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Burnout Summer
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Expected 12 May 26Four years after graduation, life isn’t going the way Camille Luna expected. Her corporate career is soul-sucking, she's in debt from student loans, and her breakup with her ex has created a serious rift between her college best friends. When her spiraling lands her in jail for the night, it's Danny Brennan —the lovable burnout from their college clique— who bails her out and offers the perfect solution to her quarter-life crisis: a summer by the beach.
Cam is whisked away to Elswick, Rhode Island, where former slacker Danny has taken over his uncle’s restaurant and turned it into a seaside hotspot. But while Danny has grown into a devoted boss and dog dad, his carpe diem life philosophy is still as fiery as ever. The hazy summer days start to blur between shifts at the restaurant, dips in the ocean, and a reignited passion for writing, all alongside Danny who makes her laugh like nobody else. Cam can't help but wonder —is it the salty waves that have her feeling so renewed, or is it the carefree friend she always overlooked? But summer can't last forever, and Cam's looming student debt reminds her at every turn that the frigid air of corporate office life is waiting.
As September approaches, Cam must decide between snuffing out the flames with Danny in order to keep her beloved friend group together and return to the corporate grind—or falling into his forbidden arms and setting her old life ablaze.
Cam is whisked away to Elswick, Rhode Island, where former slacker Danny has taken over his uncle’s restaurant and turned it into a seaside hotspot. But while Danny has grown into a devoted boss and dog dad, his carpe diem life philosophy is still as fiery as ever. The hazy summer days start to blur between shifts at the restaurant, dips in the ocean, and a reignited passion for writing, all alongside Danny who makes her laugh like nobody else. Cam can't help but wonder —is it the salty waves that have her feeling so renewed, or is it the carefree friend she always overlooked? But summer can't last forever, and Cam's looming student debt reminds her at every turn that the frigid air of corporate office life is waiting.
As September approaches, Cam must decide between snuffing out the flames with Danny in order to keep her beloved friend group together and return to the corporate grind—or falling into his forbidden arms and setting her old life ablaze.
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 12, 2026
15 people are currently reading
11823 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Ramirez
1 book38 followersJenna Ramirez was raised outside of Washington, D.C. in the Maryland suburbs until college brought her to California. After graduating, she remained in sunny Los Angeles, where she works in entertainment marketing. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time complaining about the lack of rain, ranking chai lattes in the city, and chasing her crazy rescue Chihuahua Fitzwilliam, named after the equally prickly Mr. Darcy.
Her debut novel, Burnout Summer, is available on May 12, 2026 from Saturday Books.
Her debut novel, Burnout Summer, is available on May 12, 2026 from Saturday Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 19, 2025
Beachside romance? Check. Friends-to-lovers tension? Check. Quarter-life panic and a messy heroine trying to piece her life together? Absolutely.
This novel had all the ingredients I usually fall headfirst into, and to its credit, it delivers a breezy setup that’s incredibly easy to sink into. The Rhode Island setting alone feels like a long exhale — ocean air, late-night shifts at a buzzing restaurant, and that familiar “maybe this summer will fix everything” energy that hooks you from the first chapter.
Camille Luna’s life collapses in record time: job gone, confidence shattered, friendships strained, and debt weighing on every decision she makes. Cue Danny Brennan, longtime friend and golden-retriever-level sweetheart, who swoops in with a couch, a job, and an open door when she needs it most. Their history gives the book its warmest spark, and watching their dynamic shift from comfortable to complicated is the kind of slow burn I always appreciate.
But — and this is where my rating lands at a firm three stars — I just could not connect with Camille the way I wanted to. Her self-absorption didn’t just peek through; it took center stage. I completely understand a character spiraling under pressure, I understand fear of failure, I understand feeling left behind… but her tunnel vision often made it difficult to feel invested in her journey. Danny, in contrast, feels like a character pulled straight out of a comfort-read: steady, patient, perceptive, and far too forgiving. Their chemistry works, but I sometimes found myself wishing he demanded a little more from her — or that she saw beyond herself sooner.
Still, the novel shines in its atmosphere: the restaurant scenes are vibrant, the side characters add color and humor, and the sense of starting over — really starting over — rings authentic. Even when I was frustrated with Camille, I could see exactly why she was overwhelmed, and the story captures that post-college limbo with honesty. The romance is tender, the pacing has an easy rhythm, and the summer setting is pure escapism.
This is a book I wanted to adore, and while I enjoyed the ride, the emotional disconnect with the heroine kept it from hitting the level of swoon I hoped for. But if you love messy growth arcs, seaside romance, and a loyal hero who has been quietly in love for years, this is still a satisfying, feel-good read to pick up.
A warm thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this enjoyable friends-to-lovers romance digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This novel had all the ingredients I usually fall headfirst into, and to its credit, it delivers a breezy setup that’s incredibly easy to sink into. The Rhode Island setting alone feels like a long exhale — ocean air, late-night shifts at a buzzing restaurant, and that familiar “maybe this summer will fix everything” energy that hooks you from the first chapter.
Camille Luna’s life collapses in record time: job gone, confidence shattered, friendships strained, and debt weighing on every decision she makes. Cue Danny Brennan, longtime friend and golden-retriever-level sweetheart, who swoops in with a couch, a job, and an open door when she needs it most. Their history gives the book its warmest spark, and watching their dynamic shift from comfortable to complicated is the kind of slow burn I always appreciate.
But — and this is where my rating lands at a firm three stars — I just could not connect with Camille the way I wanted to. Her self-absorption didn’t just peek through; it took center stage. I completely understand a character spiraling under pressure, I understand fear of failure, I understand feeling left behind… but her tunnel vision often made it difficult to feel invested in her journey. Danny, in contrast, feels like a character pulled straight out of a comfort-read: steady, patient, perceptive, and far too forgiving. Their chemistry works, but I sometimes found myself wishing he demanded a little more from her — or that she saw beyond herself sooner.
Still, the novel shines in its atmosphere: the restaurant scenes are vibrant, the side characters add color and humor, and the sense of starting over — really starting over — rings authentic. Even when I was frustrated with Camille, I could see exactly why she was overwhelmed, and the story captures that post-college limbo with honesty. The romance is tender, the pacing has an easy rhythm, and the summer setting is pure escapism.
This is a book I wanted to adore, and while I enjoyed the ride, the emotional disconnect with the heroine kept it from hitting the level of swoon I hoped for. But if you love messy growth arcs, seaside romance, and a loyal hero who has been quietly in love for years, this is still a satisfying, feel-good read to pick up.
A warm thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this enjoyable friends-to-lovers romance digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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November 22, 2025
“Are you lonely?” she asked quietly. “Aren’t we all a little lonely?”
A quarter-life-crisis leads to a second coming of age novel about a 25 year old Gen Z who finds herself fired because "her heart isn't in it" in her Corporate World job. Shortly thereafter she finds herself in jail for having a bit of a meltdown in the presence of a police officer. But Camille's Knight in Shining Armor comes in the form of her best friend Danny, who takes her back to her hometown and allows her the privilege of working at Beau's, his tavern, while she finds out what is next. Armed with a mountain of personal and student debt, Camille has done nearly everything right and is still not thriving.
“I’m not averse to seafood. It’s just . . . at the bottom of the list of food I want to eat.”
Camile, naturally, falls in love with Danny, who has some of the most romantic and gorgeous expressions of love. It is a best-friends-to-lovers trope with side characters who have a lot of potential. Her ex boyfriend Cory has found love and is getting married, but 2 other friends are about to have books of their own. I am sure this will be first in a series, and I can't wait to read the others. Ramirez absolutely captures the voice and the spirit of Gen Z, and brings the reader to the feeling of malaise we all feel at the point in which the government thinks we are an adult but the workforce very much treats us as a child. The characters are really quintessential 25 year olds and their voice and struggles are really authentic- Student loan debt and rent are 80% of her now non-existent income. Boomers and Millenials in the work force are very confused by Gen z not wanting to put work at the center of their world.
“Twenty-five is about figuring stuff out. It’s okay to be lost.”
I give this book an enthusiastic 4 stars- it is very well done as a debut and it is a romance that has some deeper themes. I look forward to what is coming next from this talented new voice in fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. Book to be published May 12, 2026.
A quarter-life-crisis leads to a second coming of age novel about a 25 year old Gen Z who finds herself fired because "her heart isn't in it" in her Corporate World job. Shortly thereafter she finds herself in jail for having a bit of a meltdown in the presence of a police officer. But Camille's Knight in Shining Armor comes in the form of her best friend Danny, who takes her back to her hometown and allows her the privilege of working at Beau's, his tavern, while she finds out what is next. Armed with a mountain of personal and student debt, Camille has done nearly everything right and is still not thriving.
“I’m not averse to seafood. It’s just . . . at the bottom of the list of food I want to eat.”
Camile, naturally, falls in love with Danny, who has some of the most romantic and gorgeous expressions of love. It is a best-friends-to-lovers trope with side characters who have a lot of potential. Her ex boyfriend Cory has found love and is getting married, but 2 other friends are about to have books of their own. I am sure this will be first in a series, and I can't wait to read the others. Ramirez absolutely captures the voice and the spirit of Gen Z, and brings the reader to the feeling of malaise we all feel at the point in which the government thinks we are an adult but the workforce very much treats us as a child. The characters are really quintessential 25 year olds and their voice and struggles are really authentic- Student loan debt and rent are 80% of her now non-existent income. Boomers and Millenials in the work force are very confused by Gen z not wanting to put work at the center of their world.
“Twenty-five is about figuring stuff out. It’s okay to be lost.”
I give this book an enthusiastic 4 stars- it is very well done as a debut and it is a romance that has some deeper themes. I look forward to what is coming next from this talented new voice in fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. Book to be published May 12, 2026.
November 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advanced copy! Burnout Summer is a novel set in a small beach town where Cam, college graduate fired from her corporate job, is given the opportunity to take a break and focus on finding herself. Cam has a very relatable story to many, college degree with substantial student debt, college friend groups that have drifted apart, and the mid-20s existential crisis.
The FMC did get on my nerves sometimes, the MMC was almost too perfect. Cam stressed far too much thinking she would break up the friend group and permeated though her entire being. This is a story of finding oneself and learning how to power through the stressors in life. As for the writing, it did get a little sloggy for a few chapters, but it picked up again. It’s a simple (in a good way) read so if you are looking for a light read, I would give this one a go! Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to a lot of people I know.
The FMC did get on my nerves sometimes, the MMC was almost too perfect. Cam stressed far too much thinking she would break up the friend group and permeated though her entire being. This is a story of finding oneself and learning how to power through the stressors in life. As for the writing, it did get a little sloggy for a few chapters, but it picked up again. It’s a simple (in a good way) read so if you are looking for a light read, I would give this one a go! Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to a lot of people I know.
November 6, 2025
A fun read about new beginnings, changes, friends, and romance. Camille has been fired from her corporate job, and her best friend Danny says stay with me for the summer. She goes and he offers her a job at his bar/restaurant. During the summer they kiss once. A friend stops by and says send me your resume. A few weeks later Camille gets a job offer in another state. She and Danny have spent more time together. He tells her he’s always loved her. What?! What will she do? Stay or take the job because she has bills to bill?
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2025
My reviews holds some bias because this is a friend of a friend’s debut novel!
But! I had a great time with this. Cam and Danny have chemistry that jumps off the page both with each other and their friend group.
Cam is incredibly frustrating and selfish a lot of the time (in that way that many 20somethings are) and yet you can’t help but root for her. I saw a lot of myself in her, both my 25yo self and even myself now (which okay, kind of depressing but we move!)
Currently longing to have a breakdown, get arrested and move to a beach town with a friend!
Thank you to St Martin’s Press/Saturday Books and NetGalley for the eARC!
But! I had a great time with this. Cam and Danny have chemistry that jumps off the page both with each other and their friend group.
Cam is incredibly frustrating and selfish a lot of the time (in that way that many 20somethings are) and yet you can’t help but root for her. I saw a lot of myself in her, both my 25yo self and even myself now (which okay, kind of depressing but we move!)
Currently longing to have a breakdown, get arrested and move to a beach town with a friend!
Thank you to St Martin’s Press/Saturday Books and NetGalley for the eARC!
November 25, 2025
thanks to netgalley for the arc of burnout summer, a novel set in a small seaside town that feels like one of those summers you wish could last a little longer. it follows two best friends who are trying to put their lives back together while figuring out who they want to become.
tropes:
friends to lovers
slow burn
he falls first
grumpy/sunshine
forced proximity
quarter-life crisis
camille “cam” luna loses her job, ends up in debt that keeps her awake at night, and after one really bad day she even finds herself in a jail cell. the only person who comes to her side without thinking twice is danny, her best friend, who picks her up and takes her to elswick, where he runs a restaurant he inherited from his uncle. she needs to get away from everything, and he doesn’t ask anything in return: just that she stays with him for the summer. cam tries to sort out her thoughts, finds a job at danny’s place, and ends up facing a version of herself who tried too hard to please everyone and too little to understand what she really wants. around them, the old friend group tries to come together again after her breakup, and the summer becomes a chance to grow in a way that’s uncomfortable, imperfect, but necessary. it’s a story that moves slowly, but once you see where it’s going, it’s impossible not to follow it until the last page.
cam is a character that might divide because she’s written in a very realistic way: emotional, full of insecurities, often held back by the same fears she tries to ignore. she makes questionable choices, shuts down, and sometimes seems like she’s not learning fast enough, but that’s exactly what makes her believable. she’s a girl who falls often but still tries to get back up, even when she’d rather run away.
danny is the opposite: steady, patient, and always there. he’s the kind of character who doesn’t need big speeches to make you care about him, because he shows his affection through simple and constant gestures. it’s clear from the start that he’s been in love for years, even if he does everything he can not to put pressure on cam. his life is stable, with no open drama, and that’s why he becomes the steady point around which most of the story turns.
their relationship grows slowly and naturally, starting from a deep friendship that never really loses its weight, even when the attraction starts to show. they work because they talk, because they listen, and because their intimacy comes more from the small things they share than from big dramatic scenes. it’s a sweet romance that takes its time but offers some very tender moments.
jenna ramirez’s writing is simple, warm and very visual. you can feel that she wants to give space to the characters’ personal journeys more than to plot twists, and the summer setting is portrayed really well. in some parts she’s a bit too explicit when commenting on gen z and young adult struggles, and the third-person pov creates some distance, especially with a complicated character like cam, but overall the style flows and supports the emotions of the book. the story itself is quite predictable, but that doesn’t take away from the comfort it gives.
burnout summer is a novel about exhaustion, friendship, and second chances, without unnecessary drama or exaggeration. if you like a very slow friends to lovers with a summer that changes everything, it’s worth reading.
tropes:
friends to lovers
slow burn
he falls first
grumpy/sunshine
forced proximity
quarter-life crisis
camille “cam” luna loses her job, ends up in debt that keeps her awake at night, and after one really bad day she even finds herself in a jail cell. the only person who comes to her side without thinking twice is danny, her best friend, who picks her up and takes her to elswick, where he runs a restaurant he inherited from his uncle. she needs to get away from everything, and he doesn’t ask anything in return: just that she stays with him for the summer. cam tries to sort out her thoughts, finds a job at danny’s place, and ends up facing a version of herself who tried too hard to please everyone and too little to understand what she really wants. around them, the old friend group tries to come together again after her breakup, and the summer becomes a chance to grow in a way that’s uncomfortable, imperfect, but necessary. it’s a story that moves slowly, but once you see where it’s going, it’s impossible not to follow it until the last page.
cam is a character that might divide because she’s written in a very realistic way: emotional, full of insecurities, often held back by the same fears she tries to ignore. she makes questionable choices, shuts down, and sometimes seems like she’s not learning fast enough, but that’s exactly what makes her believable. she’s a girl who falls often but still tries to get back up, even when she’d rather run away.
danny is the opposite: steady, patient, and always there. he’s the kind of character who doesn’t need big speeches to make you care about him, because he shows his affection through simple and constant gestures. it’s clear from the start that he’s been in love for years, even if he does everything he can not to put pressure on cam. his life is stable, with no open drama, and that’s why he becomes the steady point around which most of the story turns.
their relationship grows slowly and naturally, starting from a deep friendship that never really loses its weight, even when the attraction starts to show. they work because they talk, because they listen, and because their intimacy comes more from the small things they share than from big dramatic scenes. it’s a sweet romance that takes its time but offers some very tender moments.
jenna ramirez’s writing is simple, warm and very visual. you can feel that she wants to give space to the characters’ personal journeys more than to plot twists, and the summer setting is portrayed really well. in some parts she’s a bit too explicit when commenting on gen z and young adult struggles, and the third-person pov creates some distance, especially with a complicated character like cam, but overall the style flows and supports the emotions of the book. the story itself is quite predictable, but that doesn’t take away from the comfort it gives.
burnout summer is a novel about exhaustion, friendship, and second chances, without unnecessary drama or exaggeration. if you like a very slow friends to lovers with a summer that changes everything, it’s worth reading.
December 22, 2025
📚Burnout Summer
✍🏻Jenna Ramirez
Blurb:
Four years after graduation, life isn’t going the way Camille Luna expected. Her corporate career is soul-sucking, she's in debt from student loans, and her breakup with her ex has created a serious rift between her college best friends. When her spiraling lands her in jail for the night, it's Danny Brennan —the lovable burnout from their college clique— who bails her out and offers the perfect solution to her quarter-life crisis: a summer by the beach.
Cam is whisked away to Elswick, Rhode Island, where former slacker Danny has taken over his uncle’s restaurant and turned it into a seaside hotspot. But while Danny has grown into a devoted boss and dog dad, his carpe diem life philosophy is still as fiery as ever. The hazy summer days start to blur between shifts at the restaurant, dips in the ocean, and a reignited passion for writing, all alongside Danny who makes her laugh like nobody else. Cam can't help but wonder —is it the salty waves that have her feeling so renewed, or is it the carefree friend she always overlooked? But summer can't last forever, and Cam's looming student debt reminds her at every turn that the frigid air of corporate office life is waiting.
As September approaches, Cam must decide between snuffing out the flames with Danny in order to keep her beloved friend group together and return to the corporate grind—or falling into his forbidden arms and setting her old life ablaze.
My Thoughts:
This novel may be just the book to give you a break from the cold temperatures outside with the slow burn romance, hot and spicy sex and the wonderful world building the author creates of a summer in a small town on the New England shore. The FMC did get on my nerves sometimes, the MMC was almost too perfect. Cam stressed far too much thinking she would break up the friend group and permeated though her entire being..When Camille Luna manages to get fired and arrested (a minor incident with a wayward lighter and a piece of trash) on the same day, it's her best friend Danny who comes to the rescue. He not only drives down to DC to pick her up but also offers to let her stay with him for the whole summer as she figures out what to do next. Once Cam gets to the picturesque town of Elswick, Rhode Island, where Danny owns and runs his deceased uncle's restaurant, she can finally relax and start to think about what she actually wants in her life.Burnout Summer perfectly captures the angst of being in your twenties, post college, when it feels like you're too old to be aimless but still too young to really know what you want in your life.
Thanks NetGalley, Saturday Books and Author Jenna Ramirez for the advanced copy of "Burnout Summer" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SaturdayBooks
#JennaRamirez
#BurnoutSummer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Jenna Ramirez
Blurb:
Four years after graduation, life isn’t going the way Camille Luna expected. Her corporate career is soul-sucking, she's in debt from student loans, and her breakup with her ex has created a serious rift between her college best friends. When her spiraling lands her in jail for the night, it's Danny Brennan —the lovable burnout from their college clique— who bails her out and offers the perfect solution to her quarter-life crisis: a summer by the beach.
Cam is whisked away to Elswick, Rhode Island, where former slacker Danny has taken over his uncle’s restaurant and turned it into a seaside hotspot. But while Danny has grown into a devoted boss and dog dad, his carpe diem life philosophy is still as fiery as ever. The hazy summer days start to blur between shifts at the restaurant, dips in the ocean, and a reignited passion for writing, all alongside Danny who makes her laugh like nobody else. Cam can't help but wonder —is it the salty waves that have her feeling so renewed, or is it the carefree friend she always overlooked? But summer can't last forever, and Cam's looming student debt reminds her at every turn that the frigid air of corporate office life is waiting.
As September approaches, Cam must decide between snuffing out the flames with Danny in order to keep her beloved friend group together and return to the corporate grind—or falling into his forbidden arms and setting her old life ablaze.
My Thoughts:
This novel may be just the book to give you a break from the cold temperatures outside with the slow burn romance, hot and spicy sex and the wonderful world building the author creates of a summer in a small town on the New England shore. The FMC did get on my nerves sometimes, the MMC was almost too perfect. Cam stressed far too much thinking she would break up the friend group and permeated though her entire being..When Camille Luna manages to get fired and arrested (a minor incident with a wayward lighter and a piece of trash) on the same day, it's her best friend Danny who comes to the rescue. He not only drives down to DC to pick her up but also offers to let her stay with him for the whole summer as she figures out what to do next. Once Cam gets to the picturesque town of Elswick, Rhode Island, where Danny owns and runs his deceased uncle's restaurant, she can finally relax and start to think about what she actually wants in her life.Burnout Summer perfectly captures the angst of being in your twenties, post college, when it feels like you're too old to be aimless but still too young to really know what you want in your life.
Thanks NetGalley, Saturday Books and Author Jenna Ramirez for the advanced copy of "Burnout Summer" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SaturdayBooks
#JennaRamirez
#BurnoutSummer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 22, 2025
Advance copy for review thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It opens with a comparison of corporate life to prison that I honestly could not have related to more. SOLD. Then, it moved on to my not-so-secret dream of living out a lovely, simple life in a sweet east coast beach town. Extra sold!
I'll back up. The main character Cam (Corporate Camille), spends the summer with one of her best friends Danny, writing and waiting tables at his restaurant (inherited from his uncle) in a small beach town in the northeast. She's recovering from a layoff from a job she hated, as well as figuring out how to survive the huge student loans and credit card debt she has from the college where she found her best friends (yay!) and got a degree to prepare her for said hated job (boo). She realizes that she's burned out and that getting a similar job will just start the cycle over again, but of course, drama ensues as she navigates what she could do instead, a budding romance, and the evolution of her friend group after college.
This book was particularly timely for me because I, too, recently left corporate for what I hope will be the last time, and understand Cam's desire never to return. The description of the beach life was lovely, and Danny's restaurant filled with quirky characters sounds like so much fun.
I love the message in this book. The idea of leaving corporate and not doing the typical college to corporate to retirement thing IS getting more accepted, but not enough. The idea of this being ok and normal needs to be out there and this book does a great job of doing that.
Is Cam self-centered sometimes in the book? Yes, and she acknowledges this and works to change it. I'd say this is pretty typical mid-20s-in-crisis behavior. Did I know what was going to happen for much of the book? Yes. Did that bother me? No! The fun is in seeing the unfolding.
Great book. It's both an enjoyable read and an important message. Read it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It opens with a comparison of corporate life to prison that I honestly could not have related to more. SOLD. Then, it moved on to my not-so-secret dream of living out a lovely, simple life in a sweet east coast beach town. Extra sold!
I'll back up. The main character Cam (Corporate Camille), spends the summer with one of her best friends Danny, writing and waiting tables at his restaurant (inherited from his uncle) in a small beach town in the northeast. She's recovering from a layoff from a job she hated, as well as figuring out how to survive the huge student loans and credit card debt she has from the college where she found her best friends (yay!) and got a degree to prepare her for said hated job (boo). She realizes that she's burned out and that getting a similar job will just start the cycle over again, but of course, drama ensues as she navigates what she could do instead, a budding romance, and the evolution of her friend group after college.
This book was particularly timely for me because I, too, recently left corporate for what I hope will be the last time, and understand Cam's desire never to return. The description of the beach life was lovely, and Danny's restaurant filled with quirky characters sounds like so much fun.
I love the message in this book. The idea of leaving corporate and not doing the typical college to corporate to retirement thing IS getting more accepted, but not enough. The idea of this being ok and normal needs to be out there and this book does a great job of doing that.
Is Cam self-centered sometimes in the book? Yes, and she acknowledges this and works to change it. I'd say this is pretty typical mid-20s-in-crisis behavior. Did I know what was going to happen for much of the book? Yes. Did that bother me? No! The fun is in seeing the unfolding.
Great book. It's both an enjoyable read and an important message. Read it!
December 22, 2025
Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez
Pub Date May 12, 2026 by St. Martin's Press / Saturday Books
I enjoyed this best friends to lovers trope with fun side characters.
This book is about mid 20 somethings trying to figure out what they want from life. As a 50 something, I am asking myself these same questions and could surprisingly relate.
It also kind of took me back to my mid 20's when I was trying to figure out life, working resort and restaurant jobs just trying to get by and pay bills, and my coworkers were my new friends/family.
Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez is a story about Camille (Cam), who is going through a life crisis. She gets fired from her job and must figure out what's next for her but struggles to know what to do. Her college friend Danny comes to pick her up and offers her the chance to stay with him for the summer and sort things out.
She spends the Summer working and reflecting on her life and taking a break from the corporate world.
Cam wasn't my favorite, often times frustrating, but the friends that she felt like she was losing or had lost were always at the center of her thoughts and many of the decisions she was making were to please others.
The author did a nice job of building the problem and then unraveling everything until you see what Cam finally comes to realize about herself, what kind of person she wants to be, who she wants to be in her life and who she wants in her life. Danny was my favorite. He was charming, playful, and caring to the people in his life. One of my favorite parts of this book is the transformation of how each character viewed themselves and the friends viewed each other.
I would recommend for those that love slow burns and friends to lovers.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eArc
Pub Date May 12, 2026 by St. Martin's Press / Saturday Books
I enjoyed this best friends to lovers trope with fun side characters.
This book is about mid 20 somethings trying to figure out what they want from life. As a 50 something, I am asking myself these same questions and could surprisingly relate.
It also kind of took me back to my mid 20's when I was trying to figure out life, working resort and restaurant jobs just trying to get by and pay bills, and my coworkers were my new friends/family.
Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez is a story about Camille (Cam), who is going through a life crisis. She gets fired from her job and must figure out what's next for her but struggles to know what to do. Her college friend Danny comes to pick her up and offers her the chance to stay with him for the summer and sort things out.
She spends the Summer working and reflecting on her life and taking a break from the corporate world.
Cam wasn't my favorite, often times frustrating, but the friends that she felt like she was losing or had lost were always at the center of her thoughts and many of the decisions she was making were to please others.
The author did a nice job of building the problem and then unraveling everything until you see what Cam finally comes to realize about herself, what kind of person she wants to be, who she wants to be in her life and who she wants in her life. Danny was my favorite. He was charming, playful, and caring to the people in his life. One of my favorite parts of this book is the transformation of how each character viewed themselves and the friends viewed each other.
I would recommend for those that love slow burns and friends to lovers.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eArc
November 26, 2025
“𝙃𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝 𝙥𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚, 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥. 𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩, 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢. 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩.”
Burnout Summer explores how happiness doesn’t always coincide with the path you are supposed to take. The FMC, Camille, gets fired from her first post college corporate job. With crippling student loan and credit card debt, she decides to spend the summer living and working with her college friend Danny to reset the burnout she’s experienced. Throughout the summer, she begins to enjoy life, and she picks up writing again. She has to navigate complicated feelings of her ex Cory being a member of their college friend group and having an upcoming wedding. Camille starts to develop feelings for Danny and has to navigate how that will affect her friend group. When another one of her college friends, Drew, helps her get another corporate job, will Camille risk another burnout or will she stay in Rhode Island with the life she spent all summer romanticizing about?
Cam wasn’t always the most likable character, but you do root for her to figure her life out. Danny is basically too perfect. I found myself laughing at some of their awkward situations, one in particular - IYKYK. This book held my attention and was an easy read! It definitely would be a great beach/summer read. The end sets up another book with the friend group, and I would definitely continue reading more about the other characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advanced copy!
Burnout Summer explores how happiness doesn’t always coincide with the path you are supposed to take. The FMC, Camille, gets fired from her first post college corporate job. With crippling student loan and credit card debt, she decides to spend the summer living and working with her college friend Danny to reset the burnout she’s experienced. Throughout the summer, she begins to enjoy life, and she picks up writing again. She has to navigate complicated feelings of her ex Cory being a member of their college friend group and having an upcoming wedding. Camille starts to develop feelings for Danny and has to navigate how that will affect her friend group. When another one of her college friends, Drew, helps her get another corporate job, will Camille risk another burnout or will she stay in Rhode Island with the life she spent all summer romanticizing about?
Cam wasn’t always the most likable character, but you do root for her to figure her life out. Danny is basically too perfect. I found myself laughing at some of their awkward situations, one in particular - IYKYK. This book held my attention and was an easy read! It definitely would be a great beach/summer read. The end sets up another book with the friend group, and I would definitely continue reading more about the other characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advanced copy!
November 15, 2025
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC for an honest review.
Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez is a story about a young woman, Camille Luna, who is going through a life crisis. She gets fired from her job and must figure out what's next for her but struggles to know what to do. Her college friend Danny comes to pick her up and offers her the chance to stay with him for the summer and sort things out in his Rhode Island beach home.
Camille was not my favorite character, she was often times frustrating because she just couldn't get out of her own way. However, the friends that she felt like she was losing or had lost were always at the center of her thoughts and many of the decisions she was making were to please others which ultimately never works out well for people. Ramirez did a nice job of building the problem and then unraveling everything until you see what Cam finally comes to realize about herself, what kind of person she wants to be, who she wants to be in her life and who she wants in her life. Danny was my favorite character. He was charming, playful, and caring to the people in his life. I loved how she developed his character. One of my favorite parts of this book is the transformation of how each character viewed themselves and the friends viewed each other.
I gave it a 4.5/5* I would have given it a 5* if I liked Cam and little bit more. I would recommend for those that love slow burns and friends to lover.
#BurnoutSummer #JennaRamirez #netgalley #StMartinsPress
Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez is a story about a young woman, Camille Luna, who is going through a life crisis. She gets fired from her job and must figure out what's next for her but struggles to know what to do. Her college friend Danny comes to pick her up and offers her the chance to stay with him for the summer and sort things out in his Rhode Island beach home.
Camille was not my favorite character, she was often times frustrating because she just couldn't get out of her own way. However, the friends that she felt like she was losing or had lost were always at the center of her thoughts and many of the decisions she was making were to please others which ultimately never works out well for people. Ramirez did a nice job of building the problem and then unraveling everything until you see what Cam finally comes to realize about herself, what kind of person she wants to be, who she wants to be in her life and who she wants in her life. Danny was my favorite character. He was charming, playful, and caring to the people in his life. I loved how she developed his character. One of my favorite parts of this book is the transformation of how each character viewed themselves and the friends viewed each other.
I gave it a 4.5/5* I would have given it a 5* if I liked Cam and little bit more. I would recommend for those that love slow burns and friends to lover.
#BurnoutSummer #JennaRamirez #netgalley #StMartinsPress
November 21, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy.
When Camille Luna manages to get fired and arrested (a minor incident with a wayward lighter and a piece of trash) on the same day, it's her best friend Danny who comes to the rescue. He not only drives down to DC to pick her up but also offers to let her stay with him for the whole summer as she figures out what to do next. Once Cam gets to the picturesque town of Elswick, Rhode Island, where Danny owns and runs his deceased uncle's restaurant, she can finally relax and start to think about what she actually wants in her life. Unfortunately, one of those things might be a relationship with Danny--amidst Cam's core group of college friends, when she and her ex, Cory, broke up, it fractured the group in ways that they are only just starting to come out of. Will Cam risk the bonds of friendship again if it means possibly being with the love of her life?
BURNOUT SUMMER perfectly captures the angst of being in your twenties, post college, when it feels like you're too old to be aimless but still too young to really know what you want in your life. Ramirez also did an excellent job of showcasing how misunderstandings happen between friends, even in the world of easy access (cell phones). Cam and Danny's relationship was really nuanced in a way that enhanced the reading. This will be a great summer read for those who like romances with:
-friends to lovers
-he falls first
-getting the band back together
-forced proximity
Burnout Summer is out May 12, 2026
When Camille Luna manages to get fired and arrested (a minor incident with a wayward lighter and a piece of trash) on the same day, it's her best friend Danny who comes to the rescue. He not only drives down to DC to pick her up but also offers to let her stay with him for the whole summer as she figures out what to do next. Once Cam gets to the picturesque town of Elswick, Rhode Island, where Danny owns and runs his deceased uncle's restaurant, she can finally relax and start to think about what she actually wants in her life. Unfortunately, one of those things might be a relationship with Danny--amidst Cam's core group of college friends, when she and her ex, Cory, broke up, it fractured the group in ways that they are only just starting to come out of. Will Cam risk the bonds of friendship again if it means possibly being with the love of her life?
BURNOUT SUMMER perfectly captures the angst of being in your twenties, post college, when it feels like you're too old to be aimless but still too young to really know what you want in your life. Ramirez also did an excellent job of showcasing how misunderstandings happen between friends, even in the world of easy access (cell phones). Cam and Danny's relationship was really nuanced in a way that enhanced the reading. This will be a great summer read for those who like romances with:
-friends to lovers
-he falls first
-getting the band back together
-forced proximity
Burnout Summer is out May 12, 2026
November 22, 2025
"Sometimes, the best love stories are the slow-burning fires. Not the ones that ignite the quickest."
Burnout Summer is about a college graduate who is struggling with what her life is supposed to look like as an adult. With crippling student loan debt, a recent termination of employment, and a new arrest record, she has some actual evaluating in front of her. What is her life going to look like moving forward? How is she going to dig herself out of this hole? Is she even happy with her life anymore?
And how will the dynamic of her friendships change with recent revelations?
As an adult, I can genuinely say that I remember going through this evaluation myself. Everyone in their 20s has some existential crisis, and it's a bear trying to work through. I empathized with Camille's character and the realization that she was a self-absorbed friend who focused only on the negatives in her life.
"It's okay to be unsure about what you want. Because maybe the more valuable question is What do you need?"
Once I reached the 30% mark in this book, I had to put down all my other books and just devour the rest. The angst, the heartache, the... hope! We are all constantly growing individuals, and while we had a tidal wave of growth and discovery in our 20s, now we have the opportunity to bloom. Camille bloomed in Elswick, Rhode Island,
Never let your dreams die, hold onto hope, and demand your dreams to breathe.
Burnout Summer is about a college graduate who is struggling with what her life is supposed to look like as an adult. With crippling student loan debt, a recent termination of employment, and a new arrest record, she has some actual evaluating in front of her. What is her life going to look like moving forward? How is she going to dig herself out of this hole? Is she even happy with her life anymore?
And how will the dynamic of her friendships change with recent revelations?
As an adult, I can genuinely say that I remember going through this evaluation myself. Everyone in their 20s has some existential crisis, and it's a bear trying to work through. I empathized with Camille's character and the realization that she was a self-absorbed friend who focused only on the negatives in her life.
"It's okay to be unsure about what you want. Because maybe the more valuable question is What do you need?"
Once I reached the 30% mark in this book, I had to put down all my other books and just devour the rest. The angst, the heartache, the... hope! We are all constantly growing individuals, and while we had a tidal wave of growth and discovery in our 20s, now we have the opportunity to bloom. Camille bloomed in Elswick, Rhode Island,
Never let your dreams die, hold onto hope, and demand your dreams to breathe.
November 16, 2025
This book has that perfect blend of waning friendships, lost love, and a sprinkle of self-loathing, all wrapped up in a warm, salty, seaside summer. It somehow manages to feel heavy and breezy at the same time, which is honestly my favorite flavor of chaos.
I won’t lie here... it took me a minute to warm up to Camille. She is deeply in her own way at the beginning, and I found myself begging her to just… breathe. But once it became clear that she was going to get a grip (eventually), I actually started rooting for her. The messy 20-something spiral was painfully real.
Danny, on the other hand, is the softest golden retriever MMC I’ve read all year. I adore him. He deserves good things only. He’s steady and patient and quietly in love in that way that just gets you.
I will say that the side characters stole the show for me. The friend group and the restaurant crew were all so fleshed out and full of personality even though they’re only orbiting the main story. They added so much heart and nuance to Cam’s whole unraveling and rebuilding process.
A messy FMC, a sunshiney MMC, beach town healing vibes, and a whole lot of quarter life turmoil were all things I thoroughly enjoyed about this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jenna Ramirez, and Saturday Books for the eARC of this book.
I won’t lie here... it took me a minute to warm up to Camille. She is deeply in her own way at the beginning, and I found myself begging her to just… breathe. But once it became clear that she was going to get a grip (eventually), I actually started rooting for her. The messy 20-something spiral was painfully real.
Danny, on the other hand, is the softest golden retriever MMC I’ve read all year. I adore him. He deserves good things only. He’s steady and patient and quietly in love in that way that just gets you.
I will say that the side characters stole the show for me. The friend group and the restaurant crew were all so fleshed out and full of personality even though they’re only orbiting the main story. They added so much heart and nuance to Cam’s whole unraveling and rebuilding process.
A messy FMC, a sunshiney MMC, beach town healing vibes, and a whole lot of quarter life turmoil were all things I thoroughly enjoyed about this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jenna Ramirez, and Saturday Books for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you're looking for a beach town summer friends-to-lovers romance next year, you've found it!! This second coming-of-age story is dedicated to "anyone suffering through the mid-twenties’ malaise," and it really brought me back to the angst and confusion of the early post-grad years of my twenties.
Camille has gotten fired from her job and arrested for disturbing the peace when Danny, one of her group of 5 besties from college, swoops in give her a "burnout summer" working at his restaurant on the Rhode Island coast to give her a chance to figure things out. Danny is a handsome, kind, dog-loving, and adventurous, but Camille is wary after a breakup with her college boyfriend almost tore apart the friend group.
I loved the atmosphere and vibes of this read! The side characters were great fun, too!! The struggles Camille goes through in figuring out post-grad life are relatable, even if I wish she was a little less self-absorbed. Danny is such a great MMC, although I would've loved to see even more flirty moments between them, as they usually defaulted to friendship. If I had one complaint, it's that Camille was so fixated on her college friend group, instead of finding new friends and experiences. It would've been nice to see her grow out of her fixation on the past.
Camille has gotten fired from her job and arrested for disturbing the peace when Danny, one of her group of 5 besties from college, swoops in give her a "burnout summer" working at his restaurant on the Rhode Island coast to give her a chance to figure things out. Danny is a handsome, kind, dog-loving, and adventurous, but Camille is wary after a breakup with her college boyfriend almost tore apart the friend group.
I loved the atmosphere and vibes of this read! The side characters were great fun, too!! The struggles Camille goes through in figuring out post-grad life are relatable, even if I wish she was a little less self-absorbed. Danny is such a great MMC, although I would've loved to see even more flirty moments between them, as they usually defaulted to friendship. If I had one complaint, it's that Camille was so fixated on her college friend group, instead of finding new friends and experiences. It would've been nice to see her grow out of her fixation on the past.
November 7, 2025
Self-absorbed, Camille, and he's too good for her, Danny, is not a summer lovin' this reader celebrated.
Camille's single minded trajectory post college is not unusual. Be a part of similarly driven group of college friends and vigilantly follow the rules, success would seem to follow. With an unforeseen termination, Camille's career path abruptly comes to a halt. Her living situation and bills affect her options. This is one that makes her untenable situation one readers could relate to.
To further pull her down, her group of friends have discovered their own versions of success. The outlier in this fictional group of friends is seemingly Danny. Initially, the reader 'thinks' that his off the beaten path led him to his own version of success. It didn't. Familial circumstances helped him along the way. And, so feel the message the author attempted to impart, a 'see, look what I did, tried etc' to poor Camille just didn't deliver the message believe the author was trying to achieve.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Camille's single minded trajectory post college is not unusual. Be a part of similarly driven group of college friends and vigilantly follow the rules, success would seem to follow. With an unforeseen termination, Camille's career path abruptly comes to a halt. Her living situation and bills affect her options. This is one that makes her untenable situation one readers could relate to.
To further pull her down, her group of friends have discovered their own versions of success. The outlier in this fictional group of friends is seemingly Danny. Initially, the reader 'thinks' that his off the beaten path led him to his own version of success. It didn't. Familial circumstances helped him along the way. And, so feel the message the author attempted to impart, a 'see, look what I did, tried etc' to poor Camille just didn't deliver the message believe the author was trying to achieve.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2025
3.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez follows Camille Luna, a young woman in the midst of a life crisis. Fired from her job and unsure what comes next, Camille accepts an offer from her college friend, Danny, to stay with him for the summer in his Rhode Island beach home.
Camille was often frustrating, and her self-absorption and indecision made it hard for me to connect with her. Ramirez does a decent job of showing her gradual realization of who she wants to be and the kind of people she wants in her life. Danny, on the other hand, completely stole my heart: charming, playful, patient, and quietly steadfast, the kind of friend-turned-sweetheart you can’t help rooting for. Their slow-burn dynamic, from comfortable to complicated, is the highlight of the story.
The romance is tender, the pacing easy, and the themes of messy growth and starting over feel authentic. The emotional disconnect with Camille kept this from being a swoon-worthy favorite, so I’m landing on three and a half stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez follows Camille Luna, a young woman in the midst of a life crisis. Fired from her job and unsure what comes next, Camille accepts an offer from her college friend, Danny, to stay with him for the summer in his Rhode Island beach home.
Camille was often frustrating, and her self-absorption and indecision made it hard for me to connect with her. Ramirez does a decent job of showing her gradual realization of who she wants to be and the kind of people she wants in her life. Danny, on the other hand, completely stole my heart: charming, playful, patient, and quietly steadfast, the kind of friend-turned-sweetheart you can’t help rooting for. Their slow-burn dynamic, from comfortable to complicated, is the highlight of the story.
The romance is tender, the pacing easy, and the themes of messy growth and starting over feel authentic. The emotional disconnect with Camille kept this from being a swoon-worthy favorite, so I’m landing on three and a half stars.
November 19, 2025
So, I want to start by saying this book was not my culture, and other people may really enjoy it. As I was reading it, I was fairly confident the author was significantly younger than me (which the acknowledgments verified). I also live a rural life and this book was super caught up with big city business people pressure. I work in the hospitality industry which was consistently looked down on in valuation by the characters. I did really agree with much of the social commentary of the challenges of a 20 something in America that the author was illustrating. My issue was that these points were very overt and not elegantly laid out. I also struggled a lot with the fmc. She was not a very enjoyable human being to live inside the head of. While the author did spend some time showing the fmc thoughts and behaviors weren't ok, I really could have used a larger redemptive arc for her changing her behavior to make her more palatable. While college debt can absolutely be crippling, it's hard to feel sympathetic when her complaint is that she can't take a European vacation. The mmc was lovely, but honestly the dog takes the cake for the best character.
December 6, 2025
2 1/2 stars. Camille has just been fired from a job she hates, arrested and sent to jail, and then picked up and whisked away to her college friend, Danny’s, seaside home.
Danny(who, along with Cam, makes up a group of 5 college besties) gives Camille a place to live and a job in his restaurant while she figures out what she wants to do with her debt-ridden and lonely life.
Unfortunately, I could never connect with or really care about Camille as she was so wrapped up in herself and her problems she just irritated me. I also got impatient with her constant worry about growing apart from her old friends and feeling like it was all her fault. I can understand it to a point but it got tedious with Cam. Danny was a very lovable guy who deserved better than he got with Camille in my opinion. I never felt a real connection/heat between them.
This is evidently going to be a series featuring all the core group of friends so we shall see where it leads. Maybe Drew, Cory, and Morgan will prove to be more interesting and realistic.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 8, 2025
Burnout Summer captured the feeling of when you're on vacation and life is bliss, then you think about returning to "real life" and feel bummed about it, but THEN you think "why can't regular life be more like this vacation?" and you make your real life happier and more fun. And I appreciate that about this book.
There are several secondary themes beyond the romance, some don't hit as hard for me personally, but I know they will really resonate with many readers and I'm excited for this book to publish so I can hear everyone else's takeaways. The one that really got me was Danny's feelings towards his Uncle Beau and all discussion surrounding his legacy. That hit hard.
One critique I have is that the conflict plays out in a way where I wholeheartedly believe our FMC does not deserve our MMC and Danny is settling. Sorry. I like him too much for him to end up with Cam, but I still enjoyed so many moments through the plot.
Pick up Burnout Summer if you're feeling like your 9-5 is too much, if you're craving a small Rhode Island beach town, or if you're looking for a sweet (and sometimes frustrating) friends-to-lovers.
Thank you, Net Galley for the eARC!
There are several secondary themes beyond the romance, some don't hit as hard for me personally, but I know they will really resonate with many readers and I'm excited for this book to publish so I can hear everyone else's takeaways. The one that really got me was Danny's feelings towards his Uncle Beau and all discussion surrounding his legacy. That hit hard.
One critique I have is that the conflict plays out in a way where I wholeheartedly believe our FMC does not deserve our MMC and Danny is settling. Sorry. I like him too much for him to end up with Cam, but I still enjoyed so many moments through the plot.
Pick up Burnout Summer if you're feeling like your 9-5 is too much, if you're craving a small Rhode Island beach town, or if you're looking for a sweet (and sometimes frustrating) friends-to-lovers.
Thank you, Net Galley for the eARC!
November 16, 2025
*light spoilers*
This book was very reminiscent of Emily Henry’s Happy Place. In that the vibes were all waning friendship, lost love, and bleak self loathing - but like in a fun, seaside vacation way.
Honestly it took me a while to get behind Camille, but once I realized that she would, in fact, become self aware, I was able to enjoy the budding romance. At times it felt like I was giving her ACOSF levels of patience and grace because like?? Babe?? This man would get on his knees for you! The least you could do is LET HIM. 😅
Danny is the most puppy dog MMC I’ve read all year and I love him. Does he potentially deserve better than Milly? Maybe 🫠
Overall the friendship group and restaurant characters were my favorite. They were so beautifully fleshed out and layered while only being small parts of the bigger story. It felt complete and gave a much needed nuance to Cam’s inner turmoil once you got to know each of them. ❤️
Am I even more excited about the prospect of one day reading Drew’s love story??? Or Morgan’s love story??? ABSOLUTELY. Inject it into my veins.
This book was very reminiscent of Emily Henry’s Happy Place. In that the vibes were all waning friendship, lost love, and bleak self loathing - but like in a fun, seaside vacation way.
Honestly it took me a while to get behind Camille, but once I realized that she would, in fact, become self aware, I was able to enjoy the budding romance. At times it felt like I was giving her ACOSF levels of patience and grace because like?? Babe?? This man would get on his knees for you! The least you could do is LET HIM. 😅
Danny is the most puppy dog MMC I’ve read all year and I love him. Does he potentially deserve better than Milly? Maybe 🫠
Overall the friendship group and restaurant characters were my favorite. They were so beautifully fleshed out and layered while only being small parts of the bigger story. It felt complete and gave a much needed nuance to Cam’s inner turmoil once you got to know each of them. ❤️
Am I even more excited about the prospect of one day reading Drew’s love story??? Or Morgan’s love story??? ABSOLUTELY. Inject it into my veins.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2025
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Camille Luna’s quarter-life crisis hits hard—her job drains her, her debt piles up, and her friend group is fractured. After a night in jail, college friend and former slacker Danny invites her to spend the summer at his Rhode Island beach town, where he now runs a popular restaurant. Between ocean days, writing, and Danny’s unexpected charm, Cam starts to wonder if he’s the fresh start she needs. As summer ends, she must choose between returning to her old corporate life or taking a risky chance on love with Danny.
There is great chemistry between Cam and Danny, although I kind of felt Danny deserved more or better - Cam was just too self-involved. Where this book excels are the settings and various scenes - this book oozes hot summer days and a hazy, lazy summer. And the side characters add a lot of enjoyment to the overall atmosphere.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is great chemistry between Cam and Danny, although I kind of felt Danny deserved more or better - Cam was just too self-involved. Where this book excels are the settings and various scenes - this book oozes hot summer days and a hazy, lazy summer. And the side characters add a lot of enjoyment to the overall atmosphere.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I admit, at the beginning I wasn't loving this book - it just felt like the writing wasn't great and I wasn't sure about it. But, it really grew on me. I started to like the main characters Cam and Danny and found my self really rooting for them, and for some of the secondary characters as well. I am always a fan of "beach books" (i.e. light reads) that actually take place in a beachside town, and also of the classic friends-to-lovers trope. And while this book was about 20-somethings trying to figure out what they want from life, as a 50-something, I still ask myself those questions and could relate surprisingly (maybe embarrassingly?) well to it. And after a bit of a slow start to the read on Saturday, I ended up reading rest of the book in one shot on Sunday. This book is being published in May and I wouldn't be surprised to see lots of people reading it by the pool, on the beach or on a plan ride to some fun vacation destination.
Note: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
Note: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2025
Burnout Summer is a well-written beach read with likeable characters and a good storyline.
The main character, Cam, is struggling with what a lot of young adults are these days - crushing debt, depression, cynicism, and the thought that life will never get better. Her only good memories seem to be of when she was with her college friends, and she's lost them to their updated lives too. Enter Danny, the one guy she has always been able to rely on, who happens to run a restaurant on the beach and invites her to spend the summer.
I enjoyed Cam's development, her ability to finally see past her misery and find new things to smile at, and her growing attraction to Danny. (Readers should note that there are some open-door scenes.) I also enjoyed the camaraderie between long-time friends and watching them grow up too.
Overall, it's a good debut beach read, and I can tell that author Jenna Ramirez has put a lot of work into it. 3.6 rounded down
The main character, Cam, is struggling with what a lot of young adults are these days - crushing debt, depression, cynicism, and the thought that life will never get better. Her only good memories seem to be of when she was with her college friends, and she's lost them to their updated lives too. Enter Danny, the one guy she has always been able to rely on, who happens to run a restaurant on the beach and invites her to spend the summer.
I enjoyed Cam's development, her ability to finally see past her misery and find new things to smile at, and her growing attraction to Danny. (Readers should note that there are some open-door scenes.) I also enjoyed the camaraderie between long-time friends and watching them grow up too.
Overall, it's a good debut beach read, and I can tell that author Jenna Ramirez has put a lot of work into it. 3.6 rounded down
November 13, 2025
Reading an ARC can sometimes be tough because of edits, changes, or typos—but I didn’t notice any here. The writing felt clean and complete. My only small wish is that the main character’s name had stayed Camille throughout—I just loved that name.
What really stood out to me was the honest look at college life. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh truth: college can feel like a scam that pushes students into debt with little real guidance, other than “just take out more loans.”
The story follows five friends who meet during their freshman year and remain a tight-knit group through all of life’s ups and downs. Their bond felt genuine, and it was easy to see pieces of real friendship in their dynamic.
What really stood out to me was the honest look at college life. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh truth: college can feel like a scam that pushes students into debt with little real guidance, other than “just take out more loans.”
The story follows five friends who meet during their freshman year and remain a tight-knit group through all of life’s ups and downs. Their bond felt genuine, and it was easy to see pieces of real friendship in their dynamic.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Burnout Summer is basically a quarter-life crisis wrapped in beach-town aesthetics, and honestly, the setting is doing most of the heavy lifting. The whole “post-grad mess + friends-to-lovers + seaside restaurant” combo is super fun, and Danny is definitely giving golden-retriever energy with a side of unexpected glow-up.
But Cam’s burnout spiral + constant indecision dragged after a while, and the friend group drama felt more stressful than heartfelt. The romance is sweet, just not the kind that had me kicking my feet or fully invested. More like: “aww, that’s nice” instead of “oh no I’m obsessed.”
Overall, a solid, summery read with good vibes but not one that totally swept me away.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this arc
But Cam’s burnout spiral + constant indecision dragged after a while, and the friend group drama felt more stressful than heartfelt. The romance is sweet, just not the kind that had me kicking my feet or fully invested. More like: “aww, that’s nice” instead of “oh no I’m obsessed.”
Overall, a solid, summery read with good vibes but not one that totally swept me away.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Publishing May 12th, Burnout Summer is a fun friends-to-lovers beach romance. This book follows Camille and her friend group from college. When she gets fired and ends up living on a beach with the “laidback fun guy friend” she tries to adopt his attitude and find herself outside her miserable corporate life. A very cute story but at times the dialogue felt a little “forced” or one dimensional whereas other times it was really fun and well written. There’s one scene I can’t stop thinking about and really?! Really?! If you read it you’d know. Overall while on a beach in Hawaii what else are you supposed to read? It’s fun and goes quick so pick it up on your next beach trip. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2025
I received this book as an ARC. I wanted to really like this book but after a couple chapters I was bored. The FMC was very self absorbed and it was a bit of a turn off. The MMC on the other hand was always so patient and caring. At times it felt like he was the sole reason why I was continuing the book. I wish the FMC would have developed quicker in the book to give more of a love story from the Friends to Lover trope. Overall it was a good book, I loved the scenic imagery of the restaurant by the beach. I am now wanting that beach vacation during the summer and have everything walking distance.
November 26, 2025
Thanks to netgalley for this ARC!
What a delightful read! Burnout summer features Camille, freshly fired and heavily in debt, escaping to nearby beach town Elswick to stay with her longtime friend Danny for the summer. She works at his restaurant and reevaluates her look on life and love between friends.
Their college friends round out the cast with restaurant staff also supporting the characters nicely.
Camille is easy to read and Danny is just too good to be true. I loved that the drama in the novel is very chill and there’s no forced separation with someone coming to their senses by the final chapter. The author sets us up nicely for a sequel which I would gladly read!
What a delightful read! Burnout summer features Camille, freshly fired and heavily in debt, escaping to nearby beach town Elswick to stay with her longtime friend Danny for the summer. She works at his restaurant and reevaluates her look on life and love between friends.
Their college friends round out the cast with restaurant staff also supporting the characters nicely.
Camille is easy to read and Danny is just too good to be true. I loved that the drama in the novel is very chill and there’s no forced separation with someone coming to their senses by the final chapter. The author sets us up nicely for a sequel which I would gladly read!
November 13, 2025
Loved this slow-burn second chance romance meet quarter-life crisis set in a backdrop of US late-stage capitalism.
I love reading complicated heroines and Milly was no exception. She was really frustrating with her fixation on being this corporate big shot despite hating it. Yet I understood where she was coming from as its such a very American mindset (I'm not American). A pox on you, capitalism! I adored Danny and related to him much better. He was the sweetest book boyfriend - laid back and supportive of Milly, rescuing her and giving her a soft place to land. Their slow-burn romance, plus their friendship group was the highlight.
'Most of us are middle of the pack and that's okay. We shouldn't have to be the best.'
What a fantastic debut. I can't wait to read more from Jenna Ramirez.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
I love reading complicated heroines and Milly was no exception. She was really frustrating with her fixation on being this corporate big shot despite hating it. Yet I understood where she was coming from as its such a very American mindset (I'm not American). A pox on you, capitalism! I adored Danny and related to him much better. He was the sweetest book boyfriend - laid back and supportive of Milly, rescuing her and giving her a soft place to land. Their slow-burn romance, plus their friendship group was the highlight.
'Most of us are middle of the pack and that's okay. We shouldn't have to be the best.'
What a fantastic debut. I can't wait to read more from Jenna Ramirez.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
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