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Only One Summer in Berlin
Not yet published
Expected 30 Sep 26One summer to learn German. To fall for Berlin. To fall in love.
Then leave in the fall.
1997. Reunified Berlin is Europe’s largest construction site.
This isn’t where pragmatic Camille imagined spending her summer. But unless she improves her German, her poli-sci degree—and the high-flying career she’s planned—will slip out of reach.
Larger-than-life Kosta has no time for this houseguest the language institute mistakenly sent him. A former athlete stuck in a life he didn’t choose, he’s focused on raising his six-year-old son.
His welcome is grudging… until they click over coffee-fueled conversations. A few accidental brushes, and they must deny their simmering attraction.
Camille wants a fling—with someone her age.
Kosta won’t pursue a guest under his roof.
But Camille discovers a leafy city emerging from its Cold War slumber to the beat of techno, lakeside beaches… and that thirty-one isn’t ancient, especially shirtless. As Berlin’s laid-back summer unfolds, Kosta’s yearning erodes his principles.
After a well-intentioned massage, their restraint snaps. They swear it’s just for the summer.
Camille’s path lies in Paris.
Kosta, locked in a custody battle, is tied to Berlin.
When love intrudes, it forces them to make an impossible choice:
abandon these futures—or each other.
Then leave in the fall.
1997. Reunified Berlin is Europe’s largest construction site.
This isn’t where pragmatic Camille imagined spending her summer. But unless she improves her German, her poli-sci degree—and the high-flying career she’s planned—will slip out of reach.
Larger-than-life Kosta has no time for this houseguest the language institute mistakenly sent him. A former athlete stuck in a life he didn’t choose, he’s focused on raising his six-year-old son.
His welcome is grudging… until they click over coffee-fueled conversations. A few accidental brushes, and they must deny their simmering attraction.
Camille wants a fling—with someone her age.
Kosta won’t pursue a guest under his roof.
But Camille discovers a leafy city emerging from its Cold War slumber to the beat of techno, lakeside beaches… and that thirty-one isn’t ancient, especially shirtless. As Berlin’s laid-back summer unfolds, Kosta’s yearning erodes his principles.
After a well-intentioned massage, their restraint snaps. They swear it’s just for the summer.
Camille’s path lies in Paris.
Kosta, locked in a custody battle, is tied to Berlin.
When love intrudes, it forces them to make an impossible choice:
abandon these futures—or each other.
- GenresRomance
348 pages, ebook
Expected publication September 30, 2026
About the author
Sophie Paul
1 book6 followersI write about love—heartwarming, passionate, vulnerable, or heartbreaking—and the hard choices life puts in its path, across borders and time.
Romance at the core and realism in the marrow… but always with warmth, sensuality, and humor. Count on me for an HEA against all odds.
Why across borders and time? After living, working, and traveling in thirty countries on four continents, it felt inevitable. Yes, I once called Berlin home. Along the way, I picked up a handful of languages—often badly—and the sense that, for all our differences, we yearn for the same things.
Romance at the core and realism in the marrow… but always with warmth, sensuality, and humor. Count on me for an HEA against all odds.
Why across borders and time? After living, working, and traveling in thirty countries on four continents, it felt inevitable. Yes, I once called Berlin home. Along the way, I picked up a handful of languages—often badly—and the sense that, for all our differences, we yearn for the same things.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book! The story kept me engaged from start to finish and I all but raced through it. I often prefer slower-paced, more introspective books (not that this doesn't feature introspection – just the right amount, I think) but I enjoyed how swiftly the action moved along. It was propulsive and compelling without ever feeling rushed or urgent, and I was rooting for them so hard to first get together and then stay together. I also loved that they didn't immediately fancy each other (other than Camille casually observing he was hot), which felt way more realistic as a slowly building attraction. The sex scenes never felt gratuitous and everything was beautifully, sensually described.
I fell pretty hard for Kosta from the start, despite not usually being into ripped guys! It's also unusual for me to relate to a male character over a female one but I liked his chapters the most, although it was definitely a close-run thing, and I loved how respectful and patient he was with Camille.
As someone who loves cities, stories with a strong sense of place and Berlin in particular, this element of the book was also really big for me. It was crammed with detail and history without ever feeling forced. I also loved all the 1990s detail too (the tamagotchi!) being a teenager in that decade myself.
Overall a great read, heartwarming, sexy and evocative – perfect if you like romance with a little something extra.
I fell pretty hard for Kosta from the start, despite not usually being into ripped guys! It's also unusual for me to relate to a male character over a female one but I liked his chapters the most, although it was definitely a close-run thing, and I loved how respectful and patient he was with Camille.
As someone who loves cities, stories with a strong sense of place and Berlin in particular, this element of the book was also really big for me. It was crammed with detail and history without ever feeling forced. I also loved all the 1990s detail too (the tamagotchi!) being a teenager in that decade myself.
Overall a great read, heartwarming, sexy and evocative – perfect if you like romance with a little something extra.
Review of advance copy received from Auteur
📚 Mon avis :
Ce livre est totalement addictif ! 😍 Une fois commencé, difficile de le lâcher tant on a envie de découvrir la suite.
Camille est à la fois attachante par sa fraîcheur, mais aussi par sa maturité. Costa, quant à lui, est tout aussi attachant. Son gabarit impressionnant contraste parfaitement avec sa personnalité douce, empathique et bienveillante 🥹.
J'ai adoré voir leur relation évoluer naturellement, de l'amitié, la passion, à l'amour. ❤️
Oui, il y a quelques scènes très sensuelles... Il fait chaud à Berlin ! 🥵🔥 Mais elles restent parfaitement intégrées à l'histoire et ne prennent pas le dessus sur le récit.
C'est aussi une très belle balade que nous offre l'auteure à travers le Berlin réunifié depuis sept ans. 🏛️ On découvre le ressenti des Allemands de l'Est et de l'Ouest, les différences entre les quartiers, les lieux de fête et de nombreuses facettes de l'Allemagne, sans jamais avoir l'impression de lire un livre de géographie.
Sophie Paul nous offre ainsi un très joli moment de lecture, mêlant romance et découverte. 📖
✨ Je vous conseille vivement de découvrir ce roman dès sa sortie en septembre !
Ce livre est totalement addictif ! 😍 Une fois commencé, difficile de le lâcher tant on a envie de découvrir la suite.
Camille est à la fois attachante par sa fraîcheur, mais aussi par sa maturité. Costa, quant à lui, est tout aussi attachant. Son gabarit impressionnant contraste parfaitement avec sa personnalité douce, empathique et bienveillante 🥹.
J'ai adoré voir leur relation évoluer naturellement, de l'amitié, la passion, à l'amour. ❤️
Oui, il y a quelques scènes très sensuelles... Il fait chaud à Berlin ! 🥵🔥 Mais elles restent parfaitement intégrées à l'histoire et ne prennent pas le dessus sur le récit.
C'est aussi une très belle balade que nous offre l'auteure à travers le Berlin réunifié depuis sept ans. 🏛️ On découvre le ressenti des Allemands de l'Est et de l'Ouest, les différences entre les quartiers, les lieux de fête et de nombreuses facettes de l'Allemagne, sans jamais avoir l'impression de lire un livre de géographie.
Sophie Paul nous offre ainsi un très joli moment de lecture, mêlant romance et découverte. 📖
✨ Je vous conseille vivement de découvrir ce roman dès sa sortie en septembre !
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews