Thank you St. Martin’s Press, #partner for the finished copy of A Summer to Remember in exchange for my honest review. I borrowed the audiobook from the library.
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press / Macmillan Audio
Published: May 11, 2021
Summary:
For thirty-year-old Frankie Simon, selling movie memorabilia in the shop she opened with her late mother on Hollywood Boulevard is more than just her livelihood–it’s an enduring connection to the only family she has ever known. But when a mysterious package arrives containing a photograph of her mother and famous movie stars Glory Cartwright and her husband at a coastal film festival the year before Frankie’s birth, her life begins to unravel in ways unimaginable.
What begins is a journey along a path revealing buried family secrets, betrayals between lovers, bonds between friends. And for Frankie, as the past unlocks the present, the chance to learn that memories define who we are, and that they can show us the meaning of home and the magic of true love.
Experience the salty breeze of a Cape Cod summer as it sweeps through this sparkling, romantic, and timeless debut novel tinged with a love of old Hollywood.
My thoughts:
This book has been sitting on my shelf since last year and I’m now kicking myself for not reading it sooner – it was such a delightful, charming read and I really enjoyed it. I definitely think it’s a great summer read – the perfect type to get lost in for a few hours.
I’m always a sucker for books with dual narratives and I loved the way this one was told. Filled with secrets and a little drama – it is set around Hollywood and features some famous movies stars after all! – I was immediately pulled in and found myself equally engaged in both timelines. I loved the hint of mystery as we try to figure out what is in those letters that are discovered. I also loved the relationships between all the characters.
This story deals with loss, grief, heartbreak, self-discovery and love and I think it would make a great bookclub pick, especially during the summer months. And who doesn’t love being transported not only to Hollywood, but also to Cape Cod? I definitely recommend this one if you haven’t already read it.
Audio thoughts:
I listened to this one and thought Carly Robins did a great job bringing the story to life. She gave each character their own voice and her pacing and intonation was spot on. It was a very enjoyable book to listen to.
