Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights

by Celeste Dador, C.C. Dador

Named one of Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Reads of 2026, Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights is a swoony debut YA romance about First Daughter Abby Cary-Alzona’s summer of self-discovery, small-town charm, and unexpected love.

All Abby wants is one normal summer before college. No headlines. No drama. Just a chance to breathe.

But when a run-in at the White House with Gabriel Calabrese—a maddeningly carefree small-town photographer—spirals into a pizza delivery scandal that makes front-page news, Abby’s plans disappear overnight. To escape the fallout, she’s sent to a charming country inn run by Gabriel’s family.

Now she’s stuck with the last person she wants to see.

As Abby and Gabriel team up to save his family’s Fourth of July festival—and tackle Abby’s secret summer bucket list—sparks begin to fly. Especially when he helps her experience all the “real” teen moments she’s missed: parties, picnics… and maybe even a first kiss.

Perfect for readers who love:
• Forced proximity
• Opposites attract
• Reluctant royalty
• Small-town charm reminiscent of Gilmore Girls

A cozy, heartfelt story that explores familial expectations and what it means to choose a life—and love—on your own terms.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Summer, Young Adult Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Summer Reads

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2026

About the author

Celeste "C.C." Dador writes cozy rom-coms with festive flair. Much like her background in event coordination, she’s all about small details, big feelings, and making sure her readers are absolutely having their best day. Celeste lives in the Washington, D.C. area, where she blends her love of romance and public service into her stories. Still, she’ll always claim California girl status. Like many of her characters, she’s proudly Filipino American and passionate about inclusive, joy-filled love stories. When writing adult romance, which includes a dash of spice, she uses the pen name C.C. Dador.

Reviews

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Independence day romance? I can honestly say I think this is new!
I seriously should be reading this on the Fourth of July. Preferably next to a swimming pool, with a hot dog.

This book combines several things that I love.
- Checking off a bucket list.
- The “famous/important person enjoys learning how to live a normal life” thing.
- nostalgic vibey small-town summer.
- Last but not least, this ALSO has teenagers working together to support a small community and help out with an important event.

Are you kidding? This checks like, a lot of boxes for me.
A ton of things I think make for a great, and super cute young adult romance.

There is somewhat of a love triangle going on here (sort of. In theory), which leads to a slight miscommunication\one person thinks that something is going on when it really isn’t trope.
I don’t usually love this, but I wouldn’t really say that its existence in this is super overwhelming, so it was fine to me.

I felt for Abby, and how much she was effected by the life she was living.
She clearly had a lot of expectations placed on her, and wasn’t allowed to do… basically anything at all.
Imagine getting caught ordering a pizza, and being sent away to a random small town for an entire summer. As a teenager. Be so for real right now.

While I liked Abby a lot, I wish we got a little bit more character development from with Gabriel.
I didn’t not like his character, but I feel like he was somewhat surface level- so I didn’t connect with him as much.
I was happy to focus on Abby’s story though.

Random note: but how was nobody remotely phased that the first daughter just showed up and started hanging out with them?
Not a critique- I just thought it was funny!

Cute story overall, and filled with a lot of aspects that I love.
A solid YA summer romance!

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Romance and author Celeste Dador, for providing me with the eARC of “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 12, 2026

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a sweet , feel good romantic summer read , pick this one up !! I was completely charmed by the presidents daughter Abby and her summer bucket list. Also totally in love with the President being a strong family oriented woman !! This book brought up the nostalgia of those fun 90s style movies where the good natured teens just want to have some good summer fun. Abby reminds me of that kid that makes the lists and thinks they have to be on their best behavior and discovers along the way of trying to complete her summer bucket list how to really enjoy themselves and make connections. This book was just such good nostalgic comfort fun.

[Book Riot Community]

Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:

After a minor media scandal, First Daughter of the United States Abby Alzona is banished to a rundown inn in a small Virginia town for the summer until things cool off. But Abby makes lemons into lemonade by embracing her chance to be a normal teen: planning an Independence Day festival, going to barbecues and pool parties, and maybe even having her first kiss. I have a feeling a lot of us will be looking for a little escapism from the current political climate in 2026, and this delightful YA Fourth of July romance about the daughter of the first Filipina American president is just the palate cleanser we all need. —Susie Dumond

[jo ୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

: huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. all thought are my own.

3.75

if one of those "red white and blue" popsicles melted and was turned into dead trees it would be this book. and i mean that with a compliment! this book was nothing short of a fun little time. if you want a book to read during the summer while the world collapses around you then this would be perfect.

i slightly regret waiting to write my review because this is one of those books you download or pick up to have a hehehaha time and then honestly forget about. which is exactly what i needed at the time i read this book. i loved the vibes of this book but mainly our fmc, abby, really pissed me off. she just genuinely got on my nerves sometimes but she did have some growing parts. our love interest, gabriel did have me giggling because he just was such a cute love interest with such a big heart. he had humor and a photography hobby? yes. i'm not gonna say hot because these characters are babies 😭😭 so i felt old reading it but aside from that.

i loved the filipino american rep because i feel like we do NOT see that in books and can we please represent minority groups??? pls??? it's really not that hard. i just wish we could have drawn out some more on that 😭 idk i feel like it could have popped out more and added so much to the romance. esp with it being labeled "a patriotic romance" you know? like let's *waves hands*

anyways, everything about this book was swoonworthy like a glass of sweet tea and had the ultimate summer vibes. a few things like oliver (our "not love interest" but abby's childhood bestie) being in the picture because of media and some other unrealistic but realistic things like calling a certain plot point "pineapplegate" which...seems a bit too on the nose considering pizza gate and i wasn't a fan of that but that's me !!! maybe i'm too educated.

cutesy book all around, pick this up if you want a fun read for the summer. xx happy reading

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.

This was such a sweet debut novel!

I loved the premise. It’s about the daughter of the president who is sent to a small town for the summer and falls for a local boy. Small town + summer romance = my kind of book!

As a Filipino, I loved all the Filipino representation. Both the leads, Abby and Gabriel, are Filipino. I loved that Abby’s Filipino mom was the president. That was so refreshing to see!

This book delivered on small town vibes. It’s set in the fictional town of Mystic Hollow and it was adorable. The inn Gabriel’s family owned sounded so quaint. I wish I could stay there!

The romance was also well done. Abby and Gabriel made a great couple. They complemented each other well. Their romance had the right blend of sweet moments and drama which made it the perfect teen romance.

I would love to see this book turned into a movie someday. It would translate well to the big screen.

This was the author’s debut and I was so impressed by it. I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

Overall, if you’re looking for something cute and light to read for the summer, pick this one up!

[Lauren Mackey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute, wholesome read perfect for young teens who want a swoony romance with zero spice (just a little kissing.) I enjoyed the perspective of the FDOTUS as she navigates her summer bucket list with her FDOTUS duties and expectations. There’s a love triangle with the FDOTUS, SSOTUS and an artsy, handsome small town boy. Super G rated. The author nailed small town charm in the form of Mystic Hollow— very Stars Hollow for all you Gilmore Girls fans. A great read for fans of Becky Dean and Kasie West.

[Honora Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

big thanks to netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review - all thoughts are my own

Well, I think it was perfect that as I read the epilogue my mom was playing America The Beautiful on the piano downstairs.

The vibes were so there with this story! Definitely summer-y and America-y so that was super cute. There was more than a healthy dose of cringe (Girl was obsessing over his face from day one, and every day after that) but ya know it was still cutesie and I loved Gabriel so much.

Oliver is a jerk. Yep. Enough said.

Abby was definitely annoying at times, but it's okay because Elle exists. 🫶🏼 Elle is such a queen but also she's me if I was the daughter of the President of the U.S. and she just generally slayed. (The matchmaking went crazy.)

I definitely enjoyed this story! It would be such a cute Independence Day read. Definitely recommend! (And no spice and very minimal swearing - like two words that I can remember, if that.)

[aundrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

i couldn’t stand the mc, couldn’t care less about the plot, and the vibes were not hitting for me 😭

what the hell is this:
“He winces. His face is the very definition of awk.”

“Gabriel’s expression goes from shock to the IRL version of a laugh-cry emoji.”

“But because it’s me—clumsy Abby—trying to escape, I promptly bump into Gabriel Calabrese. I take a deep breath as I lift my eyes to meet his.”
“Clumsy-rella I am, I slip on a rock on the lake bottom and take a little dive into the water.” SPARE ME 🙏

i’m not gonna complain about anything else bro it’s not worth it

thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review :)

[A.M. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This summer romance by Celeste Dador has all the banter, all the swoony moments, and so many laughs that you will be kicking your feet for more. When the world feels like it is burning down it's nice to take a moment to escape and celebrate what this country could be with this stunning Fourth of July romance.
An outstanding debut!

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet summer romance and I think teen readers are going to absolutely love it. It has that extra charm that comes from the small town vacation vibes, balanced with characters whose lives are far more complicated because of who their parents are.

At its core, it’s the classic story of a U.S. president’s daughter wanting to experience life as “a regular teen,” and “acting out” by doing the kind of everyday things most of us never think twice about. Even something as simple as ordering a pizza turns into a whole adventure.

I was able to fully immerse myself in this one thanks to the complimentary eARC from Random House Children’s via NetGalley and the gifted audio from the PRH Audio Influencer Program. While the dual format didn’t necessarily add anything extra to the experience for me, I still enjoyed getting lost in the quaint world and summer atmosphere.

While I love YA for myself beyond simply accessing it for younger readers, this is one that definitely feels best suited for its intended audience. Romantic teens are going to eat this one up. For the audiobook it was narrated by Ferdelle Lauren Capistrano who did a fab job!

I also appreciated that the romance felt completely age appropriate, even if the characters are living lives that very few people will ever actually experience.

[Anna Bruhn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought about giving this one star, but it felt too mean.

[Lynn Meeuwissen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Booked with the Emilys, Celeste Dador and Delacorte Romance for the #gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

After First Daughter Abby gets caught on camera having a pizza delivered to the White House and having a strong (visual) opinion on the pineapple on top of it, her parents send her off to a small town to spend the summer out of the spotlight with her aunt. She did not expect to see the guy who ordered the pizza to be there too... This was such a cute story about navigating expectations and dreams, finding yourself and falling in love for the first time, that truly came to live thanks to the cinematic descriptions.

If you like a swoony YA romance about the First Daughter’s summer of self-discovery with small-town charm and unexpected love, Filipino American representation, Gilmore Girls’ charm meets summer romance and a royal romance with an American twist, you have to get your hands on a copy of this book ASAP! 💙

[Azn_seddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been quite a while since I read a good FilAm romance and this was perfectly swoony! And yes, I think we could benefit as a country from having a Pinay POTUS. Would totes read this again!

[Chronically Well Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books beg to be read by a lake or pool in July. This is one of those books. The summer vibes are fantastic, and the romance is so cute! And the sprinkling of secret service was the cherry on the top.

When a not so flattering moment for Abby, the president's daughter goes viral, she and her sister are sent to spend a month away from the media at her aunt's supported small business. Abby meets Gabe, and they make a deal to help each other complete their summer goals, Abby’s bucket list and Gabe’s photography portfolio. But nothing is ever simple when you're the president’s daughter.
I really liked that Abby’s mom was the president, it made for some sweeter scenes with her dad than a typical YA has. I loved Elle, how she was the perfect little sibling side kick. Gabe and the other kids from Mystic Hollow were a great contrast to Abby, Elle, and Oliver’s world, but they were still good kids. The lake party was my favorite scene I think, but I really liked most of the scenes where Abby got to let go of the first daughter role. The photography element of the story was cool to, and I think it’s something a lot of highschoolers dabble in, so it’s a cool addition.
There are no content or trigger warnings that I would give for this book, I think it’s the perfect read for a high schooler. Thank you @bookedwiththeemilys and @celestedador for a #gifted ecopy of this book to read and review.

[shereadswith_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A YA novel that will take you from the strict protocols of being the First Daughter of the President to the cozy carefree small town of Mystic Hollow. When a botched pizza delivery changes Abby’s plans for the summer, she finds herself chasing to fulfill her “summer bucket list”. With her sister Elle in tow she is sent off to her Aunt’s ranch for a month to “let things settle” with the media.

A “meet-cute” read you won’t want to put down, the perfect summer read! It has all the patriotic feels including a Presidential family, politics, secret service and even fireworks. Abby and Elle are trying to just be “ normal” teens but being First Daughters doesn’t let them get too far. A summer of sneaking out, parties and nature hikes is a little too much for the girls security detail.

The summer before her senior year would not be complete without a first-kiss but Abby isn’t sure if it will be with her new friend, Gabriel or her best friend, Oliver, the one everyone expects.
It’s a Gilmore Girls setting with a fight for who will host the Annual Fourth of July Jubilee.

It has a cozy, small town ambiance with forced proximity and the temptation of a forbidden romance. It’s self-discovery and family pressure pulling Abby at both ends. She wants FREEDOM, just not the patriotic kind.

I thought it was a fun, cute read, a little YA to shake up the genres. Authors Celeste Dador did a great job with character development and the storyline, I loved it.
I liked the light hearted tone and nostalgic moments.

Heartwarming • Nostalgic • Small Town • YA • Summer Bucket List • Swoony • Coming of age escape • Slow burn • Stars Hollow Vibe

[Samantha Dickenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top 5 reasons to read Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights
1. A female president
2. Diverse representation
3. Operation bucket list
4. Foodie lovers
5. Quintessential summer book

4.25 ⭐️

Visit www.topplingstackstours.com for the tour schedule!

Synopsis:
Named one of Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Reads of 2026, Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights is
a swoony debut YA romance about First Daughter Abby Cary-Alzona’s summer of self-
discovery, small-town charm, and unexpected love.
All Abby wants is one normal summer before college. No headlines. No drama. Just a chance to
breathe.
But when a run-in at the White House with Gabriel Calabrese—a maddeningly carefree small-
town photographer—spirals into a pizza delivery scandal that makes front-page news, Abby’s
plans disappear overnight. To escape the fallout, she’s sent to a charming country inn run by
Gabriel’s family.
Now she’s stuck with the last person she wants to see.
As Abby and Gabriel team up to save his family’s Fourth of July festival—and tackle Abby’s
secret summer bucket list—sparks begin to fly. Especially when he helps her experience all the
“real” teen moments she’s missed: parties, picnics… and maybe even a first kiss.
Perfect for readers who love:
• Forced proximity
• Opposites attract
• Reluctant royalty
• Small-town charm reminiscent of Gilmore Girls
A cozy, heartfelt story that explores familial expectations and what it means to choose a life—
and love—on your own terms.

[Tracey Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't read YA or romance, but this was an entertaining, heartfelt story. Abby is a typical teenager, but she's also the First Daughter. After an incident with a pizza order, her mom (the President!) sends her to a country inn for the summer with her snarky younger sister. There's all the usual teen drama (romance, friendship, family issues) but they are magnified for Abby. How she handles these problems is believable, and I loved how authentic the characters felt. With so much negativity in the news lately, this novel was a good escape and the perfect summer read.

[Jeni Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a book with a holiday theme and wanted something other then Chrismtas. I came across this book and I thought, why not! Small town 4th of July romance, ok I guess I'll read it 😄 At times some chapters felt a little rushed but overall a good small town, sweet romance book.

[Leah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

first daughter core

[Haley Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is literally just “the first daughter” movie in book format! had so much fun reading this with leah and it was so silly and cute!

[MyBookNest7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finishing gobbling this up, and my heart is still smiling wideeeeee!!

This story is the ultimate “summer vibes” read, packed with pizza nights, board games, and a bucket list that will make it feel like your own little adventure.

Following Gabe and Abby felt like the perfect summer escape. If you love the small-town charm and the emotional payoff of a well-executed “bucket list” trope, this needs to be on your radar for 2026!

[Readingbythepool · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun summer read. ☀️🇺🇸📚

Abby Cary-Alzona is the First Daughter, but what she really wants is one normal summer to just be a regular teenager. After a pizza delivery scandal lands her in the headlines (yes… a pizza delivery scandal 😂), her plans change and she ends up spending the summer in Mystic Hollow instead.

And that’s where things get really fun.

Abby has a secret summer bucket list she’s never told anyone about, and Gabriel, who lives in Mystic Hollow ends up helping her start checking things off. I loved watching their relationship unfold, and the bucket list angle made this especially fun.

This was sweet, charming, and honestly just a perfect warm-weather read. I loved the First Family/political angle too (former Poli Sci major here, so of course I was into that 🇺🇸). It had romance, summer adventure, a little scandal, and so much hear

This felt like the kind of book that would be perfect to read by the pool, toss in a beach bag, or save for the Fourth of July. I highly recommend reading this one.

Thank you to Delacorte Romance, Love Underlined, and the author for the gifted ARC 🩵

[Caitie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars.

Yikes, this book was…something. I’m usually a sucker for books about teens who have a connection to the White House, but this didn’t work for me at all. It should’ve been better—two girls as first daughters—but no. It felt too lighthearted and silly. I also don’t think you can get food delivered to the White House, so that plot point doesn’t fully make sense to me.

Too much annoying slang (more than I think a teen would use in an actual conversation) and I didn’t feel like I actually got to know the main character. She had no personality in my opinion, all we do know is that she makes lists and likes to impress people. I just couldn’t do it.

[Deborah Zeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

POV: You just wanted a drama-free summer… and instead you went viral. 😳🍕

Abby’s one request before college? Zero headlines. Zero chaos. Just normal.

But after a White House run-in with Gabriel Calabrese (aka charming, chaotic, small-town photographer energy), a pizza delivery mishap turns into front-page humiliation. So naturally, she’s shipped off to his family’s cozy country inn for damage control.

Yes. His family’s inn.

Forced proximity? ✔️
Opposites attract? ✔️
Small-town Fourth of July chaos? ✔️
Secret summer bucket list? ✔️

As they scramble to save the town festival, Gabriel gives Abby something she’s never really had—bonfires, picnics, messy laughter, and maybe… her first real kiss.

Reluctant royalty meets small-town sunshine, and suddenly “normal” doesn’t look so boring anymore.

If you love soft summer romance with Gilmore Girls vibes and swoony slow-burn tension, this one’s calling your name. 🌼✨

This book got me SO into a summer vibe and got me out of my reading slump. Loved that Abby's mom is PRESIDENT! Dad is a very cool First Gentleman. The romance between Gabriel and Abby is a slow burn, one that keeps you reading. It reminded me of the movie First Daughter (?) with Katie Holmes and how she struggles to have a normal life as the FD.

I would love to know if the author was able to interview any first daughters, especially ones who had to live at the White House during their HS years. The author definitely gets across Abby and her sister's frustration with being followed around all the time; the expectations of being the "perfect" first daughters, etc. The fact that Abby is "grounded" to Mystic Hollow actually helps her become more independent, focusing on not just her "bucket" list, but how she can save the community. Congrats on your debut novel! Can't wait to read more of your books in the future! Thank you Netgalley for the Digital ARC!

[Joyana Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh, funny, and perfectly cozy!

This is exactly what a YA romance should be. I was completely charmed by the humor and the snappy banter. Snappy banter is always my flirt language. I loved the idea of a 4th of July romance and the "First Daughter" setup.

What was even better was that Abby still felt incredibly grounded. Her desire to just fit in and find a sense of normalcy was so relatable. I also really enjoyed the bucket list concept.

I've also got to say- I LOVE Gabriel! Sexy photographer? Yup! But he's also just a genuinely nice guy!

Overall, I'd rate it a total delight from start to finish!

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie Rondeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super sweet, debut YA romance from Celeste Dador! I absolutely loved the small-town setting featuring the prim-and-perfect FDOTUS and her crush. This story is nostalgic, heart-warming and empowering, and I loved every second of it. I can't wait to read more from Dador!

[SS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect summer read! Romantic, funny, and perfect for anyone who ever wanted Princess Diaries meets Gilmore Girls small town vibes.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an adorable romance! It's crazy how quick I went from thinking Abby and Oliver would be such a perfect couple to screaming that Abby and Gabriel needed to hurry up and get together. Those two were so perfect for each other and I couldn't stop reading. I was devastated to read that she wasn't able to go on the Hawaii trip anymore but now I'm so glad she stayed at the inn. It was a month of pure happiness and joy. I think it goes to show that having time to decompress without a busy schedule and access to internet can be so calming and good for the soul.

There was also so much amazing representation in this book. Starting off, the president of the U.S. in this book was her mom! I can't wait until this becomes a reality for the U.S. I would love to have a woman in office. Not only was the president a woman, but her family was Filipino! I love reading and learning about other cultures. I also loved the theme/message that celebrities are normal people too. They're not perfect and they deserve to have private and fun, fulfilling lives just like everyone else. While going on the trip to Hawaii would've been fun, I think she ended up having more fun in the small town of Mystic Hollow. Mystic Hollow was not only home to the inn that Gabriel's family owned, but also many other small businesses. They were all so cute and the bonds that they all had with each other was adorable. I love supporting small businesses and I loved to see how much the president and Abby's family cared and supported them. I enjoyed the level of competition in this as it kept me wanting to read more and more but I'm also glad that everything worked out in the end. Such a perfect HEA read.

In addition, I thought Elle was so cute and funny. I'm so glad her character was in this book. She may have complained at the beginning about not going to Hawaii anymore, which is completely understandable, but she quickly ended up having just as much fun as Abby. It was so lovely to see how happy she was and how much she supported Abby. I would totally read a second book about her and even another book on Abby and Gabriel's future together :)

[Marisa Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Show more11:40"Your New Favourite Summer Read: ★★★★★"

Some books arrive at exactly the right moment, and Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights feels tailor-made for long, lazy days and the particular kind of reading joy that leaves you smiling long after you've turned the final page. Celeste and C.C. Dador's debut is a warm, witty, and thoroughly charming YA romance that announces two serious talents in the genre.

Abby Cary-Alzona is an instantly loveable heroine — poised and put-together on the surface, but quietly aching for something real beneath the protocol and press scrutiny that comes with being First Daughter. Her longing for a single ordinary summer before college begins is deeply felt and utterly relatable, even for those of us who have never had a Secret Service detail. When a gloriously chaotic pizza-related scandal throws her into the orbit of Gabriel Calabrese — small-town photographer, charming chaos agent — the stage is set for something special.

And special it is. The forced proximity setup sings here, with the backdrop of Gabriel's family inn and the countdown to the Fourth of July festival lending the story a sun-drenched urgency that keeps the pages turning. The Gilmore Girls comparisons are well earned — there is the same quality of small-town warmth, sharp dialogue, and a community that feels genuinely lived-in rather than merely decorative.

What elevates this above the crowded field of YA romance, however, is the emotional depth running beneath the swoony surface. Abby's bucket list of missed teen experiences — parties, picnics, and the terrifying possibility of a first kiss — is handled with real tenderness, and her journey toward choosing her own life rather than the one mapped out for her gives the novel a quiet resonance that lingers. Gabriel, meanwhile, avoids every pitfall of the love interest archetype; he is funny, perceptive, and genuinely worth rooting for.

Joyful, heartfelt, and utterly unputdownable — a debut that marks the Dadors as names to watch and the perfect companion for summer.

[rue ♡ what rue reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

🫶🏼 read if you love:

— french fries with your ice cream
— astrophotography
— summer romance
— the movies "my date with the president's daughter" or "first daughter" or "chasing liberty"
— opposites attract
— stars hollow vibes

i had an absolute blast reading this holiday-themed summer romance! and what better year to release this story into the world than during America's 250th year?!

while i don't agree with abby on whether pineapple belongs on pizza (i say yum!!) i loved getting to see her blossom and come out of her shell as she chased her not-so-secret summer bucket list. her love and respect for her parents, her kindred relationship with her sister, and the chance she took on a small town despite the circumstances, all made her the perfect female lead.

gabriel? swoony, broody and artsy. need i say more? i loved the way he egged abby on and inevitably helped her loosen up but at the same time respected her position as FDOTUS and the unique hardships that come with that. plus, how can you not fall for a guy who wears chucks with his tuxedo or uses you as his muse?

the small town characters gave stars hollow vibes without being annoying (looking at you kurt 👀) and i so wish there's was a pat's ice cream near me cause now im craving a pike special like nobody's business 🍟🍦

this was such a cute YA romance and i highly recommend you add this to your summer reading list, especially around the 4th of july!! 🇺🇸

==

🫑: kisses
🤬: none
⚠️: parental death (in the past)

Thank you @bookedwiththeemilys @delacorteromance and @celestedador for the #gifted copy. All opinions are my own and honest.

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