Dandelion Summer: A Novel

by Tricia L. Sanders

Annie Chisholm led the perfect life for more than 30 years -- at least that’s how it seemed to everyone around her. But she and her husband, Michael, knew the truth about their shattered marriage.

Eighteen months after her husband's death, Annie still struggles with grief and guilt, unable to put the past behind her and embrace the future. On what would have been Michael’s retirement date, Annie learns that he rented an RV and planned a solo road trip for her after he had found out he was dying. Annie is reluctant to take the trip until an encounter with a former co-worker offers Annie a chance to resurrect her writing career, the one she left to start a family. The only catch? Annie will need the RV to write about all the places she and Michael vacationed early in their marriage. When Annie packs up her laptop and climbs aboard the motor home, she does it for her career, but she could never have predicted what transpires as she makes her way across the country.

Dandelion Summer is a women’s fiction novel about a woman who is forced to confront her past in order to find forgiveness.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[S. Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarmingly honest story of forgiveness, bravery, friendship — and sun rises.

I laughed, I cried, and I did not want Annie and Savannah’s road trip to end. I read this in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down. This was a heartwarmingly honest novel of hope, bravery, forgiveness, and friendship featuring a heroine you can’t help but root for from the start. Since her husband died over a year ago, Annie has been stuck in a rut. When their mutual best friend, Tim, shows up and parks a monstrous RV in her driveway she’s shocked to learn her deceased husband planned a road trip for her on his death bed. Annie reluctantly agrees to go, but nothing prepares her for the misadventures she has on the road as she confronts the ghosts of her past and the unlikely friendships she makes along the way. Dandelion Summer is a novel that will remind readers that you’re never too old—or too young—to have an adventure and watch the sun rise.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful and touching read, at times a bit sad, but generally quite inspiring. We all have some regrets as we age and many of us have had marriages fall a bit short. Many of us feel we have to pretend for others that our marriages or lives in general are better than they are, at least at times. And many of us end up in ruts and need to be jolted out of them a bit. So this is a really relatable and well-written story. Annie is a great main character and there are quite a few secondary characters who are quite well fleshed out. Annie’s adventure in her fancy rented RV was so enjoyable to experience vicariously. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this book and feel that most people would, especially adult women. I was provided an arc, but these opinions are my own.

[Maggie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who’s experienced a significant loss – parent, spouse, child, sibling, job, physical ability or even beloved pet – knows the feeling of emptiness and loss of purpose that comes with such a loss. Dandelion Summer takes you on Annie’s journey – literally and figuratively – as she tries to refocus, revisit, and reclaim life after the death of her husband. This one has “all the feels,” and I found myself smiling, laughing, and crying with and for Annie as she comes to terms with decisions made decades ago and finds a path forward in an unexpected way. When I started the book, I expected to be entertained, and was surprised to find I was inspired as well. A great read!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. A heartwarming story of finding forgiveness after struggling with grief and guilt. Can Annie put the past behind her and move forward?
Annie learns to drive an RV and heads out on a road trip alone and makes many discoveries along the way.
You never know what you will find until your heart can open again to all the possibilities that are waiting to happen.

I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Tricia Sanders has written a book I simply could not put down. She gets you engaged from the very beginning and you can not wait for the next page. A great story line with a wide exciting range of characters. Annie, the main character, is a strong woman and many obstacles to move past. Tricia always finds interesting paths for her characters and you will enjoy everyone! A wonderful fun read!

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shattered marriage, tragedy, quilt & regret have all plagued Annie. When confronted with a RV to embark on a solo trip, she's unsure she can go through with it. Hoping to resume her writing career, she decides to go for it. What happens along the way, not only holds adventure, but helps her to find herself again. This is a story of forgiveness & renewal. After all, we could all benefit from such a soul-searching journey.

[Brenda Lerch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and heartwarming!

Annie Chisholm is so real and down-to-earth that nearly everyone is able to connect with her and step right into her story. This book came to me at a time when I was trying to come to terms with some of the exact same issues as Annie and it really provided hope and comfort that I was headed in the right direction. Maybe I should rent an RV and hit the road myself! Thanks, Tricia!

[Emmy McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

n her grief as a widow, Annie Chisholm sets out in a RV to complete a vacation that never happened while her husband was alive. Michael, before his death, with the help of his best friend set up the trip that Annie so deserved. On her journey, Annie met many wonderful people and a young Savanna that she bonded it with and will be in each other lives forever. A great story with a happy ending.

[barb schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The characters were so well-written, I really got involved in their lives. I enjoyed the journey she took, not only the physical traveling but the journey of finding herself and re-discovering
What she wanted to become.

Barb398