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The Olivia Series #4
The Summer of 1848
Book 4 of The Olivia Series -- Don't forget to download the first book of the series -- Olivia, Mourning -- while it's still FREE.
The Olivia series consists of:
Book 1 - Olivia, Mourning (Historical - 1840s) GET IT FREE
Book 2 - The Way the World Is (Historical - 1840s)
Book 3 - Whatever Happened to Mourning Free? (Vintage Contemporary -1967 and Historical - 1840s)
Book 4 - The Summer of 1848 (Historical - 1840s)
Olivia and Mourning thought they had succeeded in creating a home of sorts. The credible lie that concealed their secret enabled them to live with their son, all under the same roof. They had a means of support. They had friends.
But something is wrong. This life has begun to feel confining and unsustainable.
Mourning needs to get away for a while and leaves Olivia to struggle with her own choices. Can they force the impossible to become possible and remain a family?
The Olivia series consists of:
Book 1 - Olivia, Mourning (Historical - 1840s) GET IT FREE
Book 2 - The Way the World Is (Historical - 1840s)
Book 3 - Whatever Happened to Mourning Free? (Vintage Contemporary -1967 and Historical - 1840s)
Book 4 - The Summer of 1848 (Historical - 1840s)
Olivia and Mourning thought they had succeeded in creating a home of sorts. The credible lie that concealed their secret enabled them to live with their son, all under the same roof. They had a means of support. They had friends.
But something is wrong. This life has begun to feel confining and unsustainable.
Mourning needs to get away for a while and leaves Olivia to struggle with her own choices. Can they force the impossible to become possible and remain a family?
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2017
209 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Yael Politis
13 books57 followersI grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, in the house on the cover of Book 3 of the Olivia series, not far from the location of Olivia's farm.
While studying at the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin, I spent two summers in Israel and ended up coming back to make my life here. Since then I've spent a lot of time traveling between the Middle East and the Midwest, loving both my homes.
While living on Kibbutz Ein Tsurim I learned the story of the Etzion Bloc during Israel’s War of Independence – from people who had lived through it. It was many years before I dared to try to put it down on paper. At that time, fantasies aside, I considered writing nothing more than a hobby.
I did, however, post the first chapters of The Lonely Tree on a writers' workshop run by the London Arts Council. There it received a Book of the Year award and Holland Park Press of London asked to see the complete manuscript. Not long afterwards I received an email from them. “We want to publish your book.” Hey, you never know when a fantasy is going to come true.
For years I had been researching the backdrop for Olivia's story and based many of the details in the Olivia Series on letters and journals passed down through my family, over seven generations of lives lived in the American Midwest. I also received a great deal of information and insight from my sister Martha, who lived with her husband in a modern log home, hunted her own land, cut her own firewood, and was as independent and stubborn as Olivia. Then self-publishing happened. The prospect of being able to publish that story independently was a great motivator, and I finally completed and published the five books of the Olivia series.
While studying at the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin, I spent two summers in Israel and ended up coming back to make my life here. Since then I've spent a lot of time traveling between the Middle East and the Midwest, loving both my homes.
While living on Kibbutz Ein Tsurim I learned the story of the Etzion Bloc during Israel’s War of Independence – from people who had lived through it. It was many years before I dared to try to put it down on paper. At that time, fantasies aside, I considered writing nothing more than a hobby.
I did, however, post the first chapters of The Lonely Tree on a writers' workshop run by the London Arts Council. There it received a Book of the Year award and Holland Park Press of London asked to see the complete manuscript. Not long afterwards I received an email from them. “We want to publish your book.” Hey, you never know when a fantasy is going to come true.
For years I had been researching the backdrop for Olivia's story and based many of the details in the Olivia Series on letters and journals passed down through my family, over seven generations of lives lived in the American Midwest. I also received a great deal of information and insight from my sister Martha, who lived with her husband in a modern log home, hunted her own land, cut her own firewood, and was as independent and stubborn as Olivia. Then self-publishing happened. The prospect of being able to publish that story independently was a great motivator, and I finally completed and published the five books of the Olivia series.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 23, 2017
I love this book as much as I have the rest of the Olivia Series.
I was a bit concerned at the beginning of the book because Olivia and Mourning are separated again. But as the story progresses, it makes perfect sense and they each have their own adventures that add to their growth.
Olivia gets to explore her emotional life and experience dating and love. Mourning gets to experience life as a black man in America outside of white society. So it is a rich experience for the reader as we go through both emotional and physical dangers.
All of our favorite characters are back. Olivia continues to develop as an author and continues to be on the cutting edge of the changes that are occurring in society.
Yael Politis continues to draw the reader in to make us concerned with the everyday lives of these characters in the mid-1800's. She teaches us a bit of history as we travel the country with them as they learn and grow themselves.
As always, she left me anxious to read the next book of the series and gives us a hint at more new things to be discovered.
I was a bit concerned at the beginning of the book because Olivia and Mourning are separated again. But as the story progresses, it makes perfect sense and they each have their own adventures that add to their growth.
Olivia gets to explore her emotional life and experience dating and love. Mourning gets to experience life as a black man in America outside of white society. So it is a rich experience for the reader as we go through both emotional and physical dangers.
All of our favorite characters are back. Olivia continues to develop as an author and continues to be on the cutting edge of the changes that are occurring in society.
Yael Politis continues to draw the reader in to make us concerned with the everyday lives of these characters in the mid-1800's. She teaches us a bit of history as we travel the country with them as they learn and grow themselves.
As always, she left me anxious to read the next book of the series and gives us a hint at more new things to be discovered.
May 21, 2018
I have just LOVED all of the books in the "Olivia series" and i'm SO looking forward to book 5! The author has a gift for endearing each of the characters to my heart and I already miss them! I don't have a flair for words and become quite frustrated when trying to write a "review" because I can't seem to find the words that match my true feelings about the book....what comes to mind is that I have felt a warmth & comfort while reading this series that i liken to the comfort of home.
February 23, 2018
It’s the summer of 1848 in a novel that continues Yael Politis’ Olivia saga, building on well-researched history and well-drawn characters, taking the reader into the minds of a white woman finding time, at last, for emotion; a black man finding pride in his world and his future; and a kind man touched by the faint possibility of love.
Readers could pick this novel up without having read the others. They would find a convincing world together with a storyline that switches between Olivia and Mourning’s points of view. The cadences of black and white voices are beautifully rendered, revealing needs unmet, philosophies not yet explored, and a plot that’s intriguing, absorbing, and gently human. No great disasters here, though there may be disaster avoided; no earth-shattering revelations, because these are ordinary people of their time—extraordinary in circumstance and determination, of course, but bound to time and place. Nothing hugely dramatic; just people who care, with readers drawn to care for them too.
I wasn’t sure where I wanted this story to go when I started. It delighted me in each of its twists and turns. It concerned me. I wanted…something, just as the characters want. Reasons for living, for being who you are, for making something more of who you are; these are the driving forces of lives lived with care and concern and hope for a better world. Perhaps they’re the driving forces still, today. If so, a reader who ventures into the Summer of 1848 will learn much about the past that informs the present, and perhaps discover how to see through others’ eyes.
Disclosure: I’m hooked on the series so I had to get a copy of this.
Readers could pick this novel up without having read the others. They would find a convincing world together with a storyline that switches between Olivia and Mourning’s points of view. The cadences of black and white voices are beautifully rendered, revealing needs unmet, philosophies not yet explored, and a plot that’s intriguing, absorbing, and gently human. No great disasters here, though there may be disaster avoided; no earth-shattering revelations, because these are ordinary people of their time—extraordinary in circumstance and determination, of course, but bound to time and place. Nothing hugely dramatic; just people who care, with readers drawn to care for them too.
I wasn’t sure where I wanted this story to go when I started. It delighted me in each of its twists and turns. It concerned me. I wanted…something, just as the characters want. Reasons for living, for being who you are, for making something more of who you are; these are the driving forces of lives lived with care and concern and hope for a better world. Perhaps they’re the driving forces still, today. If so, a reader who ventures into the Summer of 1848 will learn much about the past that informs the present, and perhaps discover how to see through others’ eyes.
Disclosure: I’m hooked on the series so I had to get a copy of this.
June 10, 2020
The Summer of 1848 is the 4th book in the Olivia series. It continues the story of Olivia and Mourning. Although Olivia and Mourning were both living in the boarding house Oliva owns, they are doing it under false pretenses letting other people think that their son Charles was mothered by the black woman Mourning had become involved with after she took in Charles when Olivia gave him up to be baptized. I love the cast of characters in this series---Olivia, Mourning, Olivia's best friend, Michelle, Olivia's Jewish friend Abraham, her old neighbor and off-and-on lover to Michelle, the 2 regular boarders, Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Streeter.
At the beginning of the novel, Mourning has left without telling anyone he was leaving---not even Olivia or his 6 year-old son. He has gone on a quest to find himself and see what he is made of. He feels he has always lived depending on others. Much of the book switches back and forth from Olivia's life to Mourning's life. Although she misses Mourning terribly, Olivia and Michelle have become more and more involved in her new business of writing books for children and illustrating them. Michelle encourages her to think about greeting cards, especially valentines which is a new thing. She also meets Nick, a young man who has a dream of becoming a publisher and wants to publish her books.
Mourning meets very interesting people in his travels which include a black man who makes a living by being a con artist and steamboat pilot. Once again, through his story, the author weaves in opinions about the unfair treatment of black people in America.
I won't go any further into the plot to avoid spoiling it for others. It was a fascinating story reading about Mourning's adventures and watching Olivia continue to grow as people around her challenge to do more than she thinks she can and also to find happiness. There is a real surprise about Mourning Free at the end of the book.
At the beginning of the novel, Mourning has left without telling anyone he was leaving---not even Olivia or his 6 year-old son. He has gone on a quest to find himself and see what he is made of. He feels he has always lived depending on others. Much of the book switches back and forth from Olivia's life to Mourning's life. Although she misses Mourning terribly, Olivia and Michelle have become more and more involved in her new business of writing books for children and illustrating them. Michelle encourages her to think about greeting cards, especially valentines which is a new thing. She also meets Nick, a young man who has a dream of becoming a publisher and wants to publish her books.
Mourning meets very interesting people in his travels which include a black man who makes a living by being a con artist and steamboat pilot. Once again, through his story, the author weaves in opinions about the unfair treatment of black people in America.
I won't go any further into the plot to avoid spoiling it for others. It was a fascinating story reading about Mourning's adventures and watching Olivia continue to grow as people around her challenge to do more than she thinks she can and also to find happiness. There is a real surprise about Mourning Free at the end of the book.
October 4, 2017
The author caught my attention almost immediately with the problems between Olivia and Mourning. When Mourning leaves, the tension increases as we wonder what he will do, whether he will return, and how Olivia and their son will fare in his absence. I like the fact that the story is presented from alternating viewpoints, Olivia's and Mourning's.
The author is good at depicting action and adventure, which Mourning experiences plenty of as he travels. She includes interesting historical information and appeals to the senses. Example: Here's one of the sights Mourning enjoys on board a riverboat: "Before the open window stood the magnificent wheel—a deep cherry-red with intricate carvings, tall as a man." The reader enjoys the sight along with him.
I like the touches of humor. Examples:
-"Any roof gonna leak less than the sky."
-"All they got there (in Canada) is white folks. Blend in with the ice and snow."
I also like the book's insights into the human condition and relationships. Examples:
-"Imagine you are...confined to bed and waiting to die. How must you live now, in order to go in peace, looking back on a life well lived?"
-The man who courts Olivia in Mourning's absence says, "Here I am—available, easy. I'd quickly become like an old pair of slippers. That's what happens to couples, even the good ones, the ones who actually love each other. It's not a bad thing. It's what we should hope for—the certainty that we can take one another for granted. But when there's someone else....Well, a ghost is always going to be more tantalizing than an old pair of slippers."
The author is good at depicting action and adventure, which Mourning experiences plenty of as he travels. She includes interesting historical information and appeals to the senses. Example: Here's one of the sights Mourning enjoys on board a riverboat: "Before the open window stood the magnificent wheel—a deep cherry-red with intricate carvings, tall as a man." The reader enjoys the sight along with him.
I like the touches of humor. Examples:
-"Any roof gonna leak less than the sky."
-"All they got there (in Canada) is white folks. Blend in with the ice and snow."
I also like the book's insights into the human condition and relationships. Examples:
-"Imagine you are...confined to bed and waiting to die. How must you live now, in order to go in peace, looking back on a life well lived?"
-The man who courts Olivia in Mourning's absence says, "Here I am—available, easy. I'd quickly become like an old pair of slippers. That's what happens to couples, even the good ones, the ones who actually love each other. It's not a bad thing. It's what we should hope for—the certainty that we can take one another for granted. But when there's someone else....Well, a ghost is always going to be more tantalizing than an old pair of slippers."
July 30, 2022
A fascinating series
I cannot stop reading this lovely set of books. To be very honest racist matters have become far too much for me. I am heartily sick and tired of the guilt of just being born white, but Yael Politis writes so enchantingly that I have devoured every word with great interest. She is a master story-teller, taking the story from the 1800's to 1900's tying up the dots seamlessly. This story has grabbed my attention and kept it late into the night. Its historical background makes the personal stories of the various characters so alive, leaving me with an appreciation of the facilities we enjoy today, such as a hot bath or shower, and toilets in our homes. I admired at the resourcefulness of a young woman providing for the guests of her boarding house by shooting and butchering buck, growing and pickling vegetables, riding her horse bareback, handling a team of horses and a cart, carrying pistols and shotguns, defying society's norms by wearing pants, when women generally wore bustles, falling in love with her black childhood friend, accepting and appreciating Michelle with the fake French accent and fighting for fair treatment of escaping slaves. What a truly fascinating story! Four books already hungrily devoured and more to go. I find myself delaying, unwilling to have to part from these people.
I cannot stop reading this lovely set of books. To be very honest racist matters have become far too much for me. I am heartily sick and tired of the guilt of just being born white, but Yael Politis writes so enchantingly that I have devoured every word with great interest. She is a master story-teller, taking the story from the 1800's to 1900's tying up the dots seamlessly. This story has grabbed my attention and kept it late into the night. Its historical background makes the personal stories of the various characters so alive, leaving me with an appreciation of the facilities we enjoy today, such as a hot bath or shower, and toilets in our homes. I admired at the resourcefulness of a young woman providing for the guests of her boarding house by shooting and butchering buck, growing and pickling vegetables, riding her horse bareback, handling a team of horses and a cart, carrying pistols and shotguns, defying society's norms by wearing pants, when women generally wore bustles, falling in love with her black childhood friend, accepting and appreciating Michelle with the fake French accent and fighting for fair treatment of escaping slaves. What a truly fascinating story! Four books already hungrily devoured and more to go. I find myself delaying, unwilling to have to part from these people.
October 4, 2017
I *love* this series and especially this latest volume continuing the pre-Civil War story line starring Olivia and Mourning Free. It meets all the requirements of my favorite novels: a compelling story that keeps you reading, characters you get to know well and whom you care about, and (especially important with historical novels) so well researched, in great detail, that it seems quite authentic. I've read all the books in this series and recommend them all to lovers of great fiction. Can't wait for the next one! Surely there *will* be a next one, I hope. But don't worry if you haven't read the earlier ones in the series, or if it's been a while so you aren't certain you remember details -- because the author brilliantly weaves in memories and reminder bits to catch you up. Disclaimer: Yael is a friend of mine from high school (decades ago) and we got back in touch by way of Facebook. I actually got an advance look at this one, what a blessing and honor. Our friendship does not in the slightest affect my review. Wonderful story, very engaging and well written. Highly commended.
August 12, 2018
This is another excellent narration in the & most welcome continuation.
In the Ollivia & Mourning free, series. With in many ways the natural spring board for growth & development that occurs at their age, with unwelcome attention and potentially life changing events forcing the pace. To a mutual awareness that they can't really stay in this place and time indefinitely. A new self awareness creeps in. Yael Politis has this masterful way, with a straight forward narration to still have you on the edge of your seat throughout. It is my personal hope that this series never stop. Heightened by the last book taking that tangent displayed that potential. Despite the critical reception from some reviewers. The history through these families, their likeness to our original protagonists and that the struggle continues, give me cause to hope &_encourage this author. It would be remiss of me not to highly recommend this series, including this part.
In the Ollivia & Mourning free, series. With in many ways the natural spring board for growth & development that occurs at their age, with unwelcome attention and potentially life changing events forcing the pace. To a mutual awareness that they can't really stay in this place and time indefinitely. A new self awareness creeps in. Yael Politis has this masterful way, with a straight forward narration to still have you on the edge of your seat throughout. It is my personal hope that this series never stop. Heightened by the last book taking that tangent displayed that potential. Despite the critical reception from some reviewers. The history through these families, their likeness to our original protagonists and that the struggle continues, give me cause to hope &_encourage this author. It would be remiss of me not to highly recommend this series, including this part.
October 3, 2017
in this installment Olivia wakes up to find mourning free is gone. he has always talked about finding his own place in life and has not wanted to bother her. after she gets done morning him she slowly moves on and ends up with a booming business and a new man. I love Olivia and Mourning together and was sad that it didn't work out. however for the time frame the book takes place that makes a lot of sense. the author does an amazing job taking you back in history and including you in the story and journey. I did struggle with some of the ebonics used by some of the characters who did not have proper English or grammar.
March 7, 2018
1848🌟
Many questions answered, life moving on ,the Good Times and the Bad written in this Book must be a turning point.Will another book be written about our strong Olivia? I can Hope, these Books have been a Journey for me and I do not want it to end! Easy for me to once again give 5🌟
I Encourage everyone who reads this, Start with Book One.
Many questions answered, life moving on ,the Good Times and the Bad written in this Book must be a turning point.Will another book be written about our strong Olivia? I can Hope, these Books have been a Journey for me and I do not want it to end! Easy for me to once again give 5🌟
I Encourage everyone who reads this, Start with Book One.
March 14, 2018
What a Great story
I have read all previous 3 books, and have enjoyed them very much!!! I enjoyed the continuation of each book, although book 3 kind of felt like Olivia had been put on the shelf to be returned to at a later date.
The way history is enveloped into the story makes one feel the realness of the story. I look forward to book 5!
I have read all previous 3 books, and have enjoyed them very much!!! I enjoyed the continuation of each book, although book 3 kind of felt like Olivia had been put on the shelf to be returned to at a later date.
The way history is enveloped into the story makes one feel the realness of the story. I look forward to book 5!
February 16, 2021
I felt like we were back on track with the adventures of Olivia and Mourning. Plus we were introduced to some new and endearing characters. While each character continues to be mysterious to a point I’ve begun to feel like I personally know them and care deeply what happens to them. Sadly many of the issues they face remain today.
December 20, 2021
Mourning and Olivia figure out a way to live together without anyone aware of their true relationship. Mourning disappears after some locals caught he and Olivia on their front porch together and attempted to burn the place down. Still hooked on this story but wondering what happened to the 60s story. It never showed up in this volume.
October 21, 2017
Not the ending that I wanted, but for the best for that era. Would like to read the next book to see if Yael adds more characters and to see more about Mourning and Charlie. I love this series of books. Have a lot of admiration for both Mourning's and Olivia's morality.
January 19, 2019
Overall this was just a really great series. The author holds your attention, and brings you into the story in a way that is of great talent. I can't say enough about this series. I also can't wait for book 5 to come out in the fall of this year. Very well done!
April 30, 2020
What a great story continuation!
I have absolutely loved reading the Olivia series. This book was so enthralling. The characters kept my attention with such interesting interactions with each other. I'm sorry that this is the end of the series.
I have absolutely loved reading the Olivia series. This book was so enthralling. The characters kept my attention with such interesting interactions with each other. I'm sorry that this is the end of the series.
May 2, 2020
This is such a great series. I’m heading straight into the 5th installment. Yael Politis writes riveting tales set in a fascinating historical and geographical context with characters that you fall in love with and feel like family. These novels are the highlight of my lockdown reading.
July 8, 2021
The Summer of 1848
Great reading. The storyline just gets better & better. So glad to see the characters growing as the time moves on. Olivia is a person many of us have known , we refer to them as "free spirits."
Thank you for allowing Mourning to grow as well.
Great reading. The storyline just gets better & better. So glad to see the characters growing as the time moves on. Olivia is a person many of us have known , we refer to them as "free spirits."
Thank you for allowing Mourning to grow as well.
March 6, 2019
I read the entire series and wanted more. What courageous people! What happens next? I hope this series will be continued.
September 7, 2019
Book 4 in the excellent Olivia Series. This one was surprisingly boring.
April 12, 2020
Review
Great series of books, well written that keeps you interested in what is next. Will be buying the next book in this series!
Great series of books, well written that keeps you interested in what is next. Will be buying the next book in this series!
April 13, 2020
i have enjoyed this whole series and will start the last and final book shortly. I so enjoyed the story and the history of book and the people became friends.
May 5, 2020
What an enjoyable journey! The historical references are fascinating (I learn so much about the origin of phrases!) and I try to take to heart all of the wisdom from the lovable characters.
March 2, 2022
Excellent historical fiction series. Highly recommended.
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September 2, 2018I believe this is book two of the Olivia series. I have finished all 4. I miss the characters. Good story line and lots to give you time to pause and think. Good for book clubs.
Read
May 19, 2019Enjoyable read, good series, interesting characters
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews