Liminal Summer: An Alice Burton Book

by Jamie Beth Cohen

Recent college graduate Alice Burton typically has a Plan A, B, and C. But now that her decisions have real consequences, she’s feeling the delayed after-effects of the night her life was rocked by twin disasters—an injured father and a serious betrayal. Eager to start her “real life” somewhere other than her sleepy college town, she’s laser-focused on a prestigious fellowship in New York City, but her acceptance hasn’t arrived yet and she hasn’t bothered with a back-up plan. Meanwhile, her father assumes she’ll come home to Pittsburgh to work for him—something she’s determined not to do. When blast-from-the-past Chris Thompson, who she might still be in love with, shows up, Alice questions everything, including herself.

Liminal Summer —the sequel to Jamie Beth Cohen’s Wasted Pretty —follows Alice as she wrestles with the choices she has, the person she wants to become, and all the spaces in between.

243 pages, Paperback

Published November 24, 2021

Reviews

[Amy Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sequel to Wasted Pretty which I re-read in anticipation of reading Liminal Summer. I thoroughly enjoyed Wasted Pretty again and loved seeing what happened to Alice next. It's a wonderfully described setting of teenage hood and young adulthood in the 90s. It grapples with some of the tough parts of youth in a real and thoughtful way. Really enjoyable.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Beth Cohen has written the perfect sequel to her first novel, Wasted Pretty. I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with Alice Burton the summer after her college graduation. Cohen has given us a window into the life of a wonderful character. Already looking forward to her next chapter.

[Anne DeGerolamo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a good character arc, you’ll love this book. I wanted to simultaneously hug and shake Alice, the MC. A quick read and an enjoyable sequel to Wasted Pretty.

[Aj Drumheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It was the sequel I was hoping for. I read it in a day while on vacation.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summer read with notes of nostalgia for us 90s kids.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with Wasted Pretty, this was a quick summer read, and I easily connected with the setting of the book…yay Pennsylvania! On the other hand, I had a difficult time connecting with Alice, Chris, Zach, and the other characters. I felt as if they hadn’t matured from their high school sagas.

[Kait Linton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A formidable sequel - just the continuation I craved in the world of Alice Burton. Jamie Beth Cohen does not disappoint with this one. It’s one of those stories you think about between readings, wondering what’s going to happen next, waiting for the moment you can stop what you’re doing to pick it back up again.