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The Summer That Changed Us
πππππ₯ πππ π§π¨π₯π’ππ¬ meets πππ‘π’ππβπ¬ ππ«πππ€ with the heart of ππ‘π’π¬ ππ¬ ππ¬ set in small-town Texas.
At fifty, Hope Hall has done everything right. She earned a PhD, built a career, and held her marriage together with determination and stubborn denial.
When her life publicly unravels, Hope returns to her hometown in Texas, and the loud, loving, opinionated family who never quite understood her. Surrounded by her four sisters, who make everything bigger, messier, and usually a public spectacle, she expects the chaos, the old grudges, and the small-town rivalries that always seem to involve toilet paper and bail money.
What she doesnβt expect is June β her wild, fearless sister, who has spent a decade giving cancer the middle finger. But you can only run from the devil for so long, and whatβs next for June may be the thing the James family canβt survive.
Told with sharp humor, messy love, and the kind of honesty that sneaks up and wrecks you, π»ππ πΊπππππ π»πππ πͺππππππ πΌπ is a deeply moving, laugh-through-the-tears story about sisters, second chances, and what it really means to show up when it matters most.
At fifty, Hope Hall has done everything right. She earned a PhD, built a career, and held her marriage together with determination and stubborn denial.
When her life publicly unravels, Hope returns to her hometown in Texas, and the loud, loving, opinionated family who never quite understood her. Surrounded by her four sisters, who make everything bigger, messier, and usually a public spectacle, she expects the chaos, the old grudges, and the small-town rivalries that always seem to involve toilet paper and bail money.
What she doesnβt expect is June β her wild, fearless sister, who has spent a decade giving cancer the middle finger. But you can only run from the devil for so long, and whatβs next for June may be the thing the James family canβt survive.
Told with sharp humor, messy love, and the kind of honesty that sneaks up and wrecks you, π»ππ πΊπππππ π»πππ πͺππππππ πΌπ is a deeply moving, laugh-through-the-tears story about sisters, second chances, and what it really means to show up when it matters most.
316 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2026
About the author
Jami Albright
13Β books1,710Β followersI'm a born and raised Texas girl and am the multiple award-winning author of The Brides on the Run series--a fun, sexy, snarky, laugh-out-loud good time. If you donβt snort with laughter, then I havenβt done my job.
I'm also a wife, mother, and an actress/comedian. I used to think I could sing until someone paid me to stop. I took their money and kept on singing.
I love my family, all things Outlander, and puppies make me stupid happy. I can be found on Sundays during football season watching my beloved Houston Texans and trying not to let them break my heart.
I'm also a wife, mother, and an actress/comedian. I used to think I could sing until someone paid me to stop. I took their money and kept on singing.
I love my family, all things Outlander, and puppies make me stupid happy. I can be found on Sundays during football season watching my beloved Houston Texans and trying not to let them break my heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 13, 2026
Every once in a while a book comes along that Iβll never forget because of its impact! The Summer That Changed Us hit me in my heart and soul. I knew I had to read it, even if it made me cry. I lost count of how many tissues I needed. Along the way, I laughed just as often as I cried.
This is the story of two sisters. One is trying to figure out the rest of her life while another is facing the end. If the dedication at the beginning doesnβt get you, nothing will. There are so many lessons about life and loss throughout this story. I love the family bond that surrounded these two.
Hope is the sister I connected with the most. Many of her lines hit me like a truck. I appreciated and embraced the honest feelings she expressed as she experienced the loss of her sister and her perspective on her own changing life. June may have lived a shorter life, but she packed a lot into that timeline. I think thatβs one of the best lessons I learned from this story.
I owe Jami a big thank you for the gift of this story. I lost my mother a year and a half ago, and the tears and laughter brought peace to my heart. There are not enough stars or words to express how special this book is.
This is the story of two sisters. One is trying to figure out the rest of her life while another is facing the end. If the dedication at the beginning doesnβt get you, nothing will. There are so many lessons about life and loss throughout this story. I love the family bond that surrounded these two.
Hope is the sister I connected with the most. Many of her lines hit me like a truck. I appreciated and embraced the honest feelings she expressed as she experienced the loss of her sister and her perspective on her own changing life. June may have lived a shorter life, but she packed a lot into that timeline. I think thatβs one of the best lessons I learned from this story.
I owe Jami a big thank you for the gift of this story. I lost my mother a year and a half ago, and the tears and laughter brought peace to my heart. There are not enough stars or words to express how special this book is.
August 5, 2026
Thanks to LibraryThing and the author.
Have those tissues ready; you'll need them unless you're a rock! I was emotionally drained after it that's for sure. You'll also be laughing at some of the lines this family had and it wasn't just Texas sayings either.
Hope is 50 and just "retired" (or was she forced out - it was sort of vague which was the start of the book). She was a teacher of AP English at a prep school. She is now going back home to her little town only 40 minutes away in Texas. She's divorced from Ian. She has 4 sisters, Joy, Faith, June and April (aka Babe which they call her since she's the baby of the family). She has her Ph.D in English literature and is hoping for a job at the University of Texas. She's got this thing about her title and how some people don't want to call her Dr. Hall.
June, who is 40, has been battling cancer, which started out as non-smoker's lung cancer, but unfortunately has metastasized to her brain but she's been fighting it for 10 years now with chemo. Her last MRI showed two are gone and one is small, however, it comes back even worse. June is a fighter though and she's tough and kept her sense of humor all throughout it until the end.
This family is one loud boisterous family and they are always yelling not just for arguments but it's just their way of speaking. Hope and her father have their differences and Joy and Faith were always butting heads. But when June was dying they all came together as a family. Ian was there and at first Hope was resentful but she accepted that he wanted to help. Her family loved him too and he was always a part of it even before Hope and Ian got married.
The epilogue was a year after June died.
I should have realized that the book was from the author's life. I also learned she was a comedian in her former life. Why am I not surprised!
Have those tissues ready; you'll need them unless you're a rock! I was emotionally drained after it that's for sure. You'll also be laughing at some of the lines this family had and it wasn't just Texas sayings either.
Hope is 50 and just "retired" (or was she forced out - it was sort of vague which was the start of the book). She was a teacher of AP English at a prep school. She is now going back home to her little town only 40 minutes away in Texas. She's divorced from Ian. She has 4 sisters, Joy, Faith, June and April (aka Babe which they call her since she's the baby of the family). She has her Ph.D in English literature and is hoping for a job at the University of Texas. She's got this thing about her title and how some people don't want to call her Dr. Hall.
June, who is 40, has been battling cancer, which started out as non-smoker's lung cancer, but unfortunately has metastasized to her brain but she's been fighting it for 10 years now with chemo. Her last MRI showed two are gone and one is small, however, it comes back even worse. June is a fighter though and she's tough and kept her sense of humor all throughout it until the end.
This family is one loud boisterous family and they are always yelling not just for arguments but it's just their way of speaking. Hope and her father have their differences and Joy and Faith were always butting heads. But when June was dying they all came together as a family. Ian was there and at first Hope was resentful but she accepted that he wanted to help. Her family loved him too and he was always a part of it even before Hope and Ian got married.
The epilogue was a year after June died.
I should have realized that the book was from the author's life. I also learned she was a comedian in her former life. Why am I not surprised!
July 20, 2026
You know those books that quietly wreck you?
The ones where you're crying so hard you have to put the book down... only to pick it right back up because you have to know what happens next?
The Summer That Changed Us is that book.
As the oldest sister, this one landed square in my heart. Yes, it's about cancer. Yes, it's about grief. But more than anything, it's about sisters. The kind who love loudly, fight spectacularly, show up when it matters, and somehow find reasons to laugh even while their hearts are breaking.
I cried. A lot. But I also laughed because that's exactly what this family does. Jami Albright understands something so many stories miss: grief isn't just sadness. It's laughter in hospital rooms. It's ridiculous family stories told through tears. It's trying to memorize someone's smile because you know you won't get to see it forever.
The Hall sisters felt real. Messy. Chaotic. Loving. Exactly the kind of family you wish you could pull up a chair beside.
One line absolutely undid me: "Say the words. Take the pictures. Spend the time."
Read that again. Because that's the heart of this book.
This isn't a romance. It isn't a happily-ever-after. It's something rarer. It's a love letter to sisters, to family, and to choosing each other while you still can.
Keep tissues nearby. Trust me.
The ones where you're crying so hard you have to put the book down... only to pick it right back up because you have to know what happens next?
The Summer That Changed Us is that book.
As the oldest sister, this one landed square in my heart. Yes, it's about cancer. Yes, it's about grief. But more than anything, it's about sisters. The kind who love loudly, fight spectacularly, show up when it matters, and somehow find reasons to laugh even while their hearts are breaking.
I cried. A lot. But I also laughed because that's exactly what this family does. Jami Albright understands something so many stories miss: grief isn't just sadness. It's laughter in hospital rooms. It's ridiculous family stories told through tears. It's trying to memorize someone's smile because you know you won't get to see it forever.
The Hall sisters felt real. Messy. Chaotic. Loving. Exactly the kind of family you wish you could pull up a chair beside.
One line absolutely undid me: "Say the words. Take the pictures. Spend the time."
Read that again. Because that's the heart of this book.
This isn't a romance. It isn't a happily-ever-after. It's something rarer. It's a love letter to sisters, to family, and to choosing each other while you still can.
Keep tissues nearby. Trust me.
August 15, 2026
3.5β rounded down.
Are you looking for a summer read thatβs sure to make you cry? Then this is the book for you. It follows four sisters as they navigate their complicated family dynamics and a terminal medical diagnosis. Translation: buckle up and grab a box of tissues, because this is one emotional ride.
For anyone who has ever experienced the anticipatory grief of losing someone, this book is going to hit incredibly close to home. End-stage illness is a brutal topic, but Albright does a beautiful job showing the raw, chaotic, and completely different ways people process this trauma. Is it heavy? Yes. But I thoroughly appreciated how the author throws out some lifelines in the way that the heartbreaking moments are balanced with genuine flashes of lightness and humor.
Where this fell short for me was in the depth of the character development. I loved the present-day plotline, but the past events felt almost like a teaser trailer. They were mentioned, but I wanted more of a deep dive into their history in order to fully understand why these sisters think and act the way that they do.
Overall, this was a heartbreaking story of loss, forgiveness, and second chances. Add this to your TBR if you enjoy womenβs fiction that doubles as an emotional workout, complicated sister dynamics, and stories that balance heavy grief with genuine humor.
Are you looking for a summer read thatβs sure to make you cry? Then this is the book for you. It follows four sisters as they navigate their complicated family dynamics and a terminal medical diagnosis. Translation: buckle up and grab a box of tissues, because this is one emotional ride.
For anyone who has ever experienced the anticipatory grief of losing someone, this book is going to hit incredibly close to home. End-stage illness is a brutal topic, but Albright does a beautiful job showing the raw, chaotic, and completely different ways people process this trauma. Is it heavy? Yes. But I thoroughly appreciated how the author throws out some lifelines in the way that the heartbreaking moments are balanced with genuine flashes of lightness and humor.
Where this fell short for me was in the depth of the character development. I loved the present-day plotline, but the past events felt almost like a teaser trailer. They were mentioned, but I wanted more of a deep dive into their history in order to fully understand why these sisters think and act the way that they do.
Overall, this was a heartbreaking story of loss, forgiveness, and second chances. Add this to your TBR if you enjoy womenβs fiction that doubles as an emotional workout, complicated sister dynamics, and stories that balance heavy grief with genuine humor.
June 13, 2026
This book!Β Heartbreakingly beautiful. Heartbreaking. Beautiful.Β Spoiler alert... She dies.Β June dies after fighting cancer, surviving, and even thriving despite it for over a decade. And it's back. In a new way.Β And she fights the fight once again. Until the day she says she's done fighting. Her beauty and grace in acceptance. And her humor!Β I laughed, but I cried more.Β To watch someone's heart beats slow. To wait for the next one. To hear the last breath and having that deep knowing while you are simultaneously waiting, hoping, and watching for the next breath but also, somehow knowing that it was the last.Β The feeling that all the breath has been sucked out of you while watching their last breath. The feeling that with their last heartbeat your heart has been ripped out, split in two, and stomped on the ground. And yet, somehow, inexplicably, also recognizing the beauty and the peace that goes with the art of dying well.Β How is that all possible, all at the same exact moment.Β I don't know the answer but, I know that it is.Β This book! 5 s. And..."Say the words. Take the pictures. Spend the time."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have been a long time listener of The Wish I'd Known for Writers podcast and hearing Jami's journey with her sister helped to make me more invested. The story centers on a perfectionistic woman who thinks she has control over life. Slowly, she starts learning that she doesn't have control of much. Ultimately she learns that are most important things are right in front of her. The journey we were taken on was real, I could see the glimpses of her real life in this story. I recently lost my father, and the touch that a devastating death leaves on you, makes the writing come alive in a way that grief has never touched me before. It's a wonderful true glimpse into what family is like when someone important dies right in front of them. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants something wholesome and emotional. I would also recommend it to someone who is grieving sometimes you just need something that meets you right where you are and this is it. Thank you Victory Editing and Net Galley for an e-arc of this book!
July 30, 2026
I laughed. I cried. I felt like I was sitting right in the middle of this loud, messy, beautifully complicated family.
Jami Albright perfectly captures the kind of love that only sisters can haveβthe teasing, the old wounds, the chaos, and the unwavering way they show up when it matters most. This book had me laughing out loud one minute and reaching for tissues the next.
Hopeβs journey is such a powerful reminder that sometimes losing the life you thought you wanted is the first step toward finding what you truly need. The characters felt real, flawed, and unforgettable, especially June, whose strength and spirit stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
If Steel Magnolias and Schittβs Creek had a book baby, this would be it: full of humor, heart, family drama, and those emotional moments that sneak up and completely wreck you.
A beautiful story about grief, forgiveness, second chances, and the kind of family that drives you crazyβbut would fight for you without hesitation.
Jami Albright perfectly captures the kind of love that only sisters can haveβthe teasing, the old wounds, the chaos, and the unwavering way they show up when it matters most. This book had me laughing out loud one minute and reaching for tissues the next.
Hopeβs journey is such a powerful reminder that sometimes losing the life you thought you wanted is the first step toward finding what you truly need. The characters felt real, flawed, and unforgettable, especially June, whose strength and spirit stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
If Steel Magnolias and Schittβs Creek had a book baby, this would be it: full of humor, heart, family drama, and those emotional moments that sneak up and completely wreck you.
A beautiful story about grief, forgiveness, second chances, and the kind of family that drives you crazyβbut would fight for you without hesitation.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am writing this review moments after reading the last words. I never write reviews but I HAVE TO with this book! It takes a lot to get me to laugh out loud or cry real tears while reading. This book had me doing both.
I never had a sister. I always wanted one but I was "blessed" with two older brothers who never wanted me around. I was super lonely as a kid. I have three daughters with whom I love watching their relationship dynamic. They may have fought like cats and dogs, but were fiercely loyal to each other.
Reading this book gave me another look into a kind of relationship that I've always wanted. It's beautifully written! I felt every emotion that each family member felt. Jami communicated the rollercoaster of grief so accurately, and how grief can either push you from or pull you closer to each other.
I loved this book so, so much! It has inspired me to have some important conversations that I've been holding off on having. So thankful for this timely read!
I never had a sister. I always wanted one but I was "blessed" with two older brothers who never wanted me around. I was super lonely as a kid. I have three daughters with whom I love watching their relationship dynamic. They may have fought like cats and dogs, but were fiercely loyal to each other.
Reading this book gave me another look into a kind of relationship that I've always wanted. It's beautifully written! I felt every emotion that each family member felt. Jami communicated the rollercoaster of grief so accurately, and how grief can either push you from or pull you closer to each other.
I loved this book so, so much! It has inspired me to have some important conversations that I've been holding off on having. So thankful for this timely read!
May 23, 2026
This book is actually based on a true story and from the first page you know it is going to tear your heart out. June is the baby of five girls and Hope is the oldest and she is the narrator of this story and that leaves Joy, Grace and Babe. June is outspoken and not afraid of anyone or anything so fighting lung cancer for ten years as only made her stronger but a new cancer has been found and there is no cure of that one. This details the day in and day out of what the family goes through when someone is dying and the heartbreak it brings but also the profound way you take each day in a more serious way. I loved every page and can relate to what they went through because I have lost someone very dear to me and the way it changes your life is forever. Thank You for writing this painful and so real look at how cancer effects everyone in the family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2026
This is a WOW! book for me. Itβs beautifully written, and itβs filled with so much love from beginning to end. If you have read anything by Jami Albright, you certainly know how funny she is. It takes a skilled author to write a story inspired by the loss of a beloved sister, and to tell that story with heart, humor and warmth.
Itβs sad, yes, because we know how it ends, but itβs so much more. Itβs funny and heartwarming and so incredibly inspiring. Itβs forgiveness and growth, second chances, gratitude, and living lifeβeven at the end of itβon your own terms. Itβs about the love of family and the love between sisters, even when itβs difficult.
Having lost my only sister three years ago, I was afraid it would be difficult to read, and at times it was very emotional, but honestly β it was healing for me as well. This is a bright, shiny five-star read, and itβs one of my favorite books so far this year.
Itβs sad, yes, because we know how it ends, but itβs so much more. Itβs funny and heartwarming and so incredibly inspiring. Itβs forgiveness and growth, second chances, gratitude, and living lifeβeven at the end of itβon your own terms. Itβs about the love of family and the love between sisters, even when itβs difficult.
Having lost my only sister three years ago, I was afraid it would be difficult to read, and at times it was very emotional, but honestly β it was healing for me as well. This is a bright, shiny five-star read, and itβs one of my favorite books so far this year.
May 26, 2026
Oh. My. Gosh. The Summer That Changed Us by Jami Albright is most certainly a story that will stay with me for a long time. Grab a box of tissues because you will definitely need them for this emotional, yet uplifting story.
Hope's sister June has been fighting terminal cancer for ten years when things suddenly change and the entire family comes together for a remarkable journey.
Reaching down deep inside, searching for a strength they don't even know they had, they navigate the ups and downs with laughter, love and faith.
This emotional story was beautifully told with humor inserted in all the right places.
I lost track of all the times I was in tears. I absolutely loved this story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the honor of reading and reviewing this beautiful story
Hope's sister June has been fighting terminal cancer for ten years when things suddenly change and the entire family comes together for a remarkable journey.
Reaching down deep inside, searching for a strength they don't even know they had, they navigate the ups and downs with laughter, love and faith.
This emotional story was beautifully told with humor inserted in all the right places.
I lost track of all the times I was in tears. I absolutely loved this story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the honor of reading and reviewing this beautiful story
August 6, 2026
The Summer That Changed Us is a beautifully written story that captures the joy, heartbreak, and resilience of family with remarkable authenticity. Jami Albright balances humor and emotion effortlessly, creating a novel that is both uplifting and deeply moving.
The relationship between Hope and her sisters is the heart of the story. Their banter, unwavering love, and shared history feel genuine, while Hope's journey of rediscovering herself adds emotional depth that resonates long after the final page. The novel handles difficult themes with honesty and compassion without ever losing its warmth.
Heartfelt, funny, and profoundly emotional, The Summer That Changed Us is a memorable read for anyone who enjoys character driven women's fiction, family sagas, and stories about second chances, healing, and the enduring strength of sisterhood.
The relationship between Hope and her sisters is the heart of the story. Their banter, unwavering love, and shared history feel genuine, while Hope's journey of rediscovering herself adds emotional depth that resonates long after the final page. The novel handles difficult themes with honesty and compassion without ever losing its warmth.
Heartfelt, funny, and profoundly emotional, The Summer That Changed Us is a memorable read for anyone who enjoys character driven women's fiction, family sagas, and stories about second chances, healing, and the enduring strength of sisterhood.
June 30, 2026
A Story of Love, Loss, and the Strength of Family
A Story of Love, Loss, and the Strength of Family. Told through the eyes of the oldest of five sisters, this heartfelt novel captures the unbreakable bond of family as they face the unimaginable loss of their fourth sister to cancer. Set in a close-knit small town, the story beautifully illustrates how friends, neighbors, and an entire community rally around the family, offering love, strength, and hope during their darkest days. Though filled with heartbreak, it is ultimately a powerful reminder that faith, family, and the kindness of others can carry us through life's greatest challenges, and that love continues long after a loved one is called home to Heaven.
A Story of Love, Loss, and the Strength of Family. Told through the eyes of the oldest of five sisters, this heartfelt novel captures the unbreakable bond of family as they face the unimaginable loss of their fourth sister to cancer. Set in a close-knit small town, the story beautifully illustrates how friends, neighbors, and an entire community rally around the family, offering love, strength, and hope during their darkest days. Though filled with heartbreak, it is ultimately a powerful reminder that faith, family, and the kindness of others can carry us through life's greatest challenges, and that love continues long after a loved one is called home to Heaven.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Hope realizes her sister, June, has been having more health issues she decides to stay home in her small town to help. Hope has been through a lot herself, but wants to be there to make sure everything is taken care of even though her other three sisters do not want her to try to be in control of everything. This story gripped me from the very beginning and I could not put it down. Hopeβs family is amazing and showing how they were there for June during all parts of her life had me in tears several times. June sounds like a wonderfully, funny person and taken way too soon from her family and friends. You will want to hug all of your family after reading this book.
May 20, 2026
Iβm a long time listener of the Wish Iβd Known Then Podcast. Jami Albright has been very open about how the death of her younger sister Joni affected her and her entire family. Jami wasnβt sure if sheβd be able to write again. Well, she sure can! This beautiful fictional story inspired by Jamiβs real life experience is filled with funny scenes and heartwarming moments. You really get the sense of what itβs like when a large family of sisters, their parents, extended family and friends support each other when dealing with their own grief.
Jami, Iβm sure Joni is looking down at you saying, βYou did good, Sis. β€οΈβ
Your Canadian Fan π¨π¦
Johanne
Jami, Iβm sure Joni is looking down at you saying, βYou did good, Sis. β€οΈβ
Your Canadian Fan π¨π¦
Johanne
June 16, 2026
Jami Albright's writing has always had me laughing out loud, and this book is no different. But make sure you have the Kleenex ready because it had me ugly crying too. The Summer That Changed Us is a heartbreakingly beautiful story about a family's bond and the emotional roller coaster their relationships take them on. Make sure you set aside time to read this book because once you start reading, you won't stop until the final page. Great writing, strong and well developed characters, and a pull at your heartstrings storyline make this a five-star read. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow!!!
The Summer That Changed Us is a heartfelt story about family, the bond between siblings, love, and loss. This book hit me hard, it had me laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time. Itβs emotional, raw, and beautifully written, making it a story that really stays with you long after you finish.
I am so honored to be given an ARC copy to read and review. Thank you so much Jami for reaching out to me, and sharing your sister's story with me.
This book is releasing May 18th!
#cancersucks
The Summer That Changed Us is a heartfelt story about family, the bond between siblings, love, and loss. This book hit me hard, it had me laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time. Itβs emotional, raw, and beautifully written, making it a story that really stays with you long after you finish.
I am so honored to be given an ARC copy to read and review. Thank you so much Jami for reaching out to me, and sharing your sister's story with me.
This book is releasing May 18th!
#cancersucks
May 23, 2026
***Review of advanced copy from Netgallery-thank you ******
I absolutely loved this book. As heartbreaking as it was, I couldnβt put it down. The characters felt so real that at times I wondered if the author was writing from her own experiences β then I read the epilogue . Jami the character of June felt so real im so sorry for your loss but so glad the character of June is your sisterΒ
This wasnβt just a story you read and forget about a week later. I genuinely think Iβll be thinking about this family for a long time. Beautifully written, emotional, raw and full of heart.
I absolutely loved this book. As heartbreaking as it was, I couldnβt put it down. The characters felt so real that at times I wondered if the author was writing from her own experiences β then I read the epilogue . Jami the character of June felt so real im so sorry for your loss but so glad the character of June is your sisterΒ
This wasnβt just a story you read and forget about a week later. I genuinely think Iβll be thinking about this family for a long time. Beautifully written, emotional, raw and full of heart.
May 25, 2026
Wow! I really wasnβt prepared to spend the last several hours not being able to put this book down. Once I got into it, I could not turn the pages fast enough. At the end, I find itβs based on a true story about the author and her families journey with her sister who had cancer and a brain disease. So beautifully written, I cried over many images and also laughed at some humor. So glad someone on TT mentioned this book and that I have read it. It will definitely stay with me for a very long time.
July 17, 2026
Hope has always made the right choices and has had the best life until she doesnβt. At 50 her life implodes as she loses job and her marriage falls apart. Her sister has had cancer for 10 years but Hope can tell something has changed. You get to follow Hope through this journey as she tries to hold her family together. this book is very emotional but I loved it. Having gone through watching my Dad pass away from cancer 4 years ago so much resonates with me. I also lost my son suddenly almost 2 years ago so grief is something I deal with everyday. Again great book.
August 12, 2026
The story of five sisters, June, Hope, Joy, Grace and Babe. The struggle of one, having had to fight Cancer for years, (only to have it return) is at the end of her journey, and how the whole family gathers around to make the most of what time she has left. This story mainly centers around June but there are other influences as well. Brilliantly written but make sure you have plenty of tissues around. you will need them! This is one of the best books I have ever had the privilege to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 16, 2026
I downloaded this book as a free Kindle read and was pleasantly surprised. If you can ignore the fact that it is difficult that three such very different women and strangers would so quickly form an extremely strong, loyal, and supportive friendship, then the plot is compelling. Each women's story and problem(s) are intersting and you find yourself rooting for them all. While many of the developments seem very unlikely, this is a novel after all, and we want a bit of escapism. The beach setting, seaglass collecting, and small town community add a touch of beauty to the book.
Read
May 15, 2026π»ππ πΊπππππ π»πππ πͺππππππ
πΌπ is a funny, heartbreaking, and heartwarming women's fiction book inspired by the last few months of my sister's life. It is a love letter to sisters, family, and to any woman who finds herself having to start over when she thought she had her life perfectly planned out.
You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll want to hug your sister.
Think πΊππππ π΄ππππππππ meets πΊπππππ'π πͺππππ with the Heart of π»πππ ππ πΌπ.
You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll want to hug your sister.
Think πΊππππ π΄ππππππππ meets πΊπππππ'π πͺππππ with the Heart of π»πππ ππ πΌπ.
June 6, 2026
I laughed and cried. I love Jami Albright!
Iβve read all her books over and over. Then I wasnβt seeing any new writing so I checked her out on line and saw that she had been spending time with her sister who had cancer and then trying to work through her death. I am so glad she wrote this book! The story of a funny, imperfect quirky family loving each other through such a life altering experience. What a way to love your sister and family.
Iβve read all her books over and over. Then I wasnβt seeing any new writing so I checked her out on line and saw that she had been spending time with her sister who had cancer and then trying to work through her death. I am so glad she wrote this book! The story of a funny, imperfect quirky family loving each other through such a life altering experience. What a way to love your sister and family.
June 5, 2026
ALL THE FEELSβ¦
β¦ the good, the bad, and the ugly.
This story put me through the emotional wringer, making me bawl my eyes out one moment, then laughing through the tears the next.
I truly felt for Hope and her family and wanted to give them all a huge hug. There were so many little things (and big emotions!) that felt oh so familiar. But most of all, I felt the LOVE this family had for each other (even if some might not have been as good as others at showing it).
β¦ the good, the bad, and the ugly.
This story put me through the emotional wringer, making me bawl my eyes out one moment, then laughing through the tears the next.
I truly felt for Hope and her family and wanted to give them all a huge hug. There were so many little things (and big emotions!) that felt oh so familiar. But most of all, I felt the LOVE this family had for each other (even if some might not have been as good as others at showing it).
May 18, 2026
Thank you Net Galley for the early read of The Summer that Changed Us. Just Wow!! I read this book in one sitting. I cried. I laughed. It had me in all my feels. This story revolves around June who is dying of cancer and how her family is coping in their own ways. Especially her four sisters. The dynamic between the 5 sisters is just so beautiful. What a great read!!!!
May 25, 2026
Beauty from Ashes
This book sends you on a journey of grief, healing, and laughter with one family as they face their hardest days anchored by each other. It gives the reader a raw look into what life is like on different levels for those watching a loved one die. A true beauty out of ashes story.
Much love to those who loved June/Joni, the most.
This book sends you on a journey of grief, healing, and laughter with one family as they face their hardest days anchored by each other. It gives the reader a raw look into what life is like on different levels for those watching a loved one die. A true beauty out of ashes story.
Much love to those who loved June/Joni, the most.
June 9, 2026
Jokes on you, because I was actually planning on sobbing blubbering heaving crying tonight. Raw emotion delivered in a very readable story. I love all of these characters and I appreciate how this story of losing a sibling to cancer was told with love and respect. Thank you for sharing your heart, and it seems the world would be a better place if it was filled with families like yours.
June 23, 2026
This family saga that's both tragic and humorous , dramatic and heartbreaking will keep you turning pages.
Very engaging with characters and situations you might find familiar. They are real.
Keep tissues handy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Very engaging with characters and situations you might find familiar. They are real.
Keep tissues handy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 28, 2026
family, emotional, love
What a beautiful tribute to a loving sister and family. You captured how the loss of a family member can take its toll on everyone who knew her and how to let her pass the best way everyone knew how to do it.
I canβt wait to read more and more from this author.
What a beautiful tribute to a loving sister and family. You captured how the loss of a family member can take its toll on everyone who knew her and how to let her pass the best way everyone knew how to do it.
I canβt wait to read more and more from this author.
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