The Summer of Us

This young adult novel follows American expat Aubrey and her best friend Rae on a final two-week European adventure with their friends Clara, Jonah, and Gabe before college begins. What starts as a carefree exploration of Paris and Prague quickly becomes a complex emotional journey as old secrets surface, romantic tensions rise, and the friends grapple with their identities and futures. The book explores themes of self-discovery, friendship loyalty, first love, and the bittersweet process of saying goodbye to one chapter while embracing the next. Parents will appreciate its honest portrayal of young adult relationships and the challenges of transitioning to independence, offering a "transformative odyssey of self-discovery" as Kirkus describes it. It's perfect for readers who enjoy romantic travel stories with depth.

American expat Aubrey has only two weeks left in Europe before she leaves for college, and she's nowhere near ready. Good thing she and her best friend, Rae, have planned one last group trip across the continent. From Paris to Prague, they're going to explore famous museums, sip champagne in fancy restaurants, and eat as many croissants as possible with their friends Clara, Jonah, and Gabe. But when old secrets come to light, Aubrey and Rae's trip goes from a carefree adventure to a complete disaster.