It’s hard to know who you can trust, when you can’t remember your past.
Katherine is an artist struggling with the grief of losing her mother at a young age. When her father dies, she and her sister unexpectedly inherit a house in Westchester Bay—a house she doesn’t remember. When she finds a strange collection of old letters addressed to her, she starts to question everything. Her dreams and drawings all seem to hold a secret, a hint of who she was before the day her mother died. While searching for answers, she befriends Janson Caswell: a kindhearted man with a complicated past of his own. The deeper their relationship grows, though, the more they are faced with a darker reality. Will the truth tear them apart?
Havelah McLat grew up on a small farm in rural Ohio with her family. As a kid, she spent hours drawing and then crafting short stories to go along with her illustrations. As she got older, her passion grew to write stories about the world, faith, and topics that matter the most to her. She has written several short fictions that have been featured in different anthologies. When she isn’t writing, she reads books, draws, and spends time with her family.
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Characters: Janson and Katherine were both sympathetic characters. Their backstories and shared past added to the book.
Language: Clean.
Moral/theme: Forgiveness, family, and second chances were major themes in this novel.
Plot: I enjoyed seeing Janson and Katherine overcome their pasts and begin to develop a romance, but some of their decisions and actions didn't make much sense to me.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing.
Writing: This is the first book I've read by Havelah McLat, and I enjoyed her clear writing style.
Overall: A Forever Summer was an entertaining read, and I'd recommend it to those who like clean, contemporary romances.
A Forever Summer takes readers into the lives of Katherine and Janson, two Bostonians who find themselves in a little beach-side town.
I particularly liked how the relationships were featured in this book. Katherine and Maeve were refreshing. Instead of two sisters with a bone to pick about each other, they are close and rely heavily on each other. Janson and his aunt and uncle were nice to read about as well, and it's obvious they love and are protective over each other. Aunt Bessie and Uncle Jon are definitely a sweet couple.
While I've never cared much for the ocean, Ms. McLat did well portraying a quaint, adorable little town that reminded me of a Hallmark setting.
The "bulky ponytail" part made me laugh. Been there, done that. Unruly hair is difficult to wrangle.
The cover is beautiful. Reminds me of a Becky Wade cover. Just light and simple and elegant. And the formatting, with the seashells and drop cap, match the book's setting.
I had a bit of a difficult time in parts of the book with the prose itself. Some of the dialogue and conversation was choppy and disjointed at times and I was disappointed there wasn't more faith weaved into the story, but that is a personal opinion.
In summary, A Forever Summer is a story with familial bonds, gentle romance, and forgiveness.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are original and my own.
Definitely a cute and easy read! I didn’t find the characters very captivating, but the dialogue was funny! I really appreciate that it was clean and the love interests were respectful to each other! I also love small town romance stories.
4 stars! This was such a good summer clean romance and is the author's debut novel. It honestly felt I was reading a cute summer Hallmark movie. This comes out in June 2022. If you like a cute clean summer romance read, friends to lovers trope and family details, you will enjoy this.
The story starts with Katherine and her sister Maude meeting with a lawyer to go over their father’s will. He has recently passed away and there are details they need to work out from the will. What comes as a surprise to them is their father left them a house in Westchester Bay, Massachusetts that they didn’t really know much about and now they have to decide what to do.
Katherine is an artist who works for a Boston lifestyle magazine company and her sister is a Freshman in college. Katherine immediately thinks she needs to sell the home but her boss thinks she needs some time off work to refresh for her artwork, so he tells her to take some time off. Maude really wants to give the new home a chance so they decide to go see this new home that their father left to them.
In comes Janson, who works in real estate and is in town staying with his Aunt and Uncle. He goes to the store because his Aunt’s house is leaking and he needs supplies, which is where he meets Katherine. They both seem oddly familiar to each other but they can’t seem to place where and how. You learn throughout the story about their past and history together.
The story takes off from there!
I really liked the scenery of this story. We had a lot of great beach scenes and summer descriptions. The characters were interesting and I liked how they were getting to know each other. The details surrounding the family were nice too. I love a good story where we can see family interactions.
All in all, this is a fun, clean summer romance and I think you all should check it out! I will talk more about this on my YouTube channel BookLoverAmanda in my May wrap up.
Thank you to the author for sending me a free ARC to honestly read and review. I had a lot of fun reading this and it was addictive to read through quickly!
Okay I want to say I officially republished on January 1, 2025. The manuscript is polished with updated interior formatted. The cover remained the same but the back cover had been updated and I love it. I hope readers will enjoy the new edition of A Forever Summer.
For a debut novel, I thought Havelah Mclat did a great job.
The characters were well-thought out with a storyline that was touching and sweet while dealing with some tough issues including the death of a parent and memory loss.
The Author's writing style is delicate and flowing, while also capturing the emotion of the story and keeping the reader engaged.
It made for a perfect Summer afternoon read and I definitely will be watching for other books by this Author in the future.
If you like clean, sweet books in the YA/NA age group - then check this one out.
“We can’t change people’s decisions, only they can do that. We must give others a chance.”
~My Thoughts~ I really enjoyed this book! It was really sweet, and I loved the tropes and the small town factor in this book.There were a few times I think the writing could have been improved just a little bit, but for a debut novel, it was really good as a whole. I do wish it was longer, though, because I was definitely not ready to leave these characters and their story after the book ended!
~Characters~ Janson: I really liked him! Honestly, I didn't expect him to have the job he does, but it actually works pretty well. 😆
Katherine: I liked her, too! I didn't quite connect with her as much as I would have liked, but you know, we can't all be amazing artists. 😅 I did like her more towards the end than at the beginning, though.
~Content Warnings~ (Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content could possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution!)
Trigger Warnings: I'm not too sure this is really a TW, but the FMC was in a car accident when she was younger, and she ends up having a bit of amnesia, so someone who might have been in a similar situation might could be triggered by it. There's also a bit of grief and stuff because some characters’ parents had died before the start of this book, and one of them had passed, like, right before the start.
A son was also pretty much abandoned by his dad as a kid, so there's a bit with that… along with his parents getting a divorce, so yeah…
Faith based/Christian: Praying, mentions and talking about God.
Other Religious Content: None
Violence: There's some mentions of a car crash, and deaths/someone dying.
Sexual Content/Romance: Kissing (on the lips, not detailed), thinking of kisses, wanting to kiss someone, talking about kissing someone. Kissing on the cheek (not detailed, and nephew to his aunt), and older couple also kiss (not detailed).
Magic: None
Bad Language: None, but there is a mention of cursing.
LGBTQ+: None
Drugs/Alcohol: None
~Other Notes~ None at this time.
~My Age Recommendation~ 16 years old and older.
~Will I Read the Rest of the Series/More from this Author?~ Yes.
~Will I reread this book at some point in time?~ Most likely!
*I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars. this is a great short summer book! Although, I did read this in front of a Christmas tree lol
My favorite part of the story was honestly the setting. I loved all of the references to Boston and the description of the New England coast.
I enjoyed our characters although romance was fairly predictable and I didn’t like the miscommunication between the characters.
The reason the reading is lower is because I was expecting a fun summary romance, so I was surprised by the talk about divorced and deceased parents, and relatives with cancer. So just be prepared for that, if you read this!
I would recommend. It wasn't personally my favorite, but I can totally see how others would really enjoy this!
*I received a free ebook arc in exchange for an honest review.
A Forever Summer is a beautiful, sweet romance. This book is a great beach read. You just can’t help but smile when you read it. If you enjoy a good pick me up book, this is a great choice. Definitely recommend.
This sweet small-town romance takes readers on a journey that spans decades, touching upon themes of family, burnt bridges, and the loss and rediscovery of love.
A Forever Summer is a cute read. It is like a Hallmark movie made into a book. Readers won't be caught unawares or deal with any tragic sorrows, as the continuance of the history of the characters is unfurling, and the romance building throughout has a predictable ending. It is a clean read set in a small beach town.
How fitting that I finished this read on the last night of summer!
This book was cute and refreshing with nautical vibes, intrigue, mystery, clean romance, and fun siblings interactions between 2 sisters, and is the perfect length for an easy read.
The author kept my attention the whole way through as I kept wondering when and how all the mysterious tidbits she'd drop would eventually create the bigger picture. I have to say this is a story all its own, unique, and even though there are familiar tropes they are done in a fresh way.
One thing I really enjoyed was all the unique names. I'm a sucker when it comes to names, and some of the ones in this book I'd either never heard of or aren't used often at all. The descriptive writing was well done and made me feel like I was at the ocean. Please, take me there!!
There was a bit of an amnesia trope twist to the story too, which isn't one I've encountered often and added to the intrigue of this story and added a bit of tension/conflict to the romance.
It's never the wrong time to read a delightful summer romance.
I can taste the sea salt on the breeze, and hear the cry of gulls; the author writes in a cozy, home-sort of way that wraps around you like a thick quilt. The characters are so varied and fleshed out, they feel like real people that you'd meet in your own town!
During a golden summer, many years ago, Katherine built sandcastles and went on adventures with a young boy in Westchester Bay. Now a young woman, she and her sister have returned for the first time to sort through forgotten memories and come to terms with the loss of their father. Memories, in particular, are rare treasures for Katherine, having lost them years ago in a terrible crash. While searching through old belongings, Katherine stumbles across letters addressed to her from a boy named Janson, and unexpected pieces begin falling into place. She thought that she was simply returning to put their family’s old vacation home in order before saying goodbye once and for all; instead, memory after memory is returning to her, all through the help of an unexpected friend, who might turn out to be something more.
Havelah McLat has written an impressive debut, full of heart, warmth, and charm. The main characters, Katherine and Janson, go on journeys in the story that are a joy for readers to share in. They are real, flawed, and relatable, and I enjoyed getting to know them and spend time with them. While there were certain parts where the dialogue felt somewhat unrealistic, the story, as a whole, is really well-written and so charming. This is the perfect summer beach read for anyone who is looking for a sweet story about love and legacy that will encourage and uplift them.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I found myself understanding the fictitious circumstances and relating to the characters well as if it was all true and the people were real (a true sign of a good writer).
For a first novel, Havelah brings us along an interesting journey of how important every moment in life is as time is so short and unpredictable. But this story also teaches us how, despite certain trials, love and family are still the most important things to cherish.
A Forever Summer is equal parts fun and mysterious. Most of the time while reading this book I felt a little off-balance, which I think is the intent. A lot of the plot hinges on the fact that our protagonist is experiencing memory loss, so it makes sense that the reader, too, doesn’t always have a tight grip on what is going on. On a few occasions this made me wonder if things were going to take a darker turn related to the mystery of the house and the identity of a few characters, but this turned out not to be the case.
One of my favorite aspects is the setting – small towns are my jam, and I don’t often read of ones set so near the ocean. It reminded me of another book I loved: This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith. The descriptions are vibrant and I wanted to get to know all the folks in town! It felt safe, a world away from the protagonist’s home in Boston and anything else that could interrupt the serenity of the beach. Relationships can be taken at face value (though I doubted this for a large portion of the book) and reflect the pure nature of the area.
There were a few things that landed oddly for me. Things like siblings talking to each other about “our dad” instead of just “Dad,” trusting new friends more than is reasonable, and sudden changes in opinion about finances. They are not major detriments to the story, but there were enough of these oddities to make it feel off at times.
The Verdict: If you’re looking for a contemporary story about grief, healing, and sisterhood with a large dash of mystery and a charming setting, A Forever Summer is a solid choice. It could be a great vacation companion, especially if you don’t think as deeply about some of the things as I did. In this book, things are as they seem for the most part. Despite the mystery and threads of grief, it remains a lighthearted read. I wasn’t blown away personally, but I can see the right reader being thrilled with this book. Four stars.
After their father’s death, Katherine and her sister, Maude, went to visit their house in Westchester Bay. The house and the area sounded really nice. A good place to unwind after their loss. Maude seemed more outgoing and just wanted to enjoy.
This was a sweet story about childhood friends who were reunited after so many years. I liked Janson’s character better. Somehow I didn't warm up to Katherine. She had a trauma from an accident when she was young. She was not very forthright about it as well, which left me wondering at times.
I like a good mystery and the build up was good. But the big mystery reveal was uneventful in my opinion. It was sweet though. I liked their parents' love story and the house was worth keeping. This reads like a good Hallmark movie with a pretty scenery.
I think this is a good beach read if you like an easy, sweet and clean romance from a new author.
Rating: 3.8 stars
Pub date: 07 June 2022
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
What an enjoyable clean romance! It will draw you in with its fictional friendly small beach town where Katherine and her sister, who recently lost their father, uncover their past and find their future. The characters learn the importance of honesty, forgiveness, and second chances. Add in a restored family relationship and a love story and it’s a perfect quick summer read.
📖If you are looking for summer, light, and touching novels, this one is what you need.
Genre: Novel Pages: 162 Language: English Release date: 2022
📖The Plot: Katherine is a young designer who appears to be at the crossroads of her life. Her father passed away; the boss recommended Katherine to take a sort of a vacation to cope with her grief. At the same time, Katherine and her sister find out that they inherited an old house from their father. The point is that Katherine does not remember a thing about this house. But a collection of old letters, a young man, and a spirit of the house are about to help her to recall everything.
📖The Writing Style: I savored this book from cover to cover. I laughed, sobbed, and giggled while reading it. It is a brilliant, light, and fast-paced reading that grabbed my attention and kept me glued to the pages. I enjoyed how the events were developing, how masterfully the dialogues were written, and how deep the emotions of the characters were described. It is a kind, touching, and absolutely fascinating novel for summer.
📖The Characters: There were not many characters, but it’s one of the books where all of them were described incredibly well. I found all of them captivating. All of them have their unique charm that established a solid bridge in my bookish heart.
This sweet, clean romance makes for an excellent summer read! With beach vibes and sunny days, the author did a fantastic job creating a small town near the ocean in which to set this story. I enjoyed the mystery behind Kathrine’s missing memories and how she found confidence to overcome her challenges. I also appreciated the development in Janson’s story. Both characters had opportunities to grow and find resolution to their inner struggles before the satisfying finish.
A great choice for readers who enjoy small-town romance with Hallmark vibes. This simple, standalone story would make a great beach read for your summer vacation.
A Forever Summer was a beautiful book! The description of the settings made me feel like I was there. The pacing was great and so were the characters. At no time did I feel that the story was too slow or moving too quickly. I loved being able to see all of the characters' pasts. It really brought extra life to the book. I would definitely recommend it, especially to those who enjoy clean romances. 5 stars out of 5!
Okay, I started this a while back and set it aside for a while because I was having trouble getting into it and I thought it was just because of where I was in life. This honestly seems like a really sweet book (think like a summer Hallmark type) but the writing felt a little choppy. It wasn't that I stopped because this was bad. They style just wasn't working with my brain and I have a lot of books I want to get to.
Need a quick and sweet romance without spice, this book here is a wonderful one to pick up.
What I absolutely loved is how the man never once pushed things too far, he was understanding and even fought for what he wanted without being pushy. Many beautiful life lessons in this book.
A Forever Summer is one of those stories that captivated me from the beginning. The love of family, the restoration of relationships, a charming town near the beach, and the mysterious childhood letters are the reasons why I enjoy this book. And the gorgeous cover (front and back) along with the cute seashells within the interior, adds to the charm of this summertime read.🐚🏖
The sisterly bond between Katherine and Maude is endearing. So is the relationship Janson has with his aunt and uncle. Because I value family and friendships, I can relate to the social dynamics of wanting unity and reconciliation.
As for the heart of the plot, I love how the inherited beach house and mysterious letters become the sources that bring Janson and Katherine together after years of being apart. And because of their moral support from loved ones, these childhood friends are able to catch up to the present, pursuing one another in forgiveness, trust, and new beginnings.🕊💛
This sweet romance makes me think of gentle waves that wash upon the seashore because of being a smooth and pleasurable read. 🌊And it reminds me of the sun because of the warmth and hope it brings to my heart. ☀️I really hope Havelah McLat writes a sequel so I can revisit the beloved characters of Westchester Bay!
Wow what a great read, it made me wish it was summer here too instead it’s winter here in NZ. The beach house sounded amazing and the way it was written made it easy to imagine what it must look like. A great story of friendship, loss, recovery, love, coming together as a family. I wish there was more to the story, as in I want to hear more about them like a series. It was one of those really good books, you love reading and are sad that the stories ended.
Likeable characters, interesting but lovely storyline, set in a period of grief but doesn’t have that heavy sadness to the story either. Recommend to anyone who loves a great summer read, love story or just a great read.