Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Summer Hours was a good read and I was sucked in right away. I love when I get so enthralled with a book that I am loathe to put it down. This was also a fun read because of all the familiar locations. Who doesn’t love to say, “hey, I’ve been there!” when reading a book? Although the book takes place in 2008, the main character, Becc, reflects on a past relationship with a much older man during her college years in the 90s. This relationship had a catastrophic impact on a friendship. The 90s recollections were a stroll down memory lane from the clothes to the music and I was intrigued to see how or if her friendship would recover in her adult years when the two reunite. I look forward to reading more of Doan’s novels in. I can’t imagine a better book to read while lounging next the pool on a warm summer day.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Alternating between the late 1990's and 2008, Becc's story leads us through two important times in her life: her college days as a journalism student romanced by an older charming man, and now, as she prepares to attend the wedding of an old friend while reuniting after ten years with the boy who was part of her life for so long.
Full of nostalgia and breezy summer moments, Summer Hours is the second novel by Amy Mason Doan, and she has solidified herself as a new favorite summer author for me. She writes strong, relatable characters in engaging stories that embody summer without the cheesiness the genre often sparks.
I can easily recommend both books by Amy Mason Doan - grab a glass of lemonade and head out to your porch and settle in.
Full of nostalgia and breezy summer moments, Summer Hours is the second novel by Amy Mason Doan, and she has solidified herself as a new favorite summer author for me. She writes strong, relatable characters in engaging stories that embody summer without the cheesiness the genre often sparks.
I can easily recommend both books by Amy Mason Doan - grab a glass of lemonade and head out to your porch and settle in.
This was in interesting love story that spanned over almost 2 decades. We meet our main characters when they are seniors in high school, 4 years after they first officially met. Now this story is told all from Becc's point of view. With that said this is one of those stories where I would REALLY have loved to hear his POV. Becc and Eric are getting ready to head to college, him on the east coast and her just a few hours away from home. These two, along with Sera, have been best friends since they were 14. However a misunderstanding and Eric's own personal family issues have them parting and barely keeping in touch. Becc ends up running into someone from Eric's past and ends up having a secret affair with him. Just before Eric comes back into her life she breaks it off with him feeling that the relationship has run it's course, though he might have felt differently. Eric and Becc were always meant to be. However between their stubbornness and life issues their love never fully connected. When they finally get their chance the past comes sneaking back in.
Now while I liked this book and kept turning the page so I could figure out what happened I was also torn. I wasn't a big fan of the past vs present chapters. I was happy to know what happened in the past, but honestly I wish that we could have gotten that all at once and then skipped to 10 years later. I liked Cal but I also didn't. He just seemed so uncaring. It was obvious he cared for Becc but he never actually put his feelings out there and expressed them. He just let her keep hiding and saying that when your reading... Becc drove me up a wall. She was so confident in what she wanted to do for a living (even though figuring that out was difficult) but when it came to real life she was just so stupid. She really should have confided in at least one of her friends instead of hid the whole affair. Then we have Eric. Honestly I didn't like him. He seemed so full of himself. Oh I have family issues so hate who I hate and if you don't I'll cut you out of my life, even if we're best friends and I've secretly loved you for so long. He then just comes back wanting redemption like he didn't stop communicating. THEN when he discovers Becc's secret he flees and don't even care to talk? Oh and don't get me started on the whole road trip. Yeah Becc had her own part in their issues but he just kept acting like he was better and making her feel like crap. Ugh... After all that I also will admit that I wish the ending had been "more." If nothing else a little "where are they now." It was just kind of ended. Not really a fan of that. Otherwise the book was decent and definitely kept me reading.
Now while I liked this book and kept turning the page so I could figure out what happened I was also torn. I wasn't a big fan of the past vs present chapters. I was happy to know what happened in the past, but honestly I wish that we could have gotten that all at once and then skipped to 10 years later. I liked Cal but I also didn't. He just seemed so uncaring. It was obvious he cared for Becc but he never actually put his feelings out there and expressed them. He just let her keep hiding and saying that when your reading... Becc drove me up a wall. She was so confident in what she wanted to do for a living (even though figuring that out was difficult) but when it came to real life she was just so stupid. She really should have confided in at least one of her friends instead of hid the whole affair. Then we have Eric. Honestly I didn't like him. He seemed so full of himself. Oh I have family issues so hate who I hate and if you don't I'll cut you out of my life, even if we're best friends and I've secretly loved you for so long. He then just comes back wanting redemption like he didn't stop communicating. THEN when he discovers Becc's secret he flees and don't even care to talk? Oh and don't get me started on the whole road trip. Yeah Becc had her own part in their issues but he just kept acting like he was better and making her feel like crap. Ugh... After all that I also will admit that I wish the ending had been "more." If nothing else a little "where are they now." It was just kind of ended. Not really a fan of that. Otherwise the book was decent and definitely kept me reading.
I found the book slow paced as it flips back and forth from past to present and it started getting interesting at about 50% as the timelines start to connect
What a beautiful written book with flawed characters this was such a breath of fresh air had me craving for summer!! Becca , Sierra and Eric had been best friends in high school. Becca has always felt the pressure to be perfect to always be the good girl. As her feelings grow for Eric towards the end of her senior year and nothing happens she feels the pressure of college and finding herself. Eric whose dealing with his own emotional problems the fact his parents are going through a divorce and his mom moved on dating a much younger man named Cal. As Becca and Eric are in college they lose connection and they drift apart emails become scarce. Becca returns home from college for the summer after being declined internships and summer jobs and she bumps into Cal and he offers her a job at his business. She soon finds herself in a secret affair with Cal even though he’s a whole decade older than her, he’s rich, handsome and single after ending his relationship with Erics mom. Becca and Cals relationship was much more than a fling and it lasted the whole summer and she keeps it a secret from Eric, her mother and everyone else in her life she knows if Eric finds out it would devastate him and also end their friendship! If she can’t be honest with Eric could she ever be in a relationship with him? Fast forward a decade later and Becca is in a car with an unknown male driving to sierras wedding and she finds herself thinking back to that summer and wondering if one mistake could actually ruin the rest of her life. This book jumps back and forth between the 90’s and early 2000’s and back to the present. I loved this book it makes you think about the decisions you make and how they can affect who
you are and which path you take along with learning to forgive yourself! I give this four stars! This book is available June 4th 2019!
you are and which path you take along with learning to forgive yourself! I give this four stars! This book is available June 4th 2019!
I tried and tried but could not finish this book. I'm not sure what I'm missing judging by a ton of glowing reviews, but this just wasn't my cup of tea. It was too slow for my taste and failed to capture my attention.
I was sucked into the story in a matter of pages. I was invested in Becc and her journey.
Excellent read. Has a unique story and perspective, which I enjoyed. Amy Mason Doan is a talented, original storyteller with a lovely style of prose.
Could only make it 40% through. I just cannot stand these characters and I have too many other books that I have to read to spend any more time on this one.