The Summer Girlfriend

Author: Kristina Forest Title: The Summer Girlfriend Publisher: Berkley Date Published: 06/09/2026

Read Dates: 05/06/2026- 05/07/2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 📖 I received a gifted e-book ARC. The following is my honest review✍🏻

The Summer Girlfriend is a dual POV fake-dating romance. Noelle is working hard to save up money and return to school and finish her degree but when she is let go from her main job and has to fall back on her side gigs (like being a bridesmaid for hire!) she's worried that a goal that was once so close is slipping further away. A chance encounter with Jeremiah, who had lied to his family about being too busy to come for the summer because he was spending time with his new (nonexistent!) girlfriend, presents a unique opportunity. Jeramiah offers to hire Noelle to pretend to be his girlfriend on a trip to the family summer home, and the money he offers is too good to pass up! But when one weekend stretches into the rest of the summer, Jeremiah and Noelle both have to consider their goals and plans, and whether a fake relationship with the potential to be real love can fit into them!

I really loved this one! I really admired Noelle and her determination to finish her degree and pursue a path to her dream career, and can definitely understand taking a non-traditional route and figuring out your career goals later than normal. I also admired Jeremiah, for stepping away from something that was handed to him and forging a path on his own while he tried to figure out what was best for himself and his family. I adored his loving and welcoming family, and found myself hoping there will be more to come!

Noelle Lewis doesn’t have time for long walks on the beach, brunch with the girls, or summer vacations. She’s too busy saving up to go back to college. After recently getting laid off from her bookseller job, her main gig is now serving as a “stand-in” bridesmaid, which doesn’t pay enough for the upcoming semester’s tuition. But then the perfect, if not unconventional, opportunity arises…

Jeremiah Smith II, grandson of the founder of Smith’s Sweets—a well-known baked goods company—once lived a life of frivolity. Since his grandfather’s death, Jeremiah’s tried to clean up his act, but it’s hard to focus when his family requests that he join them at their summer house in Heart Beach, New Jersey, where his most painful memory lies. To avoid going there, Jeremiah claims he already has plans with his girlfriend, and of course, his family tells him to bring her. The problem? Jeremiah doesn’t have a girlfriend.

After a chance meeting, Noelle and Jeremiah come to an agreement. He’ll hire her to be his stand-in girlfriend for the weekend, and she’ll use that money toward her tuition. She figures it will be quick, easy money, but as it turns out, Jeremiah’s family is lovely, and Jeremiah is even lovelier. Soon, a weekend agreement turns into an entire summer, and Noelle and Jeremiah will have to keep their hearts in check, or else it’s sink or swim for them both.