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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Just a fun summer read. One of the better romantic books I have read. The characters were interesting and well written but it’s still a light, fun read. There are some sexy scenes but you can skip and not lose the story.
Boys of Summer. This was an excellent tale (though roughly double the average length of books I read) with a dual timeline in the 90s and in 2008. In the 90s, the main characters are just beginning their lives, and in 2008 a decade has passed and they are all dealing with the events of that decade. It works extremely well and hit home quite a bit for this reader who happens to also be in his 30s. Very much recommended.
In Summer Hours, Doan has given us an excellent summer read. Don't let the "beach read" description fool you - this novel is more complex than you might expect. For me, it provoked an emotional journey down memory lane. I found myself reflecting on past loves and past mistakes. I also coudnt help but ask myself what would past me think of the life I have created for myself? Thankfully, I believe she would approve of my personal choices, but I had to admit that - like Becc - I haven't pushed myself to my full potential professionally. This parallel enabled me to relate to Becc in a very personal way.
I could also relate to how things went wrong between Becc and Eric in their younger years. Missed signals, poor timing, and miscommunication also characterized my relationship with my husband when we were teenagers. It felt surreal to see similar patterns play out for others, and the desire to find out if they were ever able to resolve it kept me invested in the story.
Where I feel that Doan faltered was in exploring Becc's motivations as a teen. It never felt clear to me why she felt so compelled to please everyone. What experiences shaped her personality? And further, what compelled her to abandon it all so quickly for a man? Her attraction to Cal wasn't entirely believable, and I think it would require a much deeper connection to so drastically alter one's entire life. So although I related so well to the adult versions of the characters, I felt that their teenage selves were underdeveloped.
I could also relate to how things went wrong between Becc and Eric in their younger years. Missed signals, poor timing, and miscommunication also characterized my relationship with my husband when we were teenagers. It felt surreal to see similar patterns play out for others, and the desire to find out if they were ever able to resolve it kept me invested in the story.
Where I feel that Doan faltered was in exploring Becc's motivations as a teen. It never felt clear to me why she felt so compelled to please everyone. What experiences shaped her personality? And further, what compelled her to abandon it all so quickly for a man? Her attraction to Cal wasn't entirely believable, and I think it would require a much deeper connection to so drastically alter one's entire life. So although I related so well to the adult versions of the characters, I felt that their teenage selves were underdeveloped.
An enjoyable read about relationships and tough choices.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.75 ⭐️
While I enjoyed this book, I didn’t like or connect with any of the characters. The main character, Rebecca, made some questionable choices as she begins her college career and I didn’t agree with them. She annoyed me at times. I enjoyed the past vs present chapters and was engaged and invested in the story. The ending felt a little abrupt for all the lead up that there was.
While I enjoyed this book, I didn’t like or connect with any of the characters. The main character, Rebecca, made some questionable choices as she begins her college career and I didn’t agree with them. She annoyed me at times. I enjoyed the past vs present chapters and was engaged and invested in the story. The ending felt a little abrupt for all the lead up that there was.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Summer Hours was a quick read and I spent most of my time really enjoying the storyline. With the past and present writing style, it felt disjointed at times. But over all, the story flowed well.
Throughout the book, I was left frustrated at Becc and Eric for the lack of communication and empathy for each other. They were best friends in high school, and their immaturity was keeping them from admitting their true feelings for each other. Becc found herself in a controversial relationship which impacted her friendship with Eric. I didn't feel like Eric had any right to be upset with Becc for her mistakes when he in turn was making mistakes of not being the friend he should have been after graduation.
The last bit of this book was sluggish. I found myself skimming the pages until the ending. I loved how the book ended and felt like the character development finished out okay.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for my free ebook of Summer Hours. The Kindle copy format was challenging to read and should be looked at further to have it translate like a hard copy book. Also for that reason, it was hard to follow along with gaps in pages and spacing issues.
Throughout the book, I was left frustrated at Becc and Eric for the lack of communication and empathy for each other. They were best friends in high school, and their immaturity was keeping them from admitting their true feelings for each other. Becc found herself in a controversial relationship which impacted her friendship with Eric. I didn't feel like Eric had any right to be upset with Becc for her mistakes when he in turn was making mistakes of not being the friend he should have been after graduation.
The last bit of this book was sluggish. I found myself skimming the pages until the ending. I loved how the book ended and felt like the character development finished out okay.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for my free ebook of Summer Hours. The Kindle copy format was challenging to read and should be looked at further to have it translate like a hard copy book. Also for that reason, it was hard to follow along with gaps in pages and spacing issues.
This story takes you from the very beginning of Becc and Eric’s story to their present day, more than a decade later.
I’m high school Becc and Eric has been friends. They spent time together with their other best friend, they were the three amigos.
But Becc always felt the most pressure to be perfect, to be the good girl.
She felt herself falling for Eric but by the end of senior year, nothing had happened.
Eric was in a bad place emotionally,he was upset about his parents’ divorce and his mom’s rebound. His mother was dating a younger man called Cal.
Becc tried to stay connected with Eric when they all left for college but they drifted apart.
She also had to deal with her attraction to Cal. He was over a decade older than her, handsome, rich, charming and single again after splitting with Eric’s mom.
Becc and Cal had a secret relationship. It wasn’t just a fling but when it ended and Eric resurfaced, Becc felt she could never tell him about it.
But if she couldn’t be honest with Eric, could she ever be in a relationship with him?
A decade later, Becc and Eric are driving together to their friend’s wedding. All we know is that they haven’t talked in all of these years. Becca feels that what happened was her fault and she’s hoping to reconnect after all this time. She wants forgiveness at the very least, she longs for a second chance.
It was a very detailed story. Sometimes I wanted to get to the answers quicker. That’s personal preference only but it meant I wanted to get to the bottom of their drama faster.
I got to read an early edition ebook from NetGalley. Thanks!
I’m high school Becc and Eric has been friends. They spent time together with their other best friend, they were the three amigos.
But Becc always felt the most pressure to be perfect, to be the good girl.
She felt herself falling for Eric but by the end of senior year, nothing had happened.
Eric was in a bad place emotionally,he was upset about his parents’ divorce and his mom’s rebound. His mother was dating a younger man called Cal.
Becc tried to stay connected with Eric when they all left for college but they drifted apart.
She also had to deal with her attraction to Cal. He was over a decade older than her, handsome, rich, charming and single again after splitting with Eric’s mom.
Becc and Cal had a secret relationship. It wasn’t just a fling but when it ended and Eric resurfaced, Becc felt she could never tell him about it.
But if she couldn’t be honest with Eric, could she ever be in a relationship with him?
A decade later, Becc and Eric are driving together to their friend’s wedding. All we know is that they haven’t talked in all of these years. Becca feels that what happened was her fault and she’s hoping to reconnect after all this time. She wants forgiveness at the very least, she longs for a second chance.
It was a very detailed story. Sometimes I wanted to get to the answers quicker. That’s personal preference only but it meant I wanted to get to the bottom of their drama faster.
I got to read an early edition ebook from NetGalley. Thanks!
I was really expecting it to be a 3 star book but there was little point to any of it.