First Summer, A Debut Lit-Fic Review
Image from Amazon
I still remember my first summer of adolescence— warm and bright, yet filled with boredom. It was awkward as I navigated moments of childishness and maturity. First Summer by Ekin Oklap is exactly about that — two girls, growing up, and experiencing it together over the course of a summer.
What is First Summer by Eken Oklap About?
In her debut novel First Summer, Ekin Oklap, a London-based writer known for her Booker Prize nominated translations, revisits the innocent blooming of new friendships. The novel explores the unnamed protagonist and Clara’s relationship in one summer as the two girls recognize the loneliness in each other, and they bond through the summer heat in Clara’s garden.
Among the similarities between the girls is a shared love for a fantasy book series that follows protagonists Nadia and Rosa as they travel through space. Interspersed throughout First Summer are snippets of Nadia and Rosa’s story.
While I did not thoroughly enjoy these episodes, I appreciated how Nadia and Rosa mirrored Clara and the protagonist, making the story-within-a-story logical for added development.
My Take on First Summer
I started reading First Summer at the beach while lying in the sand. The novel was exactly what I needed in the moment: comforting, summer vibes neatly packaged in about two-hundred pages. It was nostalgic and kept me engaged.
As the book progressed, I was impressed by the emotional depth, from longing to anxiety to love, expressed through the pages. The characters felt like real teenagers, and there were moments where I was reminded of myself at that age. I love character-driven stories, and First Summer nailed it.
Who Should Read First Summer
If you’re craving a short but emotionally in-depth read, then this is the perfect fix for readers as young as Clara and her friend and anyone older and eager for a nostalgic look on friendships. First Summer releases August 18, 2026 and is available for purchase at all major retailers.
Still looking for more books for your TBR? Check out these reviews and, heck, read a little fiction right here.
- Lonely Castle in the Mirror — A Magical Realism Novel Review
- 5 Best Novels of Identity — Portraits of Becoming
- The Messy Years — A Book Review
- Demon Copperhead — A Book Review
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Zina Mona
Zina Mona is a writer and student from Texas. Her work has been published or is forthcoming in the Trinity Review and 34 Orchard. She studies literature and economics, but in her free time, she loves watching Audrey Hepburn movies.
Visit her website to read more!
