“I didn’t fall in love with a version of you, Elle,” he says. “I fell in love with every you.”
― Alex Aster, Summer in the City

Ellie has been a screenwriter for years, but her latest project isn’t shaping up. She has had writer’s block for months, which is not great considering that her screenplay is due at the end of the summer. Her current project is a big budget movie set in New York City, so despite her reservations, Ellie moves back to New York City for the summer. After leaving two years ago, she swore she would never come back and yet here she is. She just might be able to get her screenplay written, that is until she realizes that her neighbor is tech billionaire Parker Warren, the man she made out with in the stairwell two years ago right before she fled New York City for good.

Their relationship is anything but positive, but after a night of hate-fueled writing, Ellie starts to think that he might be able to help her finish her screenplay. It turns out the Parker could use her help too: he needs to fake a relationship that will take the attention off his company’s acquisition. The two agree to spend the summer together, exploring New York City, crossing locations off Ellie’s list and hitting up paparazzi locations where Parker needs to make an appearance with his new girlfriend. This is one summer. Only one summer that will end. They can pretend for that long, but the lines between pretend and real start to blur leaving Parker and Ellie to question this new relationship and what it could really be.

Summer in the City is Alex Aster’s adult debut novel. This was a sizzling steamy read full of quick witted banter. I recommend you read this book if you like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake dating, and billionaire romance all set in New York City. This was my first billionaire romance, which was an adjustment. Parker has an incredible amount of money that he spends however he wants, seemingly on whatever strikes his fancy. That plays into the story significantly, but still took an adjustment. However I found the characters likable and the chemistry off the charts. Four stars from me!

“There are moments in life, I think, that make you grateful you didn’t just stay in your room.”
― Alex Aster, Summer in the City