stars stripes and summer nights

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Celeste Dador
Publisher: Delacorte Romance
Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Named one of Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Reads of 2026, Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights is a swoony debut YA romance about First Daughter Abby Cary-Alzona’s summer of self-discovery, small-town charm, and unexpected love.

All Abby wants is one normal summer before college. No headlines. No drama. Just a chance to breathe.

But when a run-in at the White House with Gabriel Calabrese—a maddeningly carefree small-town photographer—spirals into a pizza delivery scandal that makes front-page news, Abby’s plans disappear overnight. To escape the fallout, she’s sent to a charming country inn run by Gabriel’s family.

Now she’s stuck with the last person she wants to see.

As Abby and Gabriel team up to save his family’s Fourth of July festival—and tackle Abby’s secret summer bucket list—sparks begin to fly. Especially when he helps her experience all the “real” teen moments she’s missed: parties, picnics… and maybe even a first kiss.

Perfect for readers who love:
• Forced proximity
• Opposites attract
• Reluctant royalty
• Small-town charm reminiscent of Gilmore Girls

A cozy, heartfelt story that explores familial expectations and what it means to choose a life—and love—on your own terms.

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted copy.

THIS WAS SWEET!

What a lovely debut. I really enjoyed this story. And it’s a fourth of July romance?? I’ve never read one of those and it was utterly charming. The small town charm was highlighted just right and the atmosphere was full of everything summer. This had the first love summer romance quality I had a breeze flying through.

I liked the eldest daughter FMC, Abby. She slowly works through letting things go and taking advantage of the opportunities to feel more like a teenager than the FDOTUS. It’s not heavy on political things and focused much more on the coming of age story for Abby. I loved the relationship she had with her sister.

The romance too was incredibly sweet. It’s appropriate for teens with kisses only and low (if any) language. I can easily keep this on my shelves for when my littles are older. I liked the banter between Gabriel and Abby and the communication they worked towards. There is some miscommunication but it wasn’t dragged out and felt right for the age range.

All in all, it’s filled with fireworks (literally), good parent relationships, new friendships, and summer love. Easy recommend!

Overall audience notes: