Review: Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell

Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell

Blurb from Goodreads:

You've Got Mail for a new generation, set in the days of AOL and instant messenger banter, about a freshly engaged editorial assistant who winds up spending her "summer Fridays" with the person she least expects

Summer 1999: Twentysomething Sawyer is striving to make it in New York. Between her assistant job in publishing, her secret dreams of becoming a writer, and her upcoming wedding to her college boyfriend, her is plate full. Only one She is facing an incredibly lonely summer as her fiancé has been spending longer and longer hours at work . . . with an all-too-close female colleague, Kendra. 

When Kendra's boyfriend, Nick, invites Sawyer to meet up and compare notes about their suspicions, the meeting goes awry. She finds Nick cocky and cynical, and he finds her stuck in her own head. But then Nick seeks out Sawyer online to apologize, and a friendship develops.

Soon, Sawyer's lonely summer takes an unexpected turn. She and Nick begin an unofficial ritual—exploring New York City together every summer Friday. From hot dogs on the Staten Island Ferry and Sea Breezes in a muggy East Village bar to swimming at Coney Island, Sawyer feels seen by Nick in a way that surprises her. He pushes her to be braver. To ask for what she wants. Meanwhile, Sawyer draws Nick out of his hard shell, revealing a surprisingly vulnerable side. They both begin living for their Friday afternoons together. 

But what happens when the summer is over?

Summer Fridays is a witty and emotional love letter to New York City that also captures the feeling of being young and starting out, uncertain what to do on your summer Friday. It’s also perfect for readers who remember when “going online” meant tying up the phone line, and the timeless thrill of seeing a certain someone’s name in your inbox.

My Review:
This was so good!  I did not want to put it down.  I was on edge until the last page, wondering what would happen.  I can easily say that I just adore Nick but I also love Sawyer.  The actual summer Fridays were so good and made me want to be in New York sometime in the summer, which I've heard is awful but this was so charming.  So many swoons - I definitely recommend this one!!

Summer Fridays comes out next week on May 28, 2024, and you can purchase HERE!  I loved this book!!

After a while, the band finished the song they were playing, and a small pause ensued as Nick turned to each of his bandmates, conferring about what to play next. Finally, he leaned close to the microphone. "We're gonna play a little cover."

The crowd waited to hear what it would be.

"That's weird," Kendra said to Charles. "They never play cover songs."

The band began to play.

Sawyer immediately recognized "Sweet Thing." It sounded like Nick had written a special arrangement of it specifically to suit his band's instruments and musical style.

Which meant he'd been thinking about playing this cover for a while.

It was a gentle song: simple and sweet, true to its name.

This time, as Nick sang, Sawyer didn't just think he was looking at her; she knew he was looking at her. She knew in the marrow of her bones, that same unnerving place where she'd felt every second of their kiss. She tried to keep her composure as she listened, but Sawyer could feel something fluttering inside her chest and stomach every time she willed herself to look in Nick's direction onstage and meet his intense stare.