What do you think?
Rate this book
The Summer Between
Seventeen-year-old Cleo Porter begins senior year with a best friend, or so she thinks. But when a new student from her gossipy Southern Baptist church shows up in the office of Cleo’s private school, she is magnetically drawn to the new girl, Bebe. Over the course of their last year imprisoned at Oak Grove Christian in Mississippi, Cleo’s friendship with Bebe grows through a secret battle against cancer, vicious mean girls, and a trip to the Florida coast with their class, where the Christian values they were all raised with go out the window.
Cleo and Bebe devise a plan to attend college in Tampa, Florida, but when tragedy strikes before the fall semester starts, Cleo has to choose whether she’s going to honor the plans the girls made together the summer between senior year and college. Cleo’s experience tests all she’s been taught to believe, forcing her to reassess her understanding of life. Cleo finds herself challenging the beliefs of a small-town life, the relationships between almost-adults and their parents, and the eternal question of what happens to us when we die. She must either find solace for the shattered pieces that once made up her heart – or lose herself entirely.
A heart-warming coming-of-age novel about friendship, sisterhood, and growing into one’s own skin.
Cleo and Bebe devise a plan to attend college in Tampa, Florida, but when tragedy strikes before the fall semester starts, Cleo has to choose whether she’s going to honor the plans the girls made together the summer between senior year and college. Cleo’s experience tests all she’s been taught to believe, forcing her to reassess her understanding of life. Cleo finds herself challenging the beliefs of a small-town life, the relationships between almost-adults and their parents, and the eternal question of what happens to us when we die. She must either find solace for the shattered pieces that once made up her heart – or lose herself entirely.
A heart-warming coming-of-age novel about friendship, sisterhood, and growing into one’s own skin.
- GenresBook Club
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 29, 2019
What a great coming of age story that covers so many topics - family relationships, high school drama, insecurities, learning about yourself, dealing with death, all while finding your way in the world. I hope this books inspires teens (and adults) to be true to themselves, cherish those who are dear to you, and know that while trouble and heartache will sadly always be a part of our lives, life will go on.
January 30, 2019
This book was wonderful! I couldn't put it down and I devoured it in just a few days! One part had me sobbing as the characters were so relatable and the plot felt very authentic. It was a beautiful story all in all.
I would have liked more context in the early chapters on small town life, the school community, and the evolution of Chloe's family dynamics. I was piecing it together, but I think the powerful moments would have had even more impact with more background on the community these young women are operating in.
Oh also I received this book as an ARC and I am SO glad I did!
I would have liked more context in the early chapters on small town life, the school community, and the evolution of Chloe's family dynamics. I was piecing it together, but I think the powerful moments would have had even more impact with more background on the community these young women are operating in.
Oh also I received this book as an ARC and I am SO glad I did!
April 25, 2019
Touched my soul
One of the best books that I have read in a long time! A story of true friendship between two girls on their way to finding themselves told in such a relatable way. Many will be able to identify with Cleo and Bebe, I think.
One of the best books that I have read in a long time! A story of true friendship between two girls on their way to finding themselves told in such a relatable way. Many will be able to identify with Cleo and Bebe, I think.
February 5, 2019
Dear The Summer Between, I sincerely cannot get enough of you.
Normally, my reading preferences surround dystopian lands and heart pounding adventures, but I took a chance, and I am beyond elated that I did. A book like this brings on a spectacular new perspective. There is so much to unpack with this beautiful novel, it is almost difficult for me to wrap my head around it. Reminiscing on the chapters almost gives me a sense of nostalgia for the experiences Cleo has gone through and her astounding character development. I didn't expect to fall so hard in love with who she becomes.
As a teenage girl, there are so many ways in which I find myself relating to her character. I couldn't help but soak in the challenges she faces at home and the high school drama she is tasked to overcome. Again and again I was met with new ways to look at the significance of Cleo's journey through her senior year and what came after. I found myself crying with Cleo and questioning the ways in which the universe worked. Linton has a breathtaking way of displaying the powerful friendship of Bebe and Cleo and I have grown too attached to ever let this book go.
I waited all day to finish the last 5 pages at home in the comfort of my bedroom to brace for the ending I was not at all ready to receive. I couldn't help but tear up at the final words in The Summer Between, and that turned into a full on red-eyes-runny-nose-tear-soaked cry as I played the first song of the Playlist that came after the last chapter, something that very few books have been able to do to me. For so many reasons, this book will always hold a piece of my heart. I am already itching to reread and relive this novel.
Thank you so much Linton, thank you for allowing me to read your wonderful creation. I look forward to more of your writing in the future.
Normally, my reading preferences surround dystopian lands and heart pounding adventures, but I took a chance, and I am beyond elated that I did. A book like this brings on a spectacular new perspective. There is so much to unpack with this beautiful novel, it is almost difficult for me to wrap my head around it. Reminiscing on the chapters almost gives me a sense of nostalgia for the experiences Cleo has gone through and her astounding character development. I didn't expect to fall so hard in love with who she becomes.
As a teenage girl, there are so many ways in which I find myself relating to her character. I couldn't help but soak in the challenges she faces at home and the high school drama she is tasked to overcome. Again and again I was met with new ways to look at the significance of Cleo's journey through her senior year and what came after. I found myself crying with Cleo and questioning the ways in which the universe worked. Linton has a breathtaking way of displaying the powerful friendship of Bebe and Cleo and I have grown too attached to ever let this book go.
I waited all day to finish the last 5 pages at home in the comfort of my bedroom to brace for the ending I was not at all ready to receive. I couldn't help but tear up at the final words in The Summer Between, and that turned into a full on red-eyes-runny-nose-tear-soaked cry as I played the first song of the Playlist that came after the last chapter, something that very few books have been able to do to me. For so many reasons, this book will always hold a piece of my heart. I am already itching to reread and relive this novel.
Thank you so much Linton, thank you for allowing me to read your wonderful creation. I look forward to more of your writing in the future.
February 6, 2019
There are so many things I loved about this book that it's hard to list them all here. Initially, it was a little hard to identify with the main character. She seemed like a bit of a whiner at first, but as she begins to grow and mature I was able to appreciate her more fully. The author does a fabulous job of unraveling the journey that leads the character from being a naive child to an adult grappling with the meaning of existence and finding her place in the world. Well placed details really brought me back to my teens and early twenties and my own struggles with my identity - both spiritually and in terms of what I wanted out of life, who I was in relation to friends and parents, and who I wanted to be. The nostalgia is strong with this one. I graduated high school at about the same time as the main character, so all the slang and song references really helped set the scene and bring me back to that time. Overall, it was a really poignant read, deftly woven together.
December 10, 2024
heartfelt & unforgettable
This is an absolute gem! From the first page, I was captivated by the depth of the characters and the beautifully crafted narrative. The story captures the bittersweet emotions of part of the most influential times in a young adult’s life.
Linton's writing is both poignant and insanely relatable. She was able to paint vivid scenes that make you feel like you're right there with the characters. At times, I questioned how she was capable of accurately depicting so many pivotal moments in my earlier life. The emotional depth and authenticity of the relationships kept me turning pages.
If you're looking for a heartfelt, evocative story that will stay with you long after you've finished, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended! I finished it hours ago and am still feeling the emotions of it all.
This is an absolute gem! From the first page, I was captivated by the depth of the characters and the beautifully crafted narrative. The story captures the bittersweet emotions of part of the most influential times in a young adult’s life.
Linton's writing is both poignant and insanely relatable. She was able to paint vivid scenes that make you feel like you're right there with the characters. At times, I questioned how she was capable of accurately depicting so many pivotal moments in my earlier life. The emotional depth and authenticity of the relationships kept me turning pages.
If you're looking for a heartfelt, evocative story that will stay with you long after you've finished, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended! I finished it hours ago and am still feeling the emotions of it all.
February 5, 2019
Great coming of age novel about the inner-workings of a teenage girl's mind. Touches on many topics, but dives deep into loss and coping. I loved the writing and sweetness of the friendship between the girls Cleo and BeBe. This book took me back to my teen years in Mississippi and my Senior trip to Florida...along with the loss of one of my best childhood friends. I laughed, I cried. I read it in just a few days...it leaves you wanting more. So lovely! I will be buying it for my daughter and her friends to read. Thank you Amanda for writing this story.
July 22, 2019
The story of Cleo and Bebe is a sweet one peppered with nostalgia. I loved the references to AOL instant messaging, away messages, and listening to Dave Matthews Band and Three 6 Mafia. I appreciated the character development of Cleo when she finally learns to stand on her own two feet at the end. However, the writing style itself fell short for me. There were many typos and grammatical mistakes that an editor should have caught. There were many redundant details, but I would have liked more details on the relationship with Cleo’s mother. Why was it the way it was?
February 7, 2019
This is a beautiful coming of age story. I think it is so relatable. We all have been through the summer between leaving school and emerging adult hood. This story deals with this topic but digs deeper in to a friendship and the power of a best friend. It then digs even deeper and deals with the subject of grief. The story is hopeful. I recommend fully.
February 26, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed The Summer Between! The characters had depth, the relationships felt real, and it conjured memories of this time in my own life (and made me want to give my high school friends a call!)
I can’t wait to read what Amanda Linton writes next!
I can’t wait to read what Amanda Linton writes next!
April 1, 2019
I loved the characters and how focused this was on Cleo, with all others revolving around her.
A story of friendship and loss that will touch your heart and make you remember what it was like to be seventeen, with your life ahead of you, when nothing bad could possibly happen.
A story of friendship and loss that will touch your heart and make you remember what it was like to be seventeen, with your life ahead of you, when nothing bad could possibly happen.
March 25, 2019
A lovely YA novel of the difficulties of loss and moving on during one of the most tumultuous time in life, the transition from high school to adulthood. Also, it was written by my cousin-in-law. ;)
June 29, 2019
The development of Cleo as she has to face a tragedy with a non supportive mother and make her own way in the world is very sweet and relatable. Very good book for young women or men!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews