Summer of Love

The Love You Want #1

by Sophie Thomas

Clara Henry wasn’t supposed to need a plus one for her best friend’s wedding. She was already dating one of the groomsmen, and he was supposed to be her fiancé by the time the wedding rolled around.

But Drew ruins Clara’s proposal plans and breaks up with her instead, leaving the plus one position open and ready to use.

Enter Jesse Bounds.

Jesse moved in across the hall from Clara three years ago and has been a little bit in love with her since the moment she shouted at him from across the hall.

They’ve been friends and writing buddies ever since, and with the bride’s seal of approval, Clara invites Jesse to Becky and Gavin’s wedding.

In the South of France. And they have to share a room.

He says yes, no questions asked.

Clara is convinced that won’t be a problem. They are just friends. But Jesse isn’t so sure.

Under the summer sun, tensions start to rise as Clara realises that maybe there is something more between her and Jesse. There is no escaping the casual touches that feel a little less casual the more they happen. Or the way Jesse makes her feel cared for in a way she hasn’t felt for a long time.

As the line between friends and lovers blurs, will Clara and Jesse fall into something more, or are some people meant to just stay friends?

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Summer Reads, Forced Proximity, Rom Com, Fiction, Contemporary

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Londoner. Writer. Reader. Breaks the rules of grammar far too often for someone with an English degree. Enjoys getting idiots to fall in love and kiss each other (and get secret tattoos for one another).

Reviews

[zoë ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚༉‧₊˚✧˚₊⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

ੈ♡˳ rating: 4/5 stars
ੈ♡˳ spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

ੈ♡˳ summary:
clara henry was not supposed to need a plus one for her best friend’s wedding. she was dating one of the groomsmen and fully expected him to be her fiancé by the time the big day rolled around. when that relationship falls apart, she suddenly finds herself single, embarrassed, and scrambling for a date. enter jesse, her friend who has always been there for her, who steps in as her stand in plus one. what starts as a temporary solution for one wedding slowly turns into something deeper as clara begins to see jesse in a completely new light. 

ੈ♡˳ thoughts:
this book was really cute. it definitely leaned a little into insta love, but for once i did not totally hate that. the chemistry between clara and jesse made it work. you can tell right away that jesse is so gone for her and honestly, i love that for him. he is the ultimate book boyfriend. supportive, sweet, and clearly in love with her in a way that feels steady and real, not just surface level attraction. every time he showed up for her, i was like yes, this is the bar.

as a bwwm romance, i kind of wish it dug a little deeper into how that dynamic played into their relationship or their world. it is there, but not really explored, and i always feel like there is so much richness that could come from acknowledging it more directly. still, seeing a soft, loving jesse with clara was so wholesome that i kept kicking my feet anyway.

her friends were a little annoying at times, but honestly that kind of added to the realism for me. everyone has friends who are a tiny bit chaotic or self involved, especially in their twenties, and it made clara’s life feel more fleshed out. the story gave cozy, summery vibes with just enough emotion and steam to keep me locked in.

overall, this felt like the start of a series i actually want to keep reading. it is not perfect, but it has heart, a great love interest, and a romance that still made me smile the whole way through. i am definitely picking up the next book.

ੈ♡˳ tropes:
ꕥ friends to lovers
ꕥ bwwm romance
ꕥ wedding plus one
ꕥ light insta love
ꕥ he falls first

[Belslibraryy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️


Thank you for the ARC!

I wasn’t sure about the book at the start but towards the middle it started getting good and the plot and the characters were really interesting!

I’m a sucker for a great friends-to-lovers story, and this one was absolutely adorable! This guy had been hopelessly in love with his best friend for years! Clara and Jesse were just the sweetest pair. I really appreciated how openly they communicated and how deeply they cared for one another. Jesse made Clara feel so safe and seen—it was beautiful to witness. The chemistry between them was palpable, and when they finally became a couple, it felt so satisfying. Their little trip to the bookshop was definitely one of my favorite scenes.

[Dimitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Love 🏝️
Firstly I want to thank Love Notes Pr and Sophie Thomas,for giving me such an opportunity with the read of this ARC🩷
Clara is devasted after a sure-to-be-yes proposal to her long term partner turned to a big no,leaving her not only single but also without her plus one to her bestie's wedding.
AND YES I WAS JUST AS SHOCKED AS YOU ARE!
However,let's take it from the beggining...
Summer of Love is THE SPRING/SUMMER 2025 romance,not only you will have the BEST vibes while reading it,yet it is the entrance to the bloom season.So you know,I am a person that wants a good book to pair with each era ,and this one was THE ONE!🌸
To start with,Thomas's writing made me literally fall in love,she has this summery air in her narration,which makes you want to refill that Aperol and continue to the next chapter.Added,her characters are really well constructed,with my personal favourite being,our man,Jessie.This time,we don't have just a Ken to fall in love with,we have a man that listens,helps and evolves throught the story,he discovers his true feelings towards Clara and he is honest with himself without feeling fear to actually feel.
Continuing,we have a good smut going on,that OMG I absolutely enjoyed.What I pointed out is that the smut doesn't goes up to the actual romance that is happening in the duration of the books.It adds tention,love and even devotion when needed🌶️
Ending,if you ask me yes,yes,yes READ IT!
5⭐

[Alex (novelswithalex) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the most beautiful love admissions I’ve read in a long time. I loved everything about this book from the characters to the writing style to the setting and even to the Shakespeare references sprinkled throughout. Also LOVED that this author and her characters are obviously very aware of what Romeo & Juliet is actually about. That really made me trust that the Shakespeare references were legit. But truly this was so beautifully written, I was so deeply impressed.

[Brynley Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

Jesse & Clara are friends and neighbors with a strong friendship, but when her long term boyfriend breaks up with her, she brings Jesse as her date to her best friend's wedding (at a resort in France) and omg the sexual tension is strong & the spice was SPICING! Jesse was the down bad for Clara since day one & always created a safe space for her to feel her feelings. This was such a fast & fun read for me & definitely got me in a vacationing mood.

Overall, I was super entertained!

tropes:
- friends to lovers
- forced proximity
- vacation
- one bed

"He gave me my space and didn’t try to make me feel bad about needing it. He knew how to sit in companionable silence and just be. He effortlessly made me feel safe."

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to Love Notes PR & Sophie Thomas for an ARC of this book! 💌

[Kacey Daniels {hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay this is so late because o got really busy with final exams but I’m on my way home now and just saw I totally forgot to review this so it’s coming late and a while after I read so bear with me…

I really enjoyed this book. There were things that I know bothered me about it. But a month later I can’t remember what those were so they couldn’t have been that bad.

What I do remember is how cute the couple was and how enjoyable the story was to read. I love their friendship and the little flashbacks although I do with there were more of those and the book was longer so both the story and characters had more time for growth to and depth. And we can get a connection to them that was more emotional on a deeper level.

But I do remember loving both of the main characters and I love the writing journey that they go on together and even like the making jealous of the X thing didn’t bother me because it was written well and he deserved it 100,000%. The side characters were all great and story was very fun to read about . I loved how you could immediately tell he was down bad for and all the little ways he showed her he loved her as well as the big ways he showed her He loved her all throughout the book.

I remember her being a very relatable character to me of how she like needed to tune out the world and be on her own sometimes, and I loved watching him, understand and accept and love that part of her and take her away to go and explore so she could have space to be on her own

I think one of the things that bother me about it was that once they did get together, the book ended pretty quickly after that so we didn’t get to see very many moments of them together and I would’ve liked to see that more because they were so cute together, and it was so obvious from like the first few pages that he liked her

But overall, I would say this was a very fun enjoyable quick summer read. Acute relationship a great book boyfriend and some nice summer vibes so I would definitely recommend it perfect for this time. The writing style was super easy to get into which was good cause I’ve been struggling with that lately And so yeah overall just a really good read. I definitely would recommend.

[Sydney Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The moment I saw you, I knew that you were going to be someone important to me."

Clara has been with her boyfriend for almost a decade, and is planning to take it to the next step. But, he finds out she plans to propose and decides to break up with her because "she's not the girl he fell in love with" (ridiculous excuse btw. we hate Drew in this house). Now, she will be single and alone for her best friend's wedding. Enter Jesse; her neighbor, and one of her closest friends. Her friends convince her to bring him as her plus one, and he agrees. But now that they're spending more time together in a more intimate setting, it's getting harder to deny the chemistry between them.

one thing I liked: How well the friends-to-lovers trope was done. It was a respectful friendship up until she became single, then they accepted the feelings they have been denying.

one thing I didn’t like: Drew. That man sucked. I don't know how Clara stayed with him when Jesse was right there. Good on her for having that kind of self-control.

I knew Clara and Jesse were endgame the moment they interacted. Like he literally dedicated his book to her when they were just friends. And it's even better because they did have a genuine friendship and they did not even really get deep feelings until she was single. He respected her relationship and, even though he did have a bit of feelings for her, he never crossed a line. They were just friends, and then finally became something more. And the progression did feel very natural. They just made so much sense together too. Their personalities fit so well, and they really helped each other grow as people. I enjoyed this book so much and I cannot wait to read whatever Sophie writes next!!

movie with similar vibes: anyone but you (except they're not enemies)

you should read if you like/tropes: friends to lovers, forced proximity, he falls first, found family, slow burn

full ratings:

plot: 5/5⭐
fmc: 5/5⭐
mmc: 5/5⭐
side characters: 5/5⭐
pace: 5/5⭐
writing style: 4/5⭐
relationship progression: 4/5⭐
couple’s chemistry: 5/5⭐

rating average: 5⭐

spice level: 3/5🌶️

Thank you Sophie Thomas and LoveNotes PR for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Lindsey Siadjeu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too fast, kind of boring, great beach read though

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book had me so GIDDY. The minute I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between Jesse and Clara was unmatched, and honestly, I'm so glad Clara got rid of Drew from the beginning.

To start, Clara does not only embody a strong, independent woman, but the relationship she has with her friends, her parents, and even her friends' parents was so refreshing to read that it was hard not to be impressed with Clara's character. I think most of the times we find the woman in romance novels to be a bit "weak" or consumed by her doubts throughout the book that I honestly enjoyed reading how much Clara was well aware of how much she's grown from her past and how sure she was in what she needed & when she needed to reassure. What added to this story, like I mentioned before, was the relationships she had with her friends too. The strong bond they all had together made me miss my friends back at home, and this was just a reminder that at the end of the day the people in your corner will always be there for you.

Now, JESSE??? UGH THE WAY HE PAID ATTENTION TO DETAILS!! Okay, wait. I did forget to mention they are both authors so details are important. BUT THE WAY THIS MAN WAS WRITTEN ??? like c'mon now that man sounds like perfection. I loved everything about Jesse. From the details to showing up for Clara to being her rock during a time her ex still badgered her like he was just what a man should be. What also made his character amazing was how in touch he was with his feelings, his mistakes, and owning up to it. Setting his pride aside, he knew the kinda man he is, the man he would be for Clara, and need to read more of Clara and Jesse together.

AHH, long story short. The chemistry? there. Hot MMC and FMC? there. the way they just understood and knew each other? Hot. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what more the author has in store!

Thank you LoveNotes PR and the author for this eARC! I love sharing my opinions with others, and I hope I can read yours too!

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly this book was perfect! Sophie’s writing is SO GOOD! I can really tell she worked so hard on this, everything about it so seamless?? It just reads so well! The characters that Sophie created are amazing. I love this friend group. They are SO SOLID. They’re fun and goofy but also so protective and there is so much love between them. I’m hoping this means we’ll eventually see more of them again??? Jesse and Clara are amazing. Friends to lovers IS superior, especially when it’s SO EASY between them?? The timeline is short but seeing Clara flourish with Jesse?? Amazing!

I love a man who is down so bad!!! And Jesse is that man!!! He’s been in love with Clara since they met, but he’s also be content with being her friend…until now!! We just get to see the transition to friends to lovers and it is FLAWLESS. They know each other so well, HE knows her so well. He can read her and without her saying anything he knows what she needs. He’s able to talk with her best friends about things that seemingly only they know. He was the perfect match for Clara in so many ways! AND he fit right in with her friends. I LOVE him so much!!

I also love Clara! The fog had lifted on her old relationship…and she finally was able to be with someone who ACTUALLY cared about her. And she was actually able to be herself and do things that she wanted because she wanted to not just for someone else.

I loved this book. I love Sophie’s writing! She is on my list of favorites 🥹

Thanks to LoveNotes PR and Sophie Thomas for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Riikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐

If you're still searching for the perfect summer read, stop looking and go read this book!!

This was seriously such a feel-good, fun read! I couldn't stop smiling! The plot, the drama, the romance and the characters made it a well-balanced story with lightness and humor, combined with some deeper topics.

I really liked both of the main characters. Clara was so lovely and sweet. And I loved her friend group, I want to be besties with them!
But Jesse was the highlight of this book for me🤭I'm obsessed with him. He was like a golden retriever puppy — so obsessed with Clara, happily following her everywhere and being all whiny and needy about her proximity. And he was blushing so muchhh🤭

I also really enjoyed the drama between Drew and Clara🙈It was perfectly written, a bit messy, but not too messy. And really entertaining🤭

What I felt was missing in this book was tension and pining. Even though Jesse and Clara had been neighbors and friends for a while, the way their thoughts turned quite lustful so soon after Clara's breakup made it feel a bit insta-lovey to me. I wanted more of those small, secretive touches and longing glances😩

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. Perfect to enjoy while you're basking in the scorching summer sun🤭☀️

-Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for the ARC-

[yeonjoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

This is the second book by Sophie Thomas I was able to read and just like last time it didn’t disappoint!

While I do love an enemies to lovers story, I am a SUCKER for a good friends to lovers romance.

In the beginning, I really wanted to punch this tool of a boyfriend- Drew- and yell at him for not treating Clara right. Anywayyyyyy, at least Jesse treats her like the queen she truly is. Despite having feelings for her, he never pushed his feelings on to her. In general, Jesse was just such a delight. He helped her when she was going through this tough breakup, listened and was simply present.😩 get yourself a man like Jesse- BE LIKE JESSE.

Now, onto their relationship: They both shared this deep mutual respect for one another. Their chemistry was palpable through the pages. ✋🏼😔

If you’re looking for a wholesome romance novel, I’d highly recommend giving this book a chance!

Thank you so much for providing me with an arc!!!

~arc for honest review~

[Dawn Cornelius · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Clara and Jesse are the ultimate best friends to lovers goal.

When Clara’s ten year relationship ends a month before she’s maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding, she immediately thinks of Jesse as her plus one.

Jesse has accepted his fate in the friend zone once he knew Clara was in a relationship, but now that she’s single all bets are off in his mind.

The ex being a groomsmen added the perfect amount of angst to the plot and never made you question who was the right for guy Clara.

I really enjoyed how Jesse truly saw and cared for Clara when she never had that with her ex. Clara didn’t take Jesse for granted as a friend nor when she felt things shifting between them.

This love story is one for the ages and I can’t wait to get more of the characters stories down the road!

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Sophie Thomas and Love Notes PR for a chance to read and review this ARC.

Wow wow wow! This was such a fun and fast paced friends to lovers romance. Clara is our FMC and she is fresh out of a long term relationship that was very stale in the end. Jesse our MMC is her neighbour and friend who agrees to be her plus one to her best friends destination wedding. I honestly loved both of these characters! They were both very modern and had good emotional intelligence, which can be hard to come by 😂 Jesse and Clara definitely moved very quick but I think it fit because they had such a beautiful friendship before hand. All of the side characters were fun and definitely got me excited for the next books. Loved this book and would definitely recommend!

Tropes
💚Green flag man
❤️‍🔥Fast Paced
👫Friends to Lovers
🛌 One Bed
🥰Insta love
☀️Vacation Romance

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a joy to read! Clara and Jesse’s story gave me everything I love in a romcom: slow burn tension, friends-to-lovers goodness, and those classic tropes like forced proximity and one bed (yes, please). It felt familiar in all the right ways but still totally fresh and fun.

The summer setting in the South of France was chef’s kiss—I seriously wanted to book a vacation halfway through. The girls' friendship group was another highlight. They were funny, supportive, and just the kind of crew you'd want to hang out with in real life.

What I appreciated most was that the friendship between Clara and Jesse didn't cross any boundaries, until Clara was single and she started accepting her feelings for Jesse.

A fast, feel-good read with total summer vibes. Can’t wait for more in this series!

[Bella and the Bookstack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good friends to lovers, and this one was so cute!!! This man was down BAD for his best friend for years!! Clara and Jesse were so sweet together. I loved their communication and the care they had for the other. Jesse created such a safe space for Clara, and I loved it so much. I could FEEL the tension between the two of them. I was so happy when they finally got together. The little bookshop outing was one of my favorite moments.

This review would not be complete without a Drew bashing paragraph. He was such a douchebag! My jaw was on the floor when he was first introduced. That man has a whole stash of red flags in his back pocket. Every time I thought he couldn’t do or say something worse, he proceeded to make me dislike him even more. I’m so glad that Clara’s relationship ended with him!!

This book was so sweet. I wasn’t quite ready for it to be over! I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, cute romance!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this as a blind date with a book and it was cute!!! I’ve got questions about the plot and Rachel’s stuff. I also think it moved REAL quick into the love story, since they were friends already, but I guess I didn’t realize how good of friends Clara and Jesse were before the story? Regardless, a nice, quick read with good spicy scenes!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this best friends to lovers vacation romance! Clara and Jesse were meant to fall in love and I appreciated that he fell first and harder. I also loved Clara’s very supportive girlfriend group and family and reading about Jesse and Clara exploring the area on their day off. Thank you to Sophie Thomas and Loves Notes PR for the chance to read this early.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

This was different. Liked the characters. Not sure I would continue the series. Clara was a different kinda person. Good

[Clara Gilleland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always partially biased towards any book with a FMC named Clara, but this was TRULY such a fun summer romance read.

The chemistry between Clara and Jesse was there from the very start (I love a “down bad man” trope!!!) and I was absolutely delighted by Clara’s friend group - their friend chemistry rivaled her relationship with Jesse for my favorite part of the book.

Thank you to Love Notes PR for this eARC!

[paigey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🤩
sophie thomas did her big one
the slow burn with these two was just perfect
found family on top of a great family will never not hit
10s across the board
the proper communication and genuinely being honest about their feelings was so hot
i could read this over and over again
thank you so much lovenotes pr and sophie for this arc in exchange for my honest review

[Hannah Hartridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, a massive thank you to Love Notes PR and Sophie Thomas for sending this absolute gem my way! I devoured Summer of Love and loved every single minute of it.

From the moment Clara blasted out Spice Girls while making lasagne, I knew I was going to adore her. She’s fierce, resilient, and inspiring — after everything she goes through, she picks herself up, chases her dreams of becoming a writer, and builds a life on her own terms. Clara, you absolute queen!

And then there's Jesse. Oh my god, Jesse. A writer who just happens to be her ridiculously charming neighbour? Sign me up. Their chemistry is instant but natural — it’s what happens when two writers meet and, frankly, it’s magic. From sharing music tastes and coffee orders to casually quoting Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet (be still my heart!), every moment between them was pure gold.

Can we talk about Jesse for a second? The way he listens to Clara, the soft touches, the effortless banter, the fact he knows French and wins over her parents (unlike a certain pathetic ex cough Andrew cough) — he’s the absolute dream. Plus, dedicating his book to Clara? I was swooning all over the place.

Clara’s support network is also wonderful — Becky, Lucy, Addie, and Rachel are exactly the girlfriends everyone deserves. And yes, it was hilarious and adorable that they immediately clock Jesse and Clara’s growing feelings. Comedy gold.

This book is officially turning me into a friends-to-lovers fan. Watching Clara and Jesse dance around each other with sizzling chemistry, easy conversation, and adorable dorkiness was EVERYTHING. The slow build, the casual touches, the sassy road trip Disney sing-alongs, the airport moments — every single scene was a perfect mix of heart, humour, and heat.

The spice? Oh, it sizzles, and then it absolutely burns in the best way possible — without ever overshadowing the story. Sophie Thomas nails the balance between heartfelt romance and steamy moments, all wrapped up in a gorgeously described French backdrop.

At its heart, Summer of Love is about two beautiful souls who just get each other — who lift each other up, challenge each other, and fall helplessly, gloriously in love. Clara and Jesse deserve the world, and so does this beautiful, feel-good book.

If you love great writing, lovable characters, just the right amount of spice, and a romance that’ll make your heart do backflips, Summer of Love needs to be on your TBR immediately.

[katara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever liked a book so much from the first few pages. I started this about two weeks ago but i was so entranced by a OUABH book that I did not want to get out of that. then i remembered last night that I had yet to read and review this book that I originally got as an ARC thanks to Love Notes PR.

Jesse Bounds is the perfect book boyfriend and knows exactly how to make a girl fall for him. I cannot even begin how much I love him. He is not only a great neighbor, but also a great author friend, a great wedding plus one, and an even greater MAN. He was wrapped around me. Everything about him just got to me. He not only understood Clara but he also made sure that she was getting all that she needed. Space? Given. A shoulder to cry on? Lent. A person to remind her just how lovable she was? He. Was. There.

Clara Henry is someone I want to befriend for sure. The first chapter when I read how she just knew that Andrew was not someone she loved anymore, I felt incredibly amazing about her character. She is a great friend too. Her not wanting to make something about her during her best friend's wedding was so good to read. Because it happens in real life and reading that that's not what happened here just made me feel great.

I think I love Jesse more than I love Clara and I love someone even more than the two of them. Rachel. Oh my God. I NEED a friend like her. She's a therapist and she just knows how to say things that will wrap around you! I feel like I even needed to hear some of what she adviced throughout the book. And God, all the girls—Becky, Lucy, Addie—WOW. Their dynamic was perfect and i loved loved loved them all. Friends like them should exist in real life. Really. And I WANT friends like them. Becky who was so understanding of her friend's situation that she rearranged the walk down the aisle just so her friend was good and comfortable? Just wow. I loved the unity and bond they all had.

Overall, I loved the book and I can't wait to read more from TLYW series and Sophie Thomas.

5🌟

[Sunny D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay but like…why am i obsessed with this book. First of all Drew…can absolutely go away. Did not like him. And how dare he. Okay back to my faves.

Clara is queen! I love her. I love her habits. I love her personalities. The buying of Macbeth was EVERYTHING. I felt like I actually got to learn her as a person and character rather than just the romance. I loved all the tidbits of information about her. And that she can speak French. I saw myself in her in a lot of ways and that just made me gush.

Jesse….HUSBAND. MAN OF THE YEAR! Not only was he the hot neighbor which like…he TRULY was! But he also really loved Clara. He paid attention to details about her. Knew all of her quirks and that made me just fall in love with him even more. Don’t even get me started on how he know her least favorite shorts or how she processed writing. Ughhhh i adored them.

The friend group is TOP TIER. And i appreciated that they actually wanted Clara to have love. They cheered for her, rooted for her and even helped Jesse. When he was talking to Rachel about her and she told him how he impacted Clara…I was cheering like a football game. Because that’s what real friends do.

This story was truly amazing. The slow burn was actually great. I loved it a lot. It felt like a true friendship was there and a new relationship. There wasn’t one point in the story where I felt like things weren’t going well.

My favorite scene was in the bookshop when they were quoting Shakespeare quotes back and forth. I loved this moment because Clara really got to be herself and I also adored the way he played into it. It was the cutest moment. Also as a lover of Shakespeare, I was fangirling like crazy.

I HIGHLY recommend this story if you are looking for a sweet and light hearted romance to cleanse your palette.

Thank you Sophie for this lovely read and thank you Love Notes PR as always for choosing me.

[Jenn Ann H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I started this book, I knew it was going to be hard to put down. I found myself sucked in more and more as I turned the pages. Sophie Thomas completely captured my attention with her writing and the way her storyline flowed so seamlessly.

Jesse is a gold star book boyfriend without a doubt in my mind. He knows Clara SO well, truly paying attention to the little details and taking the time to understand what makes her tick. Also, this man is down BADDD, which personally I just love to see. I loved watching Clara step back into being her true self. The more she started doing what she wanted and taking time for herself, the easier she was to relate to. The friend-to-lovers trope is not always my favorite, but this one is done SO WELL. Clara and Jesse had a genuine friendship that respected all the boundaries of her relationship while she was in it. Once they started interacting after Clara was single though…it was easy to tell these two were meant for each other. I love the way they can just coexist, knowing that they may need space to process but also want to do it together.

I loved the aspect that both our main characters are writers and all the little touches of reading by the pool and visiting bookstores while on vacation…because um YES! This is a requirement. I found all of the side characters (besides Drew, we don’t like Drew in this house) to be so fun and an excellent addition to the story. Clara really has such a special girl group. They are SOLID – goofing off together but also loving each other so fiercely and protectively. I can’t wait to read their own stories!

If you are looking for summer vibes, friends-to-lovers, or even just a high-quality book to get lost in, I highly recommend adding this one to your tbr! Thank you to Love Notes PR and author Sophie Thomas for the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

stars🌟: 4.5/5 | spice🌶️: 3/5
This book is the perfect blend of swoony slow-burn romance, summer wedding chaos, and just the right amount of well-earned emotional rage. From the very first page, Clara and Jesse’s story had me hooked—with all the fluff, heart, and heat you could want in a friends-to-lovers romance.

Clara is navigating life post-breakup when her longtime neighbor and fellow literary nerd, Jesse, steps in as her plus one for a weekend getaway wedding. What follows is a soft, sweet shift in their dynamic that made me melt. Their mutual love for books (especially Shakespeare) created such an endearing foundation for their relationship, and watching them evolve from besties to something deeper was so emotionally satisfying.

The chemistry? Off. The. Charts. I wasn’t ready for Jesse to come in like that—with the confidence, care, and... other talents that are best left to be experienced on the page 😏. Let’s just say, if you're into emotionally intelligent, observant, take-charge men in the bedroom, Jesse’s your guy.

The friend group dynamic was another highlight. Clara’s circle (plus her ride-or-die sister Addie) were fiercely loyal, supportive, and had absolutely no patience for anyone bringing drama—especially those with inflated egos and delusions of grandeur. There were moments I wanted to throw the book across the room because of one particular ex who really had the audacity, but the way Clara and her people handled it? Chef’s kiss.

Summer of Love is the kind of romance that wraps you in a hug, makes you laugh, makes you simmer, and gives you that warm sense of justice by the end. Sweet, steamy, and deeply satisfying—this is one summer read you don’t want to miss.

Thank you again to Sophie Thomas for the arc💖. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[BooksandMelaninn · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎉 ARC Review #2 is finally here, y’all! 📚💕

Okay so Summer of Love by Sophie Thomas…let’s get into it.

Let me start by saying this loud and clear: I do NOT like a man with a savior complex, and Andrew? Baby. He wanted to be needed so badly that he didn’t even realize he was dragging Clara down with him. Some people enter your life to help you grow🌿, and some come just to keep you stuck in the version of yourself that serves them. And that’s not love, it’s control.

But THIS book? It was so much more than just a romance. It was a healing story. And after the weeks I’ve had, wrapping up grad school, emotionally drained, this felt like a hug in paperback form. 💛

Let’s talk about Jesse, though. Because whewww, when I say that man loved Clara DOWN 😩👏🏽 he saw her. He didn’t try to fix her. He didn’t try to mold her. He listened. He was patient. He gave her space to be, to feel, to figure it out. Can we get a round of applause for a man who loves you enough to let you be heard? 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 That kind of love? Soft. Intentional. Rare. Give Jesse a book boyfriend award, immediately.

And Clara? I LOVED her journey. The self-doubt, the hard choices, the bravery it takes to finally choose yourself. Her character arc was so real, so reflective of what a lot of us go through when we’re trying to figure out what we deserve. Sometimes heartbreak is the wake-up call that leads you home to yourself.

ALSO, Clara’s friend group??? 10/10. No fake friends, no backhanded shade, just solid, supportive, hilarious girls that had each other’s backs. Sophie really gave us a friend circle we can root for.
So if you're looking for a summer read with substance, softness, and slow-burn healing?? Summer of Love is IT.


✨4.5 stars from me and ALL the feels. 🌷💕

[McKenzie Leduc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars out of 5.

The one thing that I did not understand with this book was the title. Summer of love? The majority of the story took place over one week so I don’t really see the whole summer part of it because we didn’t get a lot of the story of Clara and Jesse over the course of the whole summer. Like I said, it only took place the week of this wedding. With how many different flirty jokes that they had throughout the entire story, I felt like the author could have named the book something else, maybe putting a twist on a Hamlet quote or since both these main characters spoke French, maybe a small punny French title. I don’t know, I just don’t think “Summer of Love” fits this story.

Overall, the story and writing were really good! I really liked the writing style. As I was reading this book, I felt like the writing style was very similar to my own if I were to write a book. I really liked the dual point of view and I really liked Clara and Jesse as characters. Jesse was so sweet and such a great guy. I really liked how strong Clara was as an FMC and I really liked her group of friends. They were a great support group for her. I loved Clara‘s clap backs at Andrew, anytime they had a confrontation I was living for her comebacks! I loved the hamlet addiction along with Jessie’s Romeo and Juliet addiction. I also loved that they were speaking French and I loved that they were both writers.

This is what I’m going to be taking from this story: love can be right in front of you, you may have to wait for it and opposites don’t always attract. You can be attracted to somebody who is very much like you. I feel like this is a great story for anybody starting off their reading journey.

[BlossomestReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Let me just say this was such a beautiful story filed of all the romance, smooth vibes of the summer , good paced and well balanced to start the plot and romance! ☺️✨ Let me introduce you to our main pair Jesse and Clara, I said this a lot when reading 📖 their stories and pov but I feel in love with them and their relationship. Both Jesse and Clara built on first overtime being content with that friendship bond, and then Jesse a man down bad ❤️ im always 10 toes down for a man who is not afraid of his emotions and accepting them, especially since he was in love with Clara from that first meeting and then more overtime as well!! Like my goodness! But I love him being okay with the friendship and still understanding the romantic feelings he had for her, it had me blushing 🤭! The transition that the author allowed from friend to lovers was top tier, and then the attentiveness of each character ahh 😱 i loved it. I loved the friendship aspect and communication that Jesse had with Clara friends and what they had with him.
- Now on to my girl Clara! ✨With Jesse and how we approached the relationship and their friendship transformed over time , allowed her that comfortability and confidence to which allowed her love with Jesse to be growth and shared of purpose and happiness 💛! I loved that she found someone who made an effort and showed patience and was able to know what she needed and knew when and what not to do, loved it! Also she was able to be her true self! This read was such a story of harmony, purpose, love and relationship of purpose!

What to expect:
🧡 Forced Proximity
🥰 He Falls First
🌼 Friends to Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn
🏖️ Holiday Romance
💞 Found Family

[Emma B · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I started reading this book yesterday, and honestly I just wasn't in the mood to start a new book, let alone a romance. I'm such a mood reader, and I now always have one romance and one thriller/mystery/crime novel on the go at once. But let me tell you, the minute I started reading chapter one, I was hooked and did not want to put this down.

Clara and Drew. Ew. Just ew. Thank god he does the only smart thing he's ever said and broke up with Clara. Because that completely opens her up to be who she truly is.
Clara is a beautiful soul, a person who is surrounded by loving friends and family, but who also needs her own space to process (can totally relate!) Drew never understands this about her.
Jesse, her across the hall neighbour, is a close friend. Understands Clara's beauty, her kindness and how she loves and processes in a way that Drew could never. He doesn't get annoyed by the little things. He's patient and kind, he's encouraging, he's loyal, and he notices the little things. **SWOON** so when Clara invites Jesse to be her plus one, to her besties destination wedding, and he says yes, you just know it's going to be fireworks all round.

I am obsessed with Clara and Jesse. This was a beautiful romance, friends to lovers. Close proximity, one bed, ex-boyfriend to contend with, very close friends and family, overcoming a huge life event. Clara learns so much about herself on this journey, and it really did open my eyes to what I could learn too.

Thank you so much Sophie and Love Notes PR for this eARC! I LOVED IT!!