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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
Yes
fast-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
So good I devoured it one sitting!
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Abortion, Pregnancy
The writing on this book was 4 stars, but the plot decisions were not. I am getting honestly quite tired of 'romance' genre books where the duo dated when they were young, broke up over a miscommunication about something in yet another instance of "we assume things and we don't communicate" with one another, and then go a decade or two or three without speaking, serendipitously reconnect, find they still have the hots for each other like nothing has changed, all the while never bringing the elephant in the room up. Then one person gets cold feet and calls the whole thing off because of said past incident, doesn't tell the other person why they're flipping out, so they break up AGAIN but then reconcile because one of them decides to be an adult and commmmunnnniiiiicaaaaaate.
I sound cranky, I know. It's where I am right now though. And it's probably because I have been making questionable book choices lately, and / or maybe I need to avoid this genre entirely for a while. IDK.
Would definitely read the author again - she can write. But i would read the synopsis first!
I sound cranky, I know. It's where I am right now though. And it's probably because I have been making questionable book choices lately, and / or maybe I need to avoid this genre entirely for a while. IDK.
Would definitely read the author again - she can write. But i would read the synopsis first!
Friends to lovers and second chance are two tropes that I love, and together, when done well, is a treat, and that is what Noreen has done here. Breaking generational trauma and bad practices, I love to read it.
This book was a trigger of sorts, haha, the immigrant parent expectations, navigating young love and desire without the judgment and pressure of ruining your family, and letting all their sacrifices go to waste. Lia was a mirror of sorts, apart from the cottage and the summer romance she got to have (I wish I had that growing up lol). The constant need for perfection and proving yourself, the nagging noise that you are a failure. Like I said, a trigger of sorts.
Wes and Lia's friendship, chemistry, and connection felt genuine, and I was rooting for them, aching for them.
I also very much liked that Noreen handled the way the mother accepted the children only because she did not want to break the family, rather than truly accepting them, which made it realistic. I did wonder how this would pan out had the father still been in the picture.
Nonetheless, a wonderful debut. I look forward to Noreen's next.
Thank you, Random House Canada and Edelweiss, for the e-ARC.
This book was a trigger of sorts, haha, the immigrant parent expectations, navigating young love and desire without the judgment and pressure of ruining your family, and letting all their sacrifices go to waste. Lia was a mirror of sorts, apart from the cottage and the summer romance she got to have (I wish I had that growing up lol). The constant need for perfection and proving yourself, the nagging noise that you are a failure. Like I said, a trigger of sorts.
Wes and Lia's friendship, chemistry, and connection felt genuine, and I was rooting for them, aching for them.
I also very much liked that Noreen handled the way the mother accepted the children only because she did not want to break the family, rather than truly accepting them, which made it realistic. I did wonder how this would pan out had the father still been in the picture.
Nonetheless, a wonderful debut. I look forward to Noreen's next.
Thank you, Random House Canada and Edelweiss, for the e-ARC.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
I couldn’t put this book down from the moment I opened it! The characters really jumped right off the page from me and I really enjoyed the chemistry between Lia and Wes.
The sister relationship was complex but also filled with love which made it seem very real, and the complexities around family, culture, and the crux of being the eldest daughter added so much depth to the story in my opinion.
I often hate the miscommunication trope and this book was no exception but I did understand *why* it had to be done. The setting in this book truly made me wish I was sitting lakeside with my own paddle boat and secret island to go visit.
An incredible summer romance read!
The sister relationship was complex but also filled with love which made it seem very real, and the complexities around family, culture, and the crux of being the eldest daughter added so much depth to the story in my opinion.
I often hate the miscommunication trope and this book was no exception but I did understand *why* it had to be done. The setting in this book truly made me wish I was sitting lakeside with my own paddle boat and secret island to go visit.
An incredible summer romance read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
The chemistry between Lia and Wes was sooo good. I loved how this book is set up, with us getting a look at the present time as well as a look back at what happened in the past between these characters.
Obviously you want to root for them, but the miscommunication is kind of annoying. However, I think it makes sense for where these characters are at the time as well as the circumstances that lead to it. And they're young too, so I am not as annoyed with it. Loved the location, I wanted to be out on the water every time they took out the kayak or paddleboat.
I didn't totally love the 3rd act reveal we learn about Lia (not my favorite trope) , but it was handled well and makes sense as to why some things happened in the book. Spoilers if you look at content warnings, but it's important to list it out.
I couldn't put this book down and thought about it as I was going to bed. Just really loved reading it!
Obviously you want to root for them, but the miscommunication is kind of annoying. However, I think it makes sense for where these characters are at the time as well as the circumstances that lead to it. And they're young too, so I am not as annoyed with it. Loved the location, I wanted to be out on the water every time they took out the kayak or paddleboat.
I didn't totally love the 3rd act reveal we learn about Lia (not my favorite trope) , but it was handled well and makes sense as to why some things happened in the book. Spoilers if you look at content warnings, but it's important to list it out.
I couldn't put this book down and thought about it as I was going to bed. Just really loved reading it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Abortion, Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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
“The Summers Between Us” is a second-chance, slow-burn romance packed with longing, secrets, and one unforgettable summer that just might change everything.
Lia’s back at her family’s cottage—the one place she’s been avoiding for a decade—and surprise: so is Wes, the boy she once loved and never really stopped. Now she’s a corporate lawyer with the perfect-on-paper boyfriend and a very long list of things she doesn’t talk about. Wes is still sweet, still steady, and still confused about why she ghosted him all those years ago.
Told across one summer in the present and flashbacks to their younger years, this debut serves up heartbreak, healing, and the kind of love that simmers under the surface until it demands to be felt. There’s family pressure, cultural expectations, quiet rebellion, and a heroine learning—finally—that she gets to want things just for herself.
Noreen Nanja’s writing is honest, emotional, and full of heart. If you're into childhood sweethearts, secret pasts, and tender moments that hit you right in the chest, this is one to add to your summer reading list. Congratulations on your debut!
Author’s Note:
The Summers Between Us is a story that aims to represent the messiness of life. This book contains discussion of divorce, homophobia, pregnancy loss, grief over the loss of a parent as an adult and coping with family illness.
Thank you @noreennanjawrites, @randomhouseca and @booksforwardpr for the #gifted book and goodies. All opinions expressed are my own.