Review of The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Francis – Love, Family, and Fresh Starts

The Summer You Were Mine is a heartfelt second chance romance set on the Italian Riviera, where two former friends reunite at a family wedding and confront the past that once pulled them apart.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Italian Riviera, this beachy, second-chance romance follows Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte, childhood friends whose families have been intertwined for generations in the town of Chiavari. Fourteen summers after a fleeting romantic moment, they return for their grandparents’ unexpected wedding, each nursing personal wounds—Ellie from a career scandal and the discovery of her neurodivergence, and Cris from a doping accusation following his retirement from elite swimming. As they strike a deal to help each other professionally, old feelings resurface, forcing them to confront the past and decide if their rekindled connection can survive the truth.

My Thoughts:

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Chiavari on the Italian Riviera, The Summer You Were Mine is a second chance romance that blends family, heartache, and self-discovery in a heartfelt and enjoyable read.

Ellie Beltrami and Cristiano Conte have known each other forever—their grandparents and parents are lifelong friends, and they too once shared a close bond. But a romantic encounter fourteen summers ago changed everything, leaving a silence that stretched into adulthood. Now, they’re reunited in Chiavari for the unexpected (and charming!) wedding of Ellie’s grandmother and Cris’s grandfather.

Both Ellie and Cris arrive in town carrying heavy emotional baggage—she’s dealing with the public fallout of her sports talk show implosion, while he’s facing retirement and a doping scandal that’s damaged his once-pristine reputation as an elite swimmer. When they strike a deal to help restore each other’s careers, it’s only a matter of time before sparks fly and old feelings resurface.

I really enjoyed the setting and family dynamics in this novel. Chiavari, with its seaside charm and winding streets, comes alive on the page. I also loved the extended family characters, especially the sweet subplot between the grandparents. It added a lovely layer to the main story and gave the book even more heart.

While Ellie’s recent discovery that she is neurodivergent is mentioned, I found that aspect wasn’t explored in depth. I appreciate when stories include neurodivergent characters to help normalize the experience, but in this case, it wasn’t entirely clear how it influenced Ellie’s journey beyond her own introspection.

As for the romance, it delivers what fans of second chance love stories will expect—playful banter, emotional misunderstandings, and ultimately, healing. There’s also a subplot involving Ellie’s parents, who are pretending their marriage is fine for the sake of the wedding, which neither added nor detracted much for me, but it did help explain some of Ellie’s feelings about love and commitment.

Final Thoughts:

The Summer You Were Mine is a heartfelt story of finding yourself, letting go of the past, and taking a chance on love—again. Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven romance set in vivid, sun-soaked locations.

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