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Our Summer
After finding out her boyfriend of three years cheated on her on his spring break trip, Aliyah Redding ditches Colorado to spend the summer with her dad in North Carolina. She hasn't seen him since he walked out on her and her older brother, Andy, four years ago when Andy turned eighteen. Not that their dad being gone made much of a difference for them.
She's in need of a getaway, and spending the summer on the beach seems like the perfect plan. What she doesn't expect is to be living next door to an insanely charming, irresistibly handsome boy her age who doesn't take no for an answer. Aliyah wasn't planning to make any amends with her dad or any friends that would keep her in New Haven, but it seems like the little beach town has other plans for her.
She's in need of a getaway, and spending the summer on the beach seems like the perfect plan. What she doesn't expect is to be living next door to an insanely charming, irresistibly handsome boy her age who doesn't take no for an answer. Aliyah wasn't planning to make any amends with her dad or any friends that would keep her in New Haven, but it seems like the little beach town has other plans for her.
318 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2025
3 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 16, 2026
God I love a slow burn!! Such a sweet love story with interwoven notes of growth. I did read this in one day for book club, but tbh I think I would have e read it that quickly anyways
August 28, 2025
i’m so honored to have received an ARC for this book (my first, too!)! OUR SUMMER is a young adult romance perfect for an audience looking for an easy and enjoyable reading experience, featuring characters that jump off the page and a romance that feels grounded and heartwarming. thank you to wanderlust for giving me the chance to read!!
August 21, 2025
I enjoyed Ashley Lauren’s debut Our Summer.
The writing is great. The writing feels like the author has written multiple books even though it’s her debut. The writing is mature and layered. The pacing was great and the plot and pages flew by. And there is a cute dog named Groot. Groot is a good boy.
I also felt like there was strong character development. The characters grow throughout the story, learn about themselves, and by the end of the book they felt a little more well-developed.
My main reason for why this book is not five stars for me is because I felt that the characters acted more like adults than teenagers. How Easton and Aliyah express themselves and how they manage their emotions was mature and reasonable. It was hard to relate to because a lot of the teenagers I’ve met are not like this—they are not rational, they can’t manage their emotions, they can’t even cook for themselves.
In this book, two teenagers drink copious amounts of coffee, make elaborate breakfasts, and go to work—like adults. When there were emotional scenes, their responses also felt calculated and mature and reasonable. A lot of teenagers I know do not handle situations this way. I would have liked to see more drama and from these two teenaged characters.
It was also a bit odd that Easton showed Aliyah his mother’s grave one onto after meeting her. We don’t know people well enough after one month to bring them that far into our lives after. I understand the author was trying to show a connection and create the start of a relationship; however, I’m not convinced this was the way to do it.
Overall, I would definitely read another novel by the author. I feel she’d be great at an adult romance. I can’t wait for this to get published!
The writing is great. The writing feels like the author has written multiple books even though it’s her debut. The writing is mature and layered. The pacing was great and the plot and pages flew by. And there is a cute dog named Groot. Groot is a good boy.
I also felt like there was strong character development. The characters grow throughout the story, learn about themselves, and by the end of the book they felt a little more well-developed.
My main reason for why this book is not five stars for me is because I felt that the characters acted more like adults than teenagers. How Easton and Aliyah express themselves and how they manage their emotions was mature and reasonable. It was hard to relate to because a lot of the teenagers I’ve met are not like this—they are not rational, they can’t manage their emotions, they can’t even cook for themselves.
In this book, two teenagers drink copious amounts of coffee, make elaborate breakfasts, and go to work—like adults. When there were emotional scenes, their responses also felt calculated and mature and reasonable. A lot of teenagers I know do not handle situations this way. I would have liked to see more drama and from these two teenaged characters.
It was also a bit odd that Easton showed Aliyah his mother’s grave one onto after meeting her. We don’t know people well enough after one month to bring them that far into our lives after. I understand the author was trying to show a connection and create the start of a relationship; however, I’m not convinced this was the way to do it.
Overall, I would definitely read another novel by the author. I feel she’d be great at an adult romance. I can’t wait for this to get published!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2025
This is such a beautiful and heartwarming story, the bond that Easton and Aliyah form is so so sweet, they truly are each others people and help each other in every way. Two people who need a person find each other. The story itself is amazingly written, I could not put this book down. Ashely Lauren is now a must read author for me, she captured a teenage romance the teenage experience perfectly. The plot with Aliyah’s dad too was beautifully written. I love this story and love this book, thank you to Ashely for sending me an ARC of it! 🩷
September 3, 2025
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an ARC of this book!
In an attempt to get a fresh start after a bitter breakup, Aaliyah Redding escapes to the quaint beach town of New Haven, South Carolina, to live with her estranged father. But when she meets the adorable Easton, her plans for a solo retreat are quickly turned upside down.
Ashley Lauren explores two central relationships in this story—Aaliyah and Easton, and Aaliyah and her father. She strikes a wonderful balance between forgiveness and growth, and it’s a joy to watch Aaliyah evolve throughout the novel.
The beach town setting is beautifully described, making me want to run away from the city and sink my feet into the sand. The romance between Easton and Aaliyah is incredibly sweet and felt like it healed a part of me I didn’t even know was broken.
Our Summer is the perfect summer read, tackling heartbreak, familial trauma, and the journey of coming of age in a heartwarming and deeply relatable story.
In an attempt to get a fresh start after a bitter breakup, Aaliyah Redding escapes to the quaint beach town of New Haven, South Carolina, to live with her estranged father. But when she meets the adorable Easton, her plans for a solo retreat are quickly turned upside down.
Ashley Lauren explores two central relationships in this story—Aaliyah and Easton, and Aaliyah and her father. She strikes a wonderful balance between forgiveness and growth, and it’s a joy to watch Aaliyah evolve throughout the novel.
The beach town setting is beautifully described, making me want to run away from the city and sink my feet into the sand. The romance between Easton and Aaliyah is incredibly sweet and felt like it healed a part of me I didn’t even know was broken.
Our Summer is the perfect summer read, tackling heartbreak, familial trauma, and the journey of coming of age in a heartwarming and deeply relatable story.
September 15, 2025
This was a really cute summer romance read. I loved that Li and East worked in an ice cream shop all summer as that is my job right now. I thought they were a cute couple and I couldn’t help but root for them. I especially enjoyed that it was friends to lovers, one of my favorite troupes in fiction! He was so supportive of her and genuinely kind which was nice to see in a book like this. My only complaint honestly is there were a lot of time jumps, I felt like some of the minor plots were dropped between chapters (many of which I really wanted to read more about but they just fell off)
September 1, 2025
If I could give this book 100/5 stars I would.
I absolutely LOVED this book.The way Aliyah and Easton’s relationship grows is amazing even through the ups and downs they still manage to find each other.
This book was also Hilarious😂! Easton and his side comments and goofy looks.
This is now one of my new favorites of all time!
I absolutely LOVED this book.The way Aliyah and Easton’s relationship grows is amazing even through the ups and downs they still manage to find each other.
This book was also Hilarious😂! Easton and his side comments and goofy looks.
This is now one of my new favorites of all time!
September 8, 2025
I’d say 4.5 but rounding it up to 5!
This books was so so cute and definitely very cheesy at times, but I was eating it all up. I’ve been in a reading slump for months now and this finally took me out of it!!
This books was so so cute and definitely very cheesy at times, but I was eating it all up. I’ve been in a reading slump for months now and this finally took me out of it!!
September 16, 2025
Amazing!! Buy it now. It was the best summer read. A total page turner. The dialogue was witty and fun. Young romance, friendships, family dynamics. It was a little of everything.
November 2, 2025
Predictable but cute.
July 30, 2025
Holy crap!! This book was everything that I was needing! The friends to lovers trope isn’t something I chose often but after this book I might have to go that route. Easton and Aliyah friendship was absolutely beautiful. This book also makes me want to drop everything and go to the beach, so a little risky for my budget lol. But otherwise this book is super cute, super funny, and just an overall good book. I plan on reading this again. Maybe I’ll read it at the beach next time.
October 18, 2025
This character-driven romance mirrors real life in its day-to-day simplicity, even if the circumstances are complex: Aliyah struggles with childhood trauma and trust issues. But within that simplicity, it carries the hallmark of a good book: when I’m inevitably pulled away from reading, as I move about my day, I find myself thinking about Aliyah, wondering what she’s up to, and I’m drawn back in. Also, because I’m a mom of young adults, I enjoyed the parent / child dynamic most.
August 22, 2025
Ashley Lauren’s “Our Summer” was exactly what I needed for my beach getaway. The chemistry between the characters and their summer adventures made me feel like I was right there with them. If you love romance and the feel of sand between your toes, add this one to your summer reading list!
December 10, 2025
This was such a fun, cozy read! Very lighthearted and heartwarming. I feel like it was a little predictable, but I don’t mind that for a romance, particularly a YA romance. I also found myself not liking Aliyah at times due to how unpredictable and sensitive her emotions are, BUT that’s kind of how a teenage girl is, so I think Ashley Lauren captured it pretty well. Easton feels like a warm hug, and I loved Groot! Overall it was a nice read!
August 5, 2025
"Our Summer" by Ashley Lauren is the perfect coming-of-age summer romance. The slow burn between Aliyah and Easton had me kicking my feet and giggling for nearly the entire book. You can’t help but root for them through every twist and turn. There’s friend and family drama, personal growth, and a lot of ice cream all nestled into the wonderful setting of a South Carolina coastal town. It's great for YA with closed-door romance but golden-retriever Easton and comeback-queen Aliyah have enough banter to draw any reader in. This book is charming and witty, a feel-good story that will make summer feel like it can last forever.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews