Summer of Love

by Kerri Maher

In this moving novel about the transformative power of storytelling, three women make life-changing decisions set in motion by the 1967 Summer of Love in San Francisco, shaping the legacy of their family’s Napa Valley winery forever, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Paris Bookseller .

1967: Concerts, hippies, and war protests define the counter-culture revolution that flourishes during the Summer of Love in San Francisco. No one is more into the messages of love and peace than Winnie Hartley, who has just graduated from UC Berkeley determined to make it as a poet. When she reconnects with her high school boyfriend Lincoln Salyer, it feels like her life is finally everything she wants it to be. Meanwhile, her sister Miranda throws herself into running the family business, Hartley Vineyard, determined to make California wine that rivals French. Little do the sisters know that the choices they make and the secrets they keep will set their lives down radically different paths.

2015: Dawn Hartley has a secret that she can’t share with her mother Miranda, who has long been her closest confidant. How can she possibly admit that she has a drinking problem to her famous vintner mother? It feels like a betrayal of her own heritage. When an assignment for work requires her to research the wildly popular Vineland novels by a famously anonymous writer, she embarks on a quest that will shake her to the core, and just might set her life on the right path at last.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Summer, Summer Reads, Romance, Adult Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

KERRI MAHER is the USA Today bestselling author of four historical novels including THE PARIS BOOKSELLER and ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL. Often listed in most-anticipated and best-of lists, her novels have been described as "gorgeous" (Beatriz Williams) and "storytelling at its finest" (NPR). She also wrote a memoir of her writing life under the name Kerri Majors, THIS IS NOT A WRITING MANUAL. Signed copies of her books are available through Wellesley Books.

She loves to connect with readers personally on Instagram and her Substack newsletter, "sandcastles with kerri maher."

Reviews

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (Semi-Hiatus-attempting return) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review shortly

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this one; all thoughts are my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 If I believed in reincarnation, I would totally be convinced that my soul once belonged in the 1960’s. Something about that era pulses in my veins, so whenever I get a chance to pick up a book from this era, I do! Kerri Maher creates a narrative centered around the Summer of Love, weaving a beautiful tale told in dual timelines that bridges the past and present and connects generations of women. History is filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered; and sometimes the biggest untold stories come from within our own family. We heal through sharing our stories, releasing the stigmas of holding onto pain. Summer of Love unfolds a beautifully compelling story of this hope through restoring our soul in the throes of almost losing it all.

[Corinne Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dual timeline story that focuses on 3 generations of women whose family owns a vineyard in California. We go back to 1967 and experience the lives of 2 sisters, Miranda & Winnie. Miranda is the more responsible one and continues to run the vineyard while Winnie is the free-spirit. We get to see how Winnie’s life implodes as she becomes addicted to drugs & alcohol and is equally addicted to a man who is no good for her. She spends the majority of her adult life struggling with her addictions. Fast forward to the 2nd timeline, 2015, where we meet Miranda’s daughter, Dawn, who is struggling with alcohol addiction as well. Secrets abound between all three of these women, and it is a set of books that brings them all together and reveals all the secrets that have haunted this family for years.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Berkley for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy. A beautiful walk down memory lane for me! Told by 3 protagonist, well done. Review to come….

[Bev Stegmann]

This is an emotional twisted read. It had me from the first page to the last. The characters and storyline is spot on. This book has it all tragedy, healing, heartbreak, friendship, romance and growing of characters. Highly recommend this well written book. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review. #berkleypublishinggroup @berkleypublishinggroup #kerrimaher @authorkerrumaher #netgally @netgalley

[Sherry Steveson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I was not expecting to feel pulled into this story with an emotional attachment to three very strong women. Set in 1964 and 2015 we get the perspective of two sisters; Miranda and Winnie and then present day Dawn shares her struggles with sobriety and her career. All three of these woman are connected and the stories are woven together so beautifully. I loved the perspectives shared and the heartbreak felt in all their stories.

My only issue was with Miranda and how she couldn’t be open with Tom. I didn’t understand the explanation.

This story will be triggering for some people who may have alcoholism through people in their lives. There are a few other topics that could also be a concern so please check before reading if you have trigger concerns.

Overall, this one snuck up on me and sucked me in!

[Sheila The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy historical fiction that entertains me while also teaching me something, and Summer of Love definitely did that.

My favorite part of this book was the women. They felt flawed, resilient, and most importantly, real. Their relationships as sisters, mothers, and daughters rang true, and I appreciated that the harder parts of their lives, especially addiction and recovery, weren’t wrapped up in a perfectly neat little package.

I also loved how vividly Kerri Maher brought California to life. Between the vineyards, the wine industry, and the different regions of the state, it’s obvious she did her homework. Having lived in Northern California for a little while, I especially enjoyed all the little details that felt so familiar.

The mystery kept me turning the pages, but the women are what kept me invested. In the end, this felt much more like a story about family, motherhood, sisterhood, and all the complicated relationships that come with them.

I gave this one four stars and would definitely recommend it if you enjoy character-driven historical fiction.

[Vanessa Chapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I thought this would be a summer reading book. But it was much more than that!!

This book tackles some hard subjects like alcohol addiction, being in bad relationships, the relationship of sisters, and the relationship with their mother.

It has dual timelines. The book is well written and a fast read. I appreciated that it was under 300 pages. The ARC came in at 288.

I really enjoyed the story. I do wish there was more of an explanation of the quotes at the beginning of Dawn’s story and how they tied into the previous story lines.

This was my first read of a Keri Maher book and I will definitely check out some of her other books.

This was a solid 4⭐️ book for me!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the families that look the most successful from the outside are the ones carrying the heaviest secrets.

Kerri Maher’s Summer of Love caught me completely off guard. Berkley Publishing Group, thank you for the gifted copy.

When I first picked this up, I expected a nostalgic historical fiction novel about San Francisco during the Summer of Love. You know—music, flower children, protests, free spirits, and all the things that usually come to mind when we think about California in the late 1960s.

What I got was something much quieter and much more emotional.

This story follows sisters Winnie and Miranda Hartley, who grow up on a Napa Valley vineyard but want very different things from life. Winnie is drawn to the creative energy and freedom of San Francisco, while Miranda stays behind to help build the family winery. Decades later, Miranda’s daughter Dawn is trying to stay sober while uncovering family secrets that have been buried for years.

The vineyard setting initially pulled me in, but the family relationships are what kept me turning the pages.

The heart of this book isn’t really the Summer of Love. It’s addiction. Recovery. Family wounds that never fully heal. The stories people tell themselves to survive. And the stories they refuse to tell anyone else.

I found myself thinking about Dawn long after I put the book down. Her struggle with sobriety felt honest and believable. There were moments where I wanted to shake her, moments where I wanted to hug her, and honestly, that’s usually a sign that an author has created a character who feels real.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“There is healing in telling the truth.”

That line stayed with me.

I also loved how vividly Maher brought Northern California to life. As someone who lives in this part of the state, I could picture so many of the places she described. The vineyard scenes, the coastline, the changing culture of California through the decades—it all felt familiar in the best way.

This isn’t a fast-paced book. If you’re looking for shocking twists every few chapters, this probably isn’t it. The story unfolds slowly, and there were a few spots where I wished it moved a little faster. But looking back, I think the slower pace worked because it gave the characters room to breathe and grow.

What I appreciated most was that this book never tried to offer easy answers. Recovery isn’t neat. Families aren’t simple. Love doesn’t magically fix everything. The story acknowledges all of that while still leaving readers with a sense of hope.

If you enjoy historical fiction that focuses on relationships rather than action, stories about sisters and mothers and daughters, vineyard settings, and books that give your book club plenty to talk about, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

I’m curious—do you enjoy books that take their time with the characters, or do you need a faster pace to stay invested?

#SummerOfLove #KerriMaher #BerkleyPublishing #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction #BookReview

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written dual time line novel about two sisters and a daughter is centered around the summer of love – 1967 in California. The story is told by all three main characters and gives the reader an all-encompassing look at what is actually going on.

The three main characters are

-Winnie is the younger sister who moves to San Francisco when she graduates from college to live a hippie lifestyle and become a poet. She knows that she won’t be happy staying at the family vineyard in Napa. When she connects with an old boyfriend, she finally finds true happiness in her life. She and Lincoln are each other’s muse – his songwriting and her poetry meld together and help her love her new life.
-Miranda is the older sister who wants to stay at the vineyard and work to create new flavors of wine that will compete with French wines. She worries about her sister and there is always a strong bond between them. The choices that each sister makes will lead them on totally different paths their entire lives.
-Dawn is hiding secrets from her mother Miranda. Her life is a mess due to alcoholism and she is working on her recovery. Her mother doesn’t know that she has a problem with alcohol and Dawn wants to keep it a secret mostly because her mom now runs a well-known winery. As Dawn begins to unravel a big family secret, it will involve all three women. Will the secret bring the three family members closer together or tear them apart?

The author does a fantastic job of describing life and attitudes during this time period. The importance of the music and the anti-war movement are background to the story that’s being told. On one side we see the free thought and poetry of the time while the other sister lives a totally different life working hard to create a family legacy. All three of the main characters were well written but my favorite was Miranda who chose to work on the family vineyard but always loved and worried about her sister who was definitely part of the counter culture in San Francisco. Even though the book deals with many difficult subjects – addiction, mental health and family issues – the feeling at the end is hopefully that family love can help people through difficult occurrences in life. This was a great look at life in the 60s with results that echoed throughout later years.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, though I felt like I had read two separate books. The book follows three generations of women through varying timelines- Joan, the matriarch and head of the famed Hartley Vineyard. Her daughters Miranda and Winnie, and the granddaughter Dawn. In the beginning of the book we are following Miranda and Winnie through their very different coming of age paths, and their relationships with their mother and each other. I LOVED the part about developing the grapes, the vineyards, and the cultivating the wine. I wish she would have focused more on this. Woven through this is Dawn's story in modern times (2015) and her struggle with alcoholism. Winnie's adventurous spirit through the Summer of Love also talks of her relationship with alcohol and drugs.

The second half of the book is much more focused on Dawn and her struggles with alcohol, and then discovering secrets in the family history. I liked the book a lot and kept reading, and you find out in the author's notes that the author herself is now sober so she felt a strong desire to make this book about the sobriety journey. It is very open and gives a perspective from the recovering drinker/abuser, but I will say I enjoyed the beginning of the book much more. I hope she writes more books with the Hartley Vineyards as the focus.

Woven throughout the book is a fantasy novel of a young girl who lives on a magical vineyard with all the powers of the grapes. I was fascinated! Fantasy is not my genre at all, but I do wish Maher wrote these books for real- I would pick them up right away!

Thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me a digital copy of Summer of Love for early review! I will be recommending this book for people looking for a light summer read, but wanting more than fluff.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from BookBrowse.com in return for an honest review.

Rating 3.5

This 3-generation dual-timeline family sage begins in 2015, when 40-something set designer Dawn Hartley is commissioned to design a release party for the last volume of a series of children's books known as Vineland. As she is reading a book in the series as research for the design she discovers that the plot and setting bear an amazing to the winery owned by her family and managed by her mother.The author of the book writes under a pseudonym, and Dawn sets out to discover his/her identity. THE details she notes lead the reader into the family story, focused on Dawn's mother, Miranda, and Miranda's sister, Winnie, taking us back to 1967, the Summer of Love, and their lives in San Francisco and the Napa Valley. (That connection to the Summer of Love is the only thing that allows this book to be described as historical fiction; I think that descriptor is inaccurate,)

This family has lots of secrets, and the secrets get in the way of any of the 3 main characters -- Miranda, Winnie, and Dawn-- having a satisfying life. As the story switches back and forth between the two time periods (the 60s/70s and the 20-teens), we encounter story lines related to the damage done to both abusers and those around them by substance abuse, the impact of dishonesty in relationships, the impact of stress from a variety of causes, the healing powers of friendships and strong family relationships, and the value of rehabilitation and forgiveness -- lots of discuss-able issues for book clubs.

[Lea Columbus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. A few things to note:one- unlike a number of the reviewers I do remember 1967. I was , sadly , not in San Francisco, but I do remember the music and the time. I also am bit sad to see that my youth is now Historical Fiction:). Second, this is nt a novel about the Summer of Love, per se.IT is a multigenerational story about mothers, and daughters and sisters and friends. It spans the time from 1967 to 2024. It is told in 3 main POV's, ( Dawn, Winnie and Miranda), and multiple time lines. It was a bit tricky to keep track. Also, there is a running segment of chapters and sections of a children's book that is pivotal to all of the characters. Again, it is interesting, but there is a lot going on. This is also a book about recovery, from alcoholism, and substance abuse. The book opens on Dawn Hartley in 2015, in California.She is a set designer , but she wants to do more. She is also six months sober. She was raised by a single mother, who runs a vineyard. She never knew her father, and her grandmother and aunt are dead. When Dawn comes across a children's book, with a setting much like her family winery, it makes her stop and question everything she has know about her family.The story then shifts to San Francisco in 1967. Winnie ,a fledgling writer and Miranda, who runs the vineyard, are sisters and go together to a concert to hear , among others, The Doors. Their story starts there( with flashbacks to childhood) and is interspersed with present day Dawn. I liked this book, it was not what I expected,but it is good and well written.

[Suzi (Lil Bit Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s 1967 in San Francisco and all that it brings to mind: the Summer of Love, hippies, counter-culture, drugs, and free love. Winnie Hartley is a budding poet right at home in Haight-Ashbury, while her more strait-laced sister Miranda dedicates herself to running the family vineyard. Although the sisters couldn’t be more different, their love for each other and the aftershocks of that summer will affect their lives for decades to come. Nearly fifty years later, Miranda’s daughter Dawn finds herself uncovering family secrets while she embarks on a journey to sobriety.

Kerri Maher’s newest historical fiction novel is a rich experience steeped in the culture and landmarks of northern California. The atmosphere is so immersive that I felt like a flower child right alongside Winnie in the Haight (even though I wasn’t even born when the Summer of Love happened), and I could perfectly envision Miranda amid the rows of grapevines at the Hartley Vineyards in Napa. The plot unfolds at a gentle, deliberate pace, leaving space for moments to develop and emotions to land. The characters’ actions and feelings are compelling and authentic, with their struggles with addiction feeling especially open and honest that I wasn’t even a tiny bit surprised to read about the author’s own sobriety journey.

The audiobook is expertly narrated by Lauryn Allman, who does an excellent job of giving each of the characters a voice that’s perfectly matched to her personality, like Winnie’s free spirit vibes and the tiniest hint of primness in Miranda’s perspective.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and PRH Audio for providing me a #gifted copy of this book.

[Paula W · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s probably me, but I am officially suffering from dual-timeline fatigue—especially when the past timeline promises a revolution but drops us into an entirely different situation. Let’s look at the layout: a book titled Summer of Love set in 1967 should logically involve the Haight-Ashbury counterculture, incredible music, and radical freedom. If the plot had given that history more than a passing glance, I would have been hooked, lined, and sinkered.

Instead, the historical plot is marooned in Northern California wine country, focusing on a family dynasty bound together by complex relationship dynamics and severe communication breakdowns. We all know I strongly dislike the communication breakdown stories. We split time between a woman and her two very different daughters in 1967, and a daughter from the next generation in 2015. I went in expecting the intoxicating grit of the sixties music scene and the intricate craft of winemaking.

But the narrative shifts into a heavy focus on addiction. It seems like roughly half the book is consumed by the cyclical nature of recovery, AA meetings, sponsors, and the twelve steps. While intergenerational trauma and recovery are vital, profound themes, they completely dominate the plot structure here. I’m already highly allergic to narratives driven entirely by characters refusing to talk to each other, but I still wanted something different. 3 stars

Thanks to Berkley Publishers, Kerri Maher (author), and Edelweiss for the digital review copy of Summer of Love. Their generosity did not influence my review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. Kerri Mahers’ Summer of Love is a nostalgic family drama full of secrets, sisters, wine country, and 1960s San Francisco alive with music, rebellion, flower children, and the restless feeling that the whole world was changing. Emotionally this also touches on sensitive topics of addiction and of one mother’s heartbreaking decision.

In 1967, Winnie Hartley is chasing poetry, freedom, and all the peace-and-love spirit of the Summer of Love, while her sister Miranda stays rooted at Hartley Vineyard in Napa Valley, determined to make their family winery something special. Decades later, Miranda’s daughter Dawn is pulled back toward the family’s past when she starts researching the mysterious “Vineland” novels — fictional stories that mirror the Hartleys’ lives with uncanny accuracy and hint at hidden truths about that pivotal summer of ‘67.
As Dawn digs deeper, the “Vineland” books become a key to unlocking long-buried secrets, connecting Winnie and Miranda’s choices to the present and driving the narrative forward.
Winnie, Miranda, and Dawn’s stories slowly connect through family secrets, messy choices, and all the ways one summer can ripple through generations. Maher brought deeper depth to the storyline by showing what the impact of addiction took from this family.
I especially loved the nostalgic pull of the past and how full of heart this was. Def would rec for summer reading. Pub. 7/7/26

I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Madi (madifett.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Berkley for the opportunity to celebrate Kerri Maher’s newest book, Summer of Love, and for the gifted eARC through NetGalley!

Summer of Love is a beautifully written story of family ties, secrets, and bonds that just can't be broken. The story is told through a dual timeline, which I loved, and follows three women from the same family throughout different generations. Maher whisks readers back to 1960's California for sisters Winnie and Miranda's stories, set in both wine country and San Francisco. The rest of the story is told from Miranda's daughter Dawn's point of view in 2015. Maher's descriptions of both northern California wine country and San Francisco are lush and vivid - you feel as though you're there with her characters.

The book begins a little slowly, but once it really gets going, it hooks you and doesn't let go. The slower start feels intentional and gives the three main characters enough time and space to develop. I will admit that while the mystery Dawn spends a decent chunk of the book trying to solve was interesting, I was more drawn to the 1960's timeline. Winnie and Miranda are fascinating characters, both complex and messy. Their family has been dealt a difficult hand, and the sisters handle grief and struggle very differently. So much of this book centers around substance addiction and recovery, and it gets pretty heavy at times, but ultimately leaves the reader feeling hopeful and encouraged. I'll be thinking about this one for a while!

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.

https://novelsalive.com/2026/07/07/4-...

Summer of Love by Kerri Maher is a dual-timeline story that begins in the present, in 2015. Dawn is trying to be alcohol-free, and her mother, Miranda, one of the co-owners of the family vineyard, has no idea she’s an alcoholic. The past begins in 1967 and comes full circle in 2015, and their past often contradicts their present.

The story is told by the three main female characters of Dawn, Miranda, and her sister Winnie, and we get to see their lives from their perspectives. This is a very emotional read, relating to drug and alcohol abuse, and the importance of various arts, along with vivid descriptions, both scenic and of the various activities and locations.

There is a depth to the characters as well as the story. There are genuine reflections of their lives and various interactions with others. We read about some who hit rock bottom until they straighten out their lives and make a success of it. We see their support systems and how their actions affect themselves and others.

Some of the stories felt a little disjointed, but there are twists and turns, numerous surprises, and unexpected events for each character. There is closure and some happily-ever-afters, and the last chapter, told by Dawn, was more of an epilogue that tied up many of the loose ends.

Summer of Love is set in California during turbulent times when drugs and alcohol were abused, and everyone needed to find themselves. What they found along the way was often heartbreaking and emotional.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down
I was just a little too young to experience the Summer of Love. But it always captivated me. So, of course, I had to read this book.
The dual timeline deals with Winnie and Miranda in 1967. They’re sisters, but polar opposites. You’ve got Miranda, the dutiful daughter, helping run the family vineyard, attempting to make wines that rival the French varietals. And then, Winnie, living in Haight Ashbury and experiencing the concerts, the drugs and the sex. Their story moves forward through the years. Meanwhile, in 2015, Miranda’s daughter Dawn is coming to terms with the fact she’s an alcoholic but is afraid to tell her mother, the vintner. I came to care about all three of the female main characters. They felt real and their individual struggles resonated. Although I wish she had explored the links between depression and alcohol abuse a little more.
Maher does a good job setting the scene for 1967 and forward into the 70s. And she does an excellent job of portraying alcoholism and the struggle to stay sober. As per the Author’s Note, it’s no wonder it’s so realistic as it’s a journey she herself has taken. Those who know wines will recognize a lot of the names. She’s done her research.
Yet, the supposed plot twists were all obvious which is the reason this only garners 3.5 stars.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.

[Jaida Bolden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I want to stay upfront that I DNF this book at 40% after realizing I was not the intended audience for it.

This book explores numerous real-life encounters that everyday people encounter. The topics of alcoholism, relationship with family members, sisterly bonds/love, hurtful relationships, and the mystery behind the vineyard. The pacing of the book felt slow to me, and I was not very captivated by the mystery of the book's publisher. I also struggle to stay engaged throughout.
I enjoyed the book's multiple perspectives, which allowed me to experience three different generations of women and their upbringing within distinct eras. Having experienced each timeline through different lenses of each woman telling their version of the story was very interesting of something. I have not experienced this before, especially in a historical fiction book.
I truly enjoyed the anti-war historical importance behind the book. During this time. People were using music as a way to combat the war that was going on. I really enjoy historical fiction when they tailored to a specific timeline. The author did a really good job explaining and setting the stage for the history that was going on for the women and the importance of it.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you want something fast paced this is not for you. This a more thoughtful book.

It was an emotional, character-driven read that explores addiction, family dynamics, and loss. It honestly even made me consider my drinking habits which I also liked. I enjoy when a book makes me question my reality lol.

There were so many elements about this book that I enjoyed such as the focus on farm workers in the 60s. The history behind wine and wineries in Napa. As well as a bit of the hippie movement in the 70s. It added a lot of depth and I feel like I learned a lot about Napa Valley in general

I also liked that parts of the story were set in San Francisco. Since I’m from there, it made the book feel more immersive and personal. I found myself picturing the streets and the descriptions of the locations.

The first-person narration (especially with Winnie and Dawn) was interesting and made the story feel more intimate. At first I thought maybe it was first person for both of them because of how similar they are and maybe Miranda’s was third person because of her differences from the other characters. That said, the pacing was a bit slow at times, and some chapters could have been condensed. Overall I enjoyed it though!!

[DeeAnn Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Love by Kerri Maher
Available July 7, 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑

Thanks so much to Berkley for the eBook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Summer of Love follows three generations of Hartley women and their family’s vineyard and wine business in Northern California starting in 1967 and beyond.

Honestly it feels like there’s something so magical about California from the 60s-90s. There was still so much possibility that felt more available. This story highlights women who weren’t perfect in any way, but were strong and grew and overcame challenges. It took years and failures and work. The characters and each of their stories were so interesting. I liked the different point of views and time periods we got telling the story of this family vineyard. I grew up in the Central Valley of California and this definitely made me “homesick” for a time and place that doesn’t exist like this anymore. Summer of Love truly captured the spirit of the time with characters tackling toxic relationships, sexism, substance abuse, addiction, and so much more while still fighting to overcome these things and find joy and purpose in life. This story sucked me in and I know I’ll be thinking about these characters for a while.


#historicalfiction #kerrimaher #NetGalley #bookreview #SummerofLove

[Ashley (aneverendingbookstack) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer of Love by Kerri Maher is a vibrant, emotional, and atmospheric read that really pulled me into its world. Set against the backdrop of the late 1960s, it follows Annie, a young woman searching for meaning, love, and her place in a rapidly changing San Francisco. The setting absolutely shines here—the music, the politics, the free-spirited energy of the era all feel alive and immersive.

I really enjoyed Annie as a main character. She’s flawed, curious, and trying to figure herself out in a world that doesn’t feel stable or safe. Her journey felt both personal and reflective of a bigger cultural shift, which made the story feel layered and meaningful.

The romance is sweet but not overpowering, and I appreciated that the book focused more on self-discovery and chosen family than just one love story. At times, the pacing felt a bit slow in the middle, and I wished a few side characters had been developed more fully.

Still, this was such a heartfelt, beautifully written novel. It captures a moment in time so well, and I finished it feeling moved and thoughtful. A solid 4-star read for me—warm, reflective, and full of heart.

[Tess Greenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book was such a beautiful depiction of complex family dynamics, confrontations with addiction & recovery, and self discovery. Summer of Love follows dual timelines of Dawn in 2015, and sisters Winnie & Miranda in 1967 and on. Dawn's struggles with alcohol addiction lead her to uncover secrets from her family's past when she discovers popular children's novels have familiar themes reminiscent of her family's famous Napa Vineyard. It was so captivating to discover these secrets alongside Dawn as all 3 women's stories unfolded. As character driven as the book is, the locations also play a major role in setting the scene. I loved the overall settings throughout the book, and especially the accurate California wine factoids/events thrown in! Maher did such a superb job in the development of all three characters, and the depiction of some heavy topics (addiction etc.) that I felt such emotion for all of them throughout the story. Overall this was such an impactful read, that left me feeling hopeful, and I'll definitely think back on this story for time to come!


Thank you Berkley & NetGalley for the eARC!

[Megan Toofan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of Summer of Love from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest review.

Summer of Love is beautifully written, emotionally layered, and one that I know I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Through the perspectives of three women in the Hartley family, this story explores family trauma, addiction, recovery, shame, secrets, and the complicated roles people take on within a family. There was so much pain in these pages, but also so much hope, and I became deeply invested in each woman’s journey.

The struggles with addiction and the path to sobriety were written with so much honesty and humanity that I found myself feeling a great deal of empathy for these characters and the weight of what they were navigating. I also appreciated how the novel explored the ways shame and secrecy can shape the choices people make and the lives they build around those choices.

There were a few moments where I found myself wondering whether there was another way forward, but the decisions still felt true to the characters and the emotional weight they were carrying.

A moving, thoughtful, and deeply human story that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a generational story, starting in 1967, during the Summer of Love, centered in San Francisco. Two daughters, both raised on a vineyard and family winery. One joins the hippy movement and is an alcoholic and is an active participant in the drug activities. She is also addicted to a man.

The second daughter is very involved and responsible for the success and fame of the winery. She has raised a daughter who also has become an alcoholic. That storyline picks up in the 2000’s. That daughter, Dawn, discovered a series of books and she’s convinced that the author was intimately knowledgeable about the vineyard and winery. But who could it be? Her grandparents and aunt are deceased. Certainly, her mother wouldn’t have written the books.

This is a story about addictions, love, family and secrets. It is not a light. fun read. It tackles some difficult topics and may be triggering to some readers.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an early version of the e-book.

[jude goldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and berkley publishing group for sharing an advanced copy with me. i was totally drawn in by the title as i was a child of the '60's and thought it would be relatable. the book is not really about the summer of love. just so you know. there's a small part of it at the beginning. it's about three generations of wine country women and their relationships with their family vineyard and the relationships in their lives. and foremost this book is about alcohol addiction, which i really didn't realize before reading it. as i don't think i would have read it. and that isn't to say that i didn't learn from reading it and getting a much better grasp on what happens when buried in that addiction. i did. the book was slow for me until the last bit. the characters are well developed. and likeable, too. i think, though, that given how i felt while reading it, it's really just a 3.5 for me.

[Vivian Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Love encompasses many themes from the era of sex, love & rock ‘n roll to the present day with the overall focus on the trajectory of one family, secrets, addiction to alcohol or drugs or people and their journey to find peace & serenity.
My first husband was an alcoholic who died too young because of his addiction. I spent many years in Alanon learning self care and following the steps associated with my program. Just yesterday, I met a woman struggling with her husband’s addiction. Alcoholism is an insidious disease that destroys lives, families, futures and relationships.
Kerri Maher weaves a story that shows the devastation as well as the resilience of those who find a way to sobriety. For me, the book is uplifting, encouraging and a brave examination of the author’s own struggle.
I am grateful to Netgalley and BookBrowse for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Book Browse for this advanced reader copy. Summer of Love is a fast, easy read. There are many enjoyable references to my home (wine country) and state as well as historical references that help ground the story in time. There was a little too much addiction/recovery focus for my taste. The book could almost have a subtitle: sponsored by Alcoholics Anonymous. I am not sure I would have picked it up if I had known that was such a focus, but it was an important theme that tied together and explained this multi-generational family drama. The characters are a bit trite: the good sister, the ‘bad’ sister, the child who inherits the family demons. We don’t hear enough of the good part of Dawn’s growing up to develop her character. I didn’t understand the troubled relationship between Joan and Winnie. Finally I would have liked more info on what the Vineland books and chapter lead-in quotes had to do with the story. Overall an enjoyable read.

[Lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!

a multi generational story following three women across different timelines, exploring family secrets, love, loss, and addiction. I really enjoyed the characters and the way Kerri Maher told each woman's story.

Going back to 1967 with Winnie and Miranda was one of my favorite parts of the book. Miranda often carries the weight of her family's responsibilities, and her devotion to those she loves becomes a defining part of her story. Meanwhile, Winnie struggles with addiction, alcohol, and the choices that ultimately shape the course of her life.

In 2015, we follow Dawn as she battles alcoholism while uncovering long buried family secrets. I loved how the timelines connected and how each woman's journey added another layer to the family's story. I was invested in the characters and enjoyed seeing how everything came together in the end.