“Why Don’t We Fall in Love” by Amerie
This song always makes me think of the first day of summer. It probably has to do with the music video, where Amerie can be seen walking through the streets of New York City on a hot summer day. In the song, she sings about all the joy that can come when falling in love, and that makes me think of Noelle and Jeremiah and how they meet at the beginning of summer and how their possibilities for falling in love are endless.
“Angel of Mine” by Monica
In this song, Monica sings about how her life changed for the better once she met her soulmate, and that’s how I imagine that Noelle and Jeremiah feel about each other. At the beginning of the novel, they are both in tough positions. Noelle wants to go back to college, and she feels guilty over the reason that she dropped out years ago. Jeremiah feels guilty over how his last conversation went with his grandfather before he died. Noelle and Jeremiah each encourage each other to forgive themselves and move forward in positive ways.
“Cool” by Dua Lipa
In this song, Dua Lipa sings about how she’s losing her cool over the person she likes, and that’s how Noelle and Jeremiah feel about each other, especially given the nature of their fake dating plan. They’re not supposed to fall for each other for real, but that’s easier said than done.
“C.R.U.S.H.” by Ciara
The title of this song is pretty self-explanatory! Ciara sings about how she has a huge crush on someone, and she hasn’t felt that way in years. This is how Noelle and Jeremiah feel about each other.
“Summertime Magic” by Childish Gambino
I think this song does a good job at illustrating how it feels to be in love during summer, and that’s what THE SUMMER GIRLFRIEND is all about.
Heart Beach #1
A fake summer fling between a stand-in girlfriend and a handsome business heir becomes way too real in this glittering new romance by USA Today bestselling author Kristina Forest.
Noelle Lewis doesn’t have time for long walks on the beach, brunch with the girls, or summer vacations. She’s too busy saving up to go back to college. After recently getting laid off from her bookseller job, her main gig is now serving as a “stand-in” bridesmaid, which doesn’t pay enough for the upcoming semester’s tuition. But then the perfect, if not unconventional, opportunity arises…
Jeremiah Smith II, grandson of the founder of Smith’s Sweets—a well-known baked goods company—once lived a life of frivolity. Since his grandfather’s death, Jeremiah’s tried to clean up his act, but it’s hard to focus when his family requests that he join them at their summer house in Heart Beach, New Jersey, where his most painful memory lies. To avoid going there, Jeremiah claims he already has plans with his girlfriend, and of course, his family tells him to bring her. The problem? Jeremiah doesn’t have a girlfriend.
After a chance meeting, Noelle and Jeremiah come to an agreement. He’ll hire her to be his stand-in girlfriend for the weekend, and she’ll use that money toward her tuition. She figures it will be quick, easy money, but as it turns out, Jeremiah’s family is lovely, and Jeremiah is even lovelier. Soon, a weekend agreement turns into an entire summer, and Noelle and Jeremiah will have to keep their hearts in check, or else it’s sink or swim for them both.
Romance Comedy [ Berkley, On Sale: June 9, 2026, Trade Paperback / e-Book / audiobook, ISBN: 9780593956397 / eISBN: 9780593956403 ]
Kristina Forest is an author of romance books for young adults. Her novels include I Wanna Be Where You Are, Now That I've Found You, Zyla & Kai and The Neighbor Favor. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School, and she can often be found rearranging her bookshelf.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2026