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The Summer You Were Mine
A beachy, second-chance romance set on the stunning Italian coast, where messy emotions and life challenges collide in this poignant and enthralling novel.
Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte have known each other their entire lives. Both families hail from Chiavari, a small city on the Italian Riviera. Their grandparents are friends. Their parents are friends. They were friends. And for one brief moment fourteen summers ago, they were almost more than that.
After years apart, Ellie and Cris are headed back to Chiavari as generations of Beltramis and Contes gather for the unlikely second marriage between her grandmother and his grandfather. But while everyone’s celebrating, Ellie is reeling from the very public implosion of her career as the host of a sports talk show, plus overthinking her past and perceived flaws in light of the recent discovery that she is neurodivergent. Cris, a newly retired elite swimmer, also arrives adrift after being accused of using a banned substance.
Reunited in a place where summer dreams come true, Cris and Ellie make a deal: an exclusive interview with Cris to fix her career, and an appearance on Ellie’s show to clear his name. Soon they’re picking up where their teen romance left off―but if this second chance can last, they’ll need to finally confront what drove them apart all those summers ago.
Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte have known each other their entire lives. Both families hail from Chiavari, a small city on the Italian Riviera. Their grandparents are friends. Their parents are friends. They were friends. And for one brief moment fourteen summers ago, they were almost more than that.
After years apart, Ellie and Cris are headed back to Chiavari as generations of Beltramis and Contes gather for the unlikely second marriage between her grandmother and his grandfather. But while everyone’s celebrating, Ellie is reeling from the very public implosion of her career as the host of a sports talk show, plus overthinking her past and perceived flaws in light of the recent discovery that she is neurodivergent. Cris, a newly retired elite swimmer, also arrives adrift after being accused of using a banned substance.
Reunited in a place where summer dreams come true, Cris and Ellie make a deal: an exclusive interview with Cris to fix her career, and an appearance on Ellie’s show to clear his name. Soon they’re picking up where their teen romance left off―but if this second chance can last, they’ll need to finally confront what drove them apart all those summers ago.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published July 1, 2025
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July 1, 2025
2 ⭐️
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!
❰𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐬𝐭. 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫, 𝐣𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰!❱
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤sigh… i had really hoped that this book would be as good as the premise made it out to be, but in my opinion, it was lacking in some departments. i wasn’t captivated by the storyline, although some parts did catch my attention this book could've had a little more built up tension between the two main characters, and that could’ve made it much more intriguing. it just wasn't giving me the vibes i was looking for, so i’m disappointed.
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙞 + 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚🌊🏖️
╰┈➤ with these two characters, they were both going through their own struggles, and trying to work through their own mistakes. as for the romance in this book, i didn’t feel a romantic spark between ellie and cris, so that was obviously a problem for me, considering that this is a romance book. their dynamic just felt too awkward and i literally couldn’t, connect to the characters.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
╰┈➤ although this book was disappointing, i did like that the setting was in italy, and i also enjoyed the side characters. just because this book wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean it can’t be for you, so maybe check it out.
* . °•★|•°∵ ∵°•|☆•° . *
𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱☀️🇮🇹
𝗶'𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗰! "𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁" 𝘂𝗺...𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲. 𝗶 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝘀𝗼 𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗶𝘁 😝
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!
❰𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐬𝐭. 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫, 𝐣𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰!❱
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤sigh… i had really hoped that this book would be as good as the premise made it out to be, but in my opinion, it was lacking in some departments. i wasn’t captivated by the storyline, although some parts did catch my attention this book could've had a little more built up tension between the two main characters, and that could’ve made it much more intriguing. it just wasn't giving me the vibes i was looking for, so i’m disappointed.
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙞 + 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚🌊🏖️
╰┈➤ with these two characters, they were both going through their own struggles, and trying to work through their own mistakes. as for the romance in this book, i didn’t feel a romantic spark between ellie and cris, so that was obviously a problem for me, considering that this is a romance book. their dynamic just felt too awkward and i literally couldn’t, connect to the characters.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
╰┈➤ although this book was disappointing, i did like that the setting was in italy, and i also enjoyed the side characters. just because this book wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean it can’t be for you, so maybe check it out.
* . °•★|•°∵ ∵°•|☆•° . *
𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱☀️🇮🇹
𝗶'𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗰! "𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁" 𝘂𝗺...𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲. 𝗶 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝘀𝗼 𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗶𝘁 😝
July 7, 2025
I can’t remember being so frustrated reading a book
During their whole childhood, Ellie and Cristiano were best friends. Their families did everything together, and they did too. Until, one day, something happened and they started to avoid each other’s presence.
After fourteen years of not talking, a wedding is fusing Ellie and Cristiano’s families together. Neither of them can skip this time, so they would have to act as if nothing has happened between the two for an entire summer. It shouldn’t be so hard, right?
The Summer You Were Mine had a couple things I liked: the Italian setting, the Italian added at some points of the story and Cris’s struggles as an athlete who is in chronic pain. But they didn’t compensate for the fact that the heroine was insufferable, the story relied on miscommunication and that I couldn’t see why the main characters were into each other. It seemed like they had fallen in love fourteen years ago, and seeing each other again was reason enough to want to be together again. People change, so I would have liked to see them falling in love again. Also, I couldn’t see any kind of chemistry between them.
On top of that, they didn’t make each other better. If anything, they kept hurting each other with their misunderstandings and with the fact that Ellie didn’t seem to care about Cris at all. I want my main characters to make sense. To make each other better, to support each other’s dreams. I saw that on Cris, but not on Ellie.
For example, there was this time where Cris admits that he wants to work on healthcare, even though he would have to study for it. That was important for Cris, you can see it was a dream of his and he spoke with so much passion about it! I wanted Ellie to care about that, to ask questions and support him. But she kind of forgot about it until later in the book. Ellie spent the book not caring for Cris because she was too focused on the fact that he hurt her fourteen years ago-when his father had just died, I may add-, therefore he didn’t deserve to be loved. That’s not how love works. I read a second chance romance I really loved this year (Rewind it Back). What I loved the most was that: the main characters had hurted each other in the past, but they still cared so much that they couldn’t endure hurting the other person in the present.
As you can see, my real main problem was Ellie (h). She was supposed to be a therapist, and I know that doesn’t make her perfect, but she took everything Cris said as an attack. She was oversensitive and dramatic, all the time choosing to misunderstand his words and not let him explain himself. I was very excited for the autistic representation, because I tend to relate very heavily to those characters. But, this time, I couldn’t do it at all, I didn’t see her analyze what was happening around her. She just assumed everything was against her.
I also think everything was a bit over the place. For example, at the beginning of the book Ellie discovers her parents are getting a divorce, and she spends the book worrying about that and making sure to babysit them, so they weren’t alone together, instead of asking why they were doing it. If my parents told me they were having a divorce, I would want to talk to them. She was supposed to be an adult and she had a PhD in psychology!! We needed to wait more than half the book to get that.
As for the audiobook, I don't like commenting on the narrators' voices because it's very subjective, but from the first minute I heard the voice of the female narrator I knew I was going to struggle. There are voices/accents that command my attention, and there are others that don’t. I spent the book trying to focus on what they were saying, especially the female narrator, since the hero was narrated by another person. That being said, I loved that, for someone who only studied Italian for half a year, their Italian sounded good-I even managed to understand everything!
Overall, I didn’t believe in the romance between the main characters and couldn’t stand the heroine. The writing style wasn’t bad and I liked the setting, but this was a romance, and I needed that to be good.
🎧Read as an audiobook
*Rating: 1.5/5 stars
I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
During their whole childhood, Ellie and Cristiano were best friends. Their families did everything together, and they did too. Until, one day, something happened and they started to avoid each other’s presence.
After fourteen years of not talking, a wedding is fusing Ellie and Cristiano’s families together. Neither of them can skip this time, so they would have to act as if nothing has happened between the two for an entire summer. It shouldn’t be so hard, right?
The Summer You Were Mine had a couple things I liked: the Italian setting, the Italian added at some points of the story and Cris’s struggles as an athlete who is in chronic pain. But they didn’t compensate for the fact that the heroine was insufferable, the story relied on miscommunication and that I couldn’t see why the main characters were into each other. It seemed like they had fallen in love fourteen years ago, and seeing each other again was reason enough to want to be together again. People change, so I would have liked to see them falling in love again. Also, I couldn’t see any kind of chemistry between them.
On top of that, they didn’t make each other better. If anything, they kept hurting each other with their misunderstandings and with the fact that Ellie didn’t seem to care about Cris at all. I want my main characters to make sense. To make each other better, to support each other’s dreams. I saw that on Cris, but not on Ellie.
For example, there was this time where Cris admits that he wants to work on healthcare, even though he would have to study for it. That was important for Cris, you can see it was a dream of his and he spoke with so much passion about it! I wanted Ellie to care about that, to ask questions and support him. But she kind of forgot about it until later in the book. Ellie spent the book not caring for Cris because she was too focused on the fact that he hurt her fourteen years ago-when his father had just died, I may add-, therefore he didn’t deserve to be loved. That’s not how love works. I read a second chance romance I really loved this year (Rewind it Back). What I loved the most was that: the main characters had hurted each other in the past, but they still cared so much that they couldn’t endure hurting the other person in the present.
As you can see, my real main problem was Ellie (h). She was supposed to be a therapist, and I know that doesn’t make her perfect, but she took everything Cris said as an attack. She was oversensitive and dramatic, all the time choosing to misunderstand his words and not let him explain himself. I was very excited for the autistic representation, because I tend to relate very heavily to those characters. But, this time, I couldn’t do it at all, I didn’t see her analyze what was happening around her. She just assumed everything was against her.
I also think everything was a bit over the place. For example, at the beginning of the book Ellie discovers her parents are getting a divorce, and she spends the book worrying about that and making sure to babysit them, so they weren’t alone together, instead of asking why they were doing it. If my parents told me they were having a divorce, I would want to talk to them. She was supposed to be an adult and she had a PhD in psychology!! We needed to wait more than half the book to get that.
As for the audiobook, I don't like commenting on the narrators' voices because it's very subjective, but from the first minute I heard the voice of the female narrator I knew I was going to struggle. There are voices/accents that command my attention, and there are others that don’t. I spent the book trying to focus on what they were saying, especially the female narrator, since the hero was narrated by another person. That being said, I loved that, for someone who only studied Italian for half a year, their Italian sounded good-I even managed to understand everything!
Overall, I didn’t believe in the romance between the main characters and couldn’t stand the heroine. The writing style wasn’t bad and I liked the setting, but this was a romance, and I needed that to be good.
🎧Read as an audiobook
*Rating: 1.5/5 stars
I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 18, 2025
Imagine you’re sitting on a terrace in Italy, and the sun is setting, and you’re holding a glass of wine, and you’re like, “Wow, life is beautiful,” but also you’re spiraling because you just remembered that one thing you said to your ex fourteen years ago that ruined everything. That’s this book.
What I loved is how Ellie’s dealing with her neurodivergence and her career falling apart, and Cris is this retired swimmer who’s in chronic pain and trying to figure out what comes next, and it’s like… they’re both going through a lot, but in a way that feels real. Ellie is dramatic and defensive and sometimes you want to shake her, but also, we've all been there. Cris is so earnest and trying so hard, and it’s heartbreaking because you can tell he’s carrying so much guilt and just wants to be seen. They’re messy, and they’re human, and I loved that. I love them.
Jill Francis writes with this dreamy, almost hypnotic prose that makes you feel like you’re floating in a lake at sunset. What I loved most is how this book explores the idea of identity, how we become different versions of ourselves depending on who we’re with and where we are. There’s this undercurrent of shame and yearning that runs through the whole book that is so deeply well written and shown.
The themes of belonging and impermanence hit hard, too. It’s messy and indulgent and sometimes a little too much, but that’s kind of the point. Summers are too much. Love is too much. Life is too much. And this book captures all of it in a way that feels both magical and painfully real.
Thank you to St-Martin's Publishing House and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review of this book.
What I loved is how Ellie’s dealing with her neurodivergence and her career falling apart, and Cris is this retired swimmer who’s in chronic pain and trying to figure out what comes next, and it’s like… they’re both going through a lot, but in a way that feels real. Ellie is dramatic and defensive and sometimes you want to shake her, but also, we've all been there. Cris is so earnest and trying so hard, and it’s heartbreaking because you can tell he’s carrying so much guilt and just wants to be seen. They’re messy, and they’re human, and I loved that. I love them.
Jill Francis writes with this dreamy, almost hypnotic prose that makes you feel like you’re floating in a lake at sunset. What I loved most is how this book explores the idea of identity, how we become different versions of ourselves depending on who we’re with and where we are. There’s this undercurrent of shame and yearning that runs through the whole book that is so deeply well written and shown.
The themes of belonging and impermanence hit hard, too. It’s messy and indulgent and sometimes a little too much, but that’s kind of the point. Summers are too much. Love is too much. Life is too much. And this book captures all of it in a way that feels both magical and painfully real.
Thank you to St-Martin's Publishing House and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review of this book.
December 9, 2024
Had me at "Italy," and kept me entranced with its swoony romance and engaging characters. I love beach reading in winter and found The Summer You Were Mine a perfect choice to do so. Italian Riviera, here I come!
September 16, 2024
The summer beach read I didn’t know I needed! Jill’s writing was so evocative I wanted to fall into the pages. This is a perfect, slow-build romance with empathetic main characters, beautiful family dynamics, and vivid, summery scene setting. By the end of the story, The Summer You Were Mine will have you desperately searching for flights to the Italian coast.
February 26, 2025
Official blurb:
“Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte have known each other their entire lives. Both families hail from Chiavari, a small city on the Italian Riviera. Their grandparents are friends. Their parents are friends. They were friends. And for one brief moment fourteen summers ago, they were almost more than that.
After years apart, Ellie and Cris are headed back to Chiavari as generations of Beltramis and Contes gather for the unlikely second marriage between her grandmother and his grandfather. But while everyone’s celebrating, Ellie is reeling from the very public implosion of her career as the host of a sports talk show, plus overthinking her past and perceived flaws in light of a recent neurodiversity diagnosis. Cris, a newly retired elite swimmer, also arrives adrift after being accused of using a banned substance.
Reunited in a place where summer dreams come true, Cris and Ellie make a deal: an exclusive interview with Cris to fix her career, and an appearance on Ellie’s show to clear his name. Soon they’re picking up where their teen romance left off—but if this second chance can last, they’ll need to finally confront what drove them apart all those summers ago.”
Well, this was one heck of a ride, and I am left wondering two things. One is why have I not wanted to visit the magically beautiful country of Italy before? The second thing is why am I not a fan of contemporary romances? Is it because I have no heart or because I haven’t found the right type of romances that suit me? I’m leaning more toward the former. 😉
Look. I adored the setting. I mean, it’s Italy. Who wouldn’t love that as a backdrop for a romance? The plot was good and not overly ridiculous or unrealistic, but the story didn’t wow me. It was well-written and I think Jill Francis is a great author because I felt like I was under the sun beaming through the trellises of ivy that canopied a pergola with tables of fresh food and glasses of wine. I also liked the lessons the main characters learned and wondered if I, too, struggle with trusting people, loving freely, and living like it’s my last day on earth. ♥️
But the romance itself? Well…let’s just say, I was stressed out from their stubbornness, lack of elaborate communication, and shame/guilt. I couldn’t fall in love with the characters or their relationship. They both were so caught up in the past or the future, and it annoyed me that they didn’t fall back down on planet Earth and handle things like adults. I felt Ellie was too dramatic and made mountains out of molehills. She was funny, though. I’ll give her that. But I think she lacked warmth like most MMCs do in contemporary novels and movies. Thankfully, she wasn’t insufferable or annoyed the heck out of me, or I would’ve stopped reading this book. And Cris? Well, he cared too much for the wrong reasons. Like bro, if it’s meant to be, it’ll be so let it be! Loosen up a little. But I will admit, I liked him better as a character than I did Ellie--just a little bit. The supporting characters were great. I loved their siblings and friends/families who watched their relational problems unfold.
All in all, the book was good. I recommend it, even though it disappointed me a bit. ☺️
I received an arc from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.
“Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte have known each other their entire lives. Both families hail from Chiavari, a small city on the Italian Riviera. Their grandparents are friends. Their parents are friends. They were friends. And for one brief moment fourteen summers ago, they were almost more than that.
After years apart, Ellie and Cris are headed back to Chiavari as generations of Beltramis and Contes gather for the unlikely second marriage between her grandmother and his grandfather. But while everyone’s celebrating, Ellie is reeling from the very public implosion of her career as the host of a sports talk show, plus overthinking her past and perceived flaws in light of a recent neurodiversity diagnosis. Cris, a newly retired elite swimmer, also arrives adrift after being accused of using a banned substance.
Reunited in a place where summer dreams come true, Cris and Ellie make a deal: an exclusive interview with Cris to fix her career, and an appearance on Ellie’s show to clear his name. Soon they’re picking up where their teen romance left off—but if this second chance can last, they’ll need to finally confront what drove them apart all those summers ago.”
Well, this was one heck of a ride, and I am left wondering two things. One is why have I not wanted to visit the magically beautiful country of Italy before? The second thing is why am I not a fan of contemporary romances? Is it because I have no heart or because I haven’t found the right type of romances that suit me? I’m leaning more toward the former. 😉
Look. I adored the setting. I mean, it’s Italy. Who wouldn’t love that as a backdrop for a romance? The plot was good and not overly ridiculous or unrealistic, but the story didn’t wow me. It was well-written and I think Jill Francis is a great author because I felt like I was under the sun beaming through the trellises of ivy that canopied a pergola with tables of fresh food and glasses of wine. I also liked the lessons the main characters learned and wondered if I, too, struggle with trusting people, loving freely, and living like it’s my last day on earth. ♥️
But the romance itself? Well…let’s just say, I was stressed out from their stubbornness, lack of elaborate communication, and shame/guilt. I couldn’t fall in love with the characters or their relationship. They both were so caught up in the past or the future, and it annoyed me that they didn’t fall back down on planet Earth and handle things like adults. I felt Ellie was too dramatic and made mountains out of molehills. She was funny, though. I’ll give her that. But I think she lacked warmth like most MMCs do in contemporary novels and movies. Thankfully, she wasn’t insufferable or annoyed the heck out of me, or I would’ve stopped reading this book. And Cris? Well, he cared too much for the wrong reasons. Like bro, if it’s meant to be, it’ll be so let it be! Loosen up a little. But I will admit, I liked him better as a character than I did Ellie--just a little bit. The supporting characters were great. I loved their siblings and friends/families who watched their relational problems unfold.
All in all, the book was good. I recommend it, even though it disappointed me a bit. ☺️
I received an arc from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.
June 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Jill Francis for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader copy of this novel!
If you’re in the mood for an easy summer read that is set in beautiful coastal Italy, this book may be just what you’re looking for!
This book was a 3-star read for me, which indicated that it was an okay read that I enjoyed enough, but didn’t stand out enough for a 4 or 5 star rating. There were quite a few things that I enjoyed about this book, including the lush descriptions of people, places, and situations. The way Jill Francis described Italy and made you feel like you had been transported in your mind was beautiful and probably my favorite part of the book. The FMC and MMC both felt like real people, flaws and all, which I really appreciated. I also enjoyed the fun, witty side characters interwoven into the story. This book also includes autism representation within one of the main characters, which I also enjoyed reading about (though I wish we had gotten more depth to that storyline).
Unfortunately, the actual love story fell a bit flat for me due to confusion on my end regarding timelines and the history between the FMC and MMC. The main conflicts to progress the relationship forward also focus on miscommunication with is just not one of my preferred tropes. I also just felt like there was limited growth of the main characters by the end. I would’ve preferred a bit more. Lastly, the book overall just didn’t fully catch my attention and I found myself occasionally daydreaming and getting bored while reading.
Overall, this book was an easy summer read and if you’re in the mood for a swooney summer romance set in Italy, you may really enjoy it!
If you’re in the mood for an easy summer read that is set in beautiful coastal Italy, this book may be just what you’re looking for!
This book was a 3-star read for me, which indicated that it was an okay read that I enjoyed enough, but didn’t stand out enough for a 4 or 5 star rating. There were quite a few things that I enjoyed about this book, including the lush descriptions of people, places, and situations. The way Jill Francis described Italy and made you feel like you had been transported in your mind was beautiful and probably my favorite part of the book. The FMC and MMC both felt like real people, flaws and all, which I really appreciated. I also enjoyed the fun, witty side characters interwoven into the story. This book also includes autism representation within one of the main characters, which I also enjoyed reading about (though I wish we had gotten more depth to that storyline).
Unfortunately, the actual love story fell a bit flat for me due to confusion on my end regarding timelines and the history between the FMC and MMC. The main conflicts to progress the relationship forward also focus on miscommunication with is just not one of my preferred tropes. I also just felt like there was limited growth of the main characters by the end. I would’ve preferred a bit more. Lastly, the book overall just didn’t fully catch my attention and I found myself occasionally daydreaming and getting bored while reading.
Overall, this book was an easy summer read and if you’re in the mood for a swooney summer romance set in Italy, you may really enjoy it!
July 8, 2025
Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Griffin, @Dreamscape_Media, and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Oh boy. I went into this book knowing that second-chance romances aren’t usually my favorite, but I was hopeful this one might surprise me. Unfortunately, it didn’t.
That said, the book has a beautiful atmosphere—Italy, summer, a wedding, and family—all some of life’s loveliest elements. Ellie, our FMC, is successful and driven, which I truly appreciated. I love when a female main character stands strong on her own, fully realized outside of a romantic relationship. The family dynamic is warm, loud, and endearing, and I appreciated that the story explored more than just the romance. The themes of potential parental divorce, mental health, anxiety, and the importance of proper medical care added meaningful layers. It’s always refreshing to see those topics handled with care in fiction.
Still, despite all these positives, this book just wasn’t for me. If I’d been reading a physical copy, I might have considered DNFing it. With the audiobook, I found my attention drifting, though I did manage to finish it. I always feel a bit guilty when a book doesn’t land for me, especially knowing the tremendous effort that goes into creating it. I genuinely believe this story will resonate with the right audience—it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Goodreads rating: 2 stars
Oh boy. I went into this book knowing that second-chance romances aren’t usually my favorite, but I was hopeful this one might surprise me. Unfortunately, it didn’t.
That said, the book has a beautiful atmosphere—Italy, summer, a wedding, and family—all some of life’s loveliest elements. Ellie, our FMC, is successful and driven, which I truly appreciated. I love when a female main character stands strong on her own, fully realized outside of a romantic relationship. The family dynamic is warm, loud, and endearing, and I appreciated that the story explored more than just the romance. The themes of potential parental divorce, mental health, anxiety, and the importance of proper medical care added meaningful layers. It’s always refreshing to see those topics handled with care in fiction.
Still, despite all these positives, this book just wasn’t for me. If I’d been reading a physical copy, I might have considered DNFing it. With the audiobook, I found my attention drifting, though I did manage to finish it. I always feel a bit guilty when a book doesn’t land for me, especially knowing the tremendous effort that goes into creating it. I genuinely believe this story will resonate with the right audience—it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Goodreads rating: 2 stars
July 25, 2025
* A beachy second chance romance set on the stunning Italian coast" who could say no to that? Sounds right up my street.
And it was, for the most part. It didn't totally give me the vibes I was hoping for, but I still enjoyed the journey.
My biggest criticism would be with the FMC, Ellie, as she is a psychologist but she comes across as not very understanding and being as though they are reunited after many years, she still harbors resentment towards Cris, the MMC, who was her best friend/first kiss as their families were best friends and they grew up together. Now they re all coming back together for a family wedding and Ellie and Cris will see each other for the first time in 14 years and their families dont know about what happened between them so they have to act like everything is fine between them for the summer. Shouldn't be too hard, right?
While I appreciated Cris' struggle with chronic pain, the fact that Ellie didn't support him or take that factor into consideration when they were together was hard to get past. As a therapist, she should be trying to make people better. including herself, but that didn't seem like it would be. Thats just one example. Maybe that's just nitpicking but it bothers me
Overall, it was a nice story in a gorgeous setting (though even that could have been brought out more imo) but it's nothing super memorable
Thanks to St. Martins Griffin and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
And it was, for the most part. It didn't totally give me the vibes I was hoping for, but I still enjoyed the journey.
My biggest criticism would be with the FMC, Ellie, as she is a psychologist but she comes across as not very understanding and being as though they are reunited after many years, she still harbors resentment towards Cris, the MMC, who was her best friend/first kiss as their families were best friends and they grew up together. Now they re all coming back together for a family wedding and Ellie and Cris will see each other for the first time in 14 years and their families dont know about what happened between them so they have to act like everything is fine between them for the summer. Shouldn't be too hard, right?
While I appreciated Cris' struggle with chronic pain, the fact that Ellie didn't support him or take that factor into consideration when they were together was hard to get past. As a therapist, she should be trying to make people better. including herself, but that didn't seem like it would be. Thats just one example. Maybe that's just nitpicking but it bothers me
Overall, it was a nice story in a gorgeous setting (though even that could have been brought out more imo) but it's nothing super memorable
Thanks to St. Martins Griffin and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
March 17, 2025
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC!
A second chance Romance set in Italy?!? Sign me up!!
Ellie and Cris grew up spending their summers together in Italy. What started as friendship eventually led to a teenage kiss. What could have happened, never happened due to teenage insecurity, misunderstandings and trauma that wasn't ever dealt with.
After not speaking for fourteen years, an autism diagnosis for our FMC and a potential divorce for Ellie's parents, Ellie and Cris are brought back together for a wedding of their grandparents. They've both recently suffered career damage and come up with a plan to help each other. Through it all, they are able to rediscover their friendship and more!
I adored this sweet story and the autism representation! I loved the ending and sweet "grand but not grand" gesture and want to plan a trip to Italy just to be able to soak up more of this story!
A second chance Romance set in Italy?!? Sign me up!!
Ellie and Cris grew up spending their summers together in Italy. What started as friendship eventually led to a teenage kiss. What could have happened, never happened due to teenage insecurity, misunderstandings and trauma that wasn't ever dealt with.
After not speaking for fourteen years, an autism diagnosis for our FMC and a potential divorce for Ellie's parents, Ellie and Cris are brought back together for a wedding of their grandparents. They've both recently suffered career damage and come up with a plan to help each other. Through it all, they are able to rediscover their friendship and more!
I adored this sweet story and the autism representation! I loved the ending and sweet "grand but not grand" gesture and want to plan a trip to Italy just to be able to soak up more of this story!
March 31, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the arc!
**1.5 stars** This is sadly a dnf for me but I liked the writing. I had to stop at the 44% mark because this felt like reading a whole lot of nothing with flourished but monotone prose.
Many summers ago, Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte, who have been family friends since forever, share a brief moment that haunts them for the next decade. Years later, Ellie is now a host of a sports talk show and makes quite a rookie mistake that may cost her career. Meanwhile, Cristiano is a newly retired swimmer after being accused of taking an illegal substance. Both find themselves back in Italy for a wedding between Ellie’s grandmother and Cristiano’s grandfather. After many awkward encounters they decide to work together to remedy Ellie’s reputation and for Cris to share his side of the story. All while fighting a decades long attraction.
When I first started reading this, the writing felt very reminiscent of Catherine Bybee–a romance author I LOVE. But as I read more, that became the only thing I really liked, hence the .5 star rating. This book solely revolves around the miscommunication trope, which is not a favorite trope of mine but if the writing is good, I can overlook that. But this along with many other issues made me ultimately stop reading.
There were too many things happening. We are thrown a plethora of problems, none of which add much to the story? Ellie’s parents get a divorce very early on in this book and at 44%, it hasn’t been mentioned again. We also learn Ellie is autistic, which okay but it was mentioned once. Yes this book takes place during a wedding where the two parties are family friends. But if every second we are tugged in one direction by a cousin or aunt/uncle, we are dragged out of the main story and into a filler section. This happens quite a few times.
Throughout the novel, we gather that there’s an undeniable attraction between the two main characters. But it is told in a way where the author provides the tiniest snippets which pop up SO randomly in conversation. They could be having coffee and then BAM Ellie thinks of a flashback. I almost wish it was written in two timelines rather than told in random bursts throughout a chapter. This was just another way in which we are dragged from the main storyline.
It is really a shame that I didn’t like this book. After reading the description of a second-chance romance set in the Italian seaside, it was anything but. No chemistry, no palpable relationship, emotional conflict that stemmed from something SO JUVENILE, this made me feel nothing. (Also worth noting that this weirdly familial wedding has no effect on their romance??? Okayyyy.) I learned more about their obsession with pie more than anything.
**1.5 stars** This is sadly a dnf for me but I liked the writing. I had to stop at the 44% mark because this felt like reading a whole lot of nothing with flourished but monotone prose.
Many summers ago, Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte, who have been family friends since forever, share a brief moment that haunts them for the next decade. Years later, Ellie is now a host of a sports talk show and makes quite a rookie mistake that may cost her career. Meanwhile, Cristiano is a newly retired swimmer after being accused of taking an illegal substance. Both find themselves back in Italy for a wedding between Ellie’s grandmother and Cristiano’s grandfather. After many awkward encounters they decide to work together to remedy Ellie’s reputation and for Cris to share his side of the story. All while fighting a decades long attraction.
When I first started reading this, the writing felt very reminiscent of Catherine Bybee–a romance author I LOVE. But as I read more, that became the only thing I really liked, hence the .5 star rating. This book solely revolves around the miscommunication trope, which is not a favorite trope of mine but if the writing is good, I can overlook that. But this along with many other issues made me ultimately stop reading.
There were too many things happening. We are thrown a plethora of problems, none of which add much to the story? Ellie’s parents get a divorce very early on in this book and at 44%, it hasn’t been mentioned again. We also learn Ellie is autistic, which okay but it was mentioned once. Yes this book takes place during a wedding where the two parties are family friends. But if every second we are tugged in one direction by a cousin or aunt/uncle, we are dragged out of the main story and into a filler section. This happens quite a few times.
Throughout the novel, we gather that there’s an undeniable attraction between the two main characters. But it is told in a way where the author provides the tiniest snippets which pop up SO randomly in conversation. They could be having coffee and then BAM Ellie thinks of a flashback. I almost wish it was written in two timelines rather than told in random bursts throughout a chapter. This was just another way in which we are dragged from the main storyline.
It is really a shame that I didn’t like this book. After reading the description of a second-chance romance set in the Italian seaside, it was anything but. No chemistry, no palpable relationship, emotional conflict that stemmed from something SO JUVENILE, this made me feel nothing. (Also worth noting that this weirdly familial wedding has no effect on their romance??? Okayyyy.) I learned more about their obsession with pie more than anything.
March 8, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the arc!
I was so excited to pretend I was falling in love along the Italian coast, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. While I'm usually a huge sucker for second-chance romance, I felt the entire premise unbelievable - breaking up over 1 kiss as teens and never talking for 10+ years but then getting too scared to run into each other again. It just felt unrealistic to harbor such STRONG feelings over a teen romance for someone you have had no interaction with.. people change, they've grown up & been in other relationships - yet the feelings immediately return in full force.
The characters definitely fell into the trope of miscommunication / lack of communication. While I understand that our heroine Ellie has been diagnosed with autism, her feelings about every situation felt too sensitive and dramatic. I just couldn't fall in love with the couple and their romance.
Also their families seem a little too incestuous with the grandparents, the main couple, and the main couples' brothers all getting together?
I was so excited to pretend I was falling in love along the Italian coast, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. While I'm usually a huge sucker for second-chance romance, I felt the entire premise unbelievable - breaking up over 1 kiss as teens and never talking for 10+ years but then getting too scared to run into each other again. It just felt unrealistic to harbor such STRONG feelings over a teen romance for someone you have had no interaction with.. people change, they've grown up & been in other relationships - yet the feelings immediately return in full force.
The characters definitely fell into the trope of miscommunication / lack of communication. While I understand that our heroine Ellie has been diagnosed with autism, her feelings about every situation felt too sensitive and dramatic. I just couldn't fall in love with the couple and their romance.
Also their families seem a little too incestuous with the grandparents, the main couple, and the main couples' brothers all getting together?
August 10, 2025
Jill Francis's debut contemporary romance is a beautiful story about how two people can come back from career-ending mistakes if they open themselves up to the possibility of life looking different on the other side.
Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte have known each other for as long as they can remember. They are both children of Italian water polo superstars who come from the same town in Italy and moved to the United States to become collegiate coaches. But these two haven't really spoken in over a decade, ever since their budding romance went up in flames amid the chaos of Cris's father's death. In the intervening years, Ellie has earned a PhD in psychology but, instead of entering clinical practice, started a popular podcast-turned-streaming show where she interviews pro athletes and calls them on their bullshit. Cris has recently retired from an elite pro swimming career and is trying to figure out what's next for him—preferably as far away from a pool as he can get. A hot mic incident and a doping scandal hit Ellie and Cris just before they head to Italy for their grandparents' wedding. Ellie doesn't want to deal with Cris, especially when she's at her lowest. Cris desperately wants to see Ellie—the only woman he's ever really loved—again but knows he has a lot to answer for. With Ellie's grandma marrying Cris's grandfather, there's no way they can avoid each other, as much as Ellie might wish.
It is an established fact that I am trash for a second-chance romance. This story has the added bonus of lots of emotional history between our two main characters and a second-chance element for both of their careers. Jill Francis did a fantastic job of weaving the past into the narrative without resorting to a full dual timeline. She leveraged the pain that Ellie still feels from Cris's rejection at that time, plus the struggles Cris still faces from the loss of his father, to help us understand how raw they both must have felt. We're in dual POV for the whole novel, so we get to see how their teenage breakup impacted both of them and shaped the trajectory of their lives.
The Summer You Were Mine has some of the best neurodivergent representation I've read in a contemporary romance in a while. Ellie was recently diagnosed with autism, which helped her understand much of the way she has interacted with the world over her life. Her diagnosis sheds light on the fact that she doesn't do well with change, leans into routine, struggles with highly emotional situations, and processes things differently than her neurotypical family. What I think Jill Francis does so well here is make Ellie's diagnosis an integral part of her character without letting her use it as a crutch to explain away poor choices or bad behavior. I loved that Ellie had people like her brother and best friend to call her on her shit and not allow her to get away with blaming her diagnosis for her problems. It made for a nuanced, realistic portrayal.
This book was lovely. I really enjoyed my time in Ellie and Cris's world. If you're looking for a great summer romance novel, you should pick up The Summer You Were Mine. 4.5 stars.
Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte have known each other for as long as they can remember. They are both children of Italian water polo superstars who come from the same town in Italy and moved to the United States to become collegiate coaches. But these two haven't really spoken in over a decade, ever since their budding romance went up in flames amid the chaos of Cris's father's death. In the intervening years, Ellie has earned a PhD in psychology but, instead of entering clinical practice, started a popular podcast-turned-streaming show where she interviews pro athletes and calls them on their bullshit. Cris has recently retired from an elite pro swimming career and is trying to figure out what's next for him—preferably as far away from a pool as he can get. A hot mic incident and a doping scandal hit Ellie and Cris just before they head to Italy for their grandparents' wedding. Ellie doesn't want to deal with Cris, especially when she's at her lowest. Cris desperately wants to see Ellie—the only woman he's ever really loved—again but knows he has a lot to answer for. With Ellie's grandma marrying Cris's grandfather, there's no way they can avoid each other, as much as Ellie might wish.
It is an established fact that I am trash for a second-chance romance. This story has the added bonus of lots of emotional history between our two main characters and a second-chance element for both of their careers. Jill Francis did a fantastic job of weaving the past into the narrative without resorting to a full dual timeline. She leveraged the pain that Ellie still feels from Cris's rejection at that time, plus the struggles Cris still faces from the loss of his father, to help us understand how raw they both must have felt. We're in dual POV for the whole novel, so we get to see how their teenage breakup impacted both of them and shaped the trajectory of their lives.
The Summer You Were Mine has some of the best neurodivergent representation I've read in a contemporary romance in a while. Ellie was recently diagnosed with autism, which helped her understand much of the way she has interacted with the world over her life. Her diagnosis sheds light on the fact that she doesn't do well with change, leans into routine, struggles with highly emotional situations, and processes things differently than her neurotypical family. What I think Jill Francis does so well here is make Ellie's diagnosis an integral part of her character without letting her use it as a crutch to explain away poor choices or bad behavior. I loved that Ellie had people like her brother and best friend to call her on her shit and not allow her to get away with blaming her diagnosis for her problems. It made for a nuanced, realistic portrayal.
This book was lovely. I really enjoyed my time in Ellie and Cris's world. If you're looking for a great summer romance novel, you should pick up The Summer You Were Mine. 4.5 stars.
February 24, 2025
The Summer You Were Mine was a cute romance, but unfortunately it wasn't my favorite. It combines elements of a sports romance (the male lead was an Olympian), a corporate female lead, neurodivergence rep, and a beautiful Italian vacation. The two leads and childhood best friends turned almost-lovers, Ellie and Cris, head to a village in the Italian riviera for a wedding and reunite for the first time since an encounter that tore apart their relationship/friendship.
Both of them are reeling from severe career and reputation setbacks, so this wedding serves as kind of a break from reality and a little protective bubble. The one thing that the author did best was convince me I need to visit Italy because her descriptions were stunning and beautiful.
For me, the romance aspect didn't hit. I think the trope of childhood friends who have a falling out and then reunite can be done right in many cases (such as Love and Other Words or Every Summer After) but this one didn't quite deliver. It has the same theme of them spending summers together as kids and slowly, maybe becoming something else. In my opinion, the "incident" that drove Ellie and Cris apart was pretty weak and unrealistic. It felt like major overreaction, but I might be being harsh when I say that.
Another thing that really disrupted my reading process was the amount of Italian phrases. Some books (The Spanish Love Deception, for example) incorporate in foreign phrases sparingly and usually provide a translation or enough context clues so that its meaning can be fully interpreted (Granted, I do speak Spanish but my point still stands). But In this book, the sheer amount of Italian was overwhelming and in many cases there were simply no hints as to what it meant, and I kept having to use google translate to make sure I wasn't missing something important. I think the Italian needed to be toned down because let's face it - not everyone has a grasp on Italian. Normally I actually love the incorporation of foreign languages in books, but this was too much for me.
Overall, Ellie and Cris's story was cute and the story had a nice resolution. I also think Ellie was a very, very relatable character.
Even still, the romance and plot was all just a bit lukewarm for me and I never got fully invested.
Thank you so much to St. Martin's and NetGalley for this ARC!
Both of them are reeling from severe career and reputation setbacks, so this wedding serves as kind of a break from reality and a little protective bubble. The one thing that the author did best was convince me I need to visit Italy because her descriptions were stunning and beautiful.
For me, the romance aspect didn't hit. I think the trope of childhood friends who have a falling out and then reunite can be done right in many cases (such as Love and Other Words or Every Summer After) but this one didn't quite deliver. It has the same theme of them spending summers together as kids and slowly, maybe becoming something else. In my opinion, the "incident" that drove Ellie and Cris apart was pretty weak and unrealistic. It felt like major overreaction, but I might be being harsh when I say that.
Another thing that really disrupted my reading process was the amount of Italian phrases. Some books (The Spanish Love Deception, for example) incorporate in foreign phrases sparingly and usually provide a translation or enough context clues so that its meaning can be fully interpreted (Granted, I do speak Spanish but my point still stands). But In this book, the sheer amount of Italian was overwhelming and in many cases there were simply no hints as to what it meant, and I kept having to use google translate to make sure I wasn't missing something important. I think the Italian needed to be toned down because let's face it - not everyone has a grasp on Italian. Normally I actually love the incorporation of foreign languages in books, but this was too much for me.
Overall, Ellie and Cris's story was cute and the story had a nice resolution. I also think Ellie was a very, very relatable character.
Even still, the romance and plot was all just a bit lukewarm for me and I never got fully invested.
Thank you so much to St. Martin's and NetGalley for this ARC!
September 7, 2025
2 stars
unfortunately this book wasn't for me.
i tend to like a second chance romance, but only when the characters are fully fleshed out and the end of the relationship or the cause of the separation makes sense for the plot. however, i don't think the characters were fully fleshed out. it felt like the author knew they had a rough idea of what the plot would be and went from there. nothing felt meaningful or impactful. i wasn't even rooting for the main characters to get back together because the romance honestly felt dead. i didn't feel any real chemistry between them, not to mention the amount of miscommunication.
it also rubbed me the wrong way the way that ellie kept acting like her autism diagnosis was some sort of terminal ailment. whenever she was was talking about it to herself especially, i had to keep reminding myself that she wasn't diagnosed with something serious. like when she told cris and his reaction was "oh is that all?", i was right there with him cause what else did she expect?
not to mention that as a therapist, ellie was way too defensive and dramatic without pushing for clear communication and understanding.
i wished we got more about the two of them activiely fixing their careers and less of the random nothingness of some of the italy scenes, some of those scenes just felt like filler space. because the book starts out with her derailing her career, i wish we focused a bit more on that aspect of the book.
Nicol Zanzarella & Tim Campbell, did a great job of bringing this book to life.
unfortunately this book wasn't for me.
i tend to like a second chance romance, but only when the characters are fully fleshed out and the end of the relationship or the cause of the separation makes sense for the plot. however, i don't think the characters were fully fleshed out. it felt like the author knew they had a rough idea of what the plot would be and went from there. nothing felt meaningful or impactful. i wasn't even rooting for the main characters to get back together because the romance honestly felt dead. i didn't feel any real chemistry between them, not to mention the amount of miscommunication.
it also rubbed me the wrong way the way that ellie kept acting like her autism diagnosis was some sort of terminal ailment. whenever she was was talking about it to herself especially, i had to keep reminding myself that she wasn't diagnosed with something serious. like when she told cris and his reaction was "oh is that all?", i was right there with him cause what else did she expect?
not to mention that as a therapist, ellie was way too defensive and dramatic without pushing for clear communication and understanding.
i wished we got more about the two of them activiely fixing their careers and less of the random nothingness of some of the italy scenes, some of those scenes just felt like filler space. because the book starts out with her derailing her career, i wish we focused a bit more on that aspect of the book.
Nicol Zanzarella & Tim Campbell, did a great job of bringing this book to life.
July 20, 2025
☀️ arc review: the summer you were mine ☀️
🌟🌟🌟 / 🌶️🌶️
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC of The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Francis! I really appreciate the opportunity to read and review this.
The Summer You Were Mine is a fluffy summer beach read you don’t need to put much thought into it, which can definitely be a positive. That said, I did find myself struggling to finish it. Honestly, that might’ve been more about my mood than the book itself (not blaming the book at all!!).
The premise centers on a *kind of* second-chance romance between a talk show host and a retired swimmer. Ellie and Cris grew up together and are reunited at their grandparents’ wedding. The story is packed with tension, pining, and reflections on external expectations vs. what you actually want out of life.
I really enjoyed Ellie’s POV, she’s neurodivergent and accidentally goes on a rant during her live TV show. She reminded me of myself in a lot of ways, which made her super easy to connect with.
Cris is a former swimmer caught in a PR nightmare over alleged doping. His story leans more into angst and grief.
Overall, I’d recommend this when you're looking for something light, summery, and easy to fly through!
Tropes:
second-chance romance
light summer read
talk show host x retired swimmer
neurodivergent rep
Thanks again for the ARC! 💛
dnf
June 27, 2025Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I was really excited for this book as it takes place off the coast of Italy and it's a second chance romance, but unfortunately it fell flat for me and I DNF'd at 39%. I didn't feel connected to the characters, and the plot wasn't attracting me either. I don't believe I was the right target audience for this book and that's okay!
I could definitely see how someone would enjoy this. I loved the setting and the tropes that took place in the book. I also enjoyed the family dynamic; however, I didn't care enough to see how the book ended. Overall, this book wasn't meant for me but I can definitely see others enjoying it.
I was really excited for this book as it takes place off the coast of Italy and it's a second chance romance, but unfortunately it fell flat for me and I DNF'd at 39%. I didn't feel connected to the characters, and the plot wasn't attracting me either. I don't believe I was the right target audience for this book and that's okay!
I could definitely see how someone would enjoy this. I loved the setting and the tropes that took place in the book. I also enjoyed the family dynamic; however, I didn't care enough to see how the book ended. Overall, this book wasn't meant for me but I can definitely see others enjoying it.
June 28, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was such a cute summery romance! I love a second chance romance between childhood friends and this one was adorable. I loved the setting of the book and their families were so fun! I also really liked that this book had ASD representation. This would be a great book to read on the beach this summer, but it may make you book a trip to Italy. 🤭
What to expect:
🩷 Romantic Comedy
🩷 Childhood Friends
🩷 Second Chance
🩷 Takes Place in Italy
🩷 Neurodivergent FMC
Thank you to Jill Francis, SMP Romance, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing this ARC/ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a cute summery romance! I love a second chance romance between childhood friends and this one was adorable. I loved the setting of the book and their families were so fun! I also really liked that this book had ASD representation. This would be a great book to read on the beach this summer, but it may make you book a trip to Italy. 🤭
What to expect:
🩷 Romantic Comedy
🩷 Childhood Friends
🩷 Second Chance
🩷 Takes Place in Italy
🩷 Neurodivergent FMC
Thank you to Jill Francis, SMP Romance, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing this ARC/ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
January 6, 2026This is a second chance romance story with a beautiful setting in Italy. Ellie and Cris have known each other since they were kids and both had hoped their relationship would progress beyond being friends. Circumstances caused distance and distrust but now they are forced to be together at the wedding of their grandparents. I loved learning more about both of their lives and careers and enjoyed getting to see their relationship bloom. This was a well written story with great personal growth from the main characters. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
November 7, 2025
This was a fun and fast read. I really enjoyed getting to know Ellie and Chris. The stories were def different especially with Ellie being recently diagnosed autistic. I also am sucker for childhood friends to lovers!
Want to read
February 11, 2025I won this book as part of a giveaway, I can’t wait to get it in the mail so I can start reading♥️
July 21, 2025
The Italian setting was lovely. However as a second-chance romance, there wasn't much chemistry between the FMC and MMC in the present or past, as written. Also the FMC has a red flag personality, especially for someone with a degree in psychology. She lacked basic understanding of other people's emotions, not a fan of that. I liked the narration.
*Provided an ALC (advance listening copy) audiobook from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
*Provided an ALC (advance listening copy) audiobook from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
January 31, 2025
I read this on Net Galley, thank you!
I really enjoyed this book. Ellie and Cris were childhood friends who grew up around each other while vacationing with their families in Italy over the years. Both of their grandparents lived on the same little village all this time and they were re- united to celebrate their grandparents wedding to one another. Their fathers were best friends, their families remained close and everything about their life was enmeshed until painful circumstances came between then and created a wedge that spanned over a decade. The characters may come together to celebrate in their grandparents union and an escape from their messy realities but the healing and support that they find from family, friends, and one another is so sweet.
Jill Francis writes excellent characters and shines a light on grief and neurodiversity that is so real and such a good representation. The family members and friends are great and you can feel the warmth and love that comes from their homeland and the rich culture there. The conflict towards the end was good, it was notable and not too over- the- top.
Possible triggers:
Cheating
Alcoholism/ partying
Spousal neglect
Divorce (not MMC/FMC)
I really enjoyed this book. Ellie and Cris were childhood friends who grew up around each other while vacationing with their families in Italy over the years. Both of their grandparents lived on the same little village all this time and they were re- united to celebrate their grandparents wedding to one another. Their fathers were best friends, their families remained close and everything about their life was enmeshed until painful circumstances came between then and created a wedge that spanned over a decade. The characters may come together to celebrate in their grandparents union and an escape from their messy realities but the healing and support that they find from family, friends, and one another is so sweet.
Jill Francis writes excellent characters and shines a light on grief and neurodiversity that is so real and such a good representation. The family members and friends are great and you can feel the warmth and love that comes from their homeland and the rich culture there. The conflict towards the end was good, it was notable and not too over- the- top.
Possible triggers:
Cheating
Alcoholism/ partying
Spousal neglect
Divorce (not MMC/FMC)
July 3, 2025
Jill Francis debuts with a romance that refuses to take the easy path, crafting a second-chance love story that feels both deeply personal and refreshingly authentic. Set against the stunning backdrop of Chiavari on the Italian Riviera, "The Summer You Were Mine" follows Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte as they navigate the choppy waters of reunion, redemption, and rekindled love during their grandparents' unlikely wedding.
The novel opens with both protagonists at crossroads that feel achingly real rather than conveniently manufactured. Ellie, a sports talk show host, faces the very public implosion of her career while grappling with a recent neurodivergent diagnosis that reframes her entire understanding of herself. Meanwhile, Cris, a newly retired elite swimmer, arrives in Chiavari shadowed by doping allegations that threaten to destroy everything he's worked for. Francis skillfully establishes that these aren't just plot devices—they're genuine life challenges that resonate with contemporary struggles around mental health awareness, career uncertainty, and public scrutiny.
Character Development: Flawed and Fascinating
Ellie Beltrami: The Perfectionist's Dilemma
Francis has created in Ellie a protagonist who defies the typical romance heroine mold. Her recent discovery of being neurodivergent isn't treated as a revelation that magically explains everything, but rather as another layer of complexity in understanding herself. The author handles this aspect with remarkable sensitivity, showing how Ellie's perfectionism and need for control stem from years of feeling different without understanding why.
Ellie's career as a sports talk show host creates an interesting dynamic—she's surrounded by the athletic world her father inhabited, yet maintains a professional distance that mirrors her emotional walls. When she tells her grandmother that the show is "just a bit of fun," we see her tendency to downplay her achievements, a trait that feels authentic rather than manufactured for sympathy.
Cristiano Conte: Beyond the Golden Boy Image
Cris emerges as more than the typical alpha male athlete archetype. Francis gives him genuine depth through his grief over his father's death, his complex relationship with fame, and his desire to step away from the spotlight rather than chase it. His doping scandal isn't used merely as external conflict but becomes a vehicle for exploring integrity, family pressure, and the cost of excellence.
The author particularly excels in showing Cris's relationship with his younger twin brothers, Ale and Leo, whose reality TV fame contrasts sharply with his more private nature. This family dynamic adds authenticity to his character while highlighting the different ways people handle public attention.
The Italian Riviera: More Than Just a Pretty Backdrop
Francis's background as someone who lives in Liguria, Italy, shows in every description of Chiavari and the Bagni Delfino beach club. The setting isn't merely decorative—it becomes a character in its own right. The beach club, with its numbered umbrellas reserved "for all eternity," represents continuity and tradition in a world where both protagonists feel unmoored.
The author's attention to cultural details enriches the narrative without overwhelming it. From the tiny water glasses that contrast with enormous wine glasses to the multi-generational card games and afternoon swims, Francis creates an immersive experience that feels lived-in rather than researched. The wedding planning scenes, complete with Ben's event-planning expertise, balance humor with heart.
Themes: Contemporary Issues Wrapped in Romance
Mental Health and Self-Discovery
One of the novel's strongest elements is its treatment of neurodivergence. Francis doesn't use Ellie's recent diagnosis as a cure-all explanation for past behaviors, but rather as a starting point for self-understanding. The author shows how this knowledge affects Ellie's relationships, her work, and her self-perception without making it the central focus of the romance.
Career, Identity, and Public Scrutiny
Both protagonists struggle with public perception and career identity in ways that feel particularly relevant to our social media age. Ellie's career implosion—triggered by being "condescending to an athlete" on air—reflects the reality of how quickly public opinion can shift. Cris's doping scandal explores the gray areas between legal substances and public perception, showing how truth can be less important than narrative.
Family Dynamics and Generational Wisdom
The multi-generational cast adds richness to the story. The grandparents' late-in-life romance provides both inspiration and contrast to the younger couple's struggles. Their wisdom feels earned rather than preachy, particularly in moments like Simone's advice to Cris about staying put rather than walking away when things get difficult.
Writing Style: Natural Dialogue Meets Emotional Depth
Francis demonstrates remarkable skill in crafting dialogue that feels authentic to each character. The Italian phrases and cultural references never feel forced, and the conversations between family members have the comfortable chaos of real family dynamics. The author particularly excels in quiet moments—the tension when Ellie and Cris share space, the awkwardness of their first interactions, the gradual rebuilding of trust.
The pacing occasionally stumbles in the middle section as the author juggles multiple plot threads—the wedding planning, career crises, family dynamics, and romantic tension. However, Francis recovers with a satisfying resolution that addresses both the external conflicts and the internal growth of both characters.
Areas for Growth
While Francis shows impressive debut skills, some elements could be strengthened. The career-related subplot occasionally feels disconnected from the main romance, and certain secondary characters, particularly some of the extended family members, blend together. The resolution of both Ellie's and Cris's professional challenges feels slightly too neat, though the emotional resolution between them earns its happy ending.
The book sometimes relies too heavily on internal monologue to convey emotion, when Francis's skill with dialogue could carry more of the emotional weight. Additionally, some of the pop culture references feel dated for characters in their early thirties.
Romance Elements: Second Chances Done Right
The romantic development feels organic rather than forced. Francis allows the physical attraction to simmer while focusing on the emotional rebuilding necessary for their relationship to work. The author doesn't shy away from the real reasons they broke up fourteen years earlier, making their reunion feel earned rather than inevitable.
The intimate scenes, when they arrive, feel connected to character development rather than obligatory. Francis writes physical intimacy with emotional honesty, showing how vulnerability extends beyond the bedroom into every aspect of their relationship.
Cultural Authenticity and Setting
Francis's insider knowledge of Italian culture elevates the novel beyond typical destination romance. The details feel authentic—from the beach club dynamics to the food descriptions to the multi-generational family interactions. The author captures the particular magic of Italian summer evenings without resorting to clichés.
Final Verdict: A Promising Debut with Heart and Substance
"The Summer You Were Mine" succeeds as both romance and contemporary fiction. Francis has crafted characters who feel like real people facing genuine challenges, wrapped in a love story that earns its emotional moments. While there are occasional pacing issues and some plot threads that could be tighter, the book's emotional authenticity and cultural richness make it a standout debut.
The novel opens with both protagonists at crossroads that feel achingly real rather than conveniently manufactured. Ellie, a sports talk show host, faces the very public implosion of her career while grappling with a recent neurodivergent diagnosis that reframes her entire understanding of herself. Meanwhile, Cris, a newly retired elite swimmer, arrives in Chiavari shadowed by doping allegations that threaten to destroy everything he's worked for. Francis skillfully establishes that these aren't just plot devices—they're genuine life challenges that resonate with contemporary struggles around mental health awareness, career uncertainty, and public scrutiny.
Character Development: Flawed and Fascinating
Ellie Beltrami: The Perfectionist's Dilemma
Francis has created in Ellie a protagonist who defies the typical romance heroine mold. Her recent discovery of being neurodivergent isn't treated as a revelation that magically explains everything, but rather as another layer of complexity in understanding herself. The author handles this aspect with remarkable sensitivity, showing how Ellie's perfectionism and need for control stem from years of feeling different without understanding why.
Ellie's career as a sports talk show host creates an interesting dynamic—she's surrounded by the athletic world her father inhabited, yet maintains a professional distance that mirrors her emotional walls. When she tells her grandmother that the show is "just a bit of fun," we see her tendency to downplay her achievements, a trait that feels authentic rather than manufactured for sympathy.
Cristiano Conte: Beyond the Golden Boy Image
Cris emerges as more than the typical alpha male athlete archetype. Francis gives him genuine depth through his grief over his father's death, his complex relationship with fame, and his desire to step away from the spotlight rather than chase it. His doping scandal isn't used merely as external conflict but becomes a vehicle for exploring integrity, family pressure, and the cost of excellence.
The author particularly excels in showing Cris's relationship with his younger twin brothers, Ale and Leo, whose reality TV fame contrasts sharply with his more private nature. This family dynamic adds authenticity to his character while highlighting the different ways people handle public attention.
The Italian Riviera: More Than Just a Pretty Backdrop
Francis's background as someone who lives in Liguria, Italy, shows in every description of Chiavari and the Bagni Delfino beach club. The setting isn't merely decorative—it becomes a character in its own right. The beach club, with its numbered umbrellas reserved "for all eternity," represents continuity and tradition in a world where both protagonists feel unmoored.
The author's attention to cultural details enriches the narrative without overwhelming it. From the tiny water glasses that contrast with enormous wine glasses to the multi-generational card games and afternoon swims, Francis creates an immersive experience that feels lived-in rather than researched. The wedding planning scenes, complete with Ben's event-planning expertise, balance humor with heart.
Themes: Contemporary Issues Wrapped in Romance
Mental Health and Self-Discovery
One of the novel's strongest elements is its treatment of neurodivergence. Francis doesn't use Ellie's recent diagnosis as a cure-all explanation for past behaviors, but rather as a starting point for self-understanding. The author shows how this knowledge affects Ellie's relationships, her work, and her self-perception without making it the central focus of the romance.
Career, Identity, and Public Scrutiny
Both protagonists struggle with public perception and career identity in ways that feel particularly relevant to our social media age. Ellie's career implosion—triggered by being "condescending to an athlete" on air—reflects the reality of how quickly public opinion can shift. Cris's doping scandal explores the gray areas between legal substances and public perception, showing how truth can be less important than narrative.
Family Dynamics and Generational Wisdom
The multi-generational cast adds richness to the story. The grandparents' late-in-life romance provides both inspiration and contrast to the younger couple's struggles. Their wisdom feels earned rather than preachy, particularly in moments like Simone's advice to Cris about staying put rather than walking away when things get difficult.
Writing Style: Natural Dialogue Meets Emotional Depth
Francis demonstrates remarkable skill in crafting dialogue that feels authentic to each character. The Italian phrases and cultural references never feel forced, and the conversations between family members have the comfortable chaos of real family dynamics. The author particularly excels in quiet moments—the tension when Ellie and Cris share space, the awkwardness of their first interactions, the gradual rebuilding of trust.
The pacing occasionally stumbles in the middle section as the author juggles multiple plot threads—the wedding planning, career crises, family dynamics, and romantic tension. However, Francis recovers with a satisfying resolution that addresses both the external conflicts and the internal growth of both characters.
Areas for Growth
While Francis shows impressive debut skills, some elements could be strengthened. The career-related subplot occasionally feels disconnected from the main romance, and certain secondary characters, particularly some of the extended family members, blend together. The resolution of both Ellie's and Cris's professional challenges feels slightly too neat, though the emotional resolution between them earns its happy ending.
The book sometimes relies too heavily on internal monologue to convey emotion, when Francis's skill with dialogue could carry more of the emotional weight. Additionally, some of the pop culture references feel dated for characters in their early thirties.
Romance Elements: Second Chances Done Right
The romantic development feels organic rather than forced. Francis allows the physical attraction to simmer while focusing on the emotional rebuilding necessary for their relationship to work. The author doesn't shy away from the real reasons they broke up fourteen years earlier, making their reunion feel earned rather than inevitable.
The intimate scenes, when they arrive, feel connected to character development rather than obligatory. Francis writes physical intimacy with emotional honesty, showing how vulnerability extends beyond the bedroom into every aspect of their relationship.
Cultural Authenticity and Setting
Francis's insider knowledge of Italian culture elevates the novel beyond typical destination romance. The details feel authentic—from the beach club dynamics to the food descriptions to the multi-generational family interactions. The author captures the particular magic of Italian summer evenings without resorting to clichés.
Final Verdict: A Promising Debut with Heart and Substance
"The Summer You Were Mine" succeeds as both romance and contemporary fiction. Francis has crafted characters who feel like real people facing genuine challenges, wrapped in a love story that earns its emotional moments. While there are occasional pacing issues and some plot threads that could be tighter, the book's emotional authenticity and cultural richness make it a standout debut.
July 22, 2025
How could you NOT pick this book up?
Look 👀 at that cover!!
So, as I’m going to write my review I looked to see if I read anything else from this author… to my surprise, it looks like this is her first book! Lucky me that I got an advance copy!!
The summer you were mine is a bit different from anything else I’ve read. Ellie and Cris have known each other since they were kids… vacationing with their families on the beautiful Italian Coast! They were friends for many years… and then one year, they took it a bit further… and it all fell apart.
Fast forward 15-20 years. She’s got her own show, and she’s known to rip these sports guys apart. He IS one of the sports guys… with a long history of swimming, and winning. Along with his family…
So, as their grandparents are gearing up for what looks to be the wedding of the century… with these two octogenarians being the leading characters… they head back to Italy!
Mind you, at the moment, both Ellie and Cris’ lives are falling apart…
So, as they are now in close contact again, for the first time in many years, they swear to NOT get involved again… but once again… we make plans and God laughs… 🤣
And as the wedding draws nearer, they think that maybe, just maybe, they might be able to find some peace and happiness after all these years… but, only time will tell.
This story was sweet, sad, real, devastating, funny, lightheaded and so much more. If you’re looking for a book where you experience a whole REALM of emotions, look no further! And the fact that the older Italians were butting in to every scenario… well, true, AND…hysterical!! 🤣🤣
#TheSummerYouWereMine by @JillFrancis and narrated nicely by @NicolZanzarella and @TimCampbell.
4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!
*** THIS ONE HAS ALREADY BEEN RELEASED!! PLEASE LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES NOW!!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Look 👀 at that cover!!
So, as I’m going to write my review I looked to see if I read anything else from this author… to my surprise, it looks like this is her first book! Lucky me that I got an advance copy!!
The summer you were mine is a bit different from anything else I’ve read. Ellie and Cris have known each other since they were kids… vacationing with their families on the beautiful Italian Coast! They were friends for many years… and then one year, they took it a bit further… and it all fell apart.
Fast forward 15-20 years. She’s got her own show, and she’s known to rip these sports guys apart. He IS one of the sports guys… with a long history of swimming, and winning. Along with his family…
So, as their grandparents are gearing up for what looks to be the wedding of the century… with these two octogenarians being the leading characters… they head back to Italy!
Mind you, at the moment, both Ellie and Cris’ lives are falling apart…
So, as they are now in close contact again, for the first time in many years, they swear to NOT get involved again… but once again… we make plans and God laughs… 🤣
And as the wedding draws nearer, they think that maybe, just maybe, they might be able to find some peace and happiness after all these years… but, only time will tell.
This story was sweet, sad, real, devastating, funny, lightheaded and so much more. If you’re looking for a book where you experience a whole REALM of emotions, look no further! And the fact that the older Italians were butting in to every scenario… well, true, AND…hysterical!! 🤣🤣
#TheSummerYouWereMine by @JillFrancis and narrated nicely by @NicolZanzarella and @TimCampbell.
4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!
*** THIS ONE HAS ALREADY BEEN RELEASED!! PLEASE LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES NOW!!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
July 3, 2025
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my ARC.
Eleonora and Cristiano have not been able to forget each other since the summer that changed their lives. They were childhood best friends since their dads used to play water polo together in Italy. For the first time in over a decade, they are reuniting in the small town of Chiavari for Ellie's grandmother to marry Cris' grandfather. Unresolved feelings resurface. Ellie and Cris' careers have both taken a negative turn, and together, they hatch a plan to fix their reputations.
In the beginning of the book, Ellie closes her eyes and invokes the smell of jasmine, reminding her of summering in Chiavari. Later, when Cris is looking for Ellie, the scent of jasmine leads him to her. Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. After years of avoiding each other, at age 32, Cris realizes that he lost the girl once but he can't lose her again.
I love the families in the story: the grandparents, the parents, the siblings, and the friends. Everyone is nose deep in one another's business, rooting for Ellie and Cris to realize that they are meant for each other. The themes of it's never too late to pursue your dreams and it's okay to have new dreams really struck a chord with me.
Jill vividly transports the reader to the Italian Riviera, making me daydream I was summering in Italy instead of just reading about it.
Eleonora and Cristiano have not been able to forget each other since the summer that changed their lives. They were childhood best friends since their dads used to play water polo together in Italy. For the first time in over a decade, they are reuniting in the small town of Chiavari for Ellie's grandmother to marry Cris' grandfather. Unresolved feelings resurface. Ellie and Cris' careers have both taken a negative turn, and together, they hatch a plan to fix their reputations.
In the beginning of the book, Ellie closes her eyes and invokes the smell of jasmine, reminding her of summering in Chiavari. Later, when Cris is looking for Ellie, the scent of jasmine leads him to her. Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. After years of avoiding each other, at age 32, Cris realizes that he lost the girl once but he can't lose her again.
I love the families in the story: the grandparents, the parents, the siblings, and the friends. Everyone is nose deep in one another's business, rooting for Ellie and Cris to realize that they are meant for each other. The themes of it's never too late to pursue your dreams and it's okay to have new dreams really struck a chord with me.
Jill vividly transports the reader to the Italian Riviera, making me daydream I was summering in Italy instead of just reading about it.
June 15, 2025
Thank you, @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the gifted ARC!
Rundown:
✨️second chance romance
✨️childhood friends
✨️Italy
✨️autism rep
✨️swimmer/sports talk show host
Synopsis ✒️
Ellie's career as a sports talk show host is imploding after a live mishap. She travels to Italy to take a break and celebrate a family wedding. There, she runs into Christano, a childhood friend she hasn't spoken to in years. He's also there to take a break from his own scandal and asks Ellie for advice. She was always the one that got away, and he's hoping there's a chance for more.
Thoughts 💭
I was drawn to this book for the second chance romance set in Italy. There were many things I enjoyed, including the autism representation, the fact that they were childhood friends and their families knew each other, so there was a lot of history. The setting alone has its own charm. I struggled to get through this, though. I couldn't fully connect to either main character. They were stubborn and wouldn't communicate even years later. There were also parts where they spoke in Italian (which I took in high school). With that background, I could piece together what was being said with the help of my Kindle translating some. But there was no context to help those who don't speak it to understand what was going on. This one was a little disappointing for me.
Rundown:
✨️second chance romance
✨️childhood friends
✨️Italy
✨️autism rep
✨️swimmer/sports talk show host
Synopsis ✒️
Ellie's career as a sports talk show host is imploding after a live mishap. She travels to Italy to take a break and celebrate a family wedding. There, she runs into Christano, a childhood friend she hasn't spoken to in years. He's also there to take a break from his own scandal and asks Ellie for advice. She was always the one that got away, and he's hoping there's a chance for more.
Thoughts 💭
I was drawn to this book for the second chance romance set in Italy. There were many things I enjoyed, including the autism representation, the fact that they were childhood friends and their families knew each other, so there was a lot of history. The setting alone has its own charm. I struggled to get through this, though. I couldn't fully connect to either main character. They were stubborn and wouldn't communicate even years later. There were also parts where they spoke in Italian (which I took in high school). With that background, I could piece together what was being said with the help of my Kindle translating some. But there was no context to help those who don't speak it to understand what was going on. This one was a little disappointing for me.
July 17, 2025
What a lovely second chance romance story. The location was everything in this book. Ellie and Cristiano meet again in Italy after many years apart. Ellie did everything to avoid him over the years because she was still hurt from when they were teenagers.
Even though this was a second chance romance, I really felt like Ellie and Cris were finding themselves again. Cris is a retired athlete dealing with negative press. Ellie is a successful sports talk show host but she recently watched her career go up in flames. Ellie is also dealing with her parents potentially getting divorced. When they meet together again they start to figure out how they can help each other with their problems. They even get to know each other again. I wanted to know more about their relationship when they were younger to fully understand why Ellie was so upset after all of these years. I did love that they were in Italy together for a wedding. The location really set the tone for the book. I absolutely loved hearing about all of the food and wine they had. There were so many family members and other characters in this book that were fun to hear about. I’m happy Ellie and Cris figured out themselves first in order to move forward.
Even though this was a second chance romance, I really felt like Ellie and Cris were finding themselves again. Cris is a retired athlete dealing with negative press. Ellie is a successful sports talk show host but she recently watched her career go up in flames. Ellie is also dealing with her parents potentially getting divorced. When they meet together again they start to figure out how they can help each other with their problems. They even get to know each other again. I wanted to know more about their relationship when they were younger to fully understand why Ellie was so upset after all of these years. I did love that they were in Italy together for a wedding. The location really set the tone for the book. I absolutely loved hearing about all of the food and wine they had. There were so many family members and other characters in this book that were fun to hear about. I’m happy Ellie and Cris figured out themselves first in order to move forward.
March 12, 2025
The Summer You Were Mine is a perfect Beach Read-It made me want to fly back to Italy and fall back in love with the country over and over. It hooked me immediately and I was 30% through the book before I even knew it. That being said, there was a bit of a slow patch in the middle--I think I believed the chemistry between Cris and Ellie less in the second half than I did in the first. However, It was still beautiful and atmospheric. I loved the way it dealt with Ellie's neurodiversity and Cris' reaction to it. Ben is absolutely my favorite character and I really hope his book is on the way! The straddling of two cultures-American and Italian-was nicely done, and as someone who is constantly trying to learn Italian, I loved all the little bits of the language sprinkled in (though I think I would find it extremely frustrating that the translations to them weren't always immediately obvious if I didn't know enough to at least guess at most of them). Anything with Italy is usually pretty hard to miss for me, but this definitely stood out from many others and I'm so glad I received an Arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.
5*
5*
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