What do you think?
Rate this book
The Summer Girlfriend
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26A stand-in girlfriend and a handsome business heir find that their fake summer fling is feeling way too real in this new romance by USA Today bestselling author Kristina Forest.
Noelle Lewis doesn’t have time for long walks on the beach, brunch with the girls, or summer vacations. She’s too busy saving up to go back to college. After recently getting laid off from her bookseller job, her main gig is now serving as a “stand-in” bridesmaid, which doesn’t pay enough for the upcoming semester’s tuition. But then the perfect, if not unconventional, opportunity arises…
Jeremiah Smith II, grandson of the founder of Smith’s Sweets—a well-known baked goods company—once lived a life of frivolity. Since his grandfather’s death, Jeremiah’s tried to clean up his act, but it’s hard to focus when his family requests that he join them at their summer house in Heart Beach, New Jersey, where his most painful memory lies. To avoid going there, Jeremiah claims he already has plans with his girlfriend, and of course, his family tells him to bring her. The problem? Jeremiah doesn’t have a girlfriend.
After a chance meeting, Noelle and Jeremiah come to an agreement. He’ll hire her to be his stand-in girlfriend for the weekend, and she’ll use that money toward her tuition. She figures it will be quick, easy money, but as it turns out, Jeremiah’s family is lovely, and Jeremiah is even lovelier. Soon, a weekend agreement turns into an entire summer, and Noelle and Jeremiah will have to keep their hearts in check, or else it’s sink or swim for them both.
Noelle Lewis doesn’t have time for long walks on the beach, brunch with the girls, or summer vacations. She’s too busy saving up to go back to college. After recently getting laid off from her bookseller job, her main gig is now serving as a “stand-in” bridesmaid, which doesn’t pay enough for the upcoming semester’s tuition. But then the perfect, if not unconventional, opportunity arises…
Jeremiah Smith II, grandson of the founder of Smith’s Sweets—a well-known baked goods company—once lived a life of frivolity. Since his grandfather’s death, Jeremiah’s tried to clean up his act, but it’s hard to focus when his family requests that he join them at their summer house in Heart Beach, New Jersey, where his most painful memory lies. To avoid going there, Jeremiah claims he already has plans with his girlfriend, and of course, his family tells him to bring her. The problem? Jeremiah doesn’t have a girlfriend.
After a chance meeting, Noelle and Jeremiah come to an agreement. He’ll hire her to be his stand-in girlfriend for the weekend, and she’ll use that money toward her tuition. She figures it will be quick, easy money, but as it turns out, Jeremiah’s family is lovely, and Jeremiah is even lovelier. Soon, a weekend agreement turns into an entire summer, and Noelle and Jeremiah will have to keep their hearts in check, or else it’s sink or swim for them both.
400 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 9, 2026
12 people are currently reading
10178 people want to read
About the author
Kristina Forest
11 books2,878 followersKristina Forest is the USA Today bestselling author of romances for both teens and adults. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School and she can often be found rearranging her bookshelf.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I literally can't wait for it to be summer so I can reread this. This had everything I look for in a romance book.
The book is written in 3rd POV, which I really liked because it gave us a bigger scope of the story rather than the usual first pov in romance books. The prologue takes us back to the mid-1970s, where we meet Jeremiah’s grandparents just as they’re starting their bakery, Smith’s Sweets, which is honestly one of the sweetest origin stories you could imagine. After the passing of his grandfather, Jeremiah leaves the family business out of grief and distances himself from his mom and siblings. His headstrong mom, Celeste, continues to encourage him to attend summers at Haven Beach with the rest of his family. Jeremiah, still grieving, continues to make excuses to not attend, such as spending time with a fake girlfriend, a lie that pleases his mother, until she wants to meet her
Noelle is a for-hire bridesmaid who is struggling to save up enough money to return to college and finish her degree, then become a librarian, after losing her scholarship. When she's let go from her bookstore job, fate has in store that Jeremiah walks in on the last day to purchase a book for his sister. After discovering her side hustle, Jeremiah presents the idea of hiring her as his girlfriend to abide by his lie, and ugh what a start of a romance!!
It was sooo sweet, fun, and filled with such summer vibes. Jeremiah and Noelle had great chemistry, and I loved their personalities and their treatment of each other. They were so relatable and authentic. The development of their relationship was really well-paced, and I loved seeing them fall in love throughout the summer. I think that the side characters were a great addition and really strengthened the story. I found that this book had none of the usual tropes that usually irritate me, and I don't think I cringed even once.
Also, I knew this was set in New Jersey, but it feels so weird having my small town continuously mentioned in a book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The book is written in 3rd POV, which I really liked because it gave us a bigger scope of the story rather than the usual first pov in romance books. The prologue takes us back to the mid-1970s, where we meet Jeremiah’s grandparents just as they’re starting their bakery, Smith’s Sweets, which is honestly one of the sweetest origin stories you could imagine. After the passing of his grandfather, Jeremiah leaves the family business out of grief and distances himself from his mom and siblings. His headstrong mom, Celeste, continues to encourage him to attend summers at Haven Beach with the rest of his family. Jeremiah, still grieving, continues to make excuses to not attend, such as spending time with a fake girlfriend, a lie that pleases his mother, until she wants to meet her
Noelle is a for-hire bridesmaid who is struggling to save up enough money to return to college and finish her degree, then become a librarian, after losing her scholarship. When she's let go from her bookstore job, fate has in store that Jeremiah walks in on the last day to purchase a book for his sister. After discovering her side hustle, Jeremiah presents the idea of hiring her as his girlfriend to abide by his lie, and ugh what a start of a romance!!
It was sooo sweet, fun, and filled with such summer vibes. Jeremiah and Noelle had great chemistry, and I loved their personalities and their treatment of each other. They were so relatable and authentic. The development of their relationship was really well-paced, and I loved seeing them fall in love throughout the summer. I think that the side characters were a great addition and really strengthened the story. I found that this book had none of the usual tropes that usually irritate me, and I don't think I cringed even once.
Also, I knew this was set in New Jersey, but it feels so weird having my small town continuously mentioned in a book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
4.0 ★— Being generously paid to spend a summer fake dating a hot, wealthy guy is a dream scenario, and I’m supremely jealous of the main character of this book.
At 27, Noelle Lewis has had a rough couple of years, not being able to finish college after a regretful mistake and having to take care of her ailing mother. Determined to complete her degree and become a librarian, she works multiple jobs, one of which is being a bridesmaid for hire, giving her the acting and people skills to be the perfect fake girlfriend.
Jeremiah Smith II, the MMC, is the wealthy son of a prominent family and the respectful, conscientious man of any woman’s dreams. I can’t express how light and fun this was to read, as I got all the summery feelings in this decidedly un-summery time for me.
This story is told in a dual POV style, which I usually don’t prefer, but I really enjoyed it here because the MMC and his family are actually well developed! They’re an amazing part of the book, and seeing their bonds and relationships through Jeremiah’s perspective is a very important element of the story.
His family business, a large baked goods company started by his grandparents, is a narrative centerpiece, connecting him and his family members and their clear love tied up into it. The book also does a good job of portraying his complicated relationship with his grandfather, who is already dead at the beginning of the story. His lingering feelings there drive many of the emotions he’s grappling with.
And while in many stories I have to actively suspend my disbelief to buy into the whole fake dating setup, here I thought it made a lot of sense for him to find a fake girlfriend, as he deals with a lot of complicated emotions that make him want to maintain a certain façade for his family.
Now, while I really enjoyed this book, there were a few things I noticed. There were moments where I thought it lacked a bit of tension, or maybe just some of the more interesting, fun things that can come up with the fake dating trope.
Noelle and Jeremiah's first meeting felt so smooth that their move into fake dating was almost too seamless, and I think that removed some of the fun tension or banter that could have been developed between them. A lot of the zany, chaotic, and more interesting moments that the fake dating trope could invoke felt almost sidestepped, which zapped the story of a bit of charm and kept me from feeling more tension.
I also thought the sex scenes were a bit disappointing as they felt somewhat devoid of the personality both characters showed elsewhere, and I didn’t feel like they fully conveyed the very real attraction these two shared.
Otherwise, I’ll say again that I really liked how respectful the MMC was, and I thought his genuinely loving and supportive family dynamic was a joy to read. Also, seeing a heroine who’s been working hard finally be spoiled is always fun, which this book has plenty of!
____________
Thank you to the Berkley for the ARC.
At 27, Noelle Lewis has had a rough couple of years, not being able to finish college after a regretful mistake and having to take care of her ailing mother. Determined to complete her degree and become a librarian, she works multiple jobs, one of which is being a bridesmaid for hire, giving her the acting and people skills to be the perfect fake girlfriend.
Jeremiah Smith II, the MMC, is the wealthy son of a prominent family and the respectful, conscientious man of any woman’s dreams. I can’t express how light and fun this was to read, as I got all the summery feelings in this decidedly un-summery time for me.
This story is told in a dual POV style, which I usually don’t prefer, but I really enjoyed it here because the MMC and his family are actually well developed! They’re an amazing part of the book, and seeing their bonds and relationships through Jeremiah’s perspective is a very important element of the story.
His family business, a large baked goods company started by his grandparents, is a narrative centerpiece, connecting him and his family members and their clear love tied up into it. The book also does a good job of portraying his complicated relationship with his grandfather, who is already dead at the beginning of the story. His lingering feelings there drive many of the emotions he’s grappling with.
And while in many stories I have to actively suspend my disbelief to buy into the whole fake dating setup, here I thought it made a lot of sense for him to find a fake girlfriend, as he deals with a lot of complicated emotions that make him want to maintain a certain façade for his family.
Now, while I really enjoyed this book, there were a few things I noticed. There were moments where I thought it lacked a bit of tension, or maybe just some of the more interesting, fun things that can come up with the fake dating trope.
Noelle and Jeremiah's first meeting felt so smooth that their move into fake dating was almost too seamless, and I think that removed some of the fun tension or banter that could have been developed between them. A lot of the zany, chaotic, and more interesting moments that the fake dating trope could invoke felt almost sidestepped, which zapped the story of a bit of charm and kept me from feeling more tension.
I also thought the sex scenes were a bit disappointing as they felt somewhat devoid of the personality both characters showed elsewhere, and I didn’t feel like they fully conveyed the very real attraction these two shared.
Otherwise, I’ll say again that I really liked how respectful the MMC was, and I thought his genuinely loving and supportive family dynamic was a joy to read. Also, seeing a heroine who’s been working hard finally be spoiled is always fun, which this book has plenty of!
____________
Thank you to the Berkley for the ARC.
Want to read
December 28, 2025this cover...omg
Want to read
January 15, 2026I love the cover!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Kristina Forest for the early eARC!
Publication date: June 9, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Kristina Forest for the early eARC!
Publication date: June 9, 2026
March 2, 2026
Girlfriend for hire. Fake dating. Family drama. I loved all of this so much especially Jeremiah he was such a nice guy I loved him!
January 14, 2026
Umm…I don’t know about yall… 👀 but you can find me at HEART BEACH this summer! 🤭Kristina Forest is SO BACK with this fun summer romance that had me hooked from the blurb!
THE SUMMER GIRLFRIEND, the 1st book in a series set with Smith siblings that takes place at their summer home in Heart Beach, NJ. This one is has a fake dating summer fling between Noelle Lewis, a stand-in girlfriend with aspirations of going back to college to finish her degree & the handsome business heir to the illustrious Smiths Sweets—a well known dessert company, Jeremiah Smith II that starts to become way too real—I mean honestly, what could go wrong? 🤷🏽♀️
I loved this book, like all Kristina’s books it was fun, flirty, centered in Black Love 🖤 & was filled with humor, family and rooted in legacy. The swoony bits that had me like, “OKAY!!!” 🤭This was all just a great time.
I can’t wait for all to enjoy like I did. Bravo Kristina! Can’t wait for more!
Thank you @kristinaforest_ & @berkleypub / @berkleyromance for a chance to read this stunning novel early in exchange for an honest review
arc-tbr
March 5, 2026˚ ༘♡ pre-read:
╰┈➤ received an arc march 5th, 2026
berkley decided to bless me this morning ... 🏃♀️
╰┈➤ received an arc march 5th, 2026
berkley decided to bless me this morning ... 🏃♀️
February 8, 2026
A cute summer read that really puts you in your feelings.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Kristina Forest for the ARC via NetGalley. I loved every bit of this story. Fake dating is a common trope, but the way Kristina Forest tells Noelle and Jeremiah’s story makes it feel fresh and deeply genuine. Their connection never felt forced or rushed. It truly felt like a “I have fallen for you” kind of love, with a relationship that builds at a comfortable and believable pace.
I really appreciated how family and legacy were brought to the forefront. The character growth was beautiful to watch, and the strong ties to family friends and community added so much depth. The Black excellence woven throughout the story was just beautiful.
This felt very relatable and realistic. We are often told that young adulthood is about going to school and landing a great job, but what happens when things do not go according to plan? College life is not all fun and studying. Sometimes there are heavy and even scary realities that do not get talked about enough, and I appreciated that being acknowledged here.
And the weight of family legacy? That is here too. What I loved most is that we get a well rounded Black family without unnecessary scandals or over the top drama.
The side characters stayed in their lane in the best way. They added to the story when needed without taking over or distracting from Noelle and Jeremiah’s journey. At its heart, this story is about adapting, growing, and figuring out who you are when life looks different than you expected.
We also get both perspectives in a third person point of view, which really helps you understand both Noelle and Jeremiah on a deeper level.
Such a heartfelt, grounded, and satisfying summer romance.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Kristina Forest for the ARC via NetGalley. I loved every bit of this story. Fake dating is a common trope, but the way Kristina Forest tells Noelle and Jeremiah’s story makes it feel fresh and deeply genuine. Their connection never felt forced or rushed. It truly felt like a “I have fallen for you” kind of love, with a relationship that builds at a comfortable and believable pace.
I really appreciated how family and legacy were brought to the forefront. The character growth was beautiful to watch, and the strong ties to family friends and community added so much depth. The Black excellence woven throughout the story was just beautiful.
This felt very relatable and realistic. We are often told that young adulthood is about going to school and landing a great job, but what happens when things do not go according to plan? College life is not all fun and studying. Sometimes there are heavy and even scary realities that do not get talked about enough, and I appreciated that being acknowledged here.
And the weight of family legacy? That is here too. What I loved most is that we get a well rounded Black family without unnecessary scandals or over the top drama.
The side characters stayed in their lane in the best way. They added to the story when needed without taking over or distracting from Noelle and Jeremiah’s journey. At its heart, this story is about adapting, growing, and figuring out who you are when life looks different than you expected.
We also get both perspectives in a third person point of view, which really helps you understand both Noelle and Jeremiah on a deeper level.
Such a heartfelt, grounded, and satisfying summer romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2026
The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest was an absolute five-star read for me . It is the kind of book that just felt good from beginning to end. It’s warm, romantic, and completely satisfying in the way only a perfectly executed slow-burn can be.
If you love a fake dating trope paired with a he falls first and falls hard dynamic, this one is going to steal your heart. Watching the relationship unfold at a deliciously slow pace made every moment feel earned. The tension, the yearning, the subtle emotional shifts it was all done so beautifully. I enjoyed the build-up from start to finish, and the payoff was absolutely worth it.
One of my favorite elements was that the characters were total bookies. There’s something so relatable and comforting about romance characters who love books as much as we do. It added an extra layer of charm and authenticity that made me connect with them even more deeply.
This story had warmth woven into every chapter! The kind that makes you want to curl up somewhere cozy and read without stopping. Huge thank you to the author and Berkeley Pub Group for adding this gem to my TBR and delivering such a heartfelt, swoony romance.
If you’re looking for a slow-burn summer romance with lovable, bookish characters and a MMC who falls hard? Add this to your list immediately. 💛📚
Pub Date: June 9, 2026
If you love a fake dating trope paired with a he falls first and falls hard dynamic, this one is going to steal your heart. Watching the relationship unfold at a deliciously slow pace made every moment feel earned. The tension, the yearning, the subtle emotional shifts it was all done so beautifully. I enjoyed the build-up from start to finish, and the payoff was absolutely worth it.
One of my favorite elements was that the characters were total bookies. There’s something so relatable and comforting about romance characters who love books as much as we do. It added an extra layer of charm and authenticity that made me connect with them even more deeply.
This story had warmth woven into every chapter! The kind that makes you want to curl up somewhere cozy and read without stopping. Huge thank you to the author and Berkeley Pub Group for adding this gem to my TBR and delivering such a heartfelt, swoony romance.
If you’re looking for a slow-burn summer romance with lovable, bookish characters and a MMC who falls hard? Add this to your list immediately. 💛📚
Pub Date: June 9, 2026
February 21, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 Magic happens at the seashore. The cottage on the shores of Heart Beach, New Jersey has been a place to gather and create memories for the Smith family for generations; and perhaps the salt air is the secret ingredient to their famed baked goods brand. But the summer after the patriarch’s loss is a tough one and his grandson will do anything to get out of spending it with his family. And when his fake dating summer plan backfires, it’s no surprise because we all know that about falling in love on the shore.
The Summer Girlfriend is everything you ever wanted for a summer romance but with a pristine plot development and beautifully layered character development. Noelle Lewis is no stranger to hard work, dedication, and an uncanny amount of bad luck that she persists against tirelessly. This summer at the beach with the Smith family is just what this fierce lady deserves and Kristina Forest has us all rooting for love. I have a serious Vitamin D deficiency so thank goodness for this book to hold me over while I patiently wait for summer!
📖 Book Review 📖 Magic happens at the seashore. The cottage on the shores of Heart Beach, New Jersey has been a place to gather and create memories for the Smith family for generations; and perhaps the salt air is the secret ingredient to their famed baked goods brand. But the summer after the patriarch’s loss is a tough one and his grandson will do anything to get out of spending it with his family. And when his fake dating summer plan backfires, it’s no surprise because we all know that about falling in love on the shore.
The Summer Girlfriend is everything you ever wanted for a summer romance but with a pristine plot development and beautifully layered character development. Noelle Lewis is no stranger to hard work, dedication, and an uncanny amount of bad luck that she persists against tirelessly. This summer at the beach with the Smith family is just what this fierce lady deserves and Kristina Forest has us all rooting for love. I have a serious Vitamin D deficiency so thank goodness for this book to hold me over while I patiently wait for summer!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinion.
Honestly, this book had this kind of stop-and-start energy, and I don't know how best to describe it than what I just said. I will read, and it will be as though I'm following, and then I'm thrown when I find out that it was thought and not said – that thing characters do when they are in their head, yeah, and not knowing when the POV was going to shift didn't help as well.
And the fake dating, oh my goodness 😩 I was a little bit tired of the constant back and forth, but what I did love was the close-knit family; it was so wholesome, and I genuinely enjoyed the whole idea of having a legacy, and one such as is the Smith's Sweets; I understood what Jeremiah was going through and why he felt like he was falling short!!
Jeremiah and Noelle are so cute together, but if not for the arrangement between them that made things a tad bit awkward, I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more!
Overall, if you're a fan of a close-knit family, rich boy × struggling girl, summer romance, fake dating, FMC who loves books and sweets, you might enjoy this one, and please, if you do know someone that needs a bridesmaid for hire, I'm down 😉😂. Thank you for the e-ARC once again.
Honestly, this book had this kind of stop-and-start energy, and I don't know how best to describe it than what I just said. I will read, and it will be as though I'm following, and then I'm thrown when I find out that it was thought and not said – that thing characters do when they are in their head, yeah, and not knowing when the POV was going to shift didn't help as well.
And the fake dating, oh my goodness 😩 I was a little bit tired of the constant back and forth, but what I did love was the close-knit family; it was so wholesome, and I genuinely enjoyed the whole idea of having a legacy, and one such as is the Smith's Sweets; I understood what Jeremiah was going through and why he felt like he was falling short!!
Jeremiah and Noelle are so cute together, but if not for the arrangement between them that made things a tad bit awkward, I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more!
Overall, if you're a fan of a close-knit family, rich boy × struggling girl, summer romance, fake dating, FMC who loves books and sweets, you might enjoy this one, and please, if you do know someone that needs a bridesmaid for hire, I'm down 😉😂. Thank you for the e-ARC once again.
Want to read
March 11, 2026Summer Romance? Fake Dating? He falls first? Say less! Thank you Berkley Pub and Netgalley for the arc! Can't wait to read this one!
Read
March 16, 2026ABSOLUTELY THE PERFECT SUMMER ROMANCE! This is soooo family🥹 Jeremiah and Noelle have my heart foreverrrrr. Need everyone to get this book now!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kristine delivers a summer beach side romance that has family ties, the strength of a small business, and of course secrets.
Salt air, salted caramel cookies, and waves crashing on the shores of Heart Beach.
I remember walking by Kristina Forest's signing table at Steamy-Lit Con and was obviously too shy enough to say hello. I totally regret not getting the courage to say hi, and will never freeze again in the future. 🤦🏾♀️ It is clear as day for me...one hundred percent The Summer Girlfriend is going to be living in my summer tote bag as my must have beach-read. Whether I'm lazing in sun, hiding from the heat in air conditioning, basically wherever I am...one thing is for certain: I will have a copy of this book with me.
For quite sometime, the 'summer romance' has been co-opted by white authors, it's unsettling and (gate-kept) that the concept of the lakeside house with the veranda, dinner parties, and the pristine beaches with exclusivity has only been envisioned to be an experience for some and not shared with leads of colour. You can make your arguments now for The Summer I Turned Pretty, but my reminder is stark: Jenny Han originally wrote an all-white character led book and only made changes when the television adaptation came. The Queen of the Canadian Summer Rom-Coms Carley Fortune, has subliminal characters of colour that are side characters that fill a stereotypical role (and when other Canadian summer-romance novels with characters of colour attempt to rise, readers flock to say 'Carley did it first').
Trust me, I admire these authors and what they've accomplished, but these things do linger with me and as I've grown as a reader my approach is different. I want more from my summer romance reads, and I want it now.
With Kristina Forest's Heart Beach, we have the hallmarks of a comforting summer read (it's deliciously divine), but there's also a historical point of view. I often think about the legacy of Oak Bluffs, Black families seeking reprieve from discrimination and segregation made a haven that to this day is a hallmark of excellence. The prologue of this book set the tone, setting, and the familial ties of the Smith Sweets family legacy of hardworking individuals wanting the best for the future. Carving a lane for themselves to pass down for generations. The bedrock of Heart Beach is what held a grip on me.
Noelle and Jeremiah start off with insecurities about their standing in this storied legacy and of course there's the scheme of being a "fake girlfriend" breaking down as the two grow closer. But this is such a pleasant read. Plus any book that has a reference to Grease, is ultimately going to win my heart.
You know, I always throw in a quote: "How was she supposed to like him less when he'd taken it upon himself to become her personal snack fairy?"
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Berkley Romance for the early digital copy! Also I can't believe I can now say this: #BERKLEYPARTNER EEK!
Salt air, salted caramel cookies, and waves crashing on the shores of Heart Beach.
I remember walking by Kristina Forest's signing table at Steamy-Lit Con and was obviously too shy enough to say hello. I totally regret not getting the courage to say hi, and will never freeze again in the future. 🤦🏾♀️ It is clear as day for me...one hundred percent The Summer Girlfriend is going to be living in my summer tote bag as my must have beach-read. Whether I'm lazing in sun, hiding from the heat in air conditioning, basically wherever I am...one thing is for certain: I will have a copy of this book with me.
For quite sometime, the 'summer romance' has been co-opted by white authors, it's unsettling and (gate-kept) that the concept of the lakeside house with the veranda, dinner parties, and the pristine beaches with exclusivity has only been envisioned to be an experience for some and not shared with leads of colour. You can make your arguments now for The Summer I Turned Pretty, but my reminder is stark: Jenny Han originally wrote an all-white character led book and only made changes when the television adaptation came. The Queen of the Canadian Summer Rom-Coms Carley Fortune, has subliminal characters of colour that are side characters that fill a stereotypical role (and when other Canadian summer-romance novels with characters of colour attempt to rise, readers flock to say 'Carley did it first').
Trust me, I admire these authors and what they've accomplished, but these things do linger with me and as I've grown as a reader my approach is different. I want more from my summer romance reads, and I want it now.
With Kristina Forest's Heart Beach, we have the hallmarks of a comforting summer read (it's deliciously divine), but there's also a historical point of view. I often think about the legacy of Oak Bluffs, Black families seeking reprieve from discrimination and segregation made a haven that to this day is a hallmark of excellence. The prologue of this book set the tone, setting, and the familial ties of the Smith Sweets family legacy of hardworking individuals wanting the best for the future. Carving a lane for themselves to pass down for generations. The bedrock of Heart Beach is what held a grip on me.
Noelle and Jeremiah start off with insecurities about their standing in this storied legacy and of course there's the scheme of being a "fake girlfriend" breaking down as the two grow closer. But this is such a pleasant read. Plus any book that has a reference to Grease, is ultimately going to win my heart.
You know, I always throw in a quote: "How was she supposed to like him less when he'd taken it upon himself to become her personal snack fairy?"
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Berkley Romance for the early digital copy! Also I can't believe I can now say this: #BERKLEYPARTNER EEK!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Late sunsets, tanlines, and funnel cakes are all things The Summer Girlfriend has left me craving. Oh, and an emotionally intelligent, smart man with a wonderful family. Noelle is not having the best day ever, her plan of how she will save up money for tuition has been derailed, and then she meets Jeremiah. Meanwhile. Jeremiah is on a mission to find a book and has a chance encounter with Noelle, the bookseller at a local used bookstore. Jeremiah has the intention of buying a present and ends up with a plan to help Noelle and himself. This is the story of their summer together. Noelle and Jeremiah work through their emotions, dealing with life's obstacles while finding the space for each other. This story will leave you hopeful and craving to know more about where life takes Jeremiah and Noelle.
The story progresses at a good pace, but there are times where I am left wanting more. More is given as the story progresses, but I wanted to learn more about the side characters. The story does develop in an appropriate manner and has a good build up and conclusion within the plot, yet I want to know more of the inner monologue of the side characters. The way the story is shared, it could be a set up for interconnected stand alone. I would love to know more about Jeremiah's siblings and his mother, Celeste.
I rated this book a 4.5/5, but I would round it up to a 5 as there is more good than bad, and the things that want me craving more, were due to a beautiful world the author created.
This book would be good for anyone who loves summer settings, beach vibes, friends to lovers, and seeing diverse characters.The plot grips you from the beginning, has a steady pace, and the characters are lovable.
I want to thank Berkley Publishing group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own!
The story progresses at a good pace, but there are times where I am left wanting more. More is given as the story progresses, but I wanted to learn more about the side characters. The story does develop in an appropriate manner and has a good build up and conclusion within the plot, yet I want to know more of the inner monologue of the side characters. The way the story is shared, it could be a set up for interconnected stand alone. I would love to know more about Jeremiah's siblings and his mother, Celeste.
I rated this book a 4.5/5, but I would round it up to a 5 as there is more good than bad, and the things that want me craving more, were due to a beautiful world the author created.
This book would be good for anyone who loves summer settings, beach vibes, friends to lovers, and seeing diverse characters.The plot grips you from the beginning, has a steady pace, and the characters are lovable.
I want to thank Berkley Publishing group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own!
March 20, 2026
My rating 4.25 ⭐
This is a great summer read. It is a lighthearted and feel good book! I was just smiling while reading the entire book!
Noelle is currently working several jobs to support herself and save up to return to college to finish up her degree in library science. Her dream has always been to become a librarian. Noelle turned to books and the library became her refuge, when she was going through some hard times. I love it when books become a source of comfort for someone.
Jeremiah’s grandparents founded Smith Sweets, a family owned business that makes desserts and other sweet treats. I loved reading about the family legacy and the significance of owning a beach house at Heart Beach. Jeremiah opted to step down from the family business and find success on his own. This caused a rift between him and certain family members. He hasn’t returned to Heart Beach since the death of this grandfather two years ago. Now his mother is expecting him and his siblings to spend the summer at the beach house and he needs to find himself a “fake” girlfriend, since he lied to his family about having one.
Noelle and Jeremiah had instant chemistry and I loved their meet cute at the bookstore. Jeremiah had me swooning because he literally handed over his credit card to Noelle, giving her unlimited access to buy herself a new summer wardrobe. Both were dealing with some issues from their past but loved how they were able to lean on each other for support. I enjoyed Jeremiah’s growth throughout the book. I loved the Smith family and their family dynamics and how welcoming they were of Noelle. Sure there was some conflict and family secrets but it just added more depth to the story.
This is a perfect beach or poolside read if you’re in the mood for summer vibes!
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a great summer read. It is a lighthearted and feel good book! I was just smiling while reading the entire book!
Noelle is currently working several jobs to support herself and save up to return to college to finish up her degree in library science. Her dream has always been to become a librarian. Noelle turned to books and the library became her refuge, when she was going through some hard times. I love it when books become a source of comfort for someone.
Jeremiah’s grandparents founded Smith Sweets, a family owned business that makes desserts and other sweet treats. I loved reading about the family legacy and the significance of owning a beach house at Heart Beach. Jeremiah opted to step down from the family business and find success on his own. This caused a rift between him and certain family members. He hasn’t returned to Heart Beach since the death of this grandfather two years ago. Now his mother is expecting him and his siblings to spend the summer at the beach house and he needs to find himself a “fake” girlfriend, since he lied to his family about having one.
Noelle and Jeremiah had instant chemistry and I loved their meet cute at the bookstore. Jeremiah had me swooning because he literally handed over his credit card to Noelle, giving her unlimited access to buy herself a new summer wardrobe. Both were dealing with some issues from their past but loved how they were able to lean on each other for support. I enjoyed Jeremiah’s growth throughout the book. I loved the Smith family and their family dynamics and how welcoming they were of Noelle. Sure there was some conflict and family secrets but it just added more depth to the story.
This is a perfect beach or poolside read if you’re in the mood for summer vibes!
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is the perfect summer romance.
Noelle, a 27-year-old for-hire bridesmaid, is working hard to save enough money to return to college, finish her degree, and finally become a librarian. But when she loses her bookstore job, her plans - and her finances - are thrown into uncertainty. Enter Jeremiah Smith. The grandson of the founders of Smith’s Sweets, Jeremiah stepped away from the family business after his grandfather’s death and has been keeping his distance ever since. When his mother insists he attend weekends at the family beach house - with a girlfriend in tow - he turns to Noelle and her bridesmaid-for-hire services for help. What starts as a one-weekend fake relationship quickly turns into a summer-long arrangement… and feelings that don’t stay fake for long.
Sweet, swoony, and oh-so romantic, The Summer Girlfriend is an absolute hit. It has everything romance lovers crave: fake dating, family drama, and a perfectly executed slow burn. Noelle is an FMC you can’t help but love - intelligent, driven, and deeply empathetic. I especially appreciated that her growth never came at the expense of her goals. Jeremiah is gentle, kind, and completely swoon-worthy; watching him fall head over heels for Noelle was equal parts adorable and heart-melting. I also loved how their relationship helped him begin to process his grief and reconnect with his family.
The Summer Girlfriend is a delight from start to finish. Kristina Forest delivers beautiful tension, aching yearning, and heartfelt moments that will leave any romance reader smiling.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️.5 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Summer Girlfriend releases 06/09/2026.
Thank you to Berkley and PRH for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Noelle, a 27-year-old for-hire bridesmaid, is working hard to save enough money to return to college, finish her degree, and finally become a librarian. But when she loses her bookstore job, her plans - and her finances - are thrown into uncertainty. Enter Jeremiah Smith. The grandson of the founders of Smith’s Sweets, Jeremiah stepped away from the family business after his grandfather’s death and has been keeping his distance ever since. When his mother insists he attend weekends at the family beach house - with a girlfriend in tow - he turns to Noelle and her bridesmaid-for-hire services for help. What starts as a one-weekend fake relationship quickly turns into a summer-long arrangement… and feelings that don’t stay fake for long.
Sweet, swoony, and oh-so romantic, The Summer Girlfriend is an absolute hit. It has everything romance lovers crave: fake dating, family drama, and a perfectly executed slow burn. Noelle is an FMC you can’t help but love - intelligent, driven, and deeply empathetic. I especially appreciated that her growth never came at the expense of her goals. Jeremiah is gentle, kind, and completely swoon-worthy; watching him fall head over heels for Noelle was equal parts adorable and heart-melting. I also loved how their relationship helped him begin to process his grief and reconnect with his family.
The Summer Girlfriend is a delight from start to finish. Kristina Forest delivers beautiful tension, aching yearning, and heartfelt moments that will leave any romance reader smiling.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️.5 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Summer Girlfriend releases 06/09/2026.
Thank you to Berkley and PRH for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
EVERYONE SAY HELLO TO THEEEE BOOK OF THE SUMMER!!! it may only be february but its never too early to start stocking up on your beach read tbr 🙂↔️.
this was THE fake dating book of my wildest dreams!!! noelle and jeremiah had me swooning from the moment they first bumped into one another, their meet cute felt so naturally cosmic and the way they developed such a close friendship and eventually relationship it felt as though these two were put on earth just to find each other. i think this is possibly the best insta love book i have ever read as not once did it seem rushed or forced in any way whatsoever, i honestly often found myself forgetting just how short of a time these two had actually known each other for because of how in sync they became.
this was my first book of kristina’s and i am kicking myself for not having dived into her work earlier, i fell in love with every single aspect of this book, jeremiah’s family business and how amazing and loving his entire family was in general (even when things got a little rough sometimes), heart beach and how uplifting and beautiful the entire community was through out the book (i literally yearn to visit a place that doesnt exist now because it was just SO wonderful sounding), the friendships made, the delicate way we got to see noelle help miah through his grief journey and helping him come back to himself, etc. everything was just SO lovely and i couldnt help but fall for every last detail.
i am so hopeful that this wont be the one and only time we visit heart beach as there is a certain sister and brothers best friend i am itching to see finally get together 👀.
this was THE fake dating book of my wildest dreams!!! noelle and jeremiah had me swooning from the moment they first bumped into one another, their meet cute felt so naturally cosmic and the way they developed such a close friendship and eventually relationship it felt as though these two were put on earth just to find each other. i think this is possibly the best insta love book i have ever read as not once did it seem rushed or forced in any way whatsoever, i honestly often found myself forgetting just how short of a time these two had actually known each other for because of how in sync they became.
this was my first book of kristina’s and i am kicking myself for not having dived into her work earlier, i fell in love with every single aspect of this book, jeremiah’s family business and how amazing and loving his entire family was in general (even when things got a little rough sometimes), heart beach and how uplifting and beautiful the entire community was through out the book (i literally yearn to visit a place that doesnt exist now because it was just SO wonderful sounding), the friendships made, the delicate way we got to see noelle help miah through his grief journey and helping him come back to himself, etc. everything was just SO lovely and i couldnt help but fall for every last detail.
i am so hopeful that this wont be the one and only time we visit heart beach as there is a certain sister and brothers best friend i am itching to see finally get together 👀.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 45
Dates read: 03.04.2026 – 03.05.2026
Title: The Summer Girlfriend
Author: Kristina Forest
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
One of my auto-buy authors. Every time I pick up a Kristina Forest book, I already know I’m about to feel joy and probably smile the entire time.
Fake dating is my absolute favorite trope, so this was already a win. But then you add in summer on the Vineyard energy, generational wealth, and a book-loving FMC who works in a bookstore? Yeah… I was locked in.
Noelle and Jeremiah start off as a simple arrangement. She needs money for school, he needs a girlfriend for family obligations. Easy. Temporary. Controlled.
Except… not quite.
What I love about Kristina Forest’s writing is how effortlessly she builds warmth into her stories. The family dynamics, the history, the setting, the quiet moments between the characters all work together to make the romance feel natural and immersive. Yall already know she is an auto-buy. She gets ALL my money and time so yea I knew going into this one that it was going to at the BARE MINIMUM a 4 star read. Spoiler alert: It gave 5 stars all day.
And Jeremiah? Let’s just say he’s my new sneaky link. Don’t tell my husband.
I was genuinely sad when the Greene Sisters series ended, so knowing this is the start of the Heart Beach series has me excited. If this is how we’re starting, I’m already all in.
This one hits shelves June 9, so go ahead and preorder it now.
Thank you Berkley for the #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
Book: 45
Dates read: 03.04.2026 – 03.05.2026
Title: The Summer Girlfriend
Author: Kristina Forest
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
One of my auto-buy authors. Every time I pick up a Kristina Forest book, I already know I’m about to feel joy and probably smile the entire time.
Fake dating is my absolute favorite trope, so this was already a win. But then you add in summer on the Vineyard energy, generational wealth, and a book-loving FMC who works in a bookstore? Yeah… I was locked in.
Noelle and Jeremiah start off as a simple arrangement. She needs money for school, he needs a girlfriend for family obligations. Easy. Temporary. Controlled.
Except… not quite.
What I love about Kristina Forest’s writing is how effortlessly she builds warmth into her stories. The family dynamics, the history, the setting, the quiet moments between the characters all work together to make the romance feel natural and immersive. Yall already know she is an auto-buy. She gets ALL my money and time so yea I knew going into this one that it was going to at the BARE MINIMUM a 4 star read. Spoiler alert: It gave 5 stars all day.
And Jeremiah? Let’s just say he’s my new sneaky link. Don’t tell my husband.
I was genuinely sad when the Greene Sisters series ended, so knowing this is the start of the Heart Beach series has me excited. If this is how we’re starting, I’m already all in.
This one hits shelves June 9, so go ahead and preorder it now.
Thank you Berkley for the #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
March 5, 2026
Thank you to Kristina Forest, Berkley Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest was such a cute, refreshing read—perfect for a beach day or a cozy summer afternoon. This was my first time reading Kristina Forest, but it definitely won’t be my last.
The story follows two main characters, Noelle Lewis and Jeremiah Smith II. Noelle works as a stand-in bridesmaid, while Jeremiah is the heir to a successful baked goods company. When Jeremiah hires Noelle to pretend to be his girlfriend for a weekend to avoid family pressure, neither of them expects what the summer has in store. What starts as a simple arrangement quickly turns into something much more complicated—and heartfelt.
This book was such a joy to read. I loved how Forest blended a light, romantic storyline with deeper themes like family dynamics, Black generational wealth, personal expectations, and the possibility of finding love when you least expect it. The chemistry between Noelle and Jeremiah felt natural, and the setting made the whole story feel warm, breezy, and fun.
The Summer Girlfriend is the first book in the Heart Beach series, and after finishing it, I’m already looking forward to seeing what comes next in this world.
📚 Pub Date: June 9, 2026
If you enjoy fake dating, summer romance, and stories that balance sweetness with meaningful family themes, this one is definitely worth adding to your summer TBR. ☀️💛
The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest was such a cute, refreshing read—perfect for a beach day or a cozy summer afternoon. This was my first time reading Kristina Forest, but it definitely won’t be my last.
The story follows two main characters, Noelle Lewis and Jeremiah Smith II. Noelle works as a stand-in bridesmaid, while Jeremiah is the heir to a successful baked goods company. When Jeremiah hires Noelle to pretend to be his girlfriend for a weekend to avoid family pressure, neither of them expects what the summer has in store. What starts as a simple arrangement quickly turns into something much more complicated—and heartfelt.
This book was such a joy to read. I loved how Forest blended a light, romantic storyline with deeper themes like family dynamics, Black generational wealth, personal expectations, and the possibility of finding love when you least expect it. The chemistry between Noelle and Jeremiah felt natural, and the setting made the whole story feel warm, breezy, and fun.
The Summer Girlfriend is the first book in the Heart Beach series, and after finishing it, I’m already looking forward to seeing what comes next in this world.
📚 Pub Date: June 9, 2026
If you enjoy fake dating, summer romance, and stories that balance sweetness with meaningful family themes, this one is definitely worth adding to your summer TBR. ☀️💛
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unfortunately I think Kristina Forest's adult romances are not for me! I've enjoyed her YA books, but her adult ones I find kind of boring (despite having fun plot set ups!). I would love to be friends with Noelle and Jeremiah, but as book characters they were so boring! Everyone communicates and respected boundaries and does the right thing, which is good IRL, but makes for a pretty boring book with no stakes.
The book started well enough for me! The first 40% were fun and enjoyable and then the Fake Dating for a weekend turns into Fake Dating for a summer and the stakes just deflated. Like it was cute reading about them having fun at his family's beach house (wild is a post The Summer I Turned Pretty World to have a character named Jeremiah in a book with a beach house), but like nothing super exciting happened.
Jeremiah has some guilt about how he handled a conversation with his grandfather (unfortunately the man ended up dying after that convo) and I found this interesting, but a bit surface level. Noelle was fun and cute. But I wanted to see these too make more mistakes and be imperfect. They are very proper with the fake dating of it all which was good for them ethically but boring for me to read about.
Overall this wasn't for me, but if you like fake dating with very few stakes this might be for you!
Regardless the cover is STUNNING!!!!
*thanks to netgalley for the eARC; all thoughts are my own*
The book started well enough for me! The first 40% were fun and enjoyable and then the Fake Dating for a weekend turns into Fake Dating for a summer and the stakes just deflated. Like it was cute reading about them having fun at his family's beach house (wild is a post The Summer I Turned Pretty World to have a character named Jeremiah in a book with a beach house), but like nothing super exciting happened.
Jeremiah has some guilt about how he handled a conversation with his grandfather (unfortunately the man ended up dying after that convo) and I found this interesting, but a bit surface level. Noelle was fun and cute. But I wanted to see these too make more mistakes and be imperfect. They are very proper with the fake dating of it all which was good for them ethically but boring for me to read about.
Overall this wasn't for me, but if you like fake dating with very few stakes this might be for you!
Regardless the cover is STUNNING!!!!
*thanks to netgalley for the eARC; all thoughts are my own*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I will honestly read any romance book by this author, and once again she did not disappoint. She writes Black characters so beautifully and authentically — the representation feels real, intentional, and refreshing. It’s the kind of love story where you feel seen, and that matters so much.
I was hooked from the very first page. The chemistry between the main characters was absolutely electric — every interaction felt layered with tension, longing, and just the right amount of angst. And give me a fake dating trope any day of the week! Watching them pretend while clearly falling harder by the minute? Elite. I was rooting for this fake couple so fast it wasn’t even funny.
The slow build of tension was perfection. Every look, every accidental touch, every moment where they almost crossed the line — it had me completely invested. And don’t even get me started on the “only one bed” trope. When both of them basically said “forget it” and gave in to the undeniable pull between them? I was DONE. Absolutely screaming.
This book had heart, heat, and so much emotional payoff. I adored every second of it and genuinely did not want it to end. If you love fake dating, intense chemistry, and beautifully written Black love stories, this one is an absolute must-read. I truly loved this book so much.
I was hooked from the very first page. The chemistry between the main characters was absolutely electric — every interaction felt layered with tension, longing, and just the right amount of angst. And give me a fake dating trope any day of the week! Watching them pretend while clearly falling harder by the minute? Elite. I was rooting for this fake couple so fast it wasn’t even funny.
The slow build of tension was perfection. Every look, every accidental touch, every moment where they almost crossed the line — it had me completely invested. And don’t even get me started on the “only one bed” trope. When both of them basically said “forget it” and gave in to the undeniable pull between them? I was DONE. Absolutely screaming.
This book had heart, heat, and so much emotional payoff. I adored every second of it and genuinely did not want it to end. If you love fake dating, intense chemistry, and beautifully written Black love stories, this one is an absolute must-read. I truly loved this book so much.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Berkeley Pub for the ARC. This was such a cute romance. Fake dating is a trope I love, and Kristina Forest delivered.
I enjoyed the unique setup for this particular fake dating scenario. Our MMC Jeremiah is in need of a girlfriend after he’s told his family he has one (for reasons), and our FMC Noelle happens to work for a company providing bridesmaid services for brides who are in need and are willing to pay. It’s not much of a leap then that she would also accept the offer to become a for hire girlfriend, right? Well she didn’t expect for the perfectly crafted rules she established for this arrangement to crumble when she actually starts to fall for Jeremiah.
Jeremiah and Noelle are so sweet together in this slow burn romance. Watching them fall for each other, and also seeing Noelle become a part of his family was endearing. Kristina knows how to write great family dynamics. She did it with her Green sisters trilogy, and does it again here with the Smith family and siblings Percy, Jeremiah, and Amara. As much as I grew to love Noelle and Jeremiah as a couple, I equally loved the Smith family as a whole. I don’t know if this will be another interconnected series, but there is setup for a potential second novel.
If you’re looking for a breezy summer romance that has heart and low stakes, be sure to pick up The Summer Romance.
I enjoyed the unique setup for this particular fake dating scenario. Our MMC Jeremiah is in need of a girlfriend after he’s told his family he has one (for reasons), and our FMC Noelle happens to work for a company providing bridesmaid services for brides who are in need and are willing to pay. It’s not much of a leap then that she would also accept the offer to become a for hire girlfriend, right? Well she didn’t expect for the perfectly crafted rules she established for this arrangement to crumble when she actually starts to fall for Jeremiah.
Jeremiah and Noelle are so sweet together in this slow burn romance. Watching them fall for each other, and also seeing Noelle become a part of his family was endearing. Kristina knows how to write great family dynamics. She did it with her Green sisters trilogy, and does it again here with the Smith family and siblings Percy, Jeremiah, and Amara. As much as I grew to love Noelle and Jeremiah as a couple, I equally loved the Smith family as a whole. I don’t know if this will be another interconnected series, but there is setup for a potential second novel.
If you’re looking for a breezy summer romance that has heart and low stakes, be sure to pick up The Summer Romance.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks so much to @berkleypub for the free book! Received an Advanced Reader Copy of The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest and I’m so happy that I did. If you’re looking for a good summer romance read/the fake dating trope read, this book is it.
Set in New Jersey, we are introduced to the elder Smith and how Smiths Sweets is founded (yes to Black Excellence) in the beginning of the book. Then we are introduced to Noelle Lewis and how she ends up meeting Jeremiah Smith (founders grandson).
Their continuing relationship is unconventional with Miah paying Noelle to be his fake girlfriend because of familial expectations. But I do love how this book is a slow buildup to their romance. Their personal relationship is not forced. Instead we get to experience the undeniable chemistry between Noelle and Jeremiah. Kristina Forest does a great job making readers feel the longing and desire between both of them and that allows for the story to be more realistic. Definitely want to read the pirate books that Noelle recommended lol.
While I did love the book I did wish that she gave us more storyline about some of the characters that were introduced and situations experienced. Otherwise, this is a fun read and you’ll love it. #berkleypartner
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Net galley for the Arc! Unfortunately I didn’t love this one. It started off so strong, we have Jeremiah who is apart of the smith sweets family ( a huge sweets company) who recently left the company and hasn’t seen his family in a awhile after his grandfather’s passing and the rocky relationship with his family after leaving the company. With his sister’s birthday coming up his mother begs him to come to their family beach house and celebrate when Jeremiah refuses because he needs to spend time with his girlfriend. His mother insists he bring her and thus we meet Noelle a bookish girl who dreams of finishing college and becoming a librarian. After getting kick out of college she starts a job working as a fake bridesmaid who attended a weddings for the bride. When Jeremiah finds this out he decides to pay Noelle to become his fake girlfriend. My problem with this book was that I felt so bored. I genuinely didn’t click with any of the characters and I felt that something was missing in their love story. I also felt like the cover was giving a beach-y fun time and we got little to no descriptions or much parts on the beach I don’t know if it lacked emotional depth or if I was just not clicking with overall story. I give it two stars because it was just okay .
January 23, 2026
4.75 stars
Finishing this book has me yearning for the days of reading on the beach after a swim, packed sandwich in hand, cooler full of canned sodas, letting the sun soak into your skin while leaned over a paperback in the sand (ok, on a beck towel—but, you get the vibes).
There’s something really affirming about a romance that understands early adulthood (I’m including everybody under 35, iykyk). All the years where you’re ambitious (tired), hopeful, and still figuring things out. The Summer Girlfriend captures that stage so well through Noelle, who’s super relatable and just trying to make the best decisions she can without having everything figured out yet.
I also really loved reading a romance where a rich man falls in love with a Black girl and the story isn’t about fixing her life.
My favorite part of this book were the small details! It’s full of everyday moments that make the story feel textured and lived-in. As someone who grew up in New England, the setting was so nostalgic in the best way.
If you loved Bridesmaids for Hire by Meghan Quinn like I did, this is an easy recommendation!
Finishing this book has me yearning for the days of reading on the beach after a swim, packed sandwich in hand, cooler full of canned sodas, letting the sun soak into your skin while leaned over a paperback in the sand (ok, on a beck towel—but, you get the vibes).
There’s something really affirming about a romance that understands early adulthood (I’m including everybody under 35, iykyk). All the years where you’re ambitious (tired), hopeful, and still figuring things out. The Summer Girlfriend captures that stage so well through Noelle, who’s super relatable and just trying to make the best decisions she can without having everything figured out yet.
I also really loved reading a romance where a rich man falls in love with a Black girl and the story isn’t about fixing her life.
My favorite part of this book were the small details! It’s full of everyday moments that make the story feel textured and lived-in. As someone who grew up in New England, the setting was so nostalgic in the best way.
If you loved Bridesmaids for Hire by Meghan Quinn like I did, this is an easy recommendation!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Berkley for providing this book for review via NetGalley!
4.5 stars!
Wow, words cannot convey how heartwarming of a story The Summer Girlfriend is. Kristina Forest created a beautiful read that is timeless and should be in the hands of people at the beach for years to go. It honestly is perfect for any time of the year, I read this in the dead of winter and this story was a lovely, warm place to escape to.
Our main characters Noelle and Jeremiah were both living guarded lives after making decisions in the past that they deeply regretted. Watching them open up and support each other until they learned the power of letting your family be your “soft place to land” and facing your fears to take a chance was so satisfying.
Now as Jersey native? I NEEEEEEEDED this book!!! The Jersey girl representation was strong throughout the story and I didn’t realize how badly I was in need of seeing Jersey get its well deserved love.
If you’re desperately looking for a positive, uplifting, sweet, fun story, you need to read this! And if acts of service is your love language, you need to be reading this immediately on pub day 🤭
4.5 stars!
Wow, words cannot convey how heartwarming of a story The Summer Girlfriend is. Kristina Forest created a beautiful read that is timeless and should be in the hands of people at the beach for years to go. It honestly is perfect for any time of the year, I read this in the dead of winter and this story was a lovely, warm place to escape to.
Our main characters Noelle and Jeremiah were both living guarded lives after making decisions in the past that they deeply regretted. Watching them open up and support each other until they learned the power of letting your family be your “soft place to land” and facing your fears to take a chance was so satisfying.
Now as Jersey native? I NEEEEEEEDED this book!!! The Jersey girl representation was strong throughout the story and I didn’t realize how badly I was in need of seeing Jersey get its well deserved love.
If you’re desperately looking for a positive, uplifting, sweet, fun story, you need to read this! And if acts of service is your love language, you need to be reading this immediately on pub day 🤭
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of an advanced reader copy from author & Berkley Publishing.
This was such a refreshing summer book! Very Sweet and heartwarming, it gives you the butterflies. The story has fake dating trope but instead of lots of angst and sexy scenes like most fake dating tropes, this focus more on the main characters development and their family bonding.
Jeremiah quietly struggles with guilt and grief of losing his pop. This guilt made him feel like he's affecting his family's business so he left but is forced to spend the summer with his family at their beach house. He accidentally lies about having a girlfriend so he hired Noelle. Noelle who's trying to save money for tuition to complete her last year of school. Two people from different financial worlds connect for the summer. There is a lot of sweet moments between them and also their interactions with Jeremiah's family.
This book is very family oriented, I feel like most of the time its their interactions with his family and the fun they have with each other. It isn't until towards the end where there's more moments of just them.
This was such a refreshing summer book! Very Sweet and heartwarming, it gives you the butterflies. The story has fake dating trope but instead of lots of angst and sexy scenes like most fake dating tropes, this focus more on the main characters development and their family bonding.
Jeremiah quietly struggles with guilt and grief of losing his pop. This guilt made him feel like he's affecting his family's business so he left but is forced to spend the summer with his family at their beach house. He accidentally lies about having a girlfriend so he hired Noelle. Noelle who's trying to save money for tuition to complete her last year of school. Two people from different financial worlds connect for the summer. There is a lot of sweet moments between them and also their interactions with Jeremiah's family.
This book is very family oriented, I feel like most of the time its their interactions with his family and the fun they have with each other. It isn't until towards the end where there's more moments of just them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kristina Forest is an auto read author! She has great stories that do not overshadow incredible characters. "The Summer Girlfriend" is another hit that will be the perfect summer read.
This book is 3rd POV and we get insights into both Jeremiah and Noelle's minds which is nice to read. I absolutely love the fake dating set up and I think the set up and story flow was done really well. The author really know how to write characters (main and side) that are so easy to connect and sympathize with. With this one however, I did find the romance a little cringy once they got together - I don't think writing those scenes are the author's strength and I wish it was more a fade to black. Regardless I absolutely loved this book. I really hope the author continues to write in this world as there are definitely more stories to explore.
Rated 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.
This book is 3rd POV and we get insights into both Jeremiah and Noelle's minds which is nice to read. I absolutely love the fake dating set up and I think the set up and story flow was done really well. The author really know how to write characters (main and side) that are so easy to connect and sympathize with. With this one however, I did find the romance a little cringy once they got together - I don't think writing those scenes are the author's strength and I wish it was more a fade to black. Regardless I absolutely loved this book. I really hope the author continues to write in this world as there are definitely more stories to explore.
Rated 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kristina Forest is going to do it for me every time! 5 stars for romance, 5 stars for family, and 5 stars for fun! This was such an entertaining summer romance. I was kicking my feet and giggling the entire time😭 Jeremiah’s aura and charm leapt off the page like how is this man not real and making ME blush?! And Noelle was such a kind and beautiful character. I loved everything about her🥹
The romance between these two felt effortless and natural, which is honestly the best way to describe this whole book. Every storyline flowed so well and I loved how the family dynamics came into play. Nothing felt overly dramatic, just warm and genuine🥹💕 It wasn’t an over the top romance, but a wholehearted, feel good love story (and this book had so many cute moments that I highlighted 😭)
I had such a good time reading this one. Ughhhh obsessed! 5/5⭐️💫
Black girlies we got ourselves a new summer beach town romance 💕
Thank you Berkley for the e-arc 💕
The romance between these two felt effortless and natural, which is honestly the best way to describe this whole book. Every storyline flowed so well and I loved how the family dynamics came into play. Nothing felt overly dramatic, just warm and genuine🥹💕 It wasn’t an over the top romance, but a wholehearted, feel good love story (and this book had so many cute moments that I highlighted 😭)
I had such a good time reading this one. Ughhhh obsessed! 5/5⭐️💫
Black girlies we got ourselves a new summer beach town romance 💕
Thank you Berkley for the e-arc 💕
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews