Title: Burnout Summer
Author: Jenna Ramirez
Publication Date: May 12, 2026
Publisher: Saturday Books
Format Read: Kindle e-ARC
Genre: Women’s Fiction
🌶️ Spice: 3/5. Contains two open-door scenes.
Sometimes a girl just needs to read some good chick lit, okay? It’s the literary equivalent of watching a ’90s rom-com. Speaking of which, I should really rewatch French Kiss. Anyway, I digress, but that’s exactly why I picked up Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez. That, and I loved the synopsis.
Camille, Cam to her friends, has just been fired from the corporate job she hated… and arrested the very same day. Talk about a horrible, no-good, awful day! One of her closest college friends, Danny, picks her up when she gets out of the clink and suggests she spend the summer in Rhode Island helping him run his restaurant while she catches her breath and figures out what’s next. She agrees. This summer will change everything.
I really connected with the characters. Even when Cam’s obliviousness made me want to shake her, I understood her. And Danny? Where can I buy myself a Danny? He was wonderful, with just as much depth and complexity as Cam. The beach setting became an honorary character in its own right. I could practically picture myself at Beau’s, feeling the ocean breeze while serving iced tea. This is a fantastic summer read, but it might be an even better winter one, offering a sunny escape when you’re wearing three pairs of socks, a sweater, and you’re still wrapped in a blanket.
Exploring themes of burnout, choosing fulfillment over expectations, the complexity of found family, personal growth, and rediscovering yourself, Ramirez’s writing is warm, conversational, and emotionally grounded. The story unfolds through natural dialogue, quiet character moments, and believable emotional growth. Cam and Danny’s relationship feels earned, with their chemistry developing through shared glances, brushing fingertips, and easy conversation. The prose is clean and highly readable, favoring accessibility over stylistic flourish and keeping the focus squarely on the characters and their emotional journeys. This isn’t a novel that tries to impress you with elaborate prose. Instead, it quietly invites you into these characters’ lives until you’re fully invested in where they end up.
I had so much fun reading Burnout Summer. By the end, Cam, Danny, and the rest of the crew felt like family. Readers who enjoy chick lit, especially fans of Sophie Kinsella (may she rest in peace) and Mhairi McFarlane, will likely find plenty to love here.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— a heartfelt summer escape
Click here to learn more about Burnout Summer and Jenna Ramirez.
Let’s Discuss:
Would you choose a stable job you dislike or risk everything for a life that makes you happier?
Support Indie Booksellers
Thinking about picking up a copy? Purchasing through the link below supports independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting indie booksellers and I Speak Book Nerd. 📚💛
Get your copy on Bookshop.org.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I read a digital copy made available by Saturday Books through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.