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Problematic Summer Romance

What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End.

Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.

Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.

But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.

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Published May 27, 2025

416 pages

Average rating: 6.77

354 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Gail_71
Jun 16, 2025
8/10 stars
Ali has created characters that I truly adore and a romance that both breaks my heart and mends it at the same time. To be honest, age-gap romances are usually my least favorite, but Ali has managed to make me love this dynamic. I found myself rooting for Maya and Conor throughout the entire book. Their romance is portrayed as both forbidden and beautiful, and it is communicated so effectively. I never felt that their relationship was inappropriate; in fact, I loved it. I always devour her books, and they have never disappointed me. I highly recommend this read for anyone looking for a blend of humor and a heart-wrenching romance.
AyraMia04
Jul 25, 2025
8/10 stars
A sun-drenched Sicilian setting sets the stage for a messy yet charming age-gap romance. Maya (23) and Conor (38)—her brother’s best friend—navigate social pressure, power imbalance, and sizzling chemistry. Hazelwood delivers witty banter, emotional depth, and strong support characters, especially Maya’s lively family and friends. However, the constant self-awareness of the “problematic” theme and a slightly rushed ending hold it back. Still, a fun and engaging summer read with heart and heat.
ZoeyT
Jul 02, 2025
9/10 stars
I enjoyed the romance.
NeishNonstop
Jun 25, 2025
5/10 stars
I thought Problematic Summer Romance was a good read overall fun characters and some sweet moments. But it felt a bit too long and drawn out in parts. The pacing could’ve been tighter, but if you enjoy slow-burn romance with a sprinkle of chaos, it’s worth the read!
golden.gnash
Jun 09, 2025
8/10 stars
Smut? 100/10!! Story line? 6/10. Didn’t love the flashbacks, but overall I appreciate how they fed into the story. Use of big, fancy, super smart, googleable words? 8/10, I had to google many of them. His accent? 0/10, gave me the biggest ick. To add: I have never been the biggest fan of Ali Hazelwood’s writing (sorry super lovers) but overall this was a good book and I thought it read as fast paced. Good summer read!

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