What do you think?
Rate this book
Firefly Summer
A little light can guide you home…
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nan Rossiter’s touching new novel reunites four sisters at their childhood vacation spot on Cape Cod—where they uncover the truth about a past tragedy to find their future as a family…
The close-knit Quinn siblings enjoyed the kind of idyllic childhood that seems made for greeting cards, spending each summer at Whit’s End, the family’s home on Cape Cod. Then comes the summer of 1964, warm and lush after a rainy spring—perfect firefly weather. Sisters Birdie, Remy, Sailor, Piper, and their brother, Easton, delight in catching the insects in mason jars to make blinking lanterns. Until, one terrible night, tragedy strikes.
Decades later, the sisters have carved out separate lives on the Cape. Through love and heartbreak, health issues, raising children, and caring for their aging parents, they have supported each other, rarely mentioning their deep childhood loss. But one evening, as they sit together at Whit’s End to watch the sun set, the gathering fireflies elicit memories of that long-ago night, and a tumult of regrets, guilt, and secrets tumble out.
Poignant yet hopeful, Firefly Summer is an uplifting story of the resilience of sisterhood and the bright glimpses of joy and solace that, like fireflies after rain, can follow even the deepest heartaches.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nan Rossiter’s touching new novel reunites four sisters at their childhood vacation spot on Cape Cod—where they uncover the truth about a past tragedy to find their future as a family…
The close-knit Quinn siblings enjoyed the kind of idyllic childhood that seems made for greeting cards, spending each summer at Whit’s End, the family’s home on Cape Cod. Then comes the summer of 1964, warm and lush after a rainy spring—perfect firefly weather. Sisters Birdie, Remy, Sailor, Piper, and their brother, Easton, delight in catching the insects in mason jars to make blinking lanterns. Until, one terrible night, tragedy strikes.
Decades later, the sisters have carved out separate lives on the Cape. Through love and heartbreak, health issues, raising children, and caring for their aging parents, they have supported each other, rarely mentioning their deep childhood loss. But one evening, as they sit together at Whit’s End to watch the sun set, the gathering fireflies elicit memories of that long-ago night, and a tumult of regrets, guilt, and secrets tumble out.
Poignant yet hopeful, Firefly Summer is an uplifting story of the resilience of sisterhood and the bright glimpses of joy and solace that, like fireflies after rain, can follow even the deepest heartaches.
352 pages, ebook
First published July 26, 2016
488 people are currently reading
1300 people want to read
About the author
Nan Rossiter
14 books326 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nan Rossiter loves to weave together stories about the complicated relationships to which all readers can relate -- motherhood, sisterhood, friendship, marriage and romance. She draws from her own life experiences to create authentic situations that mirror the trials and triumphs we all face. Compassionate, real, and funny, her books take readers on emotional journeys that often include heartbreak and joy, but also include threads of faith, a furry friend or two, and uplifting endings. Nan's books have been highly acclaimed by reviewers from Publisher's Weekly to Booklist. Her novel, SUMMER DANCE, was the 2018 winner of the Nancy Pearl Award.
Nan is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and began her writing career in the world of children's books. Along with her many contemporary fiction novels, Nan is also the author/illustrator of several books for children, including RUGBY & ROSIE, winner of Nebraska's Golden Sower Award, and THE FO'C'SLE: Henry Beston's Outermost House.
Nan lives on a quiet country road in Connecticut with her husband and a solemn black Lab named Finn, who diligently watches their every move and can be roused from a nap in a distant room by the sound of a banana being peeled or a cookie crumb hitting the floor. Nan and her husband are the parents of two handsome sons who have struck out on life journeys of their own and are pursuing careers in aviation.
For more information, visit
nanrossiter.com/
facebook.com/NanRossiter/
instagram.com/nanrossiter/
twitter.com/NanRossiter
bookbub.com/profile/nan-rossiter
Nan is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and began her writing career in the world of children's books. Along with her many contemporary fiction novels, Nan is also the author/illustrator of several books for children, including RUGBY & ROSIE, winner of Nebraska's Golden Sower Award, and THE FO'C'SLE: Henry Beston's Outermost House.
Nan lives on a quiet country road in Connecticut with her husband and a solemn black Lab named Finn, who diligently watches their every move and can be roused from a nap in a distant room by the sound of a banana being peeled or a cookie crumb hitting the floor. Nan and her husband are the parents of two handsome sons who have struck out on life journeys of their own and are pursuing careers in aviation.
For more information, visit
nanrossiter.com/
facebook.com/NanRossiter/
instagram.com/nanrossiter/
twitter.com/NanRossiter
bookbub.com/profile/nan-rossiter
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
November 1, 2023
EXCERPT: She looked down at the photos again. When viewed together, they were an extraordinary collection - it was stunning to see how she and her sisters had changed over the years. She picked up the very first one and realized she must have been around eighteen at the time - which would have made Birdie twenty-two, Remy twenty, and Piper only thirteen. Look at them! They were all so slender . . . and gorgeous . . . and independent. Although the family resemblance was strong, the similarities ended there - they were all so different. The only lasting similarity was the solemness in their eyes, a solemness that revealed a shared sorrow - one of which they never spoke. Sailor never understood why her parents never talked about that night . . .why they never even said Easton's name, and through the years, whenever she or her sisters said it, they were given looks that said don't go there.
ABOUT 'FIREFLY SUMMER': The close-knit Quinn siblings enjoyed the kind of idyllic childhood that seems made for greeting cards, spending each summer at Whit’s End, the family’s home on Cape Cod. Then comes the summer of 1964, warm and lush after a rainy spring—perfect firefly weather. Sisters Birdie, Remy, Sailor, Piper, and their brother, Easton, delight in catching the insects in mason jars to make blinking lanterns. Until, one terrible night, tragedy strikes.
Decades later, the sisters have carved out separate lives on the Cape. Through love and heartbreak, health issues, raising children, and caring for their aging parents, they have supported each other, rarely mentioning their deep childhood loss. But one evening, as they sit together at Whit’s End to watch the sun set, the gathering fireflies elicit memories of that long-ago night, and a tumult of regrets, guilt, and secrets tumble out.
MY THOUGHTS: There is no such thing as getting over the death of a sibling; it is more that you become accustomed to living with their absence. But these four sisters, Birdie, Remy, Sailor and Piper have never learned to do even that. Easton's death is tucked away out of sight, never to be spoken of. It is a heavy burden to carry.
There were a lot of missed opportunities in this book. The characters aren't fully developed. Their lives are very narrow. They seem to have no social interaction other than with each other, their spouses and children. Oh, and the retiring family doctor. I kept wanting more from them. I wanted to know what made them tick, and I didn't get it.
Sailor was my favorite sister. I loved her forthright, no-nonsense manner, and there are two delightful dogs and an entitled cat to complement the cast of characters.
Birdie's excessive drinking habit didn't feel right, and the way everyone tiptoed around it or treated it with amused indulgence irritated me. She was overwhelmed by many layers of grief and this would have been a great thread to explore, but it is simply glossed over and given no more importance than anything else happening with the sisters.
In a nutshell, I would have liked a lot more depth.
Despite Firefly Summer falling short for me, I will probably try this author again now I know what to expect as she does write beautifully.
⭐⭐.5
#FireflySummer #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Nan Rossiter loves to weave together stories about the complicated relationships to which all readers can relate -- motherhood, sisterhood, friendship, marriage and romance. She draws from her own life experiences to create authentic situations that mirror the trials and triumphs we all face. Compassionate, real, and funny, her books take readers on emotional journeys that often include heartbreak and joy, but also include threads of faith, a furry friend or two, and uplifting endings.
Nan lives on a quiet country road in Connecticut with her husband and a solemn black Lab named Finn, who diligently watches their every move and can be roused from a nap in a distant room by the sound of a banana being peeled or a cookie crumb hitting the floor. Nan and her husband are the parents of two handsome sons who have struck out on life journeys of their own and are pursuing careers in aviation.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Firefly Summer for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
ABOUT 'FIREFLY SUMMER': The close-knit Quinn siblings enjoyed the kind of idyllic childhood that seems made for greeting cards, spending each summer at Whit’s End, the family’s home on Cape Cod. Then comes the summer of 1964, warm and lush after a rainy spring—perfect firefly weather. Sisters Birdie, Remy, Sailor, Piper, and their brother, Easton, delight in catching the insects in mason jars to make blinking lanterns. Until, one terrible night, tragedy strikes.
Decades later, the sisters have carved out separate lives on the Cape. Through love and heartbreak, health issues, raising children, and caring for their aging parents, they have supported each other, rarely mentioning their deep childhood loss. But one evening, as they sit together at Whit’s End to watch the sun set, the gathering fireflies elicit memories of that long-ago night, and a tumult of regrets, guilt, and secrets tumble out.
MY THOUGHTS: There is no such thing as getting over the death of a sibling; it is more that you become accustomed to living with their absence. But these four sisters, Birdie, Remy, Sailor and Piper have never learned to do even that. Easton's death is tucked away out of sight, never to be spoken of. It is a heavy burden to carry.
There were a lot of missed opportunities in this book. The characters aren't fully developed. Their lives are very narrow. They seem to have no social interaction other than with each other, their spouses and children. Oh, and the retiring family doctor. I kept wanting more from them. I wanted to know what made them tick, and I didn't get it.
Sailor was my favorite sister. I loved her forthright, no-nonsense manner, and there are two delightful dogs and an entitled cat to complement the cast of characters.
Birdie's excessive drinking habit didn't feel right, and the way everyone tiptoed around it or treated it with amused indulgence irritated me. She was overwhelmed by many layers of grief and this would have been a great thread to explore, but it is simply glossed over and given no more importance than anything else happening with the sisters.
In a nutshell, I would have liked a lot more depth.
Despite Firefly Summer falling short for me, I will probably try this author again now I know what to expect as she does write beautifully.
⭐⭐.5
#FireflySummer #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Nan Rossiter loves to weave together stories about the complicated relationships to which all readers can relate -- motherhood, sisterhood, friendship, marriage and romance. She draws from her own life experiences to create authentic situations that mirror the trials and triumphs we all face. Compassionate, real, and funny, her books take readers on emotional journeys that often include heartbreak and joy, but also include threads of faith, a furry friend or two, and uplifting endings.
Nan lives on a quiet country road in Connecticut with her husband and a solemn black Lab named Finn, who diligently watches their every move and can be roused from a nap in a distant room by the sound of a banana being peeled or a cookie crumb hitting the floor. Nan and her husband are the parents of two handsome sons who have struck out on life journeys of their own and are pursuing careers in aviation.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Firefly Summer for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
October 2, 2016
My review for Firefly Summer by Nan Rossiter will be posted here at a later date. Stay tuned!
July 25, 2016
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date us July 26th, 2016.
Against my own set of rules when I am reading a book and reviewing it, I took a peak at what others were saying. I had to as I needed to know if how I felt upon completion of the story is the same as others. Based on the current reviews out there, it appears that I am alone in my opinion. While others have raved about the story, I myself found it on the dull and unrealistic side.
The writing style was great, I can find no fault. My issue was really with the characters. With the age of the four sisters, I found it difficult to believe that they all of a sudden were coming to terms with the death of their brother. There was no real turning point in the story that would have brought theses sisters to this point in their grieving process, particularly after over 50 years. It felt kind of random to me. Not to mention that most of the characters were not really likeable, or if they were, they were just boring.
I hate to say anything negative about a book because people have different tastes and opinions and mine certainly should not be a deciding factor. For me. I just found this story a little too much about nothing for my tastes.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date us July 26th, 2016.
Against my own set of rules when I am reading a book and reviewing it, I took a peak at what others were saying. I had to as I needed to know if how I felt upon completion of the story is the same as others. Based on the current reviews out there, it appears that I am alone in my opinion. While others have raved about the story, I myself found it on the dull and unrealistic side.
The writing style was great, I can find no fault. My issue was really with the characters. With the age of the four sisters, I found it difficult to believe that they all of a sudden were coming to terms with the death of their brother. There was no real turning point in the story that would have brought theses sisters to this point in their grieving process, particularly after over 50 years. It felt kind of random to me. Not to mention that most of the characters were not really likeable, or if they were, they were just boring.
I hate to say anything negative about a book because people have different tastes and opinions and mine certainly should not be a deciding factor. For me. I just found this story a little too much about nothing for my tastes.
July 27, 2016
You can also find this review on my blog.
I was expecting a family tale that started with a night of confessions, but what I got was the day-to-day life of the sisters and their menial tasks. The writing, though easy to read, made the sisters undistinguishable and the lack of plot ended up boring me. Sadly, it was not the moving family tale I was expecting because I never truly connected with the characters, but I did appreciate the portrayal of aging and how a tragedy can affect each member of a family differently.
I was really bored reading the lives of these sisters with such detail. I didn’t want to know how they did the dishes or everything they said to their pets! I was always expecting something to set the plot off, but this isn’t that type of book. Whenenver something does happen to move the story along, it didn’t feel realistic and I honestly didn’t care enough about the characters to be moved about it.
I wish the sisters were set apart more pronouncedly because they all blurred together for me. They all spoke exactly the same way and I would forget who I was reading about in the middle on a chapter. None of them swears, instead, they say things like ‘Sugar!’ or ‘Craparooni!’ which made me cringe. Birdie was the only one who stood out from time to time because she was harsher than the other sisters, but she still didn’t feel real.
Their lives were very similar, even though some weren’t married and had been through different experiences in life, the moment we encounter them they all have some sort of relationship with a man and they all sounded like the exact same guy.
The plot – or lack of one – was about the struggles of the sisters in a daily basis, with issues from the past and the present, but I never felt like they tackled any of them. This was my biggest problem, because things happened that made them change, but that change of heart wasn’t explored thorugh the narrative, which was disappointing. The only aspect I enjoyed was how the sisters were coping with getting older because that did feel realistic.
Overall, though an easy read and a faithful representation of the struggles we can go through as we age, this book failed for me in terms of characters and plot and I couldn’t connect with it.
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was expecting a family tale that started with a night of confessions, but what I got was the day-to-day life of the sisters and their menial tasks. The writing, though easy to read, made the sisters undistinguishable and the lack of plot ended up boring me. Sadly, it was not the moving family tale I was expecting because I never truly connected with the characters, but I did appreciate the portrayal of aging and how a tragedy can affect each member of a family differently.
I was really bored reading the lives of these sisters with such detail. I didn’t want to know how they did the dishes or everything they said to their pets! I was always expecting something to set the plot off, but this isn’t that type of book. Whenenver something does happen to move the story along, it didn’t feel realistic and I honestly didn’t care enough about the characters to be moved about it.
I wish the sisters were set apart more pronouncedly because they all blurred together for me. They all spoke exactly the same way and I would forget who I was reading about in the middle on a chapter. None of them swears, instead, they say things like ‘Sugar!’ or ‘Craparooni!’ which made me cringe. Birdie was the only one who stood out from time to time because she was harsher than the other sisters, but she still didn’t feel real.
Their lives were very similar, even though some weren’t married and had been through different experiences in life, the moment we encounter them they all have some sort of relationship with a man and they all sounded like the exact same guy.
The plot – or lack of one – was about the struggles of the sisters in a daily basis, with issues from the past and the present, but I never felt like they tackled any of them. This was my biggest problem, because things happened that made them change, but that change of heart wasn’t explored thorugh the narrative, which was disappointing. The only aspect I enjoyed was how the sisters were coping with getting older because that did feel realistic.
Overall, though an easy read and a faithful representation of the struggles we can go through as we age, this book failed for me in terms of characters and plot and I couldn’t connect with it.
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2016
I’m from a big family of seven girls and one boy so I love novels about siblings, especially sisters. Nan Rossiter’s new novel is about four sisters in their late-fifties to mid-sixties. When they were young, more than fifty years earlier, tragedy struck the family and had a profound effect on each sibling.
Birdie, the oldest feels responsible for the tragedy and has increasingly self-medicated with wine. It’s taking a toll on her marriage as well as her relationship with her sisters. Remy was widowed young and made her life’s focus raising her three children. Now she has an unexpected chance of love. Sailor, having just filed for divorce from her philandering husband, has realized her dream of living on the Cape near her sisters. Piper, the youngest sister, is feeling the physical changes women of a certain age go through and is a bit disconcerted by it all.
I loved reading Firefly Summer. The Cape setting was lovely. There’s so much I identified with – a bit in each sister. I found that so enjoyable. There’s not a lot of fiction out there with characters in my age demographic so I relished in reading it. The future is uncertain for all the siblings, just as it is for all of us. What is certain is that if one remains optimistic in life it makes the tough times a little easier to endure. And, in this novel as well as my case, having sisters is always a plus. Recommended. *I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Birdie, the oldest feels responsible for the tragedy and has increasingly self-medicated with wine. It’s taking a toll on her marriage as well as her relationship with her sisters. Remy was widowed young and made her life’s focus raising her three children. Now she has an unexpected chance of love. Sailor, having just filed for divorce from her philandering husband, has realized her dream of living on the Cape near her sisters. Piper, the youngest sister, is feeling the physical changes women of a certain age go through and is a bit disconcerted by it all.
I loved reading Firefly Summer. The Cape setting was lovely. There’s so much I identified with – a bit in each sister. I found that so enjoyable. There’s not a lot of fiction out there with characters in my age demographic so I relished in reading it. The future is uncertain for all the siblings, just as it is for all of us. What is certain is that if one remains optimistic in life it makes the tough times a little easier to endure. And, in this novel as well as my case, having sisters is always a plus. Recommended. *I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2016
These four sisters reunited at their childhood home in Cape Cod and are as close as siblings can be but they all have a hole where once there was their brother, Easton, and their family has never quite been the same. Birdie is never happy, childless and now convinced she does not even want to stay in her marriage. Sailor has recently discovered her husband is having an affair and she has relocated back to the Cape only to discover it is not as easy to leave her old life behind and start a new one as she thought. Remy, widowed young has always lead a quiet life alone, raising her children and wondering how her life could have been had her husband still been alive. Piper never married the love of her life but they have been together so many years they may as well have married all these years. A great story about how life can change when tragedy strikes but the human spirit can endure and even heal. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
October 4, 2016
Surrendering in order to be freed from what entangles us is a lovely, exquisite peace all its own.
Four sisters that are all so different but share a family tragedy that they never speak of but is so embedded in their thoughts and decisions. Their young brother died in a terrible accident that has left their family trying to survive a loss that they don’t understand. Years later the accident has left them each with “baggage” that they must unload as each sister comes into a new season. Failed marriages, alcoholism, and new beginnings, how has the past affected each of them and how can they be freed from the past.
Each sister is so different; I think readers will gravitate toward some more than others. It is speaks well of how hurt can stay with you until you surrender to it. The sisters were supportive of each other but also oblivious to the hurt that some carried more than others. The unresolved issue of the hurt of their brother’s death also affected their marriages and then becomes a land mine when a trigger goes off.
Each sister tells her story, her struggle and the day of the terrible accident. It is a story about family. Sticking together and realizing the gift of each other you have.
A Special Thank You to Kensington and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Four sisters that are all so different but share a family tragedy that they never speak of but is so embedded in their thoughts and decisions. Their young brother died in a terrible accident that has left their family trying to survive a loss that they don’t understand. Years later the accident has left them each with “baggage” that they must unload as each sister comes into a new season. Failed marriages, alcoholism, and new beginnings, how has the past affected each of them and how can they be freed from the past.
Each sister is so different; I think readers will gravitate toward some more than others. It is speaks well of how hurt can stay with you until you surrender to it. The sisters were supportive of each other but also oblivious to the hurt that some carried more than others. The unresolved issue of the hurt of their brother’s death also affected their marriages and then becomes a land mine when a trigger goes off.
Each sister tells her story, her struggle and the day of the terrible accident. It is a story about family. Sticking together and realizing the gift of each other you have.
A Special Thank You to Kensington and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
July 4, 2017
2 stars=It's Okay.
I mean, this isn't my favorite genre of book, but I do like to pick up a few summery, easy reads in the good ol' summertime. This one is okay, follows the formula well and if you like that type of thing a lot you will love this book! Watch out for the exclamation points, though! They are really inappropriately everywhere! The book served it's purpose sitting outside in the warm summer sun, drinking my iced tea (these ladies drink A LOT of wine and it is spoken of A LOT, made me a bit crazy). There were other things that bugged me a little, but all in all it is an okay way to pass a day on the beach.
I mean, this isn't my favorite genre of book, but I do like to pick up a few summery, easy reads in the good ol' summertime. This one is okay, follows the formula well and if you like that type of thing a lot you will love this book! Watch out for the exclamation points, though! They are really inappropriately everywhere! The book served it's purpose sitting outside in the warm summer sun, drinking my iced tea (these ladies drink A LOT of wine and it is spoken of A LOT, made me a bit crazy). There were other things that bugged me a little, but all in all it is an okay way to pass a day on the beach.
August 21, 2019
Teary
Teary eyed is how I was as the book came to an end. The book is about 4 sisters who lost a brother to a tragic accident when they were young and he was almost eight. The family never spoke of him again. But it affected all of them in many different ways. I don't often read books with the depth and love I felt while reading this book. I highly recommend it.
Teary eyed is how I was as the book came to an end. The book is about 4 sisters who lost a brother to a tragic accident when they were young and he was almost eight. The family never spoke of him again. But it affected all of them in many different ways. I don't often read books with the depth and love I felt while reading this book. I highly recommend it.
July 13, 2016
Nan Rossiter writes about resilience in her newest book Firefly Summer. The book follows the story of four sisters, who after a tragedy when they were young, grew up, married, had children and grew older, but yet carried that scar. The book manages to be poignant and redeeming while allowing the characters to grow and change.
The sisters: Piper, Sailor, Birdie and Remy all live on Cape Cod. They have houses near each other, but each has a scar from the tragedy from when they were young. The loss of a brother changed the course of their early life and they still feel the impact many years later. The hole was never spoken about and it was as if - it never existed. It is through their resilience and the healing of time and fireflies that the heartache might be resolved.
I love how the story moves between the sisters. I love how the sisters continues to move forward and urge the others to move forward as well. I love how the beach and the ecology of the turtles are woven into the story. I love how the animals (dogs and cats) play a role in the story. Basically I loved the whole book. Firefly Summer by Nan Rossiter was awesome!!!
The sisters: Piper, Sailor, Birdie and Remy all live on Cape Cod. They have houses near each other, but each has a scar from the tragedy from when they were young. The loss of a brother changed the course of their early life and they still feel the impact many years later. The hole was never spoken about and it was as if - it never existed. It is through their resilience and the healing of time and fireflies that the heartache might be resolved.
I love how the story moves between the sisters. I love how the sisters continues to move forward and urge the others to move forward as well. I love how the beach and the ecology of the turtles are woven into the story. I love how the animals (dogs and cats) play a role in the story. Basically I loved the whole book. Firefly Summer by Nan Rossiter was awesome!!!
December 5, 2020
This very tame tale, with its main characters clearly portrayed as Christians, would be labelled by my Baba as “such a nice story.” For me, it was all too saccharine sweet.
July 27, 2023
What a beautiful story! 💫 🌊 👭👭
June 26, 2021
Not a beach read!
I picked up this book because I was going to be on vacation in Cape Cod and it seemed fun. I was wrong.
This book is a serious novel that will have you on a rollercoaster of emotion.
I picked up this book because I was going to be on vacation in Cape Cod and it seemed fun. I was wrong.
This book is a serious novel that will have you on a rollercoaster of emotion.
June 13, 2016
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank goodness this isn’t based on Nantucket like so many other New England summer vacation tales!! But is it nice to know that people who live year-round on the Cape hate the tourists that flock there in the summertime just the same as their island counterparts. Seriously – then move out in the summer, rent out your home for mass amounts of money and go somewhere else instead of having to complain about the traffic, lines and wait times.
What I loved: While not one sister had a friend outside of her own family (and why was that?) they each bonded with an animal in the story that helped ground them while providing an outlet for emotions as well as a conversation that was outside of the immediate family. Yes – I’m reaching here..sometimes a book is just a book.
What I didn’t love: Outside of the author’s excessive use of exclamation points (seriously – using 2-3 per stream-of-conscious paragraph got really annoying since these women weren’t coming up with Albert Einstein-like thoughts in the slightest), this family was a stereo-typical New England WASP family – they kept their emotions to themselves, they didn’t delve into feelings & emotions, and they were all filled with a little quirk. Its frustrating that people are still perpetuating the myth that they’re all like that – and closet alcoholics.
What I learned: Guilt can be a powerful thing.
Overall Grade: B-
www.FluffSmutandMurder.com
July 26, 2016
The Short of It:
Tragedy and heartache can ruin a family but for the Quinn sisters, their love for one another helps them come to terms with the events of the past.
The Rest of It:
The Quinn family spent summer after summer at Whit’s End, their summer house on the Cape. With four sisters and one brother they were a formidable bunch but their time on the Cape was always magical and memorable. But in the summer of 1964, eight-year-old Easton drowns under the watch of one of his sisters and the events of that night forever haunt them.
The Quinn sisters, now grown and all living on the Cape, find themselves leaning on one another as they deal with health scares, crumbling marriages, new relationships, addiction and the overwhelming grief they carry with them from that fateful night.
Rossiter is known for writing stories with heart. Firefly Summer is no exception. The setting, the food, their conversations and their real-life struggles make this the perfect summer read.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading all of Nan Rossiter’s novels and they are all wonderful. You can’t go wrong with any of them. They center around family and she always has these wonderful settings.
For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter.
Tragedy and heartache can ruin a family but for the Quinn sisters, their love for one another helps them come to terms with the events of the past.
The Rest of It:
The Quinn family spent summer after summer at Whit’s End, their summer house on the Cape. With four sisters and one brother they were a formidable bunch but their time on the Cape was always magical and memorable. But in the summer of 1964, eight-year-old Easton drowns under the watch of one of his sisters and the events of that night forever haunt them.
The Quinn sisters, now grown and all living on the Cape, find themselves leaning on one another as they deal with health scares, crumbling marriages, new relationships, addiction and the overwhelming grief they carry with them from that fateful night.
Rossiter is known for writing stories with heart. Firefly Summer is no exception. The setting, the food, their conversations and their real-life struggles make this the perfect summer read.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading all of Nan Rossiter’s novels and they are all wonderful. You can’t go wrong with any of them. They center around family and she always has these wonderful settings.
For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter.
August 16, 2016
This is a very enjoyable, quick summer read about family, love, and loss, set in the beautiful Cape Cod area. Four sisters ranging in age from late 50s to mid 60s have all settled around the summer home in which they spent countless vacations as children. Piper, the youngest of the sisters, lives in the actual home left to her by her parents, and her three older sisters have finally all settled in the surrounding towns. Each of them has a unique story with individual challenges, but they are extremely close knit and always available to help and support their siblings as they cope with alcoholism, illness, divorce, and life! However, a tragedy from their childhood has left a hole in this family that has never really been confronted, until this summer when everyone comes together during their yearly July 4th family gathering. I enjoyed this book because of its uplifting story about family and friendship. Although some of the issues are serious, everyone tackles the challenges together and emerges all the stronger. A perfect summer read.
July 25, 2016
The Quinn sisters have always been very close and now all four of them live on Cape Cod where they used to come for their summer holidays every year. Sailor is the last of them to arrive following her messy marriage break up.
They all have their problems which stem from the tragedy that happened in 1964 and which none of them have been able to talk about. Birdie had never been able to have children which she thinks it's her retribution and she drinks far too much to hide her pain. Remy lost her husband years ago and still misses him and Piper has never married the love of her life although the have always been together and have a son together.
This summer however is a time to talk about their brother Easton and the past and finally move on with their lives. A lovely heart warming book it is great that the women are all now in their fifties and sixties but still meet up together on Friday nights. A nice easy reading relaxing book
They all have their problems which stem from the tragedy that happened in 1964 and which none of them have been able to talk about. Birdie had never been able to have children which she thinks it's her retribution and she drinks far too much to hide her pain. Remy lost her husband years ago and still misses him and Piper has never married the love of her life although the have always been together and have a son together.
This summer however is a time to talk about their brother Easton and the past and finally move on with their lives. A lovely heart warming book it is great that the women are all now in their fifties and sixties but still meet up together on Friday nights. A nice easy reading relaxing book
November 24, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for my advanced copy.
This is a heart-warming tale of four sisters dealing with their grief following the loss of their brother Easton decades earlier. In the years following Easton’s death their parents encouraged the sisters not to talk about him or what happened that night and as a result each sister has dealt with the death in very different ways.
The authors writing style is reminiscent of Freya North’s in terms of the excellent character development. Each of the sisters is dealing with their own problems alongside the continued grief from their brother’s death.
Read more of this review at http://www.bookerworm.com/reviews/12-...
This is a heart-warming tale of four sisters dealing with their grief following the loss of their brother Easton decades earlier. In the years following Easton’s death their parents encouraged the sisters not to talk about him or what happened that night and as a result each sister has dealt with the death in very different ways.
The authors writing style is reminiscent of Freya North’s in terms of the excellent character development. Each of the sisters is dealing with their own problems alongside the continued grief from their brother’s death.
Read more of this review at http://www.bookerworm.com/reviews/12-...
August 23, 2016
This family of sisters find that time is always circling around the fact of what happened when they were children. Just as the fireflies circled in the jars as flashlights then and now.
How each of the sisters were effected by a tragic event and how it made them who they are today can be felt as each sister is developed into a real person for the reader.
The life at the ocean with all of the descriptions, sounds and rich colors make a perfect place to learn about life, love, death, family and traditions.
The author sets out with one sister and soon you meet them all and can see how they are alike and different. The town is home to all of them as the book continues, as it used to be.
A great book of guts, love, fear and willing to try again.
How each of the sisters were effected by a tragic event and how it made them who they are today can be felt as each sister is developed into a real person for the reader.
The life at the ocean with all of the descriptions, sounds and rich colors make a perfect place to learn about life, love, death, family and traditions.
The author sets out with one sister and soon you meet them all and can see how they are alike and different. The town is home to all of them as the book continues, as it used to be.
A great book of guts, love, fear and willing to try again.
November 1, 2016
This is a very poignant story about four sisters. It is based in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and since I live on the Upper Cape this story resonated with me. All of the places in this book are so familiar to me. I felt like I was a part of the story. This was a very emotional read. I laughed and I cried. It was well written and had a good flow throughout the book. The characters are true to life and very believable to me. The dialogue is snappy and true to life as well. This is an emotional ride. I loved these sisters and all there love and hurt. This was a believable story and I enjoyed every minute of it. I would recommend this to friends. Great job capturing the essence of Cape Cod. Love it!
July 28, 2016
well written and interesting look at three sisters in the wake of a family tragedy. Loved the setting on the Cape. I've read several books with this theme- collective guilt over the death of a sibling- and this one is particularly well done. The everyday bits of life help to round out the misery each woman has faced. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This isn't the emotionally easiest read but it's a good one.
Comment
Comment
September 16, 2020
A good story about a close knit group of sisters who never got over the death of their younger brother. I liked the interactions with the sisters and how different their personalities were. Some heavier issues such as heavy drinking, grief and early dementia were kind of brushed over though which made me wonder why the author even introduced them to the storyline if they were going to be addressed so quickly. Had the potential to be a fantastic read had she delved into these plots more.
August 1, 2016
I enjoyed this story of four sisters (in my age category!) handling their current lives while still affected by a long ago family tragedy. It lost a little steam as it went but the realism, gentle humor and fun pet scenes made for a nice summer read.
October 20, 2021
My negative: It took me what seemed like forever to finish this book. I kept going back and picking it up, but there wasn't enough on the page to hold my attention from other stimuli around me. (Usually I can shut out any noise or distraction for a book that has captured my attention.) My inattentiveness had nothing to do with poor writing, merely an inability to capture my attention and make me want to shut the world out.
My positive: In the author's defense, it would probably have taken someone chaining me to a wall to demand my attention during the past 6 weeks. I've been physically and emotionally helping both my husband and my sister get through chemo therapy and radiation for cancer and there were precious few moments of "down" time to relax and release. The thing, however, that DID keep me picking back up this book was that it was about the relationship between several sisters. They had all lived through a life altering experience in their youth that required each to deal with the after effects on their own terms. This was a simple story of family connections and values. There was no big finale for me, no mystery to solve, no intervention that was earth shattering. It was simply a summer spent in the presence of sisters who were facing the "later" years of adulthood, learning to accept their past, acknowledge their shortcomings and embrace the fellowship of family ties.
The reference to summer fireflies throughout the book brought back fond memories and nostalgia of my own youth and long evenings spent trying to entrap that small light that flickered about with such swift movements that it was nearly impossible to capture it in a jar. I suppose in hindsight, we were never meant to capture the firefly. For if you ensnare it in a jar, it will eventually lose hope of escape, and both the light and the firefly will face darkness and death. I think, that like the firefly, we are all meant to shine. And in true firefly fashion, we aren't meant to always be the center of attention... we don't always have to be the center of attention or conversation, but when our light can bring a smile to a saddened face or evoke the sound of laughter from a soul seeking happiness, then we need to sing from the mountain tops the old children's Sunday school song, "This little light of mine - I'm going to let it shine."
My positive: In the author's defense, it would probably have taken someone chaining me to a wall to demand my attention during the past 6 weeks. I've been physically and emotionally helping both my husband and my sister get through chemo therapy and radiation for cancer and there were precious few moments of "down" time to relax and release. The thing, however, that DID keep me picking back up this book was that it was about the relationship between several sisters. They had all lived through a life altering experience in their youth that required each to deal with the after effects on their own terms. This was a simple story of family connections and values. There was no big finale for me, no mystery to solve, no intervention that was earth shattering. It was simply a summer spent in the presence of sisters who were facing the "later" years of adulthood, learning to accept their past, acknowledge their shortcomings and embrace the fellowship of family ties.
The reference to summer fireflies throughout the book brought back fond memories and nostalgia of my own youth and long evenings spent trying to entrap that small light that flickered about with such swift movements that it was nearly impossible to capture it in a jar. I suppose in hindsight, we were never meant to capture the firefly. For if you ensnare it in a jar, it will eventually lose hope of escape, and both the light and the firefly will face darkness and death. I think, that like the firefly, we are all meant to shine. And in true firefly fashion, we aren't meant to always be the center of attention... we don't always have to be the center of attention or conversation, but when our light can bring a smile to a saddened face or evoke the sound of laughter from a soul seeking happiness, then we need to sing from the mountain tops the old children's Sunday school song, "This little light of mine - I'm going to let it shine."
November 15, 2017
This was not a bad book. I had trouble putting it down, which is usually (for me) a five star book. At the end, I felt like I'd read a future Hallmark Channel movie-which is not a bad thing, but missed the potential for so much more.
"The close-knit Quinn siblings enjoyed the kind of idyllic childhood that seems made for greeting cards, spending each summer at Whit’s End, the family’s home on Cape Cod. Then comes the summer of 1964, warm and lush after a rainy spring—perfect firefly weather. Sisters Birdie, Remy, Sailor, Piper, and their brother, Easton, delight in catching the insects in mason jars to make blinking lanterns. Until, one terrible night, tragedy strikes. Decades later, the sisters have carved out separate lives on the Cape. Through love and heartbreak, health issues, raising children, and caring for their aging parents, they have supported each other, rarely mentioning their deep childhood loss. But one evening, as they sit together at Whit’s End to watch the sun set, the gathering fireflies elicit memories of that long-ago night, and a tumult of regrets, guilt, and secrets tumble out."
"The close-knit Quinn siblings enjoyed the kind of idyllic childhood that seems made for greeting cards, spending each summer at Whit’s End, the family’s home on Cape Cod. Then comes the summer of 1964, warm and lush after a rainy spring—perfect firefly weather. Sisters Birdie, Remy, Sailor, Piper, and their brother, Easton, delight in catching the insects in mason jars to make blinking lanterns. Until, one terrible night, tragedy strikes. Decades later, the sisters have carved out separate lives on the Cape. Through love and heartbreak, health issues, raising children, and caring for their aging parents, they have supported each other, rarely mentioning their deep childhood loss. But one evening, as they sit together at Whit’s End to watch the sun set, the gathering fireflies elicit memories of that long-ago night, and a tumult of regrets, guilt, and secrets tumble out."
January 5, 2018
I was interested in reading this book because I thought there would be some kind of mystery to it. After all, the synopsis talks about the siblings coming together where "they uncover the truth about a past tragedy to find their future as a family." When the book starts out with one sister talking about an attic in the family home filled with things that no one has gone though, I thought there would be a secret uncovered there.
But no. There is no secret. Everything was known all along, they just didn't talk about it. Then, after 50-some years, they start talking about it and feel better. The end.
Now, that doesn't mean the book is un-enjoyable. The sisters were quirky and interesting. Their love for one another was touching. The characters were fun to read about. And there were some nice metaphors, like the one with the grand old lady sea turtle (if you read the book, this one is clearly spelled out, so I won't rehash). It's also nice to see older characters and their issues.
But there was no plot at all, and that bothered me.
So it wasn't a bad book to read, but it really could have used more purpose.
But no. There is no secret. Everything was known all along, they just didn't talk about it. Then, after 50-some years, they start talking about it and feel better. The end.
Now, that doesn't mean the book is un-enjoyable. The sisters were quirky and interesting. Their love for one another was touching. The characters were fun to read about. And there were some nice metaphors, like the one with the grand old lady sea turtle (if you read the book, this one is clearly spelled out, so I won't rehash). It's also nice to see older characters and their issues.
But there was no plot at all, and that bothered me.
So it wasn't a bad book to read, but it really could have used more purpose.
May 9, 2017
I loved the actual story content. It was about 4 sisters approaching their golden years and how a family tragedy in their childhood shaped their adulthood. The setting was Cape Cod where they grew up and either remained or returned to. They had an extremely close relationship. After the tragedy of losing their young brother, it was never talked about. It completely changed the lives of their parents, who tried to pretend it never happened. Therefore it completely changed the dynamics of the family, each young sister trying to deal with the loss all by herself. Each looked upon life in a different way. It's really a well worthwhile book to read.
I gave it a low rating because of the writing style. Each chapter was in the viewpoint of a different sister. I hate books written this way! It is so choppy. I had to keep going back to remind myself which sister was featured. I kept thinking about giving up, but I liked the sisters as a family and I was enjoying the storyline. I just wish it hadn't been so chopped up as it made a really challenging uncomfortable read for me.
I gave it a low rating because of the writing style. Each chapter was in the viewpoint of a different sister. I hate books written this way! It is so choppy. I had to keep going back to remind myself which sister was featured. I kept thinking about giving up, but I liked the sisters as a family and I was enjoying the storyline. I just wish it hadn't been so chopped up as it made a really challenging uncomfortable read for me.
April 26, 2020
It was a cute book, that would be a good option to bring to the beach or on vacation. The four sisters are well written, have their own personalities, and arcs. I love it when authors create realistic characters, ones you can identify with and see your friends and family in them as well.
The downfall of this book is that I’ve read so many others with the same plot. A family with multiple children lives (or vacations) by the beach and one night something horrible happens and one of the children is killed/missing. You are then taken to the present where the remaining family members are dealing with the loss and also managing their own chaotic lives. I know it’s a popular premise, but the author need to add something extra to make their version stand out from the rest.
The way the description is written I was expecting the four sisters to be sitting outside on one of their patios reminiscing and sharing secrets. This never really happened, I guess there are a few moments similar, just now what I was expecting.
The downfall of this book is that I’ve read so many others with the same plot. A family with multiple children lives (or vacations) by the beach and one night something horrible happens and one of the children is killed/missing. You are then taken to the present where the remaining family members are dealing with the loss and also managing their own chaotic lives. I know it’s a popular premise, but the author need to add something extra to make their version stand out from the rest.
The way the description is written I was expecting the four sisters to be sitting outside on one of their patios reminiscing and sharing secrets. This never really happened, I guess there are a few moments similar, just now what I was expecting.
July 29, 2017
"Firefly Summer" is the story of four sisters who are now elderly and all living on Cape Cod. Although marketed as a summer read, it felt really depressing and tedious. The four sisters are all dealing with issues related to aging and relationships, and although the book description suggests it is really about how they are coping with a tragedy that happened when they were young, the vast majority of the book is about their everyday tedium and difficulties of their current age. The four sisters all seem vastly similar in their characterizations and lives with only minor details to vary between them, so it was somewhat hard to distinguish between them. I found it be just just OK (thus the rating here), but it was not a book I would pick up again or recommend. Please note that I received a copy of the book through a goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own.
August 7, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I had very little expectation but I had a good time reading it. The chapters are short and every chapters follow a different sister, I thought it would get confusing but it’s very easy to follow. I loved the characters and the relationship between the sisters. It’s a great summer read if you want to have a good time without having to put in too much effort to understand the story. I did expect it to be more about the brother’s death (which according to the description was the main topic) but I am not disappointed because the book was enjoyable the way it is, with only a few throwback to explain why they are the way that they are now, 50 or so years later.
Also loved all the animals 🤭
Also loved all the animals 🤭
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews