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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was more of a 3.5 stars for me than 3 stars. It had a slow start at the beginning but really picked up halfway through and kept me wanting to read more. Elise as a main character was very relate able and I felt most of the novel agreeing with her and then towards the end feeling bad for her. Matt on the other hand was just very hard to connect with and very much a douche for all of the story.
Gracie was also a good character though at times I read her younger than what she actually was but then again that could be good since she does have a disability that hinders her development.
The end while bittersweet did feel off and almost a bit too happy for all the stuff that happened before it especially with things in Matt and Elise's relationship and her relationship with her father.
Gracie was also a good character though at times I read her younger than what she actually was but then again that could be good since she does have a disability that hinders her development.
The end while bittersweet did feel off and almost a bit too happy for all the stuff that happened before it especially with things in Matt and Elise's relationship and her relationship with her father.
This is one of my favorite types of books, a family drama without promising to be the "thriller of the year". The characters were developed well and I think they were be polarizing. I've read some reviews that couldn't stand Elise and some that couldn't stand Matt. I firmly sit in the anti-Matt camp, but regardless I love that a novel can read so differently and evoke so many emotions. I think this would be a great book club selection because there are so many things that could be discussed. This was a solid 4.5 stars for me. My only issues were I think edits could have been made to the middle so I could have had a more drawn out ending. It just came so fast, I wanted a little more resolution and accountability. It's hard to talk about a book like this because I don't want to give anything away, but I think this book is definitely worth a try.
* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *
* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *
The Summer We Lost Her is an absolute gut punch. Tish Cohen has written amazing, complex and, in some cases, despicable characters.
This book is incredibly atmospheric - I could vividly picture Lake Placid and imagine myself right alongside Elise and Matt. Even though I knew Gracie was going to go missing, the moment in the book where it happens was still incredibly emotional.
I absolutely hated two characters in particular, to the point that my husband had to ask if I was okay because I scoffed so loudly after reading a chapter. Cohen’s writing is THAT good.
An amazing read for anyone who likes deep domestic fiction with just a dash of thriller/suspense.
Thank you Scout Press for providing me with a review copy of this book!
This book is incredibly atmospheric - I could vividly picture Lake Placid and imagine myself right alongside Elise and Matt. Even though I knew Gracie was going to go missing, the moment in the book where it happens was still incredibly emotional.
I absolutely hated two characters in particular, to the point that my husband had to ask if I was okay because I scoffed so loudly after reading a chapter. Cohen’s writing is THAT good.
An amazing read for anyone who likes deep domestic fiction with just a dash of thriller/suspense.
Thank you Scout Press for providing me with a review copy of this book!
The Summer We Lost Her tells the story of two unlikable characters. Elise is a dressage rider with aspirations to get into the Rio Olympics. This has been her dream and always was. She and her husband, Matt, apparently had an agreement that she would follow this dream as far as she could. Matt is a lawyer and has also taken over the responsibilities of raising their 8/9 year old daughter. Matt is still hung up on his old high school crush/first lover, Cass, who happens to be in the house next to theirs while they are up in Lake Placid.
One day, their daughter, Gracie, who has mild cerebral palsy, doesn't come home on the bus from camp. While this is tragic, it doesn't happen until halfway through the book. The first half of the book is setting up Elise to be a bad person for following her dream instead of putting her family first. Matt is the angel, although the fact that he runs to Cass at every opportunity doesn't exactly put him in the best light either.
What drove me nuts about this was the circumstances surrounding Gracie's abduction. This was supposed to be a family vacation, full of family time because Elise had been away training. And yet, at the first opportunity, they are willing to send their daughter to day camp. If a parent has been away from their child for that long, I'd assume they would then actually want to be with their child and husband. They would want to do things as a family. I understand this led itself to the plot device of the abduction, but I was so bothered by Elise, it was tough. I also was bothered by how cavalier Matt was willing to treat their marriage.
Overall, the story was ok. The end was ok. This is one that I read but would call just ok.
One day, their daughter, Gracie, who has mild cerebral palsy, doesn't come home on the bus from camp. While this is tragic, it doesn't happen until halfway through the book. The first half of the book is setting up Elise to be a bad person for following her dream instead of putting her family first. Matt is the angel, although the fact that he runs to Cass at every opportunity doesn't exactly put him in the best light either.
What drove me nuts about this was the circumstances surrounding Gracie's abduction. This was supposed to be a family vacation, full of family time because Elise had been away training. And yet, at the first opportunity, they are willing to send their daughter to day camp. If a parent has been away from their child for that long, I'd assume they would then actually want to be with their child and husband. They would want to do things as a family. I understand this led itself to the plot device of the abduction, but I was so bothered by Elise, it was tough. I also was bothered by how cavalier Matt was willing to treat their marriage.
Overall, the story was ok. The end was ok. This is one that I read but would call just ok.
*I received a free copy of The Summer We Lost Her from Gallery Books via Edelweiss. This has in no way influenced my review which is honest and unbiased.*
A mystery with a slow pace, a hint of nostalgia, and a troubled marriage. When Gracie disappears, all the differences between Matt and Elise come to the surface.
Well written, the slow pace worked well both for the mystery and for the overall story. Between flashbacks and the present, I got to know the characters well, and understood where they were coming from.
A mystery with a slow pace, a hint of nostalgia, and a troubled marriage. When Gracie disappears, all the differences between Matt and Elise come to the surface.
Well written, the slow pace worked well both for the mystery and for the overall story. Between flashbacks and the present, I got to know the characters well, and understood where they were coming from.