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First Summer: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26A dreamy debut novel about the summer love that changes two girls at the edge of adulthood.
“In the heat and the green haze that seemed to surround us both like a physical presence, I felt intensely awake.”
One afternoon at the start of summer, a teenage girl watches a new girl move in across the street. In Clara, she recognizes the same loneliness that she feels herself, but finds tenderness and laughter, too. Over hot, languid days spent talking and reading side by side in the garden, the narrator is awakened to the possibility of a true connection with another human being, free of the self-consciousness she feels with others.
Meanwhile, in a distant fictional galaxy, Nadia the space explorer—the protagonist of a childhood book series beloved by both girls—traverses the known universe with her companion Rosa. Their imagined adventures make sense of new and powerful feelings.
First Summer captures the innocence and agony of adolescence and the exquisite promise of love on the cusp of adulthood: a moment where fantasy is still vivid in the mind, even as adulthood looms. This story of the first summer of love echoes throughout the characters’ lives and will change them forever.
“In the heat and the green haze that seemed to surround us both like a physical presence, I felt intensely awake.”
One afternoon at the start of summer, a teenage girl watches a new girl move in across the street. In Clara, she recognizes the same loneliness that she feels herself, but finds tenderness and laughter, too. Over hot, languid days spent talking and reading side by side in the garden, the narrator is awakened to the possibility of a true connection with another human being, free of the self-consciousness she feels with others.
Meanwhile, in a distant fictional galaxy, Nadia the space explorer—the protagonist of a childhood book series beloved by both girls—traverses the known universe with her companion Rosa. Their imagined adventures make sense of new and powerful feelings.
First Summer captures the innocence and agony of adolescence and the exquisite promise of love on the cusp of adulthood: a moment where fantasy is still vivid in the mind, even as adulthood looms. This story of the first summer of love echoes throughout the characters’ lives and will change them forever.
- GenresFiction
208 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 18, 2026
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My initial thought about this book is that appears to be set ambiguously. After reading a few reviews it’s appears the book was set in the late 90s in Australia. World building is important to readers especially in debut novels. I would have loved to know where this was set to help imagine the characters and their journeys better. Not sure if the writing style was intentional on some chapters being repetitive as it reads like a stream of consciousness. No one writes teenage girls better than previous teenage girls. Overall 4/5. Sapphic summer romance/coming of age novels always hold a place in my heart.
ARC from net galley
ARC from net galley
February 5, 2026
3.5 rounded up.
What really bothered me at the beginning was I had no idea where and when this book took place. I thought it was the American South until the author used the word “mum” and from there I was thoroughly confused.
It was a cute, nostalgic-feeling coming of age love story, but not a romance. Themes of self-discovery in the dog days of summer. I love stories that take place over a short period of time.
At parts, almost giving stream of consciousness.
I could not for the life of me buy into the Nadia sections. I dreaded them. I really should have like them but I couldn’t commit and only looked forward to our main character and Clara.
For lovers of Sunburn and Last Night at the Telegraph club and maybe One Last Stop.
ARC from Netgalley.
What really bothered me at the beginning was I had no idea where and when this book took place. I thought it was the American South until the author used the word “mum” and from there I was thoroughly confused.
It was a cute, nostalgic-feeling coming of age love story, but not a romance. Themes of self-discovery in the dog days of summer. I love stories that take place over a short period of time.
At parts, almost giving stream of consciousness.
I could not for the life of me buy into the Nadia sections. I dreaded them. I really should have like them but I couldn’t commit and only looked forward to our main character and Clara.
For lovers of Sunburn and Last Night at the Telegraph club and maybe One Last Stop.
ARC from Netgalley.
tbr-arc
January 9, 2026what's not to love about young love that blossoms during the summer?
*thank you to S&S/Summit Books for the ARC*
*thank you to S&S/Summit Books for the ARC*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⋆˙✮ 5
I held it together for most of this book knowing what was coming, but I still teared up by the end of it. This is the epitome of a love story, not a romance— and if you don’t know the difference between the two, you’ll certainly find out after reading this.
The story follows our main character during her summer break, where she meets Clara, the granddaughter of her “oddball” neighbor, who’s temporarily visiting her town. Together, the two find solace in each other, both not having many friends. And what initially started out as a comforting friendship soon blossomed into something more, with lingering glances, hidden touches, and secret meanings.
This was such a treat to read. I genuinely felt like I was reading a diary entry of someone’s journey through all the messy things that come along with growing up— first loves, sexuality, and teenage awkwardness. Coming of age stories, especially ones like First Summer, serve as a reminder that not everyone you meet will become a permanent fixture in your life, but your time with them and the memories have the opportunity to linger, shaping who you become long after the moment has passed. It’s a universal language that I truly believe anyone can relate to in some way.
I was also wary about the Nadia excerpts after reading the blurb, but it 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 worked for me. The way it was incorporated was done really well, and I even found myself looking forward to the next bits of Nadia’s “story” as I was making my way through the book.
The only thing I was left confused about was the author’s choice to not include when and where the book takes place. The town and the sizzling summer heat were described really well, but I had no idea it took place in the late 90’s in Australia until “Breakers” was mentioned, which I came to find out was an Australian TV show. I don’t think I’ve ever had to go through the trouble of Googling something like that for a book until now, but who knows, maybe it was intentional since the book reads like a journal entry.
With only 208 pages, this was a very quick and enjoyable read that left me reflective and almost nostalgic in a way. This was truly a great debut novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
I held it together for most of this book knowing what was coming, but I still teared up by the end of it. This is the epitome of a love story, not a romance— and if you don’t know the difference between the two, you’ll certainly find out after reading this.
The story follows our main character during her summer break, where she meets Clara, the granddaughter of her “oddball” neighbor, who’s temporarily visiting her town. Together, the two find solace in each other, both not having many friends. And what initially started out as a comforting friendship soon blossomed into something more, with lingering glances, hidden touches, and secret meanings.
This was such a treat to read. I genuinely felt like I was reading a diary entry of someone’s journey through all the messy things that come along with growing up— first loves, sexuality, and teenage awkwardness. Coming of age stories, especially ones like First Summer, serve as a reminder that not everyone you meet will become a permanent fixture in your life, but your time with them and the memories have the opportunity to linger, shaping who you become long after the moment has passed. It’s a universal language that I truly believe anyone can relate to in some way.
I was also wary about the Nadia excerpts after reading the blurb, but it 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 worked for me. The way it was incorporated was done really well, and I even found myself looking forward to the next bits of Nadia’s “story” as I was making my way through the book.
The only thing I was left confused about was the author’s choice to not include when and where the book takes place. The town and the sizzling summer heat were described really well, but I had no idea it took place in the late 90’s in Australia until “Breakers” was mentioned, which I came to find out was an Australian TV show. I don’t think I’ve ever had to go through the trouble of Googling something like that for a book until now, but who knows, maybe it was intentional since the book reads like a journal entry.
With only 208 pages, this was a very quick and enjoyable read that left me reflective and almost nostalgic in a way. This was truly a great debut novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to #NetGalley along with #Simon&Schuster #SummitBooks for the opportunity to read and review #FirstSummer by #EkinOklap in advance of its release later this summer (8.18.2026).
My initial experience while reading the book was that I inadvertently requested a young adult novel which is not a genre I seek out but because the book is relatively short I decided to stick with it to see where it went. I would certainly classify it as a coming of age novel with a young adult feel but the plot took on a weightier and, for me, deeper and more interesting feel toward the very end (in a way that made the majority of the book more of a flashback from an advanced age). I really enjoyed the latter part of the novel (so much that it felt like I was reading a different book).
The narrator of the novel presents as a socially awkward and naive young women who seems to only have one acquaintance, a neighborhood "good guy" named Joe, until another similarly awkward girl named Clara moves in with a relative right up the street. The girls meet and immediately hit it off and in no time they are an inseparable pair (allowing Joe to be a third in their adventures).
In the meantime, a parallel plot line emerges that tells the story of Rosa, Nadia, and Lynx (animated sci fi characters from books that both girls revel in and this serves as an additional bond between them). Both storylines vacillate between a childlike adolescence/innocence and the exploration of newly emerging passions. I could see what the parallel storyline was supposed to be doing but found it entirely unnecessary. Again this may be because it reinforced the young adult feel of the book and I further struggled to stay invested with both storylines. The animated portion, it seems to me, tries to come at same-sex love and friendship from a fairytale perspective and detracts from the primary story.
Again, the best part of the book for me is the end (no spoilers). I'm sure this one will have an appreciative and devoted audience but it feels as if they will be younger and more interested in the secondary plot and the coming of age aspects of the book. Thanks for allowing me to read/review and I wish Ekin Oklap all the success in the world!!
My initial experience while reading the book was that I inadvertently requested a young adult novel which is not a genre I seek out but because the book is relatively short I decided to stick with it to see where it went. I would certainly classify it as a coming of age novel with a young adult feel but the plot took on a weightier and, for me, deeper and more interesting feel toward the very end (in a way that made the majority of the book more of a flashback from an advanced age). I really enjoyed the latter part of the novel (so much that it felt like I was reading a different book).
The narrator of the novel presents as a socially awkward and naive young women who seems to only have one acquaintance, a neighborhood "good guy" named Joe, until another similarly awkward girl named Clara moves in with a relative right up the street. The girls meet and immediately hit it off and in no time they are an inseparable pair (allowing Joe to be a third in their adventures).
In the meantime, a parallel plot line emerges that tells the story of Rosa, Nadia, and Lynx (animated sci fi characters from books that both girls revel in and this serves as an additional bond between them). Both storylines vacillate between a childlike adolescence/innocence and the exploration of newly emerging passions. I could see what the parallel storyline was supposed to be doing but found it entirely unnecessary. Again this may be because it reinforced the young adult feel of the book and I further struggled to stay invested with both storylines. The animated portion, it seems to me, tries to come at same-sex love and friendship from a fairytale perspective and detracts from the primary story.
Again, the best part of the book for me is the end (no spoilers). I'm sure this one will have an appreciative and devoted audience but it feels as if they will be younger and more interested in the secondary plot and the coming of age aspects of the book. Thanks for allowing me to read/review and I wish Ekin Oklap all the success in the world!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to say this first because it BOTHERED ME but I feel like the publisher did this book a great injustice by not mentioning that it's set in Australia around either the summer of 1998 or 1999. The only way I figured it out is because the narrator mentioned the TV show Breakers, and I Googled it.
Literally, WHY WOULD YOU HIDE THAT? That's the best part! Am I going to get in trouble for revealing it here? Was it supposed to be a big secret or something? SO WEIRD.
It's necessary info because it partially explains the behavior of the main character. To me, the main character feels neuro-diverse-coded, and despite being sixteen, she thought and behaved more like a twelve-year-old. (This isn't to disparage the writer or the book, as you see, I gave five stars. Just as precocious sixteen-year-olds who act twenty-four exist, so do ones who act much younger. Those stories are interesting and worth telling, too. Actually, sometimes they are even more fascinating. The loss of innocence at such an older age after having been sheltered too long can be brutal.)
At 208 pages, it was a quick read, like a curated summer journal of a teenage girl's sapphic summer awakening, filled with honest, raw, embarrassing detail. Something to get lost in for a day, preferably outdoors in the shade of a porch overlooking a grassy yard on a hot sunny day while wearing a sundress and sipping lemonade, or by the pool or the beach.
The sprinkling of Nadia fanfiction was a nice touch.
I'm going to say this first because it BOTHERED ME but I feel like the publisher did this book a great injustice by not mentioning that it's set in Australia around either the summer of 1998 or 1999. The only way I figured it out is because the narrator mentioned the TV show Breakers, and I Googled it.
Literally, WHY WOULD YOU HIDE THAT? That's the best part! Am I going to get in trouble for revealing it here? Was it supposed to be a big secret or something? SO WEIRD.
It's necessary info because it partially explains the behavior of the main character. To me, the main character feels neuro-diverse-coded, and despite being sixteen, she thought and behaved more like a twelve-year-old. (This isn't to disparage the writer or the book, as you see, I gave five stars. Just as precocious sixteen-year-olds who act twenty-four exist, so do ones who act much younger. Those stories are interesting and worth telling, too. Actually, sometimes they are even more fascinating. The loss of innocence at such an older age after having been sheltered too long can be brutal.)
At 208 pages, it was a quick read, like a curated summer journal of a teenage girl's sapphic summer awakening, filled with honest, raw, embarrassing detail. Something to get lost in for a day, preferably outdoors in the shade of a porch overlooking a grassy yard on a hot sunny day while wearing a sundress and sipping lemonade, or by the pool or the beach.
The sprinkling of Nadia fanfiction was a nice touch.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
***3.5 stars rounded up to 4 on here***
This was a super speedy read at 208 pages and is basically a teenage girl’s abbreviated journal entry detailing her sapphic summer awakening. I thought the writing was detailed and compelling and I loved the ending. The Nadia fanfiction entries were an interesting touch too, though I didn’t think they strengthened the overall story.
A teenage girl plans to spend the summer lonely until a neighbor’s granddaughter, Clara, comes to stay in the neighborhood. In this new girl Clara, our narrator sees herself reflected, and the girls become intimately close, spending all their days together, sharing stories and experiences, and slowly falling in love, until summer ends and they go their separate ways. The plot really focuses on their time together and the author does a great job laying out all their experiences together in great detail. This book would be a great read at the beach during the summer, or cooling off in a sunny meadow. As previously mentioned, it’s a fast read.
I loved the ending and the maturity arc the narrator experiences as she recounts that past summer as an adult. Plus, I love a good plot tie up and the happy ending of sorts that the author arrives at. I took off a star because I wanted more info about the setting and point in time this took place. The experience was almost universal feeling but I wanted more info about the situational factors that influenced the narrator.
This book publishes on 8/18/26. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC.
This was a super speedy read at 208 pages and is basically a teenage girl’s abbreviated journal entry detailing her sapphic summer awakening. I thought the writing was detailed and compelling and I loved the ending. The Nadia fanfiction entries were an interesting touch too, though I didn’t think they strengthened the overall story.
A teenage girl plans to spend the summer lonely until a neighbor’s granddaughter, Clara, comes to stay in the neighborhood. In this new girl Clara, our narrator sees herself reflected, and the girls become intimately close, spending all their days together, sharing stories and experiences, and slowly falling in love, until summer ends and they go their separate ways. The plot really focuses on their time together and the author does a great job laying out all their experiences together in great detail. This book would be a great read at the beach during the summer, or cooling off in a sunny meadow. As previously mentioned, it’s a fast read.
I loved the ending and the maturity arc the narrator experiences as she recounts that past summer as an adult. Plus, I love a good plot tie up and the happy ending of sorts that the author arrives at. I took off a star because I wanted more info about the setting and point in time this took place. The experience was almost universal feeling but I wanted more info about the situational factors that influenced the narrator.
This book publishes on 8/18/26. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Short and sweet queer coming of age story.
Our narrator, a young teenage girl, feels alone in this world. Following her parents' divorce her mother, whom she lives with, is little more than a silent presence in the home that cooks dinner. She used to hang out with a group of boys from the neighborhood, but puberty ended that and she now has one friend Joe, who she sees infrequently when he isn't with his other friends. When this summer rolls around, she doesn't expect much, until she meets Clara, her older neighbor's granddaughter come to stay for the summer. The two quickly form a tightknit friendship that blossoms into more. A look into the intensity of teenage years, first love, and the different kinds of heartbreak.
The story is interspersed with sections of imagined adventures about the protagonist of the two girls' favorite childhood book series, also highlighting sapphic characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
Our narrator, a young teenage girl, feels alone in this world. Following her parents' divorce her mother, whom she lives with, is little more than a silent presence in the home that cooks dinner. She used to hang out with a group of boys from the neighborhood, but puberty ended that and she now has one friend Joe, who she sees infrequently when he isn't with his other friends. When this summer rolls around, she doesn't expect much, until she meets Clara, her older neighbor's granddaughter come to stay for the summer. The two quickly form a tightknit friendship that blossoms into more. A look into the intensity of teenage years, first love, and the different kinds of heartbreak.
The story is interspersed with sections of imagined adventures about the protagonist of the two girls' favorite childhood book series, also highlighting sapphic characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
* 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4.
a book about first love and how quickly it can start and then dissipate, and how much it can stick with you for the remainder of your life. first summer goes through a teenage girl's self-discovery phase as she learns more about herself and the world around her. it reads a bit awkwardly, but in the sense that it shows the stunted growth of our main character as she navigates her new friendship with clara. the excerpts with nadia and rosa were a great touch as well, even if the swaps to the different povs were a bit jarring. i do wish that the time period and settings were a bit more explored - i didn't realize it was set in australia in the 90s until after ive finished. otherwise, a great summer read!
thank you to s/s and the author for a copy of the arc.
a book about first love and how quickly it can start and then dissipate, and how much it can stick with you for the remainder of your life. first summer goes through a teenage girl's self-discovery phase as she learns more about herself and the world around her. it reads a bit awkwardly, but in the sense that it shows the stunted growth of our main character as she navigates her new friendship with clara. the excerpts with nadia and rosa were a great touch as well, even if the swaps to the different povs were a bit jarring. i do wish that the time period and settings were a bit more explored - i didn't realize it was set in australia in the 90s until after ive finished. otherwise, a great summer read!
thank you to s/s and the author for a copy of the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a beautiful and touching novel about coming of age, discovering your true self, and the strong between women as friends and lovers. Taking place over one summer, I was swept away as I read and I could feel the emotions and the chemistry between the two girls. There were some really great life lessons in this book including how sometimes we lose people and what we had with them just becomes a memory that stays with us forever more. I am absolutely going to read this book again and again. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a lovely quick read which I can imagine will be perfect to read on the beach in the summer. If you enjoyed Chloe Michelle Howarth's Sunburn you would definitely enjoy this too.
For me, it didn't feel like anything new that I was reading, and certain parts became too ambiguous (where and when is it set?). I also found the Nadia sections in between the chapters took me out of the book and I skim-read to get back to the story.
For me, it didn't feel like anything new that I was reading, and certain parts became too ambiguous (where and when is it set?). I also found the Nadia sections in between the chapters took me out of the book and I skim-read to get back to the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think you could have left off the entire space portion of the book. I dont not really know why it was there especially when paired with the other part. It could have been a really good story about first loves and how they shape and effect you but to be honest it was mehhh and I was left wanting.
ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I honestly wasn't expecting to fall in love with this book as hard as I did. A beautiful story of two teens exploring their first sapphic relationship, which makes you feel as warm as the summer described right until the bitter sweet end
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
To me, it reads very much like a YA title,quite sweet, interspersed with extracts from a science fi comic series shated by the main characters.
Thanks to the publishers for the uncorrected proof.Still needs editing, and there are some words and phrases that need changing.
Thanks to the publishers for the uncorrected proof.Still needs editing, and there are some words and phrases that need changing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Short novel without much happening. Reads like a YA book and explores first love for two teenage girls. I couldn't get into the Nadia excerpts at all and didn't see the point of them. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book uses so many words to say so little. I can imagine some people finding this very....nostalgic? in a way, but for me it just felt like a distant and emphemeral stream of consciousness that does more telling than showing. 2.75/5
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Very nostalgic and sweet but not much happens.
February 13, 2026
The writing was lovely and it was a beautiful showing of female friendship but i wish it told us how the first kissed happened and also what the letter said.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I found this one quite frustrating- the blossoming relationship between two sixteen year old girls over the course of one summer, interspersed with a truly bizarre narrative based on a kid’s book series that they both used to love, which is dreadful. Not entirely sure why this is classed as fiction, as it totally reads like a new adult/YA book, which is not a bad thing in of itself, but I just found it all a bit overwrought and angsty.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews