Problematic Summer Romance

My Review of Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood looks at this story about a forbidden age gap romance at a destination Italian wedding. Is it for you? Let’s find out!

Problematic Summer Romance

I tried one Ali Hazelwood book that just wasn’t my romantic vibe.

BUT Problematic Summer Romance, with its Italian setting and age gap romance (I just binged Age of Attraction) sounded more my speed.

So, here’s the bad news (sorry!) Reading Problematic Summer Romance mades me realize how much I need a PLOT in a book to keep me interested. Yes, even in a romance.

I understand that MANY people fall in love by just hanging out and chitchatting (I was lucky enough to get a meet cute!) but to me, books are supposed to be real life with the boring parts removed.

Problematic Summer Romance had so much talking. SO much. And so little plot. SO little. what “plot” there was = endless discussions of the age gap.

Also Maya was … something. I’m all for female empowerment, but if you reversed the genders I think Maya (let’s now call her Marcus) would be cancelled for being an alpha male 2010s YA stalker dude who follows you everywhere, watches you sleep, and bares his teeth at the other guy in the love triangle. Maybe she has daddy issues?

Yes, Maya finally got what she wanted (she’s like a human steamroller and men are weak) but will this relationship work? (Well, some of the Age of Attraction couples have already broken up…)

It was entertaining to watch it play out. But is this a HEA romance? To me, no.