character felt real and distinct, which made the emotional moments land all the more powerfully.

Stories about adoption often carry some of the most moving insights into what it means to build a family — and this one absolutely delivered. It’s a reminder that family doesn’t have to follow one path. Love shows up in all kinds of ways, and that’s what makes it beautiful.

And can we talk about the playlist?! Each chapter is paired with a song title, and the author created a full Spotify playlist to accompany the book. It perfectly matches the tone and emotion of the story — I’ve already replayed it more times than I can count. Whether or not you pick up the book (though you should), the playlist is a perfect soundtrack for summer.

Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The audio for Songs of Summer is narrated by Sarah Naughton, who is new to me as a narrator. She did a wonderful job narrating the book and the multiple POVs. 

Read if you enjoy:
🚪 Closed door romance
🎶 Music themes
🏘️ Small town setting
✡️ Jewish representation 
🗣️ Multiple POV

Songs of Summer was the kind of story that left me smiling and teary-eyed at the same time.

______


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[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the authors other books in this series but this is my new fave! You can read this on its own btw, but the other two books are delightful as well. This had all the elements I need in a beach read; wonderful characters, a gorgeous setting, drama and depth. The narrator reminded me of one of my faves, Therese Plummer, so that was amazing and I felt like I was listening to a friend tell me a fascinating story.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. The music themes, perfect! What a fantastic finish to this series!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third Jane L. Rosen book, and it didn’t disappoint! I love how she brings us right to the shores of Fire Island. Which even if you haven’t gotten the pleasure of visiting, you can picture exactly what it’s like from how she describes it. Growing up there, I can attest that time truly does stop there.

I loved Maggie’s character and I really appreciated that she brought all of the other beloved characters back from her previous books. Not only was this book so fun because of the playlist she included, but I loved the new characters, too. I loved the theme of family throughout this book, whether they were blood related or not. Definitely pick up this book for a summer read AND I definitely recommend her previous FI books, On Fire Island and Seven Summer Weekends. Ps, have some tissues nearby because some parts of this book are a tear jerker.

This book makes me want to revist the first two, even though I read them less than a year ago. Already yapped to my friends about this book!

Thank you soo much to Netgalley, Jane L. Rosen, and Berkeley Publishing for access to this e-arc.

UPDATE: It’s been a week and I’m still not over this book; it truly feels like a warm summer hug right from FI itself.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Happy Happy Stars!

I needed this book right now. I needed a break from the current news cycles and this hit the spot!

Maggie May has been a generally positive person most of her life and her energy is contagious. She was always happiest in her parents’ record store in a small town in Ohio. She now runs the store after her parents passed.

She’s been best friends with her longtime neighbor, Jason, with birthdays just two days apart. Growing up together meant everything to both of them. They started sleeping together as young adults but never really considered themselves romantic partners. As they get ready to celebrate their thirtieth birthdays Jason is ready to propose. Maggie stalls for time to finally pursue finding her birth mother.

She was told she was adopted at ten years old but never really wanted to search her past since she adored her adoptive parents. Now she was ready.

How she meets her birth mother and that extended family is the best part of this fantastic book. I just finished it but want to read it again!

Thanks Edelweiss and Berkley.

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Berkley Pub for the free book and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy! #BerkleyBookstagram #BerkleyIG #berkley #berkleypub #PRHAudioPartner #PRHAInfluencer #janerosen #SongsofSummer #TheFireIslandTrilogy #fireisland

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐍𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝟓★

Songs of Summer is third book in the Fire Island Trilogy series by author Jane Rosen. While this book has some recurring characters from other books in the series and can most definitely be read as a standalone, we meet Maggie Mae Wheeler in Songs of Summer. Maggie is 30 years old, plans to be engaged soon to her childhood best friend, and has big plans for her vintage record shop. But after her parents died, she can’t help but want to know more about her birth mother. After submitting an at-home DNA test, she finds out who her mom is and then tracks her down at an upcoming wedding she plans to attend on Fire Island. As Maggie observes her biological family from afar, she is invited to attend the wedding by a local who needs a date. Before long, Maggie seems to get a whole lot more than she bargained for out of the whole trip.

I’ve read and LOVED (5 stars) all of the books in this standalone series, but this one just might be my favorite). I loved Maggie. Her character was strong yet vulnerable and you could not help but root for her. I loved how Rosen incorporated the Ohio setting in this book (since I’m from Ohio). While I know this is a trilogy, I hope Rosen will find a way to keep writing about Fire Island!

🎶Adoption Stories
🎶Family Dynamics
🎶Fire Island Setting
🎶Wedding Crashers
🎶Lovable Characters
🎶Multiple POV
🎶Chapter Theme Songs

🎧The audiobook is narrated by Sarah Naughton, who was such a delight! I felt like I could listen to her narrate all day long and never tire of her voice. She was the perfect voice for Maggie and I cannot recommend this one on audio enough! 5 star performance!

[Courtney Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Jane Rosen book, and it certainly will not be my last! The Fire Island setting was the perfect vibe for summer, and I wanted to visit myself. I loved Maggie's story so much. It was so wholesome and full of heart. I predicted she and Jason wouldn't end up together, but I thought their friendship was lovely. I enjoyed the other characters as well. The music subplot was so well done, and I loved all the references to records, songs, and albums. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Jewish representation. It was so well done, and the way Jane talked about it made me feel so seen. The writing pulled me in, and I just loved this book so much. I also think my Bubbe would love it, and if that's not peak Jewish book, I don't know what is! Thank you to Berkley for the ARC to read and review!

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5– my first book by this author but definitely won’t be the last. Infact, I didn’t know this was book 3 of a series (easily stand alone material) so I’ll be going back to read the first two for sure. Maggie May discovers she’s adopted, but it’s not til her 30th birthday that she decides she wants to find her birth mother. This was such a sweet beach read with so much heart and a lovely array of supporting characters that I really connected with (several were scene stealers for me). I loved getting a Jew-ish main character (who discovers her Judaism over the course of the story) and found that aspect fun to read about. While predictable, it feels like a perfect summer beach read to me. Some family drama, some love story, some fun musical touches. It actually reminded me of the vibes I got from Judy Blume’s Summer Sisters which was one of my favourite books in high school. I really enjoyed this one.

The only real criticism I have is there were some date inconsistencies that confused me: the chapter headers establish we are in 2025 on Maggie May’s 30th birthday (meaning she was born in 1995), but later she mentions she’s 30 and states her full birthday and says 1987 which doesn’t match. There’s also multiple mentions of assorted characters not attending the wedding because they have COVID, which makes this feel more like a 2021 or 2022 setting (these days —in 2025–I feel like most people barely even test themselves let alone stay home when they have COVID, unfortunately) I know this is an ARC, but I received it less than a week before publishing date so I feel like those things probably made Final Cut.

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Lazz Pasquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Songs of Summer by Jane Rosen is like your favorite summer playlist—warm, nostalgic, and impossible not to smile through! 🎶☀️

[Delaney Commins · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Jane Rosen book. I love that all three take place on fire island, but I loved this plot the best.

[Milena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Seven Summer Weekends last year, which I enjoyed, so I was excited to pick up the next book, Songs of Summer. In Songs of Summer, we return to Fire Island to follow Maggie Mae and her search for her birth mother. After arriving on Fire Island from Ohio, drama-averse Maggie Mae decides to watch her biological family from a distance before introducing herself. She learns that her newfound family comes with a lot of baggage and drama. She will have to decide if she wants to be a part of all the drama or return to her quiet and cozy life in Ohio.

I enjoyed this book very much. It's a small-town family drama with a touch of romance and plenty of humor and heart. I loved the idyllic island setting. I adored all the quirky and endearing characters and enjoyed Maggie Mae's journey of finding her roots. The sweet romance was the icing on the cake. Songs of Summer is a perfect summer read. I highly recommend it.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

[Katzumi Mendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve read by Jane L. Rosen, so I have not read the other Fire Island books. I do think that this book stands great by its own. I loved our main character Maggie, and her journey through out the book as she searches for her birth mother. The rest of the characters on Fire Island I also loved, specially Shep and Matt. I really enjoyed how it revolved a lot around music, and LOVE that it included a playlist. It really added to the experience of reading this book. If you want a book to read by the pool or beach this summer, I think Songs of Summer is perfect for that.

Additionally, thank you NetGalley and Berkley for giving me an ARC for this book.

[Nicole | nikiashreads · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first Jane L. Rosen novel. I hoped she would become one of my new favorite contemporary authors. Unfortunately, that is not the case. While this novel was a cozy beach read, the story fell flat for me. My lack of enthusiasm for the novel was due to the writing style, and partially to the fact that I didn’t realize this was the third book in a trilogy when I requested the ARC!

When I think of adult contemporary novels, whether full chick-lit or literary fiction, I envision stories with invocative writing, whether that be setting descriptions or character internal monologue. I also envision stories which have a good balance of introspection/summary, planning, and action moments. This novel did not have any of that. The writing style veered toward telling instead of showing, which made for a clunky reading experience. This feeling was due to the heavy use of introspection/summary, the point-of-view slips, and the overall lack of depth to the writing. The writing style kept me at arm’s length from the characters and didn’t provide an engaging style to read.

The descriptions, whether for the setting or characters, were weak as well. I had a difficult time keeping track of character descriptions and imagining the setting. I wished the setting (Fire Island) felt more like a character to this story. Setting is so important to drawing out the emotions of the characters and giving the reader a backdrop. With Rosen living part-time on Fire Island, I wished I could feel more of her love for that place shining through.

I was not expecting this to be a multiple points-of-view novel. With the way the synopsis is set up, I fully thought we were going to be with Maggie the entire time. Instead, we had approximately eight to ten perspectives to read. First, that was many characters to keep track of (on average, a reader can only keep track of six). Second, the multi-points-of-view made it difficult to invest in a single character. For example, I would have loved to spend more time with Maggie and Matt to see their romance unfold. Instead, since we were jumping around perspectives, their romance ended up feeling more insta-lovey. Other plot resolutions felt quick, too. The end of the feud between Veronica and Bea, for example, resolved over two chapters around the mid-point. The resolution didn’t feel earned at that point. Ultimately, it was too much packed into too few pages.

Overall, this novel wasn’t my cup of tea. I found myself craving the storytelling pieces that make a novel addicting and fun to read. (I also didn’t love the awkward uses of slang, or the reference of a psychologist/therapist being a “shrink.”) In many ways, this novel felt a little outdated. In others, it felt cozy. I truly believe I wasn’t the correct audience for this novel, and that’s okay.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect ending to this trilogy. I laughed, I cried, I had day dreamed about being on fire island with these characters!!! I loved the story line and getting everyone’s happy ending.

[Courtney sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking at this title and cover, i honestly expected a juvenile love story that takes place at a beach house….i could not be more wrong.

A young woman crashes the wedding of the summer on Fire Island in search of her birth mother—and gets a whole lot more than she bargained for.

Apparently this is the third book in a trilogy but I was totally fine reading as a standalone and not once did I feel like I was missing anything. This is more of a family drama than the romance I was expecting but it was so juicy and well done that I was not disappointed. Not only did I love the setting of Fire Island; but the characters were so real and flawed that I couldn’t stop listening or rooting for them. The adoption representation was also very well done and unique.

I had low expectations that were blown out of the water with this one and highly recommend

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ferry boat cruised through the deep blue ocean as the wind whipped her hair. The island was within view now and she could see the small town bustling. A sense of new beginnings overwhelmed her, but brought her a sense of joy and peace. Something beautiful was happening and this place was going to be the center of it all.

Songs of Summer is a romance following a large cast of characters, but primarily focusing on Maggie, who is visiting Fire Island with a hope to meet her birth mother.

I enjoyed the island setting, the small town atmosphere, the found family dynamics, and the lead up to a wedding… but the love triangle in this really didn’t work for me. I wish Maggie wouldn’t have been attached to someone as she made the journey to the island to find her birth mom… it hindered my enjoyment honestly and didn’t help me buy into the romance aspect. I did love the reunion with her birth mother and meeting this cast of characters and I wish there would have been more focus on that instead. The chapter headings being song titles was a fun little bonus!

Read if you like:

• Island/Beach Settings
• Small Town
• Found Family
• Love Triangles
• Fake Dating
• Reunion Stories
• Weddings
• Music

CW: Death of a Parent, Grief, Infidelity, Alcoholism.

[Laura • lauralovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the emotional stories I’ve read from author Jane L. Rosen, and SONGS OF SUMMER was so good! Featuring multiple POVs, a coastal beach town setting at Fire Island, self discovery, and Jewish rep.

*many thanks to Berkley, prh audio, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was way deeper than I expected, but I loved every moment of it. Songs of Summer is the third book in the Fire Island trilogy, which I haven’t read, but it stands really well on its own. That said, I definitely plan to read the rest of the series because I loved the dynamic of the Fire Island community. They’re a chaotic bunch, but full of love, and their bond is so strong.

I especially loved that the story is told through multiple POVs. Even though there are a lot of characters to get to know, the perspectives flow seamlessly and build the story beautifully. It was so cool to see how everyone else was connected to the main plot—what they thought, how they were involved, and how their past shaped the present situation.

At the heart of it, Maggie’s story was such a journey. She goes to great lengths to meet her birth mother and ends up on an adventure she didn’t even realize she needed. I loved watching Maggie discover what’s truly important to her and what she wants out of life. Her relationship with Matt was also a highlight—seeing them together was so sweet, and they just fit. Their shared love of music and the comfort they found in each other was genuinely heartwarming.

What kept this from being a 5-star read for me was the fact that Jason, Maggie’s fiancé, was still in the picture. I understand his role in the story, but it still felt a little wrong. That said, I appreciated how their dynamic allowed for open discussions about what they wanted in life and with each other, while still maintaining their friendship.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and found it a wonderful way to wrap up my summer reads.

[Annahita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the gifted ARC and PRH Audio for the gifted ALC!

This book sang to me in all the right ways. Songs of Summer is the third book in the Fire Island Trilogy, but I hadn’t read the first two (yet!) and still absolutely adored this story—it stands on its own beautifully, and now I’m dying to go back and experience the other two.

Told in multiple POVs, this warm, heart-filled novel is packed with themes I love: family, love, taking chances, breaking free of the familiar, and discovering where you really belong. The characters are so lovable and well-drawn, and I especially appreciated the beautiful exploration and celebration of Jewish culture woven throughout the story.

And for my fellow music lovers—this book is an absolute dream. I loved all the references to songs, artists, and the emotional power of music. It adds such richness to the story and made me want to put together a playlist right away.

Maggie Mae’s journey—equal parts emotional and romantic—hit me right in the feels. Watching her navigate grief, identity, and unexpected new beginnings was deeply moving… and yes, I was full-on sobbing at the end (in the best way). Everything wrapped up perfectly, leaving me with that warm, satisfied, "hugged by a book" feeling.

Publishing on May 20 — add this one to your TBR now! Perfect for fans of emotional escapes with heart, humor, and a touch of Fire Island magic.