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

466 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.
Dhruti
Oct 30, 2025
8/10 stars
The first third to half of the book I was skeptical about this particular pairing. it seemed like Maya was pushing Conor's boundaries and he wasn't that interested. And because of that Maya initially came off as petulant and immature.

It wasn't until we got the flashbacks from after Edinburgh that I could see how the romance actually worked and Maya's character started to get rounded out. Once I got to that part of the book I was invested.

I also loved seeing Lukas and Scarlett!
lbaker42813
Sep 23, 2025
5/10 stars
The whole story can be summed up as “I’m too old for you” over and over again until finally he’s not. Tbh as someone in their late 30s, I would also probably raise an eyebrow to someone in my age group dating someone in their early 20s. The author uses the man character’s intelligence as an explanation but her emotional intelligence and maturity was not on the same level. I would not read this again.
Michalmarie123
Aug 31, 2025
Michal Becca Kaylee
April B.InkAudioDragon
Aug 20, 2025
8/10 stars
I love that we get Maya’s story. Such a fun and spicy read! I like the fact the MMC had difficulty with the age gap himself. It was a nice change up. A very fun read!☺️

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