Kissing the Sky: A Novel

by Lisa Patton

From the bestselling author of Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter comes a soulful, nostalgic novel about a young woman coming of age in the ‘60s to the blare of the music that shaped a generation.

It’s the summer of ’69. While her peers revel in free love and rock and roll, Suzannah is home from college, sequestered inside her conservative Southern home. Her domineering father has condemned rock music and driven away her best friend. She’s counting the days until fall.

But everything changes when her free-spirited best friend, Livy, resurfaces, urging Suzannah, a talented singer, to join her for three days of peace and music in upstate New York. Fed up with her father’s rules and fearful for her brother’s fate in Vietnam, Suzannah agrees to the road trip, sneaking off without her parents’ knowledge.

Miles outside her comfort zone, the electrifying bedlam of Woodstock jolts her into a journey of self-transformation. But it’s not all incense and peppermints. Suzannah’s falling hard for Leon, a boy she meets at the festival, and the seductive bud of first love conceals a thorn of heartache. Lies uncover betrayal, and Livy’s wild behavior leads to a startling revelation.

A nostalgic trip through the turbulent ’60s, this is the story of a lovable heroine who lets go of the girl she was to embrace the woman she’s becoming while she learns to lift her voice—for herself and perhaps for the world.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 1, 2026

About the author

Lisa Patton, author of Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter, Yankee Doodle Dixie, Southern as a Second Language, and Rush, and Kissing The Sky is a Memphis, Tennessee native who spent time as a Vermont innkeeper until three sub-zero winters sent her speeding back down South. She has over twenty-five years of experience working in theater, radio, TV, and music, including a decade with Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, who, along with his wife Amy, helped Lisa cowrite and produce “If Not for You,” an original song for Kissing the Sky. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Lisa is the proud mother of two sons, eight bonus children, and twelve grandchildren. She and her husband live in the rolling hills of Nashville with their four-legged furry son named Ziggy, and furry daughter named Daisy.

To find links to the original song “If Not for You,” please visit Lisa’s website at www.lisapatton.com or go to the streaming platform of your choice: Amy Holland/ If Not for You Connect with Lisa on Instagram, @lisapattonbooks, and on Facebook, Lisa Patton.author.

Reviews

[Erika Bazzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kissing the Sky puts you right at the center of the beautiful, iconic disaster that was Woodstock… and even more complicated era of the Vietnam war-focused United States.
This book tackles youthful rebellion, love, complicated family dynamics, a reckoning of faith, forgiveness, and the importance of having the freedom and opportunities to make way for self-discovery!
With historically accurate research and details, specific to the timeline of the actual events of that crazy weekend in 1969, you’ll learn some things and you’ll feel even more.
If you liked Daisy Jones and the Six, get ready to love this one, too.

[Sabrina Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon First Reads Choice!

Dirty Dancing Parents Meets Woodstock
Vietnam War Brother
Narcissistic Best Friend
Grandmother Telling Daughter Life Story

I ate it UP. So Good!

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kissing the Sky
By: Lisa Patton
Pub Date: March 1, 2026
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

This was my first book by this author and I will be looking for more of her work.

I had heard a lot about Woodstock growing up, and my dad was in Vietnam, so this story resonated with me.

It was the summer of 69 and Suzannah and her brother grew up with a domineering father who was a Colonel. He has strict ideas about what is best for his family and rock and roll and dancing is just part of what he condones. After her brother ends up in Vietnam her hearts breaks, as he wanted to go to college and felt strongly against Vietnam.

Suzannah has a friend Livy whose family is a lot more free-spirited and Suzannah ends up at her home being able to listen to music. She ends up at Woodstock and the people they meet find them enjoying all sorts of things they have never done.

The dual time line also follows Suzannah later in life returning to the Woodstock with her granddaughter and they embark on the journey of a lifetime as she shares part of her world. A wonderful bonding trip.

This novel is nostalgic and fun and a lover of music from that area and the songs mentioned was a breath of fresh air as the Suzannah came out of her shell.

[Annissa Joy Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!! I have heard a lot of stories about Woodstock but this book placed me right in the middle of it!! The music, the rain, the mud and so much more!!! Loved it!!!

Suzannah is home is a 20 year old college student who is home for the summer and is working at a department store. A friend from her past, Livy shows up one day when suzannah is running an errand and they reconnect. Livy wants her to go to Woodstock but Susannah’s father is super strict and does not let her even listen to the Beatles and other music!! Suzannah decides to go and what a wild ride it will be!!! She will learn a lot about herself, fall in love, sing in front of a crowd for the first time and mature a lot in just a few days at Woodstock in 1969!!

There are so chapters in 2019 when Suzannah goes back to Woodstock for the 50th anniversary with her granddaughter. Loved these chapters!! Their bond is very special!!

KISSING THE SKY will publish on 3/1. Get those pre orders in now. This book will take you on an incredible adventure!!!

[Annette Gregorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it one day. I couldn’t put it down. Woodstock was described as epic and the main character and the division in her family because of her dad’s religious views and the Vietnam War. Vietnam war was is still is the division of this country. But, throughout the whole time I was reading I was reading I was so invested in Suzannah and Leon staying together after Woodstock that I never saw a right time to put it down for the night so I didn’t sleep until I finished. Also, about what was happening with her peace loving brother in Vietnam. Not spoiling it. Must go read! Love it!!!!!

[Andrea Lammly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book made me feel like I was there swaying to the music. True friendship between two young women brings them to a surprising twist to the story that’s amazing. The ending was more than I dared to hope for! Do yourself a favor and pick up Lisa Patton’s latest and greatest book!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child of the 60's and 70's I really enjoyed this book. There were so many things that I could relate to! I especially could relate to all of the folk and rock music and artists mentioned in the book. Like the author, this is the music I still love to listen to.

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This was truly a wonderful description of the Woodstock experience. I want there but this gives an authentic sounding look at what it was like. Don't miss this one! Excellent.

[Dawn Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT an awesome book!

[Traci Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Nicely written. I really enjoyed this. I was too young to attend woodstock too. I did attend the anniversary concert and visit Be the l often for concerts.