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First Summer
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26A dreamy debut novel about the summer love that changes two girls at the edge of adulthood.
“In the heat and the green haze that seemed to surround us both like a physical presence, I felt intensely awake.”
One afternoon at the start of summer, a teenage girl watches a new girl move in across the street. In Clara, she recognizes the same loneliness that she feels herself, but finds tenderness and laughter, too. Over hot, languid days spent talking and reading side by side in the garden, the narrator is awakened to the possibility of a true connection with another human being, free of the self-consciousness she feels with others.
Meanwhile, in a distant fictional galaxy, Nadia the space explorer—the protagonist of a childhood book series beloved by both girls—traverses the known universe with her companion Rosa. Their imagined adventures make sense of new and powerful feelings.
First Summer captures the innocence and agony of adolescence and the exquisite promise of love on the cusp of adulthood: a moment where fantasy is still vivid in the mind, even as adulthood looms. This story of the first summer of love echoes throughout the characters’ lives and will change them forever.
“In the heat and the green haze that seemed to surround us both like a physical presence, I felt intensely awake.”
One afternoon at the start of summer, a teenage girl watches a new girl move in across the street. In Clara, she recognizes the same loneliness that she feels herself, but finds tenderness and laughter, too. Over hot, languid days spent talking and reading side by side in the garden, the narrator is awakened to the possibility of a true connection with another human being, free of the self-consciousness she feels with others.
Meanwhile, in a distant fictional galaxy, Nadia the space explorer—the protagonist of a childhood book series beloved by both girls—traverses the known universe with her companion Rosa. Their imagined adventures make sense of new and powerful feelings.
First Summer captures the innocence and agony of adolescence and the exquisite promise of love on the cusp of adulthood: a moment where fantasy is still vivid in the mind, even as adulthood looms. This story of the first summer of love echoes throughout the characters’ lives and will change them forever.
208 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
May 30, 2026
It’s satisfying to experience a gentle, tender little book. Two girls find each other in that soft, in‑between space of summer, the start of their lives, what could really be. A deep friendship morphing into a deep love, and where that would eventually meander through both lives, always simmering, always and forever. Explanations of that soul joining love were quite poetic minus any fluff, insightful, almost lilting us as a reader into the scene itself. On the grass, with them. That’s a big deal.
I love witnessing the introspection, one of the girls so aware of her own differences, constantly measuring herself against the world, this felt so familiar to me. It was like reading a version of my own simmering inner voice. Sometimes I don’t see similarities till I read them.
•••“So I would say something funny or splash some water in her face until she laughed and her eyes came alive once more. Only later, long after that season of my life had passed, would I come to recognize and regret the failure of courage, the selfish, paralysing terror which had prevented me from allowing those silences to settle into truth.”•••
That’s the tone of the whole book, quiet, observant and full of the things we may only understand years later.
The fictional story woven through didn’t grab me, but the girls’ relationship is worth the read on its own, reminding me I love character driven novels.
It’s short, quietly pensive and perfect for a thoughtful afternoon. I was in the sun, near the flowers and my own little free street library.
I fell in love with the ending, satisfying and provoking. Recommended for a short heartfelt piece of literary fiction, and may I say as a debut, very well done.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my review copy.
I love witnessing the introspection, one of the girls so aware of her own differences, constantly measuring herself against the world, this felt so familiar to me. It was like reading a version of my own simmering inner voice. Sometimes I don’t see similarities till I read them.
•••“So I would say something funny or splash some water in her face until she laughed and her eyes came alive once more. Only later, long after that season of my life had passed, would I come to recognize and regret the failure of courage, the selfish, paralysing terror which had prevented me from allowing those silences to settle into truth.”•••
That’s the tone of the whole book, quiet, observant and full of the things we may only understand years later.
The fictional story woven through didn’t grab me, but the girls’ relationship is worth the read on its own, reminding me I love character driven novels.
It’s short, quietly pensive and perfect for a thoughtful afternoon. I was in the sun, near the flowers and my own little free street library.
I fell in love with the ending, satisfying and provoking. Recommended for a short heartfelt piece of literary fiction, and may I say as a debut, very well done.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my review copy.
May 23, 2026
Why are the ratings so low? There really isn’t enough yearners 😂
☀️ “That summer I learned what it means to love somebody so much that you might actually be the same person with a different face and a different voice but with the same beating heart,” ☀️
Nadia has always been different, finding it hard to make friends and fit in, standing out in a town where the worst thing you can do is stand out. The arrival of a new girl on her street, Clara, is about to change everything.
Everyone says Clara and Nadia are joined at the hip, but the outsiders will never know how true that is. For the first time in her life Nadia can share everything with Clara, every odd thought and strangeness about herself and Clara not only sees her but has felt the same too. In one short summer Nadia goes from feeling like an island to being known, truly known.
I’m not a romance girly, but this book! The intensity and yearning, the fumblings of newness! This is the book that had me feeling so invested in this friendship turned relationship! And the fact that decades later they still reflect on this summer with love? Yes, more of this.
I also really enjoyed the book inside the book and how well it played off our storyline.
Sticky and sweet, this little book reads like a hazy summers day where nothing is set in stone and anything is possible, even a first love. Where love is time and time is infinite and fleeting when you only have one summer.
Nadia and Clara you will always have that summer.
☀️ “That summer I learned what it means to love somebody so much that you might actually be the same person with a different face and a different voice but with the same beating heart,” ☀️
Nadia has always been different, finding it hard to make friends and fit in, standing out in a town where the worst thing you can do is stand out. The arrival of a new girl on her street, Clara, is about to change everything.
Everyone says Clara and Nadia are joined at the hip, but the outsiders will never know how true that is. For the first time in her life Nadia can share everything with Clara, every odd thought and strangeness about herself and Clara not only sees her but has felt the same too. In one short summer Nadia goes from feeling like an island to being known, truly known.
I’m not a romance girly, but this book! The intensity and yearning, the fumblings of newness! This is the book that had me feeling so invested in this friendship turned relationship! And the fact that decades later they still reflect on this summer with love? Yes, more of this.
I also really enjoyed the book inside the book and how well it played off our storyline.
Sticky and sweet, this little book reads like a hazy summers day where nothing is set in stone and anything is possible, even a first love. Where love is time and time is infinite and fleeting when you only have one summer.
Nadia and Clara you will always have that summer.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My initial thought about this book is that appears to be set ambiguously. After reading a few reviews it’s appears the book was set in the late 90s in Australia. World building is important to readers especially in debut novels. I would have loved to know where this was set to help imagine the characters and their journeys better. Not sure if the writing style was intentional on some chapters being repetitive as it reads like a stream of consciousness. No one writes teenage girls better than previous teenage girls. Overall 4/5. Sapphic summer romance/coming of age novels always hold a place in my heart.
ARC from net galley
ARC from net galley
May 9, 2026
3.5 stars — A summer between two girls with a budding friendship and romance. I enjoyed how there was an explicit emphasis on the importance of both friendship and love.
I couldn’t connect with the Nadia dream sequence and felt like the author was utilizing these sections as a proxy to the main character’s feelings. I would’ve preferred hearing from the main character herself.
Thank you to Netgalley for the copy!
I couldn’t connect with the Nadia dream sequence and felt like the author was utilizing these sections as a proxy to the main character’s feelings. I would’ve preferred hearing from the main character herself.
Thank you to Netgalley for the copy!
June 17, 2026
Rating: 4.25 stars
FIRST SUMMER looks back on that one homoerotic friendship with a girl best friend and the aftermath of the fallout. In this case, the fallout isn’t an argument, but that Clara had moved away and never told the narrator about it, and the narrator is so hurt by this huge omission that she cuts off any attempt Clara makes to get back in touch with her. It is with the benefit of hindsight, many years later when it’s far too late for the two of them, that she can look back on what they once had and remember it fondly. It is full of regret and yearning, reflecting on the intertwining of love and friendship, and how the narrator’s relationship with Clara brought her out of herself so she could learn to make other friends and love other people. This first love of that first summer, while not everlasting, had changed both girls in many ways, teaching them about love in ways that they only come to appreciate later in life. The novel itself is a meditation on the many ways love can be expressed, how it can change a person or their outlook, and make life a lot warmer and more colourful. More importantly, a love doesn’t have to be everlasting and unchanging for it to have meant something; it can be a crystal-clear memory frozen in time, as beautiful in retrospect as it had been at the time when it was flourishing.
FIRST SUMMER looks back on that one homoerotic friendship with a girl best friend and the aftermath of the fallout. In this case, the fallout isn’t an argument, but that Clara had moved away and never told the narrator about it, and the narrator is so hurt by this huge omission that she cuts off any attempt Clara makes to get back in touch with her. It is with the benefit of hindsight, many years later when it’s far too late for the two of them, that she can look back on what they once had and remember it fondly. It is full of regret and yearning, reflecting on the intertwining of love and friendship, and how the narrator’s relationship with Clara brought her out of herself so she could learn to make other friends and love other people. This first love of that first summer, while not everlasting, had changed both girls in many ways, teaching them about love in ways that they only come to appreciate later in life. The novel itself is a meditation on the many ways love can be expressed, how it can change a person or their outlook, and make life a lot warmer and more colourful. More importantly, a love doesn’t have to be everlasting and unchanging for it to have meant something; it can be a crystal-clear memory frozen in time, as beautiful in retrospect as it had been at the time when it was flourishing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Super sweet. Happy Pride!
——
arc!
Needed to load up my Kindle before my trip, so I thought I'd give this one a try. I love when publishers send me recommendations without requesting.
——
arc!
Needed to load up my Kindle before my trip, so I thought I'd give this one a try. I love when publishers send me recommendations without requesting.
June 30, 2026
sweet and sapphic, thought i didn't care for the galactic relationship. Coincidently my second consecutive read that has referenced jane eyre
February 5, 2026
3.5 rounded up.
What really bothered me at the beginning was I had no idea where and when this book took place. I thought it was the American South until the author used the word “mum” and from there I was thoroughly confused.
It was a cute, nostalgic-feeling coming of age love story, but not a romance. Themes of self-discovery in the dog days of summer. I love stories that take place over a short period of time.
At parts, almost giving stream of consciousness.
I could not for the life of me buy into the Nadia sections. I dreaded them. I really should have like them but I couldn’t commit and only looked forward to our main character and Clara.
For lovers of Sunburn and Last Night at the Telegraph club and maybe One Last Stop.
ARC from Netgalley.
What really bothered me at the beginning was I had no idea where and when this book took place. I thought it was the American South until the author used the word “mum” and from there I was thoroughly confused.
It was a cute, nostalgic-feeling coming of age love story, but not a romance. Themes of self-discovery in the dog days of summer. I love stories that take place over a short period of time.
At parts, almost giving stream of consciousness.
I could not for the life of me buy into the Nadia sections. I dreaded them. I really should have like them but I couldn’t commit and only looked forward to our main character and Clara.
For lovers of Sunburn and Last Night at the Telegraph club and maybe One Last Stop.
ARC from Netgalley.
July 2, 2026
A lonely teenage girl’s life changes forever when she befriends Clara, the new girl who moves in across the street. Together they spend the summer reading in Clara’s grandmother’s garden, swimming, and sharing their deepest thoughts. As their friendship blossoms into first love, they experience joy, heartbreak, and loss that will shape the rest of their lives.
Interwoven throughout the novel is a story set in a distant galaxy that mirrors the girls’ relationship and experiences.
This was such an intimate and emotional portrayal of love that goes beyond friendship, while also capturing what it truly feels like to experience loss. The way those moments echoed throughout the rest of their lives really stayed with me. It’s a short read, but one that packs an emotional punch while also celebrating friendship, first love, and the beauty of girlhood.
My one major gripe was the sci-fi storyline. While I understood what it was trying to do, it didn’t add much for me and often pulled me out of the emotional core of the story. I think the novel would have been even stronger had it focused solely on Clara and the narrator’s relationship.
Overall, this was a touching coming-of-age story that left me both smiling and heartbroken.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC! First Summer releases August 18th. 🍋🌻
Interwoven throughout the novel is a story set in a distant galaxy that mirrors the girls’ relationship and experiences.
This was such an intimate and emotional portrayal of love that goes beyond friendship, while also capturing what it truly feels like to experience loss. The way those moments echoed throughout the rest of their lives really stayed with me. It’s a short read, but one that packs an emotional punch while also celebrating friendship, first love, and the beauty of girlhood.
My one major gripe was the sci-fi storyline. While I understood what it was trying to do, it didn’t add much for me and often pulled me out of the emotional core of the story. I think the novel would have been even stronger had it focused solely on Clara and the narrator’s relationship.
Overall, this was a touching coming-of-age story that left me both smiling and heartbroken.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC! First Summer releases August 18th. 🍋🌻
June 5, 2026
This book was so lush and delectable! It reminded me of “Sunburn” without the religious trauma. The writing was very detailed and such a joy to read. My only qualm with this book was the ending. Although, it did seem kind of necessary, I just don’t love the trope the author used to wrap things up.
Also, not sure how my local New Jersey library system got a copy of this on Libby considering it’s not even out in the US yet, but I’m not complaining. Might have to snag a physical copy of it when it comes out here.
Also, not sure how my local New Jersey library system got a copy of this on Libby considering it’s not even out in the US yet, but I’m not complaining. Might have to snag a physical copy of it when it comes out here.
June 19, 2026
a perfect little time capsule of the endless summer of teenage days. i’ve been absolutely loving these sapphic coming of age stories lately! like some other readers i don’t really find the interludes necessary, it was a bit jarring to jump into the sci fi story every so often when the girls only actually talked about it once or twice. more detailed review coming soon!
June 2, 2026
3.5 This felt so gentle and tender. I adored the ending.
I don’t know if it bothered me or enticed me that I COULD NOT place where this story took place?
I don’t know if it bothered me or enticed me that I COULD NOT place where this story took place?
tbr-arc
January 9, 2026what's not to love about young love that blossoms during the summer?
*thank you to S&S/Summit Books for the ARC*
*thank you to S&S/Summit Books for the ARC*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⋆˙✮ 5
I held it together for most of this book knowing what was coming, but I still teared up by the end of it. This is the epitome of a love story, not a romance— and if you don’t know the difference between the two, you’ll certainly find out after reading this.
The story follows our main character during her summer break, where she meets Clara, the granddaughter of her “oddball” neighbor, who’s temporarily visiting her town. Together, the two find solace in each other, both not having many friends. And what initially started out as a comforting friendship soon blossomed into something more, with lingering glances, hidden touches, and secret meanings.
This was such a treat to read. I genuinely felt like I was reading a diary entry of someone’s journey through all the messy things that come along with growing up— first loves, sexuality, and teenage awkwardness. Coming of age stories, especially ones like First Summer, serve as a reminder that not everyone you meet will become a permanent fixture in your life, but your time with them and the memories have the opportunity to linger, shaping who you become long after the moment has passed. It’s a universal language that I truly believe anyone can relate to in some way.
I was also wary about the Nadia excerpts after reading the blurb, but it 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 worked for me. The way it was incorporated was done really well, and I even found myself looking forward to the next bits of Nadia’s “story” as I was making my way through the book.
The only thing I was left confused about was the author’s choice to not include when and where the book takes place. The town and the sizzling summer heat were described really well, but I had no idea it took place in the late 90’s in Australia until “Breakers” was mentioned, which I came to find out was an Australian TV show. I don’t think I’ve ever had to go through the trouble of Googling something like that for a book until now, but who knows, maybe it was intentional since the book reads like a journal entry.
With only 208 pages, this was a very quick and enjoyable read that left me reflective and almost nostalgic in a way. This was truly a great debut novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
I held it together for most of this book knowing what was coming, but I still teared up by the end of it. This is the epitome of a love story, not a romance— and if you don’t know the difference between the two, you’ll certainly find out after reading this.
The story follows our main character during her summer break, where she meets Clara, the granddaughter of her “oddball” neighbor, who’s temporarily visiting her town. Together, the two find solace in each other, both not having many friends. And what initially started out as a comforting friendship soon blossomed into something more, with lingering glances, hidden touches, and secret meanings.
This was such a treat to read. I genuinely felt like I was reading a diary entry of someone’s journey through all the messy things that come along with growing up— first loves, sexuality, and teenage awkwardness. Coming of age stories, especially ones like First Summer, serve as a reminder that not everyone you meet will become a permanent fixture in your life, but your time with them and the memories have the opportunity to linger, shaping who you become long after the moment has passed. It’s a universal language that I truly believe anyone can relate to in some way.
I was also wary about the Nadia excerpts after reading the blurb, but it 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 worked for me. The way it was incorporated was done really well, and I even found myself looking forward to the next bits of Nadia’s “story” as I was making my way through the book.
The only thing I was left confused about was the author’s choice to not include when and where the book takes place. The town and the sizzling summer heat were described really well, but I had no idea it took place in the late 90’s in Australia until “Breakers” was mentioned, which I came to find out was an Australian TV show. I don’t think I’ve ever had to go through the trouble of Googling something like that for a book until now, but who knows, maybe it was intentional since the book reads like a journal entry.
With only 208 pages, this was a very quick and enjoyable read that left me reflective and almost nostalgic in a way. This was truly a great debut novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to #NetGalley along with #Simon&Schuster #SummitBooks for the opportunity to read and review #FirstSummer by #EkinOklap in advance of its release later this summer (8.18.2026).
My initial experience while reading the book was that I inadvertently requested a young adult novel which is not a genre I seek out but because the book is relatively short I decided to stick with it to see where it went. I would certainly classify it as a coming of age novel with a young adult feel but the plot took on a weightier and, for me, deeper and more interesting feel toward the very end (in a way that made the majority of the book more of a flashback from an advanced age). I really enjoyed the latter part of the novel (so much that it felt like I was reading a different book).
The narrator of the novel presents as a socially awkward and naive young women who seems to only have one acquaintance, a neighborhood "good guy" named Joe, until another similarly awkward girl named Clara moves in with a relative right up the street. The girls meet and immediately hit it off and in no time they are an inseparable pair (allowing Joe to be a third in their adventures).
In the meantime, a parallel plot line emerges that tells the story of Rosa, Nadia, and Lynx (animated sci fi characters from books that both girls revel in and this serves as an additional bond between them). Both storylines vacillate between a childlike adolescence/innocence and the exploration of newly emerging passions. I could see what the parallel storyline was supposed to be doing but found it entirely unnecessary. Again this may be because it reinforced the young adult feel of the book and I further struggled to stay invested with both storylines. The animated portion, it seems to me, tries to come at same-sex love and friendship from a fairytale perspective and detracts from the primary story.
Again, the best part of the book for me is the end (no spoilers). I'm sure this one will have an appreciative and devoted audience but it feels as if they will be younger and more interested in the secondary plot and the coming of age aspects of the book. Thanks for allowing me to read/review and I wish Ekin Oklap all the success in the world!!
My initial experience while reading the book was that I inadvertently requested a young adult novel which is not a genre I seek out but because the book is relatively short I decided to stick with it to see where it went. I would certainly classify it as a coming of age novel with a young adult feel but the plot took on a weightier and, for me, deeper and more interesting feel toward the very end (in a way that made the majority of the book more of a flashback from an advanced age). I really enjoyed the latter part of the novel (so much that it felt like I was reading a different book).
The narrator of the novel presents as a socially awkward and naive young women who seems to only have one acquaintance, a neighborhood "good guy" named Joe, until another similarly awkward girl named Clara moves in with a relative right up the street. The girls meet and immediately hit it off and in no time they are an inseparable pair (allowing Joe to be a third in their adventures).
In the meantime, a parallel plot line emerges that tells the story of Rosa, Nadia, and Lynx (animated sci fi characters from books that both girls revel in and this serves as an additional bond between them). Both storylines vacillate between a childlike adolescence/innocence and the exploration of newly emerging passions. I could see what the parallel storyline was supposed to be doing but found it entirely unnecessary. Again this may be because it reinforced the young adult feel of the book and I further struggled to stay invested with both storylines. The animated portion, it seems to me, tries to come at same-sex love and friendship from a fairytale perspective and detracts from the primary story.
Again, the best part of the book for me is the end (no spoilers). I'm sure this one will have an appreciative and devoted audience but it feels as if they will be younger and more interested in the secondary plot and the coming of age aspects of the book. Thanks for allowing me to read/review and I wish Ekin Oklap all the success in the world!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
3.5 ⭐️s
Overall, I had a good time with this one. There was a very dreamy vibe to the narration that I loved, with the story drifting through the daze of this one sizzling summer in a way that felt like passing through memories. For me, the lack of definitive (or, at least, easily identifiable) setting just further added to this feeling of reminiscence—like the narrator is so honed in on the Clara of it all that she’s only really remembering the details in relation to their time together. Their story was equal parts endearing and heartbreaking to read, and I loved (almost) every second of it. Minor qualms to come in a sec.
First, the intergalactic plot. Was it absolutely necessary in order to fully understand the character dynamics at play in this book? No, probably not. But I had fun! I adored the trio as a whole, and the yearning between Nadia and Rosa amidst the chaos of near-constant space-shootouts was so good. My only teensy tiny complaint here is that I wish this had all tied in with the main plot a liiiittle bit more, but I honestly was so entertained by this storyline from start to finish that I don’t care all that much. It did its work in amusing me—sometimes that’s enough!
Onto the minor qualms: things got a bit repetitive at times, and I didn’t totally love the ending for the main plot. Now, the repetition very well could’ve been intentional—I noticed it more in moments when the narrator was dwelling on a memory, or falling into a sort of routine-based time loop—but it just didn’t always land for me. And as for the ending, it really was just the Very End that dragged for me a little bit. While I can definitely see the appeal in the narrator getting the closure that she does, I think I would’ve personally preferred something a little more open-ended.
All in all, this was a fun (minorly devastating) little weekend read.
3.5 ⭐️s
Overall, I had a good time with this one. There was a very dreamy vibe to the narration that I loved, with the story drifting through the daze of this one sizzling summer in a way that felt like passing through memories. For me, the lack of definitive (or, at least, easily identifiable) setting just further added to this feeling of reminiscence—like the narrator is so honed in on the Clara of it all that she’s only really remembering the details in relation to their time together. Their story was equal parts endearing and heartbreaking to read, and I loved (almost) every second of it. Minor qualms to come in a sec.
First, the intergalactic plot. Was it absolutely necessary in order to fully understand the character dynamics at play in this book? No, probably not. But I had fun! I adored the trio as a whole, and the yearning between Nadia and Rosa amidst the chaos of near-constant space-shootouts was so good. My only teensy tiny complaint here is that I wish this had all tied in with the main plot a liiiittle bit more, but I honestly was so entertained by this storyline from start to finish that I don’t care all that much. It did its work in amusing me—sometimes that’s enough!
Onto the minor qualms: things got a bit repetitive at times, and I didn’t totally love the ending for the main plot. Now, the repetition very well could’ve been intentional—I noticed it more in moments when the narrator was dwelling on a memory, or falling into a sort of routine-based time loop—but it just didn’t always land for me. And as for the ending, it really was just the Very End that dragged for me a little bit. While I can definitely see the appeal in the narrator getting the closure that she does, I think I would’ve personally preferred something a little more open-ended.
All in all, this was a fun (minorly devastating) little weekend read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to say this first because it BOTHERED ME but I feel like the publisher did this book a great injustice by not mentioning that it's set in Australia around either the summer of 1998 or 1999. The only way I figured it out is because the narrator mentioned the TV show Breakers, and I Googled it.
Literally, WHY WOULD YOU HIDE THAT? That's the best part! Am I going to get in trouble for revealing it here? Was it supposed to be a big secret or something? SO WEIRD.
It's necessary info because it partially explains the behavior of the main character. To me, the main character feels neuro-diverse-coded, and despite being sixteen, she thought and behaved more like a twelve-year-old. (This isn't to disparage the writer or the book, as you see, I gave five stars. Just as precocious sixteen-year-olds who act twenty-four exist, so do ones who act much younger. Those stories are interesting and worth telling, too. Actually, sometimes they are even more fascinating. The loss of innocence at such an older age after having been sheltered too long can be brutal.)
At 208 pages, it was a quick read, like a curated summer journal of a teenage girl's sapphic summer awakening, filled with honest, raw, embarrassing detail. Something to get lost in for a day, preferably outdoors in the shade of a porch overlooking a grassy yard on a hot sunny day while wearing a sundress and sipping lemonade, or by the pool or the beach.
The sprinkling of Nadia fanfiction was a nice touch.
I'm going to say this first because it BOTHERED ME but I feel like the publisher did this book a great injustice by not mentioning that it's set in Australia around either the summer of 1998 or 1999. The only way I figured it out is because the narrator mentioned the TV show Breakers, and I Googled it.
Literally, WHY WOULD YOU HIDE THAT? That's the best part! Am I going to get in trouble for revealing it here? Was it supposed to be a big secret or something? SO WEIRD.
It's necessary info because it partially explains the behavior of the main character. To me, the main character feels neuro-diverse-coded, and despite being sixteen, she thought and behaved more like a twelve-year-old. (This isn't to disparage the writer or the book, as you see, I gave five stars. Just as precocious sixteen-year-olds who act twenty-four exist, so do ones who act much younger. Those stories are interesting and worth telling, too. Actually, sometimes they are even more fascinating. The loss of innocence at such an older age after having been sheltered too long can be brutal.)
At 208 pages, it was a quick read, like a curated summer journal of a teenage girl's sapphic summer awakening, filled with honest, raw, embarrassing detail. Something to get lost in for a day, preferably outdoors in the shade of a porch overlooking a grassy yard on a hot sunny day while wearing a sundress and sipping lemonade, or by the pool or the beach.
The sprinkling of Nadia fanfiction was a nice touch.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
***3.5 stars rounded up to 4 on here***
This was a super speedy read at 208 pages and is basically a teenage girl’s abbreviated journal entry detailing her sapphic summer awakening. I thought the writing was detailed and compelling and I loved the ending. The Nadia fanfiction entries were an interesting touch too, though I didn’t think they strengthened the overall story.
A teenage girl plans to spend the summer lonely until a neighbor’s granddaughter, Clara, comes to stay in the neighborhood. In this new girl Clara, our narrator sees herself reflected, and the girls become intimately close, spending all their days together, sharing stories and experiences, and slowly falling in love, until summer ends and they go their separate ways. The plot really focuses on their time together and the author does a great job laying out all their experiences together in great detail. This book would be a great read at the beach during the summer, or cooling off in a sunny meadow. As previously mentioned, it’s a fast read.
I loved the ending and the maturity arc the narrator experiences as she recounts that past summer as an adult. Plus, I love a good plot tie up and the happy ending of sorts that the author arrives at. I took off a star because I wanted more info about the setting and point in time this took place. The experience was almost universal feeling but I wanted more info about the situational factors that influenced the narrator.
This book publishes on 8/18/26. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC.
This was a super speedy read at 208 pages and is basically a teenage girl’s abbreviated journal entry detailing her sapphic summer awakening. I thought the writing was detailed and compelling and I loved the ending. The Nadia fanfiction entries were an interesting touch too, though I didn’t think they strengthened the overall story.
A teenage girl plans to spend the summer lonely until a neighbor’s granddaughter, Clara, comes to stay in the neighborhood. In this new girl Clara, our narrator sees herself reflected, and the girls become intimately close, spending all their days together, sharing stories and experiences, and slowly falling in love, until summer ends and they go their separate ways. The plot really focuses on their time together and the author does a great job laying out all their experiences together in great detail. This book would be a great read at the beach during the summer, or cooling off in a sunny meadow. As previously mentioned, it’s a fast read.
I loved the ending and the maturity arc the narrator experiences as she recounts that past summer as an adult. Plus, I love a good plot tie up and the happy ending of sorts that the author arrives at. I took off a star because I wanted more info about the setting and point in time this took place. The experience was almost universal feeling but I wanted more info about the situational factors that influenced the narrator.
This book publishes on 8/18/26. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC.
May 7, 2026
We were two stars in a very small galaxy."
A huge thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of First Summer. I finished this book with such a heavy, beautiful lump in my throat.
There is a very specific kind of loneliness that comes with being a teenager, especially when you’re queer and trying to find the words for feelings that haven't quite formed yet. Ekin Oklap captures that "in-between" state so perfectly. Reading about the protagonist and Clara felt like stepping back into my own memories of long, humid afternoons where a single look from a friend felt like it could shift the earth on its axis.
What resonated with me most was how the girls used the Nadia the Space Explorer books to communicate. Sometimes, reality is too loud or too scary, and you need a fictional world—a "Nadia and Rosa"—to act as a map for your own heart. Watching them project their own budding love onto those celestial adventures was so poignant and clever.
Oklap’s background in translation clearly shines through here; every sentence feels chosen with such care. This isn't just a "summer romance"—it’s a quiet, shimmering exploration of that fragile moment when you realize the world is much bigger than your street, but the person standing in front of you is the only world you care about.
A stunning debut that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. 🪐✨
A huge thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of First Summer. I finished this book with such a heavy, beautiful lump in my throat.
There is a very specific kind of loneliness that comes with being a teenager, especially when you’re queer and trying to find the words for feelings that haven't quite formed yet. Ekin Oklap captures that "in-between" state so perfectly. Reading about the protagonist and Clara felt like stepping back into my own memories of long, humid afternoons where a single look from a friend felt like it could shift the earth on its axis.
What resonated with me most was how the girls used the Nadia the Space Explorer books to communicate. Sometimes, reality is too loud or too scary, and you need a fictional world—a "Nadia and Rosa"—to act as a map for your own heart. Watching them project their own budding love onto those celestial adventures was so poignant and clever.
Oklap’s background in translation clearly shines through here; every sentence feels chosen with such care. This isn't just a "summer romance"—it’s a quiet, shimmering exploration of that fragile moment when you realize the world is much bigger than your street, but the person standing in front of you is the only world you care about.
A stunning debut that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. 🪐✨
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Synopsis-One afternoon at the start of summer, a teenager watches a new girl move in across the street. In Clara, the narrator recognises the same loneliness that she feels herself, but finds tenderness and laughter too. Over hot, languid days spent talking and reading side by side in the garden, the narrator is awakened to the possibility of a true connection with another human being, free of the self-consciousness she feels with others.
Meanwhile, in a distant fictional galaxy, Nadia the space explorer - the protagonist of a children’s book series beloved by both girls - traverses the known universe with her companion, Rosa. Their imagined adventures make sense of new and powerful feelings.
First Summer captures the innocence and agony of adolescence and the exquisite promise of love on the cusp of adulthood: a moment where fantasy is still vivid in the mind. This story of the first summer of love echoes throughout the characters’ lives and will change them forever. #mythoughts A novella of a summer the narrator meets Clara one beautiful summer , friendship and the exploration of first love . A Quiet novel, a gentle novel , of hazy summer days and of a love that lasts a lifetime through their memories.
Meanwhile, in a distant fictional galaxy, Nadia the space explorer - the protagonist of a children’s book series beloved by both girls - traverses the known universe with her companion, Rosa. Their imagined adventures make sense of new and powerful feelings.
First Summer captures the innocence and agony of adolescence and the exquisite promise of love on the cusp of adulthood: a moment where fantasy is still vivid in the mind. This story of the first summer of love echoes throughout the characters’ lives and will change them forever. #mythoughts A novella of a summer the narrator meets Clara one beautiful summer , friendship and the exploration of first love . A Quiet novel, a gentle novel , of hazy summer days and of a love that lasts a lifetime through their memories.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5✨ Oh how those first tender loves of our youth stay with us forever. This sapphic coming-of-age debut story of two young girls that meet one fateful summer was beautifully nostalgic. The girls may share only a few short weeks together but they are forever changed by this seemingly innocent moment in their lives as they spend most days reading, swimming, and discovering who they are and who they are to become.
This book illustrated the innocence and agony of first love. It shares a peak into a summer of change for both girls, and then allows us to see where their paths end. The mixture of their story told almost like our narrator's diary entries along with the fictional story of Nadia the space explorer is unique but connective from beginning to end.
I loved that this book tells us how important it is to be seen, to feel comfortable in our own skin, and how we can find ourselves in others. It also proves that meaningful relationships don't have to be defined by time, they can be brief and fleeting, yet still just as important.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Ekin Oklap for the advanced reader copy.
This book illustrated the innocence and agony of first love. It shares a peak into a summer of change for both girls, and then allows us to see where their paths end. The mixture of their story told almost like our narrator's diary entries along with the fictional story of Nadia the space explorer is unique but connective from beginning to end.
I loved that this book tells us how important it is to be seen, to feel comfortable in our own skin, and how we can find ourselves in others. It also proves that meaningful relationships don't have to be defined by time, they can be brief and fleeting, yet still just as important.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Ekin Oklap for the advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ekin Oklap was born in Turkey, grew up in Italy, and now lives in London. She’s mainly known as a translator (including work shortlisted for major prizes), and this is her debut novel.
The book centres on a lonely teenage girl who becomes fascinated by Clara, the new girl next door. Over one long, hot summer they fall into an intense friendship that edges into first love, spending their days reading, talking and half-living inside a shared imaginary world built around a sci-fi book series they both love. Beneath that, there’s a hint of something unresolved in Clara’s life that threatens the bubble they’ve created.
I liked this, overall. It really leans into that hazy, slightly obsessive feeling of teenage summers — when everything feels important and a bit unreal at the same time. The focus on the two girls, and the way their bond develops, sounds carefully observed.
The premise is strong, but also quite familiar, and I’m not sure from the outline that it pushes much beyond that central relationship. The parallel sci-fi thread is interesting, but it didn’t really work for me.
The book centres on a lonely teenage girl who becomes fascinated by Clara, the new girl next door. Over one long, hot summer they fall into an intense friendship that edges into first love, spending their days reading, talking and half-living inside a shared imaginary world built around a sci-fi book series they both love. Beneath that, there’s a hint of something unresolved in Clara’s life that threatens the bubble they’ve created.
I liked this, overall. It really leans into that hazy, slightly obsessive feeling of teenage summers — when everything feels important and a bit unreal at the same time. The focus on the two girls, and the way their bond develops, sounds carefully observed.
The premise is strong, but also quite familiar, and I’m not sure from the outline that it pushes much beyond that central relationship. The parallel sci-fi thread is interesting, but it didn’t really work for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Arc Review, Adpr
First Summer by Ekin Oklap
Thanks you @summitbooks and @simonschusteruk for the proof read.
The one thing I really would have like to know was where the setting and the place was meant to be there was no mention, so I couldn't exactly picture it in my head apart from the description of the Clara's Grandmother's house and garden.
Otherwise this was a beautiful coming of age, exploring the thoughts and feelings of a young teenager working through her emotions, having that feeling of falling in love for the first time with Clara.
They found themselves in eachother, that they have a deep bonded friendships that blends into a relationship that they have. Knowing they can tell each other just about everything but not clara, she keeps secrets, only showing a side to her.
I like that after everything happens years pass and the maturity, she realising that Clara gave her the gift of feeling seen for the first time and actually feeling notice and someone gets you to your soul. And that's what changed over that one summer before it all went wrong. That first love. Keep it in memories, in happiness.
Releases 7th May 2026
First Summer by Ekin Oklap
Thanks you @summitbooks and @simonschusteruk for the proof read.
The one thing I really would have like to know was where the setting and the place was meant to be there was no mention, so I couldn't exactly picture it in my head apart from the description of the Clara's Grandmother's house and garden.
Otherwise this was a beautiful coming of age, exploring the thoughts and feelings of a young teenager working through her emotions, having that feeling of falling in love for the first time with Clara.
They found themselves in eachother, that they have a deep bonded friendships that blends into a relationship that they have. Knowing they can tell each other just about everything but not clara, she keeps secrets, only showing a side to her.
I like that after everything happens years pass and the maturity, she realising that Clara gave her the gift of feeling seen for the first time and actually feeling notice and someone gets you to your soul. And that's what changed over that one summer before it all went wrong. That first love. Keep it in memories, in happiness.
Releases 7th May 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First Summer is a novel about sapphic adolescent love and heartbreak. I thought the prose was romantic, wistful, and sentimental. I enjoyed the setting, however, it wasn’t entirely clear where and when it took place. The use of the word “mum” made me think that maybe it was set in Australia with context clues making it pretty evident that it was set in the 80s or 90s. But, again, this not being obvious could be a problem for some people, it was not a make or break for me.
Some things that I think other readers might take issue with is that it reads as very stream of conscious writing, almost “no plot, just vibes.” Personally, I don’t mind that style, but I know some people may need a little more of a plot or at least something more fast paced. Even though it is a short read, it felt like it dragged in some places because of its slow pacing. It also felt like some things in the story happened either way too fast or it took way too long to get to the point. Overall, I enjoyed the book but I could see where the pacing could be off putting to some readers.
First Summer is a novel about sapphic adolescent love and heartbreak. I thought the prose was romantic, wistful, and sentimental. I enjoyed the setting, however, it wasn’t entirely clear where and when it took place. The use of the word “mum” made me think that maybe it was set in Australia with context clues making it pretty evident that it was set in the 80s or 90s. But, again, this not being obvious could be a problem for some people, it was not a make or break for me.
Some things that I think other readers might take issue with is that it reads as very stream of conscious writing, almost “no plot, just vibes.” Personally, I don’t mind that style, but I know some people may need a little more of a plot or at least something more fast paced. Even though it is a short read, it felt like it dragged in some places because of its slow pacing. It also felt like some things in the story happened either way too fast or it took way too long to get to the point. Overall, I enjoyed the book but I could see where the pacing could be off putting to some readers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"But now I knew that there was nothing wrong with me, that I was not alone in the world. There were other people a little or a lot like me, and just because I hadn't met them yet, it didn't mean I never would."
I really enjoyed this book. The whole book feels like moving through a hazy dream, one filled of nostaligia and memories of those tiny little life-altering moments of finding yourself and your people. Its that universal experience of being young and not quite knowing who you are yet, but catching these little flashes of recognition that tell you you’re not broken, you’re not alone, and your people are out there even if you haven’t met them yet.
And oh my god I hated the mum. I just wanted to wrap the narrator in my arms and tell her I loved her. You can feel the narrator shrinking, trying so hard to be loved in the only way she’s been taught.
and the ending - my heart broke not being able to read those letters, but I'm so happy knowing it was just as meaningful for Clara after all that time as it was for the narrator.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Summit Books and author Ekin Oklap for the advanced reader copy.
I really enjoyed this book. The whole book feels like moving through a hazy dream, one filled of nostaligia and memories of those tiny little life-altering moments of finding yourself and your people. Its that universal experience of being young and not quite knowing who you are yet, but catching these little flashes of recognition that tell you you’re not broken, you’re not alone, and your people are out there even if you haven’t met them yet.
And oh my god I hated the mum. I just wanted to wrap the narrator in my arms and tell her I loved her. You can feel the narrator shrinking, trying so hard to be loved in the only way she’s been taught.
and the ending - my heart broke not being able to read those letters, but I'm so happy knowing it was just as meaningful for Clara after all that time as it was for the narrator.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Summit Books and author Ekin Oklap for the advanced reader copy.
July 1, 2026
4.5✨ Thank you Summit Books for my advanced copy!
First Summer explores a season between two teenage girls, capturing all the yearning and growth in our youth. Our nameless narrator is instantly intrigued when Clara moves into her neighborhood. As the two become fast friends, their connection deepens into something between real friendship and love.
This story explores the kind of innocence you only experience when you're young. Our narrator is highly observant, but she's still learning how to understand her own feelings. A lot of it reads like an introspective stream of consciousness, and because of this there is so much that I highlighted. It’s a short work of literary fiction that packs a punch and makes you think deeply.
I’m knocking off a half star only because I could have done without the fictional galaxy chapters. But I do love a coming of age novel, and I really appreciated that this story is centered around love itself rather than just romance.
“That summer I learned what it means to love somebody so much that it feels like you might actually be the same person, with a different face and a different voice, but with the same beating heart.”
First Summer explores a season between two teenage girls, capturing all the yearning and growth in our youth. Our nameless narrator is instantly intrigued when Clara moves into her neighborhood. As the two become fast friends, their connection deepens into something between real friendship and love.
This story explores the kind of innocence you only experience when you're young. Our narrator is highly observant, but she's still learning how to understand her own feelings. A lot of it reads like an introspective stream of consciousness, and because of this there is so much that I highlighted. It’s a short work of literary fiction that packs a punch and makes you think deeply.
I’m knocking off a half star only because I could have done without the fictional galaxy chapters. But I do love a coming of age novel, and I really appreciated that this story is centered around love itself rather than just romance.
“That summer I learned what it means to love somebody so much that it feels like you might actually be the same person, with a different face and a different voice, but with the same beating heart.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
FIRST SUMMER is a fine coming of age story about two teenage girls who spend some weeks of a summer together transitioning from friendship to romance, their first love.
I thought it was cute and honest. But I didn't feel invested in their narrative enough. Most likely because I don't usually like to read stories from a teenage perspective, so I couldn't relate to them.
There's also another storyline about characters from a sci-fi series that...honestly, I still don't understand why it's in this story. I personally couldn't care less for that part.
On the other hand, when the author focuses on the two girls the story flows better. The writing is engaging and the descriptions are sensorial, somehow. It gives summer vibes.
I can recommend this book to any readers who normally enjoy queer lit fiction with teenage girls as protagonists and all that it comes with having a first summer romance.
Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
I thought it was cute and honest. But I didn't feel invested in their narrative enough. Most likely because I don't usually like to read stories from a teenage perspective, so I couldn't relate to them.
There's also another storyline about characters from a sci-fi series that...honestly, I still don't understand why it's in this story. I personally couldn't care less for that part.
On the other hand, when the author focuses on the two girls the story flows better. The writing is engaging and the descriptions are sensorial, somehow. It gives summer vibes.
I can recommend this book to any readers who normally enjoy queer lit fiction with teenage girls as protagonists and all that it comes with having a first summer romance.
Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A lovely little book about first love. Heartfelt and relatable. This book had me remembering sweaty palms, nervous glances, and butterflies in my stomach. As well as, the overwhelming anguish and intense belief that first love can never be replaced or recovered from.
I have just one complaint. The author, Ekin Oklap, was born in Turkey, grew up in Italy and lives in London. In this book, she beautifully describes a small town in the heat of summer, with a watering hole and a lush forest. As a traveler and visual reader, I really wanted to know the setting and time period for the book.
Also, at first, I was confused and distracted by the fictional space adventures of Nadia and Rosa, but eventually, I grew to enjoy and appreciate this creative writing element that provided emotional depth.
A wonderful walk down memory lane - youthful crushes and first love, the innocence and torture of adolescence. Thank you Summit Books @summitbooks for the opportunity to read this charming book (publishing on August 18).
I have just one complaint. The author, Ekin Oklap, was born in Turkey, grew up in Italy and lives in London. In this book, she beautifully describes a small town in the heat of summer, with a watering hole and a lush forest. As a traveler and visual reader, I really wanted to know the setting and time period for the book.
Also, at first, I was confused and distracted by the fictional space adventures of Nadia and Rosa, but eventually, I grew to enjoy and appreciate this creative writing element that provided emotional depth.
A wonderful walk down memory lane - youthful crushes and first love, the innocence and torture of adolescence. Thank you Summit Books @summitbooks for the opportunity to read this charming book (publishing on August 18).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Short and sweet queer coming of age story.
Our narrator, a young teenage girl, feels alone in this world. Following her parents' divorce her mother, whom she lives with, is little more than a silent presence in the home that cooks dinner. She used to hang out with a group of boys from the neighborhood, but puberty ended that and she now has one friend Joe, who she sees infrequently when he isn't with his other friends. When this summer rolls around, she doesn't expect much, until she meets Clara, her older neighbor's granddaughter come to stay for the summer. The two quickly form a tightknit friendship that blossoms into more. A look into the intensity of teenage years, first love, and the different kinds of heartbreak.
The story is interspersed with sections of imagined adventures about the protagonist of the two girls' favorite childhood book series, also highlighting sapphic characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
Our narrator, a young teenage girl, feels alone in this world. Following her parents' divorce her mother, whom she lives with, is little more than a silent presence in the home that cooks dinner. She used to hang out with a group of boys from the neighborhood, but puberty ended that and she now has one friend Joe, who she sees infrequently when he isn't with his other friends. When this summer rolls around, she doesn't expect much, until she meets Clara, her older neighbor's granddaughter come to stay for the summer. The two quickly form a tightknit friendship that blossoms into more. A look into the intensity of teenage years, first love, and the different kinds of heartbreak.
The story is interspersed with sections of imagined adventures about the protagonist of the two girls' favorite childhood book series, also highlighting sapphic characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.75 rounded up* - at first I found it difficult to genuinely like this book, I had to take a break and read something else before returning to it, but I'm so glad that I came back
this is the exact type of story that maybe 75-80% of people around the world can relate to, a scorching summer and the discovery of your first love
having the chance to read something as heartfelt as this feels like a genuine privilege, it's like having an insight into the authors heart and soul
the age of the characters was a little bit ambiguous to me, at times they seemed to be around 15/16 years of age but then there were moments where I thought they couldn't be older than 8 years old, so that threw me off a lot since the story takes place over the course of one singular summer
the inability to regulate emotions also irked me a bit but I completely get it too since that's something I struggled with as a teen myself
the one thing I desperately need to know though - what the hell did the letter say?
this is the exact type of story that maybe 75-80% of people around the world can relate to, a scorching summer and the discovery of your first love
having the chance to read something as heartfelt as this feels like a genuine privilege, it's like having an insight into the authors heart and soul
the age of the characters was a little bit ambiguous to me, at times they seemed to be around 15/16 years of age but then there were moments where I thought they couldn't be older than 8 years old, so that threw me off a lot since the story takes place over the course of one singular summer
the inability to regulate emotions also irked me a bit but I completely get it too since that's something I struggled with as a teen myself
the one thing I desperately need to know though - what the hell did the letter say?
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