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The Summer of Lost Things
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Expected 7 Apr 26Sexy new adult romance meets swashbuckling adventure when ex childhood friends Paige and Seb reconnect to finally track down the treasure that has been a legend in their small Michigan beach town for decades. Perfect for fans of
The Goonies
and Netflix’s
Outer Banks
who are craving more romance!
Star pupil Paige Malone just finished her first year at Harvard. Dropout Seb Jansen spent that time pumping gas for wealthy yacht owners at a Lake Michigan marina. They haven’t seen each other since high school. A shame, considering that they were once inseparable childhood friends who combed their coastal hometown’s sun-kissed beaches along with a couple of other middle-school pals—hunting the Golden Venus, a legendary local treasure that’s distantly connected to Paige’s family.
A treasure rumored to be worth millions of dollars. If it even exists.
These days, however, the former BFFs have traded adventure for reality. Paige is home for the summer and is spiraling after losing her college financial aid. While across town, Seb fell in with a bad crowd and now regrets his life choices, big time. Both feel colossally stuck. And alone.
But when Paige stumbles upon a hidden secret in her grandmother’s beach cottage, she must get their old treasure-hunting gang back together to finally unravel the mystery that has eluded her family for generations. Who the thrill of the hunt might help Paige and Seb find a path back to their lost friendship…or something more.
The Summer of Lost Things brings the summer heat with its combination of a high stakes treasure hunt and a swoony love story.
Tropes
Childhood friends to lovers Second-chance romance Treasure hunt Family secrets Partners in crime Summer love Small beach town setting Overachiever x bad boy Loveable rogue
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
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 7, 2026
2 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Jenn Bennett
26 books4,937 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 41 reviews
November 11, 2025
Friends to lovers (roommates, even!), second chance romance and treasure hunting.
I love the treasure hunt plot going on.
It’s always so much fun to read about, and I think it creatures so much energy and adventure.
I will say I feel like it was sort of… forgotten about? Around the midway point of this, when we started to focus more on the romantic development.
Personally, I thought it was okay though, because I was willing to sacrifice that for the nice romance scenes.
It does it back on track more toward the end though.
This story is focused primarily on the main characters Paige and Seb, but their childhood friend group is also part of it, which I liked a lot.
I loved seeing them reconnect with each other and re-develop their friendships. That’s just such a sweet and lovable plot.
Also, Paige and seb were too cute.
There really were some nice moments between them.
I adore the second-chance romance trope in general, so I ate that up.
There is even a point in this where they *try* to be roommates. So we get friends-to-lovers, second chance roommates?! HELLO?
I love.
The amount of times it was mentioned that Paige went to Harvard, was a lot.
I’m not a fan of over-repetition, so I started to get ever so slightly irritated. Especially when it seems to be bused as a comparison to her friends, to show that she is the one that grew up to be smart and successful.
Not that Paige gave of the vibe that she felt that way about herself, but it seems to be part of the reason it is mentioned so many times.
It wasn’t a huge deal, but I mentally noted it a few times.
Random note:
- Sharing a toothbrush and a razor and calling it intimate gave me chills. Shivers down my spine. Unapproved!
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and author Jenn Bennett, for providing me with the eARC of “The Summer of Lost Things”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 26, 2026
I love the treasure hunt plot going on.
It’s always so much fun to read about, and I think it creatures so much energy and adventure.
I will say I feel like it was sort of… forgotten about? Around the midway point of this, when we started to focus more on the romantic development.
Personally, I thought it was okay though, because I was willing to sacrifice that for the nice romance scenes.
It does it back on track more toward the end though.
This story is focused primarily on the main characters Paige and Seb, but their childhood friend group is also part of it, which I liked a lot.
I loved seeing them reconnect with each other and re-develop their friendships. That’s just such a sweet and lovable plot.
Also, Paige and seb were too cute.
There really were some nice moments between them.
I adore the second-chance romance trope in general, so I ate that up.
There is even a point in this where they *try* to be roommates. So we get friends-to-lovers, second chance roommates?! HELLO?
I love.
The amount of times it was mentioned that Paige went to Harvard, was a lot.
I’m not a fan of over-repetition, so I started to get ever so slightly irritated. Especially when it seems to be bused as a comparison to her friends, to show that she is the one that grew up to be smart and successful.
Not that Paige gave of the vibe that she felt that way about herself, but it seems to be part of the reason it is mentioned so many times.
It wasn’t a huge deal, but I mentally noted it a few times.
Random note:
- Sharing a toothbrush and a razor and calling it intimate gave me chills. Shivers down my spine. Unapproved!
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and author Jenn Bennett, for providing me with the eARC of “The Summer of Lost Things”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 26, 2026
Want to read
October 25, 2025this is literally the prettiest cover ever I'm obsessed with it
arc-tbr
December 23, 2025
January 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars rounded up.
When I first started this book, I wasn’t a fan of it and was worried I wasn’t going to like it at all, but it just needed to find its groove. I’m glad I stuck with it because it got better as it went on.
It was very much like “Outer Banks”, but it also stood on its own. I liked the setting, it was a great summer read in that case.
Paul very much reminded me of Rafe Cameron so I had a hard time not liking him. I lowkey liked him and Jaz together. He was definitely toxic for her, so it’s good they didn’t end up together, but I was almost hoping for a redemption arc for him.
It was written a little more like a YA book, even though they were adults. There was a sex scene, sexual content, and language though, so this certainly wasn’t a young adult book even though it felt like it with the writing.
I really would have eaten this up if I was younger, but this was still entertaining as an adult.
I think the end wrapped up a little too nicely for the Wags. I wasn’t expecting them to not come out on top, but it still felt a little too easy.
Paige kind of drove me nuts, I wasn’t really a fan of her, but it’s not like I hated her. She had a really stupid moment at the end of the book which got me mad, but I knew it was all part of the story.
I did NOT care about Seb and her relationship at all. Seb was kind of annoying too if I think about it. He wasn’t charming or compelling at all. I felt no chemistry between the two of them. Maybe because I don’t like the childhood friends to lovers trope, but I could not get into their relationship. I wish this book didn’t have that plot line.
It was also weird for a while there that Jaz especially was so angry that Paige and Seb were maybe going to get together. Her concern was valid in a way, but she had to have known Paige had feelings for Seb and wouldn’t hurt him, but Jaz didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt.
I was mainly here for them treasure hunting and the friendship dynamic. Jaz and Paige had a really nice friendship. I wasn’t totally sold on the groups friendship, especially because for the most part Benny was just kind of there with no real personality, but it’s fine. I loved Jaz, I think she was my favorite. She had the most characteristics I thought, whether it was messy or not.
I know it kind of seems like I am hating on this book which is partially why I am giving it 3.5 stars, but I did enjoy it. It was a fast paced read and just a fun book to get into. I was entertained throughout.
3.5 stars rounded up.
When I first started this book, I wasn’t a fan of it and was worried I wasn’t going to like it at all, but it just needed to find its groove. I’m glad I stuck with it because it got better as it went on.
It was very much like “Outer Banks”, but it also stood on its own. I liked the setting, it was a great summer read in that case.
Paul very much reminded me of Rafe Cameron so I had a hard time not liking him. I lowkey liked him and Jaz together. He was definitely toxic for her, so it’s good they didn’t end up together, but I was almost hoping for a redemption arc for him.
It was written a little more like a YA book, even though they were adults. There was a sex scene, sexual content, and language though, so this certainly wasn’t a young adult book even though it felt like it with the writing.
I really would have eaten this up if I was younger, but this was still entertaining as an adult.
I think the end wrapped up a little too nicely for the Wags. I wasn’t expecting them to not come out on top, but it still felt a little too easy.
Paige kind of drove me nuts, I wasn’t really a fan of her, but it’s not like I hated her. She had a really stupid moment at the end of the book which got me mad, but I knew it was all part of the story.
I did NOT care about Seb and her relationship at all. Seb was kind of annoying too if I think about it. He wasn’t charming or compelling at all. I felt no chemistry between the two of them. Maybe because I don’t like the childhood friends to lovers trope, but I could not get into their relationship. I wish this book didn’t have that plot line.
It was also weird for a while there that Jaz especially was so angry that Paige and Seb were maybe going to get together. Her concern was valid in a way, but she had to have known Paige had feelings for Seb and wouldn’t hurt him, but Jaz didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt.
I was mainly here for them treasure hunting and the friendship dynamic. Jaz and Paige had a really nice friendship. I wasn’t totally sold on the groups friendship, especially because for the most part Benny was just kind of there with no real personality, but it’s fine. I loved Jaz, I think she was my favorite. She had the most characteristics I thought, whether it was messy or not.
I know it kind of seems like I am hating on this book which is partially why I am giving it 3.5 stars, but I did enjoy it. It was a fast paced read and just a fun book to get into. I was entertained throughout.
December 14, 2025
I'm going to be honest and I wanted to read this because of the cover. I mean it's GORGEOUS and super cute and fun. I think the story itself is also very fun and I think if you like Outer Banks then you'll enjoy this. I honestly found the dialogue very awkward and didn't flow naturally. I don't know if I bought this group of people as friends, but I found that chemistry and relationship aspect worked better than the romantic aspects. It says adult but this felt very young adult and the choices characters made felt childish. BESIDES that, it was a pretty quick and fast paced read. It was a fun little read and a perfect summertime read.
Thank you to avon and harper and netgalley for the arc!
Thank you to avon and harper and netgalley for the arc!
February 10, 2026
First thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Jenn Bennett for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this book after reading the description of “an adult romance” for fans of The Outer Banks and The Goonies with a hunt for lost treasure. The blurb and the cover hooked me and I was so excited when I got the approval for this one. And while it was good, it fell a bit short for me.
What worked well:
•The setting - the beach town, the “class society” of the town, were all fleshed out well and gave the perfect summery vibe along with meeting that Outer Banks expectation.
• The rag tag treasure hunting gang - this group with all their drama and history gave all the entertainment value of a soap opera while also hitting on notes of nostalgia.
• The treasure hunting storyline - While some of the clues were easy to guess at, the whole treasure hunting plot added some fun and action to the book. And the final clue did get me by surprise a little bit!
What didn’t work for me:
• This was pushed as an adult romance. And while there is some spice, and some adult content surrounding the little crime group, and some references to drug use, it still had a feeling of a YA novel. It could be due to the fact that the main characters were teenagers and were going though all the emotions of that angsty period of life, but I did find some things to be tad on the cringy, immature side.
• The mention of the FMC attending Harvard, a lot. To be fair, troubles with her school scholarships and funding are why she has found herself back home for the summer, so it should be mentioned a few times, but it felt like it was being mentioned more than needed. And I didn’t like that it felt like at sometimes it was being used as a way to put her ahead of her friends from back home?!?
Overall this book is a great book if you want something fun and uncomplicated for a summer read on the beach. And if you’re a fan of the soap opera type drama, then you’ll enjoy this as well.
I requested this book after reading the description of “an adult romance” for fans of The Outer Banks and The Goonies with a hunt for lost treasure. The blurb and the cover hooked me and I was so excited when I got the approval for this one. And while it was good, it fell a bit short for me.
What worked well:
•The setting - the beach town, the “class society” of the town, were all fleshed out well and gave the perfect summery vibe along with meeting that Outer Banks expectation.
• The rag tag treasure hunting gang - this group with all their drama and history gave all the entertainment value of a soap opera while also hitting on notes of nostalgia.
• The treasure hunting storyline - While some of the clues were easy to guess at, the whole treasure hunting plot added some fun and action to the book. And the final clue did get me by surprise a little bit!
What didn’t work for me:
• This was pushed as an adult romance. And while there is some spice, and some adult content surrounding the little crime group, and some references to drug use, it still had a feeling of a YA novel. It could be due to the fact that the main characters were teenagers and were going though all the emotions of that angsty period of life, but I did find some things to be tad on the cringy, immature side.
• The mention of the FMC attending Harvard, a lot. To be fair, troubles with her school scholarships and funding are why she has found herself back home for the summer, so it should be mentioned a few times, but it felt like it was being mentioned more than needed. And I didn’t like that it felt like at sometimes it was being used as a way to put her ahead of her friends from back home?!?
Overall this book is a great book if you want something fun and uncomplicated for a summer read on the beach. And if you’re a fan of the soap opera type drama, then you’ll enjoy this as well.
November 4, 2025
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
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
December 8, 2025
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!
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!
January 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Jenn Bennett for an advanced reader copy of The Summer of Lost Things in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, I LOVED this book! My only regret is not reading it closer to summer, because its summer vibes are impeccable.
One of the blurbs claims that The Summer of Lost Things is great for fans of Outer Banks, and I would definitely agree!
The Summer of Lost Things was a really great time. I honestly don’t know where to start because I loved so much about it. The writing was wonderful, the book read very quickly and easily, and I never wanted to stop.
The characters are an interesting group of misfits, and it was fun experiencing a small, lakeside town in Michigan.
And the treasure hunt was a blast! Super original, but still really easy to follow along with. My only complaint is that one of the clues felt really obvious to me, BUT the resolution of the clue was a surprise, and I was still caught off guard. It was really enjoyable to experience an adventure that I would NEVER actually be a part of, and this really hit on my favorite part of reading— experiencing something completely unique and new to my life!
I enjoyed the mix of teenage drama, family drama, and darker, more criminal drama. I felt like I was constantly on my toes (but never stressed out), and I never wanted to stop reading so I could finally learn all the answers to all the mysteries.
And the spice was great, too! Honestly, the yearning and the tension building up to the spice was my favorite part, and I loved every way the author honored Seb and Paige’s relationship, both physical and emotional.
I would definitely recommend The Summer of Lost Things to all my friends!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, I LOVED this book! My only regret is not reading it closer to summer, because its summer vibes are impeccable.
One of the blurbs claims that The Summer of Lost Things is great for fans of Outer Banks, and I would definitely agree!
The Summer of Lost Things was a really great time. I honestly don’t know where to start because I loved so much about it. The writing was wonderful, the book read very quickly and easily, and I never wanted to stop.
The characters are an interesting group of misfits, and it was fun experiencing a small, lakeside town in Michigan.
And the treasure hunt was a blast! Super original, but still really easy to follow along with. My only complaint is that one of the clues felt really obvious to me, BUT the resolution of the clue was a surprise, and I was still caught off guard. It was really enjoyable to experience an adventure that I would NEVER actually be a part of, and this really hit on my favorite part of reading— experiencing something completely unique and new to my life!
I enjoyed the mix of teenage drama, family drama, and darker, more criminal drama. I felt like I was constantly on my toes (but never stressed out), and I never wanted to stop reading so I could finally learn all the answers to all the mysteries.
And the spice was great, too! Honestly, the yearning and the tension building up to the spice was my favorite part, and I loved every way the author honored Seb and Paige’s relationship, both physical and emotional.
I would definitely recommend The Summer of Lost Things to all my friends!
November 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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.
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.
November 10, 2025
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.
December 1, 2025
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.
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.
December 8, 2025
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks so much to @avonbooks for the ebook. The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett was one I was super excited to read and it blew my expectations out of the water. This one pubs on May 25, 2026
✔️ Former childhood friends
✔️ Second Chance
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Teaming Up
✔️ Let's Keep Us a Secret
✔️ Opposites
Paige is a Harvard student who has to come home and figure out how to pay for the rest of her education. She returned to her deceased grandma's house and it's trashed. Her childhood best friend Jaz is acting kinda weird and cagey. Her former best friend Seb had a glow-up of sorts but things are weird between them too. However, teaming to find a treasure could be what their friendship needs to get back on track, if only Paige could stop being attracted to Seb.
So I haven't always been a huge fan of a "finding a treasure" romance. The clues have to be good, you can't lose track of spending time with the characters in service of the adventure plot, and you can't be cheesy. I should never have doubted that Jenn Bennett could pull this off.
I loved all the little treasure-related reveals but I also loved how each step also did a good job at pushing the Paige and Seb together and making them also unearth all their buried feelings (the real treasure! see what I did there?!)
The forced proximity was great. I also loved the chemistry between Paige and Seb, some really funny moments that had my feet kicking up in the air, and a truly delightful swoony ending. 5⭐️
Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕💕
✔️ Former childhood friends
✔️ Second Chance
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Teaming Up
✔️ Let's Keep Us a Secret
✔️ Opposites
Paige is a Harvard student who has to come home and figure out how to pay for the rest of her education. She returned to her deceased grandma's house and it's trashed. Her childhood best friend Jaz is acting kinda weird and cagey. Her former best friend Seb had a glow-up of sorts but things are weird between them too. However, teaming to find a treasure could be what their friendship needs to get back on track, if only Paige could stop being attracted to Seb.
So I haven't always been a huge fan of a "finding a treasure" romance. The clues have to be good, you can't lose track of spending time with the characters in service of the adventure plot, and you can't be cheesy. I should never have doubted that Jenn Bennett could pull this off.
I loved all the little treasure-related reveals but I also loved how each step also did a good job at pushing the Paige and Seb together and making them also unearth all their buried feelings (the real treasure! see what I did there?!)
The forced proximity was great. I also loved the chemistry between Paige and Seb, some really funny moments that had my feet kicking up in the air, and a truly delightful swoony ending. 5⭐️
Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕💕
January 27, 2026
2.5⭐️
First off, let’s all appreciate the GORGEOUS cover! Single-handedly the reason why I wanted to read this book so badly. I love the cover!!
Unfortunately, that’s really all I liked from this book. From the beginning of this, I felt like something was missing with the dialogue. And there was A LOT of dialogue.
I’m not sure if it’s because they’re so young and have a lot of emotions in the book, but each time Paige and Seb talked, it didn’t click for me. It felt cringey and I was not invested in the story at all.
I wanted to feel the magic of their search with all the clues and codes and such found, but I had trouble even picturing the setting in my head. There were a few well written sections, like Paige diving down for the skeleton key, or when they go camping. But it felt few and far between.
This book felt like it wanted to capture way too many cliches at once, and every character was one dimensional. Like, we get it, Seb doesn’t have his life together and does drugs and parties and isn’t responsible. I didn’t think this needed to be said a hundred times. Also I swear I’m not a prude, but weed was brought up waaay too many times. I felt like it didn’t fit the vibe in certain settings.
Props to the author though, because I hadn’t expected the twist with who was involved as the “villains” of the story.
Overall, I wish there was more show, not tell. It got a little bit better in the last 70 pages, and had some twists, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read in exchange for an honest review!!
First off, let’s all appreciate the GORGEOUS cover! Single-handedly the reason why I wanted to read this book so badly. I love the cover!!
Unfortunately, that’s really all I liked from this book. From the beginning of this, I felt like something was missing with the dialogue. And there was A LOT of dialogue.
I’m not sure if it’s because they’re so young and have a lot of emotions in the book, but each time Paige and Seb talked, it didn’t click for me. It felt cringey and I was not invested in the story at all.
I wanted to feel the magic of their search with all the clues and codes and such found, but I had trouble even picturing the setting in my head. There were a few well written sections, like Paige diving down for the skeleton key, or when they go camping. But it felt few and far between.
This book felt like it wanted to capture way too many cliches at once, and every character was one dimensional. Like, we get it, Seb doesn’t have his life together and does drugs and parties and isn’t responsible. I didn’t think this needed to be said a hundred times. Also I swear I’m not a prude, but weed was brought up waaay too many times. I felt like it didn’t fit the vibe in certain settings.
Props to the author though, because I hadn’t expected the twist with who was involved as the “villains” of the story.
Overall, I wish there was more show, not tell. It got a little bit better in the last 70 pages, and had some twists, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read in exchange for an honest review!!
November 13, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett is a new adult romance and adventure novel about former best friends Paige and Seb who reunite in their small Michigan beach town to hunt for a legendary treasure, hoping to solve family mysteries and find their way back to each other amidst personal struggles. The book blends coming-of-age themes with a treasure hunt, exploring themes of lost friendship, regret, and finding a new path forward al and relatable.
I’m not gonna lie, the amount of times I read about Paige attending Harvard was a little over kill😅 The book made me laugh and had me tearing up a little with the themes of grief. It was advertised as adult, but this definitely gives me a little more YA vibes especially with it being a little coming of age. Also, the conversations and decisions made by her friends definitely show them being a little younger.
I loved Jaz and Benny as side characters! They were fun and helped bring the story together. A lot happened towards the end and some of it felt a little unresolved. I can’t help but wonder if there will be another book in the series. Overall cute and easy read.
I’m not gonna lie, the amount of times I read about Paige attending Harvard was a little over kill😅 The book made me laugh and had me tearing up a little with the themes of grief. It was advertised as adult, but this definitely gives me a little more YA vibes especially with it being a little coming of age. Also, the conversations and decisions made by her friends definitely show them being a little younger.
I loved Jaz and Benny as side characters! They were fun and helped bring the story together. A lot happened towards the end and some of it felt a little unresolved. I can’t help but wonder if there will be another book in the series. Overall cute and easy read.
November 24, 2025
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.
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.
December 31, 2025
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett is a warm, engaging mix of summer romance, nostalgia, and adventure that completely pulled me in. From the start, I loved the coastal setting and the way the story leans into small-town history and unresolved pasts.
The treasure hunt element was easily my favorite part. The clues, local legends, and group dynamic added so much energy to the story and kept me turning pages. It wasn’t just about searching for something lost—it became a way for the characters to reconnect with their pasts, their hometown, and each other.
The romance unfolds naturally alongside the mystery, with emotional depth that never feels rushed. I really enjoyed the balance between lighthearted summer moments and quieter, reflective ones.
This is a perfect summer read—immersive, heartfelt, and fun without sacrificing emotional weight. A great recommendation for readers who enjoy second-chance romance, small-town vibes, and a touch of adventure.
The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett is a warm, engaging mix of summer romance, nostalgia, and adventure that completely pulled me in. From the start, I loved the coastal setting and the way the story leans into small-town history and unresolved pasts.
The treasure hunt element was easily my favorite part. The clues, local legends, and group dynamic added so much energy to the story and kept me turning pages. It wasn’t just about searching for something lost—it became a way for the characters to reconnect with their pasts, their hometown, and each other.
The romance unfolds naturally alongside the mystery, with emotional depth that never feels rushed. I really enjoyed the balance between lighthearted summer moments and quieter, reflective ones.
This is a perfect summer read—immersive, heartfelt, and fun without sacrificing emotional weight. A great recommendation for readers who enjoy second-chance romance, small-town vibes, and a touch of adventure.
December 5, 2025
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!
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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.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
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.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
very thankful for receiving an ARC from NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Review copy courtesy of Avon through Edelweiss
Jenn Bennett has been one of those writers I adore and love rereading, but her last couple of books have been her branching out to other genres (children's fantasy and I think romantasy) so I was happy this book went back to her usual type of contemporary romance, mixed with adventure. The book is definitely New Adult slash YA adjacent, and I loved the "Goonies" shout out in the description. Paige is back in her small Michigan lake town, on her first break from Harvard, and finds her friends (and enemies) are on a treasure hunt to find a pirate's long lost gold. There is a second chance romance between Paige and her childhood best friend Seb, and I liked the way the action ramps up as the book nears its ending. Will make a great beach read for the summer.
Jenn Bennett has been one of those writers I adore and love rereading, but her last couple of books have been her branching out to other genres (children's fantasy and I think romantasy) so I was happy this book went back to her usual type of contemporary romance, mixed with adventure. The book is definitely New Adult slash YA adjacent, and I loved the "Goonies" shout out in the description. Paige is back in her small Michigan lake town, on her first break from Harvard, and finds her friends (and enemies) are on a treasure hunt to find a pirate's long lost gold. There is a second chance romance between Paige and her childhood best friend Seb, and I liked the way the action ramps up as the book nears its ending. Will make a great beach read for the summer.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Imagine The Goonies meets Outer Banks.
I’ll be honest, I initially picked this up because the cover is absolutely gorgeous. It’s the perfect aesthetic for a summer adventure, and the "treasure hunt" premise delivered.
I’m typically not a big fan of friends-to-lovers, but this actually worked for me! The history between the characters felt earned and grounded the adventure.
The setting perfectly captures that "one last summer" feeling. If you love stories about groups of friends chasing secrets in the sun, you’ll enjoy the pacing here.
This was marketed as Adult Fiction, but it reads much more like Young Adult. The characters are only a year out of high school, and their actions often felt quite childish.I found the spicy scenes unnecessary. They didn't do anything to move the plot forward and felt like they were only included to justify the "Adult" label.
The writing made it a bit too easy to spot the twists. I clocked Lulu’s ulterior motives almost immediately, and it was pretty clear that Paige’s dad was going to end up being the main antagonist.
While it was a bit predictable and felt younger than advertised, it was still a fun, breezy read. It’s a solid choice if you want a cinematic summer mystery, but don't expect to be shocked by the reveals!
Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this eARC.
I’ll be honest, I initially picked this up because the cover is absolutely gorgeous. It’s the perfect aesthetic for a summer adventure, and the "treasure hunt" premise delivered.
I’m typically not a big fan of friends-to-lovers, but this actually worked for me! The history between the characters felt earned and grounded the adventure.
The setting perfectly captures that "one last summer" feeling. If you love stories about groups of friends chasing secrets in the sun, you’ll enjoy the pacing here.
This was marketed as Adult Fiction, but it reads much more like Young Adult. The characters are only a year out of high school, and their actions often felt quite childish.I found the spicy scenes unnecessary. They didn't do anything to move the plot forward and felt like they were only included to justify the "Adult" label.
The writing made it a bit too easy to spot the twists. I clocked Lulu’s ulterior motives almost immediately, and it was pretty clear that Paige’s dad was going to end up being the main antagonist.
While it was a bit predictable and felt younger than advertised, it was still a fun, breezy read. It’s a solid choice if you want a cinematic summer mystery, but don't expect to be shocked by the reveals!
Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2026
This was marketed to me as the goonies meets outer banks and if by outer banks you mean the very last season where they randomly go to the dessert and everything kind of falls apart i think it delivers !
No it wasn’t that bad at all.
The cover of this book is gorgeous, the characters and writing is where things got a little muddy for me . The characters didn’t click for me, dialogue was a bit clunky or too on the nose . Within chapters her and her enemy ex were already flirting again and she was calling him by his nickname ?
The plot developed very slow and i never found myself gravitating towards this book. I also feel like others that it did feel very YA compared to adult .
Overall it was good, i think younger audiences will like it more !
No it wasn’t that bad at all.
The cover of this book is gorgeous, the characters and writing is where things got a little muddy for me . The characters didn’t click for me, dialogue was a bit clunky or too on the nose . Within chapters her and her enemy ex were already flirting again and she was calling him by his nickname ?
The plot developed very slow and i never found myself gravitating towards this book. I also feel like others that it did feel very YA compared to adult .
Overall it was good, i think younger audiences will like it more !
January 27, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
I loved this! Now, I am the absolute bullseye of the target audience because I grew up with a very close knit group of friends that always wanted adventures. I was also a huge fan of The Goonies and even wrote a story in the style of The Goonies starring my friends. They don't know that, please don't tell them. Anyway, this book was so fun, it felt like revisiting a memory as an adult following a treasure hunt and using real life experience to solve the mystery of Wyrd Jack and his missing treasure. I have found that I really jive with Jenn Bennett's writing as I have really enjoyed a lot of her other works and I'm so happy this met my expectations!
I loved this! Now, I am the absolute bullseye of the target audience because I grew up with a very close knit group of friends that always wanted adventures. I was also a huge fan of The Goonies and even wrote a story in the style of The Goonies starring my friends. They don't know that, please don't tell them. Anyway, this book was so fun, it felt like revisiting a memory as an adult following a treasure hunt and using real life experience to solve the mystery of Wyrd Jack and his missing treasure. I have found that I really jive with Jenn Bennett's writing as I have really enjoyed a lot of her other works and I'm so happy this met my expectations!
February 13, 2026
(hello this cover??? SO CUTE!!)
can’t stress enough how fun this book is!!! kinda reminds me of outer banks (first season at least) and i ate it up. treasure hunt books are hit and miss for me but this one was great!! and it has one of my all time favorite tropes: CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS!!! the fmc was a breath of fresh air, she is very real and relatable and the mmc was so charismatic and obsessed with her i lovedddd it. i LOVED the friend group and they were great secondary characters
(also there’s a villain character in this & i kinda wanted him to be redeemed butttt whatever)
perfect summer vacation book!! thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review via netgalley. all opinions are my own <3
can’t stress enough how fun this book is!!! kinda reminds me of outer banks (first season at least) and i ate it up. treasure hunt books are hit and miss for me but this one was great!! and it has one of my all time favorite tropes: CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS!!! the fmc was a breath of fresh air, she is very real and relatable and the mmc was so charismatic and obsessed with her i lovedddd it. i LOVED the friend group and they were great secondary characters
(also there’s a villain character in this & i kinda wanted him to be redeemed butttt whatever)
perfect summer vacation book!! thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review via netgalley. all opinions are my own <3
November 8, 2025
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!
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!
November 23, 2025
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!
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!
December 10, 2025
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!
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!
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