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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Summers Between Us was like "Every Summer After" but in a different font - two lakeside neighbors who grow up next to one another over the course of many summers, have a falling out, and are brought back together in one fateful summer as adults to reflect on what went wrong and where they stand now.
It had all the makings of my favorite plot points - lakeside cabin, small local town and characters, boy next door romance, friends to lovers. But the thing that dipped this book in the ratings for me was that it also included a big heaping of one of my least favorite book toupes: miscommunication. C'mon people, just use your words and don't assume! lol
I think this is a great cozy read for summer, especially if you're reading it at the lake and the vibes are hitting just right. But it wasn't my favorite of those that fit that genre.
It had all the makings of my favorite plot points - lakeside cabin, small local town and characters, boy next door romance, friends to lovers. But the thing that dipped this book in the ratings for me was that it also included a big heaping of one of my least favorite book toupes: miscommunication. C'mon people, just use your words and don't assume! lol
I think this is a great cozy read for summer, especially if you're reading it at the lake and the vibes are hitting just right. But it wasn't my favorite of those that fit that genre.
Another lakeside summer romance you MUST read. Told in dual timelines, Lia returns to cottage life in Pike Bay, Ontario (yay for a Canadian setting!) to help care for her teenage niece while her aunt undergoes cancer treatment. But coming back means facing the past. And that includes Wesley Forest, the boy who defined her teenage summers.
This second chance romance hit me in all the feels with their messy unresolved feelings and buried secrets. And within that is a really deeply layered story of family expectations, with Lia continually putting pressure on herself to be the perfect immigrant daughter. I loved the emotional tension it added to not only the romance but also Lia’s relationship with her wonderful sister.
I adored Lia and Wes and their shared love of books (there’s even a scene where Wes reads to her while she's ill ♥︎). Their romance was such a soft, aching kind of angst that kept me desperate to uncover what exactly happened between them. And the reveal truly surprised me! Both have spent years trying to be who they thought they should be, and seeing them find their way back to themselves and each other was just perfect.
(heat level: 2 open-door scenes, mild details)
(heat level: 2 open-door scenes, mild details)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Miscarriage, Abortion
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a sweet, lovely read. Definitely recommend.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Summers Between Us is just up my alley. It has summer visits, childhood crushes, second chance romance, and the weight of expectations. With flashbacks, we see the feelings and intensity that scares Lia so much. There's this idea that 'young love isn't real', but it just tries to diminish these real feelings. The love that can be formed no matter the age. Experience doesn't mean you love more or that love will be better. In the flashbacks we can see the friendship and the transitions from friendship to something more and it's sweet - even if you know how it will end.
The Summers Between Us is just up my alley. It has summer visits, childhood crushes, second chance romance, and the weight of expectations. With flashbacks, we see the feelings and intensity that scares Lia so much. There's this idea that 'young love isn't real', but it just tries to diminish these real feelings. The love that can be formed no matter the age. Experience doesn't mean you love more or that love will be better. In the flashbacks we can see the friendship and the transitions from friendship to something more and it's sweet - even if you know how it will end.
emotional
reflective
slow-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
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary arc and LibroFM for the alc.
The Summers Between Us completely gave off “Every Summer After” vibes, and I was hooked from the start. The dual timelines made it so engaging, seamlessly weaving the past and present together in a way that kept me invested. The complicated family dynamics felt incredibly relatable—messy, emotional, and real, adding so much depth to the story. And the romance between the former teen sweethearts was absolutely lovely. Their connection had all the nostalgia and longing that made their journey feel special. Plus, the Canadian setting was perfect—it gave the story such a warm and familiar backdrop. Athena Karkanis’ narration was perfect, bringing just the right amount of emotion and authenticity to the characters.
All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Abortion, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
medium-paced