Reviews

Summer Fun by Jeanne Thornton

kayslater's review against another edition

5.0

truly one of the best novels i've ever read. astoundingly woven, Thornton's writing is infused with visual and tactile magic

lizzydown's review against another edition

3.0

don’t want to give spoilers but i really enjoyed one story line and found the other one q unengaging. feels harsh to give 3 stars considering the story line i did enjoy was excellent but didn’t feel like i could give 4 stars considering

myareads41's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

4.25

hit way too close to home. damn. need to read again in the summer

esutcliffe's review against another edition

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

4.5

cuckmulligan's review against another edition

4.0

The present-day storyline isn't as strong as the 60s one. Still, it made me cry. Some of the most beautiful descriptions of music I've ever read are in this book

maren_notkaren's review against another edition

Ran out of time on my library hold

emloueez's review against another edition

Honestly, I might not even rate this, because there were some highs and lows. I'm a huge Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan so there was a lot of fan service in this that kept me entertained. The novel is split between Gala's story and the letters that she writes to B—, the Get Happies lead singer. I think the parts about the Get Happies felt a lot more fleshed out than Gala's story — I feel like she sort of gets lost in the mix. I also feel like the novel is too long. I LOVE "Pet Sounds" and "Smile" lore, but those parts really started to drag out.

But still, it's pretty ambitious for a debut, and it's clear that Thornton really put a lot of work into it. I'd be interested to read her next book.

Amazing that this is the 4th book I've read this year that has referenced Connie Converse. I have no idea what is going on with that.

gabe_escobedo's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

gabija's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

mhoffrob's review

4.0

The prose of this book is so beautiful, but following the plot lines took some dedication at first. Once the non-linear, epistolary form became familiar, understanding the two timeliens told by Gala, the trans narrator became much more clear. Gala is a dedicated fan of recording stars, the Get Happies, who rose to stardom in the Sixties and dominated pop charts for years. The band does not release their final album, "Summer Fun" and rumors has long been a fascination with fans, including Gala. When she meets a woman connected to a song writer of the band, they become obsessed with finding the family of the Get Happys and finding more about what happened to the band and its members. Again, the writting is just beautiful: descriptive and evocative. The plot is engaging and involvng. Highly recommend.