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What Happened That Summer
You think you know what happened that day… But what if you’re wrong?
Everyone remembers where they were when they heard that AJ Silver had died. In summer 1996, there was no avoiding the story that America's biggest teen pop sensation had plunged to his death on a rollercoaster at a family-run amusement park in rural England.
Now, 27 years have passed, and – even if you’re too young to remember the event – you’ve probably heard AJ Silver's songs topping the charts again. So what better time to take a forensic look at what happened that summer?
I’ve spent hundreds of hours interviewing everyone who was there that fateful day: workers, friends, family… the people who gained from his death, and the people who lost everything.
But you’re going to want to pay attention. Because I’ve found out a secret. One you’re all going to want to know… Perhaps it wasn’t such an accident after all?
Everyone remembers where they were when they heard that AJ Silver had died. In summer 1996, there was no avoiding the story that America's biggest teen pop sensation had plunged to his death on a rollercoaster at a family-run amusement park in rural England.
Now, 27 years have passed, and – even if you’re too young to remember the event – you’ve probably heard AJ Silver's songs topping the charts again. So what better time to take a forensic look at what happened that summer?
I’ve spent hundreds of hours interviewing everyone who was there that fateful day: workers, friends, family… the people who gained from his death, and the people who lost everything.
But you’re going to want to pay attention. Because I’ve found out a secret. One you’re all going to want to know… Perhaps it wasn’t such an accident after all?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2026
181 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
February 6, 2026
In the summer of 1996, in a small rural town in England, teenage star AJ Silver died in a roller coaster accident, leaving his family heartbroken and the family who owned the amusement park devastated. But twenty-seven years later, a podcast called “What Happened that Summer” interviews both families as they go over the events prior, during, and after the incident, with a question looming overhead: was AJ Silver’s death really an accident?
Okay, wow! This was so good! 🤩
I have never read a book written in interview format/style, so this was a new experience that I was a bit wary of but ended up loving. Although this is quite a short book with eight long chapters, it was SUPER interesting because if AJ’s death wasn’t really an accident, then who is responsible for the incident? Cara and I were coming up with suspects, wondering who it could be. And, let me tell you, you will not expect the ending. I sure as heck didn’t see it coming. 😱
I really liked how each character had a distinct voice and their own personality, which I’m sure is hard to do since you rely on what the characters say to show who they are and what they’re like without using prose or descriptions to really develop the character like other books do. I hope that makes sense. 😅 It really made the podcast/story feel legit and kept me engaged because it felt like real people were talking about an incident that changed their lives.
And the story itself? It was really good! You get some romance, mystery, bad people making good people’s lives harder than they need to be, and a satisfying ending where lessons are learned and loose ends are tied. This was such an interesting concept, and I am so glad the author decided to write this book because I enjoyed it so much!
Overall, this was such a fun read, and I had a blast reading it with my beautiful bestie, Cara! Thank you SO much for reading this book with me, babes!! 🥰❤️🩷😘💋
Be on the look out for her review! 🎢🎤🩷
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This book was published on 01/03/2026!
❗Content Warnings❗
Death, mentions suicide, alcohol abuse, & homophobic comments and jokes.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No–only kissing and mentioning sex (🌶/5)
Okay, wow! This was so good! 🤩
I have never read a book written in interview format/style, so this was a new experience that I was a bit wary of but ended up loving. Although this is quite a short book with eight long chapters, it was SUPER interesting because if AJ’s death wasn’t really an accident, then who is responsible for the incident? Cara and I were coming up with suspects, wondering who it could be. And, let me tell you, you will not expect the ending. I sure as heck didn’t see it coming. 😱
I really liked how each character had a distinct voice and their own personality, which I’m sure is hard to do since you rely on what the characters say to show who they are and what they’re like without using prose or descriptions to really develop the character like other books do. I hope that makes sense. 😅 It really made the podcast/story feel legit and kept me engaged because it felt like real people were talking about an incident that changed their lives.
And the story itself? It was really good! You get some romance, mystery, bad people making good people’s lives harder than they need to be, and a satisfying ending where lessons are learned and loose ends are tied. This was such an interesting concept, and I am so glad the author decided to write this book because I enjoyed it so much!
Overall, this was such a fun read, and I had a blast reading it with my beautiful bestie, Cara! Thank you SO much for reading this book with me, babes!! 🥰❤️🩷😘💋
Be on the look out for her review! 🎢🎤🩷
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This book was published on 01/03/2026!
❗Content Warnings❗
Death, mentions suicide, alcohol abuse, & homophobic comments and jokes.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No–only kissing and mentioning sex (🌶/5)
January 30, 2026
REVIEW TO COME💗💗😱😱!!!!!!!!
January 4, 2026
What a great surprise!
I adore this author. she is auto buy for me, without the blurb..
When I started this, I could tell pretty quickly that it was very different to the author's previous books.
Turns out, Laura Pearson can write any genre she puts her pen to!
I love books that are not written in normal prose! The documentary transcripts were so engaging, I could really see this adapted for TV! There was a lot of mystery too and I loved every page.
Fancy writing some fantasy next, Laura?
I adore this author. she is auto buy for me, without the blurb..
When I started this, I could tell pretty quickly that it was very different to the author's previous books.
Turns out, Laura Pearson can write any genre she puts her pen to!
I love books that are not written in normal prose! The documentary transcripts were so engaging, I could really see this adapted for TV! There was a lot of mystery too and I loved every page.
Fancy writing some fantasy next, Laura?
November 9, 2025
Thanks to Laura for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I am never not going to love a book by Laura, and I was thrilled when she sent me this copy. I don't want to come across corny but Laura is my favourite author and having met her, I can promise she is a lovely woman. It's not common to like every single book one author writes, some will inevitably be stronger than others. But I have now read eight of hers (with two more on the shelf) and thy are all as perfect as the one before and the one after.
It's a different angle than she normally writes, more of a thriller than the speculative fiction I'm used, which could have been a bad move but her writing ability ensures it's as fabulous as ever, and I'm interested to see what other angles she might pursue in the future.
I was concerned at first because there's only about eight chapters across nearly 300 pages, which is about 35 pages a chapter, and I reallllllly don't like long chapters. But because this is written in a script format, a podcast script format, with each chapter a new episode, it really whizzed by and I'm not sure shed have got to the heart of the story as easily if she'd written it as a normal narrative. This throws us straight in and gives us a personal perspective and holds our attention to the end.
It is full of twists and turns and shocks, but they don't feel overwhelming or too unbelievable, with one or two I couldn't have predicted.
I made the mistake of starting it in bed late one night, thinking I'd just read a few pages, but I was coming up halfway before I could bear to part with it. But then I had such a bad night and hardly slept so I returned to it and finished it in the early hours. So I may have been cranky that following morning but boy was it worh with.
We don't get to know the characters as an outsider - like a normal narrative would introduce and describe the characters - but because this is a podcast recording, we don't get that chance to read a physical description. Instead we get to know who they are as people, their likes and dislikes and ambitions. It gets us closer to them. And whilst some are nicer people than others, some goodies and baddies, they are all so distinct, so well written that they become familiar to you and after the first chapter I really felt I knew who they all were, their voices were so clear.
When a story is told over one day or something like that - I know this is technically over a few weeks because it's a podcast series, but it had the same feeling as something written over a short period of time - it can have a tendency to be slow or drawn out and uninspiring. But it felt right. Telling the story in retrospect I think has a stronger impact than if it was told in the usual way.
I could see this as a TV series. Not necessarily in the podcast form, but the actual content of what happened, I could easily see on screen.
Did I like this new angle she's chosen? Yes I did. If I'm completely honest, I prefer her speculative type novels, the ones with a little bit of magic and fantasy about them because that's just the genre I like, but that doesn't take away from the fact that this is another five star read.
I am never not going to love a book by Laura, and I was thrilled when she sent me this copy. I don't want to come across corny but Laura is my favourite author and having met her, I can promise she is a lovely woman. It's not common to like every single book one author writes, some will inevitably be stronger than others. But I have now read eight of hers (with two more on the shelf) and thy are all as perfect as the one before and the one after.
It's a different angle than she normally writes, more of a thriller than the speculative fiction I'm used, which could have been a bad move but her writing ability ensures it's as fabulous as ever, and I'm interested to see what other angles she might pursue in the future.
I was concerned at first because there's only about eight chapters across nearly 300 pages, which is about 35 pages a chapter, and I reallllllly don't like long chapters. But because this is written in a script format, a podcast script format, with each chapter a new episode, it really whizzed by and I'm not sure shed have got to the heart of the story as easily if she'd written it as a normal narrative. This throws us straight in and gives us a personal perspective and holds our attention to the end.
It is full of twists and turns and shocks, but they don't feel overwhelming or too unbelievable, with one or two I couldn't have predicted.
I made the mistake of starting it in bed late one night, thinking I'd just read a few pages, but I was coming up halfway before I could bear to part with it. But then I had such a bad night and hardly slept so I returned to it and finished it in the early hours. So I may have been cranky that following morning but boy was it worh with.
We don't get to know the characters as an outsider - like a normal narrative would introduce and describe the characters - but because this is a podcast recording, we don't get that chance to read a physical description. Instead we get to know who they are as people, their likes and dislikes and ambitions. It gets us closer to them. And whilst some are nicer people than others, some goodies and baddies, they are all so distinct, so well written that they become familiar to you and after the first chapter I really felt I knew who they all were, their voices were so clear.
When a story is told over one day or something like that - I know this is technically over a few weeks because it's a podcast series, but it had the same feeling as something written over a short period of time - it can have a tendency to be slow or drawn out and uninspiring. But it felt right. Telling the story in retrospect I think has a stronger impact than if it was told in the usual way.
I could see this as a TV series. Not necessarily in the podcast form, but the actual content of what happened, I could easily see on screen.
Did I like this new angle she's chosen? Yes I did. If I'm completely honest, I prefer her speculative type novels, the ones with a little bit of magic and fantasy about them because that's just the genre I like, but that doesn't take away from the fact that this is another five star read.
December 2, 2025
As soon as I saw the cover of What Happened That Summer, Laura Pearson’s New Year publication, I knew I was about to read something unalike her previous books. Laura’s covers are usually instantly recognisable, but this had an unfamiliar feel to it. It has a Taylor Jenkins Reid vibe. As soon as I started reading, I knew I was right. I am a fan of Laura’s writing, but this new style excited me as a reader.
The book takes us back to 1996. The world is in the thrall of teen idol sensation, AJ Silver. From the outset, we know that AJ died in an accident that summer, aged just 17. The story is told through a podcast format, individual episodes revealed in separate chapters. These episodes talk to everyone who was involved, each giving their own perspectives.
The book feels like a new bold new departure for the author, and I have to say, I really enjoyed this change of direction. It felt very fresh, very relevant. I genuinely felt that I was listening to a gripping podcast, I can see this book making a fabulous audiobook. Fans of Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera and None of This is True by Lisa Jewell, will love What Happened That Summer.
Getting to know the characters through their own words and thoughts, but also through the eyes of others was really interesting. It helps the reader to find the truth, that always exists somewhere between everyone’s own narrative. Having the opportunity to meet many of the cast, nearly three decades later, felt like a full circle moment.
As I was reading, and thoroughly enjoying the book, I was desperately hoping the ending would live up to my high expectations; as a wonderful book can be spoiled by a poor ending. I’m sure other readers will understand this feeling too. I was so relieved and happy to find that I loved the ending.
I have read, and enjoyed, virtually all of the author’s books, but this one has shot to the top of my favourites. I see this book being a firm favourite, helping readers to get through their post Christmas blues; when we will all be craving the warmth of the summer sun.
The book takes us back to 1996. The world is in the thrall of teen idol sensation, AJ Silver. From the outset, we know that AJ died in an accident that summer, aged just 17. The story is told through a podcast format, individual episodes revealed in separate chapters. These episodes talk to everyone who was involved, each giving their own perspectives.
The book feels like a new bold new departure for the author, and I have to say, I really enjoyed this change of direction. It felt very fresh, very relevant. I genuinely felt that I was listening to a gripping podcast, I can see this book making a fabulous audiobook. Fans of Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera and None of This is True by Lisa Jewell, will love What Happened That Summer.
Getting to know the characters through their own words and thoughts, but also through the eyes of others was really interesting. It helps the reader to find the truth, that always exists somewhere between everyone’s own narrative. Having the opportunity to meet many of the cast, nearly three decades later, felt like a full circle moment.
As I was reading, and thoroughly enjoying the book, I was desperately hoping the ending would live up to my high expectations; as a wonderful book can be spoiled by a poor ending. I’m sure other readers will understand this feeling too. I was so relieved and happy to find that I loved the ending.
I have read, and enjoyed, virtually all of the author’s books, but this one has shot to the top of my favourites. I see this book being a firm favourite, helping readers to get through their post Christmas blues; when we will all be craving the warmth of the summer sun.
December 14, 2025
What happened that summer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Listen, I'm a very simple girlie. Every time I see the tag line "for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid", I must read the book because I understant the certain type of vibes is selling and so far I haven't been disappointed.
This book was good and so engaging! I was hooked from the very first page and I read it in one sitting.
What happened that summer is told with a set of interviews, following the shocking death of a highly famous teenage pop star and now, 30 years after the event we are going to discover that there's a lot more that what it seemed with the case.
In a very similar way to Daisy Jones and The Six, the thing that impacted me the most is how well developed are the characters and the story within the frames of a podcast/documentary style of narration. I ended up feeling like I deeply knew this people and their motivations and how they got to the place they are currently at in life.
The story gave not 1 but 2 romances filled with yearning, complicated family dynamics, messy characters that at the same time are easy to understand and a very unique setting.
Another thing that worked for me is that the book is actually quite short (224 pages) so the story is not dragged unnecessarily, it was perfect in that aspect. Amazing for the author giving so much in such little time!
The only thing I didn't quite like entirely was the big plot twist at the end, or at least, part of it (IYKYK). There's absolutely nothing wrong with it per se, I think is just a matter of taste. I kinda saw it coming and I wished for it to go on a different direction. That been said, it didn't ruined my experience at all. I really liked the book and the ending was extremely sweet and had my expectations fulfilled.
I definitely recommend, specially to read during the summer time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Listen, I'm a very simple girlie. Every time I see the tag line "for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid", I must read the book because I understant the certain type of vibes is selling and so far I haven't been disappointed.
This book was good and so engaging! I was hooked from the very first page and I read it in one sitting.
What happened that summer is told with a set of interviews, following the shocking death of a highly famous teenage pop star and now, 30 years after the event we are going to discover that there's a lot more that what it seemed with the case.
In a very similar way to Daisy Jones and The Six, the thing that impacted me the most is how well developed are the characters and the story within the frames of a podcast/documentary style of narration. I ended up feeling like I deeply knew this people and their motivations and how they got to the place they are currently at in life.
The story gave not 1 but 2 romances filled with yearning, complicated family dynamics, messy characters that at the same time are easy to understand and a very unique setting.
Another thing that worked for me is that the book is actually quite short (224 pages) so the story is not dragged unnecessarily, it was perfect in that aspect. Amazing for the author giving so much in such little time!
The only thing I didn't quite like entirely was the big plot twist at the end, or at least, part of it (IYKYK). There's absolutely nothing wrong with it per se, I think is just a matter of taste. I kinda saw it coming and I wished for it to go on a different direction. That been said, it didn't ruined my experience at all. I really liked the book and the ending was extremely sweet and had my expectations fulfilled.
I definitely recommend, specially to read during the summer time.
December 29, 2025
What Happened That Summer was a fun and highly engaging read, written in the unique format of podcast episodes. While the chapters were longer due to this structure, there were plenty of spots you could stop reading within a chapter if needed (I usually don't stop reading mid-chapter). I found this style immersive and easy to get into.
The story looks back to 1996, when teen idol and American pop star AJ Silver tragically died at just 17 in an accident at a UK theme park. The park had been hired out exclusively for six weeks, but things quickly spiralled out of control. The “podcast” is hosted by Donny, who interviews a wide range of people connected to the event — including the Hunters, the theme park owners; the Campbells, AJ’s family; AJ’s publicist; and several theme park employees. Hearing multiple perspectives on the same events made the story even more compelling.
There are eight episodes in total, beginning with the history of the park, then moving through AJ’s arrival, the events surrounding his death, and finally catching up with where everyone involved is in 2025. The podcast promises to uncover new information about what really happened that summer. Was AJ’s death truly an accident, or did someone have it out for him? Alongside the mystery, there’s also a budding romance between Pea Hunter, the teenage daughter of the park’s owner, and Zac Campbell, AJ’s older brother.
I particularly enjoyed seeing what life was like for AJ as a teen idol from the perspective of those around him. While he isn’t portrayed as especially likeable, the story provides enough insight to understand why he behaved the way he did.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages. The podcast-style storytelling would translate perfectly into an audiobook, and I’d love to experience it in that format as well.
The story looks back to 1996, when teen idol and American pop star AJ Silver tragically died at just 17 in an accident at a UK theme park. The park had been hired out exclusively for six weeks, but things quickly spiralled out of control. The “podcast” is hosted by Donny, who interviews a wide range of people connected to the event — including the Hunters, the theme park owners; the Campbells, AJ’s family; AJ’s publicist; and several theme park employees. Hearing multiple perspectives on the same events made the story even more compelling.
There are eight episodes in total, beginning with the history of the park, then moving through AJ’s arrival, the events surrounding his death, and finally catching up with where everyone involved is in 2025. The podcast promises to uncover new information about what really happened that summer. Was AJ’s death truly an accident, or did someone have it out for him? Alongside the mystery, there’s also a budding romance between Pea Hunter, the teenage daughter of the park’s owner, and Zac Campbell, AJ’s older brother.
I particularly enjoyed seeing what life was like for AJ as a teen idol from the perspective of those around him. While he isn’t portrayed as especially likeable, the story provides enough insight to understand why he behaved the way he did.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages. The podcast-style storytelling would translate perfectly into an audiobook, and I’d love to experience it in that format as well.
January 19, 2026
This book is formatted similarly to Daisy Jones and the Six. It appears to be the transcript of a Podcast, with a narrator and all the characters involved relaying the events of one summer that led up to a tragic event. The characters centred around a young teen singing idol, AJ Silver. The setting is a family owned amusement park in England, 1996.
From the very beginning, the reader is made aware that there will be a tragedy. And it does not take long to realize what the tragedy actually is. But, why did it happen? Who caused it? Was it an accident?
This book is very fast paced. The cast of characters is large, but easy to keep them straight. It is a page turner.
After the tragedy, the podcaster jumps to the present to let the reader know what became of each character in the aftermath.
And, the ending……I was not expecting THAT ending.
This is a departure from Laura Pearson's writing style in her previous books. In fact, it took me by surprise. It shows her versatility and her ability to switch gears. Well done.
I look forward to her next book.
From the very beginning, the reader is made aware that there will be a tragedy. And it does not take long to realize what the tragedy actually is. But, why did it happen? Who caused it? Was it an accident?
This book is very fast paced. The cast of characters is large, but easy to keep them straight. It is a page turner.
After the tragedy, the podcaster jumps to the present to let the reader know what became of each character in the aftermath.
And, the ending……I was not expecting THAT ending.
This is a departure from Laura Pearson's writing style in her previous books. In fact, it took me by surprise. It shows her versatility and her ability to switch gears. Well done.
I look forward to her next book.
February 8, 2026
I’ve really enjoyed this book about the death of a pop star in a tragic theme park accident, told through a series of podcasts. Well written and with an excellent plot twist.
February 6, 2026
THIS WAS INSANELY GOOD. I have chills finishing it.
I was not prepared to love this as much as I did! It sounded right up my alley, but I still didn’t think I would get as invested as I did!
Honestly the start was a little boring, I almost thought I wasn’t going to like it. I know we needed an introduction to the characters, but they didn’t sound interesting enough to care. I am glad I stuck it out!
Another thing that threw me off at first was the audiobook was a little jarring at first. It would just jump between one person and the next without saying who it was. Eventually I got a handle on whose voice was whose, but even still sometimes at the end I had to figure out who was talking. But the audiobook other than that was fantastic! I would say it is a must listen. Honestly I may reread this physically at some point just to see how it is formatted. This was in an interview style, so that is why I feel like listening to the audiobook is the way to go. Plus the narrators did a great job!
I was so invested in these characters, it felt like I knew them personally or this actually happened in real life!
I was so happy P and Zach ended up together! I didn’t love that he was 18 and she was 15 going on 16. I also didn’t like that AJ as a 17 year old was sleeping with someone five years older than him, but I realize these things happen in real life. Not that it makes it okay. P and Zach were really adorable though!
I felt so bad for Alex! I could tell that him and AJ would have a thing right when I knew Alex was gay. He deserved better! I am glad he found happiness! It makes me a little sad P and Alex don’t talk anymore, but they did have a bit of an unhealthy relationship.
AJ was such a complex character. He kind of was an awful person, but I couldn’t help but root for him too. I know deep down he was just a kid, and clearly he was crying for help so much and not everyone always listened. His family cared about him, but still wasn’t enough. We should still hold him accountable, but I can see that he was not doing well and lashing out. I hate to say it, but I blame his mom in a way for pushing him at such a young age.
That ending though!! Wow!! My jaw literally was on the floor when I heard Sebastian say AJ was still alive! Never in a million years did I expect that ending! Honestly I was just waiting to hear that someone purposefully killed him. I almost felt like it was an accident, just because of the format of this book. No one would admit to doing it on the podcast, so I just figured we wouldn’t hear what happened or someone would slip up and the podcaster would have figured out who did it.
I never thought this book would be the plot twist type of book! But I am glad I didn’t know! It is one of those books that I will just recommend, not letting anyone know it has a crazy ending, just so they can experience what I felt themselves.
I knew Sebastian got the money from AJ, but I just assumed he left him in his will and didn’t tell anyone. I never would have suspected he helped him fake his death! I choose to believe him, but I like that the book kind of leaves it open that he may have been lying. I really can’t imagine he would be.
I liked that it also left it open if AJ had actually commented or not. I am mixed on if I thought he did. I could see him doing so to let them know he is alive, but I also think he would have left that private. I would like to think Zach at least saw him, but who knows! Zach really would be the only one that deserves to see him again in my opinion. I wish Zach did a little more to reach out to AJ to try and help him, but he was just a kid himself.
This was so good. A must read! One of my favorites this year!
I was not prepared to love this as much as I did! It sounded right up my alley, but I still didn’t think I would get as invested as I did!
Honestly the start was a little boring, I almost thought I wasn’t going to like it. I know we needed an introduction to the characters, but they didn’t sound interesting enough to care. I am glad I stuck it out!
Another thing that threw me off at first was the audiobook was a little jarring at first. It would just jump between one person and the next without saying who it was. Eventually I got a handle on whose voice was whose, but even still sometimes at the end I had to figure out who was talking. But the audiobook other than that was fantastic! I would say it is a must listen. Honestly I may reread this physically at some point just to see how it is formatted. This was in an interview style, so that is why I feel like listening to the audiobook is the way to go. Plus the narrators did a great job!
I was so invested in these characters, it felt like I knew them personally or this actually happened in real life!
I was so happy P and Zach ended up together! I didn’t love that he was 18 and she was 15 going on 16. I also didn’t like that AJ as a 17 year old was sleeping with someone five years older than him, but I realize these things happen in real life. Not that it makes it okay. P and Zach were really adorable though!
I felt so bad for Alex! I could tell that him and AJ would have a thing right when I knew Alex was gay. He deserved better! I am glad he found happiness! It makes me a little sad P and Alex don’t talk anymore, but they did have a bit of an unhealthy relationship.
AJ was such a complex character. He kind of was an awful person, but I couldn’t help but root for him too. I know deep down he was just a kid, and clearly he was crying for help so much and not everyone always listened. His family cared about him, but still wasn’t enough. We should still hold him accountable, but I can see that he was not doing well and lashing out. I hate to say it, but I blame his mom in a way for pushing him at such a young age.
That ending though!! Wow!! My jaw literally was on the floor when I heard Sebastian say AJ was still alive! Never in a million years did I expect that ending! Honestly I was just waiting to hear that someone purposefully killed him. I almost felt like it was an accident, just because of the format of this book. No one would admit to doing it on the podcast, so I just figured we wouldn’t hear what happened or someone would slip up and the podcaster would have figured out who did it.
I never thought this book would be the plot twist type of book! But I am glad I didn’t know! It is one of those books that I will just recommend, not letting anyone know it has a crazy ending, just so they can experience what I felt themselves.
I knew Sebastian got the money from AJ, but I just assumed he left him in his will and didn’t tell anyone. I never would have suspected he helped him fake his death! I choose to believe him, but I like that the book kind of leaves it open that he may have been lying. I really can’t imagine he would be.
I liked that it also left it open if AJ had actually commented or not. I am mixed on if I thought he did. I could see him doing so to let them know he is alive, but I also think he would have left that private. I would like to think Zach at least saw him, but who knows! Zach really would be the only one that deserves to see him again in my opinion. I wish Zach did a little more to reach out to AJ to try and help him, but he was just a kid himself.
This was so good. A must read! One of my favorites this year!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2026
Laura Pearson is an author I discovered a couple of years ago, and honestly, I still don’t think she gets nearly enough hype. Her books are always emotional, layered, and deeply human—I always feel all the feels when I read her work. So when her newest novel, What Happened That Summer, came out, it was an instant buy and an instant read for me.
This book feels completely different from her previous work, but in the best possible way. The story is told through seven podcast episodes that investigate the death of AJ Silver, a 17-year-old, world-famous singer and teenage heartthrob. AJ dies while staying at a theme park in England during his UK tour, and the podcast sets out to uncover what really happened that summer.
In the episodes we meet all these different characters: AJ’s brother, his parents, his bodyguard, and the family who owns the theme park. Everyone has their own perspective, their own version of events, and their own emotional baggage. Slowly, piece by piece, the truth unfolds.
Going in, I expected something along the lines of a Taylor Jenkins Reid novel—and that expectation was absolutely met. If you loved Daisy Jones & The Six or The Favorites, I really think you’ll enjoy What Happened That Summer. The podcast format works incredibly well; hearing from all the players involved makes the story feel immersive and real.
I especially loved the buildup. In the first episode, we meet the family who owns the theme park. In the next, we’re introduced to AJ and his family and learn how he became famous. From there, we see how these lives intersect, leading up to the day AJ dies—and what happens after. Because this book isn’t just about his death.
There’s romance, family drama, alcoholism, grief, and so much more. It’s about AJ, but it’s also about the people around him and the ripple effects his death has on their lives. That’s something Laura Pearson does exceptionally well: the story may center on one event, but it’s always about so much more. Every character has their own struggles, their own grief, and their own outcome, and those layered storylines are what make this novel so powerful.
As a huge podcast listener—and a big fan of Only Murders in the Building—I absolutely loved the multimedia, podcast-style format. I also think this book would work beautifully on audio.
Highly recommend. I truly love everything Laura Pearson writes, and while I still have a few of her books on my backlist, I’m already very excited for whatever she releases next.
This book feels completely different from her previous work, but in the best possible way. The story is told through seven podcast episodes that investigate the death of AJ Silver, a 17-year-old, world-famous singer and teenage heartthrob. AJ dies while staying at a theme park in England during his UK tour, and the podcast sets out to uncover what really happened that summer.
In the episodes we meet all these different characters: AJ’s brother, his parents, his bodyguard, and the family who owns the theme park. Everyone has their own perspective, their own version of events, and their own emotional baggage. Slowly, piece by piece, the truth unfolds.
Going in, I expected something along the lines of a Taylor Jenkins Reid novel—and that expectation was absolutely met. If you loved Daisy Jones & The Six or The Favorites, I really think you’ll enjoy What Happened That Summer. The podcast format works incredibly well; hearing from all the players involved makes the story feel immersive and real.
I especially loved the buildup. In the first episode, we meet the family who owns the theme park. In the next, we’re introduced to AJ and his family and learn how he became famous. From there, we see how these lives intersect, leading up to the day AJ dies—and what happens after. Because this book isn’t just about his death.
There’s romance, family drama, alcoholism, grief, and so much more. It’s about AJ, but it’s also about the people around him and the ripple effects his death has on their lives. That’s something Laura Pearson does exceptionally well: the story may center on one event, but it’s always about so much more. Every character has their own struggles, their own grief, and their own outcome, and those layered storylines are what make this novel so powerful.
As a huge podcast listener—and a big fan of Only Murders in the Building—I absolutely loved the multimedia, podcast-style format. I also think this book would work beautifully on audio.
Highly recommend. I truly love everything Laura Pearson writes, and while I still have a few of her books on my backlist, I’m already very excited for whatever she releases next.
January 13, 2026
I rarely listen to podcasts, and the novels of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Colleen Hoover have rather passed me by – so I did wonder if I’d enjoy this novel’s unusual structure, a series of podcasts by presenter Danny Drake investigating the death of US teen star AJ Silver at a Birmingham theme park in the 1990s. But through the interviews with the two families involved – the Hunter family who owned struggling Wildwood, the life changing amount of money they accepted to allow the park to be taken over for the summer, and the troubled family life of AJ Silver and the impact of his global fame – the author has produced yet another wonderful read that totally engrossed me from the beginning to its perfectly judged and surprising ending.
Every individual is quite perfectly drawn. On AJ’s side there’s the pushy mother, the father left out in the cold, the brother with his feelings of being second best: and we track his rise to stardom, and the way his personality and behaviour changes for the worse. The Hunter family’s two teenage children both have very different feelings about the run down park that’s been their father’s life work, teetering on the edge of failure – and their mother can see the way the pressures are affecting his mental health, as he spends increasing time viewing the world through the bottom of a bottle.
The narrative structure works exceptionally well – a story told in the individuals’ own words, every one of them very real (if not all particularly sympathetic or likeable), involving the reader in their lives and experiences. There are no issues at all in connecting with them – something I’d worried about before starting reading – and the twists and turns of the different relationships, the devastating event that changed everyone’s lives, followed by the aftermath and fallout made for an enthralling read. The pacing of the story – its happier moments, its tensions, its surprises – is so perfectly managed, the whole book impossible to set aside as the full picture slowly and steadily emerges.
It’s one of those stories that defies classification – with elements of coming of age and family drama, a developing romance, an exploration of friendship, and a mystery around that pivotal moment that proves to be particularly gripping. The setting is spot on too – the attractions at the 90s theme park instantly recognisable, making you relive your memories of those halcyon days. And the writing is just superb – a unique premise made entirely believable, a fluid read that was entirely gripping. An absolute triumph – and a book I’d very highly recommend.
Every individual is quite perfectly drawn. On AJ’s side there’s the pushy mother, the father left out in the cold, the brother with his feelings of being second best: and we track his rise to stardom, and the way his personality and behaviour changes for the worse. The Hunter family’s two teenage children both have very different feelings about the run down park that’s been their father’s life work, teetering on the edge of failure – and their mother can see the way the pressures are affecting his mental health, as he spends increasing time viewing the world through the bottom of a bottle.
The narrative structure works exceptionally well – a story told in the individuals’ own words, every one of them very real (if not all particularly sympathetic or likeable), involving the reader in their lives and experiences. There are no issues at all in connecting with them – something I’d worried about before starting reading – and the twists and turns of the different relationships, the devastating event that changed everyone’s lives, followed by the aftermath and fallout made for an enthralling read. The pacing of the story – its happier moments, its tensions, its surprises – is so perfectly managed, the whole book impossible to set aside as the full picture slowly and steadily emerges.
It’s one of those stories that defies classification – with elements of coming of age and family drama, a developing romance, an exploration of friendship, and a mystery around that pivotal moment that proves to be particularly gripping. The setting is spot on too – the attractions at the 90s theme park instantly recognisable, making you relive your memories of those halcyon days. And the writing is just superb – a unique premise made entirely believable, a fluid read that was entirely gripping. An absolute triumph – and a book I’d very highly recommend.
December 31, 2025
An outlandish idea for a story, but what a story! Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this before publication.
What Happened That Summer focuses on the summer of 1996. The summer that American teen heartthrob A. J. Silver died in a tragic accident at a family-owned theme-park. The summer of 27 years ago, where lives were irrevocably changed.
The format for the book is intriguing…a podcast, exploding a previously unknown detail about that summer. We are introduced to the key players of that time: the family who ran the park, their friends and those linked to Silver. Each chapter focuses on part of the story, allowing us to see how events unfolded and building up to a rather surprising revelation.
While the accident is the key focus, the real pull is the love story between Pea Hunter and A.J.’s brother, Zak. A first love like no other…and one which defied the odds to continue later.
What Happened That Summer focuses on the summer of 1996. The summer that American teen heartthrob A. J. Silver died in a tragic accident at a family-owned theme-park. The summer of 27 years ago, where lives were irrevocably changed.
The format for the book is intriguing…a podcast, exploding a previously unknown detail about that summer. We are introduced to the key players of that time: the family who ran the park, their friends and those linked to Silver. Each chapter focuses on part of the story, allowing us to see how events unfolded and building up to a rather surprising revelation.
While the accident is the key focus, the real pull is the love story between Pea Hunter and A.J.’s brother, Zak. A first love like no other…and one which defied the odds to continue later.
Read
January 5, 2026This is part mystery and part exploration of life choices, the disintegration of a family and the salvaging of relationships. Told entirely in podcast format, it includes the viewpoints of the deceased popstar’s parents and brother and the owners of the amusement park and their two children.
Fans will be intrigued. Another surefire hit for this popular author.
Fans will be intrigued. Another surefire hit for this popular author.
January 27, 2026
A fast easy fun read. If you like podcast style first books, this is for you. I went into it not really thinking I'd care much about the death of a young pop star but the theme park angle was different.
January 26, 2026
I listened to this book which was written as a podcast. While the voices added lots of interest to the story and made it seem more like an actual podcast, I had a hard time keeping up with who was talking. Loved the twist, I didn't see it coming!
January 26, 2026
Absolutely loved this!
I listened - it’s in a podcast style so really suited audio. I really felt like the story was real, and the ending was even better than I was expecting!
I listened - it’s in a podcast style so really suited audio. I really felt like the story was real, and the ending was even better than I was expecting!
January 31, 2026
What a wild ride that book was (no pun intended) and for me to give it anything less than 5 stars would be a crime.
I loved the format. The book is written as podcasts, upon hearing that in a podcast interview, ironically, I knew that I needed to listen to audiobook.
I loved the way the author, Laura Pearson, wove the story into these interviews from so many different people. It was fascinating to hear all the difference povs and to wonder if it was all true, so to speak, as if course it's all fiction. It really made me feel like this was something that had happened in 90s, when I was of a similar age to P and co.
I loved the ending but I'm not going to spoil anyone else's enjoyment so that's all I'm saying on that.
Just read it or listen to it, you won't regret it.
I loved the format. The book is written as podcasts, upon hearing that in a podcast interview, ironically, I knew that I needed to listen to audiobook.
I loved the way the author, Laura Pearson, wove the story into these interviews from so many different people. It was fascinating to hear all the difference povs and to wonder if it was all true, so to speak, as if course it's all fiction. It really made me feel like this was something that had happened in 90s, when I was of a similar age to P and co.
I loved the ending but I'm not going to spoil anyone else's enjoyment so that's all I'm saying on that.
Just read it or listen to it, you won't regret it.
December 8, 2025
4,5/5
My sincere thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and of course Laura Pearson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As of now, I'm Laura Pearson's fan, looking forward to read her other works. I absolutely loved „What Happened That Summer” and connected deeply with all of the protagonists, especially Zak and Pea.
In a nuthshell, there's this performer, AJ Silver, a teenage sensation of the 90s, a number one star. And one day he decides he wants an inclusive stay in a theme park, just him and his crew for a few weeks. His wish comes true with Wildwood, managed by the Hunter family, a business with a lot of history but struggling financially, so not in the position to turn off a hefty sum of money. AJ's visit though turns into tragedy as he dies, just 17 years old, on one of the park's railways.
Fast forward almost thirty years and now enter Danny, with his brand new podcast revisiting the scene of „That Summer” with all of the main players. The book is structured as a series of interviews (think „Daisy Jones and The Six”) Danny is conducting for every episode of his podcast.
There are no villains and no heroes here. The emotions are painfully raw and very human. Sometimes people remember the same thing differently and you've got to wonder – is a question of memory, shame, or maybe self-preservation? I observed with delight the romance between Zac and Pea – and it means a lot from me, as I generally cannot stand romance in books. Is a perfect mix of young naïveté, exploring boundaries, discovering the ups and downs of true, but also complicated love, and slowly growing into maturity. Beautiful.
It's so sad, but also meaningful, that one small, simple decision – sometimes made with good intentions, sometimes out of spite and regret, may have the ultimate power to destroy someone's life or reroute it completely. Every person here has a story, and each one is worth listening to. These people are not artificial creations, they are real.
Plus the 90s, my personal youth, so there's also an element of nostalgia here. Overall, a sweet gem and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
My sincere thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and of course Laura Pearson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As of now, I'm Laura Pearson's fan, looking forward to read her other works. I absolutely loved „What Happened That Summer” and connected deeply with all of the protagonists, especially Zak and Pea.
In a nuthshell, there's this performer, AJ Silver, a teenage sensation of the 90s, a number one star. And one day he decides he wants an inclusive stay in a theme park, just him and his crew for a few weeks. His wish comes true with Wildwood, managed by the Hunter family, a business with a lot of history but struggling financially, so not in the position to turn off a hefty sum of money. AJ's visit though turns into tragedy as he dies, just 17 years old, on one of the park's railways.
Fast forward almost thirty years and now enter Danny, with his brand new podcast revisiting the scene of „That Summer” with all of the main players. The book is structured as a series of interviews (think „Daisy Jones and The Six”) Danny is conducting for every episode of his podcast.
There are no villains and no heroes here. The emotions are painfully raw and very human. Sometimes people remember the same thing differently and you've got to wonder – is a question of memory, shame, or maybe self-preservation? I observed with delight the romance between Zac and Pea – and it means a lot from me, as I generally cannot stand romance in books. Is a perfect mix of young naïveté, exploring boundaries, discovering the ups and downs of true, but also complicated love, and slowly growing into maturity. Beautiful.
It's so sad, but also meaningful, that one small, simple decision – sometimes made with good intentions, sometimes out of spite and regret, may have the ultimate power to destroy someone's life or reroute it completely. Every person here has a story, and each one is worth listening to. These people are not artificial creations, they are real.
Plus the 90s, my personal youth, so there's also an element of nostalgia here. Overall, a sweet gem and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
January 11, 2026
Absolutely incredible! Another great one from Laura Pearson
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a high to end my reading year on!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review.
This book came on my radar after recommendation from @bexbookaholic on Instagram. The format wasn't my usual go to style. Written in the style of a podcast. Would it work? Would it flow right and allow me to get immersed? The answers are a resounding "yes" and "yes". I was hooked.
Initially I thought this was a young adult book, which I have found to lack depth, realism and are often idealistic. However the strong characters, depths of emotion, and compelling storylines had me gripped and made me quickly realise that this wasn't a YA book. Yes, the key characters were teenagers at the time the main event took place, but there is so much more there.
Spread across multiple timelines, you see how events shaped the characters lives over the proceeding years; where they ended up and with whom.
I wasn't expecting the ending. I guessed Sebastian was somehow involved but not to the extent that he was.
A gripping read. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review.
This book came on my radar after recommendation from @bexbookaholic on Instagram. The format wasn't my usual go to style. Written in the style of a podcast. Would it work? Would it flow right and allow me to get immersed? The answers are a resounding "yes" and "yes". I was hooked.
Initially I thought this was a young adult book, which I have found to lack depth, realism and are often idealistic. However the strong characters, depths of emotion, and compelling storylines had me gripped and made me quickly realise that this wasn't a YA book. Yes, the key characters were teenagers at the time the main event took place, but there is so much more there.
Spread across multiple timelines, you see how events shaped the characters lives over the proceeding years; where they ended up and with whom.
I wasn't expecting the ending. I guessed Sebastian was somehow involved but not to the extent that he was.
A gripping read. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for granting me ARC access to What Happened That Summer.
I love this format of book, based around a podcast script which examines a cold case from 30 years previously.
This is definitely my favourite book of the year BY A MILE!!! One of those I wish I could go back and read again for the first time. If I didn’t have to go to work I would not have put it down. And the twist at the end!!! Didn’t see it coming at all.
I know I have used way too many exclamation marks in this review but I can’t stop!! An absolute triumph of a novel in every way. 5 stars plus a cherry on top! 🍒
I love this format of book, based around a podcast script which examines a cold case from 30 years previously.
This is definitely my favourite book of the year BY A MILE!!! One of those I wish I could go back and read again for the first time. If I didn’t have to go to work I would not have put it down. And the twist at the end!!! Didn’t see it coming at all.
I know I have used way too many exclamation marks in this review but I can’t stop!! An absolute triumph of a novel in every way. 5 stars plus a cherry on top! 🍒
December 13, 2025
Summer 1996 shocked the world when the biggest pop star of the year tragically died at a theme park in the UK. Mystery has surrounded the actual events until, almost twenty years later, a podcast delves back into the mystery.
Author Laura Pearson is one of those writers who I know is going to deliver something special, something different. What Happened That Summer certainly fits that description. The novel is a little different from the author's more recent novels, featuring a mystery rather than a mystical element.
I loved the style, told as a transcript for a podcast. Although the chapters are long, the fact that it is a transcript makes it easy to put down mid-chapter. However, once you start reading, you are completely engrossed by the storyline and unlikely to want to stop.
Podcaster Danny interviews lots of people involved with the events leading to the death of teen pop star AJ Silver. The main characters are the Hunter family, who own the theme park, and the Campbells, AJ's family. It is interesting getting so many different perspectives, particularly when they contradict each other. It is also obvious that, even twenty years later, some people haven't been entirely honest and open.
This is primarily a romance. You can feel the euphoria of Penelope 'Pea' Hunter and Zak Campbell as their young love blossoms. The setting of early summer in a world without smartphones and emails adds to the heady mix. However, things are not without their complications; jealousy isn't far away. The couple also has to contend with AJ being around. AJ is not a likeable character, he displays all the traits you would expect from a diva. There are sympathetic moments, where you realise that he's had to grow up under the glare of spotlights, constantly in the media's attention, when at heart he's still a child, a child who no one is willing to say no to.
As the narrative weaves its way through the build-up to the arrival of AJ and his entourage, his time at the theme park, and then the accident, I found myself looking for subtle clues, frantically turning the pages, desperate to know what was going to happen. The repercussions have a seismic effect on everyone, with the podcast relating the way in which lives were changed forever. I'd grown to care for the characters I'd read about and was upset by the way some of their lives had been impacted. There's also a mystique hanging over everything, and a bombshell revelation that makes you sit up and question what you've read. The conclusion puts to rest some of the uncertainty that has surrounded AJ Silver's death for twenty years, but still leaves the reader needing to know more.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
Author Laura Pearson is one of those writers who I know is going to deliver something special, something different. What Happened That Summer certainly fits that description. The novel is a little different from the author's more recent novels, featuring a mystery rather than a mystical element.
I loved the style, told as a transcript for a podcast. Although the chapters are long, the fact that it is a transcript makes it easy to put down mid-chapter. However, once you start reading, you are completely engrossed by the storyline and unlikely to want to stop.
Podcaster Danny interviews lots of people involved with the events leading to the death of teen pop star AJ Silver. The main characters are the Hunter family, who own the theme park, and the Campbells, AJ's family. It is interesting getting so many different perspectives, particularly when they contradict each other. It is also obvious that, even twenty years later, some people haven't been entirely honest and open.
This is primarily a romance. You can feel the euphoria of Penelope 'Pea' Hunter and Zak Campbell as their young love blossoms. The setting of early summer in a world without smartphones and emails adds to the heady mix. However, things are not without their complications; jealousy isn't far away. The couple also has to contend with AJ being around. AJ is not a likeable character, he displays all the traits you would expect from a diva. There are sympathetic moments, where you realise that he's had to grow up under the glare of spotlights, constantly in the media's attention, when at heart he's still a child, a child who no one is willing to say no to.
As the narrative weaves its way through the build-up to the arrival of AJ and his entourage, his time at the theme park, and then the accident, I found myself looking for subtle clues, frantically turning the pages, desperate to know what was going to happen. The repercussions have a seismic effect on everyone, with the podcast relating the way in which lives were changed forever. I'd grown to care for the characters I'd read about and was upset by the way some of their lives had been impacted. There's also a mystique hanging over everything, and a bombshell revelation that makes you sit up and question what you've read. The conclusion puts to rest some of the uncertainty that has surrounded AJ Silver's death for twenty years, but still leaves the reader needing to know more.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What Happened That Summer by Laura Pearson is a departure from her usual style but one I really enjoyed. Written in an epistolary style as a series of podcast transcripts the book tells the story of a fateful summer when AJ Silver, one of the most famous teenage pop stars in the world died in a tragic accident at a small family run theme park in the UK. With the conceit of having a host interview them we are quickly introduced to the key characters, the family who owned the park, the family of the now deceased star and several employees of the park. As the story unfolds we learn that there may have been more to the accident than meets the eye and that several people had possible motives for wanting to hurt AJ.
This was an incredibly absorbing story, the format made it a very fast read as it was largely dialogue. The author did an excellent job of giving the characters distinctive voices too and I imagine it would work exceptionally well in audio format. I also appreciated that we got to see the characters through each other's eyes and how differently the characters remembered the same events. Speaking of characters while there is obviously the mystery of what happened that day I would describe this as a character driven story . There is a really sweet and charming romance between Pea, the daughter of the park owners and Zac, AJ's older brother and like many of the fictional podcast listeners I was rooting for their happiness. The book does not shy away from darker topics including alcoholism and seeing the journey that character went on was very moving. As someone who was a teen in the nineties the nostalgia was everywhere from the music to the outfits, it took me back in the best way.
This is a book that combines wonderful characters with compelling storytelling and I highly recommend it.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the, all opinions are my own.
This was an incredibly absorbing story, the format made it a very fast read as it was largely dialogue. The author did an excellent job of giving the characters distinctive voices too and I imagine it would work exceptionally well in audio format. I also appreciated that we got to see the characters through each other's eyes and how differently the characters remembered the same events. Speaking of characters while there is obviously the mystery of what happened that day I would describe this as a character driven story . There is a really sweet and charming romance between Pea, the daughter of the park owners and Zac, AJ's older brother and like many of the fictional podcast listeners I was rooting for their happiness. The book does not shy away from darker topics including alcoholism and seeing the journey that character went on was very moving. As someone who was a teen in the nineties the nostalgia was everywhere from the music to the outfits, it took me back in the best way.
This is a book that combines wonderful characters with compelling storytelling and I highly recommend it.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the, all opinions are my own.
January 12, 2026
Danny Drake is a journalist and host of investigative podcast ‘What Happened That Summer,’ an investigative series into the death of pop star -AJ Silver, killed in a rollercoaster accident in the summer of 1996.
AJ visits Wildworld theme park in Birmingham. Him and his entourage hire out the whole park whilst he is on tour in the UK, visiting from America. He is a jumped up, big headed young teenage pop star and I did not take to his character at all! Beyond arrogant at times, he was just plain rude and clearly overindulged due to his fame. This was well written and really conveyed how mega worldwide fame at such a young age can really twist someone’s character due to the pressures that come with infamy!
AJ’s big Brother Zak visits with him and has a much nicer, warmer personality and I loved his relationship with Pea Hunter. He tries to keep his brother on the straight and narrow and at times you can feel his frustration with his brother’s ‘brat ish’ behaviour.
There are numerous potential suspects that all have an axe to grind with AJ and the reader is kept wondering right up until the moment everything is revealed.
The narrative in the podcast interview format means readers are told multiple accounts from different people, each person with their own version of what they remembered from the summer of 1996. It was fresh and engaging and helped keep my attention focused throughout. I did not see the ending coming at all and loved it, what a superb twist!
If you enjoyed Holly Jackson’s ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ books with the cold case investigative style and the writing style/ format of ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’ then you will absolutely enjoy this book and I would recommend you read it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to @boldwoodbooks for the @netgalley approved copy. This review is my honest review and contains my own opinions on the book.
AJ visits Wildworld theme park in Birmingham. Him and his entourage hire out the whole park whilst he is on tour in the UK, visiting from America. He is a jumped up, big headed young teenage pop star and I did not take to his character at all! Beyond arrogant at times, he was just plain rude and clearly overindulged due to his fame. This was well written and really conveyed how mega worldwide fame at such a young age can really twist someone’s character due to the pressures that come with infamy!
AJ’s big Brother Zak visits with him and has a much nicer, warmer personality and I loved his relationship with Pea Hunter. He tries to keep his brother on the straight and narrow and at times you can feel his frustration with his brother’s ‘brat ish’ behaviour.
There are numerous potential suspects that all have an axe to grind with AJ and the reader is kept wondering right up until the moment everything is revealed.
The narrative in the podcast interview format means readers are told multiple accounts from different people, each person with their own version of what they remembered from the summer of 1996. It was fresh and engaging and helped keep my attention focused throughout. I did not see the ending coming at all and loved it, what a superb twist!
If you enjoyed Holly Jackson’s ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ books with the cold case investigative style and the writing style/ format of ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’ then you will absolutely enjoy this book and I would recommend you read it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to @boldwoodbooks for the @netgalley approved copy. This review is my honest review and contains my own opinions on the book.
December 5, 2025
I know that anything written by Laura Pearson will be brilliant and this is no exception. It’s very different to her previous books but just as fabulous!
20 years ago, young American pop star, AJ Silver, died on a rollercoaster at Wildworld, a small family owned amusement park in the UK.
The story is told as a podcast; eight chapters, eight episodes, and it drew me in immediately, in fact, I devoured it in one sitting.
Hearing from almost everybody who was involved the day that AJ died and in the run-up to the accident, reminded me of a line from one of my favourite musicals, “everyone remembers it how they need to”. Because with any event, people will always have their own version to tell; some will see it differently to others and some will alter their perception in their own mind to suit themselves, especially if they harbour some guilt about what happened.
The impact of AJ‘s death was far reaching and it was gripping and emotional to read about the devastating implications for his own family and for the family that owned Wildworld, with the knock on effects lasting for many many years and in ways I never would have imagined, yet it was completely believable and relatable - the writing is off the scale brilliant and totally immersive.
The characters were incredibly well developed, which I imagine wasn’t easy to do within the confines of a podcast, but it worked so well and I found myself just as addicted to the podcast as all of the other listeners. So what really happened that day? Was it an accident, or was there more at play? I’m so glad that I didn’t have to wait a week in between episodes to find out!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Laura Pearson and Boldwood for an ARC of this book.
20 years ago, young American pop star, AJ Silver, died on a rollercoaster at Wildworld, a small family owned amusement park in the UK.
The story is told as a podcast; eight chapters, eight episodes, and it drew me in immediately, in fact, I devoured it in one sitting.
Hearing from almost everybody who was involved the day that AJ died and in the run-up to the accident, reminded me of a line from one of my favourite musicals, “everyone remembers it how they need to”. Because with any event, people will always have their own version to tell; some will see it differently to others and some will alter their perception in their own mind to suit themselves, especially if they harbour some guilt about what happened.
The impact of AJ‘s death was far reaching and it was gripping and emotional to read about the devastating implications for his own family and for the family that owned Wildworld, with the knock on effects lasting for many many years and in ways I never would have imagined, yet it was completely believable and relatable - the writing is off the scale brilliant and totally immersive.
The characters were incredibly well developed, which I imagine wasn’t easy to do within the confines of a podcast, but it worked so well and I found myself just as addicted to the podcast as all of the other listeners. So what really happened that day? Was it an accident, or was there more at play? I’m so glad that I didn’t have to wait a week in between episodes to find out!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Laura Pearson and Boldwood for an ARC of this book.
January 27, 2026
Whilst I’ve read a few books with a similar structure of using podcast type entries to control the narrative it’s not usually something which piques my interest however, I’d heard good things about this one on social media so thought I’d give it a try. It takes a bit of getting used to but once I had the characters firmly fixed in my mind I started to enjoy the way the story pulled together and so became keen to discover just what happened that summer when American teen pop sensation AJ Silver suffered a fatal accident on a rollercoaster at the family run theme park known as Wildworld.
After new information comes to light and set twenty seven years after AJ’s death, and spread over eight imagined podcasts, the story introduces us to all the main characters who were involved and we get to hear, through their own words, their sometimes different, and sometimes similar, interpretations of what happened in the lead up to AJ’s visit and of his tragically brief time at the theme park. Wildworld, very much a character in its own right, reminded me of a local theme park, which began to fall on hard times in the nineteen-nineties, so I had a picture in mind, especially of the rides and AJ’s fascination for loop rollercoasters. Cleverly written, there are several unexpected twists in the tale, all of which kept me guessing, and which help to give a very different slant on events as they unfolded during that brief but intense summer of 1996.
What Happened that Summer turned out to be a really enjoyable read over the space of a couple of afternoons. I became fully immersed in the written podcast idea and enjoyed how they were set up with enough information without getting too bogged down in unnecessary detail.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🎢A tragic tale unfolding in podcasts🎙
4-4.5🌟 stars
The format of this story, eight chapters, each a podcast, suited the plot, but it was not what I was expecting in a Laura Pearson novel. That's not to say I was disappointed, just intrigued, by this new twist in the author's style. I felt the format, especially when each podcast consists of an interview with numerous people, made the story a bit choppy. But it also kept raising the suspense level as the podcasts first introduced the ten main characters and the events that then led to the actual seminal 1996 incident that changed all of the characters' lives, ending with a glimpse into the aftermath. And, wait for it, there's a huge twist at the end.
The strongest part of the narrative for me was learning how the incident at the amusement park actually affected everyone afterwards. Especially Pea and her father, the owner of the park so desperate to keep it going as his family's legacy. Human frailty and bad decision-making, the ugly side of too much fame and adulation at too young an age, the disintegration of marriages and the birth and sad end of a budding teen romance all meshed together for a good story. The prose is quite direct, conversational (well, it is in podcast form), and led to a quick read.
This story did not rend my heartstrings like some of Pearson's previous works but it did get me emotionally swept up in the fate of the two families at its center. I can't wait to see what the author tackles next!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4-4.5🌟 stars
The format of this story, eight chapters, each a podcast, suited the plot, but it was not what I was expecting in a Laura Pearson novel. That's not to say I was disappointed, just intrigued, by this new twist in the author's style. I felt the format, especially when each podcast consists of an interview with numerous people, made the story a bit choppy. But it also kept raising the suspense level as the podcasts first introduced the ten main characters and the events that then led to the actual seminal 1996 incident that changed all of the characters' lives, ending with a glimpse into the aftermath. And, wait for it, there's a huge twist at the end.
The strongest part of the narrative for me was learning how the incident at the amusement park actually affected everyone afterwards. Especially Pea and her father, the owner of the park so desperate to keep it going as his family's legacy. Human frailty and bad decision-making, the ugly side of too much fame and adulation at too young an age, the disintegration of marriages and the birth and sad end of a budding teen romance all meshed together for a good story. The prose is quite direct, conversational (well, it is in podcast form), and led to a quick read.
This story did not rend my heartstrings like some of Pearson's previous works but it did get me emotionally swept up in the fate of the two families at its center. I can't wait to see what the author tackles next!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
November 29, 2025
❤️ Blurb -
You think you know what happened that day… But what if you’re wrong?
Everyone remembers where they were when they heard that AJ Silver had died. In summer 1996, there was no avoiding the story that America's biggest teen pop sensation had plunged to his death on a rollercoaster at a family-run amusement park in rural England.
Now, 27 years have passed, and – even if you’re too young to remember the event – you’ve probably heard AJ Silver's songs topping the charts again. So what better time to take a forensic look at what happened that summer?
I’ve spent hundreds of hours interviewing everyone who was there that fateful day: workers, friends, family… the people who gained from his death, and the people who lost everything.
But you’re going to want to pay attention. Because I’ve found out a secret. One you’re all going to want to know… Perhaps it wasn’t such an accident after all?
💜 Review -
Having not read anything by the author before, I was drawn in by the blurb and I knew that I had to give it a read. The novel was only 8 chapters, but they were long, which I found a bit overwhelming. But they were set out like a pod cast interview, which made for an interesting read. I found the story easy to follow and had good pacing with a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💙 Release date -3rd January.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author Laura Pearson for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
You think you know what happened that day… But what if you’re wrong?
Everyone remembers where they were when they heard that AJ Silver had died. In summer 1996, there was no avoiding the story that America's biggest teen pop sensation had plunged to his death on a rollercoaster at a family-run amusement park in rural England.
Now, 27 years have passed, and – even if you’re too young to remember the event – you’ve probably heard AJ Silver's songs topping the charts again. So what better time to take a forensic look at what happened that summer?
I’ve spent hundreds of hours interviewing everyone who was there that fateful day: workers, friends, family… the people who gained from his death, and the people who lost everything.
But you’re going to want to pay attention. Because I’ve found out a secret. One you’re all going to want to know… Perhaps it wasn’t such an accident after all?
💜 Review -
Having not read anything by the author before, I was drawn in by the blurb and I knew that I had to give it a read. The novel was only 8 chapters, but they were long, which I found a bit overwhelming. But they were set out like a pod cast interview, which made for an interesting read. I found the story easy to follow and had good pacing with a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💙 Release date -3rd January.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author Laura Pearson for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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