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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
After finishing Amy’s first book, “The Summer List”, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her next novel, which I just finished, and loved! The characters, the locations (which were additional characters, in my eyes), the story, all brought back memories and feelings from my college days, graduating from college, and on into my early 30’s. I didn’t want it to end! Wonderfully written!
Becca, Serra and Eric are best friends in high school, but circumstances lead to an estrangement between Eric and Becca. Both have career aspirations that are not fully realized 10 years after graduation. The story follows them from high school, through college, to a road trip for Serra’s wedding ten years later. Becca is trying to find out who she is, while her relationship with Eric fluctuates. I enjoyed this ARC from Netgalley, and recommend for readers of women’s fiction.
I've written this review for Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
After loving The Summer List last year, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Summer Hours by Amy Mason Doan. This is one of my more highly anticipated books this summer!
Growing Up 90's Style
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel about friendship, growing up, love, the choices we make & what stems from said choices.
I'm giving a shout out to my buddy Heather over at Book Club Chat because this book is ripe for questions, discussion & ideas for book clubs. During her formidable college years, Becc trudges among trying to follow her heart & her instinct even if they each lead her down different roads.
While there is a romance element, it’s a smaller part of the narrative. Instead, relationships are strained, created & reignited.
THE VERDICT
I’m Really Into This book! I’m bummed I missed the launch for Amy’s book. Hopefully, she saved me a book cookie! Summer Hours by Amy Mason Doan is out now. Read this book if you’re looking for a well-written tale about relationships, secrets among friends & developing your own sense of self.
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
After loving The Summer List last year, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Summer Hours by Amy Mason Doan. This is one of my more highly anticipated books this summer!
Growing Up 90's Style
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel about friendship, growing up, love, the choices we make & what stems from said choices.
I'm giving a shout out to my buddy Heather over at Book Club Chat because this book is ripe for questions, discussion & ideas for book clubs. During her formidable college years, Becc trudges among trying to follow her heart & her instinct even if they each lead her down different roads.
While there is a romance element, it’s a smaller part of the narrative. Instead, relationships are strained, created & reignited.
THE VERDICT
I’m Really Into This book! I’m bummed I missed the launch for Amy’s book. Hopefully, she saved me a book cookie! Summer Hours by Amy Mason Doan is out now. Read this book if you’re looking for a well-written tale about relationships, secrets among friends & developing your own sense of self.
Wow. This book was really excellent - from beginning to end, I loved it. It’s a sweet coming-of-age in which mistakes are made but not regretted, an idea I really took to heart. We all question our choices in growing up. The what-if’s can really get you, but Mason Doan almost makes me feel even more proud of my own missteps with her beautiful way of portraying youth and development. I loved Francine and the scholarship. I loved Becc’s illicit romance- not trashy, but sort of cute and interesting, believable and thought-provoking. I loved the nods to art and film and feminism. I loved the friendships- lost & gained. I loved watching Becc get to know herself. There was truly nothing to complain about with this book. I’d recommend it to just about anyone- specifically my college girlfriends.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved The Summer List Amy Mason Doan brought us in the summer of 2018. It had touches of nostalgia, and those same bits are present in Summer Hours. Bring on all the reads set in the 90s!
Becc is a devoted student and want-to-be reporter with big dreams. One summer she becomes involved in an affair, and she loses everything in the process- her dreams, her best friend.
Several years later, she’s on her way to a wedding, and she’s feeling nostalgia and wistfulness for that time period. Is that something she can recreate, or does she need to leave the past in the past?
We have all been there, I think. I can definitely remember turning points in my life just like this where I longed for old relationships to be the same that probably never would be, and the pain of letting go of that is something I’ll never forget.
At its heart, Summer Hours is a deeply moving and genuine story of friendship and its push and pull. There’s love and romance and lots of secrets, and the entire time, I felt like a close girlfriend was telling me her story, baring all her secrets over a long, lingering lunch. It’s emotionally smart and relevant with complex characters and lovely writing. Thank you for telling us this story, Amy Mason Doan.
I received a complimentary copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Becc is a devoted student and want-to-be reporter with big dreams. One summer she becomes involved in an affair, and she loses everything in the process- her dreams, her best friend.
Several years later, she’s on her way to a wedding, and she’s feeling nostalgia and wistfulness for that time period. Is that something she can recreate, or does she need to leave the past in the past?
We have all been there, I think. I can definitely remember turning points in my life just like this where I longed for old relationships to be the same that probably never would be, and the pain of letting go of that is something I’ll never forget.
At its heart, Summer Hours is a deeply moving and genuine story of friendship and its push and pull. There’s love and romance and lots of secrets, and the entire time, I felt like a close girlfriend was telling me her story, baring all her secrets over a long, lingering lunch. It’s emotionally smart and relevant with complex characters and lovely writing. Thank you for telling us this story, Amy Mason Doan.
I received a complimentary copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
As someone who graduated high school in the 90s, I really enjoyed all the nostalgic references in this story. I found the pacing too slow and a lot of the characters' actions too unbelievable. Reading a summer themed book in the summer was enjoyable, however, and I think it would make a nice beach read. I definitely enjoyed The Summer List and Lady Sunshine more than this book.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mehhh. She gave me the ick. So long until it got to the point. Thought it was going to be a fun summer book; spoiler it's not (in my opinion).