Torrid Summer

by Martha Miller

What happens when two people who should never fall in love, fall in love?

Jeannie Baker has been left alone too often. One summer, she has an argument with her lover and leaves the safety of her grandmother’s home and goes to spend the summer with the first woman who ever abandoned her—her mother. In Florida, a neighbor boy takes her to a bar called Magnolia’s, where she gets an education in sex, drag queens, transgender love, and murder.

Paperback

Published June 1, 2024

Reviews

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read in the new adult category. The writing style of first person made the story move along at a quick rate and kept me interested.

Jeannie is from Chicago and is 18 in her last year of high school. She lives with her grandmother since her father was murdered. Her mom left her at age ten and moved to Florida.
Her HS girlfriend breaks up with her so she decides to spend a few weeks over summer break in Florida to make amends with her mom.

Jeannie's mom is living in a nice home that she is subletting from a co-worker. Her mom has hired the "boy" Lyric, next door to clean the pool daily. Lyric is a trans man and is trying to add muscle to his body while swimming laps in the pool.
Jeannie and Lyric develop a close friendship over the summer and Lyric is instrumental in helping Jeannie grow up.

There is a nearby gay bar that hosts transvestite performances. This book focuses a lot on this bar and the customers who frequent it. It seemed odd, that this bar allowed 18 year olds into it.

I liked Lyric's character a lot and that he was a good friend to Jeannie. This book had a somewhat depressing tone to it due to the main characters life struggles and poor background.

It did have a happy ending and Jeannie showed a lot of growth.

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller’s latest novel explores love in all its forms – from romantic entanglements to unexpected friendships, taking readers on a woman’s journey to self-discovery. Jeannie Baker, a young woman familiar with abandonment, leaves her grandmother’s care to reunite with her estranged mother in Florida one summer. There, through a neighbor boy and his hidden bar, Magnolia’s, she encounters taboo topics like sex, drag culture, and even murder. As the summer heat rises, so does Jeannie’s understanding of love and identity.

With expert storytelling, Miller portrays diverse characters within the LGBTQ+ community, immersing readers in a world of drag queens, transgender individuals, and a welcoming group that defies societal norms and celebrates individuality. Through Jeannie’s journey at Magnolia’s bar, Miller adeptly explores themes of identity, sexuality, and relationships, prompting readers to examine their own biases and preconceptions.

Twists are in plenty, and intricate character dynamics, layered with hidden motives and secrets, enhance the depth of the story. A stunner.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannie Baker has returned in a second book. This is a YA novel where a teenage girl is coming to terms with her sexuality, while a storm is brewing around her - both literal and figurative.

She goes to Florida to visit/repair her relationship with the mother who abandoned her, and as her mother checks out, she finds others her own age to commiserate with and forge new friendships.

Whether or not you've read the first book, Me Inside, you'll get something from this book, that provides a genuine and heartfelt exploration of gender identity.

Jeannie also finds herself entangled in a murder mystery along the way.

Engaging story from a veteran mystery writer.

[Rachel Gasseling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Torrid Summer and following Jeannie's story for the most part. I loved the way she was depicted and the range of emotions she went through on her journey. I enjoyed the inclusivity and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community. I think it was done very well and respectfully. The only thing that stopped me from giving this book 5 stars was the repetitive nature of the actions made by the characters. It wasn't for me to hear about the characters every other chapter doing the exact same thing all the time. Also towards the end it became hard to want to follow their story. There wasn't much going on for me. Otherwise, I felt this was a good story!
I received this as an ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sequel to "Me Inside" a book I didn't particularly care for due to its pacing, main character, and overall story. I didn't set out to read the sequel, but it fell in my lap so to speak, so here we are. All of my feelings about the first novel are identical here. The pacing is again horrendous and none of the characters speak or sound like actual human beings. I just don't connect with this author, it seems.

[GentlemanJill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a touching account that continues a young woman’s journey of grief, acceptance, and nuanced perspectives about life and change as well as emotional and physical intimacy. I could not put it down, and highly recommend it!

[Veronica Valentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting the opportunity to read this wonderful book!! Thank you booksirens for a free copy. Hope to read more!