A Summer to Save Us: An unforgettable love story

by Mila Olsen

Kansas collects beautiful words in her notebook; in real life, she can’t find any.Kansas wants to take one final jump. She gets bullied at school and has lost touch with her family, just like her speech. However, before she can plunge to her death, she meets River. River, with his ocean-blue eyes and the look of a fallen angel. River, who loves beautiful words as much as she does. He talks her into making a deal with hang out with him for the summer, and then they’ll jump together if she still has the urge.

But the mysterious River has other plans, and the journey to death becomes a journey to living. Because River is not who he claims to be. And while Kansas’s emotional wounds heal, River’s continue to worsen. Soon, Kansas begins to wonder which of them truly needs saving—and what dark secret he is hiding.

A story as enchantingly beautiful, tragic, and full of wonder as life. A love that you never forget.
Intense - dangerous - romantic.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2025

About the author

Mila Olsen is a pseudonym for German author Uta Maier.

Born in the 70s, Mila Olsen is a child of crises, changes and upheavals. Wooden clogs, punk and anti-nuclear movement included Disco Wave, New Age and "We Children from Zoo Station". At the age of 12 she wanted to become a writer, but this dream came true much later.

Today she writes stories about love and life. Because of her education and her interest in psychological phenomena, her novels often revolve around borderline experiences.

Reviews

[Devika · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful cover and synopsis drew me to A Summer to Save Us. This book has a some serious trigger warnings regarding mental health issues. Before I dive into my review, I want to say this book isn’t for the soft-hearted people. The mental health theme is heavy and it’s realistic. So please read the trigger warnings before reading this book. Anyway, lets see what my opinion is about A Summer to Save Us?

Mila Olsen managed to create a wonderfull story with so many loving and inspiring quotes. I really felt for Kansas and grew to love her during the story. This book isn’t your ordinary romance, but it is touching. I would really recommend this book, if you want to read a romance with mental health issues. This book is really great!

Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Maybe in the end, you can only save yourself. Maybe that’s the key.”

“A Summer to Save Us,” by Mila Olsen

This book has changed my brain chemistry! It will live rent free in my head as one of my favorite books. A girl that doesn’t speak due to trauma is suicidal and goes on a road trip with a guy she just meant as a suicide pack. The book focused so much of trauma, mental illness and working through those things in tough ways. The book from beginning to end had me glued to every single page. When I thought I had no more tears to cry I ended up crying more. it is a beautiful and heart wrenching story that I couldn’t get enough of. I knew it was going to be a tough book to read because I’ve read another series by her that had a lot of psychological stuff, I knew that, and I still wasn’t ready. All I could say is wow, this book is everything to me. 5 out of 5 stars, hands down.

-Bullied/ Abuse
-Mental Illness
-Suicidal
-Drug Use

Thank you so much for the ARC, Booksprout.

“I wish I’d never said anything and that everything was as it was before, because a dream thrives on imagination.”

“…being hurt and love are always inseparable, as much as day and night. Maybe, within all its beauty, there is also darkness, and love never reveals all its secrets.”

[Ellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not only was this book not good, but it was actually laughably bad and also mildly concerning. The only good thing about it is I buddy read it with Heather who hated it as much as I did 🥰

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not gonna say this is the worst book I've ever read...... but it's pretty high up there

[a🧚‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was lowkey confusing at times, and I wish we got more on her mom

[Kimberlyn Creed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely destroyed me, it was beautifully written and mental health is so important and the author did a beautiful job showing the struggles. This is one of those books that stays with you, unforgettable. I sobbed throughout it, I so wish there was a happy ending to it but I know like in life you don’t always get a happy ending, that’s reality. Kansas and River were an unforgettable love story with a tragic ending. Now that I have been decimated by this book all the way down to my soul, I’m gonna give it 5 stars. Honestly, my favorite read thus far.

[evieo17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with some heavy issues that totally caused my emotions to go from one end of the spectrum to another. In some ways I can relate to the feelings that both River and Kansas had and that just made it more raw for me. Revisiting those feelings left a mark but it was also cleansing. I seriously thought the book would end a lot differently but I can understand now why it didn’t. Keep a box of tissues on hand and try not to throw things.

[Lauren Weyrauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. So much. I actually received this book as an ARC read in the spring, but I was overly ambitious and then real life hit and I got behind on my ARC list. And the whole time I was reading this one, I was thinking that I wished I would have started with it because it my favorite ARC yet.
I will be doing a re-read probably soon. I spent the first half of the book completely consumed. And then realized there were so many “beautiful words” in there that I needed to be highlighting and taking notes so I could pull them back up and relive them. However, I will say that I also took notes on the grammatical errors (but those made more sense when I looked into the author and realized that German is more than likely her first language, while I was reading it in English.
The book is beautifully written. The characters are raw and honest. Their immediate connection through their chance meeting takes on a whole life of its own. And I love who River and Kansas are together and to each other. Their story of love and life is so atypical to the average romance book; that is what kept me hooked! I had to figure out their status from chapter to chapter and it kept the story alive and engaging.
The book does cover some very heavy content around the mental health of the characters. So this read probably isn’t for everyone based on that, you should check out those triggers first.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was soul crushing in the best way possible.
Read it, you won’t be disappointed, and you won’t be able to stop thinking about it for days after. You will fall absolutely, deeply in love with these characters.

[Rebecca Haskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. It’s books like this one that keeps my love of reading alive.

[Jaimie Nece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Tragic!!!

This story took me through the emotional gamut. I would caution those check the triggers before reading. I haven't cried so much in a long time. It's a beautiful story of Kansas and River's love.

[Kimberly Vallett · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg

The book was phenomenal. I ugly cried.. u did a wonderful job with this book..keep writing more like this please

[Hailey Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

woah

My heart has just been decimated into a million tiny fragments. Beautiful tragic is the only way I can describe this

BRB while I go stare out my window for 8 months contemplating the meaning a life.

[bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I will ever be okay again

[Megan Key-Holliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just, wow!! I would like to start by saying that you need to make sure to check all trigger warnings before you proceed with reading this book. It tackles some seriously heavy topics. This is the first book my Mila Olsen that I’ve read, and it most definitely thought provoking. I don’t want to give anything away, so I will just say that River and Kansas will stick with you for a very long time. Life is often filled with harsh realities and circumstances beyond our control. I am thankful to have been brought along on the journey.

[Keira Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great story dealing with serious issues

[Shannon I Guillory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew in the prologue I was going to be heartbroken, but I was in fact CRUSHED!!

River, the broken boy, stole my heart. Kansas, the mute, stole his heart.

Spend the summer together, try to heal one another. It’s a heart wrenching journey. I’ve never cried so much reading a book.

I don’t even know what to say. This is my first review of a book and I’ve read 100s. Just READ it!! You will not be disappointed. You will be crushed. But this book hurt SO GOOD!!!

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never cried so hard in my life. 10/5 stars.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not still crying over this book! JK!

I’ve never cried so much! 10/10 for this book! You never know what someone is carrying on their shoulders. I think the author did a great job showing how quick river’s emotions switched back-and-forth throughout the whole book even to the part like where he slept for like four days because he was so exhausted. I hate to think that there’s people out there with bipolar disorder who are struggling with stuff like this, but she did a great job writing about it.
Also, Kansas story was truly heartbreaking as well because her family didn’t believe her and in my book there’s nothing worse than your family not believing you over someone you have no connection with. She literally lost every connection she had with her family, her twin sister, her brother, her dad, and then on top of that her mom walked out on them and she still cared about her mom throughout her whole life and when she finally sees her person, her mom doesn’t give two fucks. I knew when I read the prologue have the story was going to end and it’s still broke my heart into two pieces. Again 10 out of 10 for this author! Amazing!

[Susan Ney friedlander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

This book was so heartbreaking and sad, but also sweet and romantic. I loved River and Kansas. They both had to deal with heartache from their families and other people. The story was so good and it flowed well. Can’t wait to read another book from this author.

[Sherri Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I really like the way it brings more awareness to mental health and healing.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author but it certainly will not be the last!

I picked this book up based on the cover art and the description.

I don't even know how to begin a review on this book without giving away too much and I don't want a review with spoilers.

This is a love story of epic proportions! A happily ever after? Let's just say that this book has made me question what happily ever after looks like. I fell in love with River (aka Tanner, aka someone else) and Kansas. A mute girl, a broken boy. Two lives looking for a way out, a way to deal with the pain, the heartache, heaviness of life. An agreement to spend the summer together.....to save each other.

"dying is better together"

A story of high highs and deep, dark lows. Of secrets, and trauma and old wounds. A story of healing, a salvation and shards put back together in a mosaic that is more beautiful than the first.

I cried and smiled and cried some more. The emotions were up down and all over the place. And in the end, the tragic ending of love wrecked me and made me whole again. Happily ever after? I suppose that depends on how you look at the story, which shard the light reflects off of.

I can't wait to see more from Mila Olsen.

All this being said: this book deals with seriously heavy topics and trigger warnings should be headed. This is a book about mental illness.
Selective Mutism caused by trauma,
abuse,
Attempted SA,
Attempted murder (That's what I call something when some one tries drown someone in a bucket),
child abuse,
drug and substance abuse
cutting
self harm
emotional deprivation (parents and loved ones witholding love and affection)
and a few others I am sure I missed.

[Angie McArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Need a Different Book to Cleanse My Soul From This One

I need a different book to cleanse my soul from this one. I did not read this book from beginning to end. As someone who has suffered with Major Depressive Disorder my entire life, I knew after reading the reviews that my mental health would not come away unscathed if I read the entire book. So, I skimmed much of it.

Let me say that what I did read left me crying. I can totally connect with both MCs and their desire to end their life. I was bullied by my peers throughout my school years. My parents mentally, emotionally, and physically abused me. I don't have bipolar disorder. I cannot relate to that diagnosis. But, I can relate to the darkest times, the feeling of hopelessness, and feeling that ending your life is the only way out. I also know that the best thing I have done for my mental health is accept my MDD diagnosis and get treatment with medication and talking with a mental health provider. I wish some of the characters in this book would have done the same.

I cannot read Nicholas Sparks novels because they mentally and emotionally drain me for days. If the rest of Mila Olsen's books are like this one, it will be the last because I will be suffering from the "Nicholas Sparks effect."

All that being said, I cautiously recommend this book. It was good. Just go into it knowing that you will need a recovery period afterwards.

[Lola Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!
This book broke me, and stitched all the pieces back together!
Wow! What an emotional, heartfelt journey these 2 characters went on. I was going through all the emotions while reading, it’s so beautifully written and I found it difficult to put the book down to go to bed (stupid sleep, it’s overrated imo)
Finished the book in 2 days and the ending left me feeling so many things. I fell in love with these characters and all of their flaws. Having dealt with speech issues since youth this really hit close to home, and i immediatelyrelated to her character.
Absolutely beautiful book! Definitely a must read and I will be checking out more from this author!

[S.A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really emotional, heart-gripping book. I’m honestly not sure how I feel about it.. I mean, what a rollercoaster! This absolutely has several trigger warnings and can definitely make your heart break a little, your eyes tear a little and your tears fall a little. There is a lot of information however, and it can be overwhelming to absorb. I would recommend but absolutely NOT to those with a faint of heart. Xoxo.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristian Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by mila I have read although I do have another full series by her.

this book has it all the cover is beautiful the story is amazing but I will say please check triggers


This book was absolutely amazingly written, the story was beautiful and raw.
I was totally gripped from the beginning

There is trauma, healing,secrets every emotion you can think of this book gives it.

I cried i smiled I sobbed 😭

this is a definite 5 star read 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

[Tinaj Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me. I like books with a big emotional impact. We start this book knowing how it will end taking the “big”’part out of the emotional
Impact for me. I also felt that the ending was rushed after how detailed the rest of the book was.

[Kate Blackwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwrenchingly beautiful read about young love and MH. Be warned its sad and doesnt pull its punches. There are triggers for bullying, SA, trauma, toxic families, self harm, suicide and addiction.

The story folows Kansas a 17 year old who is selectively mute following her mother's abrupt departure years earlier. She is relentlessly bullied at her prestigious school and has no support from either her Dad, her twin sister or brother,who are resentful and impatent with her. She decides to throw herself of a bridge but is saved by the charismatic, charming stranger, River who is 21. He makes a deal that if she agrees to go on a summer road trip with him across the US, if she still feels the same in September, they will jump together.

What unfolds as they make their journey is a slow burn YA tale of first love, but its soon apparent River is hiding things, he's evasive, indulges in odd risky behaviour and abrupt mood swings. He struggles with alcohol, drugs and self harm. The more time they spend together the less Kansas knows, except she is hopelessly besotted. As she starts her recovery towards emotional healing it becomes obvious how much River is struggling and how much he has kept from her.

I thought the story was very emotional and the last few chapters were tragic, I'm so pleased that YA authors are highlighting the importance of mental health, especially amongst young men and hopefully reducing the stigma. Having a MH condition doesnt make you weak or a loser, its often a combination of genetics, environment, upbringing and luck. Its not something anyone asks for or deserves. I felt the author sensitively and realistically dealt with both character's issues.

Its not the ending I hoped for but there was very much a sense of inevitability throughout the book and it highlighted the fact that not everyone can be saved, no matter how much you love them. Some people are too damaged, no matter how many meds they take or how much therapy they get. Life isnt all sunshine and rainbows.

I'd recommend this if you liked All The Bright Places as it has a similar vibe, well written, gut wrenching but also life affirming.

[Isela Servin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stayed with me long after I finished reading. It’s equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, with themes of healing, love, and self-discovery.

It made me feel so many emotions. At first, I struggled with the protagonist, Kansas—I found her frustrating, even infuriating—but that’s what made her growth hit harder. As the story went on, I started to understand her pain, her choices, and her resilience. The romance between Kansas and River was slow and natural, which I loved. It wasn’t rushed, and it felt real. Love kind of sneaks up on them, and it just works.

The story kept me hooked, wanting to see how everything would play out, even when some parts felt inevitable. That said, I think the prologue gave away too much. I would’ve preferred going into the story without knowing a key detail—it might have made the journey more suspenseful.

One thing that pulled me out of the story a bit were the scenes with the slacklines. I had trouble picturing how they were set up and where everyone was during some important moments. A bit more detail there would have helped me stay in the moment.

The ending was bittersweet, and while I usually lean toward happy endings, this one made sense. It felt true to the characters, and even though it wasn’t “happy,” it was satisfying in its own way.

You’ll love this book if you’re into emotional, thought-provoking stories with flawed but relatable characters. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of romance and self-discovery and don’t mind tough, real topics.

[Jessica Joppich · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something so cruel about the prolog telling you there is no happy ending, because from every page on, every time you think "they'll get their happily every after" "everything thing will end up okay in the end" you are reminded that they simply do not. And yet you keep reading, because of just how beautiful their story is right through to the very end.

I SOBBED SO HARD

"He just stands there with a broken look in his eyes. I’m losing him. At that moment, it dawns on me. Whatever I do, I’ll lose him. He is something I cannot grasp."


----

“I have to save you, Little Lost Girl. I’m sorry, but I have to.”

“If you could see yourself. In this light... everything about you shines.”

In that second, I realize I have never loved anything or anyone in my life as much as him. I also realize how vulnerable that love makes me because I can lose it at any hour, minute, second, or breath. And probably will lose it. This is not the beginning. I know it. And yet, I feel free.

For a moment, I want to jump and touch you in infinity, in the deep blue dream of eternal night.