The Summers of Us

by Taylor Crooks

The ocean gives and the ocean takes.

Quinn Kessler has known this since her first summer at her aunt’s beach house in Piper Island. For eight transformative summers, the ocean gave her sun-kissed adventures with best friends, bike rides, katydid songs, fireworks. The ocean took away the pain of her father abandoning her. The ocean gave her a sticky, sweet first love, constellations, Ferris wheels, moon jellies. The ocean took away her fear. But one day last summer, Quinn learned that her hard-earned happiness was just the prequel to everything that would come after.

When she returns to Piper Island for her final summer before college, everything once golden has faded to gray. Dead flowers, broken pinky promises, and snarling waves. The clock is ticking for Quinn to figure out her unresolved feelings for Everett Bishop, the boy who’s always been her moonlight, as she struggles to accept happiness in a universe that could take it all away again in an instant.

Grappling with sunny and salty memories from summers past, Quinn is ready to start living again, if only the universe could give like the ocean does.

Genres: Romance, Summer, Young Adult, Summer Reads, Beach Reads

Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2025

About the author

Taylor Crooks is a young adult novelist who writes sunny contemporary romance that doesn’t shy away from real world issues. She shares her lifelong love of literature as an English teacher in her home state of North Carolina. Taylor studied Creative Writing at UNC Wilmington. Taylor can be found reading in the sun, writing at her favorite coffee shop, and daydreaming of eternal summer, if only just in her novels. The Summers of Us is her debut novel.

Reviews

[☆ 尺ﾉ丂 ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'M BUYING THE FLIGHT TICKETS RIGHT NOW ... PIPER ISLAND HERE I COME 🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍♀️‍➡️


5/5 🌟
4/5 😭


my honest opinion 🪩

Did I cry? Yes. Do I regret it? ABSOLUTELY NOT. This book kinda gave sense to my life and brightened up my somehow always grey days. This was so beautifully written, I can't ✋️✋️ Why do books about summer always make me cry??? This was so light hearted and emotional at the same time. It was written in summer ... summer is this book.


Character analysis ⛱️ (special edition ... emojis)

Quinn - 🐈‍⬛🍊🎆🌌

Everett - 💍🎠🎡🌆

Holden & Mason - 🎊⛵️🎂🪂

Haven & Jorge - 🍒🍦🛹⛱️


Characters were absolutely perfect ... every one of them had a story and i genuinely enjoyed to read about them ♡


What to expect? 🎇

In this book we practically deep dive into the concept of happiness, love and grief. Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster of happiness, sadness, melancholy and euphory. The friendships in this book are like from another universe ... very strong, deep and beautifully written. OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT ... PINKY PROMISES


Favourite quotes 🎐

"You are worthy of love. Pinky promise."

"The sun is just like you, and so is the moon, and so is everything people need to survive but don't appreciate enough."

"You deserve a rollercoaster."

"An inevitable end is why I enjoy the present."

"Tsunami won't be our first rollercoaster ride. Nor will be our last."


Playlist for anybody who likes to read with music like I do ♡

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kb...


☆°•○ pre-read ○•°☆

my first ever arc, i'm so excited ♡



THANKS FOR READING MY REVIEW AND THANKS SO MUCH TO THE AUTHOR AND NETGALLEY ... PLEASE GET ME TO TAYLOR CROOKS RIGHT NOW 💞

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The imagery in this book was so beautiful. I felt like I was at the beach. 🩷

This book had it all- the beach, a cute friend group, drama, trauma, and first love. It is def YA. I hope this author considers writing something more adult next, maybe with a little spice, because the imagery and descriptive language would just be so good for a book like that.

I will def read whatever this author writes next as I really enjoyed the writing style.

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[jo ୨୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

☼ 3.75

this book in a way, is a love letter to summer, to friendship, and to those we've lost and the memories we keep. if you enjoyed the vibes of tsitp but don't want that love triangle drama, pick up this book! i'll be over here wondering where i can get tickets to piper island because i need my own becah vacation there.

"𝘪'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘱𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦"

⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

pre-review: full review to come once i've grabbed tissues! < 3

thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[lydia {67} ୨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

❀° ┄───╮
review
╰───┄ °❀

thanks to netgalley and bookcomber publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review

✨✨✨✨ - 3.6 rounded to 4

“you are worthy of love. pinky promise”

☼ 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵:
💣 violence: 1/10 (friendly punching/hitting)
🌶️ spice: 1/10 (kissing, cuddling)
🤬 language: 6/10 (*ss/*sshole, sh*t, h*ll, d*mn, f**k, d*ck)
➕ other content: 2/10 (loss of family member, parental negligence, divorce, parent leaving, breaking in at night)
👩🏼 age rating: 14+

☼ 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼:
↠ friends to lovers
↠ first love
↠ found family
↠ childhood beach town
↠ girl who doesn’t believe in love
↠ flashbacks to past summers
↠ self-discovery

☼ 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼:

quinn:
↠ personality? what personality? she was as dry as dry ice 😭
↠ I did love the idea of a shell on her necklace for every summer she spent at piper island (which btw I WANT TO GO THERE)
↠ I actually did feel bad for her bc of her dad and all the stuff that happened with him and how she has trust issues, but JUST KISS THE FREAKIN’ GUY, LIKE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE SOMEONE WHO LIKES YOU (lucky her) SO TAKE THE RISK 😤
↠ her genuine fear of the ocean did make the book a little more interesting, and the end where she got in was like omgosh yayyyy
↠ prime example of a girl with both mommy and daddy issues and I’m sure a lot of people can connect with her

everett:
↠ won’t lie, this was really awkward considering I have a cousin named everett, but we’re gonna ignore that for now 😄
↠ HE’S PUNNY 🤭✨
↠ not much else, ig he was pretty nice to quinn, but didn’t comfort her in the ways I wanted him to when she needed it (which was like all the time)
↠ his description does make him seem pretty hot though, so…. 😏

hadley:
↠ MY BBG 🥰💗💅🏼😭
↠ like why was there not more of her in this book?! I NEED MORE HADLEY <33
↠ sweetest little bundle of sunshine there was in the entire book, I kept reading for her and also the fact that blair and quinn kept mentioning her in past tense and I wanted to know how my baby died because SHE WAS THE CUTEST EVER
↠ loved how her and quinn had the weeds thing going instead of planting flowers, they planted weeds which was so adorable and I might just do that 🤭

haven:
↠ what a good bsf!! like what!
↠ her friendship with quinn (and everyone elses) was so deep, I was so jealous of their tight-knit little group, like I want a cute summer group!!
↠ I loved her confidence in herself and especially how she bounced right back after her breakup with the controlling bf chance
↠ also her quinceñera dress sounded so pretty and I want to see it irl 💅🏼

☼ 𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
↠ tbh, I struggled to find the plotline, like yeah quinn told us about her past 8 summers she spent there, but really it felt like a summer autobiography (which I wasn’t opposed to, but I just couldn’t find the plot) … maybe the plot was left in the fridge? or a dog ate it thinking it was hw?
↠ the whole thing with the rollercoaster? that was ADORBS like “you deserve a rollercoaster.” I’M CRYING WHY IS THAT SUCH A BEAUTIFUL METAPHOR?! 😭✨
↠ the switching between summers did get a little confuzzling so if you read, make sure to pay attention to what year otherwise you’ll be running in circles trying to figure out how things played out and how you missed to much
↠

☼ 𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓪𝓵 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼:
↠ “I wicked them off my skin…” – what is wicked? did she mean whacked??
↠ “abuela” should have been capitalized
↠ missing commas, but that’s typical, especially in debut novels


☼ 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷:

this was similar to the summer I turned pretty but w/o all the love triangle drama, so if you’re looking for a cute beachy romance ya read, I would def pick this up! it has a lot of depth such as anxiety, first love, and grief, but it is just a cute summer book all in all 🏖️

thanks for reading my review! 🫶🏼💜



❀° ┄───╮
pre-read
╰───┄ °❀

yet another arc, last couple ones disappointed me (kat's greek summer), so kinda low expectations

[Taylor Crooks]

Are you allowed to say you’ve read your own book??

[siri megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is truly one of those books where i have to ask myself if i finished the book or if the book finished me.

quinn kessler has always seen the ocean as both a giver and a taker. for eight summers on piper island, it gave her freedom, friendship, and a first love that stayed with her long after the season ended. but when she returns for her last summer before college, everything feels different. the magic is harder to find, and quinn has to face how much she’s changed. her feelings for everett bishop are still there, but nothing else is as simple as it once was.

after her dad leaves and her mom is stuck living in fear, quinn learns to play it safe with love. she keeps people at a distance without meaning to. but on the island with her aunt blair, cousin hadley, and a close group of friends, she slowly opens back up. she learns that when family leaves, friends can stay. she starts to take risks instead of letting life pass her by.

when tragedy hits, quinn starts to see life as transactional. but through small, meaningful moments with the people who love her, she finds hope again. she learns to keep going even when the future feels uncertain. she learns to love without fear.

this book had everything i love in a summer read. the beach setting, deep friendships, real emotional moments, and writing that felt vivid and true. it was healing and beautifully written. i truly believe this story can touch anyone who reads it. this was such a strong debut and i cannot recommend it enough.

a special thank you to netgalley and bookcomber publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[maeri &#x1f48c; · Rating 4 out of 5]

:･ﾟ✧:･ﾟThe ocean gives and the ocean takes :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ

This story unfolds on the breathtaking Piper Island—a place that instantly wrapped itself around Quinn’s heart like the softest summer breeze. It became her haven, her safe place, her better-than-anything home. The ocean gifted her a first love that tasted like salt and sparkles, unforgettable memories painted in every shade of joy, friendships built under fireworks, stargazing that whispered dreams, and a sun-kissed glow that made her feel golden.

It also gave her something quieter—something heavier. A way to forget the ache of being left behind by the man who was supposed to stay. Her father’s absence was a shadow she carried, but Piper Island lit the path away from it.

But this last summer before college? It was different. The sky, once the color of Quinn’s wildest wishes, had turned a solemn gray. The flowers that used to sing in vibrant hues now sat wilted in their pots, like they too had forgotten how to bloom.

This was the summer for reckoning. The summer she stopped running. The summer she realized that happiness wasn’t something only found on an island surrounded by sea—it could be built anywhere, even within herself. That she didn’t have to be afraid to fall in love again.

This story is achingly emotional, like a love letter to every heart that’s ever been bruised but still beats with hope. And what’s true for Quinn is true for all of us—
We all deserve a rollercoaster. ♡

Huuge thank you @netgalley and @taylorcrooksauthor for this arc 🥹✨

[Kendall Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my familyyyyyy

[Haley Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You deserve a rollercoaster” simpler words have never held more meaning.

When Quinn’s dad leaves and her mom is left living in fear, Quinn has learned to play things on the safe side. Along the way she also unintentionally taught herself to keep love at arms length. Each summer after her dad left, she spends in a small beach town with her aunt Blair and baby cousin Hadley. She meets lifelong friends who teach her that even when family goes, friends can be forever. She seeks to find courage and happen to life instead of letting it happen to her.

However, when tragedy strikes, she realizes that while life gives, it also takes away. She has to learn how to keep on going in the midst of the uncertainty that brings. She learns to lean on those she loves and to not be afraid to fall in love (or at-least finally admit that she has).

This sweet story had me on a rollercoaster of emotions right along with her. This story was healing for me and I think it has the power to do the same for others.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookcomber Publishing for this ARC :)

[Nicole Fegan]

Listen, as someone who worked on this book, I'm biased, but sometimes you get the rare opportunity to edit a novel that warms your whole heart and heals you from the inside out, and this book did that for me. A slice of summer magic.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you Taylor Crooks for letting me be a beta reader for this fantastic project!! i’ve been apart of this journey since I saw a tiktok from Taylor in 2019 when she went on a roadtrip/visited the places that took place in the book and have been following ever since. i’m so thankful for my for you page for bringing this story to my life and i’m so thankful for Taylor Crooks for her kindness to me. can’t wait to see what’s next for Taylor Crooks, best believe i’ll be cheering loudly 🤍🤍🤍

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summers of Us was SUCH a cute book! you follow quinn who every year since she was a kid spends the summer a piper island with her aunt. piper island is a magical little town that is the perfect encapsulation of the north carolina coast. for seven summers you follow her and her friends through the trials and tribulations of life and just being a teenager. the ocean gives and always takes- and not everything can always be perfect.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Summer of Us
3✨

I feel like this belongs with the YA genre. Maybe it was just me, but I thought I bought a romance book.
the MFC is 18 and we read about her POV from the past 10 summers. So age 10-18. Since I am 30 years old, well. I feel to old for this story. 🤗😆


I wish you a Rollercoaster

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes but if Jeremiah didn’t exist… we have no choice but to stan. I thought this was gonna be a 3 star read but the last few chapters were SO good. Love a dual timeline and coming-of-age story!!!

ARC from NetGalley :)

[Makena Cagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review: This is such a beautiful debut novel. This has become one of my fav summer books. I love summer books so much and this one was so so good! I loved that this was YA, the main character coming of age and growing up added so much. Romance, family, friendship, grief, and self discovery. I felt like I was really at the beach. First love. Only see eachother in the summer. Perfect read if you love the summer I turned pretty, every summer after, and even the friendships like in happy place.

[Peyton Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

umm wow wow wow! what a beautiful debut novel! the writing in this book was so poetic and rich and just so beautiful. the teenage feels and summer vibes were EVERYTHING! I felt like i was transported to the beach! i love that this book was set in North Carolina (my home state)!! There’s nothing like Carolina beaches!
this story was incredibly deep and thought provoking. it had some HEAVY moments but with a beautiful ending!
“you deserve a rollercoaster”
🥺🫠☺️

[LaPrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Maybe rain was actually the sky’s happiness, too heavy to hold back.”

“Just blue. If just blue were as beautiful as him, then I hoped for a lifetime of just blues.”

“Family comes and goes, but friends always stay.”

Thank you to Taylor Crooks and NetGalley!
Pub day May 13!

A book full of nostalgia, growing up, anxiety, and realizing that life doesn’t have to be feared; but meant to be lived.

I HAVE to say I was hooked from the first few pages. This YA/new adult definitely makes a 28 year old like me feel all the nostalgia. A group of friends spending their last summer together before college? Come on. I loved every second of this book. Seeing how all the friendships formed and all the different relationships come to life gave me all the feels. I feel the author does an amazing job of representing the different stages of what teenagers go through, how sometimes friends fight and sometimes friends fall in love.

This book takes you back and forth between the present and the past, I love watching Quinn grow! Quinn is such a relatable character throughout the story, she really represents what divorce can make a young girl feel like in future relationships. YOU GUYS! Quinn and Everett give you all the feelings of young love, I think if you have a high school sweetheart you will LOVE their story. I was smiling the whole time, they experience the ups and downs of trying to figure it all out. Again, it’s just the nostalgia of it all that really makes you love this book. It’s the PERFECT summer read, all the feelings of summer as a teen and that feeling of the last summer before everyone splits apart. The book is seriously just perfect.

[byonce ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I'll miss this pocket of sand and salt and sunlight, but the sun rises everywhere. Even in the darkest places.”

The Summers Of Us feels like summer and carries the same nostalgic summer vibe as The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han—except instead of two brothers, we get a whole friend group.
In this story, we follow Quinn through nine summers of her life at her aunt’s house in a small beach town, told in alternating timelines between past and present. While the story focuses on friendship and coming of age, it also touches on themes of grief and the impact of divorce.
This book captures that whimsical young summer feeling, friendship, and first love—but also how one perseveres through the unconventional curveballs of life.
While I gave this book a 3-star rating, I truly believe it’s a strong debut novel and will resonate well with its intended audience. I personally feel I may have aged out of it a bit, as it reads very much like YA—but that’s okay, because this is a YA novel. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Taylor Crook’s writing style—I actually appreciated how she was able to transport us into this summer world where I could hear the ocean and feel the sun and sand.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Natasha Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good debut novel! The writing style is immersive, and after reading this book, I feel like I know my way around Piper Island. Each character felt distinct, had their own backstory, and had their own unique relationship with Quinn, which I really enjoyed.

I liked that Quinn’s age was listed at the beginning of each chapter from the past, rather than just the number of summers. The timeline was easy to follow even though we jump from the present to the past.

Another thing I loved is the metaphor of a rollercoaster. It is so simple, yet so profound, and it makes sense within the context of the narrative. We all deserve a rollercoaster.

I would recommend The Summers of Us to anyone looking for a book that feels like summer but also has depth, as it deals with topics like first loves, family/friend dynamics, and grief.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookcomber Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book transports you to the summer days of being young, making friends and falling in love.
Quinn spends her summers with her aunt Blair in the small quaint beach town of Piper Island, North Carolina. The descriptive setting was picture perfect and felt like I was living my summer at the beach with Quinn. While at the beach she meets lifelong friends during her first summer there and they grow up together during the summers spent together. This told in alternating timelines flashing back to earlier years and Quinn back at the beach currently for one last summer before college.

This is a perfect beach read and perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty or We Were Liars.

[Nicole Wheelbarger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I noticed while reading this book was it is written more like a literary fiction with amazing imagery for the setting. The beach of Pipers Island was described so well, I felt like I was there with the sun on my face and my feet in the sand.

The story itself is very young adult, with childhood flashbacks of Quinn. You meet the friend group, the drama of a childhood and of course, the unforgettable first love.

This was a change of pace from my usual reading style, but not a bad experience.

Tropes:
- beach read
- Emotional childhood
- Young love
- Young adult

[Cátia Silva]

DNF

At 50 per cent of the book, I still didn't know where the plot was going. Slow pace.
Very dense.
Until halfway through the book, there was very little information relevant to the development of the story.
I couldn't fall in love with the plot or the characters.

Despite my opinion, I wish the writer all the best.

Thanks to the NetGalley platform, the publisher and the author for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.

[tati · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW. what a fantastic debut novel!! this book was absolutely entrancing. the writing was so descriptive & beautiful, you can feel yourself in the pages of summer.

if you are looking for a great summer read, pick this one up!!

great character development, the sweetest friendships, graceful depiction of grief, a wholesome romance & most of all, the most summery atmosphere ever.

p.s the cover is STUNNING. one of my fav book covers ever.

[Phoebe (readandwright) Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to the publisher for my copy.

cute, fine, a little too cerebral in the sense that I felt like we were inside the main character’s head only, so I wasn’t able to connect with the plot or other characters.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Taylor Crooks just gets summer. Gets the feel of it and understands why it’s so special! I had a bit of a difficult time getting into it but once I got about 30 pages in I was really enjoying it!!

It’s just a wholesome summer coming of age romance but it’s also so much more than that. It was actually pretty deep for YA at moments.

It was written well. There were so many deep and pretty lines.

I gave it the rating I did because this is very much a YA book. Not in a bad way at all, but I would be eating this up if I was in the middle or high school. I think an issue with this is I didn’t really care about her and Everett’s relationship. I loved her friendship with everyone. I loved Haven and Holden so much! Especially Haven, she was such a great friend. I loved Holden and Mason even though I could have used so much more of them! But her actually being with Everett, I didn’t feel any chemistry. Maybe because it literally took the whole entire book for them to actually get together. It just dragged on and on. I understand in both cases why she was hesitant to love him, but it still took too long for them to get together.

If I loved her and Everett, I would have liked this a lot more.

It is an amazing summer read though! It hit on a lot of hard topics, but still had that magical summer feel.

[Kate (k8tsreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the high is 50 degrees in Chicago in MAY, I click 'request' on any Netgalley book that supposedly transports me to summer and don't think much more about it.

The Summers of Us follows a girl named Quinn throughout the nine summers she spends on Piper Island with her aunt and baby cousin. The story alternates between the present, Quinn's final summer after high school graduation, and the first summer she spent with her aunt, when she was only ten years old. Throughout the years, she makes friends with local kids and falls in love with one of her childhood friends, but she struggles in general with letting go and being brave due to some traumatic things that have happened in her family life. Throughout the novel, she comes to terms with what it means to live life to its fullest.

The best thing by far about this book was the setting. It really did make me feel emotional and nostalgic for all the summers I enjoyed as a kid, whether at my family's beach house or just running around with my neighborhood friends in the heat. The imagery was great, and while I did feel like the writing was a little overwrought with over-the-top and annoyingly artsy metaphors, the cozy feelings it brought to mind were enough to make up for that.

The ensemble cast was fun but a little weak in my opinion, especially the main love interest, Everett. We don't really learn much about him or his personality throughout the entire story. However, by the time I finished the book, I decided that this was fine, because the love story wasn't really the point. There was much more of a focus on family and friendship, so that made me willing to let the lack of depth to some of the characters slide.

High school me would have eaten this book up, and adult me still had an enjoyable time. The story excelled at capturing a specific moment of childhood, and I really enjoyed being transported back to those times in my life. Perfect way to pass a gloomy spring day while I impatiently wait for summer.

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC!

[Destini_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
"You deserve a rollercoaster."
That one line from The Summers of Us hit me straight in the chest—and perfectly sums up what this book delivered: every high, every low, and every breathtaking drop in between.

This was hands down the best summer book I’ve read so far this year. It’s not just about sun and sand—it’s about healing, grief, love, and learning to let people back in after life has knocked you down.

We follow Quinn, who spends her summers on Piper Island with her aunt and baby cousin. And this town? It’s pure magic. There’s something about the way Taylor Crooks wrote Piper Island that made it feel like a place we all know deep down in our hearts—the kind of place where every summer leaves a mark on your soul.

Her friend group? So precious. The kind of core friendships that feel like home. The laughter, the late-night talks, the silent understandings—they were beautifully written and full of love. But when tragedy strikes, Quinn’s world shifts. She starts to guard her heart, believing that love only leads to pain. But throughout the summer, slowly, she starts to find her way back. To hope. To healing. To love that doesn’t come with conditions.

This book made me feel everything. The beach setting, the emotional depth, the friendship bonds, the raw moments of grief and joy—it was vivid and immersive in all the best ways.

If you’ve ever felt broken by life but still longed for a little magic to pull you through, this book is for you. The Summers of Us is an ode to second chances, deep summer nostalgia, and the wild, messy beauty of being human.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Bookcomber Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen Freire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think I was going to get hooked on a summer romance book like I did with The Summers of Us, but here we are. I was engaged, surprised, and genuinely happy while reading this. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you emotionally—in the best way.

Set over nine summers on the fictional Piper Island, the story follows Quinn and her group of friends as they navigate growing up, falling in love, and figuring out who they are. The dual timeline between “then” and “now” adds so much depth to Quinn’s journey, showing how each summer shaped who she becomes by the time they all face their final summer before college.

I related to Quinn so much it was actually scary. The things she felt, the emotions she processed—I’ve been there. She officially lives rent-free in my heart now. I do wish we got to know more about the other characters in the group, but I also think it worked perfectly the way Taylor Crooks gave each of them their own little moment to shine.

Crooks’ writing is smooth and easy to follow, making this the perfect read for a sunny summer day. It’s quick, emotionally resonant, and reads almost like a Taylor Swift song—which earns it bonus points from me. The way friendship, family, and teenage love are captured here feels both nostalgic and real.

Easily one of my favorite reads of 2025.

[Taylor Paputseanos]

#blessed to beta read back in march 🫶 will say more when i read the final product!!!

[Gracelyn Cate · Rating 2 out of 5]

"You deserve a rollercoaster." 🥺💫 (Such a lovely quote)

Applauding Taylor Crooks for writing such a vibey summer novel with such depth. I purchased this book immediately on release day after stumbling on one of her TikToks promoting it (such cute concept videos btw–check them out for more content). I was really excited based on what I was seeing. I love any romance set in the summer and YA is still one of my go-to genres as a 23 year old. I was stoked to start it.

I read this one pretty quickly, especially considering I usually read at a snail's pace. The characters were all very lovable and I loved the feeling of being transported to Piper Island. The Kindred Spirits mailbox is now on my list of "bookish places to visit." The romance between Everett and Quinn was really sweet and I appreciated that it was also a realistic depiction of teenage love (with the exception of Everett actually being a decent guy haha–cue Taylor Swift singing "in a world of boys he's a gentleman.") Their miscommunications were hard to witness as a reader rooting for them, but it wasn't infuriating because it was done so realistically. Slow clap for sure.

Quinn and Haven's friendship was EVERYTHING to me. It was nice to read a YA novel where the MC's bff wasn't put on the back-burner or used just to further the MC's romantic plot (in terms of solely talking about the love interest to the bff). I was also glad there wasn't ever a dramatic plotline of them breaking up, which is also common in YA. I loved how Haven wasn't just a side character. She was integral to the plot and a consistent good friend for Quinn. Similarly, I loved how Quinn was reciprocal in their relationship! That's usually pretty absent in this genre too, so it was refreshing to read.

Taylor tackled all sorts of heavy but important topics in this novel. She handled it lovely. Quinn was a beautifully written character who was going through a lot, which sometimes caused her to make decisions that were frustrating at times. However, it was balanced in a way that you as the reader understood where she was coming from and were still rooting for her.

I enjoyed my reading experience, but it's a 2 star for me because it was very difficult sometimes to track the storyline due to the sheer amount of describing that happened. What I mean when I say this is that there was a plethora of figurative language, metaphors, and descriptions of the setting/feelings. Don't get me wrong–these were VERY gorgeous. Taylor has a beautiful way of describing things and capturing the essence of summer. However, I as a reader am generally more interested in how the characters and their dialogue further the plot, rather than descriptions. It was hard for me to stay in the suspended reality with the amount of similes. This is just my personal preference as a reader, but because it is, it did affect my ability to stay focused and retain the plotlines at times. She created such wonderful characters and a beautiful setting that did not "need" (for me) the intensity of the descriptive language. They are powerful enough to stand on their own. All the poetic language just had me lost in the sauce a lot, truthfully. I would have rather had more dialogue and insights into the individual arcs of Quinn's friends, her mom, and definitely Blair.

But, as an aspiring writer myself, I want to congratulate Taylor for her debut! Well done. I can't wait to see what else she publishes in the future.