A review by oceanwriter
Until September by Harker Jones, Harker Jones

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Not a happy-go-lucky love story for sure, and honestly, I think I prefer it this way. With a beautiful summer backdrop, this coming-of-age story doesn't shy away from the gritty parts of life.

During a milestone summer vacation, Kyle meets Jack. As he brings him into his group of friends on the island, the boys (and the rest of the group) face a number of trials — many of which will have a lifelong impact on their lives. Though a work of historical fiction, time doesn't seem to make much of a difference here as the heart of the story is its characters and their lives.

I enjoyed the writing style here. It was full of heart and I found myself connecting to the characters even though they weren't personally relatable to me (nor were all of them always likable). The plot got a bit busy toward the middle, but it smoothed out again by the end. As I said in the beginning, this isn't a fluffy romance. It has a realistic feel that is, for me, a refreshing break from too-good-to-be-true romances.

A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy of the book to read and review!
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