Remembering Summer

by Jen Carter

Livy Green always thought going away to college in Los Angeles was what she wanted. Finally, she’d be able to get away from Stratford with its ridiculous Shakespeare festival and small-town quirks. Unfortunately, moving away came at a saying goodbye to her best friend Hunter—in more ways than one. Now, two weeks before college graduation, Livy is ready to continue on with her life in Los Angeles as an independent young adult. But when she’s called back to Stratford to see a gravely-ill friend, she suddenly finds herself having to face Hunter and the reasons she left home in the first place. Remembering her summers growing up in Stratford might be the only way to figure out what she really wants for life after college—that is, if she’s ready to face the truth. (Young Adult Contemporary Fiction)

286 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2013

About the author

Jen is a teacher and writer who loves writing for both children and adults, including the Sarafina Series for school-aged children and the new Otto Viti Mystery Series for adults. She lives with her beautiful family in the San Diego area. In her free time, she enjoys running, practicing yoga, and reading.

Reviews

[Mary Byrnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This was a great back story to one of the characters in the Otto Vito series. It stands on its own but gives a great background story to Livy. I'm looking forward to book 4 in the series.

[Coven Of Geek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a sweet, clean YA romance that I read for a Pop Sugar challenge. It has one of my favorite romance tropes which is childhood sweethearts or long-time friends who become romantically involved. Most of the story's conflict centers on the female protagonist, Livvy wanting to leave her small hometown and the male protagonist wanting to stay. There is also a mystery surrounding the town "witch". This mystery dragged a bit. The book also kept going back and forth between the present and the past which usually I like. In this case, it made the book drag more because I found the past more compelling and wanted the story to stay there. This book is corny and cheesy but in a good way. It is wholesome and sweet and I liked the characters especially Livvy. She is spunky and funny and made her own choices. I liked that both main characters were true to themselves and not in a rush to grow up. Their childhood adventures sounded fun and they continued to have them even when other teens thought they were too old to do so. I did think they took too long to admit their feelings for each other. But, it was kind of believable and true to their characters so it didn't bother me as much as it normally would. While this book isn't anything to write home about, it does make for a great read when you want something fun and light.

[C.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author. This was a recommended read for romance, but there is very little romance to it. I don't know if that is the reason for my disappointment, but the main characters don't explore their feelings for each other. There is implications of feeling but nothing concrete leaving the reader still wondering about their relationship. The main story is about the mysterious woman on the hill who eventually disappears and you never know why or what happened to her. The reader is again left scratching their head because of no answers. Events are portrayed through present summer activities as well as past years summer events. As a novel about living in a small tourist town, it was entertaining how many people prank each other in the name of silliness and Shakespeare. Many aspects about the townspeople were enjoyable. I felt this was a good book but not great. It had so much potential. I felt Hunter and Livy's feelings could have been explored more so the reader could feel more connected emotionally. I was left with too many unanswered questions about this story. Plot aside, I will probably take a chance on reading a different book from this author.

[Dede Janzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This book was about two friends that hung out in the summer. The story goes back and forth from childhood. Age 20 and the present. Even though it does go back and forth it's easy to follow. Even through all the challenges they remain friends. They also have a common friend in the lady on the hill. It's a fun read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the shenanigans of Livy and Hunter as they were growing up together. The small town atmosphere was the ideal location for such an innocent childhood friendship. The addition of Sara added intrigue to the story. Makes me want to take a Shakespeare refresher course!

[Mary Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The house on the hill

This is a town history of a town built on the history of Shakespeare's plays. Drama of the town's people make this story pretty special. Interesting read.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I had just finished Jen Carter's 2nd novel, Chasing Paris, when I started this one. I really liked the way the author structured the story going back and forth during different times in the lives of the 2 main characters, from the age of 10 to about age 22. The author captured the feelings of the character Livvy so well I could put myself into her mind. The town of Stratford was also a "character" in the book, with its Globe Theater, a Shakespeare festival and a Summer Solstice celebration where the townspeople all entered into the fantasy world. I am now looking forward to the author's new adult mystery series.

[Liberum Latine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prelude starts off sort of half finished, and without much of a hook. The formatting’s lumpy. Too many extra spaces and dinkuses not centered. Makes it come across as amateur-ish. The following Chapter one starts with a date, but without a date in the preceding prologue, it just left me scratching my head. Excessive use of fragments and single line paragraphs make it ever harder to persist with. Gave up.