This book was super cute! A fast paced read and this super cute storyline about making sacrifices for love! And how love is something you have to work for❤️

This book had me hooked from the beginning, and i loved every second of it. Struggled to put it down🥺 Thank you for writing this!

I just closed the final page of Four Summers Ago, and my heart feels both full and fragile. Jensen Rose Long has crafted a story that captures the bittersweet essence of youth, love, and the passage of time.​

Set against the backdrop of sun-drenched days and starry nights, the novel delves into the complexities of teenage friendships and the secrets that can both bind and break us. The characters are vividly drawn, each carrying their own burdens and dreams, making their journeys feel deeply personal.​

What struck me most was the authenticity of the emotions portrayed. The narrative doesn't shy away from the messiness of growing up—the heartbreaks, the misunderstandings, the moments of joy that are all the more precious because they are fleeting.​

Long's prose is lyrical yet grounded, painting scenes that linger in the mind long after reading. It's a story that doesn't offer easy answers but instead invites reflection on our own past summers and the people who shaped them.​

If you're looking for a novel that resonates with the nostalgia of youth and the enduring impact of our formative years, Four Summers Ago is a poignant and rewarding read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From the first page of this book I was hooked. The chemistry and romance between Abby and Ben was soooooo 🧑🏼‍🍳 💋. This was my first book by Jensen Rose Long but it won’t be my last. The insta love trope is one of my favorites and this one was soooo good. Abby and Ben will live rent free in my head for a few long time to come.

Book review of Four Summers Ago by Jensen Rose Long

Have you ever dated a celebrity? Or dreamt of dating a celebrity and wondered what it would be like? Four Summers Ago, by Jensen Rose Long gives you a good glimpse of that dream. Here is my review of this sweet and cute book.

First thoughts: I like the book cover. It immediately caught my eye along with the title. So far, so good.

Blurb: It is spot on and effective. It definitely intrigued me, so it worked exactly as it should do.

Final impressions: I admit, I had to plough through a bit in the first half of the first chapter but then I nicely got into the story as characters formed and the story plot bloomed to which then things moved at a nice pace. I liked the message that the author made in that love can work if both parties put in the effort, a give and take in the relationship.

Here are my answers to some important book review questions.

1. Who was your favourite character, and why?
A. I would have to say Helen because I can relate a lot to her character, and I love her kindness along with the right amount of sassiness that she portrays.
2. Did the characters feel real to you?
A. Yes, they felt quite real as if they were part of my life, very relatable characters.
3. Did the story keep you guessing?
A. At some parts of the story, yes it did. I do admit though, the ending was quite obvious but who does not like a happy ending?
4. What was your favourite part of the book, and why?
A. My favourite part of the book was about the middle of it when Abby was angry with Ben and tries to hide her true feelings but obviously struggled with her plan. It gave a humorous yet realistic feel to the story.
5. Did the story grip you and keep you turning the pages?
A. I can definitely say that yes it did as I stayed up till about two o’clock in the morning (twice) reading as I could not put the book down. I had to know what happened next! A good sign of a great read right there, people!
6. Did you find it difficult to like/care about a main character, and could you work out why?
A. I feel torn about this question because I think it is a yes and a no at the same time. Yes, because at times I found it difficult to like Abby and Ben because of the on and off moments throughout the book, their blindness and lack of willingness to compromise from both ends but I also liked that because it is so very much like that in real life.
7. Would you recommend this book to others?
A. The answer that everyone (especially the author) is waiting for, and the answer is… Yes! I would definitely recommend this book. If you have not read it yet or are not sure whether to read it, then do not hesitate! Give it a go, it is well worth it.

Reviewed by Nathalie W Reviewer

Who wouldn’t want to date a movie star once in their lives? That’s exactly abbey Steeles predicament especially after a bad break up the last thing she wants to be is set up. To her surprise they really hit it off u til they don’t and she is left ghosted but a chance meeting again on a future project may be the answer to real love meant to be coming true

Well, this book gave me all the feels in every extreme: I wept, I cringed, I hated with a passion, I had anxiety, I laughed… really I just adored this book. To me, this is everything a romance should be. Normally there’s a huge break down about 75% of the way through the book and you don’t know if they’ll make it. But this whole book carried that tension, but it was in a way that had reading as fast as I could. I love the character growth and how the author actually took to the time bring you along for the ride and not just jump ahead to the growth at the end. The friend characters are wonderful, but the main characters are perfection (they are not perfect people by any stretch, you will probably hate them at some point, but that’s part of a great story).

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy for an honest review!

Was such a fun read. Was a 3.5 stars for me, is my usual type of books I enjoy to read and it did not disappoint. Will be looking out for more books from this author

This was such a sweet romance. Right away, Abby and Ben drew me in with their immediate chemistry... I loved seeing them get to know each other and fall in love. The initial part of their love story just felt very natural, and you couldn't help but root for them to get their happily ever after... but then we cut to a few years later as her book is becoming a movie, with him as the star and director and we learn that he had ghosted her, and it was their first time seeing each other since. I found myself wanting to see them get their second chance... but well, it might take more than a second chance for these two to finally work it all out and there were certainly a few times throughout that I found myself wanting to shake some sense into the characters. This story was definitely the perfect example of it being the right person at the wrong time... it took us on and an emotional roller coaster for them to finally get there, but it was certainly an enjoyable ride and well worth it in the end. In addition to Abby and Ben, I also couldn't help but love all the side characters and everything they added to the story too (looking at you, Duke!). I would absolutely love to see some of them get their own stories as well.

Four Summers Ago is a closed-door romance, with fade to black scenes. While nothing happens on the pages, it does get a little steamier with clothes coming off before fading to black and some innuendo. There is some minor language as well. There is mention of miscarriage as well, with no details given.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Quick Summary: A timing is everything romance

My Review: Four Summers Ago by Jensen Rose Long is a 2025 women's fiction romance.

About the Book: "Love is not something Abby Steele is interested in.

Abby goes on one last blind date. That blind date happens to be Ben Richards, the hot Hollywood it-guy...

Abby doesn’t think they’ll have anything in common, but she finds herself instantly intrigued...

They spend the rest of the summer falling in love...

Abby doesn’t expect him to leave her heart in pieces as he promptly ghosts her."

In My Own Words: The right time. The right place. The right guy. The right romance. The right love story. A life interruption. A heartbreak. A devastation. A reunion. An unsettling. And...

Question to Consider: What happens when you unexpectedly find your someone and he turns out to be your greatest heartbreak?

About the Characters:

Abby - > I felt so much for this character. I wanted to wrap her up and protect her. Her backstory was kind of heartbreaking. Despite what she had lived through, she still had a strength about her. She was independent and accomplished, which made me want to cheer for her. She deserved good things in her life.

Ben - > I liked him and did not like him and loved him all at the same time. He took me for an emotional ride. He was a good guy who made not so good choices. I appreciated his growth and liked how he turned out.

Helen - > What a beautiful relationship she and Abby had. Theirs was a sisterhood. I loved how she supported her friend through everything and stood by her in the valleys, as well as on the mountaintops.

Nick - > Dude! He won all the brownie points. His love for Abby was so sweet. I really liked how he showed his heart for her. He was sensitive to her needs and showed such compassion. He had her back, regardless of what went down.

Duke - > I loved this guy!!! Can he get his own story? His is the case of how a minor character can have such a major impact. He was a real one.

Lainey - > I loved her energy. She was making moves. Her connection with Abby was almost instantaneous, and it worked. Also, I want to know her story with Bob. I have to know! It was set up so perfectly. I was left with a dangling thread...in a good way.

Pedro -> He played his role. I looked up, and he was just there. (I see what you did there, Ms. Long. Very clever.)

My Favorite Scenes (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

Time After Time
The Message
How Do You Want to Play This?
I See You See Me
Under the Stars

My Final Say: Four Summers Ago was such an emotionally moving book. Once I started it, I COULD NOT put it down. It had me! It. Had. Me. I was completely captivated. I went through a gamut of feelings. I smiled. I laughed. I cried. I hoped. I waited. I celebrated. I cringed. I wished. I clapped.

This is the type of story that is simple yet complex at the same time. It had colors and movement, as I like to say. It had texture and depth. It was challenging. It was tense, just as much as it was hopeful. The characters were relatable. They were familiar in such a way that they were like the people we all know in our own lives.

At the end of the day, I would simply say that this story is about life, love, relationships, choices, regrets, second chances, family, and about what comes next when everything falls apart and comes together again.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Happily Ever After
Realistic
Tear-jerker
Easy-to-read
Entertaining

Other: Readers who enjoy stories where blind dates become boyfriends, where lovers become enemies, where separations and second chances merge, and where close proximity work situations are the order of the day will like this novel.

*** I think this will be incredible as an audiobook. I cannot wait to have that experience! The emotional aspect alone will be golden. ***

Rating: 4.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own thoughts and opinions. I am grateful for the opportunity to review this writer's work. This was my first acquaintance with this author, but it will not be my last.

Wow, well I sat and read this all in a day. I loved this book and the journey it takes you down I was routing for the couple all the way through! It’s such a lovely romantic story keeping you engaged all the way to the end.

I read this all in one night! It was so so good I couldn’t put it down. I love romances that feature people in Hollywood or dating a celebrity and this one perfectly fit the bill. I loved the chemistry between our two main characters. I loved how they met in the most normal of circumstances and then was heartbroken when after a whirlwind courtship they hit a rough spot and then was anxiously awaiting to see how of they would reunite with the opportunity to work together on the same set. It was such a beautiful book. I loved every minute. One of my favorite romance books as of late for sure. Please check this one out! You won’t regret it

This book is perfect for those readers who have ever thought about what might happen if Hollywood's It Guy crossed their paths. I loved this book and these characters. It was a great romance!