the summer of us
American expat Aubrey has only two weeks left in Europe before she leaves for college, and she’s nowhere near ready. Good thing she and her best friend, Rae, have planned one last group trip across the continent. From Paris to Prague, they’re going to explore famous museums, sip champagne in fancy restaurants, and eat as many croissants as possible with their friends Clara, Jonah, and Gabe.
But when old secrets come to light, Aubrey and Rae’s trip goes from a carefree adventure to a complete disaster. For starters, there’s Aubrey and Gabe’s unresolved history, complicated by the fact that Aubrey is dating Jonah, Gabe’s best friend. And then there’s Rae’s hopeless crush on the effortlessly cool Clara. How is Rae supposed to admit her feelings to someone so perfect when they’re moving to different sides of the world in just a few weeks?
From the author of Seven Days of You comes a new novel about the magic of warm summer nights, the thrill of first kisses, and the bittersweet ache of learning to say goodbye to the past while embracing the future.
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in 2018.
Bookshop.org (U.K.)
praise for the summer of us
"The atmospheric descriptions of the places they visit (and drink in), such as Amsterdam, Prague, and Florence, and the nuanced characterizations lend expansiveness to a plot that might otherwise have become a simple coming-of-age romance.... [A] transformative odyssey of self-discovery."
—KIRKUS REVIEWS
"The story’s setting takes on the part of a sixth character and gives worn tropes a fresh new spin. Older teens will relate to Rae and Aubrey as they are likely making some of the same life choices. The emotions play out perfectly with the backdrop of romantic monuments, gritty bars, and elegant cafes.”
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Vinesse never lets her story fall into melodrama, relying on solid character development and conflict...Crisp prose, quick dialogue, and vivid descriptions of the friends’ travels add to the novel’s appeal. YA readers...will enjoy the vicarious view through Aubrey and Rae’s eyes in this engaging romantic novel about the ups and downs of changing relationships."
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Fans of Stephanie Perkins will enjoy the peek into a wide variety of European cities, while older teens will be all too familiar with the emotional roller-coaster that comes with saying goodbye. A whirlwind summer adventure."
—BOOKLIST
"With a complicated love triangle and two girls trying to figure out their feelings for each other, this sweet YA love story is messy in the best way possible."
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