Forgotten Summer: In the Spotlight, Every Secret Casts a Shadow

by Timothy Gene Sojka

Hollywood's biggest movie star Summer Holiday's career crashes as her latest film becomes the most expensive flop in cinema history. Facing bankruptcy and industry exile, she's offered one last chance-star in a Netflix reality series that promises to solve an impossible mystery.

Fifteen years ago, Summer fled her Texas hometown after a tragic accident, leaving behind high school heartthrob, Taft Williams, and a web of secrets. Now, Summer's striking ex-boyfriend has no memory of their relationship, friendship, romance, or even her existence. As cameras follow Summer's return to Silsbee, Texas, she must navigate hostile interviews, small-town gossip, and her own buried trauma to uncover the truth.

Are her memories too painful to face, her secrets too damning to reveal? As the show becomes a global phenomenon, Summer realizes the price of redemption might be higher than she's willing to pay-and the man she's trying to save might be beyond her reach.

This ultimate beach read blends contemporary fiction, romantic-comedy, sharp dialogue, and family drama. Forgotten Summer allows readers to explore the cost of fame, the power of forgiveness, and the courage required to unlock the past.

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2026

About the author

While Texas's greatest storytellers, Cormac McCarthy and Larry McMurtry focused on the western plains, Sojka focuses on southeast Texas's Big Thicket, Piney Woods, Neches River and the area's eccentrics. Few authors' voices more closely mimic the people and the rich environment they describe.

Sojka's plot twist often dare readers to connect the dots, but his devotion to character arcs and off-beat dialogue prompted critics to award his last novel 39: Your Last Birthday the Maxy Award for Literature and Humor and a Readers' Favorite Silver Medal for Southern Fiction.

Sojka still lives in southeast Texas with his wife. He writes, runs, paddleboards, and aspires to smoke the perfect brisket.

Reviews

[Sublime Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating = 3.5

Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 3.5
Editorial = 3

Summer Holiday’s movie star career takes a sudden dive after a box-office flop throws her into film-industry exile. Trying to revive her fame, she agrees to a Netflix reality show, but it requires that she face her past and those she deserted in a small Texas town. Her ex-boyfriend has no memory of ever dating her, and the tragic accident that sparked her escape to Hollywood needs to be unraveled, exposing her pain and trauma to the world.
Sojka takes a sharp turn from his usual fast-paced thriller genre to try his hand at contemporary romantic fiction. He adds an element of mystery with Taft’s apparent memory loss while the complete details of Summer’s past are dangled just outside the reader’s reach. The plot, while delivering less of a punch, delves into the realities and sacrifices of living in the public eye and the challenges facing a fallen movie star when she returns to her past. Set mostly in the author’s hometown of Silsbee, Texas, the locale is authentic, and the characters from both settings are well-developed and credible. This novel would appeal to readers looking for a mix of glamour, mystery, and heart. It entertains while asking deeper questions about guilt, forgiveness, and the cost of fame.
Sublime Line: “A character-driven and emotionally charged story that blends Hollywood gloss with small-town secrets.”

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer is a successful actress. When her latest movie flops, she returns home, having to face the ghosts of her past and why she left to begin with.
When arriving at a reunion, not everyone appreciates her coming back, and when her ex doesn't remember her, she is suddenly presented with a possibility to get back into the spotlight while helping those she grew up with.

It took me a bit to get into the story, and overall, the flow felt a bit disjointed at times. It kept me engaged enough - I wanted to find out what really happened in the past, and I also wanted to see her growth and acceptance that there is more to her than she gave herself credit for.
I appreciated it being different from what I expected. It didn't come without its flaws, but it kept me entertained enough to finish it in one sitting.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kim Territo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story of a star actress whose latest movie bombs and returns to her hometown, had a lot of potential, but kind of fell short. I didn’t feel the characters were very well developed and a few times, I felt like I had somehow skipped a chapter or missed something entirely. If Summer had been a more sympathetic character, it would have been more appealing. I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and engaging look at Hollywood versus Texas. Interesting variety of characters. A look behind the scenes of movie making. Lots of personal issues. Enjoyed how it covered many years of the main characters' lives. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tim Sojka's latest is a snappy blend of wit, sarcasm, and vulnerability nestled in a blanket of dark humor--like Elmore Leonard dropped into LA to co-write Fight Club with Chuck Palahniuk!"--Cam Torrens, award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn mystery suspense series.

[Beez Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read. It’s a bit different from Sojka’s typical stories. Take this one to the beach. Enjoy the sun, the surf and a story that moves quickly with some twists and turns.

[Lavender]

Placeholder.

I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway. It was ok, this would be a good car trip type book.