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Burning Summer
Eleanor & Park meets The Summer I Turned Pretty meets Stand By Me.
High school friends discover growing up isn't all child's play in this coming-of-age trilogy set in 1970s small-town America.
Burning How do you hold on to love when everything around you is burning?
Cole and Tiffany are in love, but their world is unraveling—caught in the crossfire of a scandal that’s tearing their families apart.
Praise for Chris Poore's
“With prose that pops like gravel against the wheel wells of a pickup, Chris Poore harnesses nostalgia without blunting the pain of youth's abrupt end. This world feels as real as the town right outside my window.” —Chris Harding Thornton, Pickard County Atlas
“Totally raw and unfiltered, Chris Poore pulls no punches with this one!” —Amazon review
“I could not put this book down. I read it in a weekend!” —Amazon review
Back Cover
How do you hold on to love when everything around you is burning?
It’s the summer of ’77 and everything is about to ignite. Cole Walker and Tiffany Whitford are in love, but their world is unraveling—caught in the crossfire of a scandal that’s tearing their families apart.
Tiffany’s father stands accused. Cole’s father holds the badge. And Cole and Tiffany will face a truth–and a decision–that could change both of their lives forever.
As another Fourth of July approaches in Cottonwood, Nebraska, loyalties are tested, hearts are pushed to the breaking point, and to save their love, Cole and Tiffany will have to hold on through the fire.
For fans of Eleanor & Park, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Stand by Me, Burning Summer is a haunting coming-of-age story of love and loyalty under siege—when the people you trust most have the power to break you.
Grab your copy of Burning Summer today. The fireworks are about to begin.
Burning Summer is vol 2 of The Cottonwood Chronicles series, a sweeping coming-of-age historical trilogy set in a time before cell phones, social media, and the internet—when summer meant freedom, friendship meant everything, and growing up meant learning hard lessons as childhood is swept away.
In the small town of Cottonwood, Nebraska, friends come of age over consecutive Fourth of July holidays, where fireworks in the sky echo the turmoil in their hearts. On the precipice of adulthood, they must face life-or-death decisions about who they want to be and what they’re willing to leave behind.
Poignant, nostalgic, and emotionally honest, the series captures the thrill, ache, and magic of growing up in a forgotten time.
Bicentennial Summer , vol. 1, is available now on Amazon.
Bye, Bye Summer , vol. 3, will publish late 2026.
About the
Chris Poore has been telling stories in one form or another his entire life. It just took a global pandemic to finally get him to put them down on paper. A dinner conversation at the height of Covid lit the spark, and Chris quickly wrote several award-winning screenplays.
Next, he set his sights on his first novel.
High school friends discover growing up isn't all child's play in this coming-of-age trilogy set in 1970s small-town America.
Burning How do you hold on to love when everything around you is burning?
Cole and Tiffany are in love, but their world is unraveling—caught in the crossfire of a scandal that’s tearing their families apart.
Praise for Chris Poore's
“With prose that pops like gravel against the wheel wells of a pickup, Chris Poore harnesses nostalgia without blunting the pain of youth's abrupt end. This world feels as real as the town right outside my window.” —Chris Harding Thornton, Pickard County Atlas
“Totally raw and unfiltered, Chris Poore pulls no punches with this one!” —Amazon review
“I could not put this book down. I read it in a weekend!” —Amazon review
Back Cover
How do you hold on to love when everything around you is burning?
It’s the summer of ’77 and everything is about to ignite. Cole Walker and Tiffany Whitford are in love, but their world is unraveling—caught in the crossfire of a scandal that’s tearing their families apart.
Tiffany’s father stands accused. Cole’s father holds the badge. And Cole and Tiffany will face a truth–and a decision–that could change both of their lives forever.
As another Fourth of July approaches in Cottonwood, Nebraska, loyalties are tested, hearts are pushed to the breaking point, and to save their love, Cole and Tiffany will have to hold on through the fire.
For fans of Eleanor & Park, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Stand by Me, Burning Summer is a haunting coming-of-age story of love and loyalty under siege—when the people you trust most have the power to break you.
Grab your copy of Burning Summer today. The fireworks are about to begin.
Burning Summer is vol 2 of The Cottonwood Chronicles series, a sweeping coming-of-age historical trilogy set in a time before cell phones, social media, and the internet—when summer meant freedom, friendship meant everything, and growing up meant learning hard lessons as childhood is swept away.
In the small town of Cottonwood, Nebraska, friends come of age over consecutive Fourth of July holidays, where fireworks in the sky echo the turmoil in their hearts. On the precipice of adulthood, they must face life-or-death decisions about who they want to be and what they’re willing to leave behind.
Poignant, nostalgic, and emotionally honest, the series captures the thrill, ache, and magic of growing up in a forgotten time.
Bicentennial Summer , vol. 1, is available now on Amazon.
Bye, Bye Summer , vol. 3, will publish late 2026.
About the
Chris Poore has been telling stories in one form or another his entire life. It just took a global pandemic to finally get him to put them down on paper. A dinner conversation at the height of Covid lit the spark, and Chris quickly wrote several award-winning screenplays.
Next, he set his sights on his first novel.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2025
1 person want to read
About the author
Chris Poore
2 books6 followersChris Poore has been telling stories in one form or another his entire life—it just took a global pandemic to finally get him to write them down. What began as a dinner conversation during lockdown sparked a creative fire that led to several award-winning screenplays and, eventually, his debut novel.
Bicentennial Summer (2024), launched The Cottonwood Chronicles, a coming-of-age trilogy set in small-town America during the late 1970s. The series follows two friends as they navigate growing up, growing apart, and finding their place in a rapidly changing world. Burning Summer (2025), and Bye, Bye Summer (2026) complete the trilogy.
Before turning to fiction, Chris built an eclectic career as a journalist, entrepreneur, and technology leader. He lives just outside Omaha, Nebraska, with his wife, Sue, their two adult children, and a pair of cuddly rescue dogs.
Bicentennial Summer (2024), launched The Cottonwood Chronicles, a coming-of-age trilogy set in small-town America during the late 1970s. The series follows two friends as they navigate growing up, growing apart, and finding their place in a rapidly changing world. Burning Summer (2025), and Bye, Bye Summer (2026) complete the trilogy.
Before turning to fiction, Chris built an eclectic career as a journalist, entrepreneur, and technology leader. He lives just outside Omaha, Nebraska, with his wife, Sue, their two adult children, and a pair of cuddly rescue dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 15, 2025
The growth and journey continues for the young adults in a small town in Nebraska where it seems the majority of the children are more responsible than the adults. The drama that started in “Bicentennial Summer” comes to head as someone is arrested and loyalties are tested.
Thank you to the author, Chris Poore, for my ARC copy of this coming of age novel that teaches us that standing up for your beliefs is more important than anything money can buy.
Thank you to the author, Chris Poore, for my ARC copy of this coming of age novel that teaches us that standing up for your beliefs is more important than anything money can buy.
October 24, 2025
“Burning Summer” by Chris Poore is an intimate look at life for a teen in a small Nebraska town in the 1970s. Cole is a young man facing his senior hear in high school. Thrust into the drama of a small town upcoming trial, he must balance his love for Tiffany, conflict from her family, and his plans for life after graduation. What will he do? How will he handle this? You’ll let dinner get cold reading the next page, and the next, to see what happens. I loved Centennial Summer, the prequel, and can’t wait for the third of this trilogy to come out.”
“Burning Summer” by Chris Poore is an intimate look at life for a teen in a small Nebraska town in the 1970s. Cole is a young man facing his senior year in high school. Thrust into the drama of a small town upcoming trial, he must balance his love for Tiffany, conflict from her family, and his plans for life after graduation. What will he do? How will he handle this? You’ll let dinner get cold reading the next page, and the next, to see what happens. I loved Centennial Summer, the prequel, and can’t wait for the third of this trilogy to come out.”
“Burning Summer” by Chris Poore is an intimate look at life for a teen in a small Nebraska town in the 1970s. Cole is a young man facing his senior year in high school. Thrust into the drama of a small town upcoming trial, he must balance his love for Tiffany, conflict from her family, and his plans for life after graduation. What will he do? How will he handle this? You’ll let dinner get cold reading the next page, and the next, to see what happens. I loved Centennial Summer, the prequel, and can’t wait for the third of this trilogy to come out.”
October 7, 2025
I wasn’t completely sure what I was getting into when I started reading this book. But I felt like I needed to take a break from my usual genres and I am so glad I decided to read this book.
Completely different to what I am used to reading but in such an eye opening way.
Set in the 1970s in America the story portrays how life used to be in them days.
The characters all included had their own way of dealing with problems or trying to hide from them. Cole and Tanner have grown up together but since the loss of his dad Tanner has struggled to be the ‘man’ of the house and provide for his mother and two younger siblings. Cole on the other hand seems to have his life all in order at the start……:until things start going wrong for everyone in cottonwood.
The realist ideas in this book are great and I was not expecting the ending….. I need book 3 as soon as possible please. I need to know what happens!!
Completely different to what I am used to reading but in such an eye opening way.
Set in the 1970s in America the story portrays how life used to be in them days.
The characters all included had their own way of dealing with problems or trying to hide from them. Cole and Tanner have grown up together but since the loss of his dad Tanner has struggled to be the ‘man’ of the house and provide for his mother and two younger siblings. Cole on the other hand seems to have his life all in order at the start……:until things start going wrong for everyone in cottonwood.
The realist ideas in this book are great and I was not expecting the ending….. I need book 3 as soon as possible please. I need to know what happens!!
October 6, 2025
This is the book 2 continuation of book 1 “Bicentennial Summer” by Chris Poore. Really liked the tension between the two main characters’ families as well as secondary characters who have family problems of their own. It’s a well-drawn historical fiction/coming-of-age novel for anyone who enjoys stories about the 70’s in America’s heartland. As with book 1, the small town details rang true, the slang of the times was totally accurate, the story believable. Enjoyable autumn reading.
I appreciate the privilege of reviewing this ARC I received from the author. Looking forward to the next story in this series. Congrats to the author on the launch of this novel!
I appreciate the privilege of reviewing this ARC I received from the author. Looking forward to the next story in this series. Congrats to the author on the launch of this novel!
October 26, 2025
Awesome continuation of the Cottonwood Chronicles! I've never read a book that immerses me so completely into its setting (70s small Midwest town, summer.) Chris Poore sprinkles in rich details, including what's playing on the radio at the time. Pulls me right into the scene with Cole, Tiffany and the rest of the bunch.
Note - I received a free Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book.
Note - I received a free Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book.
April 19, 2026
Loved this book
So good. Can,t wait for the next book.these books draw you in and you become part of thestory. What will happen and how will it all turn out.
So good. Can,t wait for the next book.these books draw you in and you become part of thestory. What will happen and how will it all turn out.
January 1, 2026
Burning Summer (Book 2 of The Cottonwood Chronicles) is a vivid and emotionally honest portrayal of small-town Nebraska in the 1970s. Chris Poore gets the setting just right—the details, the atmosphere, the people, and the community concerns.
Though the story follows a group of high school friends and has the shape of a coming-of-age novel, it doesn’t sugarcoat things. Chris Poore captures teen angst and the intensity of teen friendships with honesty. He shows how family stress, adult decisions, and the weight of “grown-up concerns” can deeply affect teenagers—especially those on the edge of adulthood. Even good kids from good families aren’t immune, and Poore handles that reality with care.
While the characters are resilient, and the story is generally upbeat in a way that is realistic, the reader understands through Poore’s storytelling that growing up isn’t always simple, even in a small town.
My own teenage years were different from the ones in this story, but I recognize the truth in what’s portrayed. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone looking for a story that’s heartfelt, honest, and grounded in the real challenges of adolescence. It’s a thoughtful read for anyone who appreciates character-driven fiction, small-town settings, or coming-of-age stories that don’t shy away from complexity.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Though the story follows a group of high school friends and has the shape of a coming-of-age novel, it doesn’t sugarcoat things. Chris Poore captures teen angst and the intensity of teen friendships with honesty. He shows how family stress, adult decisions, and the weight of “grown-up concerns” can deeply affect teenagers—especially those on the edge of adulthood. Even good kids from good families aren’t immune, and Poore handles that reality with care.
While the characters are resilient, and the story is generally upbeat in a way that is realistic, the reader understands through Poore’s storytelling that growing up isn’t always simple, even in a small town.
My own teenage years were different from the ones in this story, but I recognize the truth in what’s portrayed. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone looking for a story that’s heartfelt, honest, and grounded in the real challenges of adolescence. It’s a thoughtful read for anyone who appreciates character-driven fiction, small-town settings, or coming-of-age stories that don’t shy away from complexity.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2026
I took a much needed break from the back-to-back fantasy and romance stories I have been delving into lately to take a bite out of this historic fiction novel. And I will tell you, this book is a pure slice of Americana, along with the golden gleam of Innocence just slowly starting to tarnish off as these kids grow up and are forced to face just exactly what it means to grow up and face the responsibilities and changes that come with it.
Cole and Tanner's relationship is truly tested as Cole takes on the role of landlord and boss while still trying to manage that balance of friendship. At the same time Cole is set to testify against his Girlfriend Tiffany 's father Jim Whitford and Sheriff Craig Harlow after their shady business dealings are brought to light after the events of the first book.
Tiffany's character was definitely the stand out for me in this one. I felt like we really watched her mature and take a big step in her future direction with this story and I'm excited to see how this change in her life takes shape as the story continues in the third book.
I really enjoyed this book and was instantly invested in everything happening. I'm really looking forward to more in the last book in the Cottonwood Chronicles.
Cole and Tanner's relationship is truly tested as Cole takes on the role of landlord and boss while still trying to manage that balance of friendship. At the same time Cole is set to testify against his Girlfriend Tiffany 's father Jim Whitford and Sheriff Craig Harlow after their shady business dealings are brought to light after the events of the first book.
Tiffany's character was definitely the stand out for me in this one. I felt like we really watched her mature and take a big step in her future direction with this story and I'm excited to see how this change in her life takes shape as the story continues in the third book.
I really enjoyed this book and was instantly invested in everything happening. I'm really looking forward to more in the last book in the Cottonwood Chronicles.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews