Summer's Song

by Lindi Peterson

All she has to do is prove that she'd changed...completely.
Pop-star princess Summer Sinclair doesn’t know what to do with herself now that she’s cleaned-up and sober. She knows God’s been nudging her, but since God is unfamiliar territory, she feels scared and alone. Everything changes when she meets Levi Preston, a Christian musician who’s falling for Summer and wants her to be who God created her to be. But when the reality of her life takes Levi to places he’s vowed to stay clear of, will Summer’s newfound freedom be what breaks her heart as she does what is best for Levi?

Genres: Christian, Fiction, Romance, Christian Fiction, Contemporary

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2012

About the author

Award winning author Lindi Peterson loves writing and reading contemporary Christian romance. She makes her home in northwest Georgia at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband, three cats, and one noisy blue and gold macaw. She loves to hang out with family and friends, listen to music, and spend time at the beach or the mountains. A member of the Georgia Romance Writers and the Faith Hope and Love Christian Writers, she enjoys connecting with readers. You can find her at lindipeterson.com. Fall in love-I dare you!

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that will stick with me for years to come. The characters are flawed, but so real. You get them. You laugh with them, cry with them, love with them and pray for that second chance with them. WIth music as the underlying theme, a wonderful but hurting hunky male lead and a beautiful albeit led astray heroine, Summer's Song is filled with romance, angst, hope, redemption and a message that will make your heart sing. If you're new to this author, I highly recommend Her Best Catch as well. Love Lindi Peterson's writing! Pick this one up, you won't be sorry.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a comeback novel with strong premise: that God can take our ugly and broken and turn it into something beautiful.
Summer Sinclair has a name like music to go along with a flourishing career, but the one man she shouldn’t allow herself to love is the one person who could change her life completely for the better.
I loved Levi. Though I’m not sure that many female readers could read this book and not love him. He’s chivalrous, hunky, kind and caring, wanting the absolute best for Summer as she discovers her new relationship with God.

I would definitely qualify this book as being for more mature audiences. Summer comes with a great deal of influence from her old life and that influence plays upon the page in ways that should be expected before starting the book. It’s not your “sweet” romance, but real life isn’t. I thought it portrayed reality well, though I would have preferred the language referenced twice be left out of the dialogue.

Summer and Levi’s coming together and eventual falling apart (this is a romance after all) combined with their past and the haunts that have risen up to threaten their future played well with the story and created good tension.

All in all, a good story with good morals and I appreciated its message.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy to review.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Kara Grant
Minor Spoilers


My Review
Summer has finally learned the negative impact her wild lifestyle has caused and the consequences have sent her into sobriety and isolation as she takes time to reflect on who she really wants to be. Being a celebrity has had its advantages, but she’s tired of the constant attention and wants to live a normal life with her 4 year old son, Sam. Learning about Christ has completely changed her outlook on life, but she is still obligated to make ONE more CD for her record company and she’s deeply conflicted about what kind of songs to create. Will she stick to the same image that has made her so famous or will she show the world and her fans that the old Summer is gone?

While she’s enjoying her privacy in Lawson’s Ledge, a small town in Georgia, she meets singer Skeet Lawson. Despite the small role Skeet has in this book, he turns out to be a great friend. Skeet teaches Summer how to play guitar and becomes her mentor, both with music and with Christ. He also introduces her to musician Levi Preston. Skeet believes that Levi will be able to help Summer put a CD together, but he also believes that they will be good for each other. Will Levi be able to see past the drama in Summer’s life and help her adapt to this new lifestyle or will their pasts be a stumbling block?

I was so frustrated and fed up with Summer’s manager, Coleman, by the first 20 pages of the book. However, he gets what he deserves towards the end of the story. I pumped my fist in the air and yelled, “YES!” when it happened :) I would’ve given Summer a high five had she been a real character at the moment! Seeing the type of family Summer had also drove me nuts during the story, but I was confident that all would be set right at the conclusion of the story. I was really surprised Summer never lost her cool towards her loved ones, but I also believe the strength of God helped her be extra patient even at the rudest moments that they provide. Her mother has gotten accustomed to the lavish surroundings Summer has provided for her, but she gives nothing but criticism to her divorced daughter. Summer’s kid sister, Valentine, has also become estranged to her. Summer longs to rebuild both relationships, but she is constantly tested by these women. All she wants is to put her life together and be a good mom to Sam.

My favorite part of the story is Summer’s TV interviews with Meghan Cascade. I felt like I was in the same room when these interviews took place and I wanted to cheer Summer on! There is great chemistry and romance between Summer and Levi, but some of the affection is a little much. There’s nothing sexually inappropriate in what they do and Summer is cautious of her feelings towards him throughout the book, but he does go beyond her lips in the kissing. There are several incidents that happen in the story to Sam accidentally, but I never considered Summer to be a negligent mom. Accidents happen to kids even with the most protective parents, but these incidents do create tense moments in the story. I believe that Summer adjusts beautifully in being a caring mom, but she is utterly inexperienced at first.

I also have to mention that even though Summer is no longer living this wild life, she mentions several indiscretions in the narration that makes for mature content. She lived her life with drugs, alcohol, provocative dance videos, and other suggestive behavior before realizing her destructive nature. She remained numb while others made the decisions in her life not caring for her best interest. So even though I loved Summer’s journey to redemption, I believe this book is for an older audience. Levi also had a troubled childhood, which also led him to Christ and being an honorable man, but his briefly described journey is a sad one.

I highly recommend this book to those who understand what it feels like to get a second chance. Letting go of the past is never easy, no matter where you’ve come from, but it’s a journey Christ will walk you through if your heart is willing. I truly enjoyed reading about Summer’s heart as she learns to overcome her previous lifestyle despite the judgment, negativity, and assumptions that others make towards her. She keeps her eyes on Christ and she is determined to do right by her son. Levi offers a breath of fresh air, friendship, joy, support, and encouragement, but he is not the answer to her problems. She has to realize her strength in Christ and once she does, Summer finally experiences true freedom.

Despite the worldly content described in this book, I considered this story one of the best reads I’ve come across this year. I laughed, I cried, I was annoyed and I rejoiced along with Summer. Only the best authors can grab a reader that way and Lindi Peterson accomplishes this with gusto. Even if you don’t relate to Summer, you’ll be rooting for her the whole time. Summer starts out being cardboard, but by the end she decides to be fudge :) Please feel free to visit Lindi Peterson at her websites,
http://lindipeterson.com/ and http://www.thefaithgirls.com/

I want to thank Lindi Peterson and Bell Bridge Books for sending me a review paperback copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance I thought this book was too "mod" for this old-fashioned gal! :-) It is written in first person, from a rock star's point of view. It's like a peep-behind-the-scenes-of-Hollywood or Nashville's neon lights. The true pain and hurt of stardom is uncovered in the main character, Summer, who "talks" to you through the book as if she's allowing you to read her thoughts. The more I read, the more I began to see that the message of the book was for everyone. The challenge to be "real", to find the courage to live life as God intends, to give relationships priority, to take the leap that "change" sometimes requires....it's all a process that the very transparent and likable heroine, Summer, worked through.

I'll never forget the "cardboard vs. fudge" challenge.......you'll need to read the entire book to find out what I mean! :-). But it's a good tool to have when dealing with the difficult people in our lives. As Levi once whispers to Summer, "You are better than this!".

This book was a privilege to read!

[T.A. Munroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the rating was out of 10, I would give this a 7 (3.5 stars). But I hate giving 3 stars. I liked the story and the characters. I think it could have used some editing out of half the kisses and Summer thinking about Levi and his kisses all the time. It became quite predictable that Levi would show up whenever Summer needed help out of a jam. What is he, an angel? Some other events seemed a little too convenient, too. Some of the info about the secondary characters was repetitious while others like Todd and Coleman I wanted to know a little more about to round them out some. I liked that as Christian fiction, it wasn't preachy and that people didn't have all the answers. This book kept calling me back to it when I had a few minutes to read, and with all the stuff on my Kindle and on my bookshelf, that says something.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really found myself enjoying this book the more that I read of it. I read almost the whole book in one sitting, if I didn't need sleep I would have finished it. I found the book to be surprisingly inspirational and it was so easy to feel a connection to the characters and their very real problems, questions, and worries. I feel like I had a really good understanding of Summer's troubles, but I constantly keep wanting to know more about Levi. The characters were well written, I felt the right feelings that I as a reader was intended to feel towards the different characters. Over all I think that the book gives a great message and is very enjoyable to read. I would be interested to read more by Lindi Peterson.

[Ciara Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer’s Song is 208 pages of pure joy. Lindi Peterson possesses a true gift of storytelling. I was so caught up in the struggles of a recovering pop-star following God’s whispers to a better life, that I read 169 pages in one sitting. The heartwarming relationships between Summer, Levi, and God evolve naturally. The reader can’t help but feel completely invested in summer and Levi’s well-being. At the end of the story you’ll just want to hold this book close to your heart and sigh.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this book. This is a beautiful story about c changing your life for the better.It is about being judged based on the mistakes of your past but also being loved in all spite of that same past. There were times I wanted to reach through my kindle scream at a few of the characters. I am so excited to share this book with my friends and to read more books by Lindi Peterson.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It is a Christian romance that truely centers on God in the characters lives and how that both brings them together and tears them apart. Anyone who enjoys watching Nashville could delight in this music industry romance.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Lindi is a great author. I love how she can make you feel how the character is feeling. It's a cute story as well.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read. (Grade: B).

[Susan Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindi Peterson's book, Summer's Song, was a light-hearted, feel good read. I was surprised by a couple of the twists in the story. It was an enjoyable, quick read.

[WendyR · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a beach-read, this was a really good book.

[Kate E. Stephenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer’s Song was a challenge for me, but in some ways a good one that allowed me to question what I believe as the norm. The novel is successfully written in alternating first person between the male and female protagonists. The reader spends most of the time in the head of the developing heroine Summer Sinclair, viewing the world through her disenchanted pop star eyes. No longer impressed by the glitz and glamour of stardom, Summer is an addict who has reached rock bottom and is slowly climbing her way precariously out of a deep ditch.

Through her self-examination of her life the reader encounters interesting commentary on the morals of the pop life and what it means to be a healthy individual. Summer tries to find her balance in life and is aided by her discovery of Christianity and a Jesus-centered life. As an individual born into a Christian family, for me parts of Summer’s journey seem impossible. Is it possible in the United States of America for anyone to avoid religion, Jesus and prayer? I grew up in a diverse atmosphere in which my friends were Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and non-religious. We all seemed to accept the presence of a higher power and to be aware of (at least on a superficial basis) the traditions and holy days we observe. Summer’s total isolation seems unreasonable, but I accept that may be part of Lindi Peterson’s theme, and it is absolutely part of what drives Summer’s character.

The love story that unfolds is beautiful, though at times predictable. The juxtaposition between pop and country seems a bit contrived at times. And some of the relationships in the narrative are less developed than they could be. But there is a comforting level of reality in conflicts that are not easily overcome and character flaws that are not changed overnight. All in all, Summer’s Song is a solid, easy read that makes for a good beach book. Queue up a playlist of your country pop favorites and you’re ready to go.

(As published on ChickLitPlus.com; I received a copy of Summer’s Song by Lindi Peterson in exchange for an honest review.)

[Monica Mynk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m drawn to stories about women who’ve had a long, hard road down a self-inflicted sinful path, and Lindi Peterson’s Summer’s Song did not disappoint. It’s a nice story about redemption and overcoming, although I do believe it is for an older audience, and wouldn’t recommend it for teenagers.

As Summer spends private time meditating on her recent stint in recovery, she begins to question everything about the life she used to lead. I liked where Peterson started the book, with Summer unsure of whether or not she even wanted to continue a career. It showed how far she’s already come with changing, and made me feel even more sympathy toward her as she encountered various challenges that could affect her sobriety.

She meets Skeet Lawson, a well-known musician who takes her under his wing and mentors her in music and Christ. Though he is a minor character, he was my favorite, because he was able to see Summer from both sides of the coin and help her find a better version of herself.

Skeet introduces her to Levi Preston, another musician, who becomes Summer’s love interest. I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold, and I felt Peterson touched on some of the real challenges that women who’ve succumbed to worldly lifestyles face when they try to forge new relationships free of all that garbage. Even the new relationships she tries to forge with her family members and manager are difficult, and Summer must face the facts that not everyone in her life wants her to change.

This is the fourth of Peterson’s books that I’ve read, and I highly recommend all of them.

[Angela Breidenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Summer's Song and the progression of Summer, the main character, from a spoiled girl to a woman of substance. The path so many of us must take when we grow up. Lovely story, highly recommend it.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was kind of predictable but I really could relate to the main character and how she feels unworthy of love of man and of God.