Summer in the City

Twenty-seven-year-old screenwriter, Elle, has the chance of a lifetime to write a big-budget movie set in New York City. The only problem? She's had writer's block for months, and her screenplay is due by the end of the summer.

Desperate for inspiration, Elle returns to NYC - the city she hates - and tries to throw herself into her writing. But then she meets her new neighbour: Parker Warren. He's the city's favourite handsome tech billionaire and he's also the guy Elle hooked up with in a stairwell two years ago. When seeing him again turns into a night of hate-fuelled writing, Elle realises Parker might just be her twisted muse.

So, when Parker needs to fake a steady relationship during his company's precarious acquisition and Elle needs to research a list of classic date spots in the city for her screenplay, they suddenly find they might just be exactly what each other needs.

Summers always end, and so will this agreement.
It's all pretend.
Until it isn't.

If you like...
Billionaire
Forced proximity
Neighbours
Fake dating
Enemies-to-lovers
Slow burn
Spice
...you'll love Summer in the City


Summer in the City ranked no. 10 on the Sunday Times bestseller chart and no. 2 on the New York Times bestseller chart week ending 29/01/25.

Review

This book is voicy, refreshing, and with two lovable lead characters who have the kind of chemistry that makes you never want to stop reading! Summer In The City is full of banter, sizzling, and so immersive, it made me feel like I was walking around New York. Pure, steamy fun, and the perfect summer read! I adored every word, and I hope Alex Aster never stops writing romance!! -- Ali Hazelwood, author of The Love Hypothesis

Hotter than the rest of your TBR ― Cosmo

This was a fun, stay-up-late-to-finish read! Elle and Parker have chemistry from the jump, but a combination of forced proximity and her hatred of him is fuel for witty banter, a long, slow burn and plenty of steam! I loved how Elle's true enemies-to-lovers journey is with New York City itself. Aster pays tribute to so many special NYC landmarks and experiences making the setting every bit a living character as the people in it. -- Abby Jimenez

A very fun read ― Heat

What a steamy, gloriously fun read! Elle and Parker's chemistry leaps off the page, and their enemies-to-lovers arc had me lovingly screaming at them both. The tension was out of this world! Hats off to Alex Aster for this irresistible summer romance. You won't be able to help falling in love with Elle, Parker, and New York City -- Kate Dramis

A superbly crafted, splendidly entertaining romance that deftly delivers all the snappy repartee and crackling sexual chemistry of Nora Ephron at her cinematic rom-com best while also offering readers a beautifully crafted love letter to the many joys of New York City. ― Booklist

Full of wit and undeniable chemistry, this sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance debut from the author of the Lightlark series follows a frustrated screenwriter and a tech 'Billionaire Bachelor' as they attempt to resist the growing sparks between them - with little success. ― Cosmo

It was everything that I love in a romantic comedy novel and more ― Debut Digest

Aster's excellent adult debut, full of angst, steamy scenes, laugh-out-loud banter, absorbing storylines, and relatable characters, will be devoured by fans of Emily Henry. ― Library Journal

About the Author

Alex Aster is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the TikTok sensation Lightlark and Nightbane and the Emblem Island series for children, inspired by her Colombian heritage. Summer in the City is her first romance novel.