The Summer of Lost Things

by Jenn Bennett

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

Genres: Romance, Adult, Contemporary, New Adult

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 7, 2026

About the author

Jenn 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.

Follow her on:

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Reviews

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[maddie's reading]

this is literally the prettiest cover ever I'm obsessed with it

[jenny reads a lot]

| IG | TikTok |

Thank you publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Portia Citlali · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 Star Read

I requested this ARC based on the book cover and description.

"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!"

I enjoyed The Summer of Lost Things and the cast of characters, though I did find myself wishing for a bit more whimsy. To be fair, I went in expecting something closer to The Goonies, which probably set me up with the wrong mindset. While there’s definitely mischief and adventure, the story leans more into the romance between Seb and Paige and their family dynamics.

I do believe the book aligns more to Outer Banks in terms of the social divide and working class. Which was a theme prominent throughout the book. The story mainly follows Seb and Paige and their group of friends. I liked their dynamic and started enjoying the story more once Jaz and Ben were a more consistent part of the picture. Once childhood friends who drifted apart when Paige left for college, they reconnected through their shared past as part of the WAGS, a group connected by a love of adventure and treasure hunting. Having become friends due to their intertwined families and association to certain illegal activities they reignite their friendship to go on yet another adventure. Doing so as they navigate situationships, town gossip, crime organizations and lost family treasures.

It was a quick and easy read, that was easy to follow filled with hometown history and family drama, and second chances.

I wanted to thank NetGalley for this ARC

[Topo Chicas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a swashbuckling good time!

After finishing her freshman year of college at Harvard, Paige Malone is back home in Haven Beach, Michigan, exhausted and frustrated with her financial situation. To make matters worse, she finds out that her former childhood best friend, Seb Jansen, has been squatting in her late grandmother’s house. A surprise discovery among her grandma’s possessions and Seb’s charm has Paige reuniting their friend group, the Scallywags (aka the Wags), for the summer and embarking on a treasure hunt for infamous Great Lakes pirate treasure. The group agrees that they could all use the money, but the more time Paige and Seb spend together, the more their reinstated friendship starts to feel like something a little more.

I have always been a huge fan of Jenn Bennett, particularly her contemporary young adult work (my favorite being The Anatomical Shape of a Heart)! Those books are annual rereads for me, so when I saw that she had written an adult romance, I jumped at the chance to read it. The Summer of Lost Things definitely gave me Serious Moonlight vibes!

I was so enthralled by the treasure hunt, I could not put this book down. The story was fast paced, action packed, and full of tension, particularly between Paige and Seb. I loved their childhood friends turned strangers turned friends and adventurers turned lovers trajectory.

What I found the most striking about this book was the dynamic friendship group. I can definitely confirm that the Wags are the Goonies meets Outer Banks but with a Midwest charm. Each character in the group felt so real and well rounded, and it made for great banter!

I can see this being a fun beach read when it’s out next May 2026! Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A perfect blend of summer magic, adventure, and heartfelt romance

The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett is an absolute gem—a story bursting with warmth, nostalgia, and that irresistible spark of summer adventure. From the very first page, it sweeps you into a world of sun-drenched beaches, buried secrets, and a second-chance romance that will make your heart soar.

Paige and Seb’s story is beautifully layered. Their journey from childhood best friends to estranged adults and back again feels genuinely emotional and deeply moving. Jenn captures the ache of growing up, losing touch, and finding your way back—to both yourself and the person who always mattered most. Their chemistry is electric, but it’s their emotional connection that truly shines.

The treasure hunt adds the perfect touch of excitement, blending mystery and nostalgia in a way that feels cinematic—like The Goonies, but with more heart and romance. Each clue, each discovery, deepens not only the plot but also the relationships between the characters.

Jenn’s writing is warm, vivid, and full of life. The beach town setting feels alive with charm, and the supporting characters add humor, depth, and just the right touch of small-town magic.

🌅 Final thoughts: The Summer of Lost Things is everything you want in a summer read—heartfelt, romantic, adventurous, and full of hope. It’s a love letter to second chances and the kind of friendships that never fade. Easily one of the best feel-good books of the year.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jenn Bennett's books. Anytime I see a new release of hers I need to grab it. She is amazing at writing teen and adult romance. This was no exception.  This story had drama, love, friendships, and treasure hunting. Paige lost her scholarship from Harvard because of her deadbeat dad's wealth.  Which didn't make too much sense because he refused to acknowledge he was her dad so why lose a scholarship for that? She came back for the summer to resolve the issue. Being back home and being able to be with her friends eventually leads to a treasure hunt for the Golden Venus—a legend among the locals and part of Paige's family history. With criminals tracking down the treasure as well, it's a race to see who finds it first. Additionally, Paige rediscovered her old friendship with Seb. I loved how she gave him a chance to redeem himself. I loved Paige's friends Benny and Jaz. The foursome buddies were enjoyable to read. It's beautiful to read a book that depicts a really solid and trustworthy friendship. The slow-burning romance was really good. That first kiss was chef's kiss perfection. Together Paige and Seb were adorable. The scenes between them were steamy. The only meh moments were the treasure hunting. I thought some of those scenes were a bit boring. The bad guys were a bit comical. And Paige's and Seb's dads were horrible individuals. They added to the melodrama of the story. The ending was really great and a bit surprising. Overall, it was a really incredible romance story. I definitely recommend it. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC.

[Tiffany Fairdosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, the cover to this book is STUPID PRETTY. I was immediately drawn to this by the cover and was so stoked to get selected to read this as an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me this. All opinions here are provided of my own free will.

So first of all, I had no expectations going into this book. I love friends to lovers and the cover was beautiful so I was already set up for a good mood. As I started reading, I had a couple of sour realizations though. The MCs were not my exact vibe but merely because I like to connect with the MCs in a way like they were my friends. I don't think our personalities would have meshed well; HOWEVER, I think the vibe is appropriate for others.

Despite being a student at Harvard, I felt like Paige could have been dumber than a sack of bricks but that is okay. The girl has trauma and the way our brain forgets rationality and smart choices when trauma and hormones hit in an angsty 19 year old body exists. Same for Seb. The boy just made some stupid decisions and we're all here for the both of them to make some smart choices along the way.

Anyway, I still enjoyed this read. It was like looking in through a glass window and watching a train wreck unfold. It was fun for the treasure hunting vibes but it really glossed over the corruptness and consequences of certain individuals within the town, the slow burn of their evolving relationship, and what was good in the end for their friends, Jazmine and Benny. They got done dirty and need a comeback story of their own.

[Carissa Subias · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Summer of Lost Things was adorable in its fun, quick-read way. I loved Sebastian (Seb) and thought his character was really well thought-out. On the other hand, I struggled to enjoy our main girl, Paige.

She initially comes off too naive for someone who is nineteen and at Harvard. I think what was supposed to be happening was she’s a smart girl with little relationship experience however it came off as mostly immature on her end for the first half of the story . She isn’t a virgin but her attitude about Seb potentially having a crush on her felt more like a girl of fifteen or sixteen and just didn’t feel like someone who would be turning twenty.

I do think her character improved around the sixty percent mark though and I felt like the relationship between her and Seb was sweet and developed nicely (although a bit rushed at one point but sort of expected). The spice wasn’t overly explicit but felt genuine!

I did also love Jaz and Benny — they were great side characters I was actually interested in! (I feel like it’s rare for me to be super invested in characters outside of our main couple.) I also really enjoyed that Benny and Jaz’s stories didn’t go in either way that I thought they would. I had my worries both of their stories would twist one way but I was pleasantly surprised it didn’t happen like that for either of them.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and thought the treasure hunting aspect was fun and done in a way that wasn’t super unrealistic. The ending was a nice touch as well and I love when things wrap up nicely!

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I’ll be honest and say that this one definitely delivered on its promise of The Goonies meets Outer Banks vibes. The coastal town setting, the treasure hunt, the messy friendships... it all gave me that same chaotic, sun drenched energy that makes you want to pack a bag and go on an adventure with your friends and find some hidden treasure. The Outer Banks vibes were especially strong; half the time I felt like I was reading the show, which was kind of fun.

The cover is absolutely stunning. I’m obsessed. It’s beautiful and I think it perfectly captures the vibes of the book.

Story wise, it was an easy, fast summer read, but it was nothing too deep, and yet still enjoyable. I loved the adventure elements and the cozy, nostalgic tone, though I really wish it had been dual POV. Being stuck in single, first person made it feel a little limited at times. The MMC came off a bit immature too, which made it hard to fully buy into the romance for me. And sometimes, it felt way too YA for me even though it was billed as a new adult romance.

That said, the small town coastal vibes, treasure hunting, and group friendship moments were cute and fun to read. If you’re into second chances, summer adventures, and stories that feel like sunshine mixed with a little mystery, this is a great summer read for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jenn Bennett, and Avon for the eARC of this book.

[Aish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenn Bennett is one of my favorite romance authors (I'm a huge Starry Eyes fan!) so I was incredibly excited to receive an ARC of her new book. I will say, this book felt different than the others. The treasure hunting aspect of the book appealed to my love for solving a mystery so I was definitely on board but the romance itself was a side character in the book. In other words, to me, the main focus of this book wasn't the romance, and as someone who has read many of Jenn Bennett's books, that usually isn't the case. Because of that, I wasn't feeling the connection between Paige and Seb, especially since they hadn't seen each other in forever and suddenly they are in love? It felt like an afterthought and made me want them to just rekindle their friendship and focus more on the Wags and their treasure hunting. What I was interested in though was the potential romantic relationship between Jazmine and Benny - honestly I would love another book that focuses on them!

Overall, the perfect beach/summer read - 4.5 stars! As others have mentioned, it felt more YA than New Adult but I definitely agree with readers' comments on the cover - stunning!

Thank you to Jenn Bennett, Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon a, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!

#TheSummerofLostThings #NetGalley

[Jade (beauty.andherbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st Read: ★★★★.5

Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun read! I breezed through this book in three days because I could not put it down! I definitely want to buy a physical copy when the book releases.

What I loved:
-The treasure hunt! I loved the clues and puzzle pieces that fit together to form the treasure hunt.
-The college-age characters. We often see lots of young adult books and adult books, but there seems to be a lack of college-aged characters. Because of this, we also got to explore the feelings of characters when all their friends leave to do their own things, which is a feeling many students experience.
-The friend-group dynamic. The friend group and their history felt believable.
-The romance had me giggling and kicking my feet! The chemistry was palpable and added a nice layer of tension.
-The Great Lakes setting. The scenery felt very vivid in my mind, and it was easy to immerse myself in the story.

What I thought could be improved:
-Honestly, not much! There were a couple of instances of Gen Z slang (e.g., sus), which I would personally change to make the book stand the test of time, but that's just me.
-Some plot twists were a bit telegraphed, but it wasn't too bad.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is 4 stars.
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"The Summer of Lost Things" gave me exactly what I was looking for, heartfelt characters a slow burning emotional core and that dreamy summertime atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and bittersweet. The friendships the small moments of vulnerability the gentle romance it all blended into a story that felt real in the quietest softest way.
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It’s one of those books that sneaks up on you emotionally leaving you thinking about the characters long after you’ve closed it. A perfect summer read if you love character driven stories with heart and warmth.
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very thankful for receiving an ARC from NetGalley!

[Peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two broke childhood friends reunite in their Michigan hometown to hunt for a legendary (and quite possibly nonexistent treasure) hoping the millions will solve their life problems. In between treasure hunting expeditions they confront their lost friendship, class inequalities, and their ever growing romance that continues to heat up.

Set in my home state, this book was solid in portraying small town life along the Lake Michigan Coast. The festivals, the beaches, the small town mentality, they were all there! The mystery along with the romance was well done and the relationship building between the childhood friends was touching. This book engaged me and all of a sudden it wasn't winter in Michigan, at least in mind my while I was reading!

Thanks to Jenn Bennett, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

[Cass (: · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute!
I haven’t watched Outer Banks, but from what I’ve heard about it, this book is definitely a cross between Outer Banks and The Inheritance Games. It reads like more of a YA, however it is technically New Adult and there is some spice (I’d give it a 2 or 3 pepper rating, and it takes a while for the spice to kick in.) the storyline was captivating and fun to follow, and the mystery element was so fun! Overall a great and easy read! Definitely makes sense that it’s set to come out in May, it gives total summer read vibes.
Thank you to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read/review this book!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I picked this one up because I loved “Alex, Approximately”. This book was just okay to me. I liked that the plot had a little bit of everything: romance, adventure, drama, criminals, absent fathers, friendship problems, etc. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with it, but I didn’t connect with any of the characters. And some of the drama felt a little too much for me. It does read more YA than NA to me, like some other reviewers have also pointed out. Otherwise, it was a decent read!

[Molly Gore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first drawn to this book because of it taking place in Michigan which is where I grew up. So, I was happy that Haven Beach felt like a real western Michigan coastal town to me.

Now as for the rest of the book—the treasure hunt was exciting and it did remind me of the first season of Outer Banks. However, I was able to spot the betrayal a mile away and they should have been able to as well!

The romance was missing something for me. The leap from ‘haven’t seen my old friend in a while that I fell out with’ to ‘I love you’ felt too quick.

Still this was an enjoyable read with a satisfactory ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

[Olivia Compton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Outer Banks then this is a book for you.
-Childhood friends to lovers
-Treasure hunting
-A few horrible horrible father figures
I found this book so cute. It’s definitely a nice little beach read (fitting because I read it in the middle of winter but I just imagined myself on a beach). The treasure hunting definitely keeps you interested and possibly make you want to go scouting for a lost pirates treasure on your own lol.
Seb and Paige were adorable with their little hidden glances and secret pining. And their ending was just perfect.
I’d be excited to read another book in this series because Jaz and Benny??…👀

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think after reading this book I finally understand the “new adult” genre label. The treasure hunt aspect was engaging and exciting, and it kept me turning the pages. The romance and friendships felt a little choppy at times, but overall it was a quick and enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Lex fullybookedbabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite young adult nor adult, this was a college aged romance rife with treasure hunting.

For fans of Netflix’s Outerbanks, the book explores class division, a found family group of treasure hunting friends, and a slow burn romance.

As a Michigander who frequents Lake Michigan, the beach town references were spot on!

[heba]

A fast and easy summer read packed with coastal-town vibes, buried treasure, and a fun ex-childhood-friends-to-lovers chemistry. The adventure is fun, the friendships are messy, and the romance adds just the right amount of heat. What could go wrong?

Thank you to NetGalley and the Avon/Harper Voyager team for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kennedy Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

ah yes, i love when the friends to lovers trope is done correctly.

[Kaitlyn]

The Goonies and Outer Banks?! The stunning cover grabbed my attention but that description hooked me.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc!!

Pub Date May 26 2026 / Avon