Alex Aster’s Rom-Com Novel ‘Summer in the City’ Sets Film Adaptation at New Line Cinema (EXCLUSIVE)

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The popular romantic comedy novel “Summer in the City,” penned by internet sensation Alex Aster, is slated for movie adaptation by New Line Cinema.

Published by HarperCollins Publishers on March 25, “Summer in the City” is a lively, quick-moving romantic comedy that unfolds in the backdrop of New York City. It tells the story of a screenwriter and an attractive tech CEO who transition from being lovers to adversaries and eventually find their way back to each other’s arms. The book made its debut at the second spot on the New York Times bestseller list upon release and maintained its position for five consecutive weeks.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Nikki Ramey and Celia Khong will be steering “Summer in the City” for Warner Bros. Discovery’s New Line Cinema. Aster is set to executive produce this film adaptation of “Summer in the City,” which happens to be her second book-to-film project. With her young adult fantasy series, “Lightlark,” being developed into a feature at Universal and Temple Hill, I can hardly wait to see what magic she’ll weave for us on the big screen!

No writer, director or cast is currently attached to the project.

In the summary for Aster’s “Summer in the City” novel provided by HarperCollins, Elle is given an opportunity to write a major film set in New York City. However, she’s struggling with writer’s block and her screenplay deadline is fast approaching at the end of summer. To find inspiration, Elle goes back to the city where she discovers her new neighbor is billionaire bachelor Parker Warren, whom she had a brief encounter with two years prior. Their relationship has since soured into mutual animosity. Seeing Parker again reignites a wave of anger within Elle, which inspires her to write fervently through the night. As Elle comes to terms with her unconventional muse, she realizes it might be the key to completing her screenplay… if she can tolerate being in his presence. Meanwhile, Parker is trying to create a convincing romantic facade for his company’s impending acquisition. Both of them are looking for a change and rediscovering the allure of the vibrant cityscape of New York. The summer will eventually come to an end, as will their arrangement. Everything they are doing is pretend—until it isn’t.

The urban romance novel titled “Summer in the City” is Aster’s initial exploration into adult literature, having previously captivated readers with their hit young-adult fantasy series known as “Lightlark.

Aster’s books, such as the popular middle-grade fiction series “Emblem Island,” have sold millions of copies in the US and spent over 120 weeks collectively on the New York Times Bestsellers list. She is renowned for her substantial social media presence, especially within TikTok’s “BookTok” community, with a following of over 2 million across platforms and amassing over 300 million views on her videos.

She is repped by CAA, Jodi Reamer at Writers House, and The Lede Company.

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2025-05-13 18:47