A Slow Summer, a Soft Romance: A Review of Burnout Summer

Some books meet you exactly where you are, and Burnout Summer ended up being one of those reads for me. I picked it up expecting a breezy summer romance, and while it absolutely delivers on that front, it also surprised me with how thoughtfully it handles burnout, directionless twenty-something anxiety, and the quiet fear of realizing the life you planned might not be the one you actually want.

This is a story that unfolds slowly and intentionally. It doesn’t rush to fix its main character or smooth over her flaws, and because of that, it felt deeply real.

A Main Character in the Middle of the Mess

Camille “Cam” Luna is not instantly likable and honestly, I appreciated that. She’s exhausted, defensive, and stuck in that uncomfortable space between who she thought she’d be after college and where she’s actually landed. She’s dealing with job loss, student debt, and the kind of mental burnout that makes even small decisions feel overwhelming.

As a reader, there were moments where Cam frustrated me but those moments felt honest rather than careless. Burnout doesn’t show up as grace or clarity; it shows up as irritability, self-absorption, and avoidance. Watching Cam slowly unpack her identity outside of achievement and expectations became one of the most rewarding parts of the book.

Her growth doesn’t come in sweeping declarations or overnight transformations. It’s subtle, uneven, and learned which made it resonate more than a neatly wrapped character arc ever could.

A Slow-Burn Romance That Feels Safe and Grounded

The friends-to-lovers romance between Cam and Danny is the emotional anchor of the story. Danny is steady, patient, and quietly supportive, a contrast to Cam’s internal chaos without feeling like a fantasy fix-it man. Their relationship is built on history, trust, and familiarity, and that foundation makes every interaction feel meaningful.

What I loved most is that their connection doesn’t rely on big romantic theatrics. It’s in shared routines, late-night conversations, and the way Danny shows up consistently even when Cam doesn’t know how to show up for herself. The romance simmers rather than explodes, and the payoff feels satisfying because it grows naturally out of who these characters already are.

Atmosphere That Pulls You Into the Summer

One of the standout elements of Burnout Summer is its atmosphere. Jenna Ramirez has a way of setting scenes that made me feel like I wasn’t just reading about this summer; I was inside it.

Elswick, Rhode Island feels tangible and lived-in. The beach town setting isn’t just there for vibes; it shapes the story. You can feel the humidity of a busy restaurant shift, the weight of long summer days, the contrast between tourist chaos and quieter, more personal moments. Every location feels purposeful, reflecting where Cam is emotionally at that point in the story.

The restaurant scenes, in particular, stood out to me. They’re hectic and grounding at the same time, mirroring Cam’s complicated relationship with work, productivity, and self-worth. The beach isn’t romanticized as a cure-all. Instead, it becomes a place for reflection, stillness, and slow recalibration. I never felt like an observer reading descriptions; I felt like I was standing right there with the characters.

Why It’s a 4-Star Read for Me

Burnout Summer earns its four stars because it balances heart, realism, and escapism beautifully. While the pacing may feel slow for readers who prefer faster romantic momentum, I think that slowness is exactly what allows the emotional beats to land. A few moments felt repetitive in Cam’s internal spiral, but even that felt true to the burnout experience rather than a flaw in execution.

This is a book about giving yourself permission to pause, reroute, and redefine what success looks like wrapped in a tender, summer-soaked romance that never loses sight of emotional authenticity.

Final Thoughts

Burnout Summer is the kind of book I’d recommend when you want something comforting but not shallow a story that feels like a deep breath rather than an escape hatch. It’s romantic, reflective, and grounded in the messy reality of figuring yourself out when life doesn’t go according to plan.

If you’ve ever felt behind, burned out, or unsure whether you’re chasing the right version of success, this one might hit a little closer to home than expected.

xx, Crystal

Burnout Summer hits the shelves May 12, 2026

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.