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The Summer of Lost Things
Sexy 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
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
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2026
About the author
Jenn Bennett
26 books4,950 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 431 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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Binged in a single sitting.
OMG That was such a fun book! The romance!!! the angst! the treasure hunt!
The narration is SO good!
The romance was swoon-worthy and giggling and kicking my feet and the treasure hunt is so much fun!
This was the perfect adventure + romance summer listen.
Audio Narration: 5/5
Narrator: Allie Shae
Style: Single Narration & Single POV
Length: 12 hrs 3 mins
Thoughts: 10/10 would recommend. Allie Shae did a phenomenal job. This was such an enjoyable and easy listen I binged it in a single day. Absolutely no issues with the performance or production.
4.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
OMG That was such a fun book! The romance!!! the angst! the treasure hunt!
The narration is SO good!
The romance was swoon-worthy and giggling and kicking my feet and the treasure hunt is so much fun!
This was the perfect adventure + romance summer listen.
Audio Narration: 5/5
Narrator: Allie Shae
Style: Single Narration & Single POV
Length: 12 hrs 3 mins
Thoughts: 10/10 would recommend. Allie Shae did a phenomenal job. This was such an enjoyable and easy listen I binged it in a single day. Absolutely no issues with the performance or production.
4.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
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!
Want to Read
October 25, 2025this is literally the prettiest cover ever I'm obsessed with it
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
Read
June 13, 2026DNF at 10%
While I can't speak on the entire book obviously, I just found the beginning very jarring. What genre are we in? Is this a mystery? A contemporary romance? A "Goonies" retelling? It was so scattered that I had no idea what kind of vibe I was supposed to get into. I jokingly said to my husband that it sounded like an "Adult Goonies" book. But then when they found the treasure map on the back of a painting while messing around in the house? A little too on the nose for my liking.
In the same chapter we are talking about childhood trauma, how much she hates Seb, the death of her grandmother, Seb is so hot though, omg Seb is so funny, and also treasure! Too chaotic and all over the place for me. The witty banter was very cringey to me and I decided this book was going to have to be a skip.
I specifically had the ARC for the audio and I do think the narrator did a good job with what she had. I would try other books she narrated in the future.
While I can't speak on the entire book obviously, I just found the beginning very jarring. What genre are we in? Is this a mystery? A contemporary romance? A "Goonies" retelling? It was so scattered that I had no idea what kind of vibe I was supposed to get into. I jokingly said to my husband that it sounded like an "Adult Goonies" book. But then when they found the treasure map on the back of a painting while messing around in the house? A little too on the nose for my liking.
In the same chapter we are talking about childhood trauma, how much she hates Seb, the death of her grandmother, Seb is so hot though, omg Seb is so funny, and also treasure! Too chaotic and all over the place for me. The witty banter was very cringey to me and I decided this book was going to have to be a skip.
I specifically had the ARC for the audio and I do think the narrator did a good job with what she had. I would try other books she narrated in the future.
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
May 26, 2026
thank you to netgalley and HarperAudio Adult for providing me with an ALC of this book!
✿ ''it's always been you.''
✿ he fell first
✿ ex childhood friends to lovers
✿ banter and yearning
When I first saw that this books blurb mentioned The Goonies I knew I HADDD to get my hands on it - that movie was literally my entire childhood (honestly I used to recite the lines as a kid lmao) this is also a book that you can judge by the cover and be pleasantly surprised about just how much it lives up to your expectations!
In a very 'we're getting the band back together' era right now (aka im obsessed with second chances and reunions) and this book ticked that box SO fast as we follow Paige as she returns to her hometown on her uni break and reunites with her childhood friend group as they go on a literal treasure hunt together.
I'm honestly a bit obsessed with Paige and Seb - you can really see as Seb pines for Paige both up close and from afar!! i also love that you get to see Paige reassuring Seb about his worth - after growing up and being literally traumatised and treated like he would never amount to anything, Paige's patience and insistence that he is so much more than he believes himself to be was so sweet
Even though this book is single POV, it really felt like we got to see extensive emotions from Seb too which I can really appreciate!
The narrator did an amazing job at conveying all of the emotions displayed throughout this book which made it feel so much more immersive and believable. She also did AMAZINGLY at voicing multiple characters - there wasn't any time in which I was confused about who was meant to be speaking etc. Overall, I would love to check out more of their work in the future!
✿ ''it's always been you.''
✿ he fell first
✿ ex childhood friends to lovers
✿ banter and yearning
When I first saw that this books blurb mentioned The Goonies I knew I HADDD to get my hands on it - that movie was literally my entire childhood (honestly I used to recite the lines as a kid lmao) this is also a book that you can judge by the cover and be pleasantly surprised about just how much it lives up to your expectations!
In a very 'we're getting the band back together' era right now (aka im obsessed with second chances and reunions) and this book ticked that box SO fast as we follow Paige as she returns to her hometown on her uni break and reunites with her childhood friend group as they go on a literal treasure hunt together.
I'm honestly a bit obsessed with Paige and Seb - you can really see as Seb pines for Paige both up close and from afar!! i also love that you get to see Paige reassuring Seb about his worth - after growing up and being literally traumatised and treated like he would never amount to anything, Paige's patience and insistence that he is so much more than he believes himself to be was so sweet
Even though this book is single POV, it really felt like we got to see extensive emotions from Seb too which I can really appreciate!
The narrator did an amazing job at conveying all of the emotions displayed throughout this book which made it feel so much more immersive and believable. She also did AMAZINGLY at voicing multiple characters - there wasn't any time in which I was confused about who was meant to be speaking etc. Overall, I would love to check out more of their work in the future!
May 29, 2026
The Summer of Lost Things is absolutely PERFECT for summer! I loved the treasure hunting in this one and it honestly brought me back to summer when I was younger. I guess you could say it definitely made me feel nostalgic! The romance between Paige and Seb was really cute too and I found myself wanting to read more about them as they go from friends to lovers. Overall, this was a cute read! I’ll be telling my son’s girlfriend who loves romances to read this one over the summer.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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!
June 2, 2026
If the Goonies was a love story...
Really, that should be all you need to read this, but if you're STILL looking to be convinced... The summer of lost things is equal parts love story and adventure with found family AND a dog.
Still need more? Paige and Seb reunite for a treasure hunt after their friendship imploded a couple years ago. Paige is on the verge of losing her financial aid, and Seb has been working menial jobs since graduating a boot camp type school for 'troubled kids'. They need to find the famed Golden Venus, a statue stolen by Paige's inland pirate ancestor. They gather their old team of friends after finding a clue, and they go on a Goonies esque treasure hunt.
I really enjoyed this. If you're a summer lake person, you're going to want to read/listen to this one while you're at the shore.
I received an advanced copy of this audiobook for review. All opinions are my own. Thanks to Harper Audio and Avon for the ALC!
Really, that should be all you need to read this, but if you're STILL looking to be convinced... The summer of lost things is equal parts love story and adventure with found family AND a dog.
Still need more? Paige and Seb reunite for a treasure hunt after their friendship imploded a couple years ago. Paige is on the verge of losing her financial aid, and Seb has been working menial jobs since graduating a boot camp type school for 'troubled kids'. They need to find the famed Golden Venus, a statue stolen by Paige's inland pirate ancestor. They gather their old team of friends after finding a clue, and they go on a Goonies esque treasure hunt.
I really enjoyed this. If you're a summer lake person, you're going to want to read/listen to this one while you're at the shore.
I received an advanced copy of this audiobook for review. All opinions are my own. Thanks to Harper Audio and Avon for the ALC!
June 4, 2026
I've been craving another treasure-hunting romance ever since reading Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher, and this one definitely delivered on the The Goonies vibes. When Paige discovers a clue tied to the legendary Golden Venus treasure, a mystery connected to her family and said to be worth millions, she reunites her old treasure-hunting gang to solve it.
I liked the coastal setting and the villainous undertone running through the small town, but unfortunately, the adventure itself was really lacking for me. And when it comes to a treasure hunt, I want lots of action and excitement, you know? There was one cave scene that had me hopeful for some thrilling high stakes, but outside of that, the story was kind of a slog to get through.
Part of that comes down to not feeling invested in either the characters or the romance. I know this is marketed as New Adult, but it still felt very young to me (the friend group referring to themselves as the WAGs didn't help). The romance with childhood friend Seb was cute enough, and I was happy that I didn't see one of the reveals coming, but honestly, remove the spice and I think this would be more fitting for YA.
(spice level: open-door)
I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I liked the coastal setting and the villainous undertone running through the small town, but unfortunately, the adventure itself was really lacking for me. And when it comes to a treasure hunt, I want lots of action and excitement, you know? There was one cave scene that had me hopeful for some thrilling high stakes, but outside of that, the story was kind of a slog to get through.
Part of that comes down to not feeling invested in either the characters or the romance. I know this is marketed as New Adult, but it still felt very young to me (the friend group referring to themselves as the WAGs didn't help). The romance with childhood friend Seb was cute enough, and I was happy that I didn't see one of the reveals coming, but honestly, remove the spice and I think this would be more fitting for YA.
(spice level: open-door)
I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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 🌶️
June 5, 2026
(4.5 stars) Thank you, @avonbooks for the gifted print copy!
Paige Malone is returning to her Michigan beach town for the first time after finishing her freshman year at Harvard. Years before, she had a ride or die friend group - a group that spent their childhoods as treasure hunters based on a local town legend loosely connected to Paige’s family. Sen Jansen was the closest of those friends, and they haven’t seen each other in years. Seb is now pumping gas for the local marina. Their lives have diverged in significant ways, but when Paige finds a clue to the treasure among her late grandmother’s belongings, she, Seb, and the rest of their treasure-hunting crew are pulled back into their quest - but the stakes are so much higher now as they try to unravel the clues and map their futures.
What a fantastic surprise of a summer book - a fantastic treasure hunt, renewed friendships, danger around every turn, an adorable dog, and a swoon-worthy friends-to-lovers romance. This is deeply Goonies and Outer Banks-coded, with a ton of messy found family, adventures, and this amazing, idyllic Lake Michigan setting. I love it when a book focused on two main characters is so much more than that, and this one has so many amazing characters that you can’t help but enjoy - and a few you’ll love to hate. If you love a good adventure romance, you absolutely need to pick this one up!
🎧 Audio Performance: (12h 3m) Allie Shae delivers this solo narration performance. I would have enjoyed a bit more differentiation between the characters’ voices, but overall this was a nice performance.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Paige Malone is returning to her Michigan beach town for the first time after finishing her freshman year at Harvard. Years before, she had a ride or die friend group - a group that spent their childhoods as treasure hunters based on a local town legend loosely connected to Paige’s family. Sen Jansen was the closest of those friends, and they haven’t seen each other in years. Seb is now pumping gas for the local marina. Their lives have diverged in significant ways, but when Paige finds a clue to the treasure among her late grandmother’s belongings, she, Seb, and the rest of their treasure-hunting crew are pulled back into their quest - but the stakes are so much higher now as they try to unravel the clues and map their futures.
What a fantastic surprise of a summer book - a fantastic treasure hunt, renewed friendships, danger around every turn, an adorable dog, and a swoon-worthy friends-to-lovers romance. This is deeply Goonies and Outer Banks-coded, with a ton of messy found family, adventures, and this amazing, idyllic Lake Michigan setting. I love it when a book focused on two main characters is so much more than that, and this one has so many amazing characters that you can’t help but enjoy - and a few you’ll love to hate. If you love a good adventure romance, you absolutely need to pick this one up!
🎧 Audio Performance: (12h 3m) Allie Shae delivers this solo narration performance. I would have enjoyed a bit more differentiation between the characters’ voices, but overall this was a nice performance.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️
May 26, 2026
3.5 stars
Not to be dramatic, but this may be the most gorgeous book cover I’ve ever seen! I’m totally obsessed with it and ecstatic to have it on my bookshelf!
This book is described as being perfect for fans of The Goonies and Outer Banks, and I would say that’s a very accurate description. I love both, so this book was right up my alley!
So, my favorite trope is second chance romance followed by (childhood) friends to lovers. Both just give me the angst and yearning I need without starting at zero. This one has a little of both! I loved watching Seb and Paige rekindling their romance. The longing was palpable and I was so here for it. Their lack of communication felt par for the course with their ages, but once they finally start communicating, I loved it. Seb was just SO sweet and ends up being more cinnamon roll than bad boy. 🥰
This book is classified as New Adult, right in between YA and adult, and it is definitely evident at times that we are dealing with college kids versus adults. This was mostly fine for me. I understood Paige’s pull to want to “get the gang back together” and keep their relationships in tact (which was very similar to Burnout Summer, a book I recently read & reviewed), but she is definitely very focused on it to almost a fault.
The treasure hunting storyline was fun! I thought the clues kept me on my toes and interested enough to keep listening to figure out how the book was going to end.
This story gives ALL the summery vibes and would be a perfect beach read!
🎧Allie Shae does a great job narrating Paige, but she lost me with some of her male voices and took me right out of the story 🙃 It’s the tricky thing about having one narrator do multiple voices of the opposite gender; I want to forget it’s only one person, which didn’t happen here. I still enjoyed the audiobook, but for me it’s not a must listen and I’d probably recommend eyeball reading.
Not to be dramatic, but this may be the most gorgeous book cover I’ve ever seen! I’m totally obsessed with it and ecstatic to have it on my bookshelf!
This book is described as being perfect for fans of The Goonies and Outer Banks, and I would say that’s a very accurate description. I love both, so this book was right up my alley!
So, my favorite trope is second chance romance followed by (childhood) friends to lovers. Both just give me the angst and yearning I need without starting at zero. This one has a little of both! I loved watching Seb and Paige rekindling their romance. The longing was palpable and I was so here for it. Their lack of communication felt par for the course with their ages, but once they finally start communicating, I loved it. Seb was just SO sweet and ends up being more cinnamon roll than bad boy. 🥰
This book is classified as New Adult, right in between YA and adult, and it is definitely evident at times that we are dealing with college kids versus adults. This was mostly fine for me. I understood Paige’s pull to want to “get the gang back together” and keep their relationships in tact (which was very similar to Burnout Summer, a book I recently read & reviewed), but she is definitely very focused on it to almost a fault.
The treasure hunting storyline was fun! I thought the clues kept me on my toes and interested enough to keep listening to figure out how the book was going to end.
This story gives ALL the summery vibes and would be a perfect beach read!
🎧Allie Shae does a great job narrating Paige, but she lost me with some of her male voices and took me right out of the story 🙃 It’s the tricky thing about having one narrator do multiple voices of the opposite gender; I want to forget it’s only one person, which didn’t happen here. I still enjoyed the audiobook, but for me it’s not a must listen and I’d probably recommend eyeball reading.
May 28, 2026
3.75 but rounding up since I had a fun time with this book!
This book had amazing vibes throughout:
- hunting for a long lost treasure
- clues and riddles to solve 🕵🏻♀️
- summer in a lake town in Michigan 🌞
- getting the gang back together 🤝🏽
- childhood friends to lovers 🥰
- found family 💜
I went into this book thinking it was an adult contemporary romance but it was definitely more YA, so if you’re looking for tons of spice, you won’t find it here! What you will find is a banter and yearning though, and I found myself invested in the treasure hunt a lot more than the romance aspect of the story.
I thought the pacing was great in the book. However, I felt like the author could have made main characters act their age more consistently. They dealt with some very adult issues that gave the story a more serious tone at times, but the characters acted like nothing was happening. It didn't feel like their emotions matched up to the situation at hand.
Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyage for my eARC! Just in time to kick off my summer reads!
Spice: .5 / 5 🌶️
This book had amazing vibes throughout:
- hunting for a long lost treasure
- clues and riddles to solve 🕵🏻♀️
- summer in a lake town in Michigan 🌞
- getting the gang back together 🤝🏽
- childhood friends to lovers 🥰
- found family 💜
I went into this book thinking it was an adult contemporary romance but it was definitely more YA, so if you’re looking for tons of spice, you won’t find it here! What you will find is a banter and yearning though, and I found myself invested in the treasure hunt a lot more than the romance aspect of the story.
I thought the pacing was great in the book. However, I felt like the author could have made main characters act their age more consistently. They dealt with some very adult issues that gave the story a more serious tone at times, but the characters acted like nothing was happening. It didn't feel like their emotions matched up to the situation at hand.
Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyage for my eARC! Just in time to kick off my summer reads!
Spice: .5 / 5 🌶️
May 26, 2026
3.5⭐️
This was a fun friends to lovers summer romance mixed with treasure hunting! The Summer of Lost Things follows Paige and Seb and their childhood friend group as they are on the hunt for a famous treasure in their town. Prior to the start of the novel, the friend group was a bit disconnected so it was nice to see them reconnect and find their way back to each other over the course of the book! The treasure hunt plot added a lot of fun and adventure filled moments to the story but at times it did feel like it was put on the backburner. I didn't totally mind that because I really enjoyed Paige and Seb's dynamic. The "he's always been in love with her trope" always hits and these two had great tension that turned into a really sweet romance! Allie Shae does a great job narrating the audiobook as well! This book felt like watching an Outer Banks episode and I would recommend for a sweet summer romance!
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult for the ALC in exchange for my review!
This was a fun friends to lovers summer romance mixed with treasure hunting! The Summer of Lost Things follows Paige and Seb and their childhood friend group as they are on the hunt for a famous treasure in their town. Prior to the start of the novel, the friend group was a bit disconnected so it was nice to see them reconnect and find their way back to each other over the course of the book! The treasure hunt plot added a lot of fun and adventure filled moments to the story but at times it did feel like it was put on the backburner. I didn't totally mind that because I really enjoyed Paige and Seb's dynamic. The "he's always been in love with her trope" always hits and these two had great tension that turned into a really sweet romance! Allie Shae does a great job narrating the audiobook as well! This book felt like watching an Outer Banks episode and I would recommend for a sweet summer romance!
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult for the ALC in exchange for my review!
June 1, 2026
This is such a fun story, with the perfect setting and vibes, especially for a summer read. It’s young adult, and the characters felt relatable for their age, and had me hooked from the beginning. I loved their history and what they brought out in each other. If you like the TV show Outer Banks, you need this book in your life. It had the perfect pace, and just enough action.
I have always loved treasure hunting adventures, and with a second chance romance mixed in, this was my jam.
🎙️The audiobook is narrated by Allie Shae - she did a fantastic job with her solo performance. I love her voice, and how she differentiated between the characters, and brought their personalities and emotions to life.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
Small beach town setting - Lake Michigan
Childhood best friends
Second chance
Overachiever x bad boy
Treasure hunt
Family secrets
Partners in crime
Summer love
Single 1st POV
Thank you to Harper Audio, Avon Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copies!
I have always loved treasure hunting adventures, and with a second chance romance mixed in, this was my jam.
🎙️The audiobook is narrated by Allie Shae - she did a fantastic job with her solo performance. I love her voice, and how she differentiated between the characters, and brought their personalities and emotions to life.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
Small beach town setting - Lake Michigan
Childhood best friends
Second chance
Overachiever x bad boy
Treasure hunt
Family secrets
Partners in crime
Summer love
Single 1st POV
Thank you to Harper Audio, Avon Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copies!
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.
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.
June 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
fool’s gold by one direction !!!!!!!! THE BOOK’S SONG
i’ve enjoyed the author’s past works of young adult romances so i’m excited for this book aka my first adult romance by her!!!
while reading this book, i realized this isn’t just a summer romance but about grief and healing lost friendships. the real treasure was the friends we made along the way !!
a fun treasure-hunting adventure mixed with a second chance romance between childhood friends hehe!! how can i not love!!
also the flirty banter/tension between paige and seb was everything like i laughed out loud and blushed a few times. their tension were giving the song heat waves - glass animals
the way seb is obsessed with paige got me like the man who can’t be moved but in a funny, cool guy way. by the end, seb has become so endearing to me which is such a huge development bc when we first meet his character, he lowkey seemed like a red flag
“you and i don’t really need walls. all we need is each other. as long as we’re together, that’s home. in fact, we’re home right now. doesn’t it feel good to be here?” LIKE UGHHH HE GOT MEEEE
butterflies by brent faiyaz
august by taylor swift - vibe of the summer book
mine by taylor swift - paige and seb’s song
fool’s gold by one direction !!!!!!!! THE BOOK’S SONG
i’ve enjoyed the author’s past works of young adult romances so i’m excited for this book aka my first adult romance by her!!!
while reading this book, i realized this isn’t just a summer romance but about grief and healing lost friendships. the real treasure was the friends we made along the way !!
a fun treasure-hunting adventure mixed with a second chance romance between childhood friends hehe!! how can i not love!!
also the flirty banter/tension between paige and seb was everything like i laughed out loud and blushed a few times. their tension were giving the song heat waves - glass animals
the way seb is obsessed with paige got me like the man who can’t be moved but in a funny, cool guy way. by the end, seb has become so endearing to me which is such a huge development bc when we first meet his character, he lowkey seemed like a red flag
“you and i don’t really need walls. all we need is each other. as long as we’re together, that’s home. in fact, we’re home right now. doesn’t it feel good to be here?” LIKE UGHHH HE GOT MEEEE
butterflies by brent faiyaz
august by taylor swift - vibe of the summer book
mine by taylor swift - paige and seb’s song
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 📚✨🌊
June 8, 2026
The Summer of Lost Things 🏖️Audiobook/Book Review 📖 thank you @avonbooks Harper Audio for the free book and audiobook!
The Summer of Lost Things
by Jenn Bennett
Narrated by Allie Shae
out now!
Former childhood best friends Paige Malone and Seb Jansen haven’t spoken since high school. Now, Paige is home from Harvard after losing her financial aid, while Seb is struggling with regrets of his own. When Paige uncovers a clue tied to the legendary Golden Venus, a long lost treasure connected to her family, she reunites their old treasure hunting crew for one last adventure. As they chase answers hidden for generations, Paige and Seb may discover more than treasure along the way.
My thoughts 💭:
"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."
But this in your beach bag immediately! If summer could be bottled up and turned into a book, it might look a lot like this. I absolutely loved this one. It was nostalgic, heartwarming, and felt like the little adventure I didn’t know I needed. From the treasure hunt to the small town charm, this book captured that feeling of a perfect summer. I am a sucker for a good friends to lovers story, and this one delivered. The treasure hunt added a fun twist to the romance, giving the story an adventurous feel while still allowing the relationships to take center stage. What I loved most, though, was the friendship at the heart of it all. These characters felt real… messy, imperfect, and deeply connected in a way that made it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journey. Whether you’re reading by the pool, at the beach, or curled up on the couch with the AC blasting, this is the summer read you want in your hands. Come for the treasure hunt, stay for the romance, and don’t be surprised when you find yourself wishing you could spend one more summer with these characters!
What to Expect👇🏽
☀️Childhood friends to lovers
💕Second-chance romance
Treasure hunt
🤫Family secrets
🏖️Small beach town setting
Happy reading 📖🏖️💕
The Summer of Lost Things
by Jenn Bennett
Narrated by Allie Shae
out now!
Former childhood best friends Paige Malone and Seb Jansen haven’t spoken since high school. Now, Paige is home from Harvard after losing her financial aid, while Seb is struggling with regrets of his own. When Paige uncovers a clue tied to the legendary Golden Venus, a long lost treasure connected to her family, she reunites their old treasure hunting crew for one last adventure. As they chase answers hidden for generations, Paige and Seb may discover more than treasure along the way.
My thoughts 💭:
"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."
But this in your beach bag immediately! If summer could be bottled up and turned into a book, it might look a lot like this. I absolutely loved this one. It was nostalgic, heartwarming, and felt like the little adventure I didn’t know I needed. From the treasure hunt to the small town charm, this book captured that feeling of a perfect summer. I am a sucker for a good friends to lovers story, and this one delivered. The treasure hunt added a fun twist to the romance, giving the story an adventurous feel while still allowing the relationships to take center stage. What I loved most, though, was the friendship at the heart of it all. These characters felt real… messy, imperfect, and deeply connected in a way that made it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journey. Whether you’re reading by the pool, at the beach, or curled up on the couch with the AC blasting, this is the summer read you want in your hands. Come for the treasure hunt, stay for the romance, and don’t be surprised when you find yourself wishing you could spend one more summer with these characters!
What to Expect👇🏽
☀️Childhood friends to lovers
💕Second-chance romance
Treasure hunt
🤫Family secrets
🏖️Small beach town setting
Happy reading 📖🏖️💕
May 24, 2026
A fun adult romance from a YA Romance favorite of mine, Jenn Bennett!
I adored this book so much. It had the perfect amount of mystery, hijinks, and romantic tension to get me in the mood for summer!
I loved everything about the treasure hunt, from the history behind it, the group of friends (Wags) looking for it, and all the shenanigans they got up to to try to find it. This found family of friends was hilarious in their pursuit of the treasure, each offering something unique to the search, but ultimately our original Wags stole my heart most.
I love a second chance romance, especially of the childhood friends to lovers variety EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Tack on that it’s a studious good girl and a loveable rogue and I was smitten the entire time. Paige was an easy main character to like. She was reasonable, smart, and the right amount of jaded over her ex-best friend. Watching her go from wanting to not be around Seb to never wanting to leave his side was a fun transition to watch come about, especially when their connection was still so palpable years later.
And Seb. I absolutely fall a loveable rogue MMC. He was chill but observant, a jokester but serious when it came time to be, and totally and completely in love with our girl Paige. I loved the lightness he brought to some of the heavier moments and how he was much more than he appeared on the surface, whether it be during his bad boy times or his loveable goofball times.
Tying it back to the treasure hunt, I loved that her great-great-grandfather who supposedly hid the treasure was took down by a coast guard detective who was his great-great-grandfather. Their feuding families only lent more intrigue to their friendship and ultimate love for each other. I also loved that her nana definitely saw something in them long before they saw it in themselves and set these two up for treasure hunt success without them even knowing it.
Overall, a fun romance read right in time for summer!
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and Jenn Bennett for the eARC! The opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
I adored this book so much. It had the perfect amount of mystery, hijinks, and romantic tension to get me in the mood for summer!
I loved everything about the treasure hunt, from the history behind it, the group of friends (Wags) looking for it, and all the shenanigans they got up to to try to find it. This found family of friends was hilarious in their pursuit of the treasure, each offering something unique to the search, but ultimately our original Wags stole my heart most.
I love a second chance romance, especially of the childhood friends to lovers variety EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Tack on that it’s a studious good girl and a loveable rogue and I was smitten the entire time. Paige was an easy main character to like. She was reasonable, smart, and the right amount of jaded over her ex-best friend. Watching her go from wanting to not be around Seb to never wanting to leave his side was a fun transition to watch come about, especially when their connection was still so palpable years later.
And Seb. I absolutely fall a loveable rogue MMC. He was chill but observant, a jokester but serious when it came time to be, and totally and completely in love with our girl Paige. I loved the lightness he brought to some of the heavier moments and how he was much more than he appeared on the surface, whether it be during his bad boy times or his loveable goofball times.
Tying it back to the treasure hunt, I loved that her great-great-grandfather who supposedly hid the treasure was took down by a coast guard detective who was his great-great-grandfather. Their feuding families only lent more intrigue to their friendship and ultimate love for each other. I also loved that her nana definitely saw something in them long before they saw it in themselves and set these two up for treasure hunt success without them even knowing it.
Overall, a fun romance read right in time for summer!
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and Jenn Bennett for the eARC! The opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
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