Summer Husband: A Novel

by Amy Lorowitz

A compelling blend of sexy and nostalgic, this summer camp romance follows thirty-nine-year-old mom Lori Kramer as she finds out you’re never too old to learn the life lessons—or experience the romances—that sleepaway camp has to offer.

Is thirty-nine too old to get your first sleepaway camp kiss?

Lori Kramer, a stay-at-home mom, would go to any length to give her two daughters the summer experience of their lives—even getting a job at their camp and tagging along with them.

At Camp Woodlands, Lori finds herself overseeing the chaos of four bunks filled with rambunctious kids and their counselors, not to mention having to outwit her boss and outrun a bear—and that’s just during the first half of the summer! But those escapades are child’s play compared to her growing friendship and attraction to Teddy, the camp’s British soccer coach. Their clandestine meetings late at night behind the laundry shack, breaking the no-smoking rule, soon turn hot and steamy like a lazy August afternoon. 

Camp may be for kids, but Lori’s the one having the most fun. She never imagined that stepping outside of her conventional, underappreciated, New York City existence would turn her world upside down and change her life forever.

Genres: Romance, Summer

344 pages, Paperback

Published May 19, 2026

Reviews

[Kate Cedras · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice change up from reading thrillers- summer husband follows Lori’s journey over a summer during time away from her husband.

While I didn’t necessarily agree with how fast paced the book was or how the cheating in the book is kind of normalized- I did still enjoy it and thought it was a fun read.

[Christine Sturman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone should have a summer sleepaway camp experience. In “Summer Husband” by Amy Lorowitz, Lori Kramer, and her girls, Zelda and Hazel, have their first one together at Camp Woodland. Sleepaway camp lasts for two months. Lori is part of the senior staff, a Division Leader, in charge of 48 ten-year old girl campers, the Cubs, and their counselors. Campers participate in organized activities and achieve various accomplishments. Ted Mooney is a senior staff member on the boys side and coaches the camp’s soccer program. He and Lori run into each other behind the laundry hut while each sneaks smoking a forbidden cigarette after the campers go to bed. Ted helps Lori figure out camp life and supports her. Unfortunately the Camp Director, Jack, is a bully and Lori becomes his scapegoat. When she happens to be on the right place at the right time to save a child life, things start to go off the rails.

I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Lorowitz has done a good job of depicting the flavor and essence of camp life. I like the vivid description of Woodland Camp and the activities of the campers, without being bogged down in minutiae. The relationships that developed among the women were healthy and supportive, no backstabbing or cattiness. It was inspiring to see how Lori learned how to stand up for herself and her campers, that leads up to her standing up for herself in her marriage. I wanted the story to continue further than it did to see Lori’s next steps in her life. I hope Ms. Lorowitz writes these next steps in another book. I would recommend this book to readers who like romance and women being true to themselves.

I wish to thank She Writes Press for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#SummerHusband
#SheWritesPress
#NetGalley
#Romance
#SummerCamp
#StrongWomen

[Micheal Drew]

Summer Husband: A Novel by Amy Lorowitz is a lively and nostalgic story that blends humor, romance, and self-discovery against the backdrop of a classic summer camp setting.

The novel follows Lori Kramer, a thirty nine year old stay at home mom living in New York City who decides to take a bold step outside her routine life. Determined to give her daughters an unforgettable summer, Lori takes a job at Camp Woodlands so she can share in their camp experience firsthand. What begins as a simple plan soon turns into a season filled with unexpected adventures, challenges, and personal revelations.

From managing energetic campers and their counselors to navigating the unpredictable surprises of camp life, Lori finds herself in situations far removed from her everyday routine. Yet the biggest change comes when she forms a growing connection with Teddy, the camp’s charming British soccer coach. Their evolving relationship adds warmth and playful tension to the story while highlighting Lori’s journey toward rediscovering her own sense of excitement and independence.

What makes Summer Husband especially appealing is its blend of humor, romance, and midlife reinvention. The novel captures the magic of summer camp late nights, friendships, and a sense that anything can happen while exploring the idea that it’s never too late to step outside one’s comfort zone and embrace new possibilities.

Overall, Summer Husband promises to be an entertaining and heartfelt novel that celebrates personal growth, second chances, and the unexpected adventures that can arise when we allow ourselves to try something new.

[Potato · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and She Writes Press for the ARC!!

First off, I did not enjoy Summer Husband at all. The writing was awful and everything moved way too fast. For context, it’s about a forty-some year old mom named Lori, and how she takes her kids to summer camp to get away from her husband. I’m going to level with you, this book messed with me. The whole time I was reading, it felt like a fever dream. Lori annoyed me to NO END. Everyone magically fell in love with her after like two minutes of hate, she had no character arc other than: damn I’m smart, and thin! as well as what the book was named after (her so-called summer husband) IS NOT THE MAN SHES MARRIED TO. We’re supposed to think her affair is okay and be on her side because Lori’s actual husband ignores her for his job, but that doesn’t condone ACTUAL CHEATING!! The only mildly valid reason she has to cheat is a SPECULATION that he’s having an affair with his secretary (note: this IS proved to be true, but only at the VERY END OF THE BOOK after she slept with another guy like five times). Another reason we’re supposed to sympathize with her is because her bosses suck. I’m pretty sure that’s the most original dilema anyone has ever written about ever in the history of the world…but I could be exaggerating. I guess my main problem is that everyone instantly likes her because “she’s so innovative” and “clever” and “who would have thought of that?” BUT SHES NOT. She’s a pick-me, and that’s all. Last but not least, is just a pet peeve of mine that I must write about, because it BUGGED me the whole book. The guy she’s into/cheating on her husband with is british and that’s his whole personality. Anyway, the only redeeming quality about Summer Husband is that it was never boring (albeit still not very well-written) I never felt like I was slogging through it, which I suppose is good, but I still would not recommend.

[Mary Taber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t usually like romance novels but this one appealed to me, because it was about summer camp. I have many fond memories of camp, both as a camper, and then as a counselor. The descriptions of camp life reminded me of how wonderful camp life can be. In addition, some of the characters in the book reminded me of some of my fellow counselors at my own camp.
The story focuses on Lori, a mom who takes a job at a summer camp to keep an eye on her two daughters, Hazel and Zelda who are campers. Lori has never attended a sleep over camp and has a lot to learn. She makes some lifelong friends and falls in love with Teddy, a handsome English soccer coach. The problem is that she is married to Ronnie, but her marriage is not going well. There are several memorable incidents where Lori saves a camper’s life and where she breaks into a diner to steal their curtains! Lori is quite an adventurer.
There are moments in the book that I really liked. For example, Lori’s handling of her boss, Jack. Jack feels threatened by Lori and lashes out at her on several occasions, and she fights back and does not give in. In addition, the author’s description of Lori’s encounter with a bear was frightening and detailed.
The descriptions of the love scenes between Lori and Teddy were a bit much and the male counselors were all too handsome, for my liking. Lori was the protagonist, and while I recognized that she grew in confidence and poise during the summer, I found myself disliking her. It appears that she did some stupid things throughout the book; e. g. her bear encounter, breaking into the diner, etc…
I enjoyed the book overall, and would recommend it to people who enjoy romance novels.
Many thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the opportunity to read this book and provide feedback.

[Michael Doane]

Summer Husband: A Novel by Amy Lorowitz is a contemporary romance that uses the nostalgic setting of a summer camp to explore themes of identity, renewal, and unexpected emotional connection.

One of the book’s strongest qualities is its premise of midlife rediscovery. By centering the story on a 39 year old protagonist stepping into an unfamiliar environment, the narrative opens space for reflection on personal fulfillment, identity beyond motherhood, and the possibility of change at any stage of life.

Another strength lies in its setting. The summer camp environment provides a natural backdrop for chaos, humor, and emotional intensity, allowing character interactions to unfold in a contained but dynamic space that supports both comedic and romantic development.

The romantic thread introduces an element of contrast between structured adult responsibility and spontaneous emotional experience, reinforcing the theme of stepping outside comfort zones to rediscover joy and connection.

Light, character driven, and emotionally accessible, Summer Husband will appeal to readers of contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and stories focused on reinvention, nostalgia, and life transitions.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 Book Review 📖 Raise your hand if you are a mom (or just a very tired adult) who is desperately in need of a summer retreat away from it all…

Working at a summer camp so that your daughters have that life changing experience may not be a stay at the Ritz, but Lori is a single mother who will sacrifice it all for her girls. And it turns out the magic of those camp days does not have an age cap because romance comes in the shape of a British soccer coach who brings a sizzle to the summer nights.

Amy Lorowitz brings nostalgia and a gentle nudge to remind us all that sometimes life’s best moments happen when we least expect it. Summer Husband is refreshingly relatable and the perfect temporary distraction if you cannot really take a sabbatical from the daily grind. While I may struggle to keep up with the new lingo of the youth and what’s cool right now, I can feel confident in saying this is the kind of summer read calling out us “old folk” who are yearning for a reprieve from reality and another chance to escape to summer camp.

[Lorelei Brush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Husband took me right back to the years I spent at summer camp, returning each year to the same place and coming to love it as though it were home. Like the protagonist Lori's children, I loved the out-of-doors and like Lori, I enjoyed the challenges of being a counselor to young girls. We didn't have a conjoined boys' camp, so the interactions of the counselors were certainly different--though the friendships among staff were very similar. I have a feeling many young women reading this debut novel will also recognize the setting.

The story develops a love interest between an Adonis of a man and a woman trying to find herself after years of being what her husband seems to think of as "just a mother." It's always rewarding to watch someone grow in self-confidence, to recognize her own skills, and defeat a husband who puts her down. To have her find a much more satisfying love is icing on the cake.

[Emory McC · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish this worked for me but unfortunately it never got to a point where I really vibed with it.

That said, it wasn’t a boring read and picking it up didn’t feel like a chore! I just never really cared despite there being some tropes I typically enjoy.

I’m also not someone who has to like every character but in a romance I usually like at least someone! I feel like for a lot of people this could be because of a certain aspect of the story* but for me I enjoy that when done well. It just didn’t feel like it was expanded on in a way that made it worthwhile.

Summer camp vibes are always good though and it didn’t make me want to go to camp really badly!

Thank you TK She Writes Press and NetGalley for the eARC!


*spoiler*
infidelity, not within the couple you’re meant to be rooting for and could’ve been interesting but it was such a non-issue that it was honestly just bland

[Milena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I assume some readers might enjoy this book but unfortunately it wasn't for me even though I really wanted to love it.

The most important aspect why I didn't love it is the writing. I've been struggling to go through the book because of that. It felt more like a movie script rather than a book you could root for. And I was thinking that I would watch a movie like that: nostalgic and fun, and summer-ish... Until I realised "Summer Husband" actually referenced the summer fling (aka cheating) which was really unnecessary.

And I can't say anything more, unfortunately. I didn't feel the needed summer camp atmosphere and the characters are faceless and unlikable.

Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for sending an e-ARC!

[Erica]

I came to this book for the summer camp vibes, and it definitely delivered. The entire novel takes place at an overnight camp where the main character is a counselor, and in addition to the familiar pleasure of the summer camp experience it was a particular delight to read about it all from an adult perspective.

I was less enthralled by the main character, whose emotional opacity made her hard to sympathize with, and the oversimplified characterization of secondary characters (in particular the villains). The main character's best relationships are with her daughters, and I would have loved to read more about this trio's adventures growing and changing, separately and together, at camp.

[I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions are my own.]

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori had never been to sleep away camp so she signed up to be a counselor and could take her girls to camp. Ted had been on staff for 20 years with his son Max. I loved this book! Jack, the part owner of the camp, was a real bully and I loved how Lori defended herself. The campers were great and I loved all the exciting things they did and the way they built relationships. It was fun to see Lori, the wife of a lawyer who was married to his work, stand up for herself. Ted was the foundation for all Lori had to content with including the other counselors and staff. This was romantic and full of fun.

[Merrill Feldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! I felt like I was back at camp. I could almost smell the campfires and the forest. I also enjoyed Lori, the main character. She was so authentic and relatable, and I wanted to be friends with her. I loved her sense of humor, the way she discovered herself, and how she grew through her experiences. I also loved Lori’s adventures. They were so creatively plotted and vividly described. Finally, I found the romance sweet and believable. I also appreciated that the romance didn’t overwhelm the storytelling and the realness of the setting, which were the highlights of the book for me. All in all, it was a very fun and breezy read. Perfect for summertime or anytime.

[Maisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!⭐️

As someone who is going into her third year working in a summer camp, this was perfect!

I also loved that this was about older staff & not teenage campers/counselors that most of the summer camp books I know of are about!

While I loved the setting, the characters and Lori’s strong sense of independence, I felt that there was depth and development missing from certain parts, relationships and hardships. (I also missed spice !!!)

All in all, I thought this was a very enjoyable, cosy, light-hearted read & I would recommend it to anyone who works at a summer camp, or has previously!!

[Jude Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this is a great summer read, filled with fun and humor. I appreciated Lori as a strong woman with the guts to fight misogyny at the sleepover camp and to rebel against the abuse in her marriage. Her relationship with “summer husband” Teddy is developed sensitively and realistically. (You’d have to be an uber-conservative reader to find it objectionable.) I was never a camp counselor but I did attend camp as a kid, and reading brought back memories I’d forgotten about that world.

[Judy Molland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Lorowitz's novel had me laughing out loud throughout. Lori Kramer and her two young children, Zelda and Hazel, are spending eight weeks at Woodlands summer camp - all three for the first time. As Lori struggles and succeeds with the many rites of passage as a DL (division leader), we also hear of her arguments with husband Ronnie, which feel spot-on. As a native of England, I also learned about the whole new world of summer camps. This was a fast read, as I couldn't wait to find out what would happen with the summer husband!

[Alyssa Sadoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you spent 8 weeks in a hot cabin, sent your kids away for a short session, or just watched THE PARENT TRAP, this debut novel will speak to you
on many levels. Light and easy to read, you’ll be able to envision every walk up that muddy hill and every bland dinner. But who knew what went on when the campers were asleep? SUMMER HUSBAND is a perfect beach/lake/airplane/vacation read to add to your bookshelf.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Husband was a light, fun read that made for a good palate cleanser. It really did bring back the nostalgia of summer camp and it has me wanting to see if there's anything like that for me to sign my kids up for! I do feel like things tied up just a little too neatly and easily for my liking but that was the only draw back. Otherwise, perfect summer read!!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Isa Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Husband re-creates summer camp as seen through the eyes of those who pull it off every year. There is never a dull moment as middle-aged Lori Kramer, neglected by her husband, takes a job as a Camp Woodlands division leader so that her daughters can attend. Right from the start, sparks fly as Lori battles the dictatorial director and befriends a handsome British soccer coach/ counselor. Lori’s summer is almost too good to be true, but that’s the fun of the story.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Husband by Amy Lorowitz is exactly the kind of book I was looking for — engaging, entertaining, and hard to put down. From the first pages, it drew me in and let me relax into the story without a worry in the world. The characters are wonderfully drawn and easy to relate to. The story itself is a real pleasure. An impressive debut novel from Amy Lorowitz, and I’m already looking forward to whatever she writes next.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[Paula Lorenzoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️ A Perfect Summer Read
Summer Husband by Amy Lorowitz is a fun, feel-good story about a woman who takes a job as a camp counselor, and in the process rediscovers herself. Lori is easy to root for as she navigates her marriage, a summer romance, and an unexpected new direction for her life.
Perfect for the beach or a lazy afternoon. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great summer escape!

[Anna Mollindo · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who’s never attended summer camp, this book made me really want to go to one. It sounds like endless and tiresome fun. For a debut novel, this story was entertaining and interesting. It was very well rounded and detailed. I felt like the ending was maybe a bit rushed but it all turned out well. Excellent summer read.

[Steven Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Lorowitz’s debut novel, Summer Husband, had me laughing and crying throughout. I have never been to sleep away camp (my kids went) but this was still a fun read as the story is much more than a camp read — its about personal growth, making new friends and finding a new path, when life seemed to be stuck. Loved it!

[Seth Lucash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I was brought right into the book and cared about the characters right away. The author's imagery and writing style made me feel like I was back at camp. I know I love a book by two characteristics - 1) I think about the characters when I'm not reading the book and 2) I'm disappointed when it ends: both were true for Summer Husband!

[Mima Tipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, summer camp days! Lorowitz’s Summer Husband introduces 39 yro Lori Kramer who comes to a life-crossroad, and needs a huge break. She finds that break—and a whole lot more—during a summer spent as a Division Leader at her daughters’ camp. Mayhem and magic ensue in this swoony and heartwarming read. Full of nostalgic and second chances vibes, this novel was a fun and often funny read.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. I really wanted to like this book. The concept seemed entertaining. But I felt like the MC kept making terrible choices that she would justify and the camp director was a real piece of work. I wanted a little more — it seemed far fetched in areas, and then it seemed to just end.

[Andrea Ezerins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, nostalgic, and heartfelt summer romance that proves it’s never too late for firsts. Lori is a wonderfully relatable heroine, and the camp setting is full of charm, chaos, and humor. The romance is sweet, sexy, and believable, but what really shines is Lori’s journey of rediscovery and growth. A warm, entertaining read perfect for summer. Highly recommend.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable summer camp fun. Not a big fan of infidelity being something to root for, but it somehow worked okay for this situation. Did not like the "ending"- is there a sequel planned?

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

[JXR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun summer romance. I wasn't a huge fan of the cheating aspect, but the romance part worked well. 3.5 stars, thanks for the E-ARC.

[Rachel Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest fan of cheating stories but she made the choices understandable