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A Summer to Remember
For thirty-year-old Frankie Simon, selling movie memorabilia in the shop she opened with her late mother on Hollywood Boulevard is more than just her livelihood--it's an enduring connection to the only family she has ever known. But when a mysterious package arrives containing a photograph of her mother and famous movie stars Glory Cartwright and her husband at a coastal film festival the year before Frankie's birth, her life begins to unravel in ways unimaginable.
What begins is a journey along a path revealing buried family secrets, betrayals between lovers, bonds between friends. And for Frankie, as the past unlocks the present, the chance to learn that memories define who we are, and that they can show us the meaning of home and the magic of true love.
Experience the salty breeze of a Cape Cod summer as it sweeps through this sparkling, romantic, and timeless debut novel tinged with a love of old Hollywood.
"The perfect read for summer. A novel with depth, real emotions, lyrical writing, and flawed characters with whom to fall in love."--New York Times bestselling author Karen White
What begins is a journey along a path revealing buried family secrets, betrayals between lovers, bonds between friends. And for Frankie, as the past unlocks the present, the chance to learn that memories define who we are, and that they can show us the meaning of home and the magic of true love.
Experience the salty breeze of a Cape Cod summer as it sweeps through this sparkling, romantic, and timeless debut novel tinged with a love of old Hollywood.
"The perfect read for summer. A novel with depth, real emotions, lyrical writing, and flawed characters with whom to fall in love."--New York Times bestselling author Karen White
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2021
376 people are currently reading
12363 people want to read
About the author
Erika Montgomery
4 books356 followersA card-carrying cinephile and native New Englander, novelist Erika Montgomery currently lives with her family in the Mid-Atlantic. Her next novel, OUR PLACE ON THE ISLAND, comes out June 13th, 2023 from St. Martin's Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
April 1, 2021
Frankie’s still grieving the death of her mother and running their Hollywood memory shop where she sells movie memorabilia. Unexpectedly, a few unopened letters and a picture arrive which puzzles her about her mother’s past. Because Frankie’s never known her true father, she takes herself to a coastal town on a journey of discovery to uncover some hidden secrets.
This is a tale of friendship, love, romance, and family secrets that literally transported me to summer. It’s wonderfully written with plenty of detail and imagery. I enjoyed the little bit of romance and mystery with the interesting conclusion. The characters aren’t perfect and they’re easy to relate to as well.
Some parts in the book were fairly predictable, and the timeline didn’t always work for me, but it wasn’t hard to overlook. I wasn’t captivated with the old Hollywood references very much, but it added a neat touch to the story. Readers that have more knowledge of the golden age of Hollywood will likely enjoy the addition to these references much more.
Overall, this was a sweet, interesting story that held my attention throughout. It’ll stay with me for some time. I’ll definitely be reading future works by this author.
4****
I’d like to thank Goodreads, the author, and the publisher for offering this giveaway.
You can also see this review @www.readrantrockandroll.com
This is a tale of friendship, love, romance, and family secrets that literally transported me to summer. It’s wonderfully written with plenty of detail and imagery. I enjoyed the little bit of romance and mystery with the interesting conclusion. The characters aren’t perfect and they’re easy to relate to as well.
Some parts in the book were fairly predictable, and the timeline didn’t always work for me, but it wasn’t hard to overlook. I wasn’t captivated with the old Hollywood references very much, but it added a neat touch to the story. Readers that have more knowledge of the golden age of Hollywood will likely enjoy the addition to these references much more.
Overall, this was a sweet, interesting story that held my attention throughout. It’ll stay with me for some time. I’ll definitely be reading future works by this author.
4****
I’d like to thank Goodreads, the author, and the publisher for offering this giveaway.
You can also see this review @www.readrantrockandroll.com
July 1, 2021
I was so excited to receive this book and not just because of that stunning, beachy cover. Erika Montgomery has penned some of my favorite summer reads in years’ past, one including a shipwreck treasure off the North Carolina coast. A Summer to Remember was the perfect book to kick off my summer reading.
Frankie sells movie memorabilia on Hollywood Boulevard. She receives a mysterious package with a photograph of her late mother and old Hollywood famous movie stars, as well as sealed letters. This single thread leads to an unraveling of everything Frankie thinks is true about her life.
Much of the story is then set on Cape Cod. There’s a mystery here with a touch of romance, too, and I just loved the characters. Old Hollywood fans will especially love those touches. It’s a story of what makes a family and finding home. Such a beautiful summer story!
I received a gifted copy from the publisher.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Frankie sells movie memorabilia on Hollywood Boulevard. She receives a mysterious package with a photograph of her late mother and old Hollywood famous movie stars, as well as sealed letters. This single thread leads to an unraveling of everything Frankie thinks is true about her life.
Much of the story is then set on Cape Cod. There’s a mystery here with a touch of romance, too, and I just loved the characters. Old Hollywood fans will especially love those touches. It’s a story of what makes a family and finding home. Such a beautiful summer story!
I received a gifted copy from the publisher.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
August 21, 2022
3.5 Stars
A SUMMER TO REMEMBER blends elements of family drama, mystery, and romance into a bittersweet story. Frankie is grieving the loss of her mother while trying to keep their Hollywood memorabilia store afloat. She comes across a couple of sealed letters, and a photograph of her mother with a pair of married movie stars taken a year before Frankie's birth. Always curious about who her father was, Frankie heads across the country to Cape Cod where the photo was taken in hopes of finding clues to his identity.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the sense of place and the Hollywood nostalgia, and I was very curious about the family secrets surrounding Frankie's father. The romance was lovely — two lost souls coming together. However, the pacing was slow, and I found the big reveal rather frustrating. It was unnecessary to keep this particular thing a secret for 30 years! If you can get past that hurdle, A SUMMER TO REMEMBER makes a great beach read that will leave you craving margaritas and fried clams, and wanting to dust off those old VHS movies.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A SUMMER TO REMEMBER blends elements of family drama, mystery, and romance into a bittersweet story. Frankie is grieving the loss of her mother while trying to keep their Hollywood memorabilia store afloat. She comes across a couple of sealed letters, and a photograph of her mother with a pair of married movie stars taken a year before Frankie's birth. Always curious about who her father was, Frankie heads across the country to Cape Cod where the photo was taken in hopes of finding clues to his identity.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the sense of place and the Hollywood nostalgia, and I was very curious about the family secrets surrounding Frankie's father. The romance was lovely — two lost souls coming together. However, the pacing was slow, and I found the big reveal rather frustrating. It was unnecessary to keep this particular thing a secret for 30 years! If you can get past that hurdle, A SUMMER TO REMEMBER makes a great beach read that will leave you craving margaritas and fried clams, and wanting to dust off those old VHS movies.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2021
4 perfect summer read stars
We meet Frankie first at her Hollywood memorabilia shop. The shop was started by her mom and the two shared a passion for movies. Now her mom is gone and she’s not sure she can keep the shop open. Frankie stumbles across a photo of her mom with some famous stars (along with two sealed letters) at an annual film festival on Cape Cod. Her curiosity gets the better of her and Frankie books a trip to the festival.
There’s a bit of a mystery to figure out in this one and I enjoyed the way the author slowly unspooled the story for us. Throw in a bit of romance, Hollywood glamour, and Cape scenery and this one made for a perfect summer read. I liked the way this one ended.
This book is perfect for fans of old movies and Hollywood stars. One of my favorite parts is that much of it was set on Cape Cod, which always feels like a summer place for me. Maybe I can even make a trip there this summer! I enjoyed this one and I look forward to the next book from this author.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the copy of this one to read.
We meet Frankie first at her Hollywood memorabilia shop. The shop was started by her mom and the two shared a passion for movies. Now her mom is gone and she’s not sure she can keep the shop open. Frankie stumbles across a photo of her mom with some famous stars (along with two sealed letters) at an annual film festival on Cape Cod. Her curiosity gets the better of her and Frankie books a trip to the festival.
There’s a bit of a mystery to figure out in this one and I enjoyed the way the author slowly unspooled the story for us. Throw in a bit of romance, Hollywood glamour, and Cape scenery and this one made for a perfect summer read. I liked the way this one ended.
This book is perfect for fans of old movies and Hollywood stars. One of my favorite parts is that much of it was set on Cape Cod, which always feels like a summer place for me. Maybe I can even make a trip there this summer! I enjoyed this one and I look forward to the next book from this author.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the copy of this one to read.
May 8, 2021
A Summer to Remember by Erika Montgomery is a women’s fiction title that has a touch of romance. The story is told by switching timelines and narrators. The main characters is thirty year old Frankie Simon who has never known her father and it follows her on her quest for information about who he may have been.
Frankie had grown up with only her mother as family in her life with the two running a Hollywood memorabilia shop. Frankie’s mother always had her own rules of how to handle the merchandise which included never opening a letter meant for someone else. When Frankie finds letters tucked away in her mother’s things that seem to be from a famous movie star couple along with a photo of them and her mother she begins to wonder how her mother knew them.
As Frankie looks into when and where the picture was taken that could lead her to who to return the letters to she finds that it seems to be from the year before she was born. Frankie wonders if anyone involved would be able to shed some light on who her father might have been so she decides to visit Harpswich, Massachusetts to see what she can find in the small beach town.
I have to say normally when reading a novel with old family secrets to be uncovered I find myself completely intrigued with the drama unfolding. However with A Summer to Remember I never felt that swept away by the past or the present of the book. This one seemed to be very slow moving and didn’t really catch me up in the story the way I prefer and I couldn’t quite put my finger on the why. The characters were nice enough and I understood the pull Frankie had to the town but I just didn’t feel that myself which is unusual with this type of setting so that made this one just a so-so read to me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Frankie had grown up with only her mother as family in her life with the two running a Hollywood memorabilia shop. Frankie’s mother always had her own rules of how to handle the merchandise which included never opening a letter meant for someone else. When Frankie finds letters tucked away in her mother’s things that seem to be from a famous movie star couple along with a photo of them and her mother she begins to wonder how her mother knew them.
As Frankie looks into when and where the picture was taken that could lead her to who to return the letters to she finds that it seems to be from the year before she was born. Frankie wonders if anyone involved would be able to shed some light on who her father might have been so she decides to visit Harpswich, Massachusetts to see what she can find in the small beach town.
I have to say normally when reading a novel with old family secrets to be uncovered I find myself completely intrigued with the drama unfolding. However with A Summer to Remember I never felt that swept away by the past or the present of the book. This one seemed to be very slow moving and didn’t really catch me up in the story the way I prefer and I couldn’t quite put my finger on the why. The characters were nice enough and I understood the pull Frankie had to the town but I just didn’t feel that myself which is unusual with this type of setting so that made this one just a so-so read to me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 28, 2021
Giveaway Win!
4.5 Stars!
A Summer to Remember is a perfect beach read. It has romance, mystery, a beautiful setting and a little Hollywood magic. I devoured this book. If I hadn't had actually adulting to do yesterday I would have read the whole book in one sitting(I still nearly did).
I will say on the cons side there is instalove, so if that bothers you just a heads up. It didn't bother me because I think it made sense to these characters.
I highly recommend A Summer to Remember to readers who love Elin Hildebrand novels.
4.5 Stars!
A Summer to Remember is a perfect beach read. It has romance, mystery, a beautiful setting and a little Hollywood magic. I devoured this book. If I hadn't had actually adulting to do yesterday I would have read the whole book in one sitting(I still nearly did).
I will say on the cons side there is instalove, so if that bothers you just a heads up. It didn't bother me because I think it made sense to these characters.
I highly recommend A Summer to Remember to readers who love Elin Hildebrand novels.
December 14, 2021
Frankie Simon is thirty years old and is grieving the loss of her mother. She never knew the identity of her father. She continues to run their Hollywood movie memorabilia store. A package arrives which includes a photo of her mother before she was born. She is with a famous movie star who left Hollywood to live in a small coastal New England town. Sealed letters written by his actress wife are also enclosed. Frankie heads to the Cape Cod town of Harpswitch, Massachusetts and its annual Stardust Summer Film Festival to learn about her mother’s past and possibly discover the identity of her father.
This thoroughly enjoyable book, which is set in the past and present, is an impressive debut for author Erika Montgomery. She has created a strong cast of characters, a story that kept me fully engaged and all in a picturesque setting. As Frankie starts to uncover her mother’s true story, the people with a connection to her mother have their own secrets and heartbreak. The magical world of the movies is interwoven throughout the story. If you are a film buff, you’ll adore all the references.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read A Summer to Remember before its May 11, 2021 publication. It is a perfect book to escape into.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
This thoroughly enjoyable book, which is set in the past and present, is an impressive debut for author Erika Montgomery. She has created a strong cast of characters, a story that kept me fully engaged and all in a picturesque setting. As Frankie starts to uncover her mother’s true story, the people with a connection to her mother have their own secrets and heartbreak. The magical world of the movies is interwoven throughout the story. If you are a film buff, you’ll adore all the references.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read A Summer to Remember before its May 11, 2021 publication. It is a perfect book to escape into.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
May 20, 2021
A Summer to Remember is a light, refreshing beach read perfect for the summer and for movie buffs. The book follows Frankie as she tries to give two letters found in her mother's personal items back to their rightful owners. Little does Frankie know the Pandora's box this journey and these letters will open!! Using alternating timelines to play out the story, we see a tale of romance, mystery, family secrets, grief and friendship all while trying to figure out what home means.
For a debut novel, I thought it was strong - solid storyline, great flow, enjoyable characters and she leaves the book open to being a stand alone book or a possible sequel. A win-win!
My thanks to Erika Montgomery, St. Martin's Press and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For a debut novel, I thought it was strong - solid storyline, great flow, enjoyable characters and she leaves the book open to being a stand alone book or a possible sequel. A win-win!
My thanks to Erika Montgomery, St. Martin's Press and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2021
Frankie has inherited her deceased mother’s Memory Shop business and one of a kind historical collections acquired while working on film sets. Frankie’s father is a mystery, never revealed by her mother. One day a few old letters and a photo of her mother standing alongside a man named Mitch are brought to her attention, Could this be her father? Frankie sets out on a quest to find out.
Mystery and romance, a captivating dual timeline, and characters who jump off the page.
Mystery and romance, a captivating dual timeline, and characters who jump off the page.
November 28, 2021
Poignant, romantic, and nostalgic!
A Summer to Remember is a refreshing, moving tale that sweeps you away to the idyllic island of Cape Cod and into the life of Frankie Simon, a thirty-year-old movie memorabilia Hollywood shop owner who, after her mother’s death, journeys to the east coast to unravel the secrets of her mother’s past and to potentially finally discover the identity of the father she’s never known.
The prose is reflective and sweet. The characters are easygoing, intriguing, and likeable. And the plot using a past/present, back-and-forth style, intertwines and unravels effortlessly into a touching tale of life, loss, family, friendship, drama, emotion, secrets, heartbreak, passion, old Hollywood, self-discovery, and love.
Overall, A Summer to Remember is a heartfelt, sentimental, escapist debut by Montgomery that was so much more than I ever expected, and I look forward to reading whatever lovely story she manages to come up with next.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
A Summer to Remember is a refreshing, moving tale that sweeps you away to the idyllic island of Cape Cod and into the life of Frankie Simon, a thirty-year-old movie memorabilia Hollywood shop owner who, after her mother’s death, journeys to the east coast to unravel the secrets of her mother’s past and to potentially finally discover the identity of the father she’s never known.
The prose is reflective and sweet. The characters are easygoing, intriguing, and likeable. And the plot using a past/present, back-and-forth style, intertwines and unravels effortlessly into a touching tale of life, loss, family, friendship, drama, emotion, secrets, heartbreak, passion, old Hollywood, self-discovery, and love.
Overall, A Summer to Remember is a heartfelt, sentimental, escapist debut by Montgomery that was so much more than I ever expected, and I look forward to reading whatever lovely story she manages to come up with next.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2021
This book, in my opinion, is a great beach read. Mostly set in Harpswitch, Massachusetts, a small beach town, this book laces nostalgia with family secrets, betrayal, and romance.
Frankie Simon lives in Los Angeles and runs a movie memorabilia shop. She receives a mysterious package containing a picture and two unopened letters. The picture shows her mother, now deceased, with a famous movie couple. Noting the date, Frankie realizes that this could be a link to finding out who her father is. She flies to Massachusetts to attend a film festival honoring the movie couple in hopes she may find some link to her father.
The book is filled with movie nostalgia that movie buffs will love. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. The story moved well and was told by two narrators and switched between present and past to provide the background history and the present day occurrences.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Frankie Simon lives in Los Angeles and runs a movie memorabilia shop. She receives a mysterious package containing a picture and two unopened letters. The picture shows her mother, now deceased, with a famous movie couple. Noting the date, Frankie realizes that this could be a link to finding out who her father is. She flies to Massachusetts to attend a film festival honoring the movie couple in hopes she may find some link to her father.
The book is filled with movie nostalgia that movie buffs will love. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. The story moved well and was told by two narrators and switched between present and past to provide the background history and the present day occurrences.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
May 24, 2021
Absorbing, romantic, and imaginative—A Summer to Remember is everything I love in a novel. I couldn’t put it down. With exquisite prose, Erika Montgomery delivers a story that’s timeless, deftly weaving the romance of old Hollywood with the splendor of the East Coast. She takes the reader on a magical journey with characters that linger with you long after the last page.
June 27, 2021
This is the best kind of summer book, with dual timelines and secrets from the past coming to light. The epigraphs for several chapters were lines of dialogue from some of my favorite movies, which made me want to go back to watch them again. I knew this book would be a winner when I saw the blurbs by both Kristy Woodson Harvey and Karen White.
May 11, 2021
**A Summer to Remember generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
5 "The show must go on." Stars
Hard to believe this is a debut novel from Erika Montgomery as her story telling is whimsical, romantic, refreshing, and carries an air of mystery from beginning to end. I loved this story. It's structured in such a way that toggles between two women, both remembering and discovering aspects of their lives in hopes of finding answers and family. This author knows what she's doing and gave readers a story they could really sink into and find connection with so easily.
Woven through the pages are memories of Hollywood nostalgia and the impact of film on our lives along with a bittersweet story of friendship, family, and heartbreak. It's packed with secrets and yearning but as those unravel the story translates as something hopeful in the discovery of things unknown. The characters are one's you want to know and sit down with for a long conversation with a drink or two. There's no undo drama or superfluous detail even the story is brimming with a riddle you just want to solve.
From beginning to end A Summer to Remember is a solid, enchanting, engaging Women's Fiction novel. It contains elements of growth, romance, suspense, and friendship that lover's of the genre will appreciate. It's an unforgettable story of loss and triumph. My only wish was that there were more from these great characters. I so look forward to more intriguing stories from this author.
5 "The show must go on." Stars
Hard to believe this is a debut novel from Erika Montgomery as her story telling is whimsical, romantic, refreshing, and carries an air of mystery from beginning to end. I loved this story. It's structured in such a way that toggles between two women, both remembering and discovering aspects of their lives in hopes of finding answers and family. This author knows what she's doing and gave readers a story they could really sink into and find connection with so easily.
Woven through the pages are memories of Hollywood nostalgia and the impact of film on our lives along with a bittersweet story of friendship, family, and heartbreak. It's packed with secrets and yearning but as those unravel the story translates as something hopeful in the discovery of things unknown. The characters are one's you want to know and sit down with for a long conversation with a drink or two. There's no undo drama or superfluous detail even the story is brimming with a riddle you just want to solve.
From beginning to end A Summer to Remember is a solid, enchanting, engaging Women's Fiction novel. It contains elements of growth, romance, suspense, and friendship that lover's of the genre will appreciate. It's an unforgettable story of loss and triumph. My only wish was that there were more from these great characters. I so look forward to more intriguing stories from this author.
March 21, 2021
"people you love, people you believe you knew, could still show you something of themselves, something beautiful, even after they've left you."
2.5 stars rounded up for that beautiful cover. I wanted to love this one. It's a little family drama and Hollywood glamour mixed with mystery and drama. But I thought it started slow. You could feel a build up but I felt a bit lost in the details of it all. When we got the final twist, I just felt let down and was glad I was nearing the end. I think I just wasn't feeling the romance, the drama of it all. But the writing was great and I did love the moody atmosphere of it all.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
2.5 stars rounded up for that beautiful cover. I wanted to love this one. It's a little family drama and Hollywood glamour mixed with mystery and drama. But I thought it started slow. You could feel a build up but I felt a bit lost in the details of it all. When we got the final twist, I just felt let down and was glad I was nearing the end. I think I just wasn't feeling the romance, the drama of it all. But the writing was great and I did love the moody atmosphere of it all.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
May 11, 2021
Our main character, Frankie is a thirty year old woman who is deeply grieving the death of her mother, Maeve. With no other family, her mother was all she had. As if dealing with that loss isn't enough, her most recent romantic relationship just ended badly and she's unsure if she can continue to run the movie memorabilia store that her mother started years ago. It's just not looking financially feasible.
Grieving and in turmoil about the future, Frankie receives a package that her step-father found after her mother's passing. Inside she finds an old picture of Maeve with a famous Hollywood couple from that time, Mitch Beckett and Glory Cartwright. In addition, there are two sealed letters that appear to be from Glory to her husband, Mitch and son, Gabe. Frankie knows she could sell them for a hefty price tag because Glory's memorabilia has a big following, but it doesn't feel right. Knowing that Glory died when she was young and these are probably the last letters she wrote to her loved ones, Frankie feels a commitment to get them to their son, Gabe, the only surviving member of the family. In addition, she hopes to find out more about her mother's time in Harpswich, Massachusetts where the picture was taken. Maeve never spoke about her time there and she's curious how she knew this famous couple. Even more importantly, Frankie thinks there could be clues there about who her father is.
This was a beautifully written story. Ms. Montgomery tells the story in two time periods - - the past, when Maeve was in Massachusetts and the present, when Frankie is there. This blending of different times enabled her to give the reader bits of information as needed. You come to understand how the people who remained had been forever touched and changed by the events that unfolded up to and including Glory's death. I really liked the characters who served to link the past and present, Louise and Russ, who were Glory and Mitch's close friends
Even though this is an easy read that's perfect for the beach, it also has substance and some unexpected twists. I also really felt that the story speaks to how one simple decision can alter the course of your entire life.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
Grieving and in turmoil about the future, Frankie receives a package that her step-father found after her mother's passing. Inside she finds an old picture of Maeve with a famous Hollywood couple from that time, Mitch Beckett and Glory Cartwright. In addition, there are two sealed letters that appear to be from Glory to her husband, Mitch and son, Gabe. Frankie knows she could sell them for a hefty price tag because Glory's memorabilia has a big following, but it doesn't feel right. Knowing that Glory died when she was young and these are probably the last letters she wrote to her loved ones, Frankie feels a commitment to get them to their son, Gabe, the only surviving member of the family. In addition, she hopes to find out more about her mother's time in Harpswich, Massachusetts where the picture was taken. Maeve never spoke about her time there and she's curious how she knew this famous couple. Even more importantly, Frankie thinks there could be clues there about who her father is.
This was a beautifully written story. Ms. Montgomery tells the story in two time periods - - the past, when Maeve was in Massachusetts and the present, when Frankie is there. This blending of different times enabled her to give the reader bits of information as needed. You come to understand how the people who remained had been forever touched and changed by the events that unfolded up to and including Glory's death. I really liked the characters who served to link the past and present, Louise and Russ, who were Glory and Mitch's close friends
Even though this is an easy read that's perfect for the beach, it also has substance and some unexpected twists. I also really felt that the story speaks to how one simple decision can alter the course of your entire life.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
June 18, 2021
While this focuses slightly around the Hollywood limelight, the small town setting in Massachusetts gave such a warm and cozy feel. Filled with a touch of mystery, it was an addicting, summery read that was difficult to put down.
With zero knowledge of who her father is, Hollywood memorabilia dealer Frankie receives a clue that begins a journey in search of answers. Told through two women in past and present, Frankie embeds herself within a family that reveals a connection deeper than she ever imagined.
It’s a heavier read but somehow still maintains a lighthearted feel as these characters and their uncertainties unravel. This story became so much more than simply discovering the truth behind her father. It was such a great unraveling of twists that tied these characters together. And the subtle romance included was really sweet, too! This one really caught me off guard with how much I enjoyed it.
With zero knowledge of who her father is, Hollywood memorabilia dealer Frankie receives a clue that begins a journey in search of answers. Told through two women in past and present, Frankie embeds herself within a family that reveals a connection deeper than she ever imagined.
It’s a heavier read but somehow still maintains a lighthearted feel as these characters and their uncertainties unravel. This story became so much more than simply discovering the truth behind her father. It was such a great unraveling of twists that tied these characters together. And the subtle romance included was really sweet, too! This one really caught me off guard with how much I enjoyed it.
May 12, 2021
At the beginning of this book, Frankie is working in the Hollywood memorabilia shop she owned with her recently deceased mother, when she finds from her mother’s belongings something that suggests her mother had a life she never knew about, connected to fictional famous actress Glory Cartwright and her actor husband Mitch, and the film festival they sponsored on Cape Cod before their deaths. Frankie, who never knew who her father was, sets out for the film festival to find out more about her mom’s past. What the publisher’s blurb does not reveal, however, is that the book also is told in both the past and present from the perspective of Louise, who was friends with Glory and now runs the festival, and her husband Russ. I definitely felt more invested in present day Frankie’s perspective more than the present day Louise. And while finding out about the past was interesting, I kind of wish we had seen it instead/also from either Glory and/or Frankie’s mom’s perspectives as they never quite fully came into focus. However, I very much enjoyed Frankie’s character, the Cape Cod setting (since I’ve enjoyed many vacations there), and the story in general with its little bits of family mystery and even romance. The way the dual time period played out reminded me a bit of Sarah Jio, with perhaps just a touch of the old Hollywood vibe of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. 3.75 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2021
I read A Summer to Remember back at the beginning of June, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity to share my review! This book really took me by surprise and I really enjoyed it!
A Summer to Remember is little bit of women’s fiction and a little bit of historical fiction, but it all comes together to create the perfect summer read! The story is told in dual timelines and I thought it had a good balance between the two storylines as they wove together. I just loved the combination of the Cape Cod setting, the family mystery, the touch of romance, and the old Hollywood vibes!
The film festival that is held in the story has a signature drink, a Stardust Margarita, and the publisher included a recipe for the cocktail. It was so much fun to make the margarita to sip on while reading! Swipe for the recipe
I listened to the audiobook for most of the book. It was very well done and the narrator was perfect for the story. The story moved quickly and I was able to finish it in a couple of days.
A Summer to Remember is a solid summer read! Definitely check it out if you enjoy women’s fiction, family secrets, and anything to do with old Hollywood movies.
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted review copies!
A Summer to Remember is little bit of women’s fiction and a little bit of historical fiction, but it all comes together to create the perfect summer read! The story is told in dual timelines and I thought it had a good balance between the two storylines as they wove together. I just loved the combination of the Cape Cod setting, the family mystery, the touch of romance, and the old Hollywood vibes!
The film festival that is held in the story has a signature drink, a Stardust Margarita, and the publisher included a recipe for the cocktail. It was so much fun to make the margarita to sip on while reading! Swipe for the recipe
I listened to the audiobook for most of the book. It was very well done and the narrator was perfect for the story. The story moved quickly and I was able to finish it in a couple of days.
A Summer to Remember is a solid summer read! Definitely check it out if you enjoy women’s fiction, family secrets, and anything to do with old Hollywood movies.
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted review copies!
June 1, 2021
I was really excited to read this book, as it sounded really interesting and like a nice light read compared to what I normally read. However, this book definitely disappointed me. I thought the book was really slow, and it really dragged on in some parts and it just couldn’t grab my attention. I liked the characters, but I just didn’t feel connected to them in any way nor did I feel like I could relate to them. However, for this being a debut novel I thought it was pretty good. This author is definitely a strong writer and seems to have a bright future ahead of her. Overall the book was good but it just wasn’t fully for me.
Maybe I’m not fit to read fluffy stories anymore?
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Maybe I’m not fit to read fluffy stories anymore?
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2020
Erika Montgomery’s A Summer to Remember evokes the power of our memories, the magic of the movies, and the true meaning of family. In this beautiful and bittersweet debut, Montgomery spins a timeless tale of romance, Hollywood nostalgia, and family secrets, as poignant as thumbing through a photo album of bygone days, and as refreshing as a Cape Cod sea breeze.
May 30, 2021
Family secrets….
New friendships….
Finding true love…..
A Summer to Remember was a perfect, summer read for me. I really liked the characters. The authors writing draws you into each character and their flaws.
Frankie is the owner of a Hollywood Memorabilia shop. Her mom started the shop and has passed away leaving Frankie to keep it running. After Frankie receives a photo and sealed letters from her mother’s estate, she starts wondering if a man in the picture could be her father she’s never known. Her journey takes her to Cape Cod to get answers to questions she’s had about her past.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
New friendships….
Finding true love…..
A Summer to Remember was a perfect, summer read for me. I really liked the characters. The authors writing draws you into each character and their flaws.
Frankie is the owner of a Hollywood Memorabilia shop. Her mom started the shop and has passed away leaving Frankie to keep it running. After Frankie receives a photo and sealed letters from her mother’s estate, she starts wondering if a man in the picture could be her father she’s never known. Her journey takes her to Cape Cod to get answers to questions she’s had about her past.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 19, 2021
A Summer to Remember is the author's debut novel. I would categorize it as women's fiction.
The main character is 30 year old Frankie (female -3rd person POV). She runs a Hollywood shop selling movie memorabilia. It was her late mother's store.
Frankie finds a picture of her mom and a former movie star. And that leads her on a journey.
The book has some romance and a bit of a mystery. But it is really Frankie's story to learn more about her mom's life.
The book is also about Louise (3rd person POV). We get a past/present storyline. Most of the story is told in the present. But we have a few chapters from 1979-1989 interspersed throughout the book that help us better understand the story.
Louise is in charge of a movie and memorabilia festival. And I thought that her POV added a lot to the story.
The beginning started off a bit slow for me. But then the magic happened. And I was completely pulled into the book.
I really loved the Cape Cod setting. I really enjoyed Louise and her husband Russ. And I enjoyed Gabe.
I don't love past/present storylines because I find that they can really take me out of the story. But in this case the chapters in the past were quite short. And they were always directly tied to what was happening in the present. So it actually worked as we got to see what happened.
I was invested in Frankie and I was very interested to see her learn more about her mom. I also really enjoyed the Frankie and Gabe dynamic.
This book was full of amazing secrets. And by the end I could not put it down. I really enjoyed this book.
Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book.
The main character is 30 year old Frankie (female -3rd person POV). She runs a Hollywood shop selling movie memorabilia. It was her late mother's store.
Frankie finds a picture of her mom and a former movie star. And that leads her on a journey.
The book has some romance and a bit of a mystery. But it is really Frankie's story to learn more about her mom's life.
The book is also about Louise (3rd person POV). We get a past/present storyline. Most of the story is told in the present. But we have a few chapters from 1979-1989 interspersed throughout the book that help us better understand the story.
Louise is in charge of a movie and memorabilia festival. And I thought that her POV added a lot to the story.
The beginning started off a bit slow for me. But then the magic happened. And I was completely pulled into the book.
I really loved the Cape Cod setting. I really enjoyed Louise and her husband Russ. And I enjoyed Gabe.
I don't love past/present storylines because I find that they can really take me out of the story. But in this case the chapters in the past were quite short. And they were always directly tied to what was happening in the present. So it actually worked as we got to see what happened.
I was invested in Frankie and I was very interested to see her learn more about her mom. I also really enjoyed the Frankie and Gabe dynamic.
This book was full of amazing secrets. And by the end I could not put it down. I really enjoyed this book.
Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book.
August 18, 2021
A Summer To Remember
By Erika Montgomery
Hollywood Nostalgia + Family Secrets + Tale of Love = Perfect Beach Read
Thirty year old Frankie was still reeling from the death of her mother when she received a package containing a photo of her mother and a movie star. As far as Frankie knew, it had always just been her, her mother, and their movie memorabilia shop on Hollywood Blvd. In a story told in multiple timelines, Frankie began her journey of unearthing her family secrets in the beautiful setting of Cape Cod in the summer.
For a story that is beautifully told and written, this book is the perfect read that you could get lost in for hours. I highly recommend this book.
By Erika Montgomery
Hollywood Nostalgia + Family Secrets + Tale of Love = Perfect Beach Read
Thirty year old Frankie was still reeling from the death of her mother when she received a package containing a photo of her mother and a movie star. As far as Frankie knew, it had always just been her, her mother, and their movie memorabilia shop on Hollywood Blvd. In a story told in multiple timelines, Frankie began her journey of unearthing her family secrets in the beautiful setting of Cape Cod in the summer.
For a story that is beautifully told and written, this book is the perfect read that you could get lost in for hours. I highly recommend this book.
August 13, 2021
This one wasn't for me. I just couldn't get into the story or get invested in the characters until almost the end of the book. I honestly wish I had my time back. Not to say it's a bad/terrible book it just didn't do anything for me for the majority of the story. People looking for a light summer romance full of family secrets and nods to old Hollywood might enjoy this more than me.
January 12, 2021
Devoured this book in two days. I liked the characters immediately and wanted to learn more about them throughout the book. I’m hoping it was set up for a sequel!?
January 14, 2021
ARC received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaway
I LOVED this book! Loved it so much that I hated for it to end! It is everything I needed right now and will be a fabulous addition to others' reading lists. Put it on your list and pre-order it. The release date is 5/11/21.
Frankie runs a Hollywood memorabilia shop in LA that she had with her mother Maeve for many years. Her shop is different because all of the things in the shop are out to be touched and smelled and loved by the customers. Frankie's mother was killed in a traffic accident and she's having a difficult time moving on with her life. Then she gets an envelope from her mother's boyfriend that he found while cleaning out his filing cabinet. Inside the envelope are two unopened letters; one addressed to Gabe and one addressed to Mitch.
These mysterious letters send Frankie to Harpswich, Massachusetts looking for the people to whom they are addressed. There is a big film festival like Sundance in Harpswich every summer so Frankie plans to attend the festival. Since Maeve never spoke to Frankie of ever being on the east coast, Frankie is hoping that she'll be able to figure out who her father is as well as deliver the letters to their rightful owners.
Erika Montgomery is a wonderful author! These characters are people we all know. It's very easy to put faces to the characters and to fall in love with them and root for their happiness. This would make a wonderful movie! I'll be looking for more to come from Ms. Montgomery!
I LOVED this book! Loved it so much that I hated for it to end! It is everything I needed right now and will be a fabulous addition to others' reading lists. Put it on your list and pre-order it. The release date is 5/11/21.
Frankie runs a Hollywood memorabilia shop in LA that she had with her mother Maeve for many years. Her shop is different because all of the things in the shop are out to be touched and smelled and loved by the customers. Frankie's mother was killed in a traffic accident and she's having a difficult time moving on with her life. Then she gets an envelope from her mother's boyfriend that he found while cleaning out his filing cabinet. Inside the envelope are two unopened letters; one addressed to Gabe and one addressed to Mitch.
These mysterious letters send Frankie to Harpswich, Massachusetts looking for the people to whom they are addressed. There is a big film festival like Sundance in Harpswich every summer so Frankie plans to attend the festival. Since Maeve never spoke to Frankie of ever being on the east coast, Frankie is hoping that she'll be able to figure out who her father is as well as deliver the letters to their rightful owners.
Erika Montgomery is a wonderful author! These characters are people we all know. It's very easy to put faces to the characters and to fall in love with them and root for their happiness. This would make a wonderful movie! I'll be looking for more to come from Ms. Montgomery!
July 5, 2021
This was such an enjoyable read, and the audio was great as well. I was hooked from the beginning and loved how Montgomery wove the past and the present together as Frankie tried to figure out her history. It flowed seamlessly and was just the right length and the right amount of drama / romance for this story. I loved it and thought it was overall very well done.
This was my first read of Montgomery’s and she is firmly on my list of authors for summer books to read.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced digital galley to review.
This was my first read of Montgomery’s and she is firmly on my list of authors for summer books to read.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced digital galley to review.
July 31, 2022
A debut by Erika Montgomery with a bit of a slow-go getting started and, even for me, a lover of details, this may have been a tad too much! But I’ll admit that I found a large part of the book fascinating and enjoyable – especially once Frankie got off the ferry on Cape Cod.
The purpose of her trip Cape Cod was to find out who her father might be. And though he was identified, Frankie encountered him only twice and never established the familial connection between the two. For something that she felt so strongly important to her, this seemed really off-balance and regrettable that the situation wasn’t given more attention and resolution.
The romance takes its time in setting sail. Both parties fought their own demons and, at times, the rolling waves pitched their feelings in all directions. But it actually turned out to be a good voyage.
I felt the fluff of the Hollywood influence and its memorabilia got far too much attention overriding the heart of this story. Another book that fell short of expectations with a disappointing and lackluster ending.
July 17, 2022
Frankie sells movie memorabilia on Hollywood Boulevard in the shop her mother started. Her mother, Maeve, has died recently and she is grieving. When she receives a mysterious package with a photograph of her late mother and old Hollywood famous movie stars, as well as sealed letters, she is hoping to find out who her father is. Her mother would never go to the East Coast, and Frankie wants to find out why. She finds the son of the actor in the photo and heads to Cape Cod, where the Stardust Film Festival is in full swing. Will Frankie find out what her mother's secrets are? Will she find her father? As Frankie finds out more about her mother, everything she believes is true about her life, unravels.
This story is exactly what I am looking for in a summer, poolside read. Most of this story is set in Harpswich, a small Cape Cod Town. The story is told in flashbacks, mixed with the present and Frankie's search. She finds Louise and Russell, best friends to Glory Cartwright and Mitch Beckett, the stars in the photo, as well as Gabe Beckett, their son. As she gets to know these people, secrets are revealed as to what Maeve was doing in Harpswich, and why she never returned. I really liked all the characters in this story. They all had issues and baggage caused by decades old secrets. I liked the mystery, the friendship and the romance. I also liked the Hollywood touches, the memorabilia and where it came from. It was interesting to learn about the various connections people have to certain things, it made it very relatable. As we learn more about what happened when Maeve worked for Glory, I felt so sad for all of them. Russell had kept some major secrets over the years and this caused him many problems in his relationships, so it was nice to finally see him let them go. This is a story about family, specifically found family, learning about your past, secrets, and second chances. This is a story that evoked many emotions in me, but it ended on a positive note and was a wonderful poolside read. The audiobook was narrated by Carly Robins and I enjoyed her performance. She used tone, expression and voices to add to the story. I enjoyed listening to A Summer to Remember and I recommend it to those looking for a good summer story.
This story is exactly what I am looking for in a summer, poolside read. Most of this story is set in Harpswich, a small Cape Cod Town. The story is told in flashbacks, mixed with the present and Frankie's search. She finds Louise and Russell, best friends to Glory Cartwright and Mitch Beckett, the stars in the photo, as well as Gabe Beckett, their son. As she gets to know these people, secrets are revealed as to what Maeve was doing in Harpswich, and why she never returned. I really liked all the characters in this story. They all had issues and baggage caused by decades old secrets. I liked the mystery, the friendship and the romance. I also liked the Hollywood touches, the memorabilia and where it came from. It was interesting to learn about the various connections people have to certain things, it made it very relatable. As we learn more about what happened when Maeve worked for Glory, I felt so sad for all of them. Russell had kept some major secrets over the years and this caused him many problems in his relationships, so it was nice to finally see him let them go. This is a story about family, specifically found family, learning about your past, secrets, and second chances. This is a story that evoked many emotions in me, but it ended on a positive note and was a wonderful poolside read. The audiobook was narrated by Carly Robins and I enjoyed her performance. She used tone, expression and voices to add to the story. I enjoyed listening to A Summer to Remember and I recommend it to those looking for a good summer story.
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