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Shadows of Summer
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26What if your dreams weren’t dreams at all?
19-year-old Sadie Anderson planned one last trip with her mother to a luxury mountain resort before college. But everything shatters when the shadows start following her—ones only she can see. And her dreams—no, nightmares—are becoming too real. Especially the one with him. The mysterious guy who shouldn’t exist, yet does. Through him, she glimpses a world stitched between sleep and a gateway to a realm called Soul’s Haven.
August Clarke lives by one don’t get attached. It’s how he’s survived decades as a demon, ferrying souls for Death while posing as an ordinary college student. It’s routine. Predictable. Safe. Until her. The girl from his dreams. The one who shouldn’t be his problem. He should walk away, but once he’s intrigued, he never backs down, and Sadie is becoming impossible to resist.
Together, they must discover why Sadie’s soul is different and why their connection feels like something long forgotten. But with darkness closing in and time running out, one question
Can they uncover the truth in time, or will the shadows claim it all?
19-year-old Sadie Anderson planned one last trip with her mother to a luxury mountain resort before college. But everything shatters when the shadows start following her—ones only she can see. And her dreams—no, nightmares—are becoming too real. Especially the one with him. The mysterious guy who shouldn’t exist, yet does. Through him, she glimpses a world stitched between sleep and a gateway to a realm called Soul’s Haven.
August Clarke lives by one don’t get attached. It’s how he’s survived decades as a demon, ferrying souls for Death while posing as an ordinary college student. It’s routine. Predictable. Safe. Until her. The girl from his dreams. The one who shouldn’t be his problem. He should walk away, but once he’s intrigued, he never backs down, and Sadie is becoming impossible to resist.
Together, they must discover why Sadie’s soul is different and why their connection feels like something long forgotten. But with darkness closing in and time running out, one question
Can they uncover the truth in time, or will the shadows claim it all?
421 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 2, 2026
About the author
S.L. Zeidan
2 books2 followersI was born and raised in Georgia, where I write emotionally unhinged fiction between chasing toddlers and blasting mood playlists.
I spent a decade in my local parks and rec department—basically Leslie from Parks & Rec, but with April’s sarcasm—which taught me to organize everything… except my own plotlines.
Drawn to all things spooky and twisted fairytales, I started two stories on the same coin: the dark and haunting Shadows of Summer and its satirical, whimsical roast, Inkbound.
When I’m not reading, writing, or drinking enough caffeine to wake the dead.
I spent a decade in my local parks and rec department—basically Leslie from Parks & Rec, but with April’s sarcasm—which taught me to organize everything… except my own plotlines.
Drawn to all things spooky and twisted fairytales, I started two stories on the same coin: the dark and haunting Shadows of Summer and its satirical, whimsical roast, Inkbound.
When I’m not reading, writing, or drinking enough caffeine to wake the dead.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’ve ever wanted to read a book that would make you feel like you’re watching an early 2000s gothic horror—the kind that was more about atmosphere and psychological thrills and creepy vibes—then you’re gonna wanna get your hands on SHADOWS OF SUMMER.
It’s been some time since I’ve written a review, so I’m a little rusty, but this one deserves it. Let’s start off with our setting:
An eerie haunted hotel with shadows in every corner and a heck-ton of dark secrets. Does it get better than that? I’ll tell you: no.
First we’ve got our FMC, Sadie Anderson. Sadie is soft, relatable, and kind. The first line that made me vibe with her was:
Then I realize I am staring at a stranger like a complete weirdo, so I whip around and pretend to be normal.
I saw so much of myself in Sadie. As a teenager, she desperately wants to fit in. To have friends.
She said ripped jeans were tacky, so I threw mine out, even though they were my favorite.
(I definitely don’t have a story about being 13 and plucking my eyebrows to pencil lines because my “friend” thought they looked bad).
She’s also flawed, and due to her negative image of herself, tends to view others through a lens that's slightly distorted. When she meets a new friend, Rachel, she latches on quickly. Rachel is fun and outgoing and exactly what Sadie needed. She doesn't judge. She knows what it's like to wear a mask.
Rachel in a nutshell: "Good. I hate doing dumb things alone."
She's the kind of friend who gets the shovel first, asks questions later.
Iykyk
Sadie has been through a lot. To the point she’s almost gotten used to the pain. And then she meets August.
And somehow, my body relaxes, like it’s finally remembering what it’s like to not be in flight mode.
Sadie in a nutshell:
August is sarcastic and closed-off emotionally. He gives some of the best one-liners. He is charisma and a touch of bizarre whimsy in a snarky, golden-eyed package.
To dreams…and other delightful absurdities.
But he’s more than that, too.
Most lyrics remind me of feelings I prefer to ignore.
August, basically:
And also maybe:
And finally we have Eden, a badass who pretends she doesn’t have feelings. Or worries she doesn’t. She’s also a bit of a snob, and S.L. Zeidan does a great job of casually and consistently reminding us of that.
You don’t get to fall apart now.
Eden is also relatable in that she judges herself harshly while also not considering herself. She comes across as having not a care in the world, but there’s a fight going on inside of her.
I can be angry and be good.
Eden, basically:
Each character has many facets and hidden depths, and enough flaws to feel real.
This book will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and possibly freak you out a little. And it will make your job drop. Whenever you think you’ve discovered all the twists—yeah, nope. There’s more. The clues and hints are woven in with perfect subtlety that keeps you turning the pages and making guesses. The settings, the atmosphere, the spookiness, the ghosts, the unknown, the doors. This story will give you one seriously haunted summer.
Not to mention it has some of the coolest, creepiest, most creative imagery ever:
Still, the piano plays me, wringing sound from whatever remains of my hands.
This story asks us:
What is justice? Where is the line?
I don't know. You'll have to read it to find out.
It’s been some time since I’ve written a review, so I’m a little rusty, but this one deserves it. Let’s start off with our setting:
An eerie haunted hotel with shadows in every corner and a heck-ton of dark secrets. Does it get better than that? I’ll tell you: no.
First we’ve got our FMC, Sadie Anderson. Sadie is soft, relatable, and kind. The first line that made me vibe with her was:
Then I realize I am staring at a stranger like a complete weirdo, so I whip around and pretend to be normal.
I saw so much of myself in Sadie. As a teenager, she desperately wants to fit in. To have friends.
She said ripped jeans were tacky, so I threw mine out, even though they were my favorite.
(I definitely don’t have a story about being 13 and plucking my eyebrows to pencil lines because my “friend” thought they looked bad).
She’s also flawed, and due to her negative image of herself, tends to view others through a lens that's slightly distorted. When she meets a new friend, Rachel, she latches on quickly. Rachel is fun and outgoing and exactly what Sadie needed. She doesn't judge. She knows what it's like to wear a mask.
Rachel in a nutshell: "Good. I hate doing dumb things alone."
She's the kind of friend who gets the shovel first, asks questions later.
Iykyk
Sadie has been through a lot. To the point she’s almost gotten used to the pain. And then she meets August.
And somehow, my body relaxes, like it’s finally remembering what it’s like to not be in flight mode.
Sadie in a nutshell:
August is sarcastic and closed-off emotionally. He gives some of the best one-liners. He is charisma and a touch of bizarre whimsy in a snarky, golden-eyed package.
To dreams…and other delightful absurdities.
But he’s more than that, too.
Most lyrics remind me of feelings I prefer to ignore.
August, basically:
And also maybe:
And finally we have Eden, a badass who pretends she doesn’t have feelings. Or worries she doesn’t. She’s also a bit of a snob, and S.L. Zeidan does a great job of casually and consistently reminding us of that.
You don’t get to fall apart now.
Eden is also relatable in that she judges herself harshly while also not considering herself. She comes across as having not a care in the world, but there’s a fight going on inside of her.
I can be angry and be good.
Eden, basically:
Each character has many facets and hidden depths, and enough flaws to feel real.
This book will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and possibly freak you out a little. And it will make your job drop. Whenever you think you’ve discovered all the twists—yeah, nope. There’s more. The clues and hints are woven in with perfect subtlety that keeps you turning the pages and making guesses. The settings, the atmosphere, the spookiness, the ghosts, the unknown, the doors. This story will give you one seriously haunted summer.
Not to mention it has some of the coolest, creepiest, most creative imagery ever:
Still, the piano plays me, wringing sound from whatever remains of my hands.
This story asks us:
What is justice? Where is the line?
I don't know. You'll have to read it to find out.
Read
April 26, 2026*Review of advance copy received from Author
To say Shadows of Summer was an emotional rollercoaster with twists and turns would be a bit of an understatement. I was immediately hooked right from the beginning and I enjoyed the different perspectives of the FMC and the MMC. And speaking of the FMC she might just be one of the most relatable characters I've ever come across. The ending left me wanting.. no.. needing more. This book does cover some heavy topics (alcohol abuse being the main one) which are mentioned in the trigger warnings at the beginning. If I had to choose a key takeaway from this book it would be the importance of staying true to one's self and not letting the darkness take over.
To say Shadows of Summer was an emotional rollercoaster with twists and turns would be a bit of an understatement. I was immediately hooked right from the beginning and I enjoyed the different perspectives of the FMC and the MMC. And speaking of the FMC she might just be one of the most relatable characters I've ever come across. The ending left me wanting.. no.. needing more. This book does cover some heavy topics (alcohol abuse being the main one) which are mentioned in the trigger warnings at the beginning. If I had to choose a key takeaway from this book it would be the importance of staying true to one's self and not letting the darkness take over.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omgoodness......this book surprised me in the best ways! It's not my usual genre, but this story had me hooked from the start 💜 there's a soft and kind FMC, a funny and sarcastic MMC, and a chaotic best friend. It's incredibly atmospheric (haunted hotel, possessed typewriter), and the twists will keep you guessing! If you're looking for a YA horror / paranormal romance with characters who will steal into your heart and take up permanent residence there, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Shadows of Summer 💜👻✨️
September 5, 2025
I love this book and cannot wait for it to be published so I can have it on my physical bookshelf. I was an Alpha reader for Souls Haven and gave some input on a few things, however, the plot of this story kept my attention, and I hated to put it down. When I did, I couldn't wait to get home and pick it right back up again. This is a very interesting book that is unlike others, I highly recommend!!!
September 7, 2025
This book was so amazing! S.L. Zeidan truly is a genius author! Sadie has become my fictional best friend through her travels. I was one of the beta readers for this book and I cannot wait for S.L. Zeidan to be able to share all of her hard work with you all! The plot is so engaging, you'll be left wanting more!
May 12, 2026
ARC REVIEW
I absolutely loved this book! Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen a new twist would emerge! I ate this up! I can’t wait for it to be published so I can own a physical copy!
I absolutely loved this book! Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen a new twist would emerge! I ate this up! I can’t wait for it to be published so I can own a physical copy!
May 6, 2026
such a fun YA gothic, paranormal horror book with spectacular characters that had my whole heart! will be making my full review shortly
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews