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The Summer Diary
After her best friend dies in a plane crash, Keri discovers that she had a secret lover — Keri sets out to find him. When Keri finally reaches Ryan, could she unexpectedly find a new chance at happiness? After her best friend and her husband are killed in a private airplane crash, Keri finds some of her friend’s personal effects, one of which is a diary. When Keri reads it, she discovers her friend had been secretly in love with another man, a soldier. Keri knew nothing about the relationship, even though she and her friend were as close as sisters. Determined to find the secret lover, Keri sets off on a journey and discovers the key to her destiny.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2015
About the author
Elyse Douglas
46 books362 followersElyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age and graduated with a Master's Degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers, and avid readers. Some of Elyse Douglas' novels include: "Time Change," The Summer Letters," "Daring Summer," The Christmas Eve Series" and "Time Stranger." They reside in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 25, 2021
Another risk taking choice via Kindle Unlimited. Sadly, very slow, bland and a bit boring. Even with a good premise, the story isn't going go anywhere without depth and character development.
July 19, 2015
Keri Lawton loses a friendship of more than 20 years, her best friend Sophia Anderson dies in a plane crash. Sophia's parents ask Keri she collects and take a few objects of their daughter at the beach house. Among the objects, Keri finds a diary. Keri never imagined that Sophia had a diary, they always shared all the secrets. Or didn't they?
Reading the diary Keri discovers some secrets that make her feel like she was losing her friend a second time.
But the most amazing was that Sophia finally fallen in love with someone ... when she was to marry another man.
Following some clues, Keri find out who was this man of Sophia secrets and where he lived. Keri decides to find him and try to unravel who really was this friend that she thought she knew so well.
Ryan was a former soldier of the Army Special Forces. He has a tragedy romantic history. He was never reciprocal for Sophia's feelings.
But when Ryan and Keri meet, the abyss of sadness and disappointment that kept them separated from the world begins to come together.
The story is romantic, sometimes sad, but the end brings contentment.
I liked the characters, I thought Sophia was a bitch friend, and loved the ending.
A good book to read in an raining day...
4 stars
Reading the diary Keri discovers some secrets that make her feel like she was losing her friend a second time.
But the most amazing was that Sophia finally fallen in love with someone ... when she was to marry another man.
Following some clues, Keri find out who was this man of Sophia secrets and where he lived. Keri decides to find him and try to unravel who really was this friend that she thought she knew so well.
Ryan was a former soldier of the Army Special Forces. He has a tragedy romantic history. He was never reciprocal for Sophia's feelings.
But when Ryan and Keri meet, the abyss of sadness and disappointment that kept them separated from the world begins to come together.
The story is romantic, sometimes sad, but the end brings contentment.
I liked the characters, I thought Sophia was a bitch friend, and loved the ending.
A good book to read in an raining day...
4 stars
August 23, 2018
Another one devoured
This book is equally as good as all the others. The characters are real, stories are believable, good reading not to be put down until finished. Keep them coming Elyse Douglas. You have in me a true fan of your work.
This book is equally as good as all the others. The characters are real, stories are believable, good reading not to be put down until finished. Keep them coming Elyse Douglas. You have in me a true fan of your work.
June 27, 2015
Received a copy in exchange for an honest review
“Ryan leaned down and kissed her closed chewing mouth. She stopped chewing, taking the kiss with new pleasure, feeling the heat of the sun on her face, feeling the heat of passion for Ryan.”
5 perfect, emotional stars! This book was such an emotional book!! You really feel for the characters as you read!
The tragic death of her best friend and husband, lead Keri to a secret diary and a secret lover.
After her best friend and her husband are killed in a private airplane crash, Keri finds some of her friend’s personal effects, one of which is a diary. When Keri reads it, she discovers her friend had been secretly in love with another man, a soldier. Keri knew nothing about the relationship, even though she and her friend were as close as sisters.
Determined to find the secret lover, Keri sets off on a journey and discovers the key to her destiny.
Wow, this book was so much different than I’ve ever read and that’s definitely a good thing. After her best friend and husband die tragically, Keri is responsible for going through the personal effects. While looking, she finds her best friends secret diary and inside she finds out that her best friend was in love with another man. Keri never knew any of this, she thought her best friend told her everything. After reading this she’s on a mission to find this man and on her journey she discovers stuff about herself that she never knew. Such a great, emotional read!! I really became enthralled with this book!!
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and Reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**
“Ryan leaned down and kissed her closed chewing mouth. She stopped chewing, taking the kiss with new pleasure, feeling the heat of the sun on her face, feeling the heat of passion for Ryan.”
5 perfect, emotional stars! This book was such an emotional book!! You really feel for the characters as you read!
The tragic death of her best friend and husband, lead Keri to a secret diary and a secret lover.
After her best friend and her husband are killed in a private airplane crash, Keri finds some of her friend’s personal effects, one of which is a diary. When Keri reads it, she discovers her friend had been secretly in love with another man, a soldier. Keri knew nothing about the relationship, even though she and her friend were as close as sisters.
Determined to find the secret lover, Keri sets off on a journey and discovers the key to her destiny.
Wow, this book was so much different than I’ve ever read and that’s definitely a good thing. After her best friend and husband die tragically, Keri is responsible for going through the personal effects. While looking, she finds her best friends secret diary and inside she finds out that her best friend was in love with another man. Keri never knew any of this, she thought her best friend told her everything. After reading this she’s on a mission to find this man and on her journey she discovers stuff about herself that she never knew. Such a great, emotional read!! I really became enthralled with this book!!
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and Reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**
July 16, 2015
Keri and Sophia had been best friends forever. They lived next to each other, grew old together, shared what they loved about men in general. As children, Sophia had her eyes set to get married to a rich man. While Keri wanted someone smart and stable. When they got older, their preferences changed but their friendship remained strong.
Sophia and her husband Richard were supposed to go on a celebratory trip after Rochard got his pilot licence. But fate had other things in mind. They had a plane crash, and Keri was distraught and crushed and devastated when she learned she would never see her bestfriend, ever again.
Then she happened to read Sophia's diary. She learned that her bestfriend had been harboring secrets - secrets about her tryst with a certain soldier named Ryan, before she got married. This info intrigued Keri and before she knew it, she was already entangled in a search mission and had been adamant to meet the guy.
I suddenly missed my bestfriend Madonna after reading this book. To know some things, secrets, that your BFF have hidden after all these years, I think it's natural to get hurt. But losing your best friend forever, now that is painful.
Elyse Douglas captured my interest with her book. Summer Diary was a feel-good read, just a little sad because of the death of a character. But overall, it was quite an emotional and fulfilling experience. The romance was beautifully written, the characters were easy to love and relate to. Kudos to the author for a job well done!
Sophia and her husband Richard were supposed to go on a celebratory trip after Rochard got his pilot licence. But fate had other things in mind. They had a plane crash, and Keri was distraught and crushed and devastated when she learned she would never see her bestfriend, ever again.
Then she happened to read Sophia's diary. She learned that her bestfriend had been harboring secrets - secrets about her tryst with a certain soldier named Ryan, before she got married. This info intrigued Keri and before she knew it, she was already entangled in a search mission and had been adamant to meet the guy.
I suddenly missed my bestfriend Madonna after reading this book. To know some things, secrets, that your BFF have hidden after all these years, I think it's natural to get hurt. But losing your best friend forever, now that is painful.
Elyse Douglas captured my interest with her book. Summer Diary was a feel-good read, just a little sad because of the death of a character. But overall, it was quite an emotional and fulfilling experience. The romance was beautifully written, the characters were easy to love and relate to. Kudos to the author for a job well done!
May 27, 2015
I really liked the concept of this story. The idea that even our very closest friends have important secrets they keep from us. And does that mean that we never knew them at all? I was also looking forward to the journey of self-discovery that Keri would take on her way to finding the soldier Ryan.
The story started slowly and unfortunately, in my opinion, never caught any speed. There were entirely too many unimportant details that didn’t add to the story. For example, information dumps about special forces, pregnancy, and lobster fishing. Much of the book felt like rambling instead of a story being told. Events happened that didn't seem to have any bearing on the story at all and only slowed it down.
I couldn’t get a good hold on Keri’s character. And I didn’t feel like Ryan’s character growth was real. It started out real enough but then it jumps and leaps and bounds from one visit that he makes. After years of suffering, he's cured.
I feel like this story has so much potential, but could be about half the length it currently is. It just went on far too long in my very humble opinion.
The story started slowly and unfortunately, in my opinion, never caught any speed. There were entirely too many unimportant details that didn’t add to the story. For example, information dumps about special forces, pregnancy, and lobster fishing. Much of the book felt like rambling instead of a story being told. Events happened that didn't seem to have any bearing on the story at all and only slowed it down.
I couldn’t get a good hold on Keri’s character. And I didn’t feel like Ryan’s character growth was real. It started out real enough but then it jumps and leaps and bounds from one visit that he makes. After years of suffering, he's cured.
I feel like this story has so much potential, but could be about half the length it currently is. It just went on far too long in my very humble opinion.
July 7, 2015
The Summer Diary is about Keri. This book starts out with Keri at Brandy Beach going through some items left by her best friend, Sophia who recently died in a plane crash with her husband. Keri is going through the items because Sophia’s parents are not up to the task. In the process Keri finds a diary detailing a love that she never told anyone about not even her best friend Keri. Through this Keri finds out there were some other things, hurtful things that Sophia kept from her as well. After reading the diary, which mostly about Sophia’s love for Ryan, Keri decides to go find Ryan. This changes her life and Ryan’s life forever. Anymore would give too much away.
This book was a nice read. It is a little slow moving but details the characters and backgrounds really well. This is a great read for someone who likes a romance, with only a few twists and turns.
I’m giving this book 3 fangs.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock.
This book was a nice read. It is a little slow moving but details the characters and backgrounds really well. This is a great read for someone who likes a romance, with only a few twists and turns.
I’m giving this book 3 fangs.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock.
July 17, 2015
We thoroughly enjoyed Keri’s journey as she unraveled the true story of Sophia and Ryan and the heartwarming love story that we get to experience along the way. If you get the chance to recline on your chaise longue by the pool and read the Summer Diary by Elyse Douglas, take it! You’ll thank us. Read our full review of The Summer Diary by Elyse Douglas.
February 9, 2024
Hello book lovers, I have a treat for you today: another fantastic book by Elyse Douglas.
'The Summer Diary' is a captivating story of love, secrets, and friendship. The main character is Keri, who discovers after the death of her best friend that she had a 'BIG SECRET' that she never told her. She had fallen in love with a man who was grieving his wife's suicide and couldn't reciprocate her feelings. Keri is intrigued by this mystery and decides to find this man and see what drew her friend to him. She embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.
This book is full of twists and turns, romance and drama, and it will keep you hooked until the end. I loved the characters, the setting, and the writing style of Elyse Douglas. She has a way of making you feel like you're part of the story and you care about what happens to the characters. If you're looking for a read to make you feel good, I highly recommend 'The Summer Diary.' You won't regret it!!
• ASIN: B00XCD9ZW6
• Publication Date: 5/7/2015
• File Size: 3589 KB
• Print Length: 292 pages
• Genre: Contemporary Romance Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance
'The Summer Diary' is a captivating story of love, secrets, and friendship. The main character is Keri, who discovers after the death of her best friend that she had a 'BIG SECRET' that she never told her. She had fallen in love with a man who was grieving his wife's suicide and couldn't reciprocate her feelings. Keri is intrigued by this mystery and decides to find this man and see what drew her friend to him. She embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.
This book is full of twists and turns, romance and drama, and it will keep you hooked until the end. I loved the characters, the setting, and the writing style of Elyse Douglas. She has a way of making you feel like you're part of the story and you care about what happens to the characters. If you're looking for a read to make you feel good, I highly recommend 'The Summer Diary.' You won't regret it!!
• ASIN: B00XCD9ZW6
• Publication Date: 5/7/2015
• File Size: 3589 KB
• Print Length: 292 pages
• Genre: Contemporary Romance Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance
November 25, 2019
Love it!💗
This is another excellent read full of wonderful characters written by the wife and husband team of Elyse Douglas. The characters are strong and written so that you feel exactly what they are feeling, whether it's despair or ultimate joy. You become committed to the characters as if they were your friends and/or your family to the point that when you have finished reading the book, you're not finished with the characters and you want more of them. Hopefully, there will be more books about Ryan and Keri down the road.
This is another excellent read full of wonderful characters written by the wife and husband team of Elyse Douglas. The characters are strong and written so that you feel exactly what they are feeling, whether it's despair or ultimate joy. You become committed to the characters as if they were your friends and/or your family to the point that when you have finished reading the book, you're not finished with the characters and you want more of them. Hopefully, there will be more books about Ryan and Keri down the road.
July 6, 2020
The Summer Diary
Keri’s best friend died in a plane crash. Later going through her friends diary and even though she was married Keri found that her friend was in love with a Ryan. Keri did some looking and found Ryan. Ryan had been in special ops and lost his wife while on duty. He blamed himself and didn’t think he could ever be in love again Keri changed all that.
Keri’s best friend died in a plane crash. Later going through her friends diary and even though she was married Keri found that her friend was in love with a Ryan. Keri did some looking and found Ryan. Ryan had been in special ops and lost his wife while on duty. He blamed himself and didn’t think he could ever be in love again Keri changed all that.
April 5, 2020
I thought this book was slow going and didn't pick up until well into the story..A bit predictable, as well..I liked Keri and Ryan..The ending was quite dramatic and very well done..Not my favorite by Elyse Douglas but still a good read..
May 26, 2020
Rainy Day Read
I spent an afternoon on this romance, great fun. It was paced to keep me wondering when and if "they" would finally get together. I actually loved the main characters and a few more in this quaint little beach l area! Check out Big Pete ( a teddy bear ).
I spent an afternoon on this romance, great fun. It was paced to keep me wondering when and if "they" would finally get together. I actually loved the main characters and a few more in this quaint little beach l area! Check out Big Pete ( a teddy bear ).
June 13, 2020
Such a sweet story
It's not always very smart to have a diary and to write secrets that you don't want people to know. Especially if someone you are close to reads it and that someone is your best friend.
It's not always very smart to have a diary and to write secrets that you don't want people to know. Especially if someone you are close to reads it and that someone is your best friend.
May 2, 2022
Good character development
I’ve read most of their books and enjoyed them all. A good relaxing escape. My only criticism is that the east coast doesn’t have sunsets dipping in the ocean. That would have to be a sunrise😉
I’ve read most of their books and enjoyed them all. A good relaxing escape. My only criticism is that the east coast doesn’t have sunsets dipping in the ocean. That would have to be a sunrise😉
July 15, 2018
I very much enjoyed other books by these authors and recommend them. This one however started to lose my interest around the 60% mark. I perused much of the story after that.
February 21, 2019
Light, easy read
I loved this book! Different, yet easy to read. It kept my interest. Made me smile. I was actually hoping for a sequel because I loved the characters!
I loved this book! Different, yet easy to read. It kept my interest. Made me smile. I was actually hoping for a sequel because I loved the characters!
December 13, 2019
Wonderful love story
I love all of her books. Fun, delightful reads that keep you glued to the pages. I stay awake reading her books and can't wait for the next story.
I love all of her books. Fun, delightful reads that keep you glued to the pages. I stay awake reading her books and can't wait for the next story.
August 29, 2020
Easy read
I like the way this author writes if you are looking for a pleasant way to spend the day, pick up any books by Elyse Douglas, you won't be sorry
I like the way this author writes if you are looking for a pleasant way to spend the day, pick up any books by Elyse Douglas, you won't be sorry
Read
September 3, 2020A Novel
Good easy read. I like this author. I don't have to think when reading her books. After a stressful day l like nothing more than to sit and read a book by this lady
Good easy read. I like this author. I don't have to think when reading her books. After a stressful day l like nothing more than to sit and read a book by this lady
September 5, 2020
9/5/2020
December 5, 2020
This book caught me from the first page. Easy read. I loved the characters. I loved the story. I loved the book!
October 24, 2021
Loved this book, it was filled with everything a good story should have friendship, love, anger and a HEA.
August 26, 2025
great story
I truly loved the story. The writing is excellent. So far I've loved all this authors books. Great summer read.
I truly loved the story. The writing is excellent. So far I've loved all this authors books. Great summer read.
June 15, 2026
Love this author and enjoyed this book more than than I thought I would.
June 30, 2026
I love this story it got to me
It is refreshing to read a book that leaves you wanting it to go on. Great book if you believe !
It is refreshing to read a book that leaves you wanting it to go on. Great book if you believe !
July 10, 2015
The Summer Diary is a delightful romance story that follows Keri's emotional journey of searching for her dead best friend Sophia's secret lover. Keri's personal journey will lead to her discover her true self and finding an unexpected love along the way.
After a tragic plane crash takes the life of Keri's longtime best friend Sophia and her husband, Keri finds Sophie's diary and discovers that Sophia had secretly been in love with a soldier named Ryan. With only a few clues, Keri embarks on a journey filled with daunting challenges to find Ryan in order to tell him of Sophia's death, only to discover that by finding Ryan, it will also change their life.
This is a wonderful story that had a nice mixture of mystery and romance. The reader is easily drawn into the story as they follow Keri's personal journey. The secrets from Sophia's diary, along with the drama and mystery of meeting Ryan, and the intriguing twists and turns that occur along the way, coupled with an unexpected chance at finding love, takes the reader on a roller coaster ride where they will have experience the full gamut of emotions as Keri's journey unfolds.
The Summer Diary is an emotional story about friendship, love, loss, and finding oneself.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
After a tragic plane crash takes the life of Keri's longtime best friend Sophia and her husband, Keri finds Sophie's diary and discovers that Sophia had secretly been in love with a soldier named Ryan. With only a few clues, Keri embarks on a journey filled with daunting challenges to find Ryan in order to tell him of Sophia's death, only to discover that by finding Ryan, it will also change their life.
This is a wonderful story that had a nice mixture of mystery and romance. The reader is easily drawn into the story as they follow Keri's personal journey. The secrets from Sophia's diary, along with the drama and mystery of meeting Ryan, and the intriguing twists and turns that occur along the way, coupled with an unexpected chance at finding love, takes the reader on a roller coaster ride where they will have experience the full gamut of emotions as Keri's journey unfolds.
The Summer Diary is an emotional story about friendship, love, loss, and finding oneself.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
July 23, 2015
The Summer Diary by Elyse Douglas was a good book. I did have trouble getting into the story but after the first chapter it got easier for me and by the end of the book I really enjoyed the story and the author writing. This is the first book that I have read by this author or at least I think it is and she is another one that I want to check out more books by her in the future. I felt bad for Keri because of some of things that her “best friend” did to her that she found out after her friend past away. I love following along as Keri looked for the mysterious Ryan and as she learned about herself. I love all the emotions that the author was able to make you feel as you were reading the story. I also love how the author made me understand why the characters felt the way they did and why they made the choices that they made. I could totally related to the characters which is always a great thing to me. I hate when I read books where I can’t relate to the characters or where I don’t understand why the make the choices that they make. This was a sweet summer read and a book that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a sweet summer romance novel to read.
FTC:I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
FTC:I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 11, 2015
Storyline idea? Interesting and caught my eye, it had lots of potential. Characters? I liked them, and thought they had good depth. Execution and telling of the story? This is where it fell flat for me. It felt like it was being told in a straightforward, monotone style which made the story move very slow (even for a book that was not long at all), and also-for me-came across as kind of boring. Even though there was some excitement with some dramatic events that occurred, the flat, matter-of-fact delivery didn’t inspire any excitement for those scenes at all.
I’d had high hopes for the story based on the blurb and the characters that were introduced during the first quarter to third of the book, but unfortunately the writing style and bland storytelling had me forcing myself to finish the book. My star rating would be somewhere between 2-2.5 stars. Normally I like to say so much more in a review, but this time I just find myself with nothing more to elaborate on…a bit disappointing.
I’d had high hopes for the story based on the blurb and the characters that were introduced during the first quarter to third of the book, but unfortunately the writing style and bland storytelling had me forcing myself to finish the book. My star rating would be somewhere between 2-2.5 stars. Normally I like to say so much more in a review, but this time I just find myself with nothing more to elaborate on…a bit disappointing.
August 8, 2015
When you grow up with a best friend, you believe there are no secrets between the two of you, but as in the The Summer Diary, Kerry finds her friend Sophia kept a few. Kerry is given Sophia's things to sort through after her death and comes across a diary that leads her on a search for a mystery man. It's this search for the mystery man that brings about major changes in her life, following the mystery her friend left for her to discover is just the beginning of the story, and what a way to begin!
The Summer diary is a roller coaster ride of a story and will leave you feeling all sorts of emotions and feelings that you do not expect. On top of that is a beautiful story of love and grief and how to move on in life when you lose someone too soon.
One can not be disappointed if you are looking for a mystery with a love story twist! What a fantastic read and I just could not put this sucker down!
The Summer diary is a roller coaster ride of a story and will leave you feeling all sorts of emotions and feelings that you do not expect. On top of that is a beautiful story of love and grief and how to move on in life when you lose someone too soon.
One can not be disappointed if you are looking for a mystery with a love story twist! What a fantastic read and I just could not put this sucker down!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews