It's almost like a gender-flipped version of The Girls - almost

[Dominique]

I saw the movie a few days ago, and while I really enjoyed it, I also couldn't help but realize it had similarities to Emma Cline's debut novel, The Girls.

Both books feature an adult reflecting back to the Summer that changed their lives. Evie Boyd is a precocious 14-year-old in 1969 who meets and becomes attracted to the liberated and enigmatic 19-year-old, Suzanne. There are also passages describing her sexual awakening and liaisons with older men ((view spoiler)[eventually including Suzanne (hide spoiler)]). Both novels have also been noted for having flowery, purple prose.

While watching Call Me by Your Name, seeing all those countless scenes outdoors, with the characters wearing only shorts in the sunshine, I found myself wishing it were Summer again (heh). I remember one quote praising The Girls saying something like, "You'll feel like you're in a fever dream."

But The Girls is a much darker and bleaker read; the story ends with her elderly self reflecting on her life after that Summer while walking along the beach. From what I could tell, she had several boyfriends over the years, but never got married.

Are there any other books involving Summer love you'd recommend?