Have a Great Summer - by Francesca Cocchi (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Set against a vibrant Jersey Shore backdrop and bursting with summertime romance, hometown nostalgia, smart humor, female friendship, and millennial angst, journalist Francesca Cocchi's dual-timeline teenage-crush-to-adult-lovers debut is the perfect beach read for fans of Annabel Monaghan, Carley Fortune, and Emily Henry.

If time is supposed to heal all wounds, Lina Mariano's broken teenage heart never quite got the message--but 15 sunny, sandy, angsty Jersey Shore summers later, she finds herself unexpectedly facing her old crush, getting a new perspective--and maybe even a hopeful glimpse of the future . . .

Lina Mariano is stuck--in her hometown, in her job, and in the past. And after six years of writing up local weddings as a columnist for a popular lifestyle website, she's wholeheartedly sick of nuptials. Worse, the next one on her list is none other than Sebastian Nikolaou's.

Working high school summers with sweet, handsome Sebastian at his mother's iconic beach restaurant, teenage Lina was totally wrapped up in the way he made her feel--until the night that everything changed. Even so, she's embarrassed to admit how often she still thinks of him, and now, comparing their present lives is wrenching. It will take a careful look at her younger self, and some wisdom from the best friend who was there for it all, to see that making her dreams come true is up to her alone--whether or not those dreams still include Sebastian . . .

Poignant, engaging, and insightful, Have a Great Summer is an ode to the confused teenager in all of us, and a reminder of the blissful, excruciating, delicious days of summers gone by.

Review Quotes

Praise for Have a Great Summer

"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

"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

About the Author

Francesca Cocchi is a writer and editor who has covered food, commerce, and other lifestyle subjects for national outlets, including Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, and NBC's TODAY. She holds a degree in English literature from Villanova University and attended New York University's Summer Publishing Institute. A proud Jersey girl, she grew up down the shore in Monmouth County and currently lives in Jersey City with her husband and their dog. Find her on Instagram @francescaa_nicolee and TikTok @francesca_cocchi.