The Summer Cottage

by Susan Kietzman

“Beautifully written and closely observed, The Summer Cottage captures the deep and complicated love of family. Reading this lovely novel, I felt the embrace of summer on the shoreline.” --Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author

Spanning two summers decades apart, Susan Kietzman’s poignant novel explores the complexities of the people—and places—that shape our lives…

Helen Street spent every summer of her childhood at her family’s cedar-shake cottage on Long Island Sound. The youngest of four, she shared her mother Claire’s athletic genes and relished the orchestrated games and competitions that filled those warm, endless days. Unlike her older siblings—fiery Charlotte, ambitious Thomas, middle-child Pammy—Helen rarely felt the pressure of her mother’s high expectations.

Thirty years later, with her brother and sisters scattered, Helen is the sole caregiver for Claire, now terminally ill. Knowing her death is imminent, Claire has put Helen in the awkward position of telling the others that she plans on leaving everything, including the cottage, to Helen when she dies—unless everyone comes to the shore for a long weekend over the Fourth of July. During this time together, Helen, Charlotte, Pammy, and Thomas will revisit their long-ago decisions and assumptions. And they will face new choices that could shatter their fragile kinship—or reveal a family’s extraordinary power to remember, to forgive, and to grow…

“This is solid beach-read material that will be particularly appealing to those who like stories of family secrets.” --Booklist

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Family, Summer Reads, Marriage, Contemporary, Relationships

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2015

About the author

Susan Kietzman grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut. She went to Connecticut College, where her mother, aunt, and grandmother went before her. After graduation, she worked in Manhattan just long enough to realize that she feels more at home in the country than in the city. This conviction did not prevent her from going to journalism school at Boston University. Kietzman next moved
to Mystic, CT, where she worked at a weekly and then a daily newspaper. Along the way, she met and married Ted and had three sons.

The family spent time in Aurora, Ontario, and then moved Midland, Michigan, where Kietzman wrote fiction in the early morning, taught English composition at a community college, and worked for various public relations firms, creating content for corporate clients. When the family moved back to Connecticut, she continued teaching community college students and started writing grants for Mystic Seaport. She has since left the classroom and the Museum and is focusing all her writing time on fiction.

She spends her free time enjoying the outdoors – walking, hiking, biking – and reading good writing.

Reviews

[Susan Becraft · Rating 2 out of 5]

So drawn out that I became dysfunctional!

I am a great fan of dysfunctional family stories because, after all, who comes from a functional one? The Summer Cottage, a trite story of a dying mother who lures her adult children back to their vacation home, is painfully long and drawn out. The terminally ill matriarch, cared for by her youngest daughter, is so unlikable that I could not muster sympathy for her. Growing up under her micromanagement, which she continues to exercise, must have been a living hell for her children, as is evidenced by the fact that none of her other children visits her, other than her caregiver.

The best parts of the book were the minute description of meals, especially the lobster, fresh corn on the cob and homemade blueberry pie feasts. They were more memorable than the names of the characters.

I plowed through to the end, waiting for a shock-and-awe surprise. Other than learning that this family drinks more coffee than Juan Valdez, plays competitive tennis and swims to a raft several times a day, I was underwhelmed.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. It went back and forth between 1973 when the kids were kids and 2003 when they were grown up. It made me think about my childhood in the 70's too 😊.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I 've been staring at my screen for the last few moments wondering what exactly to say about how I feel. A contemporary story(2003) of four adult siblings reunited under the same roof to spend time with their ailing mother. The author chooses to flashback to 1973 to give us the background of what happened that drove a wedge between the siblings and their mother. The problem is that the plot doesn't really go anywhere.

IMHO, it was a forgettable read.

[Pat Quetsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Summer read

This book shows how we grow away from our families but always seem to come back together. The family dynamics are so true for many families. This is best read in summer.

[Christina (Hodge) Chappelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect summer beach read...

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there’s a sub genre in summer fiction that I’ll call “who gets the lake/beach house”. This wasn’t one of the stronger entries in that category. It alternates between 1973 and 2003 and I kept waiting for the big event that had driven the family apart. I was left scratching my head. For an example of how to really pull off this kind of story, I refer you to Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't a book I'd pick for myself but I got it in a mystery grab bag. It's an alright plot time but I was getting annoyed at how everyone talked to each other. I've never met anyone who uses people full names in every sentence.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect summer read.

[Reading Fool · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

A light, easy read, this is the story of the Thompson family: parents John and Claire, and children Charlotte, Thomas, Pammy, and Helen. Told in alternating chapters 30 years apart, the story begins in 2003, with Helen caring for the ailing Claire. Claire tells her children that she wants them to gather at their family cottage on Long Island Sound, and they will be written out of her will if they do not come. Flash back to 1973, and we learn how the relationships among the siblings and with the parents developed to become the dysfunctional adult family of the present. There's something here for everyone to relate to - the parent with unreasonably high expectations; sibling rivalry; first love; adolescent angst, and more.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept wondering why it was taking so long to set the scene. Until I realized that's all there is to it. A ho-hum character study. A dying woman calls her estranged children together for one last family reunion. There were numerous vignettes both then and now, all painting the same picture. Lots of dialogue and description of events, but no real focus other than watching a family reunion with the usual amount of dysfunction.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Thompson family gathers at their summer cottage at the request of Claire, their mother. Claire is dying, and it is the last chance to get her family back together. The story flashes between 1973 and 2003, giving background to the complicated relationships between the siblings. Some of the characters see more like caricatures. Just okay.

[Jill Shunk · Rating 1 out of 5]

The characters were shallow stereotypes, and there never was a real problem. I thought there was going to be a problem around page 200, but it never really materialized. No problem; no rising action; no climax. Lots of disappointment.

[etherealfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library Kindle e-book

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Irene Cassata · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great read for anyone who ever had a summer cottage

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like the title, it's perfect for the summer cottage but it left me wanting more - especially when the family comes back together.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book that details the Thompson family and their 1973 summer in their family cottage and the present 2003 family reunion in the same cottage.

In 1973, the family was made up of four children ages 10 – 18 and both parents were alive. Mom, Claire has a dying wish for her children to be together again in the cottage over a 4th of July weekend. Now they are 40 – 48 and a lot has happened in their lives and there are now grandchildren involved. Claire has always been very competitive and has set high expectations for her children.

Helen is her mom’s caregiver, sister Pammy sees them occasionally, but siblings Thomas and Charlotte have not been around since their father’s death 5 years ago. There are a lot of emotions and the 2003 storyline is deeper and more complex than the child and teen antics of 1973. I enjoyed that it wasn’t such a fluffy summer beach read although the setting is a beach house.

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author. I notice that once again she has a younger man / older woman situation going on.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about four siblings coming together, at the request of their dying mother, to the family's summer cottage. Chapters alternate between 1973, when the siblings were between the ages of 18 and 10, and 2003 when they all return to the cottage for the first time in 30 years. The family dynamics has something many people could relate to: A parent with high expectations/standards, first love, a favorite child, sibling rivalry, complicated relationships, hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
I enjoyed the back and forth between the chapters. I especially connected with the youngest sibling, Helen, being a young child in the 70's. Although the sibling dynamic was different than what I have with my brother & sister, I was moved by and understood the times of frustration, but the coming together when needed and the feelings of love and respect for each other.
This book was a perfect summer read!

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at one of those roadside things in my neighborhood where people can take a book and leave a book. It sounded pretty good so I chose it. I read it in a day because it was an pretty easy way.

It switches between 2003 and 1973, which I liked. The story in 2003 takes plan in the span of a week, where as 1973 takes place over the entire summer. You learn in the 1973 parts the reason why characters behaved certain ways and why the dynamics of the family are the way they are in 2003. One of the sisters, Charlotte, was my least favorite character because I found her rude. However, her story was interesting when you learned it.

This is a good book to take with you to the beach or on a road trip. I found myself interrupted a few times but was able to find where I was quite easily and not having to go back and figure out what happened.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Street has brought her mother back to the summer cottage of her childhood on Long Island Sound. Helen is her mother's caregiver since her mother had her cancer diagnosis. It is Helen's mother's wish to reunite her family for one last weekend together at the cottage. Helen has three other siblings and the family has grown apart. Helen's mind goes back to the lazy days of summer growing up with her family. Helen is married with two children and her older brother Thomas also has a wife and two children but has not seen his mother in many years. Charlotte the older sister always was a rebel and now had come back with a much younger man in tow. Pammy is the odd ball in the family and has never really found what she is looking for. Helen's mother speaks her peace and minces no words but she is determined to leave the cottage to Helen and wantws the others to know this.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sure this was meant to be a thoughtful story about family relationships and sibling rivalry but the characters weren’t very engaging- Helen was too much of a saint, Charlotte was too much of a diva, Pammy’s longing for a husband got tiresome and their older brother, Thomas, was a good guy but remote. The story goes back and forth from 1973 to 2003, from a time when they were all on summer vacation at the family’s beachside cottage to a time when they again gathered at the cottage for the Fourth of July to say goodbye to their widowed mother, Claire who was dying of cancer. Claire had been a competitive swimmer who carried that drive and competitiveness with her as she raised her children. How each of them dealt with their mother’s expectations affected the people they became as adults. Reading about them was interesting at first but quickly became tedious

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads Signed Win

It’s a story of a family with secrets as siblings relationships are tested with a mother who put too much attention on her children athletic abilities. The complex family dynamics and the expectation along the way. The summer when they all last spent together at their family beach house when the oldest would start college. It is a summer of romance for the oldest two of the children.

Now thirty years has past and their dying mom has summoned them together. Each will deal with the visit in their own way as the memories come to surface as they make peace with their past and each other.

An emotional journey for the reader.

[Viki Farrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book not only as a good read but one that should be read by adult children who leave all the caregiving duties of a parent to one sibling.

Four children are brought back home while mom is dying. One is the constant caregiver and the other 3 never even come back for visits. The son has not been back in 5 years.

There are many things if the family dynamic that are dealt within the back and forth story telling from 30 years before and current day. Childhood angst still lingers into adulthood as it is dealt with during this reunion.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good ! 4 siblings all busy in their lives , one taken care of their terminally ill mother , when the mother decided that they all need to come visit her if they want the house left to them brings them all together to unite them , all back together to rekindle the bonds they all once had ! Love beach books especially now being trapped in the house without the sand under my feet but at leAst reading this I could imagine being there , the smell of the ocean and the wind blowing through my hair !

[Morgan McKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet reminder that family is important and all the years build to make for beautiful memories even if things got hard. Helen the glue, Pammy the hopeless romantic always wanting a husband, Charlotte the wild beautiful one and Thomas the always on time, responsible one show all parts of the typical family and come together for the first time in 30 years at the family cottage to their dying mothers request which ultimately heals all their strained relationships. Very sweet story going back and forth between summer 1973 and 2003.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent summer read. Siblings ( 1 brother and 3 sisters) join together at the family cottage where their mother is living. She wanted all her children back together one more time. The reader learns a bit about each one. They all have had some problems but finally are able to come together as a family again. They reminisce about the childhood memories and make peace with their decisions along the way.

[Margie Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Ties, the Beach, and Growing Up

I liked the way this author juxtaposes between 1973 and 2003. Sibling relationships and parental expectations can be glorious, tumultuous, loving, unrealistic, and much more. Our family always seemed to be more in tune with each other at the beach. It was and is a place of comfort and reflection. This was an excellent read. I will recommend it to others. I especially liked the discussion questions at the end of the book.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Summer Cottage is about family. Their past, their current, and moving into the future. Growing from childhood to adolescents, from adults with parents to without parents. Forging new directions.
No surprises throughout. In fact, about two-thirds through, I wondered what was the point. But at the end, the point was "life". Living it well, forgiving along the way, and moving on... with family as the focus.

[Jenna Battaile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice light reading.

Perfect summer read. Definitely a beach book! I was a little perturbed by the going back and forth in time, that and a little too much useless detailed description of certain things. I didn't need to be reminded in each chapter that the matriarch had been a competitive swimmer. That got a little old. Those things cost it two stars.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Summer Cottage" is a story about the love and complications of family. The author takes you on an alternating journey between 1973, the last year the family spent together at the cottage to 30 years later, 2003, when they return to the cottage once again.

This is an enjoyable, easy summer read.