What do you think?
Rate this book
Lost in the Summer of '69: A Novel
Three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music, and the epic cross-country road trip they'll never forget.
Summer, 1969: Eleanor Bell doesn't have anything to lose. According to the doctors, she might not remember how to sing or play guitar soon, so why not head west now? Why not join the music festivals sweeping the country and lose herself in the music again, in a swan song of her own?
Except she forgets, maybe on purpose, to tell anyone where she's going. When her daughter, Leanne, discovers her mother missing, she enlists the help of her own daughter, Nora, to help her find Eleanor. The last thing Nora wants to do before starting as one of Yale's first female undergrads is hit the road. But then Nora hears something strange on the radio—her grandmother's voice, singing. Nora and Leanne hop in their Chevy for a cross-country road trip, always one step behind Eleanor, who has been dubbed the Dame of Rock n' Roll by none other than Johnny Carson.
Full of nostalgia and awash with the warmth of summer, Lost in the Summer of '69 is an epic celebration of savoring the encore-no matter what the next act may bring.
Summer, 1969: Eleanor Bell doesn't have anything to lose. According to the doctors, she might not remember how to sing or play guitar soon, so why not head west now? Why not join the music festivals sweeping the country and lose herself in the music again, in a swan song of her own?
Except she forgets, maybe on purpose, to tell anyone where she's going. When her daughter, Leanne, discovers her mother missing, she enlists the help of her own daughter, Nora, to help her find Eleanor. The last thing Nora wants to do before starting as one of Yale's first female undergrads is hit the road. But then Nora hears something strange on the radio—her grandmother's voice, singing. Nora and Leanne hop in their Chevy for a cross-country road trip, always one step behind Eleanor, who has been dubbed the Dame of Rock n' Roll by none other than Johnny Carson.
Full of nostalgia and awash with the warmth of summer, Lost in the Summer of '69 is an epic celebration of savoring the encore-no matter what the next act may bring.
Audible Audio
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Eliza Knight
145 books2,069 followersEliza Knight is an award winning, USA Today and international bestselling author. Her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles and ran through the fields in Southern France. She can still remember standing before the great golden palace, and imagining what life must have been like. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, her weekends were filled with visits to museums, and historical reenactments. Escape into history for courageous heroines, irresistible heroes and daring escapades. Join Eliza (sometimes as E.) on riveting historical journeys that cross landscapes around the world. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and Novelists, Inc., the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed, and a co-host on the History, Books and Wine podcast. Eliza also writes contemporary women's fiction as Michelle Brandon.
While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she tries to keep up with her three not-so-little children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses, two very naughty Newfies, and a turtle named Fish.
CONFESSIONS OF A GRAMMAR QUEEN out now! LOST IN THE SUMMER OF '69 out June 9, 2026!
For more information about book club visits, downloadable reader guides, upcoming author events, book news, newsletter and more, visit her website: www.elizaknight.com
If you love history and want to dive in for some fun, visit Eliza's popular, award-winning blog:
http://historyundressed.com or her history podcast: https://historybooksandwinepodcast.bu...
To connect on social media, visit/follow Eliza at the following:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elizaknightfi...
Instagram: @ElizaKnightFiction
While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she tries to keep up with her three not-so-little children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses, two very naughty Newfies, and a turtle named Fish.
CONFESSIONS OF A GRAMMAR QUEEN out now! LOST IN THE SUMMER OF '69 out June 9, 2026!
For more information about book club visits, downloadable reader guides, upcoming author events, book news, newsletter and more, visit her website: www.elizaknight.com
If you love history and want to dive in for some fun, visit Eliza's popular, award-winning blog:
http://historyundressed.com or her history podcast: https://historybooksandwinepodcast.bu...
To connect on social media, visit/follow Eliza at the following:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elizaknightfi...
Instagram: @ElizaKnightFiction
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 455 reviews
May 27, 2026
3.75 A light, fun, and easy summer read/listen! The story follows three generations of women—a grandmother, mother, and daughter—who are each on their own unique journey to "find" their true, authentic selves. As we are led through a whirlwind music festival tour in the summer of 1969, each family member encounters freeing experiences that allow them to explore their identity, let go of societal expectations, and embrace the freedom to change. It is a lovely celebration of the joy of music and the deep bond shared between these women.
*ALC (thank you, Sourcebooks Audio | Sourcebooks Landmark/NetGalley)
*ALC (thank you, Sourcebooks Audio | Sourcebooks Landmark/NetGalley)
July 7, 2026
(4.25 stars)
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and listen to a review copy of Lost In The Summer Of ’69! For me, this was a very nostalgic read and a very enjoyable one, having been the same age as the youngest of the three main female characters in this story.
The summer of 1969 was awash with music, and with change. This book follows three generations of women: Eleanor, 69, facing the beginnings of dementia; her daughter, Leanne, in her 40s, the quintessential housewife; and granddaughter Nora, 18, heading to college in the fall. Eleanor had been a musician/songwriter in her youth, apparently ahead of her time, but gave it up to raise a family in the more traditional way. But she never lost her connection with music. Now facing a bleak future, on the spur of the moment she decides to head out from New York to a music festival in California, to try to get on stage and play her music for an audience one more time, before her ability to do things like that disappears. When Leanne realizes the situation. she convinces Nora to come along with her, on a road trip to try to find Eleanor. Their road trip is transformative for both Leanne and Nora, as they chase “Eleanor sightings” across the country.
I loved all three of these women! Although I would have been the Nora in this story, I fell in love with Eleanor. I loved her gumption, cheered for her, and felt for her when she would get confused. Leanne also came alive over the course of the summer, breaking away from the “tradwife” role that had been the expectation for women of that era (my mother’s generation).
I mainly listened to the audiobook version, beautifully narrated by Helen Laser, on a long flight. It made the hours pass in a lovely way.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and listen to a review copy of Lost In The Summer Of ’69! For me, this was a very nostalgic read and a very enjoyable one, having been the same age as the youngest of the three main female characters in this story.
The summer of 1969 was awash with music, and with change. This book follows three generations of women: Eleanor, 69, facing the beginnings of dementia; her daughter, Leanne, in her 40s, the quintessential housewife; and granddaughter Nora, 18, heading to college in the fall. Eleanor had been a musician/songwriter in her youth, apparently ahead of her time, but gave it up to raise a family in the more traditional way. But she never lost her connection with music. Now facing a bleak future, on the spur of the moment she decides to head out from New York to a music festival in California, to try to get on stage and play her music for an audience one more time, before her ability to do things like that disappears. When Leanne realizes the situation. she convinces Nora to come along with her, on a road trip to try to find Eleanor. Their road trip is transformative for both Leanne and Nora, as they chase “Eleanor sightings” across the country.
I loved all three of these women! Although I would have been the Nora in this story, I fell in love with Eleanor. I loved her gumption, cheered for her, and felt for her when she would get confused. Leanne also came alive over the course of the summer, breaking away from the “tradwife” role that had been the expectation for women of that era (my mother’s generation).
I mainly listened to the audiobook version, beautifully narrated by Helen Laser, on a long flight. It made the hours pass in a lovely way.
August 5, 2026
Lost in the Summer of ‘69 by Eliza Knight will tug at your heartstrings.
Grandmother,Eleanor, has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a finding she hasn’t shared with her family.
Eleanor has dreams to fulfill -before she forgets!
Oh,what a summer for Eleanor,her daughter Leanne,and her granddaughter,Nora!
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
I recommend this book!
🌺 Read what you love! 🌺
Grandmother,Eleanor, has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a finding she hasn’t shared with her family.
Eleanor has dreams to fulfill -before she forgets!
Oh,what a summer for Eleanor,her daughter Leanne,and her granddaughter,Nora!
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
I recommend this book!
🌺 Read what you love! 🌺
August 11, 2026
Oh my heart! This is unexpected in the best possible way!
I loved this story!!!!!!
1969. Three women, each facing a crossroads in their lives. Grandmother Eleanor Bell has just been diagnosed with dementia. Her daughter Leanne is facing an empty nest and being left with a husband who is there physically, but has disappeared from their marriage. Nora is on the brink of being in the first female class admitted to Yale. She has a secret dream that she wants to follow, but knows her parents would disregard it.
On the day that Eleanor turns 69, she receives her diagnosis, she begins to look back on her life. She was once a music phenomenon, but gave it up to marry and be a mother. As she is looking back and worrying about what lies in her future, she spies an invitation to a music festival in California. She misses the girl she was years and years ago, and decides she is going to live by her rules. She packs her hairless dog, her suitcase, and her guitar and heads to the airport.
Leann is the proper suburban 1960's wife- controlled, organized, supportive. As she is making the birthday dinner for her mother, Eleanor, she realizes that she is fearful of losing her daughter when she leaves for college. They really don't talk anymore. And her husband is pretty much nonexistent in the marriage.
Nora is looking forward to spending her last summer with her friends. She is excited about Yale, but also a little fearful of leaving home. Although she is going to study business, she wants to really focus on her minor- English. Her dream is to become a writer someday. However, her father frowns on this plan, and her mother does not mention it, so Nora feels she has to keep her dream hidden.
Then she discovers that her mother has vanished.
When Eleanor does not show up for her birthday, Leanne becomes worried. She goes to Eleanor's house and finds that her dog, suitcase and guitar are missing. She also discovers a flier for a music festival that is happening in California. When she returns home and tells Nora what she found, she discovers that Nora heard her grandmother's voice on the radio. Worrying about Eleanor's safety, the two decide to ditch their summer plans and take a road trip to find her.
What follows is a beautiful, sometimes bittersweet roadtrip chasing Eleanor. Each woman not only examines her life, dreams and questions/hopes for the future, but they all see the inner woman in each other. Nora realizing that her mother once had a lifetime dream to write. She also sees another side to her mother, a side that loves and explores and yearns for more. Eleanor decides it's ok to follow her dreams as she faces the unknown. And Leann sees that Eleanor is still the adventurous, talented, loving woman she remembered from childhood.
There were moments I laughed, and moments I cried. The author did a great job of writing about the subject of dementia- from the person experiencing it point of view, but also the affect, worries and conversations from the other people affected by it. Although lighthearted at times, there was a lot of depth to the story. Hug your loved one, and cherish every single moment. Also- don't be afraid to let your hair down!!
Thank you to Tina and her phenomenal review. Because of this review I immediately wanted to read this lovely story!
I loved this story!!!!!!
1969. Three women, each facing a crossroads in their lives. Grandmother Eleanor Bell has just been diagnosed with dementia. Her daughter Leanne is facing an empty nest and being left with a husband who is there physically, but has disappeared from their marriage. Nora is on the brink of being in the first female class admitted to Yale. She has a secret dream that she wants to follow, but knows her parents would disregard it.
On the day that Eleanor turns 69, she receives her diagnosis, she begins to look back on her life. She was once a music phenomenon, but gave it up to marry and be a mother. As she is looking back and worrying about what lies in her future, she spies an invitation to a music festival in California. She misses the girl she was years and years ago, and decides she is going to live by her rules. She packs her hairless dog, her suitcase, and her guitar and heads to the airport.
Leann is the proper suburban 1960's wife- controlled, organized, supportive. As she is making the birthday dinner for her mother, Eleanor, she realizes that she is fearful of losing her daughter when she leaves for college. They really don't talk anymore. And her husband is pretty much nonexistent in the marriage.
Nora is looking forward to spending her last summer with her friends. She is excited about Yale, but also a little fearful of leaving home. Although she is going to study business, she wants to really focus on her minor- English. Her dream is to become a writer someday. However, her father frowns on this plan, and her mother does not mention it, so Nora feels she has to keep her dream hidden.
Then she discovers that her mother has vanished.
When Eleanor does not show up for her birthday, Leanne becomes worried. She goes to Eleanor's house and finds that her dog, suitcase and guitar are missing. She also discovers a flier for a music festival that is happening in California. When she returns home and tells Nora what she found, she discovers that Nora heard her grandmother's voice on the radio. Worrying about Eleanor's safety, the two decide to ditch their summer plans and take a road trip to find her.
What follows is a beautiful, sometimes bittersweet roadtrip chasing Eleanor. Each woman not only examines her life, dreams and questions/hopes for the future, but they all see the inner woman in each other. Nora realizing that her mother once had a lifetime dream to write. She also sees another side to her mother, a side that loves and explores and yearns for more. Eleanor decides it's ok to follow her dreams as she faces the unknown. And Leann sees that Eleanor is still the adventurous, talented, loving woman she remembered from childhood.
There were moments I laughed, and moments I cried. The author did a great job of writing about the subject of dementia- from the person experiencing it point of view, but also the affect, worries and conversations from the other people affected by it. Although lighthearted at times, there was a lot of depth to the story. Hug your loved one, and cherish every single moment. Also- don't be afraid to let your hair down!!
Thank you to Tina and her phenomenal review. Because of this review I immediately wanted to read this lovely story!
June 12, 2026
Lost in the Summer of ’69 is a heartfelt, nostalgia‑drenched story that follows three generations of women on a journey none of them expected. When 69‑year‑old Eleanor takes off to relive the music festivals of her youth, spurred by an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she unintentionally sends her daughter Leanne and granddaughter Nora on a cross‑country chase that becomes just as transformative for them as it is for her.
What really stood out to me is Eleanor herself. It’s rare to see an older woman at the center of a novel like this, and I loved it! Watching a character closer to my own age reclaim joy, take risks, and step back into the spotlight felt refreshing and empowering.
With its blend of family tension, emotional healing, and the vibrant pulse of the late ’60s music scene, this book becomes a warm reminder that reinvention doesn’t have an expiration date. A tender, uplifting read about courage, connection, and choosing to live fully, no matter your age!!
What really stood out to me is Eleanor herself. It’s rare to see an older woman at the center of a novel like this, and I loved it! Watching a character closer to my own age reclaim joy, take risks, and step back into the spotlight felt refreshing and empowering.
With its blend of family tension, emotional healing, and the vibrant pulse of the late ’60s music scene, this book becomes a warm reminder that reinvention doesn’t have an expiration date. A tender, uplifting read about courage, connection, and choosing to live fully, no matter your age!!
July 2, 2026
"Three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music, and the epic cross-country road trip they'll never forget."
It's 1969 and Eleanor Bell receives an Alzheimers diagnosis the day before her sixty-ninth birthday. Without telling anyone, she grabs her guitar and leaves for a summer of music festivals. When her daughter Leanne checks in, she figures out what has happened and grabs her daughter Nora, who will be one of the first women to attend Yale in the fall.
What follows is three generations of women discovering who they are and finding joy. There is romance, healing and plenty of music. There may also be a hippy party bus that is reminiscent of the mystery machine from Scooby Doo. Highly recommend adding this to your TBR.
The audiobook performance by Helen Laser (10 hours 7 minutes) is fantastic. It brought all the characters adventures to life and elevated the reading experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Audio, UpLit Reads and Eliza Knight for the gifted advance reader's copy, advance listening copy and finished copy. All opinions are my own. 🎧📚
It's 1969 and Eleanor Bell receives an Alzheimers diagnosis the day before her sixty-ninth birthday. Without telling anyone, she grabs her guitar and leaves for a summer of music festivals. When her daughter Leanne checks in, she figures out what has happened and grabs her daughter Nora, who will be one of the first women to attend Yale in the fall.
What follows is three generations of women discovering who they are and finding joy. There is romance, healing and plenty of music. There may also be a hippy party bus that is reminiscent of the mystery machine from Scooby Doo. Highly recommend adding this to your TBR.
The audiobook performance by Helen Laser (10 hours 7 minutes) is fantastic. It brought all the characters adventures to life and elevated the reading experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Audio, UpLit Reads and Eliza Knight for the gifted advance reader's copy, advance listening copy and finished copy. All opinions are my own. 🎧📚
June 10, 2026
Lost in the Summer of ‘69 by Eliza Knight
Historical fiction.
The summer of ‘69 is about to change the lives of many.
Eleanor Bell has received a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s for her 69th birthday. She knew it was coming. She’s been doing her best to hide her symptoms from her daughter. Realizing it may be her last independent summer, she finds her guitar and travels to a California music festival. Choices back when she was 18 included marriage and not much else. Eleanor is determined to get on the stage at the festival and sing her heart out. Live her dream as long as she can. Or at least until the end of the summer.
Leanne Miler can’t believe her mother took off like that. Leanna and her daughter Nora decide to track down Eleanor and plan their own road trip, following the news of the Dame of Rock n’ Roll. Nora will start at Yale in the fall. One of the first female undergraduate student programs. Eleanor is feeling detached from her long time, hard working husband. The trip may give her some perspective. Nora is planning classes to have a career but she really wants to be an author.
The three woman are at a pivotal point in their lives. Will this trip break them apart or bring them closer?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Helen Laser. The performance is wonderfully emotional and engaging. Each of the three women is easily identified throughout the story by their attitudes, emotions and specific voice. This road trip isn’t just a lost person pickup, but a pathway to a new beginning. As Leanna and Nora reconnect, they also learn about each other.
The audiobook brings the characters and their lives to life.
Emotional recovery and connection. I loved the mother and daughter reading iconic books of the times together during their driving quest. And the drop ins of some of the big names in music at the time. Lots of humor as the rain, mud and lack of enough food and parking has an impact even as Eleanor has a few forgetful moments.
So much has changed since ‘69 from technology to rights. Yet family dynamics will always be the source of pain and confusion and love.
Nostalgic and heartfelt.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio
Historical fiction.
The summer of ‘69 is about to change the lives of many.
Eleanor Bell has received a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s for her 69th birthday. She knew it was coming. She’s been doing her best to hide her symptoms from her daughter. Realizing it may be her last independent summer, she finds her guitar and travels to a California music festival. Choices back when she was 18 included marriage and not much else. Eleanor is determined to get on the stage at the festival and sing her heart out. Live her dream as long as she can. Or at least until the end of the summer.
Leanne Miler can’t believe her mother took off like that. Leanna and her daughter Nora decide to track down Eleanor and plan their own road trip, following the news of the Dame of Rock n’ Roll. Nora will start at Yale in the fall. One of the first female undergraduate student programs. Eleanor is feeling detached from her long time, hard working husband. The trip may give her some perspective. Nora is planning classes to have a career but she really wants to be an author.
The three woman are at a pivotal point in their lives. Will this trip break them apart or bring them closer?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Helen Laser. The performance is wonderfully emotional and engaging. Each of the three women is easily identified throughout the story by their attitudes, emotions and specific voice. This road trip isn’t just a lost person pickup, but a pathway to a new beginning. As Leanna and Nora reconnect, they also learn about each other.
The audiobook brings the characters and their lives to life.
Emotional recovery and connection. I loved the mother and daughter reading iconic books of the times together during their driving quest. And the drop ins of some of the big names in music at the time. Lots of humor as the rain, mud and lack of enough food and parking has an impact even as Eleanor has a few forgetful moments.
So much has changed since ‘69 from technology to rights. Yet family dynamics will always be the source of pain and confusion and love.
Nostalgic and heartfelt.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio
August 9, 2026
Have you ever looked at your mom and suddenly realized there was a whole person there besides “Mom”? Lost in the Summer of ’69 by Eliza Knight made me think about that very thing. In this book, three generations of women are trying to figure out who they are and what they really want from life. I think a lot of women will see a little bit of themselves in at least one of them.
My Thoughts on Lost in the Summer of ’69:
Relationships and Connections:
If you are a woman, you will probably relate to at least one of the characters in this book. You might see yourself as the daughter who is headed off to college and/or finding your first love; you could be the mother who seems stuck in her role as a mother, wife, and caregiver for her own mother; or you might be the grandmother who is struggling with aging and the onset of dementia. Heck, you might relate to all three.
The relationships in this book are well done. They are what kept driving the story. The car trip with Leanne and Nora reminded me so much of a car trip that I took with my mom when I was in college. I got to see my mom in a completely different way on that trip. I saw her carefree side instead of just her mom-and-wife side, and it changed our relationship for the better. I felt like that same thing happened with Leanne and Nora, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship change.
Historical Fiction:
It is obvious that Knight put a lot of research into her book. If you were lucky enough to be alive (and at least a teenager) during the ’60s, you will relate to a lot of the concepts in this story. I loved the mentions of pay phones (and how hard it could be to reach someone when you wanted), the concerts and all of the bands that are mentioned, and even the books that they read on their car trip. The nostalgia was my favorite part of this book, even if I didn’t get to experience all of that in the summer of ’69.
The Pacing:
Where the book lost me a little was the middle. Once they started going from music festival to musical festival, I found myself wanting to move on with the story. It started to feel repetitive. I loved the beginning and the end of the book, though. The ending wraps up the story well, and that is important to me as a reader.
My Rating:
I gave this book three out of five stars. It is a cute, light story that is perfect for a summer read. I wouldn’t recommend it as a book club pick because I don’t think there is as much to discuss as with other books. It was just an okay read for me and was a nice way to pass the time. I did enjoy reliving some moments with my own mom and grandma in my mind.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Eliza Knight for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
My Thoughts on Lost in the Summer of ’69:
Relationships and Connections:
If you are a woman, you will probably relate to at least one of the characters in this book. You might see yourself as the daughter who is headed off to college and/or finding your first love; you could be the mother who seems stuck in her role as a mother, wife, and caregiver for her own mother; or you might be the grandmother who is struggling with aging and the onset of dementia. Heck, you might relate to all three.
The relationships in this book are well done. They are what kept driving the story. The car trip with Leanne and Nora reminded me so much of a car trip that I took with my mom when I was in college. I got to see my mom in a completely different way on that trip. I saw her carefree side instead of just her mom-and-wife side, and it changed our relationship for the better. I felt like that same thing happened with Leanne and Nora, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship change.
Historical Fiction:
It is obvious that Knight put a lot of research into her book. If you were lucky enough to be alive (and at least a teenager) during the ’60s, you will relate to a lot of the concepts in this story. I loved the mentions of pay phones (and how hard it could be to reach someone when you wanted), the concerts and all of the bands that are mentioned, and even the books that they read on their car trip. The nostalgia was my favorite part of this book, even if I didn’t get to experience all of that in the summer of ’69.
The Pacing:
Where the book lost me a little was the middle. Once they started going from music festival to musical festival, I found myself wanting to move on with the story. It started to feel repetitive. I loved the beginning and the end of the book, though. The ending wraps up the story well, and that is important to me as a reader.
My Rating:
I gave this book three out of five stars. It is a cute, light story that is perfect for a summer read. I wouldn’t recommend it as a book club pick because I don’t think there is as much to discuss as with other books. It was just an okay read for me and was a nice way to pass the time. I did enjoy reliving some moments with my own mom and grandma in my mind.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Eliza Knight for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
July 6, 2026
3.5 stars. I always love seeing an older protagonist shatter ceilings and refuse to conform to the standards of aging.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I found myself wishing the author had done more to bridge how these three women—each feeling like they belonged to a completely different era—ultimately converged. I could have easily accepted a magical realism element if it had been built into the plot, but as a realistic fiction story, that disconnect was a hurdle I just couldn't get past.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I found myself wishing the author had done more to bridge how these three women—each feeling like they belonged to a completely different era—ultimately converged. I could have easily accepted a magical realism element if it had been built into the plot, but as a realistic fiction story, that disconnect was a hurdle I just couldn't get past.
June 26, 2026
This was a fun and light read, but not a book I expect to remember long after finishing it. It worked well as something enjoyable in the moment, an easy story to pick up and move through without much effort. I especially appreciated the multigenerational aspect and the way family dynamics were woven into the narrative. Those elements gave the book a nice emotional grounding and made the story feel more meaningful than a simple light read. The ending was also satisfying in its own way. It tied things together in a gentle, fitting manner and left me with a positive impression overall.
That said, I don’t think the book was particularly impactful or convincing for me personally. It’s pleasant, readable, and well-intentioned, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
That said, I don’t think the book was particularly impactful or convincing for me personally. It’s pleasant, readable, and well-intentioned, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
May 20, 2026
As a big fan of Daisy Jones & The Six, I find myself gravitating towards books surrounding music such as this one. The second aspect of this book that really drew me in was that the story revolves around 3 generations of women. I love a powerful story about women, especially those within the same family. I feel like this book achieved what I was hoping for successfully.
A fun read, and definitely one that would be a perfect summer book. The author did a great job of vividly painting the setting and time period this was meant to be in.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
A fun read, and definitely one that would be a perfect summer book. The author did a great job of vividly painting the setting and time period this was meant to be in.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
May 24, 2026
I don’t know why but this really didn’t do it for me. It was cheesy and predictable maybe? Too long and repetitive? Not sure.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc
Thank you NetGalley for the arc
November 6, 2025
I absolutely loved Lost in the Summer of '69 from start to finish. It might be my favorite of Eliza Knight’s historical fiction titles so far adventuring across the country along with the bands of ‘69. It reminded me of stories of my mom and my grandma shared during that time period. This would be a wonderful book club read!
June 14, 2026
If you are looking for a story that will transport you back to the late 60's then this is a story you will most definitely want to get your hands on. Not only is this book an exciting adventure but is also deals with the sensitive and heartbreaking topic of Alzheimer's and dementia. However, despite the seriousness of this diagnosis the main character wants to make the best of her situation even though her actions end up worrying her daughter and her granddaughter. I really have to say that I was very hooked from this book from beginning to end. You really have to admire the character Eleanor for trying to make the best of her situation even though it ended up worrying those around her. If you ever wanted to be transported back to the excitement of the late 60's then this is a story you should consider reading.
July 10, 2026
This was a cute summer read, chasing festivals and the music of 1969. A book about second chances and mother- daughter relationships.
July 2, 2026
I read this on Hoopla.
I probably made a mistake reading this book at the same time I was reading another book set in the 60s (Meet the Newmans). Both dealt with female empowerment and basically, how lousy women had it at that time.
This novel chronicles the travels of three generations of women as they experience the music festivals of the Summer of 1969. The eldest, Eleanor, is living out her dreams of youth, performing at the festivals. Her daughter and granddaughter follow her around, and spend two months going back and forth across the US as a result. The traveling was the best part, and I think it would make a good movie.
I felt like this book could have used more editing. There was a lot of repetition in the description of how each of the characters was feeling. Some of the writing was filled with cliches (e.g. two characters let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding - ugh). It was just too coincidental that people kept bumping into one another at these huge music festivals. Lastly, the male characters just seemed too good to be true.
Okay, so maybe a Hallmark movie?
I probably made a mistake reading this book at the same time I was reading another book set in the 60s (Meet the Newmans). Both dealt with female empowerment and basically, how lousy women had it at that time.
This novel chronicles the travels of three generations of women as they experience the music festivals of the Summer of 1969. The eldest, Eleanor, is living out her dreams of youth, performing at the festivals. Her daughter and granddaughter follow her around, and spend two months going back and forth across the US as a result. The traveling was the best part, and I think it would make a good movie.
I felt like this book could have used more editing. There was a lot of repetition in the description of how each of the characters was feeling. Some of the writing was filled with cliches (e.g. two characters let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding - ugh). It was just too coincidental that people kept bumping into one another at these huge music festivals. Lastly, the male characters just seemed too good to be true.
Okay, so maybe a Hallmark movie?
August 8, 2026
Full Review to Follow Soon
June 18, 2026
This book was such an enjoyable read from beginning to end. At first, I had a little trouble keeping track of all the names before the story really got going, but once I settled into the book, it became much easier to remember everyone and their roles in the story.
One of the things I loved most was following three different generations experiencing a shared journey while also having their own individual growth, challenges, emotions, and adventures. Each woman had her own story to tell, which made the book feel rich and layered.
Eleanor's story was especially moving. Despite facing a difficult diagnosis, she continued to express herself and pursue a dream that had been pushed aside because of life's responsibilities. Music was clearly a huge part of who she was, bringing joy not only to herself but also to those lucky enough to hear her perform. I admired her determination to stand up for what she wanted and make the most of her time, even knowing that the future might not be as bright as she hoped.
I became very attached to Leanne because, in many ways, I saw myself in her. At the beginning, she was organized, routine-oriented, and comfortable staying within the boundaries she had created for herself. It was inspiring to watch her truly discover herself and take control of her life, gaining new perspectives not only on her own choices but also on her mother's life and the future she wanted for her daughter.
Nora was incredibly empathetic and selfless from the very beginning. She noticed her mother's worries, cared deeply for her grandmother, and was willing to put aside her own summer plans, even though it was an important summer before starting at Yale. I especially enjoyed seeing her reconnect with her mother after years of tension and distance. I think this experience came into her life at exactly the right time, helping her realize that she didn't have to follow the path society expected of her. That said, with her personality and determination, I believe she would have eventually found her own way regardless.
Overall, I found this story funny, emotional, and incredibly inspiring. It felt like a dream of an adventure, set against a nostalgic late-1960s and early-1970s backdrop that made the journey even more memorable.
One of the things I loved most was following three different generations experiencing a shared journey while also having their own individual growth, challenges, emotions, and adventures. Each woman had her own story to tell, which made the book feel rich and layered.
Eleanor's story was especially moving. Despite facing a difficult diagnosis, she continued to express herself and pursue a dream that had been pushed aside because of life's responsibilities. Music was clearly a huge part of who she was, bringing joy not only to herself but also to those lucky enough to hear her perform. I admired her determination to stand up for what she wanted and make the most of her time, even knowing that the future might not be as bright as she hoped.
I became very attached to Leanne because, in many ways, I saw myself in her. At the beginning, she was organized, routine-oriented, and comfortable staying within the boundaries she had created for herself. It was inspiring to watch her truly discover herself and take control of her life, gaining new perspectives not only on her own choices but also on her mother's life and the future she wanted for her daughter.
Nora was incredibly empathetic and selfless from the very beginning. She noticed her mother's worries, cared deeply for her grandmother, and was willing to put aside her own summer plans, even though it was an important summer before starting at Yale. I especially enjoyed seeing her reconnect with her mother after years of tension and distance. I think this experience came into her life at exactly the right time, helping her realize that she didn't have to follow the path society expected of her. That said, with her personality and determination, I believe she would have eventually found her own way regardless.
Overall, I found this story funny, emotional, and incredibly inspiring. It felt like a dream of an adventure, set against a nostalgic late-1960s and early-1970s backdrop that made the journey even more memorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
May 27, 2026I wanted to like this because the premise sounded right up my alley: women across generations, music festivals in the summer of ‘69, family secrets, nostalgia, road trips. Instead, this felt like historical fiction written through a very modern fantasy lens where realism completely disappeared.
First, the structure was a mess. The book starts oddly and jumps around so quickly that it was hard to settle into the story. On top of that, every woman in the family seemed to have some variation of the same name. Eleanor, Nora, Leanne, Ann…after awhile everyone blurred together.
But honestly, the biggest issue was that none of this felt believable for 1969. I could suspend disbelief a little, but this book wanted me to suspend ALL of it.
A 69 year old woman with early dementia casually hopping on planes alone with a dog, wandering across the country chasing music festivals, and somehow being treated like this legendary wartime music darling just felt absurdly self-important. Then there’s a scene where she pulls out a guitar on a plane and leads passengers in a singalong like we’re in a Disney movie. Flying in 1969 was an EVENT. People dressed up to fly. Nobody was turning commercial flights into acoustic open mic night.
The mother/daughter cross-country road trip also felt completely unrealistic for the time period. I’m supposed to believe a husband just had his secretary make hotel reservations and happily sent his wife and daughter driving across America alone? In 1969? My dad would panic if I did that NOW and he’s in his late 60's, and I'm in my 40's.
Even some of the cultural references felt off. The book seemed to apply modern attitudes and hindsight to the late 60s in ways that constantly pulled me out of the story (*cough* Tina Turner*cough*).
At some point I realized I wasn’t reading an emotional historical fiction novel. I was reading about an increasingly delusional woman with a massively inflated ego while everyone around her acted like she was some folk legend.
This just wasn’t for me at all.
First, the structure was a mess. The book starts oddly and jumps around so quickly that it was hard to settle into the story. On top of that, every woman in the family seemed to have some variation of the same name. Eleanor, Nora, Leanne, Ann…after awhile everyone blurred together.
But honestly, the biggest issue was that none of this felt believable for 1969. I could suspend disbelief a little, but this book wanted me to suspend ALL of it.
A 69 year old woman with early dementia casually hopping on planes alone with a dog, wandering across the country chasing music festivals, and somehow being treated like this legendary wartime music darling just felt absurdly self-important. Then there’s a scene where she pulls out a guitar on a plane and leads passengers in a singalong like we’re in a Disney movie. Flying in 1969 was an EVENT. People dressed up to fly. Nobody was turning commercial flights into acoustic open mic night.
The mother/daughter cross-country road trip also felt completely unrealistic for the time period. I’m supposed to believe a husband just had his secretary make hotel reservations and happily sent his wife and daughter driving across America alone? In 1969? My dad would panic if I did that NOW and he’s in his late 60's, and I'm in my 40's.
Even some of the cultural references felt off. The book seemed to apply modern attitudes and hindsight to the late 60s in ways that constantly pulled me out of the story (*cough* Tina Turner*cough*).
At some point I realized I wasn’t reading an emotional historical fiction novel. I was reading about an increasingly delusional woman with a massively inflated ego while everyone around her acted like she was some folk legend.
This just wasn’t for me at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2026
1969 - It's Eleanor's 69th birthday and she has recently learned that she is in the early stages of dementia. She had been a musician when she was young and longs for what she gave up to marry and raise a family so spontaneously leaves the suburbs of New York with her small dog to travel to California for a music festival without letting her daughter know.
Eleanor's daughter, Leanne, is worried when she realizes her mother is missing and convinces her own teenage daughter, Nora, who has recently graduated high school and is set to be one of the first female undergrads at Yale to go on a road trip with her to find Eleanor. Over the course of the summer, the two women drive across the country in their Lincoln Continental always two steps behind Eleanor as she travels from festival to festival until finally making their way back to New York for Woodstock mid-August.
Lost in the Summer of '69 is historical fiction about three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music and an epic cross-country road trip. It's a sweet story about mother/daughter/grandmother relationships, second chances and following dreams set during a fascinating time period.
I enjoyed reading about the music festival scene in 1969 culminating with the historic Woodstock festival and Eleanor's diagnosis of dementia gives the plot a sense of poignancy. I'm a stickler for details, however, particularly when it comes to historical facts and there were lines in the book that bothered me. I read an ARC though so hopefully they were corrected in the final version as the anachronisms took me completely out of the story. For example, a woman in 1969 saying she hadn't really kissed her husband since sometime around the Carter or perhaps the Nixon administrations and the same woman who would have been born in 1924 saying she now realized that her mother had given up tour buses for carpool.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing a digital ARC of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Eleanor's daughter, Leanne, is worried when she realizes her mother is missing and convinces her own teenage daughter, Nora, who has recently graduated high school and is set to be one of the first female undergrads at Yale to go on a road trip with her to find Eleanor. Over the course of the summer, the two women drive across the country in their Lincoln Continental always two steps behind Eleanor as she travels from festival to festival until finally making their way back to New York for Woodstock mid-August.
Lost in the Summer of '69 is historical fiction about three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music and an epic cross-country road trip. It's a sweet story about mother/daughter/grandmother relationships, second chances and following dreams set during a fascinating time period.
I enjoyed reading about the music festival scene in 1969 culminating with the historic Woodstock festival and Eleanor's diagnosis of dementia gives the plot a sense of poignancy. I'm a stickler for details, however, particularly when it comes to historical facts and there were lines in the book that bothered me. I read an ARC though so hopefully they were corrected in the final version as the anachronisms took me completely out of the story. For example, a woman in 1969 saying she hadn't really kissed her husband since sometime around the Carter or perhaps the Nixon administrations and the same woman who would have been born in 1924 saying she now realized that her mother had given up tour buses for carpool.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing a digital ARC of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
July 2, 2026
Grandmother, mother, daughter on a wild cross country ride to music festivals in the summer of 1969. In the process, they all come into their true selves. I picked it up because this is my era and stayed to enjoy the read.
Did Not Finish
July 14, 2026DNF at part 4. Initially I was very excited about this book, reading big chunks of it in one setting. But then the themes and the action started getting repetitive. We moved from one music festival to the next, and each time Eleanor is concerned about her memories, Leanne is questioning her life choices, and Nora is stressing about whether or not she has the courage to follow her own path. I lost interest, and then found that I hadn’t picked up the book in almost a week! Time to start something else.
June 19, 2026
5.0
*Thank you to Uplit Reads for including me on this tour! Stunning!
Bucket list, possibilities, crossroads…
1969.
When 69yo Eleanor is missing from her Ossining, NY home, daughter Leanne and 18yo granddaughter Nora worry about her. Finding a mention of a Newport, CA music festival at Eleanor’s home - Leanne & Nora take off on a road trip hoping to find Eleanor. This is a reluctant Nora that agrees to this trip. She wanted to spend her last summer before college with her friends.
Mother & daughter take a music festival tour, always just one step behind Eleanor.
Just WHO is this Dame of Rock n Roll (according to Johnny Carson) aka as Mama Lightning that everyone is raving about ?? As the summer festival season rolls on, she becomes more and more popular.
A tale of second chances, self-discovery, mother/daughter bonds, forgiveness, tensions, making changes, and a devastating diagnosis. (And some great music!)
One thing they will learn on this trip - sometimes making “the best of things in life happens when plans are tossed in the wind! “
THOUGHTS:
*Did you ever read a book that you knew 30 pp in, that you would rate it a 5 star read? That happened to me with this book.
*Many humorous tidbits! Ex: Roxy the dog, pay phone mishaps, Grandma playing guitar/singing on the plane.
*Many 1969 references. To name a few: the great music, Ed Sullivan show, Johnny Carson, pay phones, Howard Johnson Motor Lodges, Woodstock & various other music festivals. Are you familiar with any of these? Check out some Santana, Creedence, or Jimi Hendrix music!
*Very vivid, descriptive writing! You can see & hear it all!
*Great realistic characters (well, maybe not Grandma!) A multigenerational read. A theme of reconnecting with the people who matter most.
*Wish the author would slide over to Pittsburgh before or after that July OH event!
*A fun, nostalgic read! Meticulous research! NAILED IT!
*Thank you to Uplit Reads for including me on this tour! Stunning!
Bucket list, possibilities, crossroads…
1969.
When 69yo Eleanor is missing from her Ossining, NY home, daughter Leanne and 18yo granddaughter Nora worry about her. Finding a mention of a Newport, CA music festival at Eleanor’s home - Leanne & Nora take off on a road trip hoping to find Eleanor. This is a reluctant Nora that agrees to this trip. She wanted to spend her last summer before college with her friends.
Mother & daughter take a music festival tour, always just one step behind Eleanor.
Just WHO is this Dame of Rock n Roll (according to Johnny Carson) aka as Mama Lightning that everyone is raving about ?? As the summer festival season rolls on, she becomes more and more popular.
A tale of second chances, self-discovery, mother/daughter bonds, forgiveness, tensions, making changes, and a devastating diagnosis. (And some great music!)
One thing they will learn on this trip - sometimes making “the best of things in life happens when plans are tossed in the wind! “
THOUGHTS:
*Did you ever read a book that you knew 30 pp in, that you would rate it a 5 star read? That happened to me with this book.
*Many humorous tidbits! Ex: Roxy the dog, pay phone mishaps, Grandma playing guitar/singing on the plane.
*Many 1969 references. To name a few: the great music, Ed Sullivan show, Johnny Carson, pay phones, Howard Johnson Motor Lodges, Woodstock & various other music festivals. Are you familiar with any of these? Check out some Santana, Creedence, or Jimi Hendrix music!
*Very vivid, descriptive writing! You can see & hear it all!
*Great realistic characters (well, maybe not Grandma!) A multigenerational read. A theme of reconnecting with the people who matter most.
*Wish the author would slide over to Pittsburgh before or after that July OH event!
*A fun, nostalgic read! Meticulous research! NAILED IT!
January 22, 2026
I absolutely loved this story, especially the multigenerational relationship between the grandmother, mother, and daughter. There’s something truly special about a book centered around strong women and the bonds that connect them across generations.
This was such a fun and nostalgic read—after all, who doesn’t love music, road trips, and music festivals, all set against the unforgettable summer of ’69?
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the advance read. This was my first book by Eliza Knight, and I am officially hooked after this one!
This was such a fun and nostalgic read—after all, who doesn’t love music, road trips, and music festivals, all set against the unforgettable summer of ’69?
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the advance read. This was my first book by Eliza Knight, and I am officially hooked after this one!
July 19, 2026
Rediscovering Dreams, Family, and Themselves: A Journey Through the Summer of ’69 🌼
Lost in the Summer of ’69 is a nostalgic, reflective story about three generations of women who find themselves changed by one unforgettable summer. ✨
Eleanor Ball turns 69 in the summer of 1969, and after receiving an early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she decides she is no longer willing to put off the dream she abandoned decades earlier: music. 🎸 Leaving her home in New York, she impulsively boards a plane for California to attend a music festival, beginning an unexpected journey across the country.
Meanwhile, her daughter Leanne and granddaughter Nora discover Eleanor’s plans and are understandably worried. They set out on their own cross-country journey to find her, always just a few steps behind. 🚗 While Eleanor’s journey leads her into the music world and eventually into performing with a band, Leanne and Nora’s journey becomes one of reflection, healing, and discovering who they want to become.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was seeing how the summer transformed all three women in different ways. 🌻 Eleanor was reclaiming a dream she had left behind and discovering that it was never too late to become the person she wanted to be.
For Leanne, the journey became less about simply bringing her mother home and more about reevaluating her own life. Watching Eleanor embrace her passion made Leanne question the role she had played in her marriage and whether she had been fully living for herself. She also began thinking about the example she was setting for Nora and wanted her daughter to have the courage to pursue what truly mattered to her.
Nora’s transformation reflected the changing opportunities for women in 1969 as she prepared to attend Yale at a time when women were newly allowed to enroll. She began the summer feeling pressure to follow a certain path but ended it with a clearer understanding that she could choose her own future.
Together, their stories showed three generations of women at different crossroads, each finding their own voice in a changing world.
The historical setting was fascinating. 🎶 Imagining the music festivals, the artists, and the cultural moments of 1969—including the excitement surrounding Woodstock—was one of the highlights of the book. Hearing about legendary musicians and imagining these women experiencing such an iconic time in music history created a wonderful sense of nostalgia and possibility. I have never read a book quite like this before, and I enjoyed being transported into that moment in time. 🎤
That said, the story did feel slow at times, especially in the middle. The journey across the country was interesting, but I sometimes felt the pacing slowed as the story unfolded.
The portrayal of 1969 focuses heavily on the peace, love, and music of the era. While that was certainly an important part of the time, 1969 was also shaped by the Vietnam War, protests, and social unrest, and I wondered what the story might have looked like with more of that complexity included.
The phrase “Until next time” became such a meaningful thread throughout the story. Rather than being a goodbye, it felt like a reminder that life is full of new beginnings, unexpected connections, and moments still waiting to be discovered. ✨
Overall, I enjoyed this story for its themes of second chances, family, dreams, and transformation. 🌟 While the slower pacing kept it from being a perfect read for me, I found the journey of these three women memorable and appreciated the opportunity to experience such an iconic moment in history through their eyes. 🎶
📌 My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (closer to 3½ stars)
A beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to rediscover yourself, follow your dreams, and embrace the next chapter of your story.
Until next time… 🌼
Lost in the Summer of ’69 is a nostalgic, reflective story about three generations of women who find themselves changed by one unforgettable summer. ✨
Eleanor Ball turns 69 in the summer of 1969, and after receiving an early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she decides she is no longer willing to put off the dream she abandoned decades earlier: music. 🎸 Leaving her home in New York, she impulsively boards a plane for California to attend a music festival, beginning an unexpected journey across the country.
Meanwhile, her daughter Leanne and granddaughter Nora discover Eleanor’s plans and are understandably worried. They set out on their own cross-country journey to find her, always just a few steps behind. 🚗 While Eleanor’s journey leads her into the music world and eventually into performing with a band, Leanne and Nora’s journey becomes one of reflection, healing, and discovering who they want to become.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was seeing how the summer transformed all three women in different ways. 🌻 Eleanor was reclaiming a dream she had left behind and discovering that it was never too late to become the person she wanted to be.
For Leanne, the journey became less about simply bringing her mother home and more about reevaluating her own life. Watching Eleanor embrace her passion made Leanne question the role she had played in her marriage and whether she had been fully living for herself. She also began thinking about the example she was setting for Nora and wanted her daughter to have the courage to pursue what truly mattered to her.
Nora’s transformation reflected the changing opportunities for women in 1969 as she prepared to attend Yale at a time when women were newly allowed to enroll. She began the summer feeling pressure to follow a certain path but ended it with a clearer understanding that she could choose her own future.
Together, their stories showed three generations of women at different crossroads, each finding their own voice in a changing world.
The historical setting was fascinating. 🎶 Imagining the music festivals, the artists, and the cultural moments of 1969—including the excitement surrounding Woodstock—was one of the highlights of the book. Hearing about legendary musicians and imagining these women experiencing such an iconic time in music history created a wonderful sense of nostalgia and possibility. I have never read a book quite like this before, and I enjoyed being transported into that moment in time. 🎤
That said, the story did feel slow at times, especially in the middle. The journey across the country was interesting, but I sometimes felt the pacing slowed as the story unfolded.
The portrayal of 1969 focuses heavily on the peace, love, and music of the era. While that was certainly an important part of the time, 1969 was also shaped by the Vietnam War, protests, and social unrest, and I wondered what the story might have looked like with more of that complexity included.
The phrase “Until next time” became such a meaningful thread throughout the story. Rather than being a goodbye, it felt like a reminder that life is full of new beginnings, unexpected connections, and moments still waiting to be discovered. ✨
Overall, I enjoyed this story for its themes of second chances, family, dreams, and transformation. 🌟 While the slower pacing kept it from being a perfect read for me, I found the journey of these three women memorable and appreciated the opportunity to experience such an iconic moment in history through their eyes. 🎶
📌 My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (closer to 3½ stars)
A beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to rediscover yourself, follow your dreams, and embrace the next chapter of your story.
Until next time… 🌼
May 27, 2026
3.25⭐️Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
What would you do if your grandmother ran away…to become a rock star? This book kicks off with Eleanor, who is 69 years old in the summer of ‘69. She’s a former musician who has just been diagnosed with early dementia. So instead of slowing down, she decides to runaway and chase her dream of performing music while she still can. When her daughter and granddaughter (Leanne and Nora) realize she’s gone, they decide to set off cross country to find her. While working on their own relationship before Nora goes off to Yale, they keep chasing clues to find Eleanor. As they travel, each woman starts to question the life she’s been living, and who they actually want to be.
I enjoyed the premise of this book and liked hearing about well-known musicians, such as Ike and Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix, and even a mention of Elvis. It gives a 1969 festival vibes, and the road trip was fun to follow. I did find the theme to be a bit too repetitive, but it was a good summer read, especially if you’re a fan of music from the 60s!
What would you do if your grandmother ran away…to become a rock star? This book kicks off with Eleanor, who is 69 years old in the summer of ‘69. She’s a former musician who has just been diagnosed with early dementia. So instead of slowing down, she decides to runaway and chase her dream of performing music while she still can. When her daughter and granddaughter (Leanne and Nora) realize she’s gone, they decide to set off cross country to find her. While working on their own relationship before Nora goes off to Yale, they keep chasing clues to find Eleanor. As they travel, each woman starts to question the life she’s been living, and who they actually want to be.
I enjoyed the premise of this book and liked hearing about well-known musicians, such as Ike and Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix, and even a mention of Elvis. It gives a 1969 festival vibes, and the road trip was fun to follow. I did find the theme to be a bit too repetitive, but it was a good summer read, especially if you’re a fan of music from the 60s!
June 10, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 We grew up learning the family history about the time my dad and his older brother drove to Woodstock and had to turn around fifteen miles away because of the epic traffic. But some half-million or so people made history during those three days of Peace & Music.
Eliza Knights serves up the perfect nostalgic read, creating pure humor and heart blended from one epic piece of family history, that would go down as legendary as Jimi Hendrix’s performance on August 18, 1969 in any social setting.
As the story unfolds of how dear great-grandma got lost amidst the sounds and sights of this infamously groovy music festival, the layers of heartbreak and healing across generations resonates in a beautiful, tender, and sweeping summer read.
📖 Book Review 📖 We grew up learning the family history about the time my dad and his older brother drove to Woodstock and had to turn around fifteen miles away because of the epic traffic. But some half-million or so people made history during those three days of Peace & Music.
Eliza Knights serves up the perfect nostalgic read, creating pure humor and heart blended from one epic piece of family history, that would go down as legendary as Jimi Hendrix’s performance on August 18, 1969 in any social setting.
As the story unfolds of how dear great-grandma got lost amidst the sounds and sights of this infamously groovy music festival, the layers of heartbreak and healing across generations resonates in a beautiful, tender, and sweeping summer read.
July 31, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
Lost in the Summer of ’69 was such an unexpectedly emotional read for me. I went in thinking I was getting a nostalgic story set in 1969, but what really stayed with me was the way this book explored music, memory, and dementia.
The music was honestly one of my favorite parts of this story. 🎶 There was something so beautiful about the idea that even when memories begin to fade, music can still reach a part of someone that words sometimes can’t. The songs and the memories attached to them felt like their own kind of time machine—taking the characters back to moments, feelings, and people they may have otherwise forgotten.
And that made the dementia storyline even more heartbreaking. Watching someone slowly lose their memories is devastating, but seeing how music could still create a connection made this story feel incredibly tender. It reminded me that even when someone can’t remember everything, the emotions connected to those memories can sometimes remain.
This wasn’t quite a 5-star read for me, but it came very close. The combination of music, nostalgia, and the emotional reality of dementia gave this story a depth that really stayed with me after I finished.
A beautiful reminder that sometimes a song can bring back a feeling, a moment, or even a piece of someone we thought was lost. 🎶💔
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Lost in the Summer of ’69 was such an unexpectedly emotional read for me. I went in thinking I was getting a nostalgic story set in 1969, but what really stayed with me was the way this book explored music, memory, and dementia.
The music was honestly one of my favorite parts of this story. 🎶 There was something so beautiful about the idea that even when memories begin to fade, music can still reach a part of someone that words sometimes can’t. The songs and the memories attached to them felt like their own kind of time machine—taking the characters back to moments, feelings, and people they may have otherwise forgotten.
And that made the dementia storyline even more heartbreaking. Watching someone slowly lose their memories is devastating, but seeing how music could still create a connection made this story feel incredibly tender. It reminded me that even when someone can’t remember everything, the emotions connected to those memories can sometimes remain.
This wasn’t quite a 5-star read for me, but it came very close. The combination of music, nostalgia, and the emotional reality of dementia gave this story a depth that really stayed with me after I finished.
A beautiful reminder that sometimes a song can bring back a feeling, a moment, or even a piece of someone we thought was lost. 🎶💔
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
June 22, 2026
A heartwarming intergenerational family story about mothers and daughters, finding yourself at any age, regrets, second chances and more as Elinor grapples with a dementia diagnosis and embarks on a farewell tour singing in music festivals across the country and her daughter and granddaughter chase after her in their own life-changing road trip summer. Moving, emotional and just a feel-good read, this was great on audio and further cements Eliza Knight as a fav author of mine. Perfect for fans of Sarah Goodman Confino. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 3, 2026
Music, the late 60s, and a cross-country road trip was a recipe for a cute story. I wanted to know more about Eleanore’s life in music. All in all it was a good read, just a little slow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 455 reviews