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The Summer Knows
Bestselling debut novel from Sarah E. Pearsall.
Kirkus Reviews Book of the Month for November 2025 and one of their Best Books of the Year.
Grand Prize Winner of the Story Monster Royal Dragonfly Book Award, 2026.
Shortlisted for the Somerset Book Awards, 2026.
In Sarah E. Pearsall's debut novel, The Summer Knows, thirty-one-year-old single mother Adrienne Harris is forced to confront the ghosts of her past when she returns to her childhood home in Harbor Point, Florida. Fourteen years after fleeing the town pregnant and heartbroken, Adrienne is pulled back by a family crisis involving her eccentric and ailing grandmother, Elizabeth. As she navigates the complexities of raising her teenage daughter, Kali, in the same town where her own dreams of becoming a chef once crumbled, she must face Quinn Merritt—the "boy next door" from her youth—and the long-held secrets surrounding Kali's paternity. Through an unexpected opportunity to run a local fish market offered by family friend Christopher Crane, Adrienne begins a journey of healing, rediscovering her passion for cooking and finding the strength to forge a new future from the wreckage of the past.
Kirkus Reviews Book of the Month for November 2025 and one of their Best Books of the Year.
Grand Prize Winner of the Story Monster Royal Dragonfly Book Award, 2026.
Shortlisted for the Somerset Book Awards, 2026.
In Sarah E. Pearsall's debut novel, The Summer Knows, thirty-one-year-old single mother Adrienne Harris is forced to confront the ghosts of her past when she returns to her childhood home in Harbor Point, Florida. Fourteen years after fleeing the town pregnant and heartbroken, Adrienne is pulled back by a family crisis involving her eccentric and ailing grandmother, Elizabeth. As she navigates the complexities of raising her teenage daughter, Kali, in the same town where her own dreams of becoming a chef once crumbled, she must face Quinn Merritt—the "boy next door" from her youth—and the long-held secrets surrounding Kali's paternity. Through an unexpected opportunity to run a local fish market offered by family friend Christopher Crane, Adrienne begins a journey of healing, rediscovering her passion for cooking and finding the strength to forge a new future from the wreckage of the past.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2025
56 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Sarah E Pearsall
1 book11 followersSarah E. Pearsall is a former food writer and columnist for Around Wellington magazine. Her work appears in Sliver of Stone Magazine, Macaroni Kids, Tampa Bay Parenting, and author John Dufresne's online emerging writer series. Sarah has an MFA in creative writing from Florida International University. She is an assistant professor in the First-Year Writing Program at Michigan State University and creative writing at the world-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts. Sarah grew up on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Southern Florida, where she draws inspiration from many of her stories. She currently lives in the deep northern woods of Michigan with her two sons and husband, where she loves to write, cook, and bake.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 14, 2025
This had a slower start for me but I really appreciated the build up of the background as a foundation for the characters in this book! Their relationships are well crafted and feel super realistic which I enjoyed. Relationships, especially with family can be messy and complex - this book does not shy away from this reality. This book was a great end of summer burn before fall emerges.
April 21, 2025
I read Sarah Pearsall’s “The Summer Knows” as a palate cleanser. Set in Florida, Adrienne Harris is a single mom in her early thirties who got pregnant when she was seventeen. She and her daughter, Kali, head back to Adrienne’s hometown, Harbor Point, after there’s a kitchen fire in her grandmother’s house.
Adrienne intends for the stay to be temporary based on things that happened in Harbor Point when she was a teenager. However, I would think most readers know there’s a chance the stay could become permanent, depending on what happens. Shortly after Adrienne’s arrival back in Harbor Point, she runs into Quinn Merrit who is Kali’s father. He and his brother, Lucas, moved into a house their father built next to Adrienne and her grandparents’ house.
This book got off to a rocky start for me. I didn’t start connecting with any of the characters until the author introduced the beginning of the backstory between Adrienne and the Merrit brothers. I thought the backstory parts of the book were stronger, at times, than the present day depictions.
This book is about relationships, though, and the way they were depicted seemed realistic to me. I especially liked a conversation Adrienne and Quinn had towards the end of the book about what happened the last summer they shared as teenagers.
Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
Adrienne intends for the stay to be temporary based on things that happened in Harbor Point when she was a teenager. However, I would think most readers know there’s a chance the stay could become permanent, depending on what happens. Shortly after Adrienne’s arrival back in Harbor Point, she runs into Quinn Merrit who is Kali’s father. He and his brother, Lucas, moved into a house their father built next to Adrienne and her grandparents’ house.
This book got off to a rocky start for me. I didn’t start connecting with any of the characters until the author introduced the beginning of the backstory between Adrienne and the Merrit brothers. I thought the backstory parts of the book were stronger, at times, than the present day depictions.
This book is about relationships, though, and the way they were depicted seemed realistic to me. I especially liked a conversation Adrienne and Quinn had towards the end of the book about what happened the last summer they shared as teenagers.
Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
July 17, 2025
The Summer Knows follows Adrienne Harris, a single mother and weary chef, as she’s pulled back to her Florida hometown after a kitchen fire forces her estranged grandmother, Elizabeth, into vulnerability. With her teenage daughter Kali in tow, Adrienne is forced to reckon with the past she left behind. The ghosts of trauma, a long-lost love, the mystery of her daughter’s paternity, and a town that remembers everything. Across one summer, memories rise like heat off the pavement as Adrienne navigates decaying family ties, grief, and the haunting call of the Merritt house next door, once home to the boy she loved and the brother she lost.
What gripped me most about this book was the prose. It’s rich and lush in all the right places, but never heavy-handed. Pearsall doesn’t just write scenes, she pulls you into them. The dialogue is sharp and honest, and the characters, especially Adrienne, feel heartbreakingly real. She’s tired, brittle, often angry, but there’s a flicker of hope always buried deep, refusing to die out. Watching her wrestle with her own shortcomings as a mother, while trying to care for the woman who never quite knew how to care for her, was gutting in the best way. And then there’s Christopher, the quiet backbone of the town, and her past. He’s a steadying presence in the storm, and I found myself rooting for their complicated connection.
The story hits heavy emotional beats that don’t always resolve cleanly. It’s not a light read. There’s trauma here like death, poverty, abandonment, and Pearsall doesn’t soften those edges. At times, I found the generational conflict between Adrienne and Elizabeth exhausting, but maybe that’s the point. It’s not supposed to be easy. Some scars don’t fade, and some relationships don’t get fixed. I appreciated that honesty. Also, the mystery surrounding the Merritt boys unfolds slowly and subtly, but for me, the tension and slow burn only added to the beauty of the thing.
The Summer Knows is a story about coming home, not to reclaim the past, but to finally face it. It’s raw, evocative, and filled with aching truths about family, memory, and the kind of love that leaves a mark even when everything else fades. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of emotionally layered fiction, especially readers who loved Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone or Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth. This book is for those of us who’ve ever been haunted by where we came from, and wondered if we could ever really leave it behind.
What gripped me most about this book was the prose. It’s rich and lush in all the right places, but never heavy-handed. Pearsall doesn’t just write scenes, she pulls you into them. The dialogue is sharp and honest, and the characters, especially Adrienne, feel heartbreakingly real. She’s tired, brittle, often angry, but there’s a flicker of hope always buried deep, refusing to die out. Watching her wrestle with her own shortcomings as a mother, while trying to care for the woman who never quite knew how to care for her, was gutting in the best way. And then there’s Christopher, the quiet backbone of the town, and her past. He’s a steadying presence in the storm, and I found myself rooting for their complicated connection.
The story hits heavy emotional beats that don’t always resolve cleanly. It’s not a light read. There’s trauma here like death, poverty, abandonment, and Pearsall doesn’t soften those edges. At times, I found the generational conflict between Adrienne and Elizabeth exhausting, but maybe that’s the point. It’s not supposed to be easy. Some scars don’t fade, and some relationships don’t get fixed. I appreciated that honesty. Also, the mystery surrounding the Merritt boys unfolds slowly and subtly, but for me, the tension and slow burn only added to the beauty of the thing.
The Summer Knows is a story about coming home, not to reclaim the past, but to finally face it. It’s raw, evocative, and filled with aching truths about family, memory, and the kind of love that leaves a mark even when everything else fades. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of emotionally layered fiction, especially readers who loved Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone or Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth. This book is for those of us who’ve ever been haunted by where we came from, and wondered if we could ever really leave it behind.
May 18, 2025
Review: The Summer Knows by Sarah E. Pearsall
🔍 Overview
Sarah E. Pearsall’s debut novel, The Summer Knows, is a luminous coming-of-age story that captures the bittersweet magic of a single transformative season. With prose that shimmers like sunlight on water, Pearsall weaves a tale of love, loss, and self-discovery against the backdrop of a hazy, nostalgic summer.
✨ Key Strengths
🌞 Atmospheric Storytelling – Pearsall’s writing is immersive, evoking the heat, languor, and fleeting beauty of summer with poetic precision.
💫 Emotional Resonance – The protagonist’s journey—torn between youthful idealism and the hard truths of adulthood—feels achingly real and universally relatable.
🌊 Thematic Depth – Beyond its surface charm, the novel explores weighty themes: the passage of time, the fragility of memory, and the cost of growing up.
👥 Nuanced Relationships – From tender friendships to complicated romances, every interaction feels authentic and layered.
⚠️ Considerations
⏳ Pacing – The dreamy, reflective tone may slow the narrative for readers craving tighter plotting.
🌿 Familiar Tropes – While beautifully executed, some beats of the coming-of-age arc feel well-trodden.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Style → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
🌻 Character Development → ★★★★☆ (4/5)
📜 Plot Originality → ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
💔 Emotional Impact → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.25/5)
A sun-drenched reverie where every page smells of salt and secrets.
🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
📖 Call Me by Your Name’s sensual melancholy or The Interestings’ ensemble depth
🍉 Slow-burn stories that prioritize mood over momentum
🌅 Nostalgic tales of summers that change everything
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah E. Pearsall for the advance review copy. The Summer Knows marks the arrival of a writer with a rare gift for capturing the ephemeral in prose.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)
🔍 Overview
Sarah E. Pearsall’s debut novel, The Summer Knows, is a luminous coming-of-age story that captures the bittersweet magic of a single transformative season. With prose that shimmers like sunlight on water, Pearsall weaves a tale of love, loss, and self-discovery against the backdrop of a hazy, nostalgic summer.
✨ Key Strengths
🌞 Atmospheric Storytelling – Pearsall’s writing is immersive, evoking the heat, languor, and fleeting beauty of summer with poetic precision.
💫 Emotional Resonance – The protagonist’s journey—torn between youthful idealism and the hard truths of adulthood—feels achingly real and universally relatable.
🌊 Thematic Depth – Beyond its surface charm, the novel explores weighty themes: the passage of time, the fragility of memory, and the cost of growing up.
👥 Nuanced Relationships – From tender friendships to complicated romances, every interaction feels authentic and layered.
⚠️ Considerations
⏳ Pacing – The dreamy, reflective tone may slow the narrative for readers craving tighter plotting.
🌿 Familiar Tropes – While beautifully executed, some beats of the coming-of-age arc feel well-trodden.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Style → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
🌻 Character Development → ★★★★☆ (4/5)
📜 Plot Originality → ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
💔 Emotional Impact → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.25/5)
A sun-drenched reverie where every page smells of salt and secrets.
🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
📖 Call Me by Your Name’s sensual melancholy or The Interestings’ ensemble depth
🍉 Slow-burn stories that prioritize mood over momentum
🌅 Nostalgic tales of summers that change everything
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah E. Pearsall for the advance review copy. The Summer Knows marks the arrival of a writer with a rare gift for capturing the ephemeral in prose.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)
July 22, 2025
From Amazon Review:
"Sarah E. Pearsall's debut novel, The Summer Knows, is the ultimate beachy summer read. I was swept up in the story immediately and could not put it down. The story reminded me of other wonderful beach reads like Judy Blume's Summer Sisters, Sue Miller's short story, Inventing the Abbots, and an adult version of Jenny Han's blockbuster, The Summer I Turned Pretty.
The Summer Knows is also a book for foodies. Pearsall has penned a love letter to the art of cooking in The Summer Knows. You can feel Pearsall's deep personal roots in food and cooking within the words. I loved how cooking meals and feeding each other in the story served as a mode of communication, connection, and healing of old wounds.
Though some reviews have expressed a bit of disappointment in how the novel ends, I felt the ending was deserved and was extremely satisfied with how The Summer Knows resolved (no spoilers, I promise!). I also felt that the ending left room for a return to Harbor Point, one day, to check in on our delightful cast of characters, which I hope Pearsall decided to write!
I found the eccentric and tyrannical grandmother, Elizabeth Harris, a deeply complex and fascinating character, though readers may be quick to hate her. In my view of the story, we and Adrienne are not meant to redeem dear Elizabeth, but to understand how she arrived at her bitter, and yet amusing at times, personality.
I also fell in love with the town of Harbor Point and the haunting beauty of the natural world surrounding the story. I found myself rereading the passages where Pearsall describes the eerie world hidden beneath the mangroves and the wild Atlantic Ocean that is the backdrop for this tale.
The Summer Knows is a dreamy novel that makes the bittersweetness of love and loss taste so good. I know I will add it to my list of books I read every summer".
"Sarah E. Pearsall's debut novel, The Summer Knows, is the ultimate beachy summer read. I was swept up in the story immediately and could not put it down. The story reminded me of other wonderful beach reads like Judy Blume's Summer Sisters, Sue Miller's short story, Inventing the Abbots, and an adult version of Jenny Han's blockbuster, The Summer I Turned Pretty.
The Summer Knows is also a book for foodies. Pearsall has penned a love letter to the art of cooking in The Summer Knows. You can feel Pearsall's deep personal roots in food and cooking within the words. I loved how cooking meals and feeding each other in the story served as a mode of communication, connection, and healing of old wounds.
Though some reviews have expressed a bit of disappointment in how the novel ends, I felt the ending was deserved and was extremely satisfied with how The Summer Knows resolved (no spoilers, I promise!). I also felt that the ending left room for a return to Harbor Point, one day, to check in on our delightful cast of characters, which I hope Pearsall decided to write!
I found the eccentric and tyrannical grandmother, Elizabeth Harris, a deeply complex and fascinating character, though readers may be quick to hate her. In my view of the story, we and Adrienne are not meant to redeem dear Elizabeth, but to understand how she arrived at her bitter, and yet amusing at times, personality.
I also fell in love with the town of Harbor Point and the haunting beauty of the natural world surrounding the story. I found myself rereading the passages where Pearsall describes the eerie world hidden beneath the mangroves and the wild Atlantic Ocean that is the backdrop for this tale.
The Summer Knows is a dreamy novel that makes the bittersweetness of love and loss taste so good. I know I will add it to my list of books I read every summer".
June 13, 2025
At the sudden loss of her job and discovering her grandmother can no longer care for herself, Adrienne and her teenage daughter return to her hometown that she ran away from 14 years ago. She finally confronts the ghosts of her past and works through her grief and loss from her teenage years, while learning to be loved by the people around her. I enjoyed the dual timeline of present-day and flashback of the main characters teen years and the setting of a seaside town with a fish market and restaurant. The food sounded so delicious that I was starving every time I sat down to read. The setting and the love triangle explored during the flashbacks, definitely gave Dawson's Creek vibes, which I adored.
While I liked the romance in the flashbacks, I felt the present-day romance was not well fleshed out. While it was expressed that the characters spent time together, we didn't get to see the details of their interactions, unless it was physical. I wanted to see more of their relationship in present day.
This is perfect for someone looking for an emotional, heartfelt summer read that dives into difficult circumstances and overcoming grief.
Thank you Köehler Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
While I liked the romance in the flashbacks, I felt the present-day romance was not well fleshed out. While it was expressed that the characters spent time together, we didn't get to see the details of their interactions, unless it was physical. I wanted to see more of their relationship in present day.
This is perfect for someone looking for an emotional, heartfelt summer read that dives into difficult circumstances and overcoming grief.
Thank you Köehler Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 15, 2026
Sometimes the right book finds you at just the right time. That was the case for The Summer Knows, which I picked up to read and review just after Christmas. Warm weather and relationships (both the good and the bad) made for the perfect post-holiday read.
The story focuses on Adrienne, a young mother who has to return to her childhood home when her grandmother needs help. However, it goes SO much deeper. The relationships in the story are all realistic and well-written. We have Adrienne's relationships with her daughter and grandmother, as well as the wealthy brothers next door and a steadying new man in her life. I appreciated the gradual revelation of everyone's backstory woven throughout the present-day plot line. I felt I slowly got to know each of the main characters, especially Adrienne, and came to genuinely care for and empathize with them.
The story also addresses Adrienne's long-lost dream of becoming a chef. It was enjoyable to watch as she tried to weave her dreams, her reality, and her past difficulties together to create a better future for herself and her daughter.
Although this book deals with some tough issues in addition to the lighter moments, I enjoyed every bit of it. Highly recommended!
The story focuses on Adrienne, a young mother who has to return to her childhood home when her grandmother needs help. However, it goes SO much deeper. The relationships in the story are all realistic and well-written. We have Adrienne's relationships with her daughter and grandmother, as well as the wealthy brothers next door and a steadying new man in her life. I appreciated the gradual revelation of everyone's backstory woven throughout the present-day plot line. I felt I slowly got to know each of the main characters, especially Adrienne, and came to genuinely care for and empathize with them.
The story also addresses Adrienne's long-lost dream of becoming a chef. It was enjoyable to watch as she tried to weave her dreams, her reality, and her past difficulties together to create a better future for herself and her daughter.
Although this book deals with some tough issues in addition to the lighter moments, I enjoyed every bit of it. Highly recommended!
January 5, 2026
Adrienne is a 31 year old mother with a 14 year old daughter. She is having a very difficult time and hardly getting by. Adrienne was raised by her grandmother and was kicked out of her home when she became pregnant. She was not ready to be that responsible mother when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter. Adrienne returns home from the life that she ran from many years ago as her grandmother is not doing well. Adrienne has flashbacks of growing up in the small seaside town.
The author did a great job of portraying the timeline of flashbacks to Adrienne’s past while also keeping up with the present. This is a very emotional and heartfelt read which I feel a lot of people can relate too. It discusses difficult circumstances as well as overcoming grief. Will Adrienne and her grandmother be able to find a way to talk about all that happened in their past and to heal the hurt that has been left before it is too late?
This is a great book to take on your next vacation or your next beach trip. I highly recommend this book.
The author did a great job of portraying the timeline of flashbacks to Adrienne’s past while also keeping up with the present. This is a very emotional and heartfelt read which I feel a lot of people can relate too. It discusses difficult circumstances as well as overcoming grief. Will Adrienne and her grandmother be able to find a way to talk about all that happened in their past and to heal the hurt that has been left before it is too late?
This is a great book to take on your next vacation or your next beach trip. I highly recommend this book.
May 27, 2025
Adrienne received a phone call that her grandmother almost burned her house down. She hadn't been back since she left at 17, she is a single mother, and she left because of her grandmother. There was no one else, so she and her daughter went to see her grandmother. Her journey becomes quite the adventure, she faces the things that happened when she was young, and must figure out what she is going to do.
I found myself rooting for her, her daughter and her grandmother would be able to find a way to talk about all that happened, and might be able to heal the hurt that has been left with them for so long. I enjoyed this book, because Sarah E. Pearsall, writing brought me along, with all that they went through, and the feelings just came through her words. This is her debut novel and I look forward to reading the books she writes going forward.
I received an ARC from Köehler Books through NetGalley.
I found myself rooting for her, her daughter and her grandmother would be able to find a way to talk about all that happened, and might be able to heal the hurt that has been left with them for so long. I enjoyed this book, because Sarah E. Pearsall, writing brought me along, with all that they went through, and the feelings just came through her words. This is her debut novel and I look forward to reading the books she writes going forward.
I received an ARC from Köehler Books through NetGalley.
May 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for approving me for this ARC.
2.5⭐️
I enjoyed the history that comes with the story and the timelines that were presented. I felt that the characters could have had deeper connections and was not as pulled in as I would have expected. It did evoke the emotional turmoil that Adrienne had to go through, and so much of the not knowing actually rang true to how some things we just never get to fully know or understand. The summers really hooked me though, I felt so connected to Adrienne and Quinn, I wish there was more Christopher in that timeline to fully understand the pull he had in her life. I can see why she gravitated to them, not just those two but to Lucas as well. With her home life being the way that it was it made sense that she was looking for an escape and I related to that in so many ways.
2.5⭐️
I enjoyed the history that comes with the story and the timelines that were presented. I felt that the characters could have had deeper connections and was not as pulled in as I would have expected. It did evoke the emotional turmoil that Adrienne had to go through, and so much of the not knowing actually rang true to how some things we just never get to fully know or understand. The summers really hooked me though, I felt so connected to Adrienne and Quinn, I wish there was more Christopher in that timeline to fully understand the pull he had in her life. I can see why she gravitated to them, not just those two but to Lucas as well. With her home life being the way that it was it made sense that she was looking for an escape and I related to that in so many ways.
October 7, 2025
This was such an emotionally charged book and I absolutely loved it!
I enjoyed the glimpses from the past and thought it played well mixed into the present. Each of the characters were written perfectly and enjoyed the character development throughout. For me, I would have loved a little more backstory for Christopher and maybe how he wound up in Harbor Point.
Enjoyed the whole generational innerworkings of the Harris women, and was absolutely delighted with the ending even though I had some suspicions about that banyacado tree after gran told Adrienne and Kali about her past. Sneaky and perfect!
Overall this was a great read and I highly recommend it.
I was given a free copy of this book and am willingly leaving my review.
I enjoyed the glimpses from the past and thought it played well mixed into the present. Each of the characters were written perfectly and enjoyed the character development throughout. For me, I would have loved a little more backstory for Christopher and maybe how he wound up in Harbor Point.
Enjoyed the whole generational innerworkings of the Harris women, and was absolutely delighted with the ending even though I had some suspicions about that banyacado tree after gran told Adrienne and Kali about her past. Sneaky and perfect!
Overall this was a great read and I highly recommend it.
I was given a free copy of this book and am willingly leaving my review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2026
This coming of age novel is unique and well-written. Adrienne is 31 now, with a 14 y/o daughter, and barely getting by, despite early talent in cooking and a respected, if eccentric, family. Raised by her grandmother, she was kicked out when she became pregnant, so she wasn’t prepared to be a responsible mother. She only returns home when her grandmother is deteriorating and unable to take proper care of herself. Adrienne, her daughter and her grandmother are not very likable characters in the beginning, but they grew on me. The story is told well, with flashes back to the past, as Adrienne grew up. It ends up being a very gratifying and satisfying tale, and I definitely recommend it. I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.
May 19, 2025
The Summer Knows was a bit lukewarm, in my opinion. It was a cute story about a girl who returns to her hometown after several years away and is confronted with people from her past. Being home brings back memories of summers in her youth and the boys she was friends with. It was pretty straightforward, small town romance. My issue is that it just really wasn't terribly memorable. None of the characters really stuck out and there was nothing terribly exciting that happened. Once I finished the book, it immediately started fading for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 17, 2025
The Summer Knows by Sarah E. Pearsall is an emotional, heartfelt read that truly gives you all the feels. It’s the kind of story that makes for a perfect beach companion—bittersweet, immersive, and ultimately hopeful.
At its core, this book is about rejection, grief, and the long, complicated path to finding your way back home—even when that journey is painful. Pearsall doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, including loss and parental abuse. These themes are woven deeply into the narrative, so I’d advise readers to approach with care if these are sensitive areas for you.
What I appreciated most was the dual timeline structure that explores the characters’ pasts. It gave real depth to their choices and relationships, and helped me understand their pain, flaws, and resilience. The emotional layers made it easy to empathize with them—you really feel like you’re walking beside them through it all.
My only gripe? The ending. Specifically, who Adrienne ends up with. While I understand the choice—this person is undeniably strong and supportive—they didn’t have as prominent a role throughout the story, so it caught me off guard. I was really rooting for that second-chance romance, and the final pairing didn’t feel as fully developed. That said, it’s a testament to Pearsall’s writing that I cared enough to feel conflicted about it.
If you're looking for a story that will move you, challenge you a bit emotionally, but still offer moments of grace and healing, The Summer Knows is worth the read.
I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from Köehler Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At its core, this book is about rejection, grief, and the long, complicated path to finding your way back home—even when that journey is painful. Pearsall doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, including loss and parental abuse. These themes are woven deeply into the narrative, so I’d advise readers to approach with care if these are sensitive areas for you.
What I appreciated most was the dual timeline structure that explores the characters’ pasts. It gave real depth to their choices and relationships, and helped me understand their pain, flaws, and resilience. The emotional layers made it easy to empathize with them—you really feel like you’re walking beside them through it all.
My only gripe? The ending. Specifically, who Adrienne ends up with. While I understand the choice—this person is undeniably strong and supportive—they didn’t have as prominent a role throughout the story, so it caught me off guard. I was really rooting for that second-chance romance, and the final pairing didn’t feel as fully developed. That said, it’s a testament to Pearsall’s writing that I cared enough to feel conflicted about it.
If you're looking for a story that will move you, challenge you a bit emotionally, but still offer moments of grace and healing, The Summer Knows is worth the read.
I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from Köehler Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2025
This was a very interesting summer read!
If you’re a fan of Stacy Willingham or Taylor Jenkins Reid I think you will appreciate the complexity of the storylines, multiple time lines, and the mystery of the town and its inhabitants.
This was labeled as a romance but I’d say it reads more like a psychological thriller- trying to figure out who did what and why.
I overall enjoyed the plot but felt like the emotions of the characters were very flat. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was told in a true 1st person POV.
Thank you Köehler Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
If you’re a fan of Stacy Willingham or Taylor Jenkins Reid I think you will appreciate the complexity of the storylines, multiple time lines, and the mystery of the town and its inhabitants.
This was labeled as a romance but I’d say it reads more like a psychological thriller- trying to figure out who did what and why.
I overall enjoyed the plot but felt like the emotions of the characters were very flat. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was told in a true 1st person POV.
Thank you Köehler Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 13, 2025
Story of a woman going home to face her past and make choices about her future. I really liked the book and debated between 3 or 4 stars. It kept my interest and I liked that the romance part was not a romance where there is a clear good and bad choice, it was more who fit for her and made her a better person. I liked how the character realized she wasn’t a great mom and made choices to change that but I think my one hang up about it was that the transition was almost too smooth.
Thanks to NEtGalley for the ARC of this book!
Thanks to NEtGalley for the ARC of this book!
May 5, 2025
The Summer Knows offers a heartfelt return-to-hometown story with beautifully described settings and an emphasis on food, memory, and second chances. Adrienne's journey of healing is relatable, and the culinary backdrop adds some warmth to the story. However, the pacing felt uneven to me, and some characters—particularly supporting ones—lack depth. The romantic tension didn't fully land for me, and parts of the story feel predictable. Overall though if you are looking for an emotional, small-town fiction, this may be a comforting read, even if it doesn't break new ground.
June 17, 2025
The Florida setting originally drew me to this book by a new-to-me author. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and found the ending chapters to be especially poignant. Adrienne had fled small-town life in Harbor Point when she became pregnant at the age of 17 and has now returned to care for Gran who had pretty much raised her. She comes to realize that her focus had always been on the bad memories, but perhaps there were also good ones and Harbor Point is truly home. Thanks to NetGalley, Koeller Books and the author for an advance copy to read and review.
April 13, 2025
I enjoyed the plot of this story. I think it had an interesting core concept, and it reeled me in from Chapter 1. I think the writing style made it a bit hard at times to stay engaged. There were too many details and fluff that I thought were not necessarily needed for the story and made it feel like a distraction from the actual narrative. Besides that, the storyline wasn't bad, and I wanted to keep going to see how it would turn out in the end.
June 2, 2025
A perfect summer read! The prose makes you feel that ocean breeze in your hair and on your skin.
The emotions were all over the place; things felt so real, and you just felt all of it —the reality of adulthood, the teenage dreams, and the whole bittersweet setup.
I was truly surprised to learn that it's Sarah E Pearsall's first book, because the writing is mesmerizing; and a little warning - it's relatively slow-paced, though I found it perfect for the whole melancholic mood.
The emotions were all over the place; things felt so real, and you just felt all of it —the reality of adulthood, the teenage dreams, and the whole bittersweet setup.
I was truly surprised to learn that it's Sarah E Pearsall's first book, because the writing is mesmerizing; and a little warning - it's relatively slow-paced, though I found it perfect for the whole melancholic mood.
June 6, 2025
This book took me forever to get into. The story felt choppy and did not flow well. Because of this it was hard to relate and empathize with the characters. I think this writing style is not for me. There were many background details that felt unnecessary and it could have used more description when explaining the friendships, especially with Christopher.
Thank you NetGalley and Koehler books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Koehler books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 6, 2025
Underwhelmed. This book had great potential so I stuck with it despite a very slow start. The ending left me baffled because there was no buildup to her and Christopher’s relationship other than maybe a brotherly or somewhat familial tie. Is Quinn still a recluse with no life outside of coming back to Harbor Point in an attempt to glimpse Adrienne? The premise was good but failed in execution for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2025
I'm sorry but the book wasn't my taste 😕 I really hated her daughter kali and her grandmother, poor Adrienne couldn't catch a break. People should give this book a chance, not everyone has the same taste 🤷🏻♀️
May 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, thank you NetGalley for the read. it was both a happy and sad book. it's one I actually would say read it I think you will like it!!! Sarah is a new author for me, I believe, glad I found her...enjoy the book!!!!
May 6, 2025
I'm sorry but the book wasn't really my style.... I'm a sucker for romance and this book ummm.... Yeah 😭 her daughter and grandma....
July 8, 2025
loved it! kept my on my toes and had a great storyline
August 19, 2025
I was a little leery about this book , but it definitely had me hooked once I was into it
April 11, 2025
In *The Summer Knows*, Sarah Pearsall tells a touching story about second chances and the essence of home in sunny Florida's panhandle. Adrienne Harris, a thirty-one-year-old single mom, is pulled back to her small town when her grandmother calls after a family crisis. Old memories, especially of Quinn Merrit, the boy she left behind, resurface.
Pearsall crafts relatable characters, capturing Adrienne's strength and scars as she navigates small-town gossip. When she meets Christopher Crane, a warm local fishmonger, there's a spark of hope. His offer to revive her grandfather’s fish market symbolizes her journey from broken dreams to something fulfilling.
The story comes alive with vivid details, making readers feel the salty air and hear the seagulls. While it explores familiar themes like small-town drama and rekindled dreams, it feels fresh and heartfelt. Perfect for fans of southern fiction with strong female leads and redemptive arcs, *The Summer Knows* is a lovely summer read that lingers like a warm breeze off the bay.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Pearsall crafts relatable characters, capturing Adrienne's strength and scars as she navigates small-town gossip. When she meets Christopher Crane, a warm local fishmonger, there's a spark of hope. His offer to revive her grandfather’s fish market symbolizes her journey from broken dreams to something fulfilling.
The story comes alive with vivid details, making readers feel the salty air and hear the seagulls. While it explores familiar themes like small-town drama and rekindled dreams, it feels fresh and heartfelt. Perfect for fans of southern fiction with strong female leads and redemptive arcs, *The Summer Knows* is a lovely summer read that lingers like a warm breeze off the bay.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
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