For Faith the one summer she can’t forget is when she fell in love as a teenager – only for her sister, Casey, to steal her man. Now, at the request of her beloved ninety-year-old Grandmother, Faith has agreed to a family holiday – at their childhood beach house, where it all began. Faith hasn’t seen her sister in years but is finally ready to forgive and forget, enjoy the sunshine and relive happy memories. What she’s not ready for is meeting Jake Buchanan – the owner of the beach house – or the long-forgotten feelings he ignites in her. Can Faith overcome the hurt of the past, rekindle the close bond she had with Casey and make this summer THE ONE to remember? Review
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of Summer By The Sea for review purposes.
Summer By The Sea follows Faith Summers and her family as they congregate on the Outer Banks in North Carolina for the 90thbirthday of their Grandmother, Sophia, otherwise known to them as “Nan”.
Faith and her sister, Casey, have had a strained relationship for many years as Faith has never been able to forgive Casey for stealing and marrying the man she loved, Scott. It is difficult for Faith to even consider getting over Casey’s betrayal when doing so would mean her having to see Scott on a regular basis.
Faith has mixed feelings about the reunion. She faces the week with much trepidation and finds being back under one roof to be difficult. She and Casey have never talked about ‘the event’ and she cannot understand Casey’s actions nor why Casey seems so unapologetic for what she did those many years ago. Despite the many years that have passed, Faith is still doubtful as to whether she will be able to forgive and forget the past. This is not helped by the fact that Casey andScott now seem to be undergoing some serious marital difficulties. Is a split on the cards…?
Despite her feelings, Faith is determined to put a brave face on and try not to ruin her Nan’s special birthday back at a place that holds so many happy memories for the family.
Upon her arrival in Outer Banks, Faith meets handyman Jake Buchanan and finds herself in the throes of a potential holiday romance/friendship. However, she is aware that she will be going home in a few weeks, so what kind of future could they possibly have together? Their first ‘date’ highlights some huge differences between the two which may prove impossible to overcome. In addition, both Faith and Jake are haunted by their past experiences and risk ruining any chance of a future between them as a result of the barriers they have built to protect themselves. Whilst reading Summer By The Sea I desperately wanted their relationship to work out, however I simply could not see how it would be possible given the huge difference in their fundamental thoughts/beliefs.
The characters in Summer By The Sea are very likeable and individually flawed. Sophia, the grandmother, is probably my favourite character in the book. She is wily and wise. After reaching the grand old age of 90, she knows her family inside out and believes that she knows what is best for them. Martha, the mother, is caring and hardworking, having brought up Casey and Faith on her own as a single parent. Plus, there is young Isabella, Casey and Scott’s daughter, a stark reminder to Faith that she should be putting her feelings to one side for her niece’s sake.
I can’t forget to mention the wonderful setting for the book. The author has chosen the story to be set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It is clear from the author’s description that this is a beautiful coastal town boasting quaint holiday cottages, sandy beaches, blue sea, blazing sunshine and stunning views.
Summer By The Sea is a touching and realistic story of family, love and hurt. It’s a story of second chances, both in love and in friendship/family relationships. Summer By The Seaa well-written, heart-warming and entertaining read, perfect for an easy holiday read.
When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me.
Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t.
While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication.
The rest is history.
When I’m not writing, I’m a District Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, a mother of two boys, and a wife to a very supportive husband.
The Curious Ginger Cat 