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The Summer of Lost Things
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26Sexy new adult romance meets swashbuckling adventure when ex childhood friends Paige and Seb reconnect to finally track down the treasure that has been a legend in their small Michigan beach town for decades. Perfect for fans of
The Goonies
and Netflix’s
Outer Banks
who are craving more romance! Star pupil Paige Malone just finished her first year at Harvard. Dropout Seb Jansen spent that time pumping gas for wealthy yacht owners at a Lake Michigan marina. They haven’t seen each other since high school. A shame, considering that they were once inseparable childhood friends who combed their coastal hometown’s sun-kissed beaches along with a couple of other middle-school pals—hunting the Golden Venus, a legendary local treasure that’s distantly connected to Paige’s family. A treasure rumored to be worth millions of dollars. If it even exists. These days, however, the former BFFs have traded adventure for reality. Paige is home for the summer and is spiraling after losing her college financial aid. While across town, Seb fell in with a bad crowd and now regrets his life choices, big time. Both feel colossally stuck. And alone. But when Paige stumbles upon a hidden secret in her grandmother’s beach cottage, she must get their old treasure-hunting gang back together to finally unravel the mystery that has eluded her family for generations. Who the thrill of the hunt might help Paige and Seb find a path back to their lost friendship…or something more.
The Summer of Lost Things
brings the summer heat with its combination of a high stakes treasure hunt and a swoony love story. Tropes Childhood friends to lovers Second-chance romance Treasure hunt Family secrets Partners in crime Summer love Small beach town setting Overachiever x bad boy Loveable rogue
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2026
About the author
Jenn Bennett
26 books4,945 followersJenn Bennett is the author of over a dozen books for children and teens, including: ALEX, APPROXIMATELY; STARRY EYES; and GRUMBONES. She also writes romance and fantasy for adults. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, been Goodreads Choice Award nominees, and have been included on annual Best Book lists for both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. She lives in a haunted house near Birmingham with one husband and two dogs. Visit her at www.jennbennett.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
May 12, 2026
This book completely blindsided me in the BEST way possible. I went into it expecting a fun little summer treasure hunt romance and instead got emotionally attached to an entire friend group, obsessed with the yearning, and invested in every single clue and twist like my life depended on it. This was genuinely one of those books where every time I thought I had things figured out, something else happened and suddenly I was sitting there staring at the page like WAITTTT??!!
The treasure hunt aspect was SO well done. It had that nostalgic adventurous feeling that made me want to crawl into the pages and follow clues alongside them, but what really made the story hit was the emotional core underneath all of it. The friendships felt messy in a believable way, the tension between characters actually mattered, and the romance??? Oh my YESSSSS. Ex childhood friends to lovers will always own me a little, but add in years of hidden pining and devotion and suddenly I become unwell. 🤧
Because Sebastian??? Yeah. I’m obsessed with him actually.
EXCUSE ME??????????? YUMMMMM
The yearning in this book was so sweet and perfect because it never felt rushed. You could feel the history between them in every conversation and every quiet moment, and I loved that Paige slowly started realizing there might be something deeper there while Sebastian had basically been emotionally gone for her the entire time. It was the kind of romance that sneaks up on you because it’s built on years of knowing each other. Every little interaction had so much weight behind it. 🤌🏼🤌🏼 & Although the romance isn't the main plot it was still so so sweet and well done. 😌
And honestly, one of my favorite things was how grounded the relationships felt overall. There was tension and hurt and miscommunication at times, especially within the friend group, but it never crossed into that exhausting unnecessary drama that a lot of early twenties characters tend to have in books. People actually communicated. They apologized. They opened up. Paige and Jazmine especially felt so real to me because their friendship wasn’t instantly perfect again, but there was honesty there that made it work. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Also…LULU. I knew something was off from the START. *insert me narrowing me eyes* That’s all I’m saying because I refuse to spoil anything, but girl I had my eye on you immediately.
And can we PLEASE talk about Sebastian’s character arc for a second because it made me sooo emotional. The fact that he grew up being treated like he’d never amount to anything, and then Paige slowly reminding him that he was worthy of love and forgiveness and more than the mistakes he made??? The way he cared for her throughout the story felt so natural too. Protective without being overbearing. Gentle in all the moments that mattered.
I’m honestly shocked this was single POV because somehow I still felt Sebastian’s emotions so strongly the entire time. Usually I struggle with that unless a book is dual POV, but this author absolutely nailed it. I never once felt disconnected from the romance or the emotional tension.
And Benny and Jazmine??? Oh I NEED their book immediately. The buildup there was TOO good to waste. I would read that story so fast.
This was adventurous, emotional, romantic, nostalgic, and genuinely difficult to put down. One of those books that makes you miss the characters the second you finish the last page.
things to know about the book ↓
second chance
ex childhood friends
he’s been obsessed for years
forced proximity
treasure hunt
small town
single POV (hers)
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
ahhh I’m always down for a good treasure hunt heheh AND with ex childhood friends?? 🤭
perfect for fans of outer banks??? hmmm i’m so excited
The treasure hunt aspect was SO well done. It had that nostalgic adventurous feeling that made me want to crawl into the pages and follow clues alongside them, but what really made the story hit was the emotional core underneath all of it. The friendships felt messy in a believable way, the tension between characters actually mattered, and the romance??? Oh my YESSSSS. Ex childhood friends to lovers will always own me a little, but add in years of hidden pining and devotion and suddenly I become unwell. 🤧
Because Sebastian??? Yeah. I’m obsessed with him actually.
“Is that what you want, Seb?” I asked, tossing a look behind. “To be worshipped.”
Pale blue eyes blinked back at me. “By you? It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
EXCUSE ME??????????? YUMMMMM
The yearning in this book was so sweet and perfect because it never felt rushed. You could feel the history between them in every conversation and every quiet moment, and I loved that Paige slowly started realizing there might be something deeper there while Sebastian had basically been emotionally gone for her the entire time. It was the kind of romance that sneaks up on you because it’s built on years of knowing each other. Every little interaction had so much weight behind it. 🤌🏼🤌🏼 & Although the romance isn't the main plot it was still so so sweet and well done. 😌
And honestly, one of my favorite things was how grounded the relationships felt overall. There was tension and hurt and miscommunication at times, especially within the friend group, but it never crossed into that exhausting unnecessary drama that a lot of early twenties characters tend to have in books. People actually communicated. They apologized. They opened up. Paige and Jazmine especially felt so real to me because their friendship wasn’t instantly perfect again, but there was honesty there that made it work. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Also…LULU. I knew something was off from the START. *insert me narrowing me eyes* That’s all I’m saying because I refuse to spoil anything, but girl I had my eye on you immediately.
And can we PLEASE talk about Sebastian’s character arc for a second because it made me sooo emotional. The fact that he grew up being treated like he’d never amount to anything, and then Paige slowly reminding him that he was worthy of love and forgiveness and more than the mistakes he made??? The way he cared for her throughout the story felt so natural too. Protective without being overbearing. Gentle in all the moments that mattered.
"The way he looked at me, like he was willing to throw everything away for another kiss."
I’m honestly shocked this was single POV because somehow I still felt Sebastian’s emotions so strongly the entire time. Usually I struggle with that unless a book is dual POV, but this author absolutely nailed it. I never once felt disconnected from the romance or the emotional tension.
And Benny and Jazmine??? Oh I NEED their book immediately. The buildup there was TOO good to waste. I would read that story so fast.
This was adventurous, emotional, romantic, nostalgic, and genuinely difficult to put down. One of those books that makes you miss the characters the second you finish the last page.
things to know about the book ↓
second chance
ex childhood friends
he’s been obsessed for years
forced proximity
treasure hunt
small town
single POV (hers)
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
ahhh I’m always down for a good treasure hunt heheh AND with ex childhood friends?? 🤭
perfect for fans of outer banks??? hmmm i’m so excited
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 ★— This book feels like a summery afternoon after you’ve spent your morning at a lake and then come home still smelling like sunscreen and, God, I really loved it!
Paige is coming back to her late grandmother’s cottage after her first year at Harvard, having to deal with paperwork to keep her financial aid and just wanting a quiet summer, when she falls back in with her high school friend group. They all accidentally end up participating in a treasure hunt, and this really did hit all the nostalgia buttons for me!
If you’ve ever read a YA book with a friend group that solves cases together, this felt like the most loving New Adult throwback to that.
Paige and Seb, two former best friends turned awkward acquaintances within the group, slowly reconnect, as the story lets these two bridge the differences and unspoken grievances that came after their friendship ended.
I was glad when Seb turned out to be more of a sunny, flirty golden retriever type than the bad boy persona the story initially hints at, and I actually loved them together once they finally started communicating, as the friends to lovers transition felt really well done. I also can’t even lie... I definitely melted at a few lines Seb threw at Paige.
The other friendship dynamics in this were also very cute, and I really liked how the story let Paige slip back in with the others as they slowly uncovered the mystery behind the treasure hunt, while also giving readers a few twists and revelations that really rev up toward the closing chapters.
This book features enough summery beach scenes, trips, and parties to really make it the perfect summer read to bask in YA nostalgia.
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
⭐ Listener Rating: 5/5
This story’s narrator was just great and really managed to breathe life into the cast of characters! She was just as good at voicing Paige as she was Seb and the others, and she truly made the hours fly by as I followed along completely immersed in the story.
_________________
Thank you to HarperAudio for the ALC.
Paige is coming back to her late grandmother’s cottage after her first year at Harvard, having to deal with paperwork to keep her financial aid and just wanting a quiet summer, when she falls back in with her high school friend group. They all accidentally end up participating in a treasure hunt, and this really did hit all the nostalgia buttons for me!
If you’ve ever read a YA book with a friend group that solves cases together, this felt like the most loving New Adult throwback to that.
Paige and Seb, two former best friends turned awkward acquaintances within the group, slowly reconnect, as the story lets these two bridge the differences and unspoken grievances that came after their friendship ended.
I was glad when Seb turned out to be more of a sunny, flirty golden retriever type than the bad boy persona the story initially hints at, and I actually loved them together once they finally started communicating, as the friends to lovers transition felt really well done. I also can’t even lie... I definitely melted at a few lines Seb threw at Paige.
The other friendship dynamics in this were also very cute, and I really liked how the story let Paige slip back in with the others as they slowly uncovered the mystery behind the treasure hunt, while also giving readers a few twists and revelations that really rev up toward the closing chapters.
This book features enough summery beach scenes, trips, and parties to really make it the perfect summer read to bask in YA nostalgia.
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
⭐ Listener Rating: 5/5
This story’s narrator was just great and really managed to breathe life into the cast of characters! She was just as good at voicing Paige as she was Seb and the others, and she truly made the hours fly by as I followed along completely immersed in the story.
_________________
Thank you to HarperAudio for the ALC.
March 18, 2026
⊱ now playing: "perfect places", lorde
"maybe that was just the nature of treasure. it was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that you could never quite get to, even if you believed with your entire heart that it existed."
☀️ this will be an absolutely fun summer read for sure! i am an absolute sucker for coastal towns, and this setting is honestly my favorite part of this book - the town is so fleshed out. the writing style was gorgeous, descriptive, and flowing, with fast-paced storytelling and conflict at every turn. it slowed down when it needed to, though, and left room for tender moments to develop the relationships between characters. it keeps you hooked with a pivot just when things feel predictable, but even then, there are a few plot points that seemed as though they were the "easy way out" as a writing choice.
the romance was great, but minimal. the strongest point are one-on-one dialogue and quotes, gems such as:
*"i never said i didn't want anyone to know."
*"but i'll tell you this much. one day i'm going to marry this girl." !!!
*"told you a million times, paige. i've got enough faith for the both of us."
(i love childhood friends to lovers so much)
an issue i had with this book was that although it is marketed as new adult, the characters feel less like college students than sixteen year olds. the lingo is also very contemporary at times, but other times, the dialogue feels inconsistent with how the character speaks.
the logistics also are a bit too convenient at times. one friend is strangely good at hacking and bypassing security to obtain so it easily solves the issue at hand. paige's cottage is ransacked for clues about a hidden treasure, and they smashed a couple of paintings looking for any written note, but managed to leave the one that had a code behind it untouched? a little uncharacteristic and too convenient. their flashlights die when touched with water in the cave, but then paige goes diving with the headlamp and it is not mentioned beforehand that it is waterproof or able to withstand this. paige's harvard letter, signed by her father in pen, stays perfectly intact after she dove straight into a pool with it in her pocket, even though it should have bled through.
quite a few aspects felt unoriginal and ripped from outer banks, which is another reason why i can’t rate higher. even the poor vs rich conflict between the townspeople and other characters, paul being the main antagonist who resembles rafe cameron. seb felt heavily inspired by jj maybank. the bonfire fight scene. i liked the scenery a lot in both instances, but it felt like the show was being regurgitated to me at times.
that being said, it was an enjoyable story and i had a lot of fun reading this. i just wish there were more original storytelling elements used to shape the story.
thank you so much for netgalley for providing me with a free arc in exchange for my honest review!
"maybe that was just the nature of treasure. it was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that you could never quite get to, even if you believed with your entire heart that it existed."
☀️ this will be an absolutely fun summer read for sure! i am an absolute sucker for coastal towns, and this setting is honestly my favorite part of this book - the town is so fleshed out. the writing style was gorgeous, descriptive, and flowing, with fast-paced storytelling and conflict at every turn. it slowed down when it needed to, though, and left room for tender moments to develop the relationships between characters. it keeps you hooked with a pivot just when things feel predictable, but even then, there are a few plot points that seemed as though they were the "easy way out" as a writing choice.
the romance was great, but minimal. the strongest point are one-on-one dialogue and quotes, gems such as:
*"i never said i didn't want anyone to know."
*"but i'll tell you this much. one day i'm going to marry this girl." !!!
*"told you a million times, paige. i've got enough faith for the both of us."
(i love childhood friends to lovers so much)
an issue i had with this book was that although it is marketed as new adult, the characters feel less like college students than sixteen year olds. the lingo is also very contemporary at times, but other times, the dialogue feels inconsistent with how the character speaks.
the logistics also are a bit too convenient at times. one friend is strangely good at hacking and bypassing security to obtain so it easily solves the issue at hand. paige's cottage is ransacked for clues about a hidden treasure, and they smashed a couple of paintings looking for any written note, but managed to leave the one that had a code behind it untouched? a little uncharacteristic and too convenient. their flashlights die when touched with water in the cave, but then paige goes diving with the headlamp and it is not mentioned beforehand that it is waterproof or able to withstand this. paige's harvard letter, signed by her father in pen, stays perfectly intact after she dove straight into a pool with it in her pocket, even though it should have bled through.
quite a few aspects felt unoriginal and ripped from outer banks, which is another reason why i can’t rate higher. even the poor vs rich conflict between the townspeople and other characters, paul being the main antagonist who resembles rafe cameron. seb felt heavily inspired by jj maybank. the bonfire fight scene. i liked the scenery a lot in both instances, but it felt like the show was being regurgitated to me at times.
that being said, it was an enjoyable story and i had a lot of fun reading this. i just wish there were more original storytelling elements used to shape the story.
thank you so much for netgalley for providing me with a free arc in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
November 11, 2025
Friends to lovers (roommates, even!), second chance romance and treasure hunting.
I love the treasure hunt plot going on.
It’s always so much fun to read about, and I think it creatures so much energy and adventure.
I will say I feel like it was sort of… forgotten about? Around the midway point of this, when we started to focus more on the romantic development.
Personally, I thought it was okay though, because I was willing to sacrifice that for the nice romance scenes.
It does it back on track more toward the end though.
This story is focused primarily on the main characters Paige and Seb, but their childhood friend group is also part of it, which I liked a lot.
I loved seeing them reconnect with each other and re-develop their friendships. That’s just such a sweet and lovable plot.
Also, Paige and seb were too cute.
There really were some nice moments between them.
I adore the second-chance romance trope in general, so I ate that up.
There is even a point in this where they *try* to be roommates. So we get friends-to-lovers, second chance roommates?! HELLO?
I love.
The amount of times it was mentioned that Paige went to Harvard, was a lot.
I’m not a fan of over-repetition, so I started to get ever so slightly irritated. Especially when it seems to be bused as a comparison to her friends, to show that she is the one that grew up to be smart and successful.
Not that Paige gave of the vibe that she felt that way about herself, but it seems to be part of the reason it is mentioned so many times.
It wasn’t a huge deal, but I mentally noted it a few times.
Random note:
- Sharing a toothbrush and a razor and calling it intimate gave me chills. Shivers down my spine. Unapproved!
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and author Jenn Bennett, for providing me with the eARC of “The Summer of Lost Things”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 26, 2026
I love the treasure hunt plot going on.
It’s always so much fun to read about, and I think it creatures so much energy and adventure.
I will say I feel like it was sort of… forgotten about? Around the midway point of this, when we started to focus more on the romantic development.
Personally, I thought it was okay though, because I was willing to sacrifice that for the nice romance scenes.
It does it back on track more toward the end though.
This story is focused primarily on the main characters Paige and Seb, but their childhood friend group is also part of it, which I liked a lot.
I loved seeing them reconnect with each other and re-develop their friendships. That’s just such a sweet and lovable plot.
Also, Paige and seb were too cute.
There really were some nice moments between them.
I adore the second-chance romance trope in general, so I ate that up.
There is even a point in this where they *try* to be roommates. So we get friends-to-lovers, second chance roommates?! HELLO?
I love.
The amount of times it was mentioned that Paige went to Harvard, was a lot.
I’m not a fan of over-repetition, so I started to get ever so slightly irritated. Especially when it seems to be bused as a comparison to her friends, to show that she is the one that grew up to be smart and successful.
Not that Paige gave of the vibe that she felt that way about herself, but it seems to be part of the reason it is mentioned so many times.
It wasn’t a huge deal, but I mentally noted it a few times.
Random note:
- Sharing a toothbrush and a razor and calling it intimate gave me chills. Shivers down my spine. Unapproved!
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and author Jenn Bennett, for providing me with the eARC of “The Summer of Lost Things”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 26, 2026
Want to Read
October 25, 2025this is literally the prettiest cover ever I'm obsessed with it
May 13, 2026
5/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️
I absolutely adored this book and it felt incredibly nostalgic in the best possible way. Reading it honestly reminded me of being a kid again — like Wendy being swept away by Peter Pan before adulthood can fully take hold. There’s this magical sense of adventure woven through the story that made me want to jump into the treasure hunt right alongside Paige, Seb, and their friends.
The Lake Michigan beach town setting was perfect. It felt so vivid and lived-in that I swear I could picture every marina, beach cottage, and hidden corner. The local lore surrounding the Golden Venus gave the story such a fun sense of mystery and wonder, while the family secrets and high stakes kept everything moving. And then there’s Paige and Seb. The childhood friends-to-lovers romance was SO swoony. Their connection felt deeply rooted, like these feelings had always existed underneath the surface just waiting for the right moment to finally emerge. Watching them find each other again while reconnecting with the adventurous parts of themselves they’d lost along the way completely worked for me.
I also loved how the “bad crowd” elements almost gave the story a pirate vibe, making Seb and the townies feel a little like modern-day lost boys and rogues. The whole thing balanced romance, nostalgia, adventure, tension, and sexy moments perfectly.
Honestly, I have zero criticisms. This is one of those rare books where the second I finished, I immediately wanted to start it all over again. That’s always the sign of a truly special read for me.
As for the audiobook, Allie Shae did such a great job. I wasn’t familiar with her narration before this, but she handled the single narrator format really well and made it easy to distinguish between characters. She captured both the emotional depth and the adventurous energy of the story beautifully.
Thanks to Jenn, Harper Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC
1/5 🌶️
I absolutely adored this book and it felt incredibly nostalgic in the best possible way. Reading it honestly reminded me of being a kid again — like Wendy being swept away by Peter Pan before adulthood can fully take hold. There’s this magical sense of adventure woven through the story that made me want to jump into the treasure hunt right alongside Paige, Seb, and their friends.
The Lake Michigan beach town setting was perfect. It felt so vivid and lived-in that I swear I could picture every marina, beach cottage, and hidden corner. The local lore surrounding the Golden Venus gave the story such a fun sense of mystery and wonder, while the family secrets and high stakes kept everything moving. And then there’s Paige and Seb. The childhood friends-to-lovers romance was SO swoony. Their connection felt deeply rooted, like these feelings had always existed underneath the surface just waiting for the right moment to finally emerge. Watching them find each other again while reconnecting with the adventurous parts of themselves they’d lost along the way completely worked for me.
I also loved how the “bad crowd” elements almost gave the story a pirate vibe, making Seb and the townies feel a little like modern-day lost boys and rogues. The whole thing balanced romance, nostalgia, adventure, tension, and sexy moments perfectly.
Honestly, I have zero criticisms. This is one of those rare books where the second I finished, I immediately wanted to start it all over again. That’s always the sign of a truly special read for me.
As for the audiobook, Allie Shae did such a great job. I wasn’t familiar with her narration before this, but she handled the single narrator format really well and made it easy to distinguish between characters. She captured both the emotional depth and the adventurous energy of the story beautifully.
Thanks to Jenn, Harper Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC
Read
May 6, 2026as excited as i have been for this book it unfortunately is just not for me 😭.
its not a bad book by any means, it just feels a lot more YA than new adult and i’m just personally not vibing with it right now!! i may try again at a later date as i really did want to love this one.
its not a bad book by any means, it just feels a lot more YA than new adult and i’m just personally not vibing with it right now!! i may try again at a later date as i really did want to love this one.
May 7, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, and Harper Voyage for the ALC/ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Paige and Seb both have a history together, as they grew up together. While Paige was at Harvard, Seb spent his time pumping gas for wealthy yacht owners. Seb and Paige were best friends in high school and went to the beach to find The Golden Venus, which is a local legend said to have buried treasure. Many treasure hunters have tried to find it, but none have been successful. Seb and Paige haven’t seen each other since the end of high school, but everything changes the night that Paige returns home from school to her grandma’s house, which has been broken into and ruined. After seeing that, she decides to go to the beach, where she sees Seb, and they end up entangled back in each other’s lives, with him as a roommate! Will they be able to just stay friends, or are there feelings that are still lingering between the two?
If you love the childhood best friend trope, you’ll definitely love this book! Paige and Seb were such loveable characters, and the chemistry between them was impossible to ignore. I found myself rooting for them the entire time. Their relationship also gave strong second-chance romance vibes, which is one of my favorite tropes. I also loved the treasure hunting aspect of the story. It made the book feel unique and exciting, and I couldn’t stop rooting for them to find the treasure. There were so many setbacks and twists along the way that it constantly kept me on my toes. The mix of romance, tension, and adventure made the story so fun to read.
I also listened to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. She did a great job bringing the characters to life and making the emotions and tension feel even more real.
Overall, I highly recommend this fun summer/friends-to-lovers romance!
Paige and Seb both have a history together, as they grew up together. While Paige was at Harvard, Seb spent his time pumping gas for wealthy yacht owners. Seb and Paige were best friends in high school and went to the beach to find The Golden Venus, which is a local legend said to have buried treasure. Many treasure hunters have tried to find it, but none have been successful. Seb and Paige haven’t seen each other since the end of high school, but everything changes the night that Paige returns home from school to her grandma’s house, which has been broken into and ruined. After seeing that, she decides to go to the beach, where she sees Seb, and they end up entangled back in each other’s lives, with him as a roommate! Will they be able to just stay friends, or are there feelings that are still lingering between the two?
If you love the childhood best friend trope, you’ll definitely love this book! Paige and Seb were such loveable characters, and the chemistry between them was impossible to ignore. I found myself rooting for them the entire time. Their relationship also gave strong second-chance romance vibes, which is one of my favorite tropes. I also loved the treasure hunting aspect of the story. It made the book feel unique and exciting, and I couldn’t stop rooting for them to find the treasure. There were so many setbacks and twists along the way that it constantly kept me on my toes. The mix of romance, tension, and adventure made the story so fun to read.
I also listened to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. She did a great job bringing the characters to life and making the emotions and tension feel even more real.
Overall, I highly recommend this fun summer/friends-to-lovers romance!
May 2, 2026
It was the cover that pulled me in for this book. Then I read the blurb and thought it sounded fun. I didn’t really enjoy this though. Despite it being labeled new adult, it’s felt very young adult in most of the book. I felt meh about the fmc and didn’t like the mmc at all. The whole plot about solving a series of riddles and puzzles to find a treasure is fun in theory but didn’t feel well executed here.
😊 childhood friends to strangers to lovers
🐾 includes a dog
🛶 small town
single POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
1/5 spice level 🌶️
😊 childhood friends to strangers to lovers
🐾 includes a dog
🛶 small town
single POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
1/5 spice level 🌶️
April 9, 2026
i had a blast reading this! 😍🤗 what a unique book and such a great premise!
it really managed to give Outer Banks vibes and to transport the reader into an adventure!
i loved the childhood friends to lovers trope🥰
was the resolution of the 3rd act conflict unbelievable and too easy? sure, but i still enjoyed the book for what it was.
it really managed to give Outer Banks vibes and to transport the reader into an adventure!
i loved the childhood friends to lovers trope🥰
was the resolution of the 3rd act conflict unbelievable and too easy? sure, but i still enjoyed the book for what it was.
May 6, 2026
I am a born and raised Goonies kid, and that adventure aspect was easily my favorite part of this. The treasure hunt, the puzzles, and the friend group dynamic were what kept me reading and wanting to see how it all played out. 🗺️✨
Where it struggled for me was the tone. The characters read very young, with a kind of immaturity and lack of life experience that gave it a strong YA feel, but the story also brings in much darker elements like drug dealing, weapons, and criminal activity involving the police. On top of that, the romance leans into big, sweeping declarations of love, even though the characters are 19 and there wasn’t much character development or growth. The mix of all of that just didn’t quite align.
Overall, I loved the adventure side of this, but the tone felt uneven and kept me from fully connecting with it. Still a fun idea, just not one that fully came together for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Where it struggled for me was the tone. The characters read very young, with a kind of immaturity and lack of life experience that gave it a strong YA feel, but the story also brings in much darker elements like drug dealing, weapons, and criminal activity involving the police. On top of that, the romance leans into big, sweeping declarations of love, even though the characters are 19 and there wasn’t much character development or growth. The mix of all of that just didn’t quite align.
Overall, I loved the adventure side of this, but the tone felt uneven and kept me from fully connecting with it. Still a fun idea, just not one that fully came together for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
☀️🌊📚✨ ARC REVIEW — The Summer of Lost Things ✨📚🌊☀️ by Jenn Bennett
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
📚 Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a sweet, nostalgic summer read 🏖️🗺️💛
From the very beginning, this story pulled me in with its cozy beach-town vibes, adventure, mystery, and heartwarming romance 🌅✨ There was something so easy and comforting about this book that made it such a fun read.
The characters were so easy to love 🫶🏼🥹 Their chemistry felt natural, and I really enjoyed watching their story unfold. I found myself rooting for them the entire time 💕 The emotional moments hit just right without feeling too heavy.
I also loved the treasure-hunt/adventure element 🗝️🗺️🌊 It added such a fun layer to the story and kept things engaging the whole way through.
Jenn Bennett captured that perfect end-of-summer nostalgic feeling so well — bittersweet, warm, adventurous, and full of heart ☀️🍃✨
If you love: 🏖️ beach-town settings 💕 lovable characters 🗺️ adventure + mystery ✨ nostalgic summer vibes
…this one is definitely worth picking up 📖💛
#ARCReview #TheSummerOfLostThings #JennBennett #NetGalley #Bookstagram #SummerReads #RomanceReads #AdvancedReaderCopy 📚✨🌊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
📚 Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a sweet, nostalgic summer read 🏖️🗺️💛
From the very beginning, this story pulled me in with its cozy beach-town vibes, adventure, mystery, and heartwarming romance 🌅✨ There was something so easy and comforting about this book that made it such a fun read.
The characters were so easy to love 🫶🏼🥹 Their chemistry felt natural, and I really enjoyed watching their story unfold. I found myself rooting for them the entire time 💕 The emotional moments hit just right without feeling too heavy.
I also loved the treasure-hunt/adventure element 🗝️🗺️🌊 It added such a fun layer to the story and kept things engaging the whole way through.
Jenn Bennett captured that perfect end-of-summer nostalgic feeling so well — bittersweet, warm, adventurous, and full of heart ☀️🍃✨
If you love: 🏖️ beach-town settings 💕 lovable characters 🗺️ adventure + mystery ✨ nostalgic summer vibes
…this one is definitely worth picking up 📖💛
#ARCReview #TheSummerOfLostThings #JennBennett #NetGalley #Bookstagram #SummerReads #RomanceReads #AdvancedReaderCopy 📚✨🌊
May 19, 2026
This was such a fun read! I know summer hasn't officially started, but this is already my #1 summer read. The suspense and adventure were A+, character bonding and building were A+, and I was also giggling and gasping through the whole book.
If you're looking for a good time with a little love and adventure, this is your next read.
If you're looking for a good time with a little love and adventure, this is your next read.
January 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars rounded up.
When I first started this book, I wasn’t a fan of it and was worried I wasn’t going to like it at all, but it just needed to find its groove. I’m glad I stuck with it because it got better as it went on.
It was very much like “Outer Banks”, but it also stood on its own. I liked the setting, it was a great summer read in that case.
Paul very much reminded me of Rafe Cameron so I had a hard time not liking him. I lowkey liked him and Jaz together. He was definitely toxic for her, so it’s good they didn’t end up together, but I was almost hoping for a redemption arc for him.
It was written a little more like a YA book, even though they were adults. There was a sex scene, sexual content, and language though, so this certainly wasn’t a young adult book even though it felt like it with the writing.
I really would have eaten this up if I was younger, but this was still entertaining as an adult.
I think the end wrapped up a little too nicely for the Wags. I wasn’t expecting them to not come out on top, but it still felt a little too easy.
Paige kind of drove me nuts, I wasn’t really a fan of her, but it’s not like I hated her. She had a really stupid moment at the end of the book which got me mad, but I knew it was all part of the story.
I did NOT care about Seb and her relationship at all. Seb was kind of annoying too if I think about it. He wasn’t charming or compelling at all. I felt no chemistry between the two of them. Maybe because I don’t like the childhood friends to lovers trope, but I could not get into their relationship. I wish this book didn’t have that plot line.
It was also weird for a while there that Jaz especially was so angry that Paige and Seb were maybe going to get together. Her concern was valid in a way, but she had to have known Paige had feelings for Seb and wouldn’t hurt him, but Jaz didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt.
I was mainly here for them treasure hunting and the friendship dynamic. Jaz and Paige had a really nice friendship. I wasn’t totally sold on the groups friendship, especially because for the most part Benny was just kind of there with no real personality, but it’s fine. I loved Jaz, I think she was my favorite. She had the most characteristics I thought, whether it was messy or not.
I know it kind of seems like I am hating on this book which is partially why I am giving it 3.5 stars, but I did enjoy it. It was a fast paced read and just a fun book to get into. I was entertained throughout.
3.5 stars rounded up.
When I first started this book, I wasn’t a fan of it and was worried I wasn’t going to like it at all, but it just needed to find its groove. I’m glad I stuck with it because it got better as it went on.
It was very much like “Outer Banks”, but it also stood on its own. I liked the setting, it was a great summer read in that case.
Paul very much reminded me of Rafe Cameron so I had a hard time not liking him. I lowkey liked him and Jaz together. He was definitely toxic for her, so it’s good they didn’t end up together, but I was almost hoping for a redemption arc for him.
It was written a little more like a YA book, even though they were adults. There was a sex scene, sexual content, and language though, so this certainly wasn’t a young adult book even though it felt like it with the writing.
I really would have eaten this up if I was younger, but this was still entertaining as an adult.
I think the end wrapped up a little too nicely for the Wags. I wasn’t expecting them to not come out on top, but it still felt a little too easy.
Paige kind of drove me nuts, I wasn’t really a fan of her, but it’s not like I hated her. She had a really stupid moment at the end of the book which got me mad, but I knew it was all part of the story.
I did NOT care about Seb and her relationship at all. Seb was kind of annoying too if I think about it. He wasn’t charming or compelling at all. I felt no chemistry between the two of them. Maybe because I don’t like the childhood friends to lovers trope, but I could not get into their relationship. I wish this book didn’t have that plot line.
It was also weird for a while there that Jaz especially was so angry that Paige and Seb were maybe going to get together. Her concern was valid in a way, but she had to have known Paige had feelings for Seb and wouldn’t hurt him, but Jaz didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt.
I was mainly here for them treasure hunting and the friendship dynamic. Jaz and Paige had a really nice friendship. I wasn’t totally sold on the groups friendship, especially because for the most part Benny was just kind of there with no real personality, but it’s fine. I loved Jaz, I think she was my favorite. She had the most characteristics I thought, whether it was messy or not.
I know it kind of seems like I am hating on this book which is partially why I am giving it 3.5 stars, but I did enjoy it. It was a fast paced read and just a fun book to get into. I was entertained throughout.
May 18, 2026
Thank you Avon for this wonderful ARC!
The Summer of Lost Things completely stole my heart. This book felt like sunshine, salt air, adventure, first love, and nostalgia all wrapped into one perfect story. I had the biggest smile on my face while reading, and at the same time, my heart was aching in the best possible way.
I was obsessed with the treasure hunt aspect of this story. Every clue, every hidden secret, every discovery pulled me in deeper and deeper until I was just as desperate to uncover the truth as Paige and Seb were. It made the entire book feel so alive and exciting. I genuinely couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what they were going to find next.
And Paige and Seb? Oh my heart. Watching them fall back into each other’s lives felt so emotional and real. You could feel the history between them in every conversation, every memory, every lingering look. Their love story had this soft ache to it that made me root for them immediately. There’s just something about childhood friends finding their way back to each other that gets me every single time, and this book delivered it perfectly.
What I loved most was the vibe of this story. It was quirky, adventurous, romantic, emotional, and so full of warmth. It reminded me why I love summer romances so much in the first place. I finished this book feeling happy, emotional, and honestly a little desperate to find more stories exactly like this one because I never wanted this adventure to end.
The Summer of Lost Things completely stole my heart. This book felt like sunshine, salt air, adventure, first love, and nostalgia all wrapped into one perfect story. I had the biggest smile on my face while reading, and at the same time, my heart was aching in the best possible way.
I was obsessed with the treasure hunt aspect of this story. Every clue, every hidden secret, every discovery pulled me in deeper and deeper until I was just as desperate to uncover the truth as Paige and Seb were. It made the entire book feel so alive and exciting. I genuinely couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what they were going to find next.
And Paige and Seb? Oh my heart. Watching them fall back into each other’s lives felt so emotional and real. You could feel the history between them in every conversation, every memory, every lingering look. Their love story had this soft ache to it that made me root for them immediately. There’s just something about childhood friends finding their way back to each other that gets me every single time, and this book delivered it perfectly.
What I loved most was the vibe of this story. It was quirky, adventurous, romantic, emotional, and so full of warmth. It reminded me why I love summer romances so much in the first place. I finished this book feeling happy, emotional, and honestly a little desperate to find more stories exactly like this one because I never wanted this adventure to end.
May 8, 2026
I just finished this book with the biggest smile on my face. It is THE perfect summer read/listen and this Michigan girl is so happy she got to experience it.
I genuinely had a great time hearing Paige and Seb’s story. Friends to lovers is such a hit or miss for me, but it was executed so well here! She’s the overachiever who just finished her first semester at Harvard. He’s the dropout “bad boy” who’s still skating by in their small Michigan beach town. Paige is back home because she’s about to be disqualified from her financial aid and has to face her estranged dad. She heads to her late-grandmas lakeside cottage and finds it’s been turned upside down by a robber? A squatter? But wait- is that Seb? Why has her estranged childhood friend been crashing here?
What unfolds is such a fun, thrilling story of treasure hunting adventures, nurturing childhood friendships, and the absolute best of summertime in Pure Michigan! I highly recommend this read!
***Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own***
I genuinely had a great time hearing Paige and Seb’s story. Friends to lovers is such a hit or miss for me, but it was executed so well here! She’s the overachiever who just finished her first semester at Harvard. He’s the dropout “bad boy” who’s still skating by in their small Michigan beach town. Paige is back home because she’s about to be disqualified from her financial aid and has to face her estranged dad. She heads to her late-grandmas lakeside cottage and finds it’s been turned upside down by a robber? A squatter? But wait- is that Seb? Why has her estranged childhood friend been crashing here?
What unfolds is such a fun, thrilling story of treasure hunting adventures, nurturing childhood friendships, and the absolute best of summertime in Pure Michigan! I highly recommend this read!
***Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own***
May 14, 2026
This is a perfect beach/Summer read! It has adventure, laughs, danger, and love. It gives small beach town and “summer vacation” vibes.
A group of childhood/highschool friends reuniting, working through the things that drove them apart, getting to know the people they have become, while still having that comfort from knowing someone so well from all the time and adventures you have already had. But let’s not forget the treasure hunting!
This book felt like Outer Banks met an Emily Henry Rom-Com (meant as high praise) and I devoured it!
Between the treasure hunts, the reminiscing, and the childhood friends to lovers trope- it was so perfect for a Summer read.
- small town
- found family
- treasure hunt
- childhood friends to Lovers
- family secrets
- overachiever x bad boy
- partners in crime
- summer love
I had the opportunity to listen to this book and the narration was very well done to convey the emotions and journey these friends went through. It was very fun!
Thank you NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult, and Jenn Bennett for the ALC.
A group of childhood/highschool friends reuniting, working through the things that drove them apart, getting to know the people they have become, while still having that comfort from knowing someone so well from all the time and adventures you have already had. But let’s not forget the treasure hunting!
This book felt like Outer Banks met an Emily Henry Rom-Com (meant as high praise) and I devoured it!
Between the treasure hunts, the reminiscing, and the childhood friends to lovers trope- it was so perfect for a Summer read.
- small town
- found family
- treasure hunt
- childhood friends to Lovers
- family secrets
- overachiever x bad boy
- partners in crime
- summer love
I had the opportunity to listen to this book and the narration was very well done to convey the emotions and journey these friends went through. It was very fun!
Thank you NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult, and Jenn Bennett for the ALC.
May 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for this advanced copy of The Summer of Lost Things.
Overall: 3.75 stars rounded to 4
The Summer of Lost Things is a summer romance novel about 4 former best friends who reunite to try and find the legendary lost treasure of their town. Paige has returned after finding her college loans in trouble, and reunites with her friends only to find a clue to the lost treasure.
What follows is a story about friendship, love, and forgiveness.
I really enjoyed Seb’s growth throughout the book, though I kind of feel the romance was a subplot to the friendship in the books. I wish we got more about the four of them, and their stories.
My main critique is the ending felt very rushed. Like she wasn’t sure how to bring all the plot lines together so bam, her dad has been involved? It felt weird.
Overall though, it was a cute book. The cover was beautiful and the narrator did a great job.
Overall: 3.75 stars rounded to 4
The Summer of Lost Things is a summer romance novel about 4 former best friends who reunite to try and find the legendary lost treasure of their town. Paige has returned after finding her college loans in trouble, and reunites with her friends only to find a clue to the lost treasure.
What follows is a story about friendship, love, and forgiveness.
I really enjoyed Seb’s growth throughout the book, though I kind of feel the romance was a subplot to the friendship in the books. I wish we got more about the four of them, and their stories.
My main critique is the ending felt very rushed. Like she wasn’t sure how to bring all the plot lines together so bam, her dad has been involved? It felt weird.
Overall though, it was a cute book. The cover was beautiful and the narrator did a great job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2025
I'm going to be honest and I wanted to read this because of the cover. I mean it's GORGEOUS and super cute and fun. I think the story itself is also very fun and I think if you like Outer Banks then you'll enjoy this. I honestly found the dialogue very awkward and didn't flow naturally. I don't know if I bought this group of people as friends, but I found that chemistry and relationship aspect worked better than the romantic aspects. It says adult but this felt very young adult and the choices characters made felt childish. BESIDES that, it was a pretty quick and fast paced read. It was a fun little read and a perfect summertime read.
Thank you to avon and harper and netgalley for the arc!
Thank you to avon and harper and netgalley for the arc!
May 17, 2026
3.75⭐️ A fun book to bring on your next beach vacation.
If you’re looking for a quick but adventurous read for your next summer trip to the beach then definitely consider adding The Summer Of Lost Things to your list. Friends to strangers to lovers, angst and a treasure hunt in a small beach town setting was the perfect setup to get lost in while reading. My only complaint was that it did drag a little towards the middle of the story and at times the characters came off very YA but it wasn’t YA. Not a huge deal breaker for me but I could see it bothering other readers.
Thank you to the publisher for this ALC of The Summer Of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett.
If you’re looking for a quick but adventurous read for your next summer trip to the beach then definitely consider adding The Summer Of Lost Things to your list. Friends to strangers to lovers, angst and a treasure hunt in a small beach town setting was the perfect setup to get lost in while reading. My only complaint was that it did drag a little towards the middle of the story and at times the characters came off very YA but it wasn’t YA. Not a huge deal breaker for me but I could see it bothering other readers.
Thank you to the publisher for this ALC of The Summer Of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett.
February 13, 2026
(hello this cover??? SO CUTE!!)
can’t stress enough how fun this book is!!! kinda reminds me of outer banks (first season at least) and i ate it up. treasure hunt books are hit and miss for me but this one was great!! and it has one of my all time favorite tropes: CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS!!! the fmc was a breath of fresh air, she is very real and relatable and the mmc was so charismatic and obsessed with her i lovedddd it. i LOVED the friend group and they were great secondary characters
(also there’s a villain character in this & i kinda wanted him to be redeemed butttt whatever)
perfect summer vacation book!! thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review via netgalley. all opinions are my own <3
can’t stress enough how fun this book is!!! kinda reminds me of outer banks (first season at least) and i ate it up. treasure hunt books are hit and miss for me but this one was great!! and it has one of my all time favorite tropes: CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS!!! the fmc was a breath of fresh air, she is very real and relatable and the mmc was so charismatic and obsessed with her i lovedddd it. i LOVED the friend group and they were great secondary characters
(also there’s a villain character in this & i kinda wanted him to be redeemed butttt whatever)
perfect summer vacation book!! thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review via netgalley. all opinions are my own <3
May 18, 2026
This was such a fun read because the treasure hunting trope is something you don’t see nearly enough in romance, and I fall for it every single time. The thrill of the chase, the mystery woven throughout the story, and the constant tension between the characters made it so easy to stay invested.
I loved how the adventure aspect kept the story moving while the romance slowly built alongside it. The chemistry between the characters felt playful, especially with their history the added pressure and adrenaline of the hunt. It had that perfect mix of tension, banter, and escapism that makes you want to keep reading “just one more chapter.” Overall, it’s the perfect summer read adventurous, romantic, and entertaining in a way that feels fresh compared to more common romance tropes.
I loved how the adventure aspect kept the story moving while the romance slowly built alongside it. The chemistry between the characters felt playful, especially with their history the added pressure and adrenaline of the hunt. It had that perfect mix of tension, banter, and escapism that makes you want to keep reading “just one more chapter.” Overall, it’s the perfect summer read adventurous, romantic, and entertaining in a way that feels fresh compared to more common romance tropes.
Read
May 11, 2026DNF at 67%
I’m so bummed I didn’t enjoy this book.. it seemed like the perfect summer read and definitely gave outer banks but I was just so bored! The first 30-40% held my interest enough but then it just felt like it was dragging on. I also didn’t really feel that much a connection between Seb and Paige or honestly any of the characters. I made it pretty far but I just had no motivation to find out how it ends.
Thank you Avon for the advanced copy.
I’m so bummed I didn’t enjoy this book.. it seemed like the perfect summer read and definitely gave outer banks but I was just so bored! The first 30-40% held my interest enough but then it just felt like it was dragging on. I also didn’t really feel that much a connection between Seb and Paige or honestly any of the characters. I made it pretty far but I just had no motivation to find out how it ends.
Thank you Avon for the advanced copy.
May 22, 2026
Loved The Goonies vibes of this one! Full review to come.
May 3, 2026
This was fine, but I REALLY felt like it was missing the spark I expect from a Jenn Bennett book.
May 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I love a treasuring hunting story and this cover 😍 are you joking me!
This was so much fun and it was giving season 1 of The Outer Banks! After completing her first year at college, Paige comes home to her family's house destroyed. Paige and her childhood friend Seb suspect someone has been breaking in and looking for her family's treasure. Paige reconnects with Seb and their friend group (Wags) to go on their own adventure to find her family's lost fortune.
Tropes:
☀️Childhood Friends to Roommates to Lovers
☀️Second Chance Romance
☀️Treasure Hunting
☀️Found Family
☀️Small Michigan Town
I love a treasuring hunting story and this cover 😍 are you joking me!
This was so much fun and it was giving season 1 of The Outer Banks! After completing her first year at college, Paige comes home to her family's house destroyed. Paige and her childhood friend Seb suspect someone has been breaking in and looking for her family's treasure. Paige reconnects with Seb and their friend group (Wags) to go on their own adventure to find her family's lost fortune.
Tropes:
☀️Childhood Friends to Roommates to Lovers
☀️Second Chance Romance
☀️Treasure Hunting
☀️Found Family
☀️Small Michigan Town
May 6, 2026
Thank you to HarperAudio and NetGalley for the ARC!
This was so great! I wasn’t sure the treasure hunt aspect would be for me at first, but it ended up being so much fun. I loved the friend group dynamics and the romance plot equally. This had the perfect amount of spice and was such a cute story. The audiobook narrator was also perfect. 4 stars!
This was so great! I wasn’t sure the treasure hunt aspect would be for me at first, but it ended up being so much fun. I loved the friend group dynamics and the romance plot equally. This had the perfect amount of spice and was such a cute story. The audiobook narrator was also perfect. 4 stars!
May 1, 2026
The Summer of Lost Things follows Paige Malone, a Harvard student on the brink of losing her critical financial aid, as she returns home to her small Michigan beach town for the summer. Shortly after she gets home, Paige encounters Seb Jansen, her former childhood best friend/co-treasure hunter who fell into a bad crowd and got shipped off to a military school for their senior year of high school. Despite initially butting heads, once Paige stumbles on a hidden secret in her grandmother's beach cottage, she gets Seb and the rest of their childhood treasure-hunting gang together to finally find the Golden Venus, a legendary treasure hidden by an infamous lake pirate related to Paige. As their quest helps Paige and her estranged childhood friend group come back together, it also leads Paige and Seb down a path to something more,
This is a book made for a beach vacation! While I've never seen Netflix's Outer Banks myself, this book is exactly what I imagine the show is like. The laid-back summer vibes, sweet slow(ish) burn romance, and fast-paced, exciting treasure hunting all combined into an enjoyable read! I envy every person who will get to enjoy this while they lay out on the sand on their beach vacations this summer because that is the perfect environment for this.
The town of Haven Beach was charming and remarkably fleshed out; I enjoyed following Paige and her friends as they explored so many different places on the hunt for their treasure. The treasure hunt itself is the standout plot of this novel; I rarely read books that have a treasure-hunting plot, so I found it incredibly fun and refreshing! I also very much enjoyed the dynamic the Wags had when they were all together. Their banter was fun and felt very realistic for a group of older teens that have known each other most of their lives.
Paige and Seb's romantic dynamic was decent for how adventure-focused the story was, but I did find it a bit weaker than I expected. While I think the building romantic tension between the two of them was well done, I feel like their story could have benefitted from proper flashbacks to how their relationship was growing up rather than the detail-spilling during their fights or Paige info-dumping in her narration.
The other element I found a bit weak were the villains. I think the story could have really benefitted from them playing a more active role in the novel prior to the last 35-ish percent of it. It also made it difficult to take them seriously or feel truly intimidated by them since most of their more villainous tendencies were info-dumped by Paige or the other Wags rather than things that I could experience in real time as the reader.
I will say that while this is classified as New Adult, the writing does feel a bit more juvenile than other New Adult novels I've read, but I think that's because the characters are 19 and the writing is so adventure-focused.
Overall, The Summer of Lost Things is an enjoyable read that I think is best read on a beach or lake vacation when you're in the mood for something easy and fun!
Read If You Like:
- Treasure Hunts
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- Second Chance Romance
- Small Town Vibes
- The Show "Outer Banks"
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a book made for a beach vacation! While I've never seen Netflix's Outer Banks myself, this book is exactly what I imagine the show is like. The laid-back summer vibes, sweet slow(ish) burn romance, and fast-paced, exciting treasure hunting all combined into an enjoyable read! I envy every person who will get to enjoy this while they lay out on the sand on their beach vacations this summer because that is the perfect environment for this.
The town of Haven Beach was charming and remarkably fleshed out; I enjoyed following Paige and her friends as they explored so many different places on the hunt for their treasure. The treasure hunt itself is the standout plot of this novel; I rarely read books that have a treasure-hunting plot, so I found it incredibly fun and refreshing! I also very much enjoyed the dynamic the Wags had when they were all together. Their banter was fun and felt very realistic for a group of older teens that have known each other most of their lives.
Paige and Seb's romantic dynamic was decent for how adventure-focused the story was, but I did find it a bit weaker than I expected. While I think the building romantic tension between the two of them was well done, I feel like their story could have benefitted from proper flashbacks to how their relationship was growing up rather than the detail-spilling during their fights or Paige info-dumping in her narration.
The other element I found a bit weak were the villains. I think the story could have really benefitted from them playing a more active role in the novel prior to the last 35-ish percent of it. It also made it difficult to take them seriously or feel truly intimidated by them since most of their more villainous tendencies were info-dumped by Paige or the other Wags rather than things that I could experience in real time as the reader.
I will say that while this is classified as New Adult, the writing does feel a bit more juvenile than other New Adult novels I've read, but I think that's because the characters are 19 and the writing is so adventure-focused.
Overall, The Summer of Lost Things is an enjoyable read that I think is best read on a beach or lake vacation when you're in the mood for something easy and fun!
Read If You Like:
- Treasure Hunts
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- Second Chance Romance
- Small Town Vibes
- The Show "Outer Banks"
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
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