Summer Fridays

A Novel

By: Suzanne Rindell

Narrated by: Elizabeth Romanski

“Absolute gut-wrenching, heart-swooning storytelling perfection.”
—ANNABEL MONAGHAN,
bestselling author of Same Time Next Summer

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 problem: 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.

©2024 Suzanne Rindell (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"In this pacey, emotional novel, Suzanne Rindell perfectly captures the essence of summer in New York City at the turn of the 21st century. With the wit and depth of all the best Nora Ephron movies, this love story is not to be missed." —Jill Santopolo, New York Times bestselling author of The Light We Lost

“Summer Fridays is both a love letter to New York City and a nostalgic glimpse back to the cellphone-free nineties. In this absorbing novel about a pivotal summer of longing, betrayal, and the desire to feel connected, a young publishing assistant needs to decide if she will follow the path others expect of her or if she’ll go after something—and someone—infinitely more fulfilling. A wonderfully satisfying read!” —Amy Poeppel, author of The Sweet Spot

“I could not put down Suzanne Rindell’s delightful romance, which brought me back, in the most charming way, to the 1990s. A sweet, nostalgic coming of age tale.” —Joanna Rakoff, bestselling author of My Salinger Year

incredible characters

One of my all time favorite novels. I found myself incredibly invested in the characters. Beautifully written, when the book ended I did not want it to be over. Highly recommend.

That was almost painful…

I kept waiting for the story to go into some depth. It just never did. The characters didn’t have complete thoughts, feelings, or interactions. It was just on the verge of getting good through the entire book which kept me reading, thinking that I’d already invested this much time, I should give it a chance. I wish I could get my time back and have read something else. The narration combined with the writing could put anyone to sleep. I prefer under performance in audiobooks to over performing - but it was so, so monotone. I don’t like leaving bad reviews but i have nothing good to say other than, at least I got to the end.

Fun and easy listen

The flow and storyline. While imaginative, you couldn’t help fall in love with love. Sawyer showed quiet strength and you couldn’t help feel for her.

Did not love.

I kept coming back to this book thinking it was going to take a turn for the better but it just didn't. It was frustrating and unrealistic that Sawyer never spoke up for herself in her relationship, and instead (spoiler coming) did the very thing that was crushing her.

Stunningly Beautiful

This book is amazing. The characters will stay with you forever. I just loved it!

Unrealistic

Spoilers….. I can’t imagine anyone be so willing to ignore all the red flags of a cheating partner. And actively avoiding a conversation with your partner for several months is also an unrealistic timeline. I also found Sawyers’s lack of communication with both Charles and Nick frustrating throughout the book. The book had good moments but overall it fell flat.

Great story!

Loved the dialogue, the characters, all of it! Not the typical romance novel, so much better!

Wonderful Love Story

This was such a great summer read! I really enjoyed the love story and the nostalgia of early internet communications. The dialogue was spot on and I really loved the characters!

I loved this book so much

Brilliant writing, masterful narration, truly engaging story. I can't explain why this book touched me so deeply, but I loved almost every minute of it. Almost because it broke my heart in a couple of places. The story returns us to a time when the whirring and chirping of a dial up internet connection introduced us to the exploding world of technology. It became a lifeline like smart phones today provide. But it is also a valentine to the city of New York and the unique universe captured on that island. I loved the characters profoundly: Sawyer, Nick, Cathy and Ed, This one goes to the Top 5 of my summer reading list.

Summer Love

I enjoyed Summer Fridays!! This book truly demonstrates how you can be in something totally wrong for yourself and stay way too long and then find your way home in the mess that is life. I think the tropes were done well.