
The Summer of Lost Things
A Novel
Jenn Bennett(Author)
HarperCollins (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 16. July 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-06-345223-7 (ISBN)
Description
Sexy new adult romance meets swashbuckling adventure when ex childhood friends Paige and Seb reconnect to finally track down the treasure that has been a legend in their small Michigan beach town for decades. Perfect for fans of The Goonies and Netflix's Outer Banks who are craving more romance!
Star pupil Paige Malone just finished her first year at Harvard. Dropout Seb Jansen spent that time pumping gas for wealthy yacht owners at a Lake Michigan marina. They haven't seen each other since high school. A shame, considering that they were once inseparable childhood friends who combed their coastal hometown's sun-kissed beaches along with a couple of other middle-school pals-hunting the Golden Venus, a legendary local treasure that's distantly connected to Paige's family.
A treasure rumored to be worth millions of dollars. If it even exists.
These days, however, the former BFFs have traded adventure for reality. Paige is home for the summer and is spiraling after losing her college financial aid. While across town, Seb fell in with a bad crowd and now regrets his life choices, big time. Both feel colossally stuck. And alone.
But when Paige stumbles upon a hidden secret in her grandmother's beach cottage, she must get their old treasure-hunting gang back together to finally unravel the mystery that has eluded her family for generations. Who knows: the thrill of the hunt might help Paige and Seb find a path back to their lost friendship...or something more.
The Summer of Lost Things brings the summer heat with its combination of a high stakes treasure hunt and a swoony love story.
Tropes
Childhood friends to lovers
Second-chance romance
Treasure hunt
Family secrets
Partners in crime
Summer love
Small beach town setting
Overachiever x bad boy
Loveable rogue
Star pupil Paige Malone just finished her first year at Harvard. Dropout Seb Jansen spent that time pumping gas for wealthy yacht owners at a Lake Michigan marina. They haven't seen each other since high school. A shame, considering that they were once inseparable childhood friends who combed their coastal hometown's sun-kissed beaches along with a couple of other middle-school pals-hunting the Golden Venus, a legendary local treasure that's distantly connected to Paige's family.
A treasure rumored to be worth millions of dollars. If it even exists.
These days, however, the former BFFs have traded adventure for reality. Paige is home for the summer and is spiraling after losing her college financial aid. While across town, Seb fell in with a bad crowd and now regrets his life choices, big time. Both feel colossally stuck. And alone.
But when Paige stumbles upon a hidden secret in her grandmother's beach cottage, she must get their old treasure-hunting gang back together to finally unravel the mystery that has eluded her family for generations. Who knows: the thrill of the hunt might help Paige and Seb find a path back to their lost friendship...or something more.
The Summer of Lost Things brings the summer heat with its combination of a high stakes treasure hunt and a swoony love story.
Tropes
Childhood friends to lovers
Second-chance romance
Treasure hunt
Family secrets
Partners in crime
Summer love
Small beach town setting
Overachiever x bad boy
Loveable rogue
Reviews / Votes
"Bennett deftly weaves together a mystery, summer adventure, and a romance for the ages." - Library JournalMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Dimensions
Height: 211 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
294 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-345223-7 (9780063452237)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2026
HarperCollins
€12.93
Available for download
Person
Jenn Bennett is the critically acclaimed author of several young adult books, including Alex, Approximately and Starry Eyes. She also writes romance and fantasy for adults. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two good dogs.