Praise for Have a Great Summer
“Nostalgic, witty, and utterly delightful, Have a Great Summer is the sun-soaked, sand-in-the-pages novel to lose yourself in this year. Readers will be swept away to the Jersey Shore and fall in love with plucky Lina, who writes about weddings but is still searching for her own happily ever after. Francesca Cocchi has gifted us with a charming seaside escape to remind us: You can’t rewrite history. But who would want to when starting over is so much more fun? An effervescent debut from a standout new voice. I will read anything Francesca Cocchi writes!” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of Beach House Rules
“Francesca Cocchi’s Jersey Shore-set novel is a gorgeous tale of second chances wrapped in a warm breeze of nostalgia. It somehow manages to put us straight back to the wipeout of teenage awkwardness while then forcing us to get back up on the surfboard and embrace the joy. This is the kind of book you go back to over and over again when you need an injection of summer.” —Ali Rosen, bestselling author of Unlikely Story
“This debut feels as familiar and joyous as strolling the boardwalk with your best friend and an Italian ice. A love letter to swoony, all-consuming crushes and the cultural quirks that make beach town living so singular, Have a Great Summer is truly a gift for Jersey girls (and for any reader wondering what it means to be one).” —Courtney Preiss, USA Today bestselling author of Welcome Home, Caroline Kline
“Francesca Cocchi’s sparkling debut has everything: the joy of friendship, the hope of new beginnings, and a lush, living setting so vibrant I could feel the sand between my toes. I’ll follow Cocchi to the Jersey Shore any time.” —Katie Naymon, author of You Between the Lines
“The thrill of first love and the crushing disappointment of that teenage heartbreak felt raw and real, and the strong female friendship added depth and resonance. You won’t want to miss this delightful book.” —Betty Cayouette, author of One Last Shot and creator of Betty’s Book List
“Romance percolates—twice—In this delightful small-town romance featuring the real Jersey shore. From first love to second chances, you’ll get a slow-brewing double-shot of love in Francesca Cocchi’s enchanting debut novel.”—Kimberly Brighton, author of The Way to Cape May
“A nostalgic tribute to the landmarks and vibes of Jersey Shore, an homage to the hustle and heart it takes to run a family business, and a love story for anyone whose greatest crushes and worst heartbreaks happened on boardwalks and beaches. Cocchi’s novel is a promise to any beach town local, torn between their love for their home and their big dreams, that you don’t have to choose.” —Katie Runde, author of The Shore
“This charming story of high school sweethearts bumping back into one another on the Jersey Shore is as sweet as the top of a midsummer ferris wheel. With nostalgic sparks, heartfelt moments, and plenty of banter, it’s the perfect beach read—no actual beach required. You’ll be smiling from page one to the swoony conclusion!” —Claire Swinarski, author of The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County
“Have a Great Summer wins my Best Beach Read of 2026. Cocchi bats for the cycle with this homage to the poetry of the Jersey shore, the heartbreak of first love, the power of female friendship, and the sweet taste of second-chance romance.” —Judith Natelli McLaughlin, author of Summer on Butterfly Bay
“Perfect for beach bags and boardwalk strolls, Have a Great Summer is a worthy companion for every sun-soaked adventure. Francesca Cocchi writes with warmth and heart, creating the summer escape that dreams are made of.” —Courtney Kae, author of In the Event of Love & In the Case of Heartbreak
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