Review: Summer's List by Anita Higman

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Life hadn't been easy for Summer Snow. In acts of selflessness-caring for her ailing parents and running her grandmother's bookstore-she had forfeited her youth and dreams for the needs of others. And the only tries she had at love... didn't turn out. She had the bookstore, she had her beloved granny, but she was missing something-or someone.

Opportunity strikes when Granny sends Summer on an unexpected adventure with one Martin Langtree, a kind but gangly young man from Summer's past. A childhood friendship is rekindled, a romance is sparked, and mysteries are solved in one magical Texas summer. Will Summer strike out on love again, or will things finally go her way?

My Review

There's a kind of floating quality to the narrative in this book. It's told mostly from Summer's perspective (with some from Martin's POV), and it's as if she's slightly disconnected from her own experiences. She is not your run-of-the-mill contemporary female, in fact with her slightly formal yet fanciful dialogue, she seems to be from a much earlier era. She and Martin are both described as gentle souls, different from their peers, which is why their friendship is so timeless. I loved how after a twenty year separation, they fell right back into being best friends. The list from her Granny serves as catalyst to reunite them, but I was surprised to find that Martin's dysfunctional siblings and family secrets take center stage with an air of intrigue. Overcoming hurts from the past, forgiveness, grief, and pursuing a fulfilling life purpose are themes that make this a special book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I especially loved the scene with the hot air balloon ride since that's at the top of my own bucket list and it was described so beautifully!

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and River North Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)