Logan Belle

3.5 stars

This book's cover is enitrely apropos. "The Forever Summer" is just the kind of book you'll want to read while on the beach -- or the kind of book to read if you want to be transported to the beach on a cold, gray afternoon.

As you might gather -- without even reading the marketing blurb -- "The Forever Summer" involves themes of family, love, betrayal, secrets, and forgiveness. Readers will certainly know basically how this is going to all end up, but won't know exactly how the author is going to get us there, and thankfully Brenner does throw in a few surprises for us.

While there are several archtypical characters found within the pages (Marin, the Type A lawyer from Manhattan; Fran, the free-spirited, yoga-practicing Mom from California, etc.) Brenner does round them out at least a little bit to prevent them from being complete charicatures.

This book is best appreciated for what it is: a quick and easy escape from reality.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown, and Company for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)

This is a story of three college friends as close as can be who move on with their lives, grow apart, find different paths and ideas of success. That’s not unique or uncommon. When one writes a book inspired on another’s life, on another’s community…now that’s something different entirely. How do we reconcile with the people we love, what are we willing to give up to make space for a relationship to heal?

Come with me to Provincetown, a small town on Cape Cod. Here a local bookstore held the hopes and dreams of three friends each summer throughout college. Shelby, Hunter, and Colleen’s shared love of books had been their binding force, and now their undoing. When they graduate Shelby is determined she won’t return until she’s met her goals of becoming a writer. Three years later she’s got a best selling book and is stuck trying to write her second when Colleen asks her to come back and help run the bookstore. Reluctantly Shelby agrees, but knows she’s not going to be welcomed with open arms, especially by Hunter.

I’m an unapologetic Jamie Brenner fan. I have (and have gifted) her books in print, ebook, and audio. We are immersed in Provincetown, the bookstore, the cultural, and surrounding community. It’s a hallmark of her writing that I look forward to! The literary theme throughout is so lovely. I felt that Hunter’s relationship with Shelby (and resentment towards her) was affected by Hunter’s own struggles, making it slightly messy.

I highly recommend for those that love immersive summer romance with a strong sense of place. Readers that love books about women’s friendships will especially love this. Perfect for your beach bag and poolside reading! For those of us who are landlocked, it is a much needed escape to a breezy, costal location!

I received an early copy from my friends at HTP Books and Park Row Books via Netgalley.… (meer)