Summer Haters Club: A Chill Guide to Surviving Summer SAD, Climate Anxiety, and Summer-Loving Friends

by Lindsey Smith

Author and certified health coach Lindsey Smith returns with a refreshingly funny, practical guide to surviving summertime on a warming planet––a perfect gift for Seasonal Affective Disorder sufferers, the perennially climate anxious, and everyone who dreads a wet bulb temperature. Welcome to Summer Haters Club ! 

Here at Summer Haters Club, you’ll learn how to master the art of crafting the perfect excuse to stay indoors, discover creative ways to beat the heat if you don’t have an air-conditioned sanctuary, and explore the joy of embracing your inner winter lover in a world obsessed with sunshine and sandals.

Self-proclaimed lifelong summer hater Lindsey Smith makes light of heavy sweat, writing features with whimsical illustrations Household Objects You Can Turn into a Portable Fan (like a leftover pizza box or tarot cards)A Venn Diagram showing the difference between Summer SAD and Winter SAD ( they both suck)An emotional-support doll to show all the acupuncture spots that can chill you out when you feel heat-induced anxiety kicking inDon’t be fooled by the humor—this book is rooted in research-based tools and techniques. Whether you're a seasoned summer hater, are a reluctant newcomer, or you’re increasingly more anxious about our overheating planet, Summer Haters Club is guaranteed to make you laugh, commiserate, and learn some new tips to better survive the warmer months. So crank up the air conditioning and join the coolest club of the Summer SADDIES.

Genres: Nonfiction

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2026

About the author

LINDSEY SMITH is a nationally recognized author, health coach, speaker, wellness icon, and the blogger behind Food Mood Girl. Best known for her books Junk Foods & Junk Moods and Food Guilt No More, Lindsey has reached thousands of people looking to enhance their mood, decrease their anxiety and learn to love themselves just a little more. When not helping others, Lindsey is typically spending time in her hometown with her husband and dog, Winnie Cooper. Her new book, Eat Your Feelings, launches January 2018 with Wednesday Books.

Reviews

[Katie Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, us summer haters get some recognition! I am a big fan of Lindsey Smith's work. Her two Taylor Swift themed books have a place of honor on a display in my office and as soon as Summer Haters Club is published, it too will be in that place of honor. When I first saw, months ago, that Lindsey would be publishing this book, I WAS SO EXCITED!!!! So the second I saw it on NetGalley, I of course had to request it.
Ok, so you're thinking "ok so you're a big fan" and yes, I am, but now here is my totally non-biased opinion on the book.
Summer Haters Club is a must read for anyone who just doesn't like summer. Reading the introduction was like reading my thoughts. I have never related to someone's words more. Not liking summer is honestly a very isolating feeling. I believe that having summers off from school conditioned us as children to look forward to and love the summer because of the absence of school. But then you're an adult and it's the middle of a scorching hot and muggy and humid August and you are stuck in 5 pm traffic during your commute and are absolutely completely miserable and realize "I don't like summer." That daily hot commute and having limited PTO makes you realize that the fun part of summer was just not having to go to school. You joke that you have season affective disorder but for summer but people are like "lol no that's only for winter."
But it's not. That's where summer SAD comes in. And Summer Haters Club does a fantastic job at explaining what summer SAD is, providing much needed validation to people who have it, and providing excellent tips and resources for making summer more manageable.
I really appreciated how the book addresses both the physical and psychological impacts that summer and extended sunlight have on people with summer SAD. There are recipes for cooling snacks, ideas on how to escape the heat when you want to escape the house, how to keep cool when you feel yourself overheating, activities to do when you're doomscrolling and feel like something is wrong with you because you aren't posting tons of pictures of having outdoor fun in the summer, and discusses how we can beat the heat while still remaining cognizant of the climate crisis. Oh, and I learned there is a service where you CAN RENT POOLS! Like Airbnb but for pools. Game changer!
Summer Haters Club is a very valuable resource for anyone who just doesn't like summer and is written with relatable humor as well as compassion regarding the social aspects of summer SAD.
As I said, I will be purchasing a copy when it publishes and I will be telling all the summer saddies I know to get a copy as well. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy to review because as someone who lives in the south, I need these tips starting well before the end of April and now I'm ready to tackle summer when it makes it's first appearance in about a week or so.

[Jennyfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a summer person, and this book was incredibly timely, given we are in the throes of a tumultuous Australian summer, where we have been the hottest place on earth, full of fires and floods and we're only partway through January! This book is a fantastic resource for those of us who are NOT summer people. The book is tailored specificially to those with Summer SAD, but even the undiagnosed can benefit from this.

This book is full of tips and tricks for keeping cool and keeping your cool in the hot weather with resourceful cooling techniques, foods and drinks, activities, heat-rage, travel desinations to beat the heat, mantras and mindsets, and tips for fending off the summer-lovers (and breaking out of people-pleasing behaviour). There are breakout activities, journal prompts, even an "I hate summer" bingo card.

There is also a section about tackling climate change, so sun-seekers and summer-haters can both thrive. These tips are small changes compared to the impact corporations have, but it's a start, and the focus is primarily on being more conscious about consumption an decological footprints.

The book does have a strong Northern Herisphere focus given the author is from the US, but most of the tips are universal for keeping cool. Just remembet to slip, slop, slap - slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat - please!

From what looked to be a surface-skimming snarky/funny book, this is a surprisingly useful book for anyone who suffers in the heat. I'll definitely be putting some of these tips into practice

~This is a NetGalley ARC. All opinions are my own~

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Lindsey Smith for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

I've been pretty "blah" on summer since I stopped being at the age where I had no school and spent all my days at a pool, so it's been a WHILE. I don't think my summer hatred rises to the level of it, but it was very interesting to me to learn that SAD is something you can get in the summer as well as winter.

There are a few other things I learned in here and aspects that I really enjoyed. My favorite were the differences between different color noise frequencies to help with insomnia, the cold food motivational mantras (which had the benefit of being pretty funny), and the different travel location suggestions since "hot beach" can be very ick. Overall, though, my favorite section was the one on climate/eco-anxiety and, specifically, the steps you could take to help support different species of endangered wildlife in your personal consumption habits.

While I did learn a lot, this was classified as a "humor" book on NetGalley and there were a few funny moments, but I expected there to be a lot more funny.

[Nicole Duron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover and title immediately pulled me in. As a lifelong summer haters, who was later diagnosed with solar urticaria, I was happy to pick this book up. I am surrounded by warmies and as part vampire, my summer hater personality can be jarring for some.

Lindsey Smith does a wonderful job helping us better explain and justify our SAD. As someone who gets borderline catatonic in warm weather, I have never understood people who feel energized by the hot weather. It is oppressive and gross.

This book is beautifully designed and includes great graphics and activities relating to the chapter content. It perfectly balances humor and insight, offering excuses to avoid going out on a hot summer day while providing some great facts.

I was hot, I cried, but I found shade. Literally my summer story. Thank you Lindsey for writing a book that helps us feel seen! I really hope this finds its audience because it is fantastic!

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I like being a hater? No, I don´t really like being a hater.

Do I like summer? Absolutely not.

I have now realized that I´m in fact a very active member of the Summer Hater´s Club. The main topic of conversation for me the last few weeks has been the weather, I hate being sweaty and hot, I´m a book person so I don´t really like opening my windows and getting my books all dusty. Do I enjoy the scorching sun? No. Mosquitoes? Don't even get me started. I could go on forever about everything I don´t like about this season but I did loved this book, it made me reflect a lot about my feelings towards not just this season but all the seasons, the mental health aspect of it was really reassuring for me and felt like a hug to my summer hating self (lovely summer time sadness I guess), the tips, hacks and recipes were honestly lifesaving for me because I was indeed going a bit insane with the heat. 10 chapters of fantastic, kind and useful tips to survive the mental, physical and social hazards of SAD.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew’s McMeel publishing for the ARC.

[Casey Halvorsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this arc

4/5 stars

This was a humourous and informative book, full of ideas on how to deal with the summer heat and the people around you that are more enthused about it than you are. It's also pretty like 'millennial cringey' and as a millennial who loves cringe stuff this was almost too cringe for me lol. It does have many good ideas for dealing with the heat, some were (at least to me) pretty obvious but some were new to me. Both my partner and one of my close friends have summertime SAD so this will come in handy!

However I MUST SAY. One of the suggested places to visit at the end of the book was International Falls, MN. I grew up in the Canadian town across the border from International Falls and I can 100% say don't vacation there as there's nothing to do??? Like even the movie theatre (the ONLY one in both towns) has closed down. Go to Duluth, its a larger city that gets just as cold 😅

[ShellyBean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally found this book GREAT! I've been a summer hater for years because the heat is extreme!! My favorite part is her rules right up front. I laughed, loved and found this to be perfect for those of us that aren't fans of summer. Good information backed up by data and lots of information to learn and read. It's going on my shelf and I'm passing on a few extra copies to friends as gifts. Bring on fall. Time to turn on the AC and get reading.

Received from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Lindsey crafts a playful but educational introduction to Summer SAD, which I did not even consider being a possibility!

She keeps things light and fun while dishing out actually helpful advice and tips to surviving the summer swelter!

Cheers to her illustrator Lucy as well, this book is so darling, you will pick it up and not be able to put it down!

[J Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!

As someone who live in Arizona, summers are borderline unlivable! It is our equivalent of not being able to leave the house due to bad weather.

Emotional suffering in the summer that I have NEVER heard addressed before and I felt the content of this book in my bones!

I really enjoyed the format of this book.
There are short written passages, but the majority of the book is written with short bullet points, tips, diagrams, suggestions written in an aesthetically pleasing way, and even spots to fill in yourself. This style gives the book an easy flow and doesn’t read like a self help book, that I can sometimes struggle with.

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who struggles during these summer, and even to those who live in hot climates and have never been able to pinpoint exactly why their mood is sometimes up and down!

[Stormy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of nonfiction I don't typically rate, but you know what? Five stars for summer haters club. As a certified summer hater I thought I would already know all the tips and tricks in this book, but I did learn some new ways to keep myself cool this summer. It's written in a breezy and relatable style, but there is actual research backing the content. I will be picking up a hard copy when this book releases as part of my summer emergency kit!

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Called the first book to address seasonal summer depression, this beautifully illustrated and designed resource for summer haters is a winner! Filled with helpful strategies for coping with heat and insomnia; creating nutritious and easy summer meals; and tips for sweat-free activities and traveling, the Summer Haters Club is a must-read for anyone who prefers colder seasons. Recommended!

[Carrington Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC coming out April 28th, 2026!

As someone who has made statements of "I feel like I have seasonal affective disorder, but during the summer," I feel so seen! This book had the cutest graphics, workbook style activities, and genuine tips for getting through the hot seasons and how to help with climate change. Fantastic read and I really appreciated her humor.

[Iz Miranda (Iswid Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and informative read about Summer SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Even if you are not a diagnosed Summer Saddie, you’ll find ways to help yourself or those summer haters around you.

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
For full review, visit my blog.

[Theresa Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summer Haters Club by Lindsey Smith is a light, refreshing read that perfectly captures the struggle of dealing with summer’s intensity, especially for those who don’t exactly thrive in the heat. Even though I don’t personally experience summer SAD, I still found the book engaging and relatable in surprising ways. What makes it especially enjoyable is its mix of humor, honesty, and practical advice. Smith offers plenty of creative tips for staying cool, both physically and mentally, without making the book feel like a self-help manual. Instead, it reads more like a supportive conversation with someone who truly understands the downsides of the season. Overall, it’s a fun and easy read that anyone (even summer lovers) can appreciate, especially if you’re looking for clever ways to beat the heat and make the most of the warmer months.

[Emelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summer Haters club is a book about Summer Seasonal Depression, but it's not just about that. This is a book that is chock full of tips tricks and suggestions that can help anyone who struggles with the Summer. Be that because of anxiety, the intense heat, the summer activities or for any other reason. While not directly mentioned I found this to be highly relevant to those with ADHD as well. I really enjoy the style of the writing. The author comes across as very down to earth and friendly and writes in a way that is relatable. She draws from her experience as someone with Summer SAD and anxiety but also her experience as a health coach.

Some of my favorite parts are the sections on how to stay cool and the acupressure points for reducing anxiety and lowering temperature. There also is a great section with super easy meals/snacks to put together for when you don't have cooling energy and some fun drinks recipes.
Some of the advice is a little millennial (no shade to my people) like creating a summer feels Playlist. I only mention this because she mentions being a millennial a couple of times. There also was a suggestion or two (blue light glasses for eye strain stands out) that science shows really doesn't help. Use your own judgement.

Overall this was an informative read with some good advice.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.

[Katie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I black out and ghost write this? I have always been a summer hater, have always said "I have seasonal affective disorder, but like in the summer", and have always had people think I'm nuts for it. What an incredibly validating and helpful book for summer haters. I'm dreading implementing some of the advice in this book because it will mean it's summer, but I'm excited to have more info on how to survive it.