Problematic Summer Romance

Written by Ali Hazelwood

Narrated by Elizabeth Lamont and Eric Nolan

The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!

What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End.

Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.

Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.

But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Release date: May 27, 2025
• ISBN: 9798217168514

Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of multiple romance novels, as well as a writer of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the US to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her three feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).

Reviews for Problematic Summer Romance

[jessicawillman151 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Worst. Book. I’ve ever read by Ali. That’s all, no other words.

[moleybopi.2020 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s funny, sexy and so spicy!! Audio book is amazing!

[rrrachelllynnn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was everything! Funny severely relatable MC, rough but smart and secretly soooo terribly sweet love interest, amazing location, Realistic but FULL of shenanigans. Like I ate this shit up yal!! I had crazy fun with this one, out loud cackling fun. Anyone giving this a bad review is sheltered and needs some lovin’ lol. It’s for grown women for sure. HaaaHAAAA ?

[elifsuleymanova · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is genuinely her cheekiest work yet! I want, crave, and need him, unfortunately.

[cflores · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved loved Mia she is funny omg she just had me laughing the entire time. Her narrator did an awesome job bringing her to life.

[jubonjean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I adored this story so much it will leave you with a smile on your face for days

[kayla wire · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'll always love Ali Hazelwood's works. This feels more akin to The Love Hypothesis or Love, Theoretically. It feels like a true rom-com. I actually wasn't a big fan of her work Not In Love but experiencing the characters again through Maya's eyes made me rethink how I felt about the characters.
Elizabeth Lamont deserves an award for her performance.

[piercej03 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Male narrator is the worst I’ve ever heard. Thought it was a joke, but sadly no. Distractingly bad. They should re-record.

[hernandez.abigail13 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Yeah I just couldn’t get into this. And the male voice makes it even harder. Waste of a credit /unlock.

[Jill Myers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I always love Ali's books, but I demoted this book because of the gut who narrated the men was AWFUL.

[morgan.phillips713 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ali’s books always have a slow burn edge to them however this one felt a bit too fluffy and drawn out. Maya’s thoughts were too long and most of the time didn't add much to the story line. They instead made me feel annoyed and disconnected from her character development. Conner’s character was just…flat to me, I kept thinking “get over it already” because his reason for not was just ironically immature feeling. I have always and will continue to enjoy Ali’s books but this one wasn't my favorite.

[aduncan6500 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The male narrator ruined it for me. They absolutely did not sound like siblings, or even from the same country or time period. I quit after Chapter 5.