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It Was a Good Summer
A dreamy, sun-drenched summer YA novel about growing into the person you were always meant to be, even if it means mistakes, heartbreak, and letting go of the past. For fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen.
Augusta “Gus” Bowles and her friends get to spend one last summer together on the beaches of Cape Cod before college begins and everything changes forever.
After a tumultuous senior year, blowing up her relationship with her loyal ex-boyfriend Fish and falling hard for Reed, Gus barely made it to the summer with her heart intact…well, mostly. She’s ready for her self-proclaimed “Summer of Independence,” a time of sundresses, late-night bonfires, and beach days with her best friends.
When Reed throws a wrench in the plans and ends up on the Cape, Gus can’t deny their connection, and her newfound independence doesn’t stand a chance. As new friendships bloom, old loves die hard, and the strongest relationships fall apart, the girls are left to wonder who is meant to stay, who gets left behind, and who will be there forever?
This summer Gus is one step closer to adulthood, as she starts to realize the hardest truth about growing up: just when you think you’ve got it figured out, there’s another lesson around the corner.
Who knew heartbreak could be the very thing that heals you?
Augusta “Gus” Bowles and her friends get to spend one last summer together on the beaches of Cape Cod before college begins and everything changes forever.
After a tumultuous senior year, blowing up her relationship with her loyal ex-boyfriend Fish and falling hard for Reed, Gus barely made it to the summer with her heart intact…well, mostly. She’s ready for her self-proclaimed “Summer of Independence,” a time of sundresses, late-night bonfires, and beach days with her best friends.
When Reed throws a wrench in the plans and ends up on the Cape, Gus can’t deny their connection, and her newfound independence doesn’t stand a chance. As new friendships bloom, old loves die hard, and the strongest relationships fall apart, the girls are left to wonder who is meant to stay, who gets left behind, and who will be there forever?
This summer Gus is one step closer to adulthood, as she starts to realize the hardest truth about growing up: just when you think you’ve got it figured out, there’s another lesson around the corner.
Who knew heartbreak could be the very thing that heals you?
- GenresRomance
384 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
Jennifer Gannett
2 books25 followersJennifer Gannett is the author of Amazon best-seller I Would for You and the follow-up YA romance It Was a Good Summer. She wrote many things prior to I Would for You, including, but not limited to: short stories, mostly about dogs until her parents broke down and got her one, poems for every holiday and birthday gift because her elementary school budget was limited and most likely spent at Scholastic Book Fairs, and later love letters to boys, which she never signed for fear of being implicated. She mostly writes at hockey rinks and horse shows - which would explain why some characters have horse names - loving both locations equally, but horse shows are typically warmer, just saying. She lives outside of Boston with her husband, three children, and two quirky, sweet, black dogs (both are quirky, only one is sweet).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you for the free book.
Yup, a YA book for sure. Full of teenage drama, but a bit over the top as far as the drinking and hookups which has changed over the years. So much back and forth with one love story to the next.
However, the story moved along, and did not have any filler. Well written, and I did read it all. I am just glad I left the teen years long ago.
At times I wanted to yell 'Grow UP' but I did recall my own trials and who am I to comment.
Yup, a YA book for sure. Full of teenage drama, but a bit over the top as far as the drinking and hookups which has changed over the years. So much back and forth with one love story to the next.
However, the story moved along, and did not have any filler. Well written, and I did read it all. I am just glad I left the teen years long ago.
At times I wanted to yell 'Grow UP' but I did recall my own trials and who am I to comment.
July 20, 2026
Knocked it out of the park with this follow up to her first book “I would for You.” Gannett takes us to the dunes on the Cape for the summer between high school and college where Gus and her friends have one final season before they all embark on their college journeys in different parts of the country. A quick well written beach read that follows the group as they navigate independence and jobs and responsibilities and relationships! You can smell the sea air and feel the sand between your toes and taste the yummy seafood as these 18 year olds make their way through the summer trying to savor and hold onto that last bit of childhood verging on real adulthood! I fondly remember those days wanting it to last forever but knowing how quickly summer passes and thrusts us all into the unknown of our college years. Gannett stays true to her characters development from her first book and matures them at just the right pace to be believable! I highly recommend this fun novel especially having read her first. These books can easily be read independent of one another but why not pick up her first and have the wonderful immediate satisfaction of delving right in this one? 5 Stars all around!
July 15, 2026
This charming beach read for older teens has all the things: a lovable FMC growing up fast, her smart leap-off-the-page besties, a hot-as-hell complicated love interest, a gorgeous & vivid fictional Cape Cod town, and even a couple of twists that leave you gasping. Can’t recommend it highly enough as a (mostly) wholesome escape + more!
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June 26, 2026I recently came out of my reading block and this was the third book I read. So so happy I found this book and I honestly found it a good read. In some ways, I see myself in Gus, especially after breaking up last December. I have moved on, but I know I am not completely healed yet and I understand Gus well!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As someone who read the first book in this series, all I can say is WOW! With a beautiful setting of Cape Cod, this book provides all the East Coast summer feels, addicting relationships, and no shortage of drama, growth, and love from Gus and her summer crew. While many may feel most invested in the romance side of this book, I equally enjoyed the strong friendships, which are so thoughtfully woven into the importance of the novel. One of my favorite aspects of this book is how each character, big or small, has a unique personality that the reader gets to learn and love. While Sloane may not be as close to the main character as Emma, the reader gets the chance to enjoy and learn her character alongside the many other people who hold importance in Gus’s ‘last’ summer. Another piece of this book that warmed my heart was the little details: the restaurant names, Gus and Emma’s coffee/matcha orders, and even the descriptions of outfits, the house, the beach, etc. To me, there was no need for imagination as Jennifer created a book with nostalgic emotion, vivid detail, and relationships that both had you on the edge of your seat, and warmed your heart. I cannot wait to follow Gus on her next adventures, and always look forward to reading more from this exceptional author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was extremely entertaining, and there wasn't a moment when I was bored. The drama that comes with a group of teens holidaying together was realistic, which I loved. It was very fast-paced, which is perfect for a quick read or getting out of a slump.
The only thing I would fix is that it felt a bit hard to read when trends from real life were in the book. For example, “Emma took a sip out of her dusty blue Owala.” Moments like those made me cringe a little.
But with that said, I actually had a really fun time reading this. I read it pretty quickly for me because it was so fun and entertaining, and I didn't really want to put it down.
I also loved the setting so much. Any book set in Cape Cod is one I want to read.
The relationships were good. I would have wanted maybe a little bit more depth, but I did really enjoy exploring the many dynamics going on.
In summary, I really had a great time with this book and would definitely recommend it.
The only thing I would fix is that it felt a bit hard to read when trends from real life were in the book. For example, “Emma took a sip out of her dusty blue Owala.” Moments like those made me cringe a little.
But with that said, I actually had a really fun time reading this. I read it pretty quickly for me because it was so fun and entertaining, and I didn't really want to put it down.
I also loved the setting so much. Any book set in Cape Cod is one I want to read.
The relationships were good. I would have wanted maybe a little bit more depth, but I did really enjoy exploring the many dynamics going on.
In summary, I really had a great time with this book and would definitely recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Truly one of the best books I've read this summer. If I could give this book 10 stars I would - no exaggeration. I read the book in one sitting... something I rarely do. The plot & setting of the book were fantastic - the epitome of what I want for a beach read. Growing up on and around Cape Cod myself, the book was so accurate and realistic. I absolutely loved the "vibe." I felt that Jennifer perfectly grasped what life is like the summer before heading to college - that time where you feel like you have everything figured out, yet nothing at all. I am utterly impressed with this series and cannot wait for her next book!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
It was a Good Summer picked up right where I Would For You left off. The writing and character development made me feel like I was spending that wistful summer on the Cape with this group of friends. The journey and growth of Gus and her friends as they approach College is perfectly characterized by Gannett - I couldn’t put it down!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A dreamy, sundrenched YA beach romance (Book 2 in the I Would for You series) that follows Augusta “Gus” Bowles and her friends for one last summer on Cape Cod before college changes everything. After a turbulent senior year—complete with a blown-up relationship and complicated feelings for Reed—Gus aims for a “Summer of Independence” filled with beach days, bonfires, and best-friend memories. But old flames and new lessons about love, friendship, and growing up keep things messy.
Gannett captures the nostalgic, emotional weight of those final carefree-yet-pivotal summer days with warmth and authenticity. The themes of self-discovery, heartbreak as growth, and shifting relationships feel relatable. I loved the playlist in the front of the book.
While charming, it leans on familiar YA romance tropes and doesn’t always break new ground. That being said, I really did enjoy this book.
A solid, comforting summer read. Great for beach days or when you want something light and heartfelt about friendship and first love.
I am grateful to NetGalley and Epong Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Gannett captures the nostalgic, emotional weight of those final carefree-yet-pivotal summer days with warmth and authenticity. The themes of self-discovery, heartbreak as growth, and shifting relationships feel relatable. I loved the playlist in the front of the book.
While charming, it leans on familiar YA romance tropes and doesn’t always break new ground. That being said, I really did enjoy this book.
A solid, comforting summer read. Great for beach days or when you want something light and heartfelt about friendship and first love.
I am grateful to NetGalley and Epong Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Round up to a 4**
Thanks to BookSirens I received the ARC for book two in the I would for You series. We find ourselves back with Gus and her group of friends as they spend the summer before starting college working, and partying on the Cape. We meet up with Reed who Gus hasn’t talked much to since the end of their almost something. Gus wants a no strings summer, but Reed is trying to snag her for himself. Book two we are forced to really open our eyes with Gus and see into peoples character, which Gus lost her way on last year. Fish makes a sad appearance, Gus finally getting a chance to explain, and her girlfriends enter into their own summer relationships. Overall it was good, just slow until 70% for me. We didn’t get true angsty until Gus, Fish and Reed end up on the cape together. Wish this happened earlier. Summer ends and Gus will start the same college as Fish, which should be interesting. Very sweet and sugary, I didn’t miss the spice but some might. Definitely a recommendation for a sweet coming of age tale.
Thanks to BookSirens I received the ARC for book two in the I would for You series. We find ourselves back with Gus and her group of friends as they spend the summer before starting college working, and partying on the Cape. We meet up with Reed who Gus hasn’t talked much to since the end of their almost something. Gus wants a no strings summer, but Reed is trying to snag her for himself. Book two we are forced to really open our eyes with Gus and see into peoples character, which Gus lost her way on last year. Fish makes a sad appearance, Gus finally getting a chance to explain, and her girlfriends enter into their own summer relationships. Overall it was good, just slow until 70% for me. We didn’t get true angsty until Gus, Fish and Reed end up on the cape together. Wish this happened earlier. Summer ends and Gus will start the same college as Fish, which should be interesting. Very sweet and sugary, I didn’t miss the spice but some might. Definitely a recommendation for a sweet coming of age tale.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews