Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I absolutely love a second chance romance, and this debut novel by Noreen Nanja was everything! I felt all the tension, yearning, and heartbreak between Lia and Wes throughout the dual timelines.
The immigrant family dynamics + expectations made this story stand out for me - all the characters were realistically flawed, but there was deep love rooted behind it all. I can’t say enough good things about the narration by Athena Karkanis; she brought every single character to life.
I will say, there’s one character I absolutely despised, and I wished nothing but a bad ending for her. 😭🤭
On that note, I can’t wait to see what Noreen Nanja brings us next!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
"Our kiss didn't feel friendship-ruining. It was inevitable, like the change of the tide with the moon."
I adored this novel! The Summers Between Us is a beautifully written, emotional second-chance romance that had me hooked from the first page. I read it in a single day, completely immersed in Lia and Wes’s world. Noreen Nanja's writing is warm, lyrical, and full of heart.
I adored this novel! The Summers Between Us is a beautifully written, emotional second-chance romance that had me hooked from the first page. I read it in a single day, completely immersed in Lia and Wes’s world. Noreen Nanja's writing is warm, lyrical, and full of heart.
The dual timelines are handled with care, slowly unfolding the story of first love, family pressure, and the quiet heartbreak of letting go of who you once were. Lia’s journey, torn between fulfilling expectations and rediscovering her own voice, was relatable and moving. Her chemistry with Wes was soft, nostalgic, and just aching with longing. I was rooting for them from the start.
My only reason for taking off a star is that the ending felt a little rushed after such a beautifully paced build-up. I wanted a bit more time to sit with the resolution. Still, this is a gorgeously told debut about love, identity, and healing. I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time!
This was a cute summer read and I enjoyed it. I definitely loved the South Asian representation.
Tropes:
🌊 Small town
🌊 Dual timeline
🌊 First crush/love
🌊 Friends to lovers
🌊 Forbidden romance
🌊 Second chance romance
🌊 Canada setting
🌊 South Asian representation
Pros:
- I love the dual timeline
- Love that it’s set in Canada
- Shows the growth of both Lia and Wes physically and mentally
Cons:
- The fact that Lia’s parents were not accepting of her relationship with Wes and also not accepting of Lia’s sister Mel for being bisexual
- Felt bad for Hassan like he didn’t really get closure
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes